Recent high-achieving Studies of Religion graduates from Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese returned to support this year’s HSC students through the annual Studies of Religion Student focus day.
With the support of the CSPD Mission, Leadership and Culture Team and drawing on their strong subject knowledge, understanding of faith and recent HSC experience, the alumni shared practical advice and exam strategies to help students achieve their own HSC success.
For many Year 12 students, the weeks leading up to the HSC are about more than revising content. They’re about building the confidence to apply what they’ve learned under exam conditions.
Bringing together students from schools across the Diocese, the day offered expert guidance, practical exam strategies and valuable insights to help them approach the HSC and their Studies of Religion (SOR) exams with confidence.
Hosted by the CSPD Mission Team at Parramatta Marist High School, the event takes students out of their schools to spend the day focusing on the skills required to succeed in their trial and HSC examinations.
Emily Gonzalez, who topped the state in Studies of Religion I in 2025, helping current HSC students on the day. Image: Gene Ramirez/ CSPD
This year’s event was facilitated by the following former students from Catherine McAuley Westmead, Cerdon College Merrylands, Delany College Granville and Parramatta Marist High School.
Catherine McAuley Westmead
– Emily Gonzalez
Parramatta Marist High School
– Mateo Soriano
– Jean-Paul Boutros
– Zach Redwood
– Daniel Pinto
– Joseph Baini
Delany College Granville
– Sidney Taktak
– Stella Fitzpatrick
Cerdon College Merrylands
– Rebecca Georges
Catherine McAuley Westmead’s 2025 college captain, Emily Gonzalez, topped the state in Studies of Religion I, marking the second consecutive year a CSPD student achieved the highest result in the subject.
Proudly representing their schools, the alumni are playing a valuable role in inspiring Year 12 students and building their confidence as they prepare for their Studies of Religion exams.
The day offered expert guidance, practical exam strategies and valuable insights for students. Image: Gene Ramirez/ CSPD
For the Mission Team, these opportunities to engage with alumni was central to the day.
“Our current students gain invaluable insights into the HSC from a young person who has already experienced what they are currently going through,” said CSPD Mission Partner, Loren Pelham. “Many students said hearing directly from people who had already sat the same exam gave them a new level of confidence heading into their HSC trials.”
Students were encouraged to ask questions about how the alumni succeeded in Studies of Religion and the HSC more broadly and this engagement was described as one of the most valuable parts of the day. Many noted it gave them practical, relatable insight into how to approach their exams. Insights they couldn’t get from a textbook or classroom.
Throughout the day, the Year 12 students also had time to review content, collaborate and draw on the wisdom and experience of alumni to build their confidence and reinforce their exam techniques.
“Participants left with a clearer understanding of how to structure their responses, with many highlighting that learning to break down a question and link it back to the syllabus was a skill they could immediately apply,” said Loren. “Our talented SOR teachers already do an excellent job developing these skills, but hearing the same advice from recent graduates who successfully navigated the HSC gave it a fresh and relatable perspective.”
The timing of this day was central to its success. Students found the hands-on practice of planning and writing responses in a collaborative environment particularly effective, noting it helped them understand exactly what markers are looking for.
“It became apparent at the beginning of the day that students were looking towards their HSC trials, and the stress in the air was palpable,” Loren added. “Compare this to the energy that built up throughout the day, where the growing confidence of students was easily observed.”
Students who attended said that the presenters were enthusiastic, knowledgeable and genuinely invested in helping them learn and succeed. This contributed to the incredible focus each participant had throughout the day.
As a testament to this, more than one in five students indicated they would like to return as facilitators at next year’s Studies of Religion focus day, demonstrating the strong culture of faith, excellence and service across CSPD school communities.
