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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07 Jul 2026
From Facebook
We wish all our students and families a restful and refreshing break! We look forward to welcoming everyone back on Tuesday 21st July, ready for another great term of learning and growth.
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👵👴 We may have aged 100 years overnight! 😄 Our Kindergarten students celebrated 100 days of school by dressing as 100-year-olds, and they certainly looked the part! While they may have looked 100 today, they're only 100 days into an amazing journey of learning, friendship and growing in God's love. We can't wait to see what the rest of the year brings! 💙✨ Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese #100DaysOfKindergarten #AgedToPerfection #GrowingInGodsLove
LATEST NEWS 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.
07 Jul 2026
From Facebook
We wish all our students and families a restful and refreshing break! We look forward to welcoming everyone back on Tuesday 21st July, ready for another great term of learning and growth.
02 Jul 2026
From Facebook
👵👴 We may have aged 100 years overnight! 😄 Our Kindergarten students celebrated 100 days of school by dressing as 100-year-olds, and they certainly looked the part! While they may have looked 100 today, they're only 100 days into an amazing journey of learning, friendship and growing in God's love. We can't wait to see what the rest of the year brings! 💙✨ Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese #100DaysOfKindergarten #AgedToPerfection #GrowingInGodsLove
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⚽💚💛 Future Socceroos in the making! Kindergarten had a fantastic time stepping into the boots of the Socceroos, giving it their best shot and dreaming big! From their stadium walk-on to showing off their soccer skills, our youngest students embraced the challenge with confidence, teamwork and plenty of Aussie spirit. Who knows? We might just have the next generation of Socceroos right here at St Finbar's! 🇦🇺⚽
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Our students recently had the wonderful opportunity to attend the St Vincent de Paul Encounter Day at St John Paul II Catholic College, Schofields. Facilitated by St Vincent de Paul, the day provided students with a deeper understanding of the history and mission of the organisation, how it began, and the important role of Conference members in supporting people experiencing hardship. Students also explored the realities of homelessness, including the different forms it can take, current statistics, and practical ways individuals and communities can make a positive difference. The day was both inspiring and thought-provoking. Our students returned feeling energised and motivated to continue promoting Faith in Action within our school community, putting their faith into practice through service, compassion, and advocacy for those most in need.
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🎶✨ Lifted Live 2026 ✨🎶 Our Year 5 students had an incredible day attending Lifted Live, joining hundreds of students from across the Diocese for a vibrant celebration of faith, music, and community. Through inspiring messages, uplifting music, prayer, and shared experiences, students were encouraged to deepen their relationship with God while connecting with other young people who share their faith journey. The energy, enthusiasm, and joy throughout the day created a memorable experience that highlighted the strength of our diocesan community. We are grateful for the opportunity to participate in this special event and know that our students returned with renewed inspiration, new friendships, and a deeper understanding of what it means to live their faith each day. 💙🙏 #LiftedLive #FaithInAction #Year5 #CatholicEducation #DioceseCommunity
