At last week's College Assembly it was wonderful to recognise two exceptional groups of Year 12 students who have shown remarkable determination and courage. ACU's innovative Step Up pathways allow students to get a real taste of university life while still in high school, by completing two credited first-year uni subjects across Years 11 and 12, time they give up during their school holidays. These students have already taken exciting steps toward their futures, as they’re now eligible for early university offers through the ACU Step Up Into Teaching and Uni Step Up Blacktown programs. Mrs Cairns presented the following students with Certificates of Achievement honoring their efforts and excellence in front of the College Community:

Step Up Into Teaching (SUIT): Amelia T, Skye D, Mia A, Bee M and Jasmine J.

ACU Uni Step Up Blacktown: Georgia M (Exercise Science), Ava H and Ava S (Business), Katie-Maree C, Tiana P, Sara M, Alyssa T and Jordyn W (Nursing and Midwifery).

One of our Uni Step Up graduates, Tiana, spoke of the opportunity at the Assembly saying it was not only a fun and enjoyable experience, but also helped her find out more about a pathway she is keen on pursuing.

In other news, our students have had an action-packed and inspiring couple of weeks filled with career insights and future-focused learning!

Kiri and Karyn from Endeavour Energy joined us via Zoom for a dynamic Lunch & Learn that lit up the room - introducing students to the exciting career opportunities available through the Endeavour Energy (NSW) Apprenticeships Program. As one of Greater Western Sydney’s largest employers, Endeavour Energy offers a powerful pathway into this essential and ever-evolving industry.

Students have also been exploring their university futures in our ever-popular Discover the UNIverse Lunch and Learn series with a triple-header week featuring: University of Wollongong (UOW), Charles Sturt University (CSU), Torrens University and the University of NSW (UNSW). These sessions are a goldmine of information for those considering tertiary study, offering insights into courses, admission pathways, early entry, scholarships, student life and campus facilities. We’re especially proud of the consistent attendance and thoughtful questions from students across all year levels.

We also celebrate the achievements of five Year 10 students selected for the Early Childhood Education Futures 2025 program. One student, Matilda (Year 10), shared that the experience expanded her understanding of child development and educational practices. The day included interactive activities such as sensory play and storytelling, along with a thought-provoking panel featuring industry experts. Meanwhile, three other Year 10 students had the chance to explore hospitality careers at a special showcase held at Kingswood TAFE, where they toured training facilities and heard directly from professionals—including acclaimed chef Luke Mangan. Thank you to the NSW Department of Education’s Regional Industry Education Partnerships for making these enriching opportunities possible for our students.

We recently promoted two valuable careers webinars presented by BEYOND - one of our College’s partner organisations - in collaboration with the Council of Catholic School Parents. These sessions focused on providing parents with a roadmap to post-school pathways and practical ways to support their child through the HSC journey. BEYOND has kindly made two helpful resources available for any interested parents, which can be accessed here.

Most people only know a small part of the job world - and surprisingly, around half of all teens aim for just 1% of all careers, simply because they don’t know what else is out there. That’s why our Years 7–9 students have been exploring the CADI Career Clusters Quiz in wellbeing lessons, thanks to our partners at Study Work Grow. Career Clusters help students see work in a new way - grouping jobs by shared skills and interests, not just titles. It’s been great to see students identify their strengths and open their minds to new possibilities. Years 10–12 will take part next term. Based on the Career Cluster results from our school over the last 12 months - not surprisingly, for such a caring community always willing to help others - our strongest Cluster by far is Guardian!

Did you know parents/adult family members can also complete the CADI Career Cluster Quiz? Simply click this link.

We’ve had a few requests recently from students who are keen to discover careers working with animals - including roles such as veterinary nurse and careers on farms and in zoos and aquariums. If you might be interested in speaking with our students to explore their passion, in a Lunch and Learn or similar, please email us.

For any pathways enquiries, or to book a coaching conversation, students can pop into the library or email us: amacnamara1@parra.catholic.edu.au

and koliver4@parra.catholic.edu.au

Mr Adam Macnamara

Partnerships and Pathways Coach

Chisholm Need to Know

faith, courage and tolerance

Issue 9 Term 1 2025 · 20 Jun 2025

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