Cardinal George Pell, Archbishop of Sydney, has honoured 46 outstanding students from Sydney's Catholic secondary schools for their high achievements during their last six years at high school at a special awards ceremony at St Mary's Cathedral on Tuesday 21 August.

An Archbishop of Sydney Award for Student Excellence was given to each of the 46 recipients for a range of achievements in areas including leadership, excellent academic results, community work, commitment to social justice, sporting success, talents in the fine arts, and integrity in all facets of their lives.

The prestigious annual award by the Archbishop is recognition of the outstanding young women and men in Catholic secondary schools across the Archdiocese of Sydney since 1999.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, Cardinal Pell told how much he enjoyed his work as Archbishop, especially on occasions like this, commending the outstanding achievements of young people and honouring Catholic colleges in Sydney for being "wonderful sites of faith."

He acknowledged that is was this faith that urged us to bring the World Youth Day event to Sydney next year.

Addressing a packed Cathedral, he spoke about the parable of the talents and reminded the students about the importance of perseverance.

"It's not the number of talents that a person has that is important. What's important is how we use what we have," the Cardinal said.

"The biggest difference between those who contribute more to society, and those who contribute less, is persistence," he added.

"Our society needs young people like you - persons of consistency and integrity - to renew hope and give enthusiasm to others.

"This is not the end point of your achievements. We hope these achievements will be a platform in your life of consistent contribution to society."

In congratulating the students, the Archbishop also expressed his gratitude to their parents and their teachers for their part in helping them with their achievements.

Br Kelvin Canavan, Executive Director of Schools in the Archdiocese of Sydney, also offered congratulations to the students on receiving this prestigious award.

"The Catholic community is proud of your achievements, and as a community we hope you will continue to strive to make a difference in the world.

"It is a wonderful day in Catholic education, marking the 187th year of continuous Catholic education in the Archdiocese."

The recipients of the 2007 award are:

Paul Ocwieja, All Saints Catholic Senior College, Casula
Jarod Wakefield, Aquinas College, Menai
Monica Kavanagh, Bethany College, Hurstville
Nicole Dempsey, Bethlehem College, Ashfield
Christine Shiner, Brigidine College, Randwick
Melissa Nguyen, Casimir Catholic College, Marrickville
Jack Pinkerton, Christian Brothers High School, Lewisham
Kevin Romano, De La Salle College, Ashfield
Ashleigh Mills, De La Salle College, Cronulla
Joshua Dwyer, De La Salle College, Revesby Heights
Emma Ommundson, Domremy College, Five Dock
Gary Bosnjak, Freeman Catholic College, Bonnyrigg Heights
Amy-Lee Wulf, Good Samaritan Catholic College, Hinchinbrook
Timothy Austin, Holy Cross College, Ryde
Jonathan Elphege, Holy Spirit College, Lakemba
Elizabeth Jones, Kincoppal-Rose Bay
Luke Amcha, LaSalle Catholic College, Bankstown
Alexandra McCann, Loreto, Kirribilli
Nathan Hill, Marcellin College, Randwick
Andrew Alice, Marist College, Eastwood
Christopher Cuschieri , Marist College, Kogarah
Christopher Anderson, Marist College, North Shore
Scott Dalby, Marist College, Pagewood
Rosanna Ciano, Marist Sisters' College, Woolwich
Haylee Tumanik, Mary MacKillop College, Wakeley
Hayley Forbes, Monte Sant' Angelo Mercy College, North Sydney
Laura Caponetto, Mount St Joseph, Milperra
Jennifer Kelly, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College, Kensington
Nathan Caruana, Patrician Brothers' College, Fairfield
Samantha Hickey, Rosebank College, Five Dock
Katherine Orme, Santa Sabina College, Strathfield
Declan Byrne, St Aloysius' College, Milsons Point
Mathew Bishara, St Charbel's College, Punchbowl
Natalie Cheong, St Clare's College, Waverley
John Fennel, St Ignatius' College, Riverview
Daniel Gough, St John Bosco College, Engadine
Nicholas Wright, St Joseph's College, Hunters Hill
Jessica Issa, St Maroun's College, Dulwich Hill
Emilio De Leon, St Mary's Cathedral College, Sydney
Jared Ellsmore, St Patrick's College, Strathfield
Anne Elliott, St Patrick's College, Sutherland
Eliza Burg, St Scholastica's College, Glebe
Michelle Jansen, St Ursula's College, Kingsgrove
Lauren Coates, St Vincent's College, Potts Point
Maroun Draybi, Trinity Catholic College, Auburn
Charles Hartson, Waverley College.