GALLERIES

🌟 Year 11 Early Childhood Education and Care 🌟 Recently our Year 11 ECEC students put their learning into practice by planning and setting up engaging learning experiences for children. 🧩🎨📚 It was fantastic to see students applying their knowledge of child development and play-based learning while creating experiences that encourage curiosity, creativity, and learning. A highlight of the lesson was seeing some students design and create their own resources. Their ideas were thoughtful, imaginative, and demonstrated a wonderful understanding of how learning materials can support children's development. 👏✨ We are so proud of the creativity, initiative, and enthusiasm shown by our students as they continue to develop the skills needed for a career in Early Childhood Education. #ECEC #Year11 #FutureEducators #LearningThroughPlay #CreativityInEducation #HandsOnLearning #StudentSuccess #earlychildhoodeducation @stlukesmp @carolinechisholmglenmorepark #stpatricksmaristcollegedundas @catholicschoolsparra

Last week four of our Year 12 leaders attended a CSPD Leadership Breakfast at Novotel. Keynote speaker, Joy Adan spoke about the importance of having our self value based on our individual strengths and using them for good. She also highlighted the negative side of our society, as we put too much trust in AI and social media to define our worth . 💜💙 Our students were able to network and discuss this topic in more depth with other school leaders. A common theme that kept arising was that Cathwest’s approach to Catholic Education aligned with this view of placing our value in our skills but more importantly, how we treat others. 🥰 @joyadan.life #cdspfaithinaction @catholicyouthparra Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese @catholicschoolsparra

🌟 Future Educators in the Making! 🌟 Over the past month, two of our fantastic CathWest students spent four consecutive Wednesdays at Nirimba TAFE and completed the YES Program - Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC)! This multi-week experience gave them an in-depth look into the industry, including a wonderful opportunity to visit the on-campus ECEC centre to see real-world teaching practices in action. 🧸 The Foundation of Early Learning During their time at TAFE, our students explored the core philosophies that drive quality early childhood education. All TAFE NSW Children’s Centres follow the National Early Years Learning Framework, which focuses deeply on: 👶🏼Nurturing children's sense of self 👶🏿Developing their sense of belonging 👶Encouraging ongoing development 🚀 The Power of Play-Based Learning Across the 4-week course, our students got a firsthand look at how intentional, play-based learning programs are designed to spark children’s imagination in a positive environment where they are encouraged to play together. This interactive environment is crucial because it enables children to: 💜Build strong confidence 💙Develop vital socialisation skills 💜Express and explore their own ideas 💙Engage meaningfully with the ideas of others 💼 Inspiring the Next Step The best part of this extended experience? It completely solidified their career goals! Spending four Wednesdays witnessing the framework in action has given both students the confidence to officially pursue ECEC as a career pathway for their ongoing studies here at CathWest. Opportunities like this allow CathWest students to step into real-world environments, test-drive their career passions over multiple weeks, and lock in their future with clarity and certainty. We are incredibly proud of our students for committing to this course with curiosity and enthusiasm. The future of early childhood education is looking bright! ☀️ #CathWest #NirimbaTAFE #EarlyChildhoodEducation #VETPathway #FutureEducators #LearningByDoing #ECEC #CareerPathways #vocationaleducation #ECEC #FutureEducators #SkillsNSW TAFE NSW @ambroseearlylearningandcare #InspiringYoungMinds @catholicschoolsparra

🛠️ "Jesus was a tradie." Talk about faith in action! Our CathWest Innovation College community recently transformed a 'Brick & Block' workshop into a sacred space for a incredibly special Mass celebrating Saint Joseph the Worker.👷 Hand-built by our students, the altar stood at the centre of a beautiful liturgy celebrated by Bishop Vincent Long, reflecting our unique blend of trade, innovation, and Catholic identity. From a student-built sacred space to a rockin' rendition of 'Working Class Man' by our staff band, it was an unforgettable celebration of community, humility, and hard work.🪇🎹🎼 👉 Read the full story and see how our students are building their futures—and their faith—on our website https://cathwest.parra.catholic.edu.au/news-events/news/2026/06/10/02/35/build-it-and-they-will-pray @Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese @catholicyouthparra #cdspfaithinaction Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese

🖤💛❤️ Uncle Ted & Taleishah Indigenous Cultural Incursion ❤️💛🖤 Recently, Our Year 12 ECEC students had the incredible privilege of learning from Uncle Ted and Taleishah from Jarara. It was an inspiring session filled with storytelling, history, and deep cultural insights to help guide our future educators. Here are a few highlights from the day: Caring for Country & Identity: Students explored traditional tools, the deep responsibility of sustainable living, and how totems foster identity and community connections. 🌿🪃✨ Inclusive Education: The group discussed practical ways to embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags, art, and language into early childhood settings to ensure all families feel welcomed and represented. History & Reconciliation: The session provided a meaningful space to learn about historical truths, including the impact of the Stolen Generations, emphasizing the importance of cultural understanding. 🏏 Fun Fact We Learned: The very first cricket team to represent Australia internationally was actually an all-Aboriginal team that toured England in 1868! A massive thank you to Uncle Ted and Taleishah for sharing your wisdom, stories, and culture with us. This unforgettable experience will beautifully support our students on their journey to becoming culturally responsive and inclusive educators. 🖤💛❤️ 💚💙🤍 #IndigenousEducation #AboriginalCulture #FirstNations #CaringForCountry #Sustainability #Totems #Belonging #CulturalInclusion #Reconciliation #Jarara #ECEC #FutureEducators #AlwaysWasAlwaysWillBe #TruthTelling #JARARA

Our student leaders completely ran the show! 🛠️⚡🪚 When Susan Templeman MP visited CathWest recently, we handed the keys over to our Year 12 student leaders to show her exactly how we do things here. No boring presentations—just a full-access tour through our campus and workshop rooms, led by students who are already out there crushing it in industry. Susan got a firsthand look at the future of trades, guided by the best in the business: The Carpentry & Joinery Crew 🪚: Showed off the precision, hands-on builds, and heavy-duty projects keeping the workshops buzzing. The Electro Crew ⚡: Gave a look into the sparks, circuitry, and technical skills driving the modern electrical trade. The Ultimate Parting Gift ✒️: To top it all off, our carpentry students gifted Susan a custom-made pen they crafted right here in the workshop. Talk about next-level craftsmanship! The Iconic Photo Op 🧱📸: Of course, the tour wasn't complete without stopping for a flick with our famous Lego Man—shoutout to the legendary CathWest Alumni who originally built him! The ultimate flex? Every single one of these student leaders is already employed by a local business through their School-Based Apprenticeship (SBA). They are literally earning a paycheck, gaining real-world experience, and locking in their HSC all at the same time. 💼💸 Having a federal leader come in and validate the hard work our future tradespeople are putting in means the world. Massive shoutout to our leaders for representing CathWest so well, and a huge thank you to Susan for hanging out with us! #CathWest #StudentLeaders #Carpentry #Electrotechnology #Joinery #SBA #SchoolBasedApprenticeship #EarnAndLearn #FutureTrades #LegoMan #cathwestalumni #susantempleman #susantemplemanmp #nswskills #westernsydneypenrith #VocationalEducation #catholiceducation #cspd #catholicschoolsparramattadiocese #catholicschoolsparramattadiocese #bradali #riversidefitouts #stowe

Ever wonder what high school looks like when you trade textbooks for real-world experience? 🤔✨ Shoutout to all the amazing Year 10 students who joined us this week for an epic 'Try a Career' day! The energy was unmatched, and you absolutely crushed the workshops. Here is a quick recap of the madness: 🚗 Automotive: Learnt the basics of car maintenance and went head-to-head in a high-speed tyre-changing challenge. 🔨 Carpentry: Mastered the tools and built custom wooden mallets from scratch. 🧸 Childcare: Got a taste of early childhood education with heaps of hands-on play, painting, and reading. 🚧 Civil Construction: Got hands-on with paving, digging, and a legendary nail-driving comp. 💇‍♀️ Hairdressing: Stepped up the style game learning to braid and curl like pros. 🩺 Nursing: Practiced life-saving skills like CPR, wound care, and injection basics. 🎬 Screen & Media: Took over the studio to write scripts, act, and produce original content. Why settle for a boring routine? At CathWest, you don’t have to choose between finishing school and starting your career. You get to roll up your sleeves, be creative every single day, and complete your HSC while getting paid and qualified through a School-Based Apprenticeship (SBA) or Traineeship. 🙌💼 Ready to build a future you're actually excited about? Drop a 🛠️ in the comments if you came along, and hit the link in our bio to check out our upcoming open days! 🔗👇 https://cathwest.parra.catholic.edu.au/enrolment #TryACareer #Year10 #HighSchoolVibes #HSC #SchoolBasedApprenticeship #Traineeship #TradieLife #CreativeIndustries #HandsOnLearning #ECEC #catholicschoolsparramattadiocese #anate #parramattamarist #skillsnsw @ambroseearlylearningandcare @anategroup Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese @catholicschoolsparra @TAFE NSW @tafensw St John Paul II Catholic College, Schofields & Nirimba @ambroseearlylearningandcare @stjohnpaul2cc St Agnes CHS Rooty Hill @parramatta.marist Xavier College @xavierllandilo #stjohn

🌟 Year 12 ECEC Excursion to Mia Mia Child and Family Study Centre 🌟 Our Year 12 Early Childhood Education and Care students recently had the incredible opportunity to visit the renowned Mia Mia Child and Family Study Centre. During the excursion, students observed high-quality early childhood practices in action and gained valuable insight into how educators create meaningful learning experiences that inspire children's curiosity, learning, and sense of belonging. They were particularly impressed by the centre's commitment to children's rights, inclusive practices, positive relationships, and strong partnerships with families from diverse cultural backgrounds. The visit provided a fantastic real-world learning experience, allowing students to connect their classroom studies with professional practice and deepen their understanding of excellence in early childhood education. Thank you to the team at Mia Mia for sharing their expertise and inspiring the next generation of educators! 💛📚👶✨ #ECEC #Year12 #FutureEducators #MiaMia #EarlyChildhoodEducation #LearningBeyondTheClassroom #inspiringyoungminds #miamiachildandfamilystudycentre

Welcome to week 8A.

👷‍♀️✨ Women in Trades Conference 2026 ✨👷‍♀️ Our Year 10 and 11 girls across both campuses had an inspiring day at @southerncross_college celebrating the achievements of women thriving in trade careers and exploring the many opportunities available in this growing sector. Through powerful stories from Sally Sitou MP and Dominique Gill, Urban Core students gained valuable insights into the importance of trades in Australia's future workforce and the role women can play in shaping it. 💡 Key messages from the day: �• Give it a go�• Be curious and ask questions�• Follow your passion�• Build your network With women currently making up only 2% of the construction trades workforce, there is enormous potential to create a more diverse and innovative industry. Here at CathWest we are helping to grow the construction industry by providing opportunities for woman to study subjects such as Civil Construction, Automotive, Plumbing, and Electrotechnology. Diversity brings fresh perspectives, strengthens workplaces, and contributes to greater productivity and better outcomes for our communities. A fantastic day of learning, inspiration, and empowerment for our CathWest students. URBANCORE Sydney Catholic Schools #SydneyCatholicSchools

🎉 Celebrating student success! Meet Chloe, a driven CathWest student who thrives on hands-on learning and practical skills. Known for her positive attitude and fierce determination, she has been gaining incredible experience on-site with John Holland, working right at the Penrith Stadium redevelopment! 👷👷 As part of our Trade Readiness pathway, Chloe is focused on gaining as much industry exposure as possible this year while working towards completing her HSC. At CathWest, our flexible pathways mean students don't have to choose between finishing school and starting their career—they can do both by securing a School-Based Apprenticeship (SBA). Chloe's hard work is building the perfect foundation to do exactly that! Read the full article and see how Chloe’s fantastic work ethic is turning her passion into a career. @johnhollandgroup @catholicschoolsparra @nepeannews @skillsnsw Skills NSW #cspd2026 #schooldonedifferently

Welcome to week 7B

Big congratulations to Kalan! 🌟 We are so proud to announce that Kalan was a NSW regional finalist for School-based Apprentice/Trainee of the Year! 🏆While he did not take home the top prize, Kalan is already a winner in our eyes. Everyone here at CathWest Innovation College is incredibly proud of his amazing attitude, commitment, and dedication to his school-based apprenticeship. 🔨✨ Kalan is working hard with Bradali Building Services to become a qualified carpenter. With his fantastic work ethic, we know he is going to be an absolute superstar in the trade! 🪵 Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese #NSWtrainingawards2027 @skillsnsw #bradali

✈️ Exciting opportunities are taking off at CathWest! ✈️ As proud recipients of the WSI Soaring Scholarship Program, CathWest recently invited Year 10 students and parents to tour the incredible new Western Sydney International Airport ahead of its official opening in October 2026 — and what an amazing experience it was! Students and families had the opportunity to see firsthand one of Australia’s largest infrastructure projects, valued at an incredible $5.3 billion. Even more exciting was learning how much of the airport has been built using locally sourced materials: 🪨 Flooring stones sourced from the Nepean River 🏗️ Terminal materials manufactured in Blacktown ⛰️ Sandstone supplied by Gosford Quarries Did you know? By 2032, WSI estimates the airport will welcome more than 10 million domestic and international visitors each year! This experience gave our students valuable insight into the future of aviation, infrastructure, tourism, and employment opportunities right here in Western Sydney. A huge thank you to all of our students and parents who attended and represented CathWest so positively throughout the tour. We look forward to sharing the next exciting steps of the program soon, including invitations to apply for the upcoming Microcredential Program in Aviation Operations. Stay tuned! ✈️ #WesternSydneyUniversity #CathWest #WesternSydneyInternational #WSI #FutureReady #AviationCareers #WesternSydney #StudentOpportunities #Infrastructure #CareerPathways

Here at CathWest we are supporting National Reconciliation Week (NRW). A chance for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. 💜 The theme for National Reconciliation Week 2026 is All In, a call for all Australians to commit wholeheartedly to reconciliation every single day. #cspd2026 #NRW2026 @catholicschoolsparra

@catholicschoolsparra #catholicschoolsparramatta @bradali #bradalibuilding #nswtrainingawards #SkillsNSW

Huge congratulations to Kalan on being named a finalist for School based Apprentice/Trainee of the Year Award ! 🎉 From a very young age, Kalan knew he wanted to follow in his grandfather's footsteps and become a carpenter. He spent his weekends right beside him in the shed, learning the tools of the trade and bringing countless wooden creations to life. 🪵🔨 Today, Kalan is an incredibly dedicated, reliable, and enthusiastic student and apprentice. We are so proud of the tradesman he is becoming and wish him the absolute best of luck with his nomination. You've earned this, Kalan! 👏✨ #NSWTrainingAwards #Apprentice #Carpentry #FutureTradie #ProudMoment #SkillsNSW @training_awards #bradalibuilding @catholicschoolsparra #catholicschoolsparramatta #cspd2026 #skillsnsw2026 #skillsnsw

Cathwest's FIAT group represented our school at Lifted Leaders: Unleashed held at Nagle College Blacktown. Australian born Catholic Singer, Lou Daniels shared her personal testimony about leaning on God through the tough times and being hopeful through trials. Students were able to reflect on this topic through shared discussion, personal reflection and collective prayer.🙏🏻🙏🏽 @catholicschoolsparra @parracatholic @naglecollege @catholicyouthparra #cdspfaithinaction @_loudaniels

Calling Year 10 students who would like to explore a Trade or Vocational pathway.💇👷 CathWest is once again holding our Try a Career day for any Year 10 student considering a Trade or Vocational Pathway option for Year 11, 2027. When: Wednesday 17th June. Location: CathWest Innovation College, Loyola Campus Time: 8.45am - 2.15pm Student may select one career to explore: Automotive Childcare Civil Construction Carpentry Hairdressing Nursing Screen & Media Please note, this EOI does not guarantee your place. Successful candidates will be emailed. Please head to our website to register: https://cathwest.parra.catholic.edu.au/news-events/event-promos/2025-07-try-a-career

Welcome to week 5B. Notes: CathWest is once again supporting the Vinnies Winter Appeal. We ask if students can donate pantry food items. Thank you for your support.

Meet Gabby! 👋 As our Leader of Wellbeing (Student Pathways Support), VET Teacher (ECEC & Business Services), AND a champion on our Diversity Team, she wears many hats! 🎓 In our latest feature celebrating National Careers week, Gabby shares her inspiring career journey and her top tips for students dreaming of stepping into the classroom. Thinking about a career in Early Childhood Education & Care ? 👩‍👧‍👦👩‍👧‍👦 Gabby will be running the ECEC, Try a Career day for Year 10 students interested in finding out more on 17th June. Head over to our website to register your interest ✨ https://cathwest.parra.catholic.edu.au/news-events/event-promos/2025-07-try-a-career @careersweekau @catholicschoolsparra @ambroseearlylearningandcare Career Industry Council of Australia