More than 400 Stage Three students from 12 primary schools across the Diocese of Parramatta, including St Joseph's Kingswood, joined a recent celebration for the Year of Youth at Rooty Hill RSL.
Each of the participating Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta schools is part of the Faith in Action initiative, developed in partnership with Catholic Youth Parramatta. Faith in Action Teams (FIAT) are made up of passionate young teachers (2 to 4 per school) who foster the personal and spiritual growth of young people, engaging them in the life and mission of the Catholic faith community.
The event was facilitated by Catholic Youth Parramatta (CYP) and featured Genevieve Bryant, a highly acclaimed young Catholic singer, songwriter and performer who is from Melbourne. She was a headline performer for the Australian Catholic Youth Festivals in Adelaide in 2015 and Sydney in 2017.
Mission Teaching Educator Amanda Bentley said the program for the day saw a combination of music, testimony, discussion and prayer.
“Genevieve did a great job in engaging with the students and talking to them about trusting in God to use their gifts and talents to share God’s love with others,’’ Ms Bentley said.
“She shared her own testimony and encouraged the students to be engaged with their faith, to deepen their relationship with God and to try to live out God’s message.”
Catholic Youth Parramatta also gathered student testimonies to share with Bishop Vincent Long, Bishop of Parramatta, as another element of dialogue within this Year of Youth event.
“The students were given an opportunity to address the following questions given to them by Bishop Vincent: What have you been involved in at your school for the Year of Youth; what is something you would like Bishop Vincent to know is important for young people in our Church; and what is your dream for the future of the Church.”
Teachers praised the joyful impact the day had on the students.
Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
www.parra.catholic.edu.au
-
11 Dec 2025
From Facebook
Year 5 had the sweetest Science lesson yesterday. As part of their Science unit, Year 5 made gelato. While mixing, cooking and adding flavour, they explored how ingredients change from solids to liquids to gases, and identified which changes in the cooking process are reversible and which are irreversible. Lots of curious questions, lots of learning… and lots of smiles! Science never tasted so good!
10 Dec 2025
From Facebook
On Monday, we celebrated our End of Year Thanksgiving Mass, giving thanks for all the blessings of 2025. We also took time to farewell staff who are leaving us this year – their contributions, care, and dedication have made a lasting impact on our community. They will be greatly missed! A special farewell was given to our current Year 6 Captains, thanking them for their leadership and contributions throughout the year. At the same time, we are excited to welcome our student leaders for 2026. We look forward to the journey ahead and all that we will achieve together. Thank you to everyone who joined us in this special celebration of gratitude, reflection, and new beginnings.
More News
11 Dec 2025
From Facebook
Year 5 had the sweetest Science lesson yesterday. As part of their Science unit, Year 5 made gelato. While mixing, cooking and adding flavour, they explored how ingredients change from solids to liquids to gases, and identified which changes in the cooking process are reversible and which are irreversible. Lots of curious questions, lots of learning… and lots of smiles! Science never tasted so good!
10 Dec 2025
From Facebook
On Monday, we celebrated our End of Year Thanksgiving Mass, giving thanks for all the blessings of 2025. We also took time to farewell staff who are leaving us this year – their contributions, care, and dedication have made a lasting impact on our community. They will be greatly missed! A special farewell was given to our current Year 6 Captains, thanking them for their leadership and contributions throughout the year. At the same time, we are excited to welcome our student leaders for 2026. We look forward to the journey ahead and all that we will achieve together. Thank you to everyone who joined us in this special celebration of gratitude, reflection, and new beginnings.
04 Dec 2025
From Facebook
From the bright lights of 1994 to the stage of 2025! Our Christmas Concert shines on! 🌟🎄 Happy Throwback Thursday, and see you at tonight’s concert!
03 Dec 2025
From Facebook
Our Christmas Concert is on tomorrow. We can’t wait to celebrate this special occasion together as a school community.
01 Dec 2025
From Facebook
The countdown is on! Have you got your raffle tickets yet? There are so many amazing prizes up for grabs in the SJK raffle. Tickets must be in by Thursday this week. Here are just a few of the prizes you can win. The winning tickets will be drawn at our Christmas concert - this Thursday evening. We can't wait to see you all there.
30 Nov 2025
From Facebook
26 Nov 2025
From Facebook
Year 5 Leadership Speeches Today our Year 5 students proudly presented their leadership speeches to our Year 4, Year 5, and Year 6 cohorts. Each student spoke with confidence, maturity, and a strong commitment to leading our school in 2026. Voting will now take place, and we look forward to announcing our new Year 6 leaders very soon. Well done to all of our Year 5 students—you did yourselves proud!
18 Nov 2025
From Facebook
You are invited to our mini Strings concert this Thursday. Our primary students are looking forward to showcasing their musical talent. We hope to see you there!
18 Nov 2025
Western Sydney Catholic Schools hold the phone
Student mobile phone use will be banned across 80 Western Sydney Catholic schools from the beginning of the 2026 school year. The restriction presents a positive opportunity to enhance student outcomes, both in academic excellence and wellbeing.
13 Nov 2025
From Facebook
Here are some pictures of Year 3's excursion to the Aquarium and Wildlife park in Sydney, as well as some of the learning we have completed in class to support out Science unit. We have been learning all about living things, how we can classify them, their adaptations and their life cycles. Our excursion was super fun and we loved exploring the Aquarium and Wildlife Park despite all the rain!
13 Nov 2025
From Facebook
🧪 Year 2 Science Day Fun! 🔬✨ Year Two embraced their mad scientist side yesterday, as they explored our material and chemical world! The day was filled with exploding experiments, colour-changing concoctions, mystery smells, and even some tasty reactions! Curiosity, excitement, and a whole lot of learning filled the room — what a wonderful way to discover the wonders of science! 🌈💥👩🔬👨🔬
11 Nov 2025
From Facebook
Loving God, We remember those who gave their lives in times of war and conflict, those who served with courage and compassion, and those who continue to work for peace in our world today. May we honour their memory by living with kindness, justice, and hope. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” – John 15:13 Lest we forget.
09 Nov 2025
From Facebook
Year 4 Excursion Adventure! Our Year 4 students had a fantastic day out on Wednesday exploring Hyde Park Barracks and the Museum of Sydney! They stepped back in time to discover what life was like for convicts and early settlers, tried out hands-on exhibits, and deepened their understanding of Sydney’s fascinating history. It was a wonderful day of learning, curiosity, and fun—thank you to our amazing staff who made it possible.