Congratulations to Thalia S of Year 12 who is this year's SFCC recipient of the Bishop's Student Excellence Award. Below is the citation which was read out at the ceremony in relation to Thalia's outstanding College and community involvement.

Thalia S - St Francis, Edmondson Park

It is with great honour that I present the Bishop Student Excellence Award to a remarkable young woman, THALIA SINGH, whose contribution to St Francis Catholic College and the wider community has been both significant and inspiring. Throughout her years at the College, Thalia has lived out our motto, Open Minds, Open Hearts, showing diligence, perseverance and genuine care for others. She has built meaningful connections with her peers, teachers and the broader community. A committed parishioner of Mary Mother of the Church, Macquarie Fields, Thalia attends Mass weekly and is actively involved in parish initiatives. Her deep faith is expressed through a readiness to serve, whether in community projects, prayer ministry, or supporting others in their faith journey. At the College, Thalia has excelled academically, upheld the highest standards of conduct and participated wholeheartedly in school life. She has shown outstanding leadership as Youth Engagement Leader and more recently as College Captain for 2024–2025. In these roles, she has led Bible study groups, organised Caritas Australia fundraising campaigns and promoted Catholic social justice causes. She played an active role in MacFest, the Macarthur Catholic Youth Festival and has encouraged younger students in their prayer life, including introducing them to the Rosary. This year, she initiated ‘CROSSFIT’, a Lenten program encouraging students to put Christ’s teachings into action through service and compassion. Thalia’s commitment extends beyond our Catholic community. As a Youth Committee member of the Sydney Jewish Museum, she has supported Holocaust education and the f ight against antisemitism. Through the ‘Youth HEAR’ program, she has helped connect young Australians with survivors’ stories, inspiring empathy and respect for diversity. She has also contributed to educational resources on antisemitism for potential inclusion in the NSW curriculum. Thalia’s service also extends to the Australian Army Cadets, where she has risen to the rank of Cadet Under Officer and served as Company Commander of 22/29 ACU Holsworthy. She has led and mentored cadets from across New South Wales, organised fundraising for Legacy, supported veterans through the Run Army Program and worked with the Liverpool SES to strengthen community resilience. Through all these endeavours, Thalia has shown intelligence, compassion and a quiet strength that inspires those around her. She is a role model for our students, a source of pride for her family and a valued contributor to the wider community. It is with pride and gratitude that we recognise Thalia Singh as a most deserving recipient of the Bishop’s Excellence Award.

Thalia and her family were very proud of her achievement and enjoyed the celebrations!