NSW’S FIRST STEM-FOCUSED SCHOOL TO REVOLUTIONISE EDUCATION

Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta to run first STEM-focused school in NSW.
An artist impression of the new STEM-focused school to be located within Sydney Science Park at Luddenham. Image: Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta.

In a major achievement, Catholic Education Diocese of Parrmatta to run the first STEM-focused school in NSW

The state’s first STEM-focused school, to be located within Sydney Science Park at Luddenham, was officially announced by the Premier of New South Wales, the Hon. Gladys Berejiklian today. The school will offer cutting-edge educational opportunities unrivalled in Australia.

The event was also attended by NSW Minister for Education, the Hon. Rob Stokes, the Mayor of Penrith, John Thain, Bishop of Parramatta, Vincent Long Van Nguyen, OFM Conv, and NSW Minister for Women, Mental Health and Aging, Tanya Davies.

The official announcement was made by the Premier of New South Wales, the Hon. Gladys Berejiklian. Image: Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta.

A partnership document was signed by Greg Whitby, Executive Director of Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta (CEDP), and John Vassallo, CEO of Celestino, the developers of Sydney Science Park.

The CEDP school will be a unique learning community in which students will learn, among other things, how to code robots, liaise with NASA space stations and discover the latest in IT programming.

The school is a first of its kind in Australia. It will be “pre to post” (preschool to beyond Year 12) and draw on the collaboration and resources of businesses, research organisations, educational institutions and community groups within Sydney Science Park.
This will be a new way of thinking about how the resources of schools are used. It will be open well beyond usual school hours. Students and teachers will also be able to contribute back to the community through real-world learning projects.

Greg Whitby (right) Executive Dirctor Catholic Education Parrmatta signs the partnership agreement with is with John Vassallo, CEO of Celestino. Image: Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta.

With a strong focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, students and teachers will be able to connect physically and virtually with other schools, learners and educators around the world through collaborative learning opportunities and state-of-the-art, online learning platforms.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the school would provide an innovative curriculum using discovery and enquiry-based learning strategies to give students the skills to be problem-solvers and innovators.

“This will be a school in which learning will be personalised and organised by stage not age. It will recognise that students learn at different rates and in different ways,” she said.

CEDP Executive Director Greg Whitby said that through local and global networks, the Sydney Science Park school will make a positive contribution to our changing and challenging world.

“This school will also work with post-school institutions to provide direct enrolment to their courses rather than access via the traditional HSC/ATAR pathway,” he said.

Celestino Chief Executive John Vassallo, said the school will be a cornerstone of the Sydney Science Park community.

“Education has always been at the core of our vision and today’s signing is the realisation of years of planning. We are very proud to be partnering with the CEDP on this landmark project,” he said.

Source: CEDP.

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