Two local teens have taken their future into their own hands, combining their HSC with TAFE NSW training and are now getting ready to lead the next generation of tradies.
A collaboration with CathWest Innovation College and TAFE NSW has allowed students, Ashleigh O'Brien and Kalan Markson, to enter the workforce ahead of their peers and gain a nationally recognised qualification in high demand careers.
"The School-Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships (SBAT) program gives our students an opportunity to step into the workforce while they're still at school, developing skills that lead to long-term careers," CathWest Innovation College Principal, Paul Stenning said.
"By prioritising on-the-job learning, our students benefit from tailored timetabling, giving them more time on the worksite - a game changer for their development and their employers."
Asheligh and Kalan are completing their courses through SBAT, which means they complete three days at school, one day at TAFE NSW and at least one day in the workplace where they earn a wage.
Cranebrook resident Ashleigh is one of the just three percent of women working in the automotive trade nationally.
"I always wanted to work on cars, my parents wanted me to do my HSC, this way I get to do both and will be a qualified mechanic by the age of 21," she said.
Cambridge Gardens resident Kalan found his passion for carpentry at a young age, wanting to follow in his grandfather's footsteps.
"I've always enjoyed learning with my hands and knew early on a career in the trades was the right path for me," he said.
"Studying a School-Based Apprenticeship has provided me the chance to learn essential skills on the job, and now I'm playing a small role in helping relieve the housing crisis and build- ing people's dream homes."
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05 Dec 2025
From CSPD Facebook
👋 MEET MR MATÉ! 🤩 History teacher John Maté from St Agnes CHS Rooty Hill has been voted one of the most beloved teachers in NSW by his students! 👏 📍As part of NESA's Teaching Gems project, which collects anonymous students shoutout celebrating their favourite teachers, St Agnes received almost 120 submissions - the most mentions among Catholic schools! Mr Maté shared that there’s nothing like seeing a student realise what they’re capable of, which is one of the most fulfilling things about the profession. ⭐️ Check out the full article here: https://www.parra.catholic.edu.au/whats-on/latest-news/2025/11/25/05/03/the-nsw-teachers-named-most-beloved
05 Dec 2025
From CSPD Facebook
Incredibly proud😇 of all the teachers👩🏫👨🏫, staff and especially the students👩💻 at Cerdon College Merrylands who have been recognised for the school's fantastic NAPLAN results this year.👏🤩✨ School NAPLAN results were released this week (via the MySchool website) with Cerdon identified as one of 20 schools in each state performing exceptionally well in reading📖, writing✏ and numeracy➗. Students showed strong progress from Year 7 to Year 9, continuing the pattern of achievement demonstrated in their earlier NAPLAN assessments.🤓😄 These results highlight the incredible work of Cerdon’s teachers and educators, whose dedication, expertise and belief in every student make this kind of progress possible. Their commitment to high-quality teaching is clearly reflected in the outstanding growth students are achieving year after year.
04 Dec 2025
From CSPD Facebook
🚀✨ Empowering the Next Generation of WOMEN IN STEM! Students and staff from Catherine McAuley Westmead recently attended the official launch of the Khuda Program at the University of Sydney - an inspiring new initiative designed to support young women in Western Sydney as they explore future pathways in STEM! 👩🔬💻 Catherine McAuley is excited to be one of just six schools chosen to take part in this groundbreaking program! Students in Years 7–10 will enjoy hands-on incursions and excursions, while selected Year 11 and 12 students will take part in a dedicated mentoring program. With almost 50 senior students applying, all from Maths, Science or TAS subjects, the university selected an exceptional group of 13 students from each year level to join the program. Launching in 2026, this initiative is set to create incredible opportunities and we can’t wait to see where it takes them! 🌟
05 Dec 2025
From CSPD Instagram
🌟 SPOTLIGHT ON AN INSPIRING EDUCATOR 🌟 Say hello to Cherie Lopresti, Stage 2 teacher and STEM Coordinator at St Patrick’s Primary Blacktown. With 17 years of experience, Cherie is transforming classrooms through creativity, curiosity and connection. 👩🏻🏫💡 Teaching Year 3 across all subjects, she weaves STEM into everyday learning, empowering students to explore, problem-solve and collaborate! Her approach is hands-on, inclusive and built on the belief that every child deserves to feel capable and valued. Discover the National Catholic Education Commission’s inspiring feature on Cherie and her work at the link in our bio! @stpatsblacktown #cspd2025 #catholicschoolsparramattadiocese #parracatholic #westernsydney #teacherfeature #inspiringeducators #teacherswhoinspire
03 Dec 2025
From CSPD Facebook
💛 INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY The International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD), observed by the United Nations, is dedicated to raising awareness, fostering understanding, and promoting inclusion for people with disability. 🤝 This year’s theme, “Fostering disability-inclusive societies for advancing social progress,” highlights the importance of creating communities where everyone can thrive. IDPwD is a chance to contribute to an inclusive and diverse society for the 5.5 million Australians living with disability. ⭐ We are proud to offer inclusive education for students with disability and high support needs through our three High Support Learning Centres: - Kirinari at Xavier College Llandilo - Wiyanga at St Patrick's Marist College Dundas - Arrunga at St Luke's Catholic College Marsden Park Together, we can continue building a community that celebrates diversity and champions inclusion.
04 Dec 2025
From CSPD Instagram
💛 INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY The International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD), observed by the United Nations, is all about raising awareness, promoting inclusion and fostering understanding for people living with disability. 🤝 This year’s theme, “Fostering disability-inclusive societies for advancing social progress,” reminds us of the importance of creating communities where everyone can participate and thrive. In Australia, 5.5 million people live with disability, and IDPwD is a chance to support a more inclusive and diverse society for all. At our three High Support Learning Centres, we are proud to provide tailored, inclusive education for students with disability and high support needs: ⭐ Kirinari at Xavier College Llandilo ⭐ Wiyanga at St Patrick's Marist College Dundas ⭐ St Luke’s Arrunga at St Luke's Catholic College Marsden Park By working together, we can continue to celebrate diversity and champion inclusion across our schools and communities. @stlukesmp @stpatsdundas @xavierllandilo #cspd2025 #catholicschoolsparramattadiocese #parracatholic #westernsydney #internationaldayofpeoplewithdisability #IDPwD #IDPwD2025
02 Dec 2025
From CSPD Facebook
🎉 BIG SCHOOL HERE WE COME! 🥰 With 2026 just around the corner, a new cohort of Kindergarteners are getting ready to start their exciting school journey! 🏫✨ Our primary schools have been buzzing with Kindy orientation and transition days, giving our youngest learners a chance to explore their new classrooms, meet their teachers and get a taste of school life. Santa Sophia Catholic College Gables, Bethany Catholic Primary School, Glenmore Park, Mary Immaculate Primary School Quakers Hill, Chisholm Catholic Primary Bligh Park, St Michael's Blacktown South and St Bernadette's Lalor Park are just a couple of our schools that have been warmly welcoming our soon-to-be Kindies! 💛 We can’t wait to see you join our incredible school communities in 2026! 💫
03 Dec 2025
From CSPD Instagram
⛑ BUILDING STEM FUTURES! 🏗️ Students from Penola Catholic College Emu Plains, St Luke's Catholic College Marsden Park, Caroline Chisholm College Glenmore Park and CathWest Innovation College Mt Druitt took part in an incredible careers showcase hosted by ACCIONA at Penola Catholic College - all centred around the impressive Western Harbour Tunnel Project. From construction and engineering to tunnelling pathways, students were given rare, hands-on access to industry experts working on one of Sydney’s largest infrastructure projects! 🤯 The Western Harbour Tunnel aims to make travel across Sydney faster, easier and safer, easing congestion on key routes including the Harbour Bridge, Harbour Tunnel, Anzac Bridge and Western Distributor. Across an action-packed 90-minute session, students enjoyed: - A VR tunnel walkthrough - A digital interactive table showcasing key project features - Conversations with ACCIONA engineers, complete with a PPE challenge and career insights This immersive experience sparked curiosity and helped students imagine themselves as future innovators shaping Sydney’s infrastructure. Who knows, the next engineer contributing to one of Sydney’s major tunnel projects may well have been in the room! 👷♀️👷♂️ Click the link in our bio to read more about the day! @acciona @penolaemuplains @stlukesmp @carolinechisholmglenmorepark @cathwestinnovation #cspd2025 #catholicschoolsparramattadiocese #parracatholic #westernsydney #stemeducation #stem
01 Dec 2025
From CSPD Facebook
Our school communities throughout Western Sydney are gearing up for an exciting week ahead, with some of our most exceptional young athletes heading to Melbourne for the Australian All Schools Athletics Championships.🏃♂️🏅🏃♀️ Check out the following article showcasing the amazing results these students achieved at the NSW All Schools Athletics titles.👀👉 https://parra.catholic.edu.au/2025-CSPD-All-Schools-Success There were so many outstanding results including Cruz Monzon’s (St Luke's Catholic College Marsden Park) record-breaking run in the 13 Boys 400m, Kai Cullens and Lincoln Moore securing gold for Penola Catholic College Emu Plains, and Annisha Reader’s (Catherine McAuley Westmead) dominant performances across three throwing events. Aaron Chevalier (Parramatta Marist High School) and Christopher Nilon (St Patrick's Marist College Dundas) also claimed gold medals.🥇🥇🥇 Beyond the golds, rising talents like Milla Mare (Santa Sophia Catholic College Gables) and Dixie Conlon (Catherine McAuley Westmead) impressed with multiple podium finishes, showing just how strong the future of CSPD athletics is. As our athletes prepare to represent NSW and their schools on the national stage next week, we know they’ll continue to make their families and community immensely proud. 💙💛 Athletics NSW Australian Athletics
02 Dec 2025
From CSPD Instagram
👋 MEET MR MATÉ! 🤩 St Agnes Catholic High History teacher, John Maté, has been recognised as one of NSW’s most beloved teachers as voted by his students! 👏 📍Through NESA’s Teaching Gems project, which highlights heartfelt anonymous messages from students about their favourite teachers, St Agnes Catholic High Rooty Hill received nearly 120 submissions, earning the highest number of mentions among Catholic schools! Mr Maté says that one of the greatest joys of teaching is witnessing the moment a student discovers what they’re truly capable of - something he finds incredibly rewarding. ⭐️ Tap the link in our bio to read the full article! @stagnesrootyhill_2766 #cspd2025 #catholicschoolsparramattadiocese #parracatholic #westernsydney #teachinggems #teacherappreciation
01 Dec 2025
From CSPD Instagram
🔥🎶 CAMPFIRE MAGIC! Year 5 students from St Madeleine’s Primary Kenthurst had an unforgettable time at school camp - and this campfire singalong says it all! There’s nothing better than seeing our school communities come together to share moments like these… the kind that turn into memories they’ll treasure forever. ✨ #stmadeleinesprimarykenthurst #cspd2025 #catholicschoolsparramattadiocese #parracatholic #westernsydney #schoolcamp
30 Nov 2025
From CSPD Instagram
🎉 READY FOR BIG SCHOOL! 🥰 With 2026 just around the corner, our new Kindergarteners are preparing to begin their exciting school journey! 🏫✨ Our primary schools have been full of energy with Kindy orientation and transition days, giving our youngest learners the chance to explore classrooms, meet teachers and get a feel for school life. Schools including Santa Sophia Catholic College Gables, Bethany Catholic Primary Glenmore Park, Mary Immaculate Primary Quakers Hill, Chisholm Catholic Primary Bligh Park, St Michael’s Blacktown South and St Bernadette’s Lalor Park have been warmly welcoming our soon-to-be Kindies! 💛 We can’t wait to see you join our amazing school communities in 2026! 💫 @santasophiacc @stmichaelsblacktown @chisholmcp @maryimmacqhill @stbernadettesprimarylalorpark #bethanycatholicprimaryglenmorepark #cspd2025 #catholicschoolsparramattadiocese #parracatholic #westernsydney #kindergarten #orientationday #schoolready
29 Nov 2025
From CSPD Instagram
🔥 AUSTRALIA’S TIMES TABLE TITANS! 👑 These Year 6 legends just dominated a national competition, and the score says it all! A massive congratulations to the brilliant Year 6 students from St Matthew’s Catholic Primary Windsor, who have claimed the title of Australian Champions in the Oz Rocks Times Tables Competition! 🎉 Their commitment, teamwork and incredible grit led them to victory with an astonishing winning margin of nearly 3,000 points, a true testament to their hard work and passion for learning. 🤩 👏 Shoutout to their dedicated teachers for supporting, encouraging and empowering these students to shine. What an extraordinary achievement from an extraordinary team! @stm.windsor #cspd2025 #catholicschoolsparramattadiocese #parracatholic #westernsydney #timestables
28 Nov 2025
From CSPD Instagram
Good luck🤞🍀🎽 to all our star athletes🤩 competing at the upcoming Australian All Schools Athletics Championships in Melbourne.🏆✨ Check out the link in our bio for the full article about the amazing results these students achieved at the NSW All Schools Athletics titles.👀👉 Among the standout achievements were Cruz Monzon’s (St Luke's Catholic College Marsden Park) record-breaking run in the 13 Boys 400m, Kai Cullens and Lincoln Moore securing gold for Penola Catholic College Emu Plains, and Annisha Reader’s (Catherine McAuley Westmad) dominant performances across three throwing events. Aaron Chevalier (Parramatta Marist High School) and Christopher Nilon (St Patrick's Marist College Dundas) also claimed gold medals. Beyond the golds, rising talents like Milla Mare (Santa Sophia Catholic College Gables) and Dixie Conlon (Catherine McAuley Westmead) impressed with multiple podium finishes, showing just how strong the future of CSPD athletics is. #cspd2025 #catholicschoolsparramattadiocese #parracatholic #westernsydney #athleticscarnival #diocesanathletics @stlukesmp @catherinemcauleywestmead @parramatta.marist @stpatsdundas @santasophiacc @athleticsnsw @australianathletics @penolaemuplains
27 Nov 2025
Angelina eyes a career in politics
The Weekender recently had the pleasure of speaking to a future Penrith Councillor - Year 12 student at Emmaus Catholic College, Angelina Dicenso. Angelina is one of 23 students in the state chosen to attend the NSW Schools Constitutional Convention in Canberra in 2026.