Granville’s native fauna inspires students for special launch
Recognising Granville's rich heritage helped motivate Holy Family Primary East Granville in the creation of their new owl mascot 'Bukbuk', as part of an amazing day of activities to launch the school's Positive Behaviour Support for Learning (PBS4L) program.
In designing Bukbuk, the school community consulted with Catholic Education’s Jarara Indigenous Education Unit in choosing an owl, native to the area, as their school mascot.
Jarara's Julie Waddell and Joshua Sly attended the launch, leading students through a smoking ceremony and working with students to educate them in Aboriginal culture.
There were also plenty of other exciting activities for students to enjoy and to ensure parents and families wouldn't miss out, the school streamed many of the events online.
“Bukbuk is native to our area and the mascot was designed by students and Joshua Sly from Jarara,” said Principal Cheryl Fortini. “Students then engaged in Aboriginal art and sport led by the team from Play On.
They left wearing the owl masks they made after a picnic lunch.”
Cheryl was full of praise for how the students engaged with the day's activities.
"Thank you for representing our school and for being the amazing, kind, caring and innovative individuals that you are, each and everyone of you makes Holy Family what it is," she said.
The day left the students with plenty of enduring positive memories and lessons about the importance of positive behaviour in their education and environment.
It also reinforces the school's key mantra of 'Live Safely, Love Respectfully, Learn Daily'.
View photos from the mascot launch
Find out more about Holy Family Primary East Granville
Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
www.parra.catholic.edu.au
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21 Oct 2026
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π π Year 1βs underwater adventure! π’π Our Year 1 students had a fantastic time exploring SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium! πβ¨ We learnt all about the amazing Great Barrier Reef and discovered ways we can help keep our oceans safe, including reducing plastic waste and protecting marine life. πͺΈπ¬ What a wonderful day of learning, discovery and ocean-sized fun! ππ19 Oct 2026
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21 Oct 2026
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π π Year 1βs underwater adventure! π’π Our Year 1 students had a fantastic time exploring SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium! πβ¨ We learnt all about the amazing Great Barrier Reef and discovered ways we can help keep our oceans safe, including reducing plastic waste and protecting marine life. πͺΈπ¬ What a wonderful day of learning, discovery and ocean-sized fun! ππ
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π Basketball Gala Day! π Our Year 5 and 6 boys are having a fantastic day representing Holy Family at the Basketball Gala Day! The boys are demonstrating great teamwork, determination and sportsmanship as they compete in their games, supporting and encouraging one another both on and off the court. We are so proud of the effort and enthusiasm they are showing as they give their best in every game. Keep up the great work, boys! ππ
16 Oct 2026
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Today, our school community gathered to celebrate the Feast of St Francis of Assisi through a beautiful Liturgy of the Word. ποΈπΏ We reflected on St Francisβ example of kindness, peace and care for all of Godβs creation. Through his beautiful Canticle of the Creatures, we were reminded of Brother Sun and Sister Moon and the importance of recognising the beauty of Godβs creation and caring for the world around us. βοΈππ May we continue to follow in St Francisβ footsteps by spreading peace, showing compassion and being grateful for the wonderful world God has given us. St Francis of Assisi, pray for us! ππ
11 Oct 2026
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ONE LAST TERM FOR 2026. LETβS MAKE IT AMAZING! The countdown is on! Weβre ready to welcome our Holy Family community back for a fantastic final term of learning, celebrations and making memories! Thereβs so much to look forward to, and we canβt wait to see everyone back! Term 4, weβre ready for you! β¨
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27 Sep 2026
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2027 CSPD Primary Sport TEAM Registration Form (Expression of Interest) - Sport Trials (Basketball, Cricket & Tennis) - Session 1 (November 2026) AFL (Boys & Girls -trials in early 2027) Expression of Interest (EOI) Nominations are now open for students wishing to trial for the 2027 Parramatta Diocesan Primary Sport Teams. Parents and guardians are invited to complete this Expression of Interest (EOI) form for their child to be considered for selection trials. Please note: Submitting an EOI does not guarantee attendance at a trial. All nominations are subject to school approval. 1. Sports Currently Open for Nominations The following sports are accepting nominations for the 2027 Parramatta Diocesan Teams. Cricket β Boys & Girls (closing date 26 October 2026) Basketball β Boys & Girls (closing date 5 November 2026) Tennis β Boys & Girls (closing date 5 November 2026) AFL β Boys & Girls (closing date 28th January 2027) Cricket, Basketball and Tennis trials will be held in November 2026. AFL trials will take place in early February 2027. 2. Upcoming Nominations β Term 1 and Term 2 Trials Nominations for the following sports will open on 23 November 2026 and close on Friday, 5 February 2027. Trials will be held during Term 1 and Term 2 of 2027. Hockey Football Netball Rugby League Rugby Union Softball Touch Football 3. Student Eligibility and Selection Criteria Students nominated for diocesan trials must demonstrate an above-average to high level of skill in their chosen sport. Students should have experience playing in regular competitions outside of school. For some sports, representative playing experience may also be required. Year Level Eligibility Students must generally be in Year 5 or Year 6 in 2027 to be eligible for nomination. Students entering Year 4 in 2027 who demonstrate exceptional skill and ability may also be nominated. This is open age and will compete against Year 5 & 6 students for the following sports: Hockey Softball Tennis Touch Football All nominations must meet the eligibility and selection criteria for the relevant sport. 4. School Approval and Trial Selection All Expressions of Interest are subject to approval by the student's school principal and sports coordinator. Each sport has specific eligibility and selection criteria that schools must follow when considering nominations. Submitting an EOI does not automatically qualify a student to attend a diocesan trial. Schools have final discretion over which students are approved to attend. Students selected by their school will receive the relevant Parramatta Diocesan Team trial information directly from their school. 5. How to Submit an Expression of Interest Parents and guardians may complete this form on behalf of their child. A separate EOI form must be submitted for each child and each sport. Once all required information has been completed, click SUBMIT to register your child's Expression of Interest. https://forms.gle/22MBb12d7cZgeTzo8 6. Additional Team Sports (MacKillop level only) β CSNSW Sport Portal Nominations for the following sports will open in early 2027 and must be completed through the CSNSW Sport Portal: Diving Golf Netball β Boys Rugby 7s β Girls These sports are not included in this EOI form. 7. Further Information For further information about eligibility, nomination requirements or selection trials, please contact your school's sports coordinator. Important reminder: This registration is an Expression of Interest only. Participation in Parramatta Diocesan Team trials is subject to school approval.
24 Sep 2026
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π A special morning celebrating all the incredible people who take on the role of a father in our childrenβs lives! π We started our morning with a delicious Fatherβs Day Breakfast, bringing our school community together for smiles, laughter and precious moments shared with the special dads, grandfathers, stepdads and father figures who mean so much to our students. π³βοΈπ¨βπ§βπ¦ We then gathered for a beautiful Fatherβs Day Mass, giving thanks for the love, guidance, support and encouragement our dads and father figures provide each day. πβ¨ Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make our morning so special. π Happy Fatherβs Day to all our amazing dads and father figures! ππ Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
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01 Sep 2026
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Celebrating Our School Community, Safely π You may begin to notice some changes in the way we share photos of our students on our public social media pages. We love giving our families a glimpse into school life and celebrating the learning, achievements, friendships, faith experiences and special moments that make our community so wonderful. However, as technology continues to evolve, particularly with the rapid growth of artificial intelligence and the ways images can be accessed, altered and shared online, we are becoming increasingly mindful of how we share identifiable images of our students publicly. Our studentsβ privacy and online safety must always come first. Donβt worry, our socials arenβt disappearing! We will continue to celebrate all the wonderful things happening across our school, from learning and sporting achievements to liturgies, excursions, performances and special events. You may simply notice fewer full-face or individually identifiable photographs of students appearing on our public social media pages. π± Families wonβt miss out! More photos and special moments will be shared directly with our families through Compass, providing a more appropriate space for us to celebrate and share our studentsβ experiences. The way we share may be changing, but there will certainly be no shortage of wonderful things to celebrate. π Thank you for supporting us as we continue to navigate an ever-changing digital world while keeping the safety, privacy and wellbeing of our students at the centre of our decisions. Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese