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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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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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Eisteddfod builds performance and vocational skills

Jacinta Drummond will experience the 2024 Sydney Catholic Schools Eisteddfod from both sides of the stage.

The singer and songwriter, in year 11 at St Ursula’s College Kingsgrove, is also an external Vocational Education and Training (VET) student at Southern Cross Catholic College Burwood.

When not defending consecutive first and second place wins at past Eisteddfods with her original material, Jacinta will help with backstage elements of the multi-day event.

These include audio and stage management as part of a 20-hour work placement for her VET Entertainment course.

“The skills I have gained in Entertainment this term have been invaluable to my growth in the performing arts field,” Jacinta said. 

“I hope to pursue it as a career in the near future.”

Defending talent

Student behind a sound mixing board at a performance event.Jacinta and her band placed first in the Stage 6 Advanced Rock Band category of the 2023 Eisteddfod.

Aiming for a back-to-back win, they will perform an original composition she has arranged on June 14.

The event is one of five Jacinta will compete in this year. Choir and solo vocal performances round out her performance schedule.

In 2022 at her first SCS Eisteddfod, she debuted an original song she had penned, Somebody Like That, in the vocal solo category of the awards.

“It has been an extremely rewarding experience to be a performing arts student at Sydney Catholic Schools,” – Jacinta Drummond

Jacinta said she appreciated music’s ability to create a connection between the performer, audience, and surrounding world.

“Music is a universal language,” she said.

“To write music which can transcend all boundaries …

May 27, 2024|
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Sydney Catholic Schools’ students perform an ‘Acknowledgement of Country’

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