If you've ever assumed that attending a Catholic school means you have to be Catholic and that the fees are expensive, you're not alone. It's a common perception, but for many families, the reality looks quite different.
You don't need to be Catholic to belong.
Catholic schools offer character formation that respects the religious and non-religious backgrounds of all students. Day to day, faith shows up through kindness, resilience, service to others, and a genuine sense of belonging, built through learning and social justice programs that let kids make a real difference.
The curriculum looks a lot like you'd expect.
Catholic schools teach the NSW curriculum and are proud of the academic achievements of our students. Religious Education is designed for students of any religious or non-religious background. For those students who are Catholic, it aims to support them in understanding their faith. For other students, it aims to help them learn more about a Catholic understanding of life.
Academic results speak for themselves.
Catholic schools consistently punch above their weight - strong HSC results, dedicated teachers and a genuine sense of community that means every student is known and supported.
The benefits last well beyond graduation.
A 2025 study using HILDA data found Catholic school graduates were, on average, more likely to be employed, reported higher life satisfaction and better general health, were more likely to donate to charity, and earned a 4-11% wage premium vs government-school peers after controls.
And the fees question - it's more affordable than people assume.
Catholic education isn't the exclusive, expensive world some parents imagine. Fees are kept as low as possible, with families paying less each day than they'd spend on everyday essentials like lunch or parking. Sibling discounts are available, flexible payment plans are standard and schools work with families experiencing genuine financial hardship. No family is turned away simply because of their inability to pay.
The bottom line:
Catholic schools today are inclusive, high-achieving, values-driven communities. The best way to see what one is really like is to experience it firsthand. Attend an open day or speak with staff about the programs and community that make each school unique.
Curious what this looks like in Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains?
Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD) is a community of 80 schools where every family is welcomed and supported to thrive. With affordable fees, high-quality learning programs, state-of-the-art facilities and a strong focus on wellbeing and belonging, CSPD schools empower every child to strive for greatness.
Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
www.parra.catholic.edu.au
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13 Aug 2026
From Facebook
On Friday 31st July, the students of OLMC took part in a whole school Faith in Action initiative: Winter Warmies. Students came to school dressed in their snuggly warm attire, ready to learn a little bit more of the impacts of hardship & homelessness in the lives of everyday Australians. With a warm cup of Milo, sitting around Homeless David in the cold morning air, students were able to visually understand what being homeless might look like. Some of our very thoughtful & compassionate students left some of their recess near David, to enjoy when he woke up. What a beautiful sentiment to witness! Thank you to our parents and carers for your generous donation to our 2026 Vinnies Winter Appeal.
10 Aug 2026
From Facebook
Happy Principal’s Day, Miss Pirovic! Yesterday, we celebrated our wonderful Principal, Miss Pirovic, and gave thanks for her leadership, dedication and care for our OLMC community. Through her leadership, she helps us live out our school values of Compassion, Dignity and Justice, always striving to create a community where every student, family and staff member feels valued and supported. 💙 Thank you, Miss Pirovic, for all that you do for our OLMC community. May Our Lady of Mount Carmel continue to guide and accompany you in your leadership. 🌿 🙏 A Prayer for Our Principal Loving God, we thank You for the gift of Miss Pirovic and for her leadership of our school community. Bless her with wisdom, strength and compassion as she guides us each day. May she continue to lead with dignity, seek justice and serve others with a generous heart. Through the intercession of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, may she be surrounded by Your grace, protected by Your loving care and strengthened in her vocation of service. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Latest News More news
13 Aug 2026
From Facebook
On Friday 31st July, the students of OLMC took part in a whole school Faith in Action initiative: Winter Warmies. Students came to school dressed in their snuggly warm attire, ready to learn a little bit more of the impacts of hardship & homelessness in the lives of everyday Australians. With a warm cup of Milo, sitting around Homeless David in the cold morning air, students were able to visually understand what being homeless might look like. Some of our very thoughtful & compassionate students left some of their recess near David, to enjoy when he woke up. What a beautiful sentiment to witness! Thank you to our parents and carers for your generous donation to our 2026 Vinnies Winter Appeal.
10 Aug 2026
From Facebook
Happy Principal’s Day, Miss Pirovic! Yesterday, we celebrated our wonderful Principal, Miss Pirovic, and gave thanks for her leadership, dedication and care for our OLMC community. Through her leadership, she helps us live out our school values of Compassion, Dignity and Justice, always striving to create a community where every student, family and staff member feels valued and supported. 💙 Thank you, Miss Pirovic, for all that you do for our OLMC community. May Our Lady of Mount Carmel continue to guide and accompany you in your leadership. 🌿 🙏 A Prayer for Our Principal Loving God, we thank You for the gift of Miss Pirovic and for her leadership of our school community. Bless her with wisdom, strength and compassion as she guides us each day. May she continue to lead with dignity, seek justice and serve others with a generous heart. Through the intercession of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, may she be surrounded by Your grace, protected by Your loving care and strengthened in her vocation of service. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
05 Aug 2026
From Facebook
Congratulations to the Week 3 award recipients. Our students are always working to be the best learners they can be.
30 Jul 2026
From Facebook
💙 Celebrating Our Lady of Mount Carmel Feast Day & Grandparents Day 💙 What a wonderful day of faith, family and community! Last Friday, we gathered to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel while honouring our grandparents and the special people who nurture, guide and love us each day. Our students led a beautiful Mass with reverence and joy before families came together to share a picnic across our school grounds. It was heartwarming to see generations celebrating together, reminding us that our school is truly a community where everyone belongs. A heartfelt thank you to our parish, staff, students, families and grandparents for making the day such a memorable celebration. Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us. 💙 Saints Anne and Joachim, pray for us. 💛
28 Jul 2026
From Facebook
Congratulations to all of our students who received Merit Awards and Star Cards this week – our first award recipients for the term! ⭐👏 We are so proud of the positive choices, effort and learning you demonstrate each day. A special thank you to our SRC and Fr Janu for leading our school community in a beautiful time of prayer as we farewelled Mrs Murphy ahead of her retirement. Tomorrow marks her final day at OLMC, and we thank her for her many years of dedicated service, care and commitment to our school community. We wish her every blessing and happiness as she begins this exciting new chapter. 💙
17 Jul 2026
From Facebook
Join the OLMC Parish this weekend as we celebrate our Feast Day. Our Principal Mass will be this Sunday 19 July at 10:00 am. This will be preceded by a procession in the school grounds from 9:30 am, and refreshments and celebrations after Mass.
17 Jul 2026
From Facebook
17 Jul 2026
What's It Really Like to Send Your Kid to a Catholic School?
If you've ever assumed that attending a Catholic school means you have to be Catholic and that the fees are expensive, you're not alone. It's a common perception, but for many families, the reality looks quite different.
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.
05 Jul 2026
From Facebook
Today we sent Mrs Azar and Ms Dooley off on their next big adventure of motherhood. They take with them our prayers and well wishes as we all eagerly await their news.
02 Jul 2026
From Facebook
This week Year 3 had two special visitors – Rufus and Ola, two playful desert dingo pups. The children have been reading the book Wandi and this visit brought their learning to life. Students loved meeting Rufus and Ola and learning more about dingo conservation and care. The pups were full of energy and quickly won everyone over with their friendly nature, playful personalities, and plenty of enthusiastic licks! The children enjoyed interacting with the dingoes up close and were fascinated to see firsthand the unique features and behaviours they had been learning about in class. This memorable experience provided a wonderful opportunity for students to deepen their understanding of Australia's native animals while creating some very special memories with our dingo cubs along the way.