Jim Gillespie and Patrick Rosato
Catholic schooling is a work of love and nowhere is the work of love and learning more evident than in the relationship between teacher and student.
Research highlights that teachers’ belief and commitments are the greatest influence on students’ achievements.
In a four-part series, we’ve taken a closer look at the teacher-student relationship and how it makes better learners and teachers. Jim Gillespie teaches Year 12 student Patrick Rosato at St Columba’s Catholic College, Springwood
Patrick says Mr Gillespie is a good guy who is more than just a teacher.
‘He is hard working, he helps everyone and he’s fair, honest and helpful,’ says Patrick. ‘Mr Gillespie is really committed to his students as individuals and I respect him because he treats me with respect.’
‘He has really made a difference to my learning and he set up extra classes to help students who want to do more study. He tests us in class to make sure we know what we have to know,’ said Patrick.
Patrick says Mr Gillespie loves his subject and this comes across in his teaching. ‘He expects everyone to work as hard as they can and get the best results they can and he makes the subject accessible and creates a want for learning,’ said Patrick.
Jim Gillespie says he sees the good in all kids and wants to see them flourish.
‘In Pat’s case, I have learned that adversity can make people even stronger,’ said Jim. ‘Even through the hardship of losing his home in the bushfires, Pat’s attitude to his learning has not changed. He is respectful, always cheerful and dedicated to his studies.’
‘I have seen Pat grow from a sound student in Years 7 to 10 to now as a Year 12 student where he works to achieve the best result,’ said Jim. ‘He understands what hard work is and the effort needed to achieve excellent results.’
Jim says he is motivated by seeing students achieve at a high level and the enthusiasm that this instills in them.
‘I have a great love of working with young people and seeing the rapport that is built between teacher and student. I think I have a never-give-up attitude.’
Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
www.parra.catholic.edu.au
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24 Sep 2026
From Facebook
A huge congratulations to Year 12 student Sam, who has received a NESA Showcase nomination for SHAPE 2026 for his outstanding Design and Technology Major Project! Drawing on his passion for snow skiing, Sam identified an opportunity to develop an innovative new product for snow skiers, taking his idea through the design and development process to create an impressive Major Project worthy of recognition at state level. SHAPE showcases a selection of outstanding HSC Design and Technology projects from across NSW, making this nomination a fantastic recognition of Sam’s creativity, innovation, problem-solving and many hours of hard work. A massive shout-out also to Sam’s teacher, Ms Jodie Cusack, whose expertise, encouragement and dedication have supported Sam throughout the development of his project. Guiding a student from an initial idea all the way through to a SHAPE-nominated Major Project is an achievement well worth celebrating! We are incredibly proud of you, Sam. What a fantastic way to turn something you love into something innovative! ⛷️ *Image published with permission. Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese24 Sep 2026
From Facebook
Today we celebrate and farewell the Class of 2026. We thank them for their leadership, friendship and service to the St Columba's Catholic College community. It is with great excitement we watch them prepare to spread their wings beyond the College and share their light with the world. Graduates, as you explore, discover and learn in the years ahead, know you will always be cherished members of the St Columba's family. We wish you tremendous happiness and peace.
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24 Sep 2026
From Facebook
A huge congratulations to Year 12 student Sam, who has received a NESA Showcase nomination for SHAPE 2026 for his outstanding Design and Technology Major Project! Drawing on his passion for snow skiing, Sam identified an opportunity to develop an innovative new product for snow skiers, taking his idea through the design and development process to create an impressive Major Project worthy of recognition at state level. SHAPE showcases a selection of outstanding HSC Design and Technology projects from across NSW, making this nomination a fantastic recognition of Sam’s creativity, innovation, problem-solving and many hours of hard work. A massive shout-out also to Sam’s teacher, Ms Jodie Cusack, whose expertise, encouragement and dedication have supported Sam throughout the development of his project. Guiding a student from an initial idea all the way through to a SHAPE-nominated Major Project is an achievement well worth celebrating! We are incredibly proud of you, Sam. What a fantastic way to turn something you love into something innovative! ⛷️ *Image published with permission. Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
24 Sep 2026
From Facebook
Today we celebrate and farewell the Class of 2026. We thank them for their leadership, friendship and service to the St Columba's Catholic College community. It is with great excitement we watch them prepare to spread their wings beyond the College and share their light with the world. Graduates, as you explore, discover and learn in the years ahead, know you will always be cherished members of the St Columba's family. We wish you tremendous happiness and peace.
24 Sep 2026
From Facebook
On 1st September 2026, our school community welcomed Miles Merrill, a dynamic and professional spoken word artist from Word Travels, to deliver a unique poetry workshop at St Columba’s Catholic College. This special session brought together a group of selected Year 9 students to collaborate with one of Australia’s leading voices in performance poetry. Our students participated in the " Slam Poetry Wordshop" which is far from your average writing class. The session kicked off with captivating live performances from Miles Merrill, which immediately sparked our students' creative energy. With a unique focus on writing specifically for live performance, the workshop provided our Year 9s with exciting new techniques to plan, structure, and truly engage with the writing and performance process. During the interactive session, each student drew inspiration from their own personal experiences, community, and identity to create and confidently perform a brand-new piece of poetry. The workshop successfully taught students powerful new ways to express their creative ideas by utilising: • Volume • Movement • Pacing • Sound effects • Sensory imagery and a range of other engaging devices We are proud of the immense creativity, vulnerability, and courage our Year 9 students showed throughout the day. We look forward to seeing how they continue to use their voices to share their stories with the world! Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
23 Sep 2026
From Facebook
On Wednesday 14th September, Year 10 Silver Duke of Edinburgh students embarked on their Practice Adventurous Journey in Glenbrook. The students plotted their route, shouldered their hiking packs full of food, water, tents and poles, and were all smiles setting off on their adventure. The Practice trip took them into Glenbrook Gorge, where rock-hopping met creek-crossing and soggy shoes, to Red Hands Cave, learning about the history of the Darug people, camping at the beautiful Apple Tree Flat to the distant sounds of “Columba” by the campfire, and finally to Tunnel View Lookout, watching the sun rise over a sleepy Western Sydney. The students progressed well as individuals and as a group, and are prepared for their upcoming Qualifying Journey in Term 4. A special thank you to Mrs Brough and Mr D'Souza for giving up their time to join the group on their expedition. Good luck Year 10 Silvers for your upcoming Qualifying Journey! Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award
20 Sep 2026
From Facebook
A huge congratulations to Year 12 students Emily and Reni, who last night graduated from the Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District VET in Schools program! Over the past two years, alongside their HSC studies, Emily and Reni have worked incredibly hard to achieve their qualifications: 🌟 Emily: Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance 🌟 Reni: Certificate III in Assistant in Nursing These qualifications represent so much more than classroom learning. Both students have spent long hours in hospitals, undertaken practical placements, embraced new challenges and pushed themselves well beyond their comfort zones. Their dedication and determination have certainly paid off! With their qualifications now complete and university early entry offers already in hand, both young women are well on their way to exciting careers in healthcare. We couldn't be prouder of Emily and Reni for the initiative, commitment and courage they have shown in pursuing their career aspirations while still at school. What an incredible way to finish Year 12! Congratulations, girls! *Published with permission. Nepean Blue Mountains Health Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
19 Sep 2026
From Facebook
Congratulations to our Drama Stars who have received nominations in the ONSTAGE HSC Showcase! Zahara, Koby, Hakopa and Gabriel who received a group nomination for their Group Performance, 'The Mysterious Case of the Missing Mutt' and Jemima, Koby and Zahara who all received nominations for their Individual Performances. Outstanding effort from everyone! A very special congratulations also to Mrs Carmen Noonan, whose expertise, passion and dedication have supported and inspired our Drama students throughout their HSC journey. To have five students receive ONSTAGE nominations is an outstanding achievement and a wonderful reflection of Carmen’s commitment to nurturing the talent, creativity and confidence of her students. *Photos published with permission of the families. Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
18 Sep 2026
From Facebook
At our recent College Assembly, the St Columba’s community came together to make an incredible contribution to Jesuit Social Services (JSS) and the Ignite Food Store at Mount Druitt. Thanks to the generosity of our students and families, we donated a whole truckload of non-perishable food items and nappies to help stock the shelves at Ignite and support individuals and families in our wider community. But the giving didn’t stop there! Funds raised through our St Columba’s Day celebrations also enabled us to make a significant monetary donation to JSS, providing further support to purchase much-needed supplies for the Ignite Food Store. We are incredibly proud of the generosity shown by our College community. It’s a wonderful example of our faith in action and of what can happen when we work together to make a difference. Thank you to everyone who donated, fundraised and helped make this possible! *AI generated image for student privacy and protection. Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
18 Sep 2026
From Facebook
Year 7 students from St Columba's had a wild time participating in a travelling reptile show recently! From scaly friends to slithering surprises, students got an up-close look at some fascinating creatures. There was plenty of excitement, along with a few nerves, and lots of memorable learning experiences. 🐊🐍🦎 #ReptileShow #LearningBeyondTheClassroom #HandsOnLearning Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
17 Sep 2026
From Facebook
Last Friday, our College came together to recognise R U OK? Day. A day that reminds us of the importance of checking in, listening and supporting those around us. Staff and students embraced the day by wearing a yellow accessory and adding their favourite happy songs to our collaborative playlist. Most importantly, it was a reminder that asking “R U OK?” shouldn’t be limited to one day. Checking in, listening and looking out for one another is something we can do anytime 💛
17 Sep 2026
From Facebook
Great article about St Columba's alum, Olivia King, in the Blue Mountains Gazette this week. Congratulations Liv on the hashtag#YellowPencil - such brilliant recognition for such amazing work. Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese Penguin Books SFMOMA San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
16 Sep 2026
From Facebook
At College Assembly this morning we celebrated many things, including the fantastic success of the College Show Team, who cleaned up at the Penrith Show recently. In events ranging from parading, judging and railing to events for animals, our College was represented. Too many place getters to name here, but congratulations to every single student who stepped up and got involved! Our College Champions were: 🥇Olivia P Champion Expert Parader 🥇Champion school calf railing competition. 🥇Champion Jnr heifer fitting comp summah and Eva yr 8 🥇Champion fleece judging Evy yr 10 🥇Champion team cattle judging Anastasia and Anika yr12 🥇Champion sheep judging Anastasia yr 12 A special shout out to Ms Sibbald who got the team ready and was with them for the entire duration of the Show. 🥇Champion Teacher
16 Sep 2026
From Facebook
Our Agriculture students have achieved some fantastic results at the GSSCC Presentation last week, with strong performances across steer, paraders, judging and carcase competitions! Our results included: • 6th – Steer Weight Gain, gaining an impressive 1.145 kg per day over 100 days • 5th – Junior Paraders • 3rd – Senior Paraders • 6th – Beef Appraisal • 2nd – Junior Judging Team • 2nd – Senior Judging Team • 🏆 Champion All Age Team Judging • 🥇 Winner – Junior Judging Team • 3rd – Senior Judging Team • 3rd – Carcase These outstanding results saw St Columba’s named Equal Reserve Champion School for the competition, for the second year in a row! So close to taking out the top spot, and an achievement of which our students can be incredibly proud. Our Agriculture program provides students with a wonderful opportunity to work alongside industry, develop practical skills and make meaningful real-world connections in Agriculture. And there’s more exciting news! 🐓 We were also able to collect our new show birds – a beautiful trio of Light Sussex from highly regarded breeder Diamond Valley Poultry. These new additions will help strengthen our breeding program and give our students the opportunity to become even more competitive in the show ring. Congratulations to all of our students and staff involved in another fantastic showing for St Columba’s! Greater Sydney Schools Cattle Competition Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese