Bishop’s Awards celebrate student leaders across Parramatta Diocese

The annual Bishop of Parramatta Award for Student Excellence celebrates Year 12 students who demonstrate strong values of faith, service, leadership and learning, recognising their positive impact on their schools and wider communities.

Held on Thursday 3 September at St Patrick’s Cathedral Parramatta, the celebration brought together award recipients and their families, school representatives, staff from Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD) and special guests, including Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Fr Robert Riedling, Dr Hugh McDermott MP, State Member for Prospect, and Councillor Todd Carney, Mayor of Penrith.

The evening recognised students whose lives and actions reflect a deep commitment to their Catholic faith, leadership, compassion and care for others, academic excellence and a desire to make a positive difference in the world.

Students were nominated by their school in acknowledgement of their contributions across a range of areas, including social justice initiatives, liturgy and prayer, peer mentoring, community service and student leadership.

CSPD Chief Executive Officer Jack de Groot congratulated the recipients, highlighting that the awards recognise more than individual achievements.

"Each of you has been chosen by your school because you represent something bigger than one achievement," said Jack.

“You represent the values we seek to nurture in every student. You demonstrate that excellence can be seen not only in what you achieve, but in who you are becoming.”

In his address, Bishop Vincent highlighted the important contribution young people make to the Church and wider community through their faithful response to God’s call, encouraging students to continue using their gifts in service of others.

“The honour we bestow on them tonight recognises not only what they have done but also the positive attitude with which they have imbued their environments and relationships,” said Bishop Vincent. “It is not so much the quantity of their deeds or their results but the quality of their commitment.”

The evening was a fitting tribute to who these young people are becoming and the values they will carry with them beyond their school years.

Congratulations to the 2026 Bishop’s Excellence Award recipients:

Brendan Bugeja, Bede Polding College South Windsor
Anastasia Rubelj, Caroline Chisholm College Glenmore Park
Riane Salentes, Catherine McAuley Westmead
Noah Pickering, CathWest Innovation College Mount Druitt
Felicity Roach, Cerdon College Merrylands
Lamea Pirini, Delany College Granville
Angelina Dicenso, Emmaus Catholic College Kemps Creek
Antonella Bayeh, Gilroy Catholic College Castle Hill
Sophia Lagos, Marian Catholic College Kenthurst
Chris Saba, Maronite College of the Holy Family Parramatta
Lucy Ciappara, Montgrove College Orchard Hills
Ericka Brillo, Nagle College Blacktown South
Antonio Zeaiter, Oakhill College Castle Hill
Maria Wahbe, Our Lady of Mercy College Parramatta
Jico Reyes, Parramatta Marist High School
Jayden Cortis, Patrician Brothers' College Blacktown
Amelie Parsley, Penola Catholic College Emu Plains
Olivia Small, Santa Sophia Catholic College Gables
Tiana Bawab, St Agnes Catholic High School Rooty Hill
Samantha Xavier, St Andrews College Marayong
Isaac Lalia, St Clare's Catholic High School Hassall Grove
Amelia Steadman, St Columba’s Catholic College Springwood
Jack Sammut, St Dominic's College Kingswood
Tyarrah Jimenez, St John Paul II Catholic College Nirimba Fields
Nicole Mascarenhas, St John XXIII Catholic College Stanhope Gardens
Yram Summer Claudio, St Luke's Catholic College Marsden Park
Alex Jahja, St Patrick's Marist College Dundas
Richard Nasr, St Pauls Catholic College Greystanes
Claire Cabela, Tangara School for Girls Cherrybrook
Abel Antony, Wollemi College Werrington
Emily Vella, Xavier College Llandilo