School of Entrepreneurs
From the SOE Head of School
Greetings to the community of the School of Entrepreneurs,
Term 3 is a busy term for our School of Entrepreneurs with many things to celebrate.
Smooth Start to the Trial HSC Examinations
I am delighted to share that the Trial HSC Examinations have commenced with a wonderfully smooth start. The dedication and focus displayed by our Year 12 students and Year 11 accelerants has been truly commendable.
From the very first session, students have demonstrated maturity, resilience and commitment approaching this important milestone with calmness and determination. These exams are a key step in preparing for the HSC and it has been inspiring to see how each student has embraced the challenge with such a positive mindset.
In the spirit of St Luke’s values, we are reminded of the words from the Book of Proverbs:
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” (Proverbs 16:3)
This journey is not only an academic milestone but also a call to trust in God’s wisdom and guidance. We are proud to see our students embodying perseverance, humility and faith as they prepare for what lies ahead.
We congratulate all students on their strong start and continue to keep them in our prayers, asking for God’s blessing of calm minds, steady hearts and clarity as they complete the examination period.
Celebrating Creativity and Innovation: Diya Bhavsar Reaches Alchemy Exhibition Finals
The School of Entrepreneurs is proud to celebrate the outstanding achievement of Diya Bhavsar in Year 12, who was selected as a finalist in the highly regarded Alchemy Exhibition. This Exhibition was hosted by Caroline Chisholm and the CSPD Captivate Team, celebrating the exceptional talents of young artists and creative thinkers. This year’s exhibition held on Thursday 31st July 2025 received over 300 entries, with only 75 finalists across the Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese secondary schools selected to represent their work over five categories, making Diya’s accomplishment truly remarkable. Diya’s work has been recognised in the ‘Places’ category, showcasing her unique vision and innovative approach to creativity. Adding to the excitement, the exhibition also featured the prestigious Chief Executive Officer’s People’s Choice Prize, enabling further recognition, student innovation and artistic excellence. We are incredibly proud of Diya for embodying the entrepreneurial spirit and creative drive that the School of Entrepreneurs seeks to inspire in every student. Congratulations Diya on showcasing your work on this celebrated platform and for this extraordinary achievement and recognition. Thank you to Mr Bagus and Miss Jacka for their support of this initiative and attendance at the event.
Save the Date – ThinkUKnow Cyber Safety Program
We are excited to announce that in Term 4, we will be hosting the ThinkUKnow Cyber Safety Program for parents of Years 5-12 Students. This is an engaging and practical session designed by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and delivered Australia-wide. This session will be facilitated by Senior Constable Robert McFarlane (Youth Engagement Officer) on the night. The session supports parents and carers in understanding and responding to online issues including:
- Device security
- Social media profiles and online identity
- Fraud and scams
- Online bullying and harassment
- Sharing images and personal information
- Online predators and more
The session also emphasises the vital role parents play in being proactively involved with their children’s online lives.
DETAILS:
Date: Wednesday, 22 October 2025
Time: 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Venue: College Hub
We encourage all parents and carers to mark this important event in your calendars. It is a valuable opportunity to strengthen your understanding of online safety and better support your children in navigating the digital world.
Some key topics that will be discussed during this session may be explored beforehand via the eSafety website if you are interested. To RSVP for this event please complete the Google Form by October 17 October 2025.
Wishing you all a great week ahead.
Ms Jacqui Genovese - Head of School, School of Entrepreneurs
From the SOE Assistant Principal
In the busyness of daily life, it's easy to overlook how powerful a simple conversation can be. But for children, every conversation is a building block that helps form relationships, anticipate challenges and provides opportunities to ensure that each of us are safe and secure in our attachments to each other.
Talking with your child, whether about their day, their thoughts, their worries, or the world around them strengthens your connection. It helps them develop confidence, emotional intelligence, and a strong sense of identity. In a time when people internalise their thoughts and experiences, when people receive so much non verbal and digital communication, the conversation becomes more and more important to maintain. This is where vague ideas or feelings can take shape in order to have a better and more mature understanding of the world in front of them.
Even short chats at the dinner table, in the car, or before bed can plant seeds of wisdom, empathy, and faith that will grow throughout their lives. These are the small moments where we can say the things that we sometimes take for granted. ‘I have hope for you’, ‘I am thinking of you’, ‘I am proud of you’, and ‘I love you’. These kinds of phrases are the ones that open the door to deeper interactions that may provide meaningful insights into your relationship and the life of your child that they experience during the time that you are apart.
As I write this I am considerate of the way that I try and encourage students, sometimes not realising that my encouragement can sound like criticism and I need to be conscious of the impact of the well meaning words that I use. When I am in my best frame of mind, I think of the character ‘Ted Lasso’ and his reference to the American Poet Walt Whitman, ‘Be curious, not judgemental.’
So take the time. Ask questions. Listen closely. Share your own experiences. Your words matter more than you know and your presence speaks louder than anything else.
With every conversation, you're not just shaping their future, you are becoming part of the story they’ll one day tell.
Mr Francis O’Callaghan - Assistant Principal, School of Entrepreneurs
What’s been happening in SOE?
Religious Education
Year 9
This term, Year 9 students have been exploring the complex question: "Would the world be better off without religion?" Through a series of engaging activities, students have critically examined the impact of religion on individuals, communities, and society. From investigating census data and interfaith aid efforts to analysing religion’s role in peacebuilding and education, students have gathered diverse perspectives.
In class, students have participated in debates, small group discussions, and consensus challenges to consider both the positive contributions and potential misuses of religion. These learning experiences are building toward a major assessment: a 4–5 minute FED Talk (Faith-Ed Talk), where students will argue that religion remains a force for good in today’s world.
This unit aligns with our vision of nurturing faith-filled, curious students by encouraging them to explore big questions with openness and critical thinking. As they develop and communicate well-reasoned arguments, they grow as creative contributors, and by engaging with real-world issues through a faith-informed lens, they become innovative problem solvers who can navigate complex social and ethical challenges in a changing world.
Year 10
This term, our Year 10 students have been exploring what it means to be Called to Holiness in today’s increasingly secular society. Beginning with a reflection on the current state of the world through social media and news content, students were challenged to consider whether holiness is still relevant in the modern age.
This unit encourages students not only to think deeply about the world around them, but also about who they are, what they are called to do, and how God might be inviting them to be a light in the world.
In doing so, students are living out our vision of becoming faith-filled and curious learners, engaging with meaningful questions about identity, purpose, and spirituality. As they reflect on how they can bring light into their communities, they grow as creative contributors who live with compassion and integrity, and as innovative problem solvers who seek to make a positive impact in a rapidly changing world.
HSIE
In Term 3, Year 10 HSIE is undertaking the Geography Unit Environmental Change and Management where the focus is on human impacts of the environment. As part of this unit, Year 10 will be undertaking a fieldwork excursion where they will undertake Geography Skills activities to understand the impact of human activities along the coast. As preparation for one of these skills, 10 NAVY undertook the creation of a Transect to evaluate the change of the Marsden Park area. The initial transect of 2025 was modelled by their teacher which then followed with the class using a satellite image from 2013 to create their own transect of the same location in order to look at the differences in land use for human activities.
PDHPE
Year 10 PDHPE
As part of their assessment task, Year 10 students took on the role of coaches, leading primary school students through a series of sports skills and fitness activities. This hands-on experience allowed them to apply their knowledge of fundamental movement skills, teamwork, and leadership in a real-world setting. The sessions were not only engaging and enjoyable for the younger students but also gave the Year 10 students valuable insight into planning, communication, and the importance of positive role modelling in a sporting context.
Mr Bettiol
Year 11 PDHPE
On Monday 28th July, students from Year 11 Health and Movement Science (HMS), Year 11 VET Fitness and Year 9 Sport and Fitness participated in a comprehensive, full-day First Aid course facilitated by the expert team at REVIVA. The training provided students with the opportunity to apply their existing knowledge and skills in hands-on, practical scenarios that reflect real-life emergencies.
Throughout the day, students engaged in a variety of activities designed to test and reinforce their understanding of essential first aid procedures, including CPR, wound management, and response techniques in emergency situations. Their demonstrated competency across these areas is a testament to their dedication and preparation leading up to the course.
Successful completion of this program will earn students a nationally recognised Senior First Aid qualification, valid for three years. This credential not only supports their future employment prospects—particularly within the health, fitness, and sport industries—but also equips them with vital life-saving skills that benefit families and the wider community.
Congratulations to all students involved for their commitment and professionalism. A sincere thank you also goes to the REVIVA instructors for delivering such a valuable learning experience and for their support throughout the day.
Mr Zaccaria, Miss Tomlinson, and Ms Genovese
Partnerships and Pathways
Students recently took part in two valuable experiences that support our ongoing commitment to exploring future options and real-world pathways.
Western Sydney University Experience Day
Several students visited Western Sydney University to explore campus life, participate in hands-on workshops, and get a taste of university-level study across a range of disciplines. This hands-on event gave students a chance to engage with academics/industry experts and gain a clearer understanding of which courses best match their interests and future career goals.
Warragamba Dam Excursion- Water NSW Industry Connections Day
Students travelled to Warragamba Dam to learn about Sydney’s water supply, sustainability, and future-focused careers in environmental science, engineering, and public infrastructure.
We look forward to offering more, taster days, and experiences throughout the year, in collaboration with education and industry partners.
