Over three days in April, Tara Bennett and I joined 18 passionate Year 10 students from Caroline Chisholm College, Menai High School, Hurlstone Ag High, St Greg's College, Cherrybrook Technology High School, Gosford High School, Colo High School, Tuggerah Lakes Secondary College and Bede Polding College at a camp run by the University of Western Sydney (UWS) Hawkesbury Campus and the Royal Agricultural Society (RAS).
We were allocated to teams of 3, loaned an iPad and engaged in tutorials on using the iPad and iMovie app. After some fun and bonding, we learnt about new innovations in farming and refined our video skills prior to boarding a bus for the Sydney Royal Easter Show.
We experienced the Carriers Expo to gain inspiration to create a unique and creative iMovie in order to promote agriculture to teenagers visiting the Sydney Royal Easter Show and in schools. Developing the idea and concepts for our video concepts was quite challenging and thought provoking.
On the second day it was an early 5.30am start, so that we could get to the Show in time to have a Google Hang Out with New York which was put on YouTube, have a look!
The experience was pretty cool, we heard firsthand about the agriculture initiatives that were happening in New York and we had a chance to share what was happening in Australian agriculture. Following breakfast, we went to the technology section of the Woolworths Dome to learn about new technologies in agriculture such as the Felix Weber's Swinglet flying wing camera that can fly for 30 minutes and return to its launch point without aid (it is computer controlled).
The unit weighs 500 grams with an airframe made of Styrofoam. It’s battery powered and carries a 150-gram NIR (near infra red) capable camera. The time had now arrived to engage in our planning/filming activity before moving to a chocolate workshop. We didn’t just eat chocolate, we learnt about how chocolate is made, where it comes from, what ingredients does or should go into chocolates and how the cacao beans are farmed, and yes we did get to eat the chocolate but we went through some steps to access the chocolate.
Day three started with the final editing of our iMovie’s ready for presentation to our peers, April Browne and Chris Vella (the USW supervisors for the camp) and our parents. When the camp was over and we had to say goodbye, I was sad and wanted the camp to never end but I knew that I had friends for life.
Both videos above were produced by Caroline Chisholm College students.
Laura Feeney | Year 10 Student
Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
www.parra.catholic.edu.au
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27 Sep 2025
From Facebook
Our Japanese students began the day at Miyajima, admiring the iconic floating torii gate up close at low tide. From there, we travelled to Hiroshima, visiting the A-Bomb Dome and the Peace Memorial Museum, reflecting on the importance of peace and reconciliation. At the Peace Park, we took part in a deeply moving experience, offering 1,000 folded paper cranes at Sadako’s statue, a symbol of peace and hope for children worldwide. We were excited to buy our first konbini lunch before the excitement of a bullet train ride to Okayama.
27 Sep 2025
From Facebook
As is the tradition in a ryokan, we all wore yukata on the premises. There were so many different dishes presented beautifully. Student favourites were sukiyaki and tempura. Local delicacies included oysters and anago (conger eel).
26 Sep 2025
From Facebook
After an overnight flight to Tokyo and a connecting flight to Hiroshima, our Japanese students made their way by bus and ferry to the beautiful island of Miyajima. Famous for its “floating” torii gate, Miyajima is considered one of the most scenic places in Japan and has long been a site of spiritual significance. We are staying in a traditional ryokan, where tatami rooms and futon beds give us a true taste of Japanese culture. Today’s challenge was to take a selfie with a deer! We ate the local specialty, okonomiyaki for lunch, and tonight, we will enjoy a multi-course kaiseki dinner, with seasonal dishes beautifully prepared and presented.
26 Sep 2025
From Facebook
We were thrilled to have five female Penrith Panthers players join us today to assist in awarding our PDSSSC Thursday sport teams' MVP players as well as engage in a question and answer session with Mrs Peters. It was so inspiring to hear from talented female athletes who juggle work, parenting and family demands as well as excel in the sport that they love. Thank you also o Mrs Peters for organising the Panthers protein shakers and flags that were awarded to 60 students that were present today.
26 Sep 2025
From Facebook
Today the Caroline Chisholm Community celebrated jersey day. Student's came to school in their team colours to support and raise awareness for organ and tissue donation. Jersey Day was inspired by the gift of life that Nathan Gremmo gave to six people when he became an organ donor at age 13. Jersey day aims to encourage people to begin the conversation with their family and friends about the importance of becoming an organ and tissue donor.
26 Sep 2025
From Facebook
The results are in - and we are delighted and proud to announce that our Year 10 team has achieved 2nd place in this year’s Australian Catholic University VOYSE Social Enterprise Challenge! Over the course of the 8-week program, our students showed outstanding dedication, creativity, determination and passion as they developed and pitched their innovative social enterprise idea: One Stop Swap. This unique initiative, designed to give used items a second life, certainly caught the judges' eyes! Working within a tight timeframe, the team collaborated to research, design and present their concept to the VOYSE judging panel, impressing with their professionalism and innovative thinking. The panel will also be providing detailed feedback, celebrating the team’s strengths while offering constructive advice, to support the further development of One Stop Swap. Their 2nd place finish is an extraordinary achievement and a testament to their teamwork and entrepreneurial spirit. We are also very grateful to their mentors Adjoa Assan, Vika Pinomi and Lucy Sattler. We are incredibly impressed with the students' efforts and excited to see how they continue to build upon their idea within our community. Congratulations to these talented students on this fantastic result and also to the other finalists: St Agnes Catholic High School, Patrician Brothers' College, Blacktown and Mountain View Adventist College. Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
26 Sep 2025
From Facebook
The College proudly acknowledges and congratulates Sylvie B and Tahlya J on receiving NESA SHAPE nominations for their outstanding Major Textiles Projects in the Textiles and Design course. Sylvie created a striking, dragon-inspired Chinese costume, incorporating a custom-drafted pattern, intricate laser cutting, and detailed hand beading. Tahlya produced a beautifully crafted patchwork quilt, showcasing fabric origami, laser cutting, and a variety of advanced fabric manipulation techniques. We would also like to congratulate the Year 12 Textiles and Design teacher - Miss Azzopardi on sharing her expertise and guidance, to assist with bringing the projects to this outstanding level of completion. In addition, we extend our sincere thanks to mentor teachers, Mrs Larsen and Ms Blakers (Leader of TAS) for their guidance, expertise, and unwavering support throughout the students’ creative journeys. Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
26 Sep 2025
From Facebook
EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT: ANOTHER NESA NOMINATION FOR 2025 The College would like to acknowledge and congratulate Montanah T for receiving a NESA ENCORE nomination for her vocal performances at the recent HSC practical Music examinations. Thank you to her Music teacher, Mr Caws, along with Mrs Madeline Riger, Ms Vanessa Wall, Mrs Belinda Pranjic (Leader of Creative Arts), and Mrs Tania Cairns (Principal Leader) for their work and dedication. All the teachers at Caroline Chisholm College are extremely proud of Montanah's achievements. Keep up the amazing work! Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
26 Sep 2025
From Facebook
We are looking forward to welcoming four Penrith Panthers Women’s Team members to our College Assembly on Friday 26th September. We are thankful that they can join us to share their experiences as an NRL athlete and to help us celebrate our theme “That’s My Team”.
26 Sep 2025
From Facebook
We are so proud of five of our Year 11 students who are about to embark on ACU’s Step Up Into Teaching (SUIT) program – an incredible opportunity to get a head start on their teaching careers. The SUIT program, run at ACU’s Strathfield campus, offers aspiring teachers: - mentoring and university engagement - the chance to study two university-level teaching units during the Spring and Summer holidays - a direct conditional offer into a Bachelor of Education degree at ACU (for students who pass their units) along with recognition for their completed studies This is a wonderful step forward for our students who are passionate about shaping the future through teaching. We wish them every success in their studies and can’t wait to see where this journey takes them!
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