Commitment to Close the Gap clear for Western Sydney Catholic schools

3 CSPD students wearing Traditional Aboriginal Paint

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.

Closing the Gap report

Written By

Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
www.parra.catholic.edu.au

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More photos and highlight reel from last weeks Mental Fitness Leaders of Tomorrow Showcase where Charlotte, Annalise and Natalia presented their idea for the Buddy Bench. - Gotcha4Life https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpiW5LXkQgU

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Leaders of Tomorrow Showcase – University of Western Sydney, Kingswood October 15, 2025 Yesterday, three Year 5 students, Annalise, Charlotte and Natalia, represented Holy Family Luddenham at the Leaders of Tomorrow Showcase presented by Gotcha4Life Foundation. Last term, Mentally Fit Primary Schools launched the Student Voice Project, with the goal of empowering students to become mental fitness leaders within their school community. In partnership with Gotcha4Life, students were encouraged to promote mental fitness (to build your emotional muscle, to never worry alone, and embrace your village). The students designed a wonderful initiative called the Buddy Bench. The Buddy Bench aims to reduce loneliness and provide a safe space for students in the playground. It signals that a student is feeling lonely and that student would like someone to play or talk with. To further support peer connection, the team developed Conversation Cards with thoughtful prompts to help students start positive discussions while at the bench. The staff and students at Holy Family are incredibly proud of our Year 5 students for their creativity, compassion, and leadership. The Gotcha4Life Foundation extend their thanks to all the Year5 students for their inspiring contributions and for the enthusiasm displayed during this project. Special thanks to the Year 5 students who presented at the Leaders of Tomorrow Showcase. Thank you for your dedication and hard work in preparing for this showcase — you should be extremely proud of yourselves and the positive impact your project will have on our school community. At the event, Gus Worland spoke passionately about the importance of teaching young people about mental fitness and breaking the negative stigma surrounding mental health. Let’s continue to work together to Build a Mentally Fit School and Community — Build your emotional muscle. Never worry alone. Embrace your village. Let's Build Mental Fitness For more information, visit https://www.gotcha4life.org/programs/primaryschools