Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD) has released its first annual Closing the Gap report. This report outlines its contribution to improving socio-economic outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, particularly students and their families.
CSPD Chief Executive Officer Jack de Groot said the report reflects the dedication of CSPD’s 6 500 staff in fostering reconciliation and equity through the organisation’s 80 outstanding school across Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains.
“We’re strongly committed to great outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students through education grounded in excellence and inclusion,” Jack said. “Our Catholic tradition puts people in need first and there is still so much more to do to Close the Gap for First Nations people in Australia, including in our Catholic schools.”
The annual report is an additional commitments CSPD has included in its forthcoming Reconciliation Action Plan. While not exhaustive, the report highlights some of the meaningful efforts being made through CSPD schools and services across Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains. Some highlights include:
- a year-on-year increase of approximately 7.5% enrolment growth for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students (bringing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to 1,217 total)
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students maintained an attendance rate above 87% in both 2023 and 2024, compared to 85.1% in 2022
- increasing HSC participation with 65 HSC candidates in 2025, in contrast to 10 HSC candidates in 2016
- steady improvement in HSC results, with the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students achieving top-band awards rising from 7.69% in 2016 to nearly 30% by 2024
- achievements in Vocational Education and Training such as St John Paul II Catholic College Schofields student Tataya Curry-Jones being named NSW Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year and St Agnes Catholic High School Rooty Hill student Jewel Osborne won the prestigious Aurora Award at the Western Sydney and Blue Mountains Region at the 2024 NSW Training Awards.
The report celebrates the strengths-based work of the CSPD Jarara team based in Mount Druitt and Family Liaison Officer Aunty Roz Webb, an Aboriginal Elder embedded within CSPD’s Student Support Directorate. Other successful initiatives include the Murama Youth Ambassador Program, cultural learning programs such as Sky Country Dreaming and the Up and Go Bus that provides students with transport to school (and brekky on the road), an initiative to support student attendance.
Looking ahead, opportunities to increase CSPD’s contribution to national efforts to close the gap include considering scaling the Family Liaison Officer model, expanding transition support, and strengthening vocational pathways will be key priorities. Deepening partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations, universities, and employers while increasing access to targeted wellbeing services will further enhance student outcomes. By refining exisiting programs and fostering strong community collaborations, CSPD can continue to make a contribution to sustained progress towards parity between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
www.parra.catholic.edu.au
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14 Jun 2026
From Facebook
Winter Vinnies 2026 Stayout On Wednesday afternoon our Yr 5 and 6 students had the opportunity to take part in the Vinnies Stayout. The afternoon began with Yr 6 students sharing information about homelessness and poverty and we were blessed to have the local conference members from Vinnies join us to share how they support our community. We joined together in a liturgy before students got to work collating snack packs - a hands-on reminder that small acts of kindness can make a real difference. As night fell, students experienced the dark and cold of the playground, a small glimpse into what it feels like to have no warm place to sleep. The evening ended with a simple dinner of noodles and sandwiches just like many people in our community experience night after night. We are incredibly proud of the maturity and generosity our students showed throughout the afternoon/evening. Thank you to our Vinnies guests, students, teachers and all families who supported this experience. If you are able to make a financial contribution to support the Vinnies Winter Appeal please use this link. https://tinyurl.com/mr34y2ny
14 Jun 2026
From Facebook
On Wednesday we held a Pyjama mufti day to collect food donations to support the Vinnies Winter Appeal. Our students enjoyed wearing their cosiest PJs and the generosity shown by families was amazing!!! π Thank you to every family who donated as this will make a real difference to people in our community who are doing it tough this winter. π
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14 Jun 2026
From Facebook
Winter Vinnies 2026 Stayout On Wednesday afternoon our Yr 5 and 6 students had the opportunity to take part in the Vinnies Stayout. The afternoon began with Yr 6 students sharing information about homelessness and poverty and we were blessed to have the local conference members from Vinnies join us to share how they support our community. We joined together in a liturgy before students got to work collating snack packs - a hands-on reminder that small acts of kindness can make a real difference. As night fell, students experienced the dark and cold of the playground, a small glimpse into what it feels like to have no warm place to sleep. The evening ended with a simple dinner of noodles and sandwiches just like many people in our community experience night after night. We are incredibly proud of the maturity and generosity our students showed throughout the afternoon/evening. Thank you to our Vinnies guests, students, teachers and all families who supported this experience. If you are able to make a financial contribution to support the Vinnies Winter Appeal please use this link. https://tinyurl.com/mr34y2ny
14 Jun 2026
From Facebook
On Wednesday we held a Pyjama mufti day to collect food donations to support the Vinnies Winter Appeal. Our students enjoyed wearing their cosiest PJs and the generosity shown by families was amazing!!! π Thank you to every family who donated as this will make a real difference to people in our community who are doing it tough this winter. π
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One moment your child is holding your hand at the school gate and before you know it, they're walking in confidently, greeting friends by name, carrying their own bag, and coming home full of stories about 'assembly' and 'sport'. Hereβs what to expect in their first 100 days of Kindergarten.
27 May 2026
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25 May 2026
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25 May 2026
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22 May 2026
From Facebook
Today we joyfully celebrated our Pentecost Liturgies, remembering the gift of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the Church. Our students reflected on how the Holy Spirit continues to guide, strengthen and inspire us in our daily lives. ποΈπ₯ "Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and enkindle in them the fire of your love." π
22 May 2026
From Facebook
A big thank you to all of our parents and families who participated in National Walk Safely to School Day today by supporting healthy, active and safe habits for our students! πππΆββοΈ
21 May 2026
From Facebook
National Walk Safely to School Day β Tomorrow! πππΆββοΈ Tomorrow we encourage all students and families to support National Walk Safely to School Day by walking safely to school. πβοΈ Walking to school helps children build healthy habits, improve focus in the classroom and supports a cleaner, safer environment for everyone. ππΈ You can even park a few blocks away and walk the rest of the way together!
20 May 2026
From Facebook
πΆββοΈπΆππ This Friday weβre encouraging all families to support National Walk Safely to School Day! We are excited to be featured in the Western Weekender for promoting this important initiative that encourages healthy habits, road safety, and active lifestyles for our students. Why not leave the car a few streets away and enjoy a short walk to school together? Every step counts! π£
14 May 2026
From Facebook
Last Tuesday, our school Mission team came together with young people from the Parramatta diocese at Lifted Jnr for a wonderful day of worship, prayer and sharing. Inspired by the message of Pentecost, they explored who they are and how the Holy Spirit is at work in their daily lives. Through music and discussion, students connected with Jesus in a real and joyful way. They are eager to share what they experienced and are offering a weekly prayer group to students every Tuesday at lunchtime.
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