Primary students learnt how taking on a trade could lead to a dream job when Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta (CEDP) opened its Trade Training Centres during National Skills Week.
An interactive showcase was run by secondary students at McCarthy Catholic Trade Training Centre, Emu Plains and Loyola Catholic Trade Training Centre, Mount Druitt to educate Primary students to consider their career options.
CEDP Registered Training Organisation Manager Karen Ruppert said National Skills Week highlights the talent, skills, career pathways and value of apprentices and trainees across Australia.
We decided to focus on primary students because all students need to experience the world of work, particularly work of the future, long before they leave school. Exposure to the world of work provides opportunities for students to build connections with professionals outside their usual family networks.
“Young people’s pathways are formed early - with career aspirations often following traditional gender stereotypes, and tending to reflect student interest and achievement in traditional school subjects.
“Varied opportunities to engage with the world of work, through career talks, mentoring, and excursions to job sites can be valuable from primary school through to secondary school, particularly for students at risk of disengagement.”
Students were given the chance to participate in activities including carpentry, cooking, mechanics, hairdressing, electrical, landscaping and early childhood education.
Good Shepherd Primary School Year 6 teacher Tiffany Reid said she really liked the carpentry activity which saw students make pencil boxes and book stands.
“I think it was great for all the kids in terms of the different activities which were planned,’’ Mrs Reid said. “None of our students have ever been exposed to what Catholic Trade Training Centres have to offer and this showcase especially had the boys engaged.”
Year 6 teacher Christina Ellul said the role modeling by the secondary students was very good.
“It was refreshing to see them take charge and guide the students through the different activities planned. It was very well organised,’’ she said.
Good Shepherd Primary Plumpton
www.gsplumpton.catholic.edu.au
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23 Jun 2026
From Facebook
An amazing day was had on Friday at our Infants Athletics Carnival! The students participated in running races on our own running track, three-legged races, parachute games, long jump, high jump and more! We are so lucky to have our own ENORMOUS oval at Good Shepherd, complete with its own running track and long jump pit, which make these events possible on our own school site. Thank you to our Year 6 leaders who helped run the different events, and to the families who joined us for the morning. We are looking forward to our Primary Athletics Carnival, happening this Friday!
17 Jun 2026
From Facebook
School Photo Day is on Tuesday 23 June! Please ensure that your winter school uniform, school shoes and hair are looking photo-ready ahead of this day.
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23 Jun 2026
From Facebook
An amazing day was had on Friday at our Infants Athletics Carnival! The students participated in running races on our own running track, three-legged races, parachute games, long jump, high jump and more! We are so lucky to have our own ENORMOUS oval at Good Shepherd, complete with its own running track and long jump pit, which make these events possible on our own school site. Thank you to our Year 6 leaders who helped run the different events, and to the families who joined us for the morning. We are looking forward to our Primary Athletics Carnival, happening this Friday!
17 Jun 2026
From Facebook
School Photo Day is on Tuesday 23 June! Please ensure that your winter school uniform, school shoes and hair are looking photo-ready ahead of this day.
12 Jun 2026
From Facebook
We have a Parent Group Fundraiser coming up! The celebrate the FIFA World Cup, and to have a bit of fun, we are inviting all students to wear their favourite jersey or sportswear to school on Thursday 2nd July. This is a gold coin donation event. Let's kick off the fun together!
10 Jun 2026
From Facebook
We've been busy! There has been so much happening at Good Shepherd over the past few weeks, and we're not slowing down! We have had the Diocesan Cross Country for our runners, Year 5 music students attended the Sydney Symphony performance at West HQ, the teachers prevailed in the Teacher VS Year 6 Students netball game, and we danced all night at the annual Winter Disco! A big thank you to the Parent Group and all of their helpers for running the disco for our students, we are so grateful for the way in which you support our school.
05 Jun 2026
From Facebook
QUACK QUACK! Kindergarten are loving having the Hatch N Grow program in their classrooms this fortnight! This week, Kindy have watched as their little ducklings have hatched from their eggs and begun to grow. This program is helping our Kindergarten students to learn about life cycles, as a part of their Science and Technology program called Backyard to Bush. We can't wait to see how much they grow next week (and for more chances to hold the ducklings!)
05 Jun 2026
From Facebook
Here is a little throwback to this time last week, when our Year 6 students and teachers visited Canberra! Overwhelmingly, camp was such a successful experience for our students. They had a great time bonding with one another and learnt so much. Students were able to bring their learning back to school, informing the work they are doing in Human Society and its Environment. We are extremely grateful to our teachers who gave up their time to support Year 6 on their camp. Thank you teachers!
04 Jun 2026
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01 Jun 2026
From Facebook
Online School Photos ordering is now live on the Compass App. Photo Day is Tuesday 23 June. Please note: Sibling Photo Orders Sibling photo orders will be cut off the night before photo day and no phone orders or online orders will be taken after this time. Sibling photos is for siblings only and doesn’t extend to cousins or other family members. Office Collections For multi household/split families, they can request an office collection by emailing sydneywest@msp.com.au.
01 Jun 2026
From Facebook
Congratulations to Hannah Muller – The winner of a STEM project where students had to create a 3D model of a Good Shepherd Sheep 🐑 Hannah designed and created the sheep on a special software program and printed it using the school 3D Printer. Well Done, Hannah!!!
29 May 2026
From Facebook
First round offers for Kindergarten 2027 have now been emailed to all families! Please check your spam/ junk mail folders and contact the school office if you have any questions.
29 May 2026
From Facebook
The fun continues in Canberra for our Year 6 Students! Last night, they visited the Australian Institute of Sport and today, they continue with learning experiences aligned with their Human Society and its Environment unit by visiting the House of Representatives and the Museum of Australian Democracy. Later today, they will visit the Australian War Memorial before beginning their journey back to Sydney.
28 May 2026
From Facebook
A successful first day in Canberra for our Year 6 students! So far, they have visited Parliament House and Questacon. Later this evening, they will be visiting the Australian Institute of Sport! 🚴♀️🏊♂️🏆