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Sydney Catholic Schools

Virtual Exhibition: 2026 Portrait Prize Winners Announced

The votes are in, the portraits are hanging, and the winners of Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS) 2026 Portrait Prize have been announced.

Now in its fifth year, the SCS Portrait Prize serves as a powerful platform to recognise and celebrate outstanding Visual Arts students, setting a high standard of excellence for emerging talent across K–12. This year, 93 outstanding works from across 40 Sydney Catholic Schools have been selected to be showcased at the McGlade Gallery, Australian Catholic University Strathfield from 10-19 December 2026.

By capturing the likeness of someone close to their heart, students develop not only their artistic technique but also their emotional awareness and confidence as young creative thinkers. VIEW THE VIRTUAL GALLERY OF ALL ARTWORKS HERE

Congratulations to the following students whose artworks were recognised as the outstanding entries in their categories:

Executive Director’s Award
Ace Khanal | St Michael’s Catholic Primary School Stanmore

Director, Education & Research Award
Isabella Baran | Mount St Joseph Catholic College Milperra

Kevin Carragher, Director Education & Research, reflected on what made Isabella’s work stand out.

“Isabelle Baran’s portrait displays exceptional technical skill and sensitivity, capturing the dignity and inner life of her subject with remarkable intimacy in black and white. The confidence of her drawing, control of tone, and emotional depth speak to both the power of portraiture and the importance of the arts in helping young people see and honour the humanity of others. It is extraordinary to see such maturity at this age, and a delight to imagine what Isabelle will continue to create in the years ahead!”

5 – 8 Years

Winner | Ivanna Do | Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Randwick

Honourable Mention | Ace Khanal | St Michael’s Catholic Primary School, Stanmore

9 – 12 Years

Winner | Jonathan Goenawan and Chloe Hill | St Joseph’s Primary School, Riverwood and Holy Family Catholic Primary School, …

April 28, 2026|
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Eisteddfod wraps up with Showcase spectacular

The curtain has closed on the fifth annual Sydney Catholic Schools Eisteddfod after a memorable night of performances at the event Showcase on Tuesday night. 

Held for the first time at the Seymour Centre, the Showcase brought together 12 standout performances from this year’s Eisteddfod, representing the brightest student talent across dance, drama, instrumental and vocal categories.   

Hosted by New Zealand-Australian actor and singer Jay Laga’aia, best known for his roles in Star Wars and Play School, the night was the culmination of 25 days of Eisteddfod competition, which saw the involvement of more than 10,000 students, nearly 200 teachers and 131 schools. 

It was also an opportunity to crown the winning school of this year’s Eisteddfod, with St Vincent’s College Ashfield taking out the top spot, having received the most points throughout the competition. It was a deserving honour for St Vincent’s, after the college finished second in last year’s Eisteddfod. 

In second place were last year’s winners St John Bosco Catholic Primary School Engadine, while 2022 and 2023 winners St Charles Catholic Primary School Ryde came in third place.  Click here for the full list of Eisteddfod Results

Adding to the celebrations, two new awards were presented at the Showcase, recognising the outstanding contributions and achievements of SCS teachers. 

Schools were able to nominate teachers who have made a significant and lasting impact in the Performing Arts within their communities, with 92 nominations being received across both primary and secondary schools. 

From those nominations, Michelle White from St John Bosco Catholic Primary School Engadine was selected as the inaugural recipient of the Primary Performing Arts Teacher Exemplary Service Award, and Adam Scicluna from Clancy Catholic College West Hoxton received the Secondary Performing Arts Teacher …

July 30, 2025|
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Photo Gallery: 2024 Network Festival

After four weeks of performances, the inaugural Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS) Network Festival has drawn to a close, leaving a lasting impression on all who participated.

Throughout Term 4, more than two thousand students from 90 schools took part in five performance days, showcasing their talents in drama, music, dance and the visual arts.

The festival brought together a diverse mix of students, with many experiencing the thrill of performing or presenting their art for the first time.

Each performance day was also supported by SCS Vocational Education and Training (VET) students who assisted with the technical, backstage and front-of-house elements, and SCS Central Office staff who volunteered in a variety of roles throughout the four weeks.  

Together, the festival was a powerful platform for creative expression and community connection, and a testament to SCS’ commitment to supporting the Arts. Read next: 2024 Christmas Story Art Exhibition

December 12, 2024|
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Spark creativity in your child!

Five ways to spark creativity and self-expression in your child!

Are you amazed by your child’s creativity? Do you love seeing their imagination run wild during story-time, making drawings or inventing games? If you’ve wondered how to nurture their creativity while balancing screen time, you’re not alone. 

The good news is, nurturing creativity goes beyond developing a young artist; it builds problem-solving, emotional intelligence, confidence, and a strong sense of self. Eva Spata, Supervisor for Performing and Visual Arts Curriculum at Sydney Catholic Schools, shares five simple ways to inspire creativity and self-expression, helping your child grow confident and ready for life’s challenges.

1. A (small) space of their own

Create a special space where your child can freely express themselves. It doesn’t need to be elaborate—just a small corner with art supplies, musical instruments, or costumes. Let them personalise it with their artwork or favourite colours, making it a dedicated spot for creativity.

Eva says: “A creative nook of their own gives children physical and mental space to explore their interests freely. A space to express themselves, no matter how small, can become a welcome retreat where children can develop their ideas without disruption or having to pack up their things mid-project to make way for dinner!”

2. Make time for… nothing!

Give the gift of free time. While structured activities are important, unstructured playtime is where creativity thrives. Give your child the freedom to play without goals or instructions. This kind of free play can even be something you do together with your child. Let them invent games, create stories, or experiment with materials like clay, paints, musical instruments or building blocks.

Eva says: “They may start by saying they’re ‘bored,’ but soon they’ll be creating their own fun! Unstructured play sparks imagination, lets …

September 10, 2024|
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2024 Eisteddfod: the results are in

Pablo Picasso once said, “Art washes away from the soul the dust from everyday life.” 

The creativity of young people has a singular expressive power, bringing their energy and unique perspective forward to inspire people of all ages, serving as a mirror to our emotions, aspirations and shared experiences.

This year’s Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS) Eisteddfod was a shining example of these vibrant expressions, an encore-worthy event, featuring the dance, music and vocal performances from our dynamic creative arts program offered throughout our 147 primary and secondary schools. 

While the curtain has officially fallen on this year’s Eisteddfod—with 8,500 students and 125 schools taking part in show-stopping solo and ensemble performances across 23 days—it will not quickly be forgotten.

The event continues to hit all the right notes, enabling more students and schools to access competition with feedback provided from industry professionals who adjudicate performances.
 View Individual Results Here

Performance categories included Drama, Dance, Instrumental and Vocal, showcasing the incredible breadth of talent and dedication among our students. Points were awarded for each place, certificate and participation.

St John Bosco Catholic Primary School Engadine were crowned the winners for the very first time, after receiving the most points over the course of the nine weeks.

St Vincent’s College Ashfield took 1st Runner Up, while Mount St Joseph Catholic College Milperra came in 2nd Runner Up.

A selection of the best and brightest acts from this year’s Eisteddfod were also invited back to perform at the Eisteddfod Showcase which was held at Marist College Eastwood.

As depicted in the uplifting photo gallery above, the annual Eisteddfod not only celebrates students’ artistic achievements but also fosters a lifelong appreciation for the arts. LOOK BACK ON LAST YEAR’s …

July 9, 2024|
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Sydney Catholic Schools’ students perform an ‘Acknowledgement of Country’

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