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FAQs
How many schools are part of CSPD?
The Diocese of Parramatta is located in one of the fastest growing areas of New South Wales. The diocese is west of Sydney and reaches from Dundas Valley, west to Katoomba, south to Luddenham, and north to Richmond.
There are 80 Catholic systemic schools in the diocese (56 primary and 24 secondary), 25 out of school hours care centres, 5 early learning centres and 2 trade training centres with 43,000 students and 4,500 staff.
How are CSPD schools different from other schools?
Catholic schools are extremely popular. In fact, they enrol about 20 per cent of Australian school students.
Catholic schools have a great reputation: we offer value for money, share good values and get excellent results!
Many parents say they have made their educational choice for reasons such as:
- Catholic schools are faith-based places that are grounded in Christian values
The Catholic faith is not just taught in Religious Education classes but is experienced within the total culture of the school. Christian values are up front and explicit. Catholic schools are intrinsically connected to the parish in which they reside and are an integral part of the mission and life of the Church.
Our Catholic Tradition Religious Education - Catholic schools strive to achieve very high standards of education
Expectations of achievement and conduct are high. While there is a focus on the individual child, a broad curriculum caters for a wide range of interests and abilities.
Learning - They are safe yet challenging places
Relationships are warm and friendly. Parents, students, teachers and pastors see themselves as working in partnership. The children belong to a community that really cares about each one of them.
Parents as Partners Wellbeing and Safety
How do I make a complaint?
We value parents as partners and welcome feedback from our community.
If you have a concern or complaint, please refer to the following guidelines to help you determine the most appropriate course of action.
Do CSPD schools offer the same curriculum as other schools?
Catholic schools teach the same curriculum as government schools. Expectations of achievement and conduct are high. With a strong focus on the individual, a broad curriculum caters for a wide range of interests and abilities.
The curriculum covers:
- Religious Education
- Mathematics
- Science
- Technology and Applied Studies (TAS)
- English
- Human Society and its Environment (HSIE)
- Creative and Practical Arts
- Personal Development
- Health and Physical Education
- Languages other than English
Secondary schools also offer a range of vocational education courses, some of which have industry accreditation. These are delivered by specially trained teachers. Students also have access through their schools to TAFE delivered vocational programs, and in some cases, university courses.
Do primary schools provide before and after school care?
A growing number of our schools provide before and after school care or are close to council or private before and after school care centres. Contact your local Catholic school to find out if before and after school care is available at the school or close by or search our available centres from the link below.
What are the school fees?
There are three levels of annual fees, billed in instalments during Terms 1, 2 and 3:
- Annual Diocesan Tuition Fees set by Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
- Diocesan Building Levy set by Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
- School-based fees.
Annual tuition fees in Catholic systemic schools vary from Kindergarten to Year 12 but there are very significant discounts for your second and third child. In fact, there are no fees for your fourth and subsequent children.
In addition to the tuition fees, there is a Diocesan School Building Levy which is charged per family per year. There are also school-based fees which are set by each school. Contact your local Catholic school to find out what service fees are payable.
Do Catholic schools enrol children with additional needs?
Catholic schools welcome students with diverse needs and aim to provide appropriate educational opportunities and support for students with additional needs. Once the school has evaluated whether the prospective student meets the general enrolment criteria, the additional needs of the student and the school’s capacity to meet them must also be evaluated.
Additional needs are varied and sometimes complex to identify and evaluate. Close partnership with parents is important to support the prospective student in finding what may be their best interests. In some instances a school placement may not be available at the desired school or be in the best interests of the student. The Principal and Catholic Education's Director System Performance may seek a way forward by working with the family, if the family would like assistance.
Parents of children with additional needs are advised to approach the desired school more than a year in advance.
High Support Learning Centres Enrolling in a Catholic School
Answers to your enrolment questions
Our school enrolment offers families greater choice by allowing them to apply for enrolment at a Catholic school anywhere in the diocese.
Answers to your enrolment questions
