News

Almost 65,000 kindergarten students will start at NSW public schools this week as a new syllabus that mandates the use of phonics when teaching pupils to read is rolled out in all classrooms. Read more....

Nineteen Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta schools have `switched on’ to free solar power and energy efficient LED lighting, under a program tipped to reduce carbon emissions of 2,442 tonnes each year across the schools. Read more...

Join Greg Whitby, Executive Director of Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta, for a transparent and engaging Q&A session with parents and guardians from learning communities throughout the diocese. Held at St Andrews College in Marayong, the event will begin at 7pm with light refreshments, followed by a Q&A session with Executive Director Greg Whitby where parents will have the chance to raise their questions around education and school in today's world. Can't make it in person? This event will also be live-streamed via the CEDP Facebook page. Be sure to click on 'Interested' or 'Going' to be reminded before the discussion goes live! You can do this via the event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1988053254654264/ Free ticket registration for this event will be available from Monday, May 20th at 9am by visiting chatterbox.parra.catholic.edu.au. If you have any questions or would like further information in regards to this event, please contact Lachlan Andrews from Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta via landrews8@parra.catholic.edu.au or on 9840 5790.

Tuesday the 5th of February is Safer Internet Day. Safer Internet Day raises awareness about the positive role of digital technology and explores ways we can all contribute to creating a better, safer internet. Coordinated by the Office of the eSafety Commissioner in Australia and celebrated in over 130 countries, this year’s Safer Internet Day theme is ‘Together for a better internet’. Parents are encouraged to get involved and support our young people in developing the critical skills required to successfully navigate the online world. These skills take time to develop but they can help us in all areas of life - online and off. We like to call them the 4Rs…Respect - I treat myself and others the way I like to be treated Responsibility - I am accountable for my actions and I take a stand when I feel something is wrong Reasoning - I question what is real Resilience - I get back up from tough situationsHelp spread the word about creating a safer, more positive internet—start a conversation with your child about which of the 4Rs of online safety is most important to them and how can they help build a better internet for everyone.

On Thursday October 25, four children accompanied Mrs Bawden and Miss Espiritu to the annual Education Mass (formerly known as the Mission Mass) at St Patrick’s Cathedral Parramatta. We had the privilege of celebrating Mass with Bishop Vincent Long and managed to meet him afterwards at the Mission exhibition. Thank you to Ethan, Charlotte, Angela and Catherine (pictured) who represented our school so confidently and reverently. They were inspired by the works and exhibitions of other schools and got some great ideas to share with our social justice team.

On Monday the 4th of June we had a surprise concert. John Burland was visiting the Parish and was generous enough to spend some time with the children singing and performing during our usual assembly time. John Burland is an educator and composer who has been writing and recording religious music for children and adults for over twenty years. The children had a fantastic time learning new songs and singing songs they knew with great enthusiasm. Even our choir that is only two weeks in the making had the opportunity to make their debut performance.