Kindergarten students at Our Lady of the Rosary Primary performed the gathering song, A Cross of Stars
Events were held across the diocese of Parramatta on Friday 8 August in honour of the Feast Day of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop.
Canonised by Pope Benedict XVI on 17 October 2010, Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop’s Feast Day was marked with liturgies, family events and social justice fundraisers at a number of schools and the Catholic Education office.Students, staff and families from St Mary MacKillop Primary School in South Penrith celebrated mass at St Nicholas of Myra to remember and acknowledge St Mary MacKillop’s important work.
Students travelled to St Nicholas of Myra Church to join the Feast Day Mass and were treated to hundreds of green and yellow helium balloons decorating their classrooms on their return. In the afternoon, students came together to make a coin trail with donations going to the St Mary MacKillop Institute in East Timor.
Our Lady of the Rosary Primary, St Marys was founded by Mary MacKillop and the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart in 1880. Students celebrated a moving liturgy to celebrate the inspirational life of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop. By bringing the letters written by Mary MacKillop to life, students were encouraged to learn from her example by working, learning together and caring for others particularly those in need.
Staff at the Catholic Education office, Parramatta gathered for a liturgy with Sr Rosie Drum MGL reading the letters of Mary MacKillop and leading a prayer asking for guidance and care for students, staff and school communities.
Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
www.parra.catholic.edu.au
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02 Dec 2025
From Facebook
✨ And that’s a wrap on our 2025 Advent Concert! ✨ What an incredible evening we shared as a school community. As we begin the Church’s new year, we paused together to embrace the season of waiting, hope, and trust — preparing our hearts for the coming of Jesus at Christmas. Through prayer, reflection and song, we were reminded that while we wait for God, He is always waiting for us too — ready to meet us with love. ❤️ Our students and staff lit up the stage with their wonderful singing and joyful dancing, filling the stage with excitement and Christmas spirit. 🌟🎶💃 A huge thank you to our parents and families for your support, encouragement, and for being part of this beautiful celebration. We are truly blessed as a community. 🙏💛
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✨ Student of the Week Awards! ✨ This week we’re celebrating our mathematicians, readers and writers who have shown incredible effort and a positive attitude. Each recipient continues the proud streak set by our last Student of the Week achievers — proving that hard work, kindness and curiosity never go unnoticed! 🌟📚🧠
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From Facebook
✨ And that’s a wrap on our 2025 Advent Concert! ✨ What an incredible evening we shared as a school community. As we begin the Church’s new year, we paused together to embrace the season of waiting, hope, and trust — preparing our hearts for the coming of Jesus at Christmas. Through prayer, reflection and song, we were reminded that while we wait for God, He is always waiting for us too — ready to meet us with love. ❤️ Our students and staff lit up the stage with their wonderful singing and joyful dancing, filling the stage with excitement and Christmas spirit. 🌟🎶💃 A huge thank you to our parents and families for your support, encouragement, and for being part of this beautiful celebration. We are truly blessed as a community. 🙏💛
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✨ Student of the Week Awards! ✨ This week we’re celebrating our mathematicians, readers and writers who have shown incredible effort and a positive attitude. Each recipient continues the proud streak set by our last Student of the Week achievers — proving that hard work, kindness and curiosity never go unnoticed! 🌟📚🧠
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✝️During the first week of Advent we remember the Old Testament prophets who foretold of Jesus’ coming with hope and anticipation. 🕯️✨Are you ready to discover the hope Jesus is inviting you to experience this Advent?
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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.
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🎉 Student of the Week! 🎉 From problem solving mathematicians to investigating scientists, imaginative writers and passionate readers—our students have shown incredible effort and followed instructions like champions! 🌟🤩 we are so proud of your continued efforts ⭐️
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Year 6 conducted a class survey to compare their snack choices before and after hearing the message, “Tomorrow, try to bring a healthy snack — real food fuels your brain!” 🧠🍎 They examined correlation in the before data, then repeated the survey and analysed the after results using two-way tables, graphs and percentage calculations. Students were able to clearly see the change the message created — real data in action! 📊✨
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Year 3 had an amazing day celebrating their achievement of reaching our Safe and Ready to Learn goal! 🎉👏 Their hard work, positive choices and commitment to our expectations truly paid off. To celebrate, students enjoyed a fun mufti day followed by a relaxing drawing afternoon, giving them the perfect chance to unwind, get creative and enjoy the rewards of their efforts. Well done, Year 3 — we’re so proud of you! 🌟🖍️✨
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