Year 7 Astronomy Night
On Wednesday, 2 September 2026, the Science Department hosted its annual Year 7 Astronomy Night, providing students and their families with an engaging and educational evening exploring the wonders of the universe.
The event began with a delicious sausage sizzle prepared by the Science Department, with invaluable assistance from several Year 10 student volunteers who generously gave their time to support and give back to the Mazenod community. Their efforts helped create a welcoming atmosphere and ensured the evening got off to a fantastic start.
A highlight of the night was the presentation delivered by Mazenod Old Boys Chris Lee (Class of 2017) and Alessandro Paduano (Class of 2015). Sharing their passion for astronomy and physics, they captivated the audience with fascinating insights into pulsars, black holes and radio astronomy.
The enthusiasm of our Year 7 students and parents was evident through the many thoughtful questions asked throughout the presentation, demonstrating a genuine curiosity about the mysteries of space and current scientific research.
Unfortunately, unfavourable weather conditions prevented the outdoor stargazing component of the evening from proceeding as planned. As a result, telescopes were unable to be set up on the top oval and the Perth Observatory volunteers were unable to attend. While it was disappointing not to explore the night sky firsthand, the exceptional presentation from our two Mazenod Old Boys ensured that students and their families still enjoyed a memorable and enriching astronomy experience.
The evening successfully inspired curiosity and fostered a greater appreciation of the universe in which we live. I would like to sincerely thank the dedicated Science Department team for their efforts in organising the event, the Year 10 student volunteers for their assistance and Chris and Alessandro for generously sharing their time, expertise and passion with our students.
The Science Department looks forward to continuing this tradition and hosting the Year 7 Astronomy Night again in 2027.
Andrew Rasano
Head of Science