This week, Year 7 students presented a number of items to be donated to the good works of the St Vincent de Paul Society supporting those who are struggling and experiencing homelessness.
Students in the "Youth and Culture" PIP put together 'Blessing Bags', which were filled with everyday essentials and personalised with prayer cards and letters. The bags were also decorated with special messages to inspire hope, showing the students had put a lot of thought into making these bags special.
Reno, a representative from the St Vincent de Paul Society, came to the school to receive these donations in a small ceremony and said that he was "blown away by the generosity" of the students of Santa Sophia Catholic College.
The students presented their bags in their groups with each group sharing what they had learned from the experience. Many shared how they had realised how blessed they were and how giving to others is a rewarding experience knowing you can make a difference. Reno also shared some meaningful stories with the students from his time volunteering with the St Vincent de Paul Society, which the students were inspired by.
Students in the "Knitting" PIP who had also been working on knitting scarves for the homeless also presented them to be donated.
Reno explained that these items would be distributed within the next two weeks and expressed that it would make a big difference in some people's lives because of the thought and kindness put into the items.
Santa Sophia Catholic College is looking forward to continuing our partnership with the St Vincent de Paul Society.
Listen to students Akeesha and Mitchel share about the project:
Santa Sophia Catholic College
www.santasophiaboxhill.catholic.edu.au
Latest News More news
22 Jun 2026
From Facebook
Our Year 7 students recently participated in their Spirituality Day, centred on the theme of Faith and inspired by the Parable of the Mustard Seed. Throughout the day, students engaged in meaningful activities, reflection, and discussion, exploring how even the smallest acts of faith can grow into something truly extraordinary. It was a wonderful opportunity for students to deepen their relationship with God, strengthen connections with one another, and reflect on their role within our faith community. A special thank you to our Leader of Mission and Formation, Rachel Vecchio-Ruggeri, whose dedication, creativity, and passion continue to provide students with enriching faith experiences that inspire growth and reflection. We also extend our gratitude to Eleanor and Hannah from Catholic Youth Parramatta for their support in training our Year 10 peer ministry leaders and for facilitating such an engaging and faith-filled experience for our Year 7 students. Days like these remind us that Catholic education is about so much more than academic achievement. It is about nurturing the whole person, creating opportunities to encounter Christ, grow in faith, develop leadership, and build a strong sense of community. May the seeds planted throughout the day continue to grow and flourish in the hearts of our students. ππ #FaithInAction #SpiritualityDay #Year7 #CatholicEducation
22 Jun 2026
From Facebook
We had the pleasure of welcoming Assistant Principals from across different regions of our Diocese to Santa Sophia for a day of professional learning. πβ¨ Our Principal, Mark De Vries, warmly welcomed guests as they gathered to engage in valuable professional development led by Steve Lemos, Head of Performance for the Bethlehem Network, and Jason Hanrahan, Head of Performance for the Nazareth Network. It was a wonderful opportunity for collaboration, shared learning and professional growth as leaders came together to strengthen practice and continue supporting excellence in education. π @Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
19 Jun 2026
From Facebook
Bravo! ππ What an incredible way to close our production of Matilda Jr. With three sold-out shows, standing ovations, and unforgettable performances β what a remarkable achievement for our College community. To our cast and crew, you were exceptional. Your courage, commitment, energy and talent made us laugh, reflect, and be inspired. A heartfelt thank you to all the staff who generously gave their time, expertise and support to make Matilda Jr. such a success. As the curtain falls on our final performance, we celebrate not only an excellent production, but the friendships, memories and experiences created along the way. Congratulations to everyone involved. What an extraordinary show! ππΆ #MatildaMusicalJr #CreativePerformingArts #CAPA #Musical #Theatre
19 Jun 2026
From Facebook
Year 10 Commerce Market Day was a huge success! π‘π Students put their entrepreneurial skills to the test by creating a product, conducting market research, setting prices, and selling to customers. Along the way, they developed valuable real-world skills including problem-solving, critical thinking, receiving feedback, and adapting to challenges. The energy, creativity, and innovation on display throughout the day were outstanding, with students gaining firsthand experience of what it takes to run a successful business. A special thank you to Mr Rory Davis and Mr Twana Awny for their organisation, planning, and leadership of the day, and to Mrs Leanca Meiring and Mr Antonio Sabia for their collaboration in making Market Day possible. Well done to all our Year 10 Commerce students! π #CommerceMarketDay #Year10 #MarketDay #youngentrepreneur #BusinessOpportunity
18 Jun 2026
From Facebook
18 Jun 2026
From Facebook
Hoodies for Hope β Tomorrow! π§₯ Just a reminder to all students and staff to wear your favourite hoodie over your winter uniform tomorrow as part of our Hoodies for Hope initiative. We encourage you to also support the Vinnies Winter Appeal with a gold coin donation. Every contribution helps provide much-needed support to those experiencing hardship during the colder months. Wear a hoodie. Give hope. Make a difference. Thank you for your generosity and support. π DONATE HERE:https://my.fundraise.vinniesnsw.org.au/vinnies-school-sleepouts/santa-sophia-catholic-college-winter-appeal
17 Jun 2026
From Facebook
πβ¨ A little sneak peek from today's Matinee Performance of Matilda Jr.! Our Kβ4 students thoroughly enjoyed the show and had the opportunity to take part in a special Q&A session with the cast afterwards. From "How do you remember all your lines?" and "How long did rehearsals take?" to "Do you get nervous on stage?" and "Are you happy when you're performing?" β there were plenty of thoughtful and curious questions from our youngest audience members. Who knows? We may have some future performers sitting in the audience! π Tonight, our cast can't wait to perform for the wider community. Doors open at 6:00pm for a 6:30pm start, so arrive early to secure the best seats available. ποΈ While all performances initially sold out, due to overwhelming demand we've released an additional 30 seats per night. Don't miss your chance to see this incredible production β tickets are still available, but be quick! We can't wait to see you there! ππ«πΆ #MatildaJr #SantaSophiaCatholicCollege #PerformingArts #StudentTalent #ShowWeek
17 Jun 2026
From Facebook
βοΈπ On Friday 12 June, almost 80 Santa Sophia students participated in our annual Vinnies Winter Sleepout β our largest Sleepout yet. The experience challenged students to step outside their comfort zones and gain a deeper understanding of homelessness and disadvantage in our community. Supplied with only cardboard, a simple meal of soup and bread, and the support of one another, students spent the night in solidarity with those experiencing homelessness. Throughout the evening, students reflected on Scripture and Catholic Social Teaching, learned about the realities of homelessness in Australia, and considered how they can make a difference through service and compassion. We are incredibly proud to share that, thanks to the generosity of our school community, over $12,500 has been raised so far to support the important work of Vinnies Homeless Services and programs. A heartfelt thank you to our students, families, and staff for their support, and especially to the staff members who volunteered their time to help make the event possible. π Donations are still open for anyone who would like to contribute via the Santa Sophia Winter Appeal Fundraising Page https://my.fundraise.vinniesnsw.org.au/vinnies-school-sleepouts/santa-sophia-catholic-college-winter-appeal?tab=leaderboard&utm_source=chatgpt.com #VinniesWinterSleepout #WinterAppeal #SocialJustice #FaithInAction #MakingADifference
17 Jun 2026
From Facebook
This term, our Fiji Immersion students, together with the Social Justice Crew, led a successful fundraising initiative to support their upcoming Immersion Trip to Fiji. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our school community, we sold more Krispy Kreme boxes exceeding last year's fundraising efforts. This achievement would not have been possible without the support of our students, families, and staff. A special thank you to everyone who contributed and to the students who dedicated their time and energy to making the fundraiser such a success. Everyone definitely enjoyed the donuts! π₯― We look forward to following the students' journey and hearing about their experiences when they travel to Fiji during the July holidays. βοΈπ«π― #FijiImmersion #KrispyKreme #Fundraiser
16 Jun 2026
From Facebook
Our Year 11 Biology students recently visited Sydney Zoo as part of their Depth Study investigation. π¦π¦π¬ The excursion provided a valuable opportunity for students to observe a diverse range of animal species firsthand while exploring key biological concepts such as adaptations, biodiversity, and ecosystem diversity. Through real-world observation and inquiry, students were able to deepen their understanding of how organisms interact with and adapt to their environments. A fantastic day of learning beyond the classroom! πΏπΎ #Year11Biology #SydneyZoo #LearningBeyondTheClassroom
15 Jun 2026
From Facebook
Kindergarten went on their first excursion to Calmsley Hill Farm. The children had a fabulous time learning about farm animals. πππ They particularly enjoyed learning about the different things we get from plants and animals, milking a cow, patting baby animals and going for a ride on the tractor across the paddock. π©βπΎπΎπ #Kindergarten2026 #KindyExcursion #FarmAnimals
12 Jun 2026
From Facebook
Just a few snaps from an incredible day at our Secondary Athletics Carnival! Great weather, great atmosphere and plenty of house spirit made for an awesome day at the carnival. It was fantastic to see so many students getting involved, cheering each other on and making the most of every moment. βοΈ And of course, the highlight for manyβthe Staff vs Student Raceβsaw our teachers once again defend their title and remain the reigning champions! ππ More photos from the day are still to come, so stay tuned! πΈ #SecondaryAthleticsCarnival #HouseSpirit #SchoolCommunity #ReigningChampions #youngathletes #SantaSophiaCatholicCollege