Vibrant facilities resemble a modern coworking space where staff and students work side by side
CathWest Innovation College is taking a new approach to education, with a focus on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics). For over 200 inquisitive students and switched on staff too, you could say it’s full STEAM ahead!
Based in the heart of Western Sydney, day one commenced with eager faces as orientation began with a ‘lecture’ where students met with their future teachers for the year, all of whom will be addressed by their first name.
“We’re all on the same level, and everyone here is an adult. We’re just at different stages in that journey,” said Principal Cathy Larkin.
College Principal Cathy Larkin with CathWest’s first intake of Year 10 students
As the day continued, excited students got their first glimpse of the new facilities which one parent as described as resembling a “modern co-working space”. With a mission centred on challenging the status quo, the staff room and private offices have been replaced with open spaces, shared by both students and staff.
The college boasts a fully functioning cafe which is open to students and staff throughout the day, as well as an operational hairdressing salon and childcare facility available to the general public, all of which will be operated by students.
Breakfast is ready! Students can grab a coffee on their way to class from the cafe located in ‘centre management’ which is operated by both students and staff.
“We’re not just a new school. What we’re doing is unique, not only in Sydney or Australia - but globally,” said Cathy.
Split into both trade training and inquiry pathways, students will either pursue a trade through industry training and workplace qualifications or alternatively, a passion project with the support of mentor teachers and industry partners.
Custom-designed spaces provide opportunities for an array of STEAM projects
“We’re so excited to see what each student does here at CathWest. As a new school, the potential really is unlimited,” said Assistant Principal of Learning Innovation Sam Boreham.
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13 May 2025
From CSPD Instagram
It's the special day of the year that's all about showing our mums, grandmothers, carers and mother figures in our lives how much we love and appreciate them.😍❤️🥰😇🫶🌹🌺 Our schools certainly did that in the lead-up to the big day on Sunday, with Mother's Day stalls, liturgies, picnics, morning teas and open classroom visits across the Diocese. 🙏🙌🧁🍪🫂 Check out your school's socials for more great pics of the lovely celebrations. ➡📱 #MothersDay #mothersdayspecial #cspd2025 #catholicschoolsparramattadiocese #parracatholic #westernsydney #bluemountains
12 May 2025
Photos from Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese's post
Mother's Day is all about showing our mums😍, grandmothers🥰, carers 🫶 and mother figures 😇 in our lives how much we love and appreciate them.❤️🌹🌺 Our schools certainly did that in the lead-up to the big day on Sunday, with Mother's Day stalls, liturgies 🙏, picnics, morning teas 🧁🍪and open classroom visits across the Diocese. 🙌🫂 Check out your school's socials for more great pics of the lovely celebrations. ➡📱
11 May 2025
From CSPD Instagram
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY❗🥳🥰 These heartfelt words😇💞 from students at St Bernadette's Primary Dundas Valley and St Mary's Primary Rydalmere reflect the boundless love and appreciation we all have for the mums, grandmothers, carers and mother figures in our lives. Thank you for all the hugs and kisses... for being so caring and funny and every little thing in between. 💖 #MothersDay #mothersdayspecial #cspd2025 #catholicschoolsparramattadiocese #parracatholic #westernsydney #stbernadettesprimarydundasvalley @stmarysrydalmere
11 May 2025
From CSPD Instagram
🎓 St JXXIII grad returns to give back — and inspire the next generation. We’re so proud of Eilish A’Court (Class of 2019), now studying medicine at the University of Notre Dame and Co-Chair of PANDA (Paediatric Association of Notre Dame Australia), who came back to her former school St John XXIII Catholic College Stanhope Gardens to lead the Teddy Bear Hospital program! 💛 👩⚕️🩹 With fellow med students, she taught the Kindy kids about health, nutrition, and doctor visits — all through caring for a few sick teddy bears! 🧸 A full-circle moment and an inspiring reminder of what our CSPD graduates go on to achieve. 🥰 🙏 St JohnXXIII students learn the importance of giving back to the community. Learn more about the College at their website or by following them on Instagram. @stjohnxxiiicatholiccollege @notredame #cspd2025 #catholicschoolsparramattadiocese #parracatholic #westernsydney #StJXXIIIAlumni #FutureDoctors #TeddyBearHospital #NotreDameAustralia #CatholicEducation #InspiringAlumni #GivingBack #stanhopegardens
10 May 2025
Photos from Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese's post
We can all use more kindness 😇in our lives. 🫂🙏 The students at St Michael's Baulkham Hills certainly agree, coming together for Do It For Dolly Day, a day to spread kindness 🤝, show compassion 😇and stand up against bullying. 🫶😍 Dressed in shades of blue 💙🩵, they took part in meaningful conversations 🗣️, wrote kind messages 🗒️and explored kindness lessons. 🌻💖 It was a reminder of how powerful a little kindness can be. 🫶😍 Be Kind, Be Brave, Do It For Dolly. 🥰🤝
10 May 2025
From CSPD Instagram
⛪✝️ WELCOMING POPE LEO XIV - our school communities join with the wider community throughout the Diocese of Parramatta and Sydney’s west in celebration of our new Pope. 🤲 It was with great joy today that we received the news that Cardinal Robert Prevost OSA has been named as the 267th successor to St Peter – with the name Pope Leo XIV. Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, welcomed the announcement with prayerful optimism. 🥰 “Pope Leo XIV brings a missionary heart, shaped by decades serving among the poor in Peru. As an Augustinian, he will gift the Church and the world with a deeply contemplative spirit,” Bishop Vincent said. 🕊️ “I have met him on several occasions, as have many of the Augustinians in our Diocese who know him well. He is a humble, prayerful man, dedicated to Christ and steeped in the mystical charism of the Augustinian tradition and I pray that he will guide our church with renewed hope and joy during this challenging time,” he said. 👀 Read more at Catholic Outlook online. Link in our bio above! ⬆️ @parracatholic #cspd2025 #catholicschoolsparramattadiocese #parracatholic #westernsydney #papalelection #conclave #popeleoxiv #bishopvincent #dioceseofparramatta
09 May 2025
From CSPD Facebook
⛪✝️ WELCOMING OUR NEW POPE - our school communities join with the wider community throughout the Diocese of Parramatta and Sydney’s west in celebration of the election of Pope Leo XIV. 🤲 It was with great joy today that we received the news that Cardinal Robert Prevost OSA has been named as the 267th successor to St Peter – with the papal name Pope Leo XIV. Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, welcomed the announcement with prayerful optimism. 🥰 “Pope Leo XIV brings a missionary heart, shaped by decades serving among the poor in Peru. As an Augustinian, he will gift the Church and the world with a deeply contemplative spirit,” Bishop Vincent said. 🕊️ “I have met him on several occasions, as have many of the Augustinians in our Diocese who know him well. He is a humble, prayerful man, dedicated to Christ and steeped in the mystical charism of the Augustinian tradition and I pray that he will guide our church with renewed hope and joy during this challenging time,” he said. 👀 Read more in this Catholic Outlook story: ==>catholicoutlook.org/thrilled-and-in-awe-parramattas-augustinians-react-to-the-election-of-cardinal-prevost-osa-as-pope-leo-xiv Diocese of Parramatta
09 May 2025
From CSPD Instagram
Kindness: We can all use more of it in our lives. 🫂🙏😇 The students at St Michael's Primary Baulkham Hills certainly agree, coming together for Do It For Dolly Day, a day to spread kindness, show compassion and stand up against bullying. 🤝😇🫶😍 Dressed in shades of blue, they took part in meaningful conversations, wrote kind messages and explored kindness lessons. 💙🩵🗣️🗒️🌻💖 It was a reminder of how powerful a little kindness can be. 🫶😍 Be Kind, Be Brave, Do It For Dolly. 🥰🤝 See more pics on our Facebook page ➡️ #cspd2025 #catholicschoolsparramattadiocese #parracatholic #westernsydney #bluemountain #baulkhamhills @stmichaelsprimarybaulkhamhills #doitfordolly #doitfordollyday #kindnessmatters
08 May 2025
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08 May 2025
From CSPD Instagram
Is this the most adorable😁 school road safety video ever⁉️ Pay attention👀 because the students at St Bernadette's Primary, Castle Hill have a very important message about the importance of being safe on the road around schools.🚗🚌🚧🛑 "You wouldn't do that.... would you?" #roadsafety #cspd2025 #catholicschoolsparramattadiocese #parracatholic #westernsydney #castlehill #hillsdistrict #adorable
07 May 2025
Photos from Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese's post
The inaugural St Columba's Art Prize🖌👩🎨🎨🏆 - what a wonderful celebration of art and community.🥳👏 More than 250 people, including MP Susan Templeman and CSPD Chief Executive Jack de Groot, attended Friday's awards night with St Columba's Catholic College, Springwood student Indigo Herron winning the Youth Prize🥇. James Blackwell won the Open Prize🥇 and Neil Taylor won the Local Blue Mountains Artist Prize.🥇⭐️🌟 The competition attracted more than 350 entries from around Australia with finalists included as part of a beautiful 4-day exhibition at the school.💖🤩 Special congratulations to all the young people who entered, including students from Caroline Chisholm College, Xavier College, Nagle College, Blacktown South, Parramatta Marist High School and of course St Columba's. Thanks also to the following sponsors of the main prizes - FAL Construction (Open Prize), Belle Property Blaxland (Youth Prize) and Alleanza Architecture (Local Winner).
07 May 2025
From CSPD Instagram
Always a huge hit with voters, the humble democracy sausage🌭✨ was the main attraction on Election Day as many of our schools became polling places. It was wonderful seeing so many parents, students and staff🥳😇 turn up to run delicious bbqs like at St Canice's Primary Katoomba. It's a great way to raise funds for the school and engage with the local community.🙌👏 Those at St Canice's loved being able to tell voters about the wonderful things happening at the school which is located in the heart of Katoomba. #cspd2024 #catholicschoolsparramattadiocese #parracatholic #westernsydney #awards #teacherawards #katoomba @stcaniceskatoomba #bluemountains
06 May 2025
Photos from Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese's post
Vote 1 Democracy Sausages#️⃣1️⃣❗️🌭✨ It was wonderful seeing so many parents, students and staff🥳😇 turn up to run delicious bbqs on election day like at St Canice's Primary Katoomba. It's a brilliant way to raise funds for the school and engage with their local community.🙌👏 Those at St Canice's loved being able to tell voters about the wonderful things happening at the school which is located in the heart of Katoomba. Find out more about St Canice's here: https://www.stcaniceskatoomba.catholic.edu.au/why-us
06 May 2025
From CSPD Instagram
The inaugural St Columba's Art Prize🖌👩🎨🎨🏆 - what a wonderful celebration of art and community.🥳👏 More than 250 people, including MP Susan Templeman and CSPD Chief Executive Jack de Groot, attended Friday's awards night with St Columba's Catholic College, Springwood student Indigo Herron winning the Youth Prize🥇. James Blackwell won the Open Prize🥇 and Neil Taylor won the Local Blue Mountains Artist Prize.🥇⭐️🌟 The competition attracted more than 350 entries from around Australia with finalists included as part of a beautiful 4-day exhibition at the school.💖🤩 Special congratulations to all the young people who entered, including students from Caroline Chisholm College, Xavier College, Nagle College, Blacktown South, Parramatta Marist High School and of course St Columba's. Thanks also to the following sponsors of the main prizes - FAL Construction (Open Prize), Belle Property Blaxland (Youth Prize) and Alleanza Architecture (Local Winner). #cspd2025 #catholicschoolsparramattadiocese #parracatholic #westernsydney #bluemountains #springwood @columbasdoves @xavierllandilo @carolinechisholmglenmorepark @parramatta.marist @nagleblacktown @susantemplemanmp
05 May 2025
Photos from Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese's post
Inspired by the words and wisdom🤩🤩 of star Parramatta Eels Women NRLW players Rachael Pearson and Elsie Albert🏉🌟✨, Year 10 students from Nagle College, Blacktown South learnt the value of setting goals, understanding their values and building on their strengths. Setting academic, personal, or future career goals provides students with direction, purpose, and motivation at a pivotal time in their lives, especially as they begin making decisions about their HSC subject selections.👍🤛 It was an inspiring session, all thanks to a partnership between the Eels and Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese and we're excited to see more students from our schools benefit from opportunities like this in the future.🥳👏👏 Parramatta Eels NRL #womeninleague