Passion and dedication drives VET Teacher of the Year finalist

Taryn Grima with a student during a Business Services VET class at Catherine McAuley Westmead.

Catherine McAuley Westmead is celebrating the success of teacher Taryn Grima who has been named a finalist for Vocational Education and Training (VET) Trainer/Teacher of the Year at the NSW Training Awards (Western Sydney and Blue Mountains region).

Having worked in Business Services for over 10 years within the Parramatta Diocese Registered Training Organisation (RTO) and at Catherine McAuley Westmead for the last nine years, Taryn has drawn in her background on Human Resources and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business to support students developing valuable skills through VET.

“I’m really proud to be a finalist for this prestigious award,” said Taryn. “I love teaching VET and see how it gives students so many skills and a huge head start to their training and qualifications. In Business Services, students are leaving school well equipped not only with employability skills but also more technical skills.”

Taryn Grima teaching students during a Business Services VET class at Catherine McAuley Westmead.

Leading a team of four business services teachers at Catherine McAuley, Taryn was nominated by fellow VET and HSIE teacher, Lisa Williams. Lisa believes it is Taryn's dedication and enthusiasm for ensuring her students get the most out of their training that sets her apart.

"Taryn has an extreme passion and love for VET and its place in schools," said Lisa. "She dedicates her time to ensuring students receive the most relevant and engaging training possible.”

“I am lucky to work with passionate Business Services teachers, and in an RTO and school that values VET and supports me in delivering and growing the course,” added Taryn.

Lisa pointed out that students in Taryn's classes have achieved excellent results, consistently placing within the top 10 in the state in the Business Services HSC exam. She said this opportunity means that students are not only leaving school with a VET certificate but also knowledge and experience in a subject that significantly contributes to their ATAR.

“Taryn is a constant source of information and support for all other VET teachers and has worked so hard to grow the subject at Catherine McAuley,” Lisa said.

She is a great advocate for students and I can't imagine someone more deserving of this award.

(Left to right) Taryn Grima with students Holly Zaccaria and Macy Smith and Principal Mary Refalo at the 2022 NSW Training Awards (Western Sydney & Blue Mountains).

One of those former students is Holly Zaccaria who was named VET in Schools Student of the Year at the 2022 NSW Training Awards (Western Sydney and Blue Mountains region). Holly said Taryn’s enthusiasm and motivation spurs her students on to excel.

“When students, especially younger, impressionable students are being taught by motivated, passionate, eager teachers like Ms Grima, the whole learning process changes for the better,” Holly said.

Last year especially when I was nominated, I saw Ms Grima's true love and dedication to vocational education and the passion she has for this training and style of teaching, and what it can do for her students.

With 80 schools across Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains, CSPD is a leader in Vocational Education and Training through highly successful trade training programs including at CathWest Innovation College, vocational education and training programs across 26 sites and the virtual School of Now.

In 2022, CathWest was awarded the ‘Innovation in VET Award’ at the Australian Training Awards, building on the recent success of our VET offering being named ‘Training Provider of the Year’ at the NSW Training Awards in 2021, and as a finalist for the 2021 ‘Small Training Provider of the Year’ at the Australian Training Awards.