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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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 🧡