More than 60 secondary students from Catholic Schools Diocese of Parramatta (CSPD), gathered at Our Lady of Lourdes, Seven Hills in October for the annual Social Justice Statement launch for students.
Each year the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference (ACBC) issues a major Social Justice Statement reflecting on the current, social, economic and ecological challenges. The 2023-2024 statement is titled: Listen, Learn, Love: A New Engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
Held in partnership with the Diocese of Parramatta’s Mission Enhancement Team (MET) – Peace, Justice, Ecology Team, the launch was attended by Year 9 students with guest speakers including Bishop Vincent Long and Executive Director of Schools Jack De Groot.
The aim of the launch was for students to gain a better understanding of what the social justice statement is and to work together to consider how they can take action in their schools.
Released in August 2023, the statement reads:
At the heart of this year’s Social Justice Statement is a call for all the People of God to embrace a new engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, an engagement which involves a commitment to listen to our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sisters and brothers and to learn from them. This listening and learning and the actions which flow from them must be grounded in a spirit of love if there is to be a change for the better.
“This statement is very different from those in the past. Much of the preparation was spent listening to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in major cities and regional areas. From Canberra to the Kimberleys, Sydney to Wadeye in the NT, and Melbourne to Cherbourg in Queensland,” Bishop Long said at the official launch in August.
“One of the objectives of this statement is that we want Catholics to understand that Catholic Social Teaching and Catholic social action are not simply theoretical and academic exercises. We hear what God is saying to us about justice by being with our sisters and brothers on the peripheries of society.”
At the student event, Executive Director of Schools Jack de Groot spoke about reconciliation and encouraged students to feel empowered by their opportunity to create change.
“I think back to my experience of being a fifteen-year-old and the thing that mattered to me about Catholicism and Christianity was about doing something practical in the world and that has continued throughout my life because faith is about action,” said Jack.
“Our school communities are led by students who want a just society, who want to make firm amend, not to be stuck in saying ‘sorry’ but understanding it so that we move to action,” he said. “Social Justice statements are about the Australia we will create and it is about you being empowered to create it.”
In reflecting on her experience of the day Catherine McAuley Westmead student Aaliyah Johnston, said she felt strengthened in her resolve to see change.
“We spoke about empowering the voice of all people no matter their race or beliefs,” she said. “I connected with the painful stories of Indigenous people which I heard at the launch and believe the Social Justice statement to Listen, Learn, Love can create a more united and strong community where justice can be met and we can learn from our mistakes.”
Year 9 student Jake Meredith from Emmaus Catholic College Kemps Creek added that listening and sharing resonated with him.
“The day was a great day to learn about what we can do better to help,” he said. “It is a really good opportunity to hear others' opinions and listen to their stories.”
For St Clare’s Catholic High School Hassall Grove student Reuben, the message was simple, “We can make a change.”
Olivia O'Connor
Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
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15 Mar 2026
From Facebook
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13 Mar 2026
From Facebook
This morning our community at St Columba’s came together to celebrate International Women’s Day with a wonderful breakfast in the College quad. Students, staff and guests enjoyed a delicious start to the day, accompanied by beautiful background music performed by our talented students. Following breakfast, the community gathered for our International Women’s Day Assembly and the presentation of the 2026 Sr Anne Henson International Women’s Day Award. This year’s recipient was Dr Naomi Cooper (College Captain 2007), whose achievements and leadership continue to inspire the next generation of young women at St Columba’s. In her acceptance speech, Dr Cooper reminded us all that progress towards equality is a shared responsibility, telling the College community: “While some days it feels like we are getting nowhere fast in achieving gender parity, I take heart that it is small changes from individuals like you and me that edge us closer to equality. People of all genders have a role to play.” Thank you to everyone who helped make this morning’s celebration so special. Thank you especially to staff and students from Xavier College, Penola, St Finbar's and St Canice's who joined us at the event. Together we continue to honour the women who have shaped our community and encourage the leaders of tomorrow. Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
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15 Mar 2026
From Facebook
What a fantastic weekend for the St Columba’s Show Team at the Castle Hill Show! More than 20 attended, including a very enthusiastic group of Year 7 students who were excited to be part of the day. Our senior students achieved some outstanding results. Maddi L placed 2nd in Junior Judging and has qualified to compete at the Sydney Royal Easter Show in two weeks’ time. In parading, all of our senior competitors made it through to the final, with Jovina M (Year 12) taking out 1st place and also qualifying for the Sydney Royal. Olivia P placed 3rd in the same event. Summer S (Year 8) achieved a terrific 5th place in a very strong 13 Years final. We were also incredibly proud of Eden J and Eliza W who were judging for the first time and did an outstanding job making it through to the speaking final. Eden then went on to place 2nd overall in the Under 15s – a wonderful achievement. Congratulations to every student who represented the College with such enthusiasm and pride, and a special thank you to Mrs Sibbald for her dedication and support of the team.
13 Mar 2026
From Facebook
This morning our community at St Columba’s came together to celebrate International Women’s Day with a wonderful breakfast in the College quad. Students, staff and guests enjoyed a delicious start to the day, accompanied by beautiful background music performed by our talented students. Following breakfast, the community gathered for our International Women’s Day Assembly and the presentation of the 2026 Sr Anne Henson International Women’s Day Award. This year’s recipient was Dr Naomi Cooper (College Captain 2007), whose achievements and leadership continue to inspire the next generation of young women at St Columba’s. In her acceptance speech, Dr Cooper reminded us all that progress towards equality is a shared responsibility, telling the College community: “While some days it feels like we are getting nowhere fast in achieving gender parity, I take heart that it is small changes from individuals like you and me that edge us closer to equality. People of all genders have a role to play.” Thank you to everyone who helped make this morning’s celebration so special. Thank you especially to staff and students from Xavier College, Penola, St Finbar's and St Canice's who joined us at the event. Together we continue to honour the women who have shaped our community and encourage the leaders of tomorrow. Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
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From Facebook
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From Facebook
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From Facebook
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From Facebook
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19 Feb 2026
From Facebook
OPEN AFTERNOON FOR PROSPECTIVE FAMILIES We warmly invite families to visit St Columba's Catholic College for our Year 7, 2027 Open Afternoon on Tuesday 3 March 2026 from 4-6pm. Find out more and register your attendance here: https://info.parra.catholic.edu.au/open-day/stcolumbasspringwood#form-section We look forward to meeting you!
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From Facebook
We are so pleased to share some of the wonderful success stories from the College's Class of 2025 in our HSC Achievements publication. You can find a copy in this week's @bmgazette.
17 Feb 2026
From Facebook
🥇NSW Champion! Congratulations James (Y8) on recently winning gold at the Athletics NSW State Combined Event Championships in the 14 boys heptathlon. James has qualified for the Australian Athletics Championships in Brisbane in April, where he will represent NSW in the heptathlon, 100m hurdles and 200m hurdles.
13 Feb 2026
From Facebook
We are incredibly proud of Year 12 (Class of 2025) student Noah Osbourne, who took on an unforgettable challenge after completing his HSC - sailing on a voyage with STS Young Endeavour. Following his exams, Noah stepped well outside his comfort zone, joining a crew of young people from across Australia to learn the skills of tall ship sailing, teamwork, leadership and resilience. Programs such as Young Endeavour offer our students a unique opportunity to challenge themselves, develop new skills and discover what they’re capable of beyond the classroom. Noah’s journey is a wonderful reminder of the value of saying 'yes' to new adventures after school. Well done, Noah — we can’t wait to see where your next voyage takes you! Interested in learning more about sailing with Young Endeavour? Visit: https://youngendeavour.gov.au/ Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese Young Endeavour Youth Scheme
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From Facebook
Members of the Ag Show Team enjoyed the (literal) fruits of the labour yesterday, finally getting to eat the watermelon they planted last year! 🍉 Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese