Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD) is celebrating outstanding academic growth, with 19 Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains Catholic schools recognised among the top performers in New South Wales for improvements in literacy and numeracy.
In a recent analysis of Year 7 and Year 9 NAPLAN growth from 2023 to 2025, the Sydney Morning Herald identified the state’s highest‑gaining schools for literacy and numeracy growth. An impressive 10 CSPD secondary schools and nine CSPD primary schools earned a place on the list of just 160 schools in each category.
Louise Millar, Director of Teaching and Learning at Our Lady of Mercy College Parramatta told the SMH that there were several reasons for the improvement – a cautious approach to educational trends, appropriate timeframes for classes so in-depth analysis can occur, and developing a strong learning culture.
“You don’t need bells and whistles. What you need is good leadership, good teachers, good culture, and that you share that culture with your parents and your community,” she said.
Getting back to basics was the focus for Holy Family Primary School at Granville who increased their scores in reading, spelling and grammar. The key program is to go “All in for Reading” – where for 30 minutes each day a staff member would sit and read with a group of four children of the same reading ability.
Owen Wallis, the school’s instructional coach told the SMH that it is all about student engagement.
“If they’re not engaging in that lesson, then they’re not paying attention, they’re not learning.”
Image: Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD)
His role is newly created as part of CSPD’s Learning and Teaching Model for the 80 schools in the network.
CSPDs Executive General Manager – Learning Outcomes, Pat Ellis said the NAPLAN gains reflect CSPD’s strong and sustained commitment to educational excellence across the system.
“We’re so proud of these schools and their excellent NAPLAN results that show significant growth in student outcomes,” Mr Ellis said.
“This success is a testament to the hard work of our students and the dedication of our teachers, including the instructional coaches now working in every CSPD primary school. It shows that our system-wide focus on excellence is making a real difference for our children.”
Cerdon Catholic College, Merrylands
In 2025, CSPD introduced the Effective Learning and Teaching Model as part of the overall Uplift approach to build on strong classroom practice and strengthen explicit teaching strategies through evidence-based research about how students learn best.
With a focus on enriching the lives of students through education grounded in excellence, Catholic tradition and inclusion, CSPD is committed to uplifting teaching and learning outcomes for all 80 schools across Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains.
Congratulations to the following schools:
| Primary | Secondary |
| St John’s Primary Riverstone | Catherine McAuley Westmead |
| St Anthony’s Primary Girraween | St Patrick’s Marist College |
| Our Lady of The Nativity Lawson | Cerdon College Merrylands |
| Bethany Catholic Primary Glenmore Park | Nagle College Blacktown |
| Holy Spirit Primary St Clair | Xavier College Llandilo |
| St Patrick’s Primary Blacktown | St Andrews College Marayong |
| Good Shepherd Plumpton | Patrician Brothers’ College Blacktown |
| Trinity Catholic Primary Kemps Creek | St Clare’s Catholic High School Hassall Grove |
| Holy Family Primary Granville East | Emmaus Catholic College Kemps Creek |
| St Agnes Catholic High School Rooty Hill |
