Peter Faber Business School, part of Australian Catholic University (ACU), recently ran a five-day robotics workshop at its Blacktown Campus – giving 43 Western Sydney high school students hands-on coding experience and a vision for the future.
Students from Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese – Patrician Brothers College Blacktown, Caroline Chisholm College Glenmore Park, Nagle Catholic College Blacktown, St Agnes Catholic High School Rooty Hill, St Clare’s Catholic High School Hassall Grove and St John Paul II Catholic College Schofields and Nirimba – participated in the workshop.
The free program, led by Associate Professor Walayat Hussain, Dr Mehdi Rajaeian, and Dr Mahmoud Bekhit, provided each participant with a Sphero RVR+ robot and an iPad to continue learning at home.
Patrician Brothers College, Blacktown Year 10 student Joshua Cheetley said the experience sparked his interest further.
“I’ve always been curious about a future in STEM,” Joshua said.
“This course was a gateway to having more experience and knowledge.”
Associate Professor Hussain said the team wanted to break down barriers by making coding fun and accessible.
An ACU lecturer with a local student during a robotics workshop hosted by the ACU Blacktown Campus. Image: ACU/Supplied
“Instead, we offered them free coaching, free hardware, and immersed them in structured game-based workshops to show that coding can be fun and accessible,” he said.
“Our hope is the students will feel more confident in their abilities to learn STEM and possibly seek out a career in STEM.”
Dr Rajaeian said the project was about more than technology.
“We’re not just coding robots — we’re coding possibility,” he said.
Dr Bekhit agreed that early exposure could be life-changing.
(L-R) ACU Associate Professor Walayat Hussain, ACU Information Technology lecturer Dr Mehdi Rajaeian, Blacktown City Council Mayor Brad Bunting, students Joshua Cheetley and Isabella Sukkarieh and ACU staff member Dr Mahmoud Bekhit. Image: ACU/Supplied
“When students have access to high-quality tools and guided learning experiences, it can transform their sense of what’s possible,” he said.
“Many of these students have never had the chance to engage with this kind of technology before.
“Our goal is not just to teach them coding, but to help them build confidence, curiosity, and a vision for a future in STEM.”
This initiative aligns with the Diocesan Pastoral Plan priorities of being an inclusive and welcoming Church – offering opportunities for those on the margins and helping parishes, schools and ministries work with families in all their diversity.
Learn more about ACU Blacktown, or Find a Catholic School Near You.
