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
-
29 Jun 2026
From Facebook
RELIGIOUS LIFE AT HOLY FAMILY PRIMARY EMERTON Over the past few weeks, our students have had wonderful opportunities to put their faith into action and engage with our parish community. A highlight was our annual Vinnies Winter Sleepout Event, which encouraged students to learn more about the challenges faced by people experiencing homelessness and to respond with compassion and generosity. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to all the families who generously donated food. Your support helped make the event a meaningful experience for our students and demonstrated the strength of our Holy Family community. Our Upper Primary students also had the privilege of joining our parish community to celebrate the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Mass. Students participated reverently in the liturgy, leading the Prayers of the Faithful and contributing to the celebration alongside our parishioners. It was a wonderful opportunity for students to live out their faith, strengthen their connection with the parish, and reflect on the love and compassion of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. We thank our students, staff, families, and parish community for their ongoing support in nurturing faith-filled hearts and a spirit of service.
More News
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.
29 Jun 2026
From Facebook
RELIGIOUS LIFE AT HOLY FAMILY PRIMARY EMERTON Over the past few weeks, our students have had wonderful opportunities to put their faith into action and engage with our parish community. A highlight was our annual Vinnies Winter Sleepout Event, which encouraged students to learn more about the challenges faced by people experiencing homelessness and to respond with compassion and generosity. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to all the families who generously donated food. Your support helped make the event a meaningful experience for our students and demonstrated the strength of our Holy Family community. Our Upper Primary students also had the privilege of joining our parish community to celebrate the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Mass. Students participated reverently in the liturgy, leading the Prayers of the Faithful and contributing to the celebration alongside our parishioners. It was a wonderful opportunity for students to live out their faith, strengthen their connection with the parish, and reflect on the love and compassion of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. We thank our students, staff, families, and parish community for their ongoing support in nurturing faith-filled hearts and a spirit of service.
04 Jun 2026
What Your Child Really Learns in the First 100 Days of School
One moment your child is holding your hand at the school gate and before you know it, they're walking in confidently, greeting friends by name, carrying their own bag, and coming home full of stories about 'assembly' and 'sport'. Here’s what to expect in their first 100 days of Kindergarten.
15 May 2026
From Facebook
14 May 2026
Music, art, movement: why creativity matters more than you think
Did you know creativity is one of the biggest predictors of how well children do in school and in life?
24 Apr 2026
From Facebook
Yesterday morning, Holy Family Primary Emerton came alive with colour and excitement as families gathered for our Easter Hat Parade. Students proudly displayed their wonderfully creative hats, delighting the crowd and bringing plenty of smiles. The festivities continued with an Easter raffle that added to the fun, along with a special visit from the Easter Bunny, who was a big hit with the children. It was a fantastic morning that brought our school community together in celebration.
02 Apr 2026
From Facebook
02 Apr 2026
From Facebook
Principal’s Morning Tea Term 1 2026 Once a term at Holy Family Primary Emerton we acknowledge the efforts of children who consistently try to be responsible, do the right thing and be the best they can be. These children are invited to a special morning tea with the Principal and are presented with a certificate of appreciation. Congratulations to those students who have been selected in Term 1 to attend the Principal's Morning Tea that took place earlier this week 🤩🎖
02 Apr 2026
From Facebook
We’re enrolling now! At Holy Family Primary School Emerton, every member of our school community matters. We have so much to offer - discover what makes Holy Family a wonderful place to learn and grow. Learn more here: https://info.parra.catholic.edu.au/open-day/hfemerton
02 Apr 2026
From Facebook
24 Mar 2026
700+ Unite for Project Compassion Big Water Walk
More than 700 students and staff from 23 schools across Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD) came together for Caritas Australia’s Big Water Walk in support of Project Compassion. Beginning at Parramatta Park, students carried buckets of water along a 4km route, gaining a glimpse of the daily journey faced by people in developing communities, especially women and children, in search of clean water.
10 Mar 2026
From Facebook
NAPLAN season is here, but how much does it really matter? 🤔 Learn what it measures, what it doesn’t and how to support your child with confidence in 2026. Read our guide (1 min read) 👉 https://www.parra.catholic.edu.au/2026-03-NAPLAN-fb
10 Mar 2026
NAPLAN: What Parents Really Need to Know
Each March, families across Australia hear a lot about NAPLAN. The National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) assesses students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 in reading, writing, spelling, grammar and numeracy. But what does it really mean for your child in 2026?