Photo: Joint Secondary Video Winner, Joseph Chahine from Parramatta Marist High
Over 125 students from 10 Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD) schools have been recognised for their empathy and powerful storytelling as part of the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Australia Refugee Week Creative Competition.
Held as part of Refugee Week under the 2026 theme, ‘A Million Stories’, the competition invited students to respond creatively through artwork, writing or video, sharing messages of hope and belonging for refugees and people seeking asylum.
JRS Schools and Community Engagement Officer, Kristen Lazarus, said this year’s entries were inspiring.
“We were incredibly inspired by the nearly 150 entries we received from students across Australia, each one reflecting thoughtful messages of belonging, hope, and the richness of a multicultural Australia,” said Kristen.
Photo: Primary Artwork Winner, Maria Gerges from St Patrick’s Primary Guildford
CSPD students made an outstanding contribution to the competition, their moving submissions reflecting the compassion and social justice values nurtured through Catholic education.
“We were delighted to welcome so many CSPD students and their families to our Refugee Week exhibition…a wonderful celebration of art, storytelling and community. Their creativity demonstrates how young people can help build a more welcoming and inclusive community through the stories they choose to tell,” JRS’s Kristen Lazarus said.
An impressive 14 of the 19 shortlisted works were created by CSPD students.
Among the award recipients were:
Primary School Artwork
Maria Gerges (St Patrick's Primary Guildford) - First Place
Tala Haddad (St Patrick's Primary Guildford) - Second Place
Arianna (St Mary's Primary Rydalmere) - Third Place
Ethan (St Mary's Primary Rydalmere) - Highly Commended
Rose (St Mary's Primary Rydalmere) - Highly Commended
Elina (St Mary's Primary Rydalmere) - Highly Commended
Secondary School Artwork
Bianca Mekdess (Cerdon College Merrylands) - Second Place
Kashish Bafna (Catherine McAuley Westmead) - Highly Commended
Secondary School Video
Benjamin Kalouche and Joseph Chahine (Parramatta Marist High) - First Place
Secondary School Written Work
Evanshka Jeyasotharan (Catherine McAuley Westmead) - First Place
Maryam Yamayan (Caroline Chisholm College Glenmore Park) - Second Place
Alexander Tran (Parramatta Marist High) - Third Place
Alphen Albert (Parramatta Marist High) - Highly Commended
Jared Caucan (St Patrick's Primary Parramatta) - Second Place
Photo: Third Place Primary Artwork by Arianna from St Mary's Primary Rydalmere
Photo: Second Place Primary Artwork by Tala Haddad from St Patrick's Primary Guildford
The shortlisted students and their families were invited to attend a Refugee Leadership Exhibition hosted by JRS Australia in Surry Hills on Friday 26 June, where their work was showcased alongside moving stories and creative pieces highlighting the experiences and resilience of refugees and people seeking asylum.
Many of the student artists, writers and filmmakers also shared personal reflections about their work, with some drawing on their own family migration and refugee experiences to create deeply meaningful entries.
The competition provided students with a valuable opportunity to engage with the stories of others, reflect on the importance of welcome and inclusion and use their creativity to advocate for compassion and justice.
Photo: JRS’s Kristen Lazarus (centre) with award recipients Kashish (L) and Evanshka (R)
Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
www.parra.catholic.edu.au
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03 Jul 2026
From Facebook
πβ¨ Celebrating the beauty of diversity! What an incredible Multicultural Day filled with vibrant performances, delicious food, colourful traditional dress and wonderful moments shared together. Here are some of our favourite photos from the day! πΈβ€οΈ π₯ Stay tuned.... the highlight video is coming soon and we can't wait to share it with you! #MulticulturalDay #CelebrateDiversity #Community #Culture #TogetherWeThrive #MemoriesMade #delanycollege Holy Trinity Primary School Granville
30 Jun 2026
From Facebook
π Stage 4 Juggernauts of the Week π Fijo Francis π - Recognised for his outstanding commitment to learning, consistently taking the initiative to complete work at home to an exceptional standard. Fijo continues to show impressive growth in his writing and confidence when tackling more complex questions, all while demonstrating respect and diligence in everything he does. Irene He π - Celebrated for her consistent improvement in both her learning and interactions with others. Irene is a reliable student who approaches each day with a positive attitude and is always polite and respectful when engaging with staff, making her a valued member of our College community. β¨ Special Mention β¨ Congratulations to all students who were nominated this week. Your dedication, perseverance, kindness and positive contributions continue to make a meaningful impact across our College. Keep up the fantastic work! ππ Year 7; Jessica Antonio, George Faddoul, Saif Haddad, Tigi Kallon, Abuk Ngor, Eli Paasi, Jasmine Poleta, Norah Rai, Brendan Soh, Charlotte Rosse Sudaria, Kira White; Year 8; Mary Azar, Claudia Declaro, Christian Dominguez, Tristan Lancaster, Josiephine Mano, Alijan Nijaat, Nuella Njoku, Gwendoline Schembri, Cloud Sila, Prayaan Sitoula, Melissa Trinh, Vincent Ward, Jonathan Wu.
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08 Jul 2026
CSPD students recognised in Refugee Week Creative Competition
Over 125 students from 10 Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD) schools have been recognised for their empathy and powerful storytelling as part of the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Australia Refugee Week Creative Competition.
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From Facebook
πβ¨ Celebrating the beauty of diversity! What an incredible Multicultural Day filled with vibrant performances, delicious food, colourful traditional dress and wonderful moments shared together. Here are some of our favourite photos from the day! πΈβ€οΈ π₯ Stay tuned.... the highlight video is coming soon and we can't wait to share it with you! #MulticulturalDay #CelebrateDiversity #Community #Culture #TogetherWeThrive #MemoriesMade #delanycollege Holy Trinity Primary School Granville
30 Jun 2026
From Facebook
π Stage 4 Juggernauts of the Week π Fijo Francis π - Recognised for his outstanding commitment to learning, consistently taking the initiative to complete work at home to an exceptional standard. Fijo continues to show impressive growth in his writing and confidence when tackling more complex questions, all while demonstrating respect and diligence in everything he does. Irene He π - Celebrated for her consistent improvement in both her learning and interactions with others. Irene is a reliable student who approaches each day with a positive attitude and is always polite and respectful when engaging with staff, making her a valued member of our College community. β¨ Special Mention β¨ Congratulations to all students who were nominated this week. Your dedication, perseverance, kindness and positive contributions continue to make a meaningful impact across our College. Keep up the fantastic work! ππ Year 7; Jessica Antonio, George Faddoul, Saif Haddad, Tigi Kallon, Abuk Ngor, Eli Paasi, Jasmine Poleta, Norah Rai, Brendan Soh, Charlotte Rosse Sudaria, Kira White; Year 8; Mary Azar, Claudia Declaro, Christian Dominguez, Tristan Lancaster, Josiephine Mano, Alijan Nijaat, Nuella Njoku, Gwendoline Schembri, Cloud Sila, Prayaan Sitoula, Melissa Trinh, Vincent Ward, Jonathan Wu.
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Delany supports students and future pathways
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23 Jun 2026
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π₯π Don't Go Bacon My Heart Breakfast Burger ππ₯ Breakfast favourites, fresh flavours and hospitality student talent all in one delicious burger! π Good morning Sunshine π #decaf #cspd #breakfastburger #hospitalitystudents #foodiefavorites
22 Jun 2026
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π Academic Juggernaut Recognition π We are proud to celebrate the achievements of our outstanding Year 9 and Year 10 students who have demonstrated excellence through perseverance, dedication, leadership and personal growth. π Year 9 Award Recipients Jonathon El-Khoury For the remarkable progress he has made over time. Through perseverance, resilience, and a genuine commitment to continuous improvement, he has made significant strides in his learning and demonstrated a growing understanding of classroom concepts. Congratulations on this well-deserved achievement!!! Eliea Aljerjos For his exceptional dedication to learning and unwavering work ethic. Through perseverance, determination, and a commitment to making the most of every opportunity, he has consistently strived for excellence and demonstrated outstanding personal growth. Congratulations on this well-deserved achievement. Peter Victor For his outstanding perseverance and dedication to learning. Since beginning his educational journey in Australia, he has embraced every challenge with determination and an exceptional work ethic. π Year 10 Award Recipients John-Paul Diab For his mature approach to learning, accountability, and commitment to personal growth. Remaining focused on his future aspirations. Amelia Cagiloaloa For her consistently positive attitude, compassion and dedication to learning. Through her enthusiasm and her genuine care and empathy while supporting younger students in the SRE program, she exemplifies leadership through service and kindness β Also Recognised and Nominated Year 9: Jayden Moore, Nicholas Bitar, Caitlyn Merhi, Jana Akkouche, Sebasjin Tuki, Amelia Ika, Brandon Daniels, Srishti Kaur, Olivia Katrib Year 10: Prince-Henele Anga'aelangi, Charbel Raidy, Olivia Chalhoub, Liana Halawi, Zane Abdul-Al, Jamal El Fouani, Alanieta Sandys #AcademicJuggernauts #StudentAchievement #ExcellenceInEducation #FutureLeaders #ProudMoment #StudentSuccess
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π Juggernauts of the Week π Kehe Liutai π Recognised for his outstanding leadership while representing the College in Rugby League. Kehe leads by example through his commitment on and off the field, helping with warm-ups, packing up equipment, collecting jerseys, and supporting his teammates wherever needed. His willingness to serve others reflects the true spirit of school representation. Mustafa Niazy πͺ Celebrated for his positive attitude, respect, and leadership on the Rugby League field. Mustafa consistently acknowledges teachers respectfully, seeks assistance when needed, and sets a strong example for his peers. His standout performance and sportsmanship at last week's Rugby League gala day made him a deserving recipient of this recognition. β¨ Special Mention β¨ A big shout-out to all students who were nominated this week. Your effort, leadership, sportsmanship, and positive contributions continue to make our College community stronger and do not go unnoticed! ππ Year 7; Nabiha Ali, Nabil Altali, Isaac Dandachli, Fijo Francis, Tigi Kallon, Mohamed Kamara, Andy Kayrouz, Jouli Moussa, Norah Rai, Elisabeth Reardon, Jumanah Rehman, Justin Carl Rosario, Peata Victor; Year 8; Omar Allouche, Amila Feketi, Irene He, Christabel Ibeh, Tristan Lancaster, Chris Manu, Zara Ozeken, Cloud Sila, Sharon Subash, Rumaan Yasir
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ππ€β Despite the rainy weather, our Year 12 students demonstrated outstanding compassion and commitment by volunteering with Vinnies Van, supporting members of the community experiencing homelessness. Their willingness to give back, even in challenging conditions, reflects the remarkable character and generosity of our Year 12 cohort. A special thank you to Miss Ghribian and Mr. Trad for accompanying and supporting our students throughout this meaningful experience. ππ
11 Jun 2026
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Year 12 recently gathered for their final Formation Day at the Mary MacKillop Spirituality Centre, a special occasion centred on the theme "Mary, Undoer of Knots." ποΈ Throughout the day, students were invited to reflect on the importance of faith, interconnectedness and the relationships that shape their lives. Through prayer, discussion and reflection, they explored how faith can help untangle life's challenges while strengthening connections with God and one another. β¨π€ As their final Formation Day, it was a meaningful opportunity for students to pause, reflect on their journey at Delany College and appreciate the friendships, experiences and faith that have supported them along the way. ππ
10 Jun 2026
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β¨ Stage 5 Formation Day β¨ Recently, our Stage 5 students participated in Formation Day. A valuable opportunity to pause, reflect and deepen their connection with God, Jesus and one another. Throughout the day, students engaged in activities centered on gratitude, mindfulness and personal reflection, taking time to appreciate the many blessings in their lives. The day was also made even more special by the wonderful food shared together, for which we were truly grateful. A highlight of the day was spending time with Mr Carr before he commences a period of leave. We thank him for his ongoing support, care and contribution to our Delany community and wish him every blessing for the months ahead. #FormationDay #Stage5 #FaithInAction #DelanyCommunity #Gratitude #Reflection #CatholicEducation #TogetherInFaith β¨ππ
10 Jun 2026
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Congratulations to our Stage 5 students who were recognised for their positive contributions to the Delany community as our Week 6 Academic Juggernauts Year 9: π Eva White β recognised for her kindness, respect, support of others and consistent effort. Year 10: π Daniel Roka β recognised for his politeness, respect and the positive way he engages with staff and peers each day. A special acknowledgement also goes to: Year 9: Zion Jatto, Kesaia Sikulu, Elena Tasdemir, Kayi Salicioglu-Achi, Hakim Assan-Larry, Sean Ejim and Bernadette Georges. Year 10: Christopher Attie, James Sarkis, Alanieta Sandys, Yatta Kallon, Joseph Nader, Charbel Raidy, Rabea Alassaf and Erik Julian. We are proud of all our Stage 5 students. Keep demonstrating our values of Love, Serve and Hope through your actions every day!
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The Bruce Almighty π€ A breakfast as warm and generous as the person itβs dedicated to - our Assistant Principal βοΈβ¨ Filled with comfort, goodness and all the favouritesβ¦ a reminder that some people leave a little warmth wherever they goπ«ΆπΌ #decafcrew #thebrucealmighty #delanycollegegranville
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From textbooks to boardrooms, our Year 12 VET Business Services students swapped the classroom for the corporate world with an epic visit to the PVH Brands Australia headquarters in the CBD! β¨ποΈ Students got a backstage pass to the fast-paced world of global business, exploring high-tech office systems, digital workflows and the inner workings of a major fashion powerhouse. They also connected with senior leaders who shared real insights into sustainability, workplace health & safety (WHS), leadership and what it takes to thrive in the corporate world. From mastering professional etiquette to discovering exciting career pathways in executive support and operations management, the day was packed with inspiration, learning and future-focused opportunities. π Big ideas, big careers, and even bigger ambitions! #VETBusiness #FutureLeaders #PVHBrands #CorporateLife #WorkplaceLearning #Year12Excursion #CareerGoals #BusinessSkills #NextGeneration
19 May 2026
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A big congratulations to our W5 Academic Juggernauts for their outstanding leadership and support within our school community! π Year 11 β Nelson Njoku For assisting with gathering students and escorting them back to class in a calm, respectful and supportive manner. π Year 12 β Nathanael Kolo For consistently checking in on staff and providing positive support to Stage 5 students when redirection is needed. Thank you both for demonstrating leadership, care and responsibility every day. We are proud of your contributions to our school community! π