More than 400 Stage Three students from 12 primary schools across the Diocese of Parramatta, including St Oliver's Harris Park, joined a recent celebration for the Year of Youth at Rooty Hill RSL.
Each of the participating Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta schools is part of the Faith in Action initiative, developed in partnership with Catholic Youth Parramatta. Faith in Action Teams (FIAT) are made up of passionate young teachers (2 to 4 per school) who foster the personal and spiritual growth of young people, engaging them in the life and mission of the Catholic faith community.
The event was facilitated by Catholic Youth Parramatta (CYP) and featured Genevieve Bryant, a highly acclaimed young Catholic singer, songwriter and performer who is from Melbourne. She was a headline performer for the Australian Catholic Youth Festivals in Adelaide in 2015 and Sydney in 2017.
Mission Teaching Educator Amanda Bentley said the program for the day saw a combination of music, testimony, discussion and prayer.
“Genevieve did a great job in engaging with the students and talking to them about trusting in God to use their gifts and talents to share God’s love with others,’’ Ms Bentley said.
“She shared her own testimony and encouraged the students to be engaged with their faith, to deepen their relationship with God and to try to live out God’s message.”
Catholic Youth Parramatta also gathered student testimonies to share with Bishop Vincent Long, Bishop of Parramatta, as another element of dialogue within this Year of Youth event.
“The students were given an opportunity to address the following questions given to them by Bishop Vincent: What have you been involved in at your school for the Year of Youth; what is something you would like Bishop Vincent to know is important for young people in our Church; and what is your dream for the future of the Church.”
Teachers praised the joyful impact the day had on the students.
Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
www.parra.catholic.edu.au
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06 Apr 2026
From Facebook
To all St Oliver’s Stemgineers! What perfect weather to start getting creative. I am looking for a STEM mascot and I’d love your help. Using materials you find around the house, try building a robot 🤖 I have shared some ideas in the photos below. I can’t wait to see what you have made when we return to school. Mrs Iovannella
02 Apr 2026
From Facebook
This morning, our school community gathered for a beautiful and prayerful Holy Week liturgy. Thank you to all the families who were able to join us. Your presence brought so much joy to the children, and it was wonderful to share this sacred moment together.
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06 Apr 2026
From Facebook
To all St Oliver’s Stemgineers! What perfect weather to start getting creative. I am looking for a STEM mascot and I’d love your help. Using materials you find around the house, try building a robot 🤖 I have shared some ideas in the photos below. I can’t wait to see what you have made when we return to school. Mrs Iovannella
02 Apr 2026
From Facebook
This morning, our school community gathered for a beautiful and prayerful Holy Week liturgy. Thank you to all the families who were able to join us. Your presence brought so much joy to the children, and it was wonderful to share this sacred moment together.
01 Apr 2026
From Facebook
Today our school community came together to showcase their learning from Wellness Wednesday clubs. Through these clubs the students have learnt to take notice, be active, give, connect and keep learning.
01 Apr 2026
From Facebook
“Creativity is the secret sauce to science, technology, engineering and math.” Yesterday Stage 2 and Stage 3 showcased their learning from STEM. What a success! The buzz and excitement in the room was incredible. Thank you to the visitors that were able to come and all the classes for their participation. Congratulations Stage 2 and Stage 3 on a fantastic showcase and a wonderful term of learning.
29 Mar 2026
From Facebook
It's the last week of Term 1 and we are finishing up with a BANG! Please join us this week for our Stage 2 and 3 STEM showcase, Road Safety Assembly, Wellness Club showcase and our Holy Week Liturgy. We wish our St Oliver's Community a very happy and safe Easter. We look forward to seeing you all in Term 2.
28 Mar 2026
From Facebook
Stage 2 and Stage 3 have been working really hard this term on their STEM projects. Please join them on Tuesday the 31st of March where they will showcase what they have learnt and made.
26 Mar 2026
From Facebook
Today students from Year 2 went for a local walk to visit the site of a beautiful mural currently being created in Little India of Harris Park. Year 2 had the opportunity to meet the 3 artists Gauri Torgalkar, Patrick Hunter and Em Hatton. We learnt that the mural started as sketches and drawings on paper and then the computer. The mural is 120m long and is made up of native birds, flowers and designs. The artists have used aerosol cans to do their mural and it has taken them 4 weeks to complete it.
25 Mar 2026
From Facebook
Today our school community gathered to celebrate the Feast of the Annunciation of Mary - we commemorated the visit of the archangel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary, during which he informed her that she would be the mother of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
24 Mar 2026
700+ Unite for Project Compassion Big Water Walk
More than 700 students and staff from 23 schools across Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD) came together for Caritas Australia’s Big Water Walk in support of Project Compassion. Beginning at Parramatta Park, students carried buckets of water along a 4km route, gaining a glimpse of the daily journey faced by people in developing communities, especially women and children, in search of clean water.
20 Mar 2026
From Facebook
This week students from Years 2-6 ran in the St. Oliver's Cross Country. Our students had fun and many qualified for the next Diocesan Country Country, which will be in Term 2 at Eastern Creek.
20 Mar 2026
From Facebook
🧡 Harmony Day 2026 🧡 Today our school community celebrated Harmony Day. Students enjoyed listening to our guest speaker David Roberts, coming together in prayer and participating in the water walk. May today be a reminder of how fortunate we are at St Oliver’s to be able to celebrate the cultural diversity, inclusiveness and respect we have in our school community. 🧡 Happy Harmony Day to everyone 🧡