28 Jul 2025
On Friday 4th July, St Francis marked NAIDOC Week with a very special guest — Telaya Blacksmith, a proud Walpiri teenager, Paralympian athlete, and AFL player.
Telaya grew up in the remote Northern Territory community of Lajamanu and now lives in Sydney, where she attends Endeavour Sports High School in Penrith. She has proudly represented Australia twice on the international stage, most recently at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris.
Our school community gave Telaya a warm welcome, with students flocking around her as she arrived. Throughout the day, Telaya led a series of engaging sessions where she shared her story — how her dream of becoming an athlete began, and the importance of the strong support network that has helped her along the way.
Students were inspired as Telaya showcased her incredible collection of medals and trophies. She answered questions from the students, covering everything from her favourite meals and hobbies to the importance of positive self-talk in sport and life.
The day concluded with the presentation of Age Champions from our recent Athletics Carnival — a proud moment made even more memorable as students received their awards from Telaya herself. The celebration wrapped up with a staff vs. student relay on the basketball court and a fun game of Kick Nukem Ball, bringing plenty of laughs and showcasing our vibrant SFA spirit!
Exciting News!
Over the school holidays, Telaya announced she has been selected to represent Australia at the World Para Athletics Championships in India, competing in the 400m and Long Jump.
We are so proud of Telaya and wish her all the very best — Go Telaya!
Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese