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Sydney Catholic Schools

A full-circle moment for Sydney Catholic Schools’ HSC SHAPE showcase

On the wall of Freeman Catholic College Bonnyrigg Heights, a timber model of Wall-E stands quietly on display. It has been there for years — a relic of one student’s ambition, now watching over a new generation finding theirs.

That model was built by Alessandrio Lettieri in 2016, a former Freeman student whose HSC major work was selected for SHAPE, the NSW Education Standards Authority’s prestigious annual showcase of the state’s most outstanding student design projects.

Today, Mr Lettieri walks those same corridors as an Industrial Technology teacher. And this year, one of his own students followed in his footsteps.

“Seeing one of my first Year 12 students selected for SHAPE was incredibly special,” he said.

“It wasn’t just pride in their work. It was the realisation that their creativity, persistence, and craftsmanship had been recognised at the highest level.”

Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS) made a remarkable impression at SHAPE 2026, with five students across four schools selected to feature in this year’s showcase.

A photo of Mr Lettieri's Year 12 Major Work woodwork model of Disney’s Wall-E

Mr Lettieri’s Year 12 Major Work woodwork model of Disney’s Wall-E

Of just 57 students chosen from more than 11,000 entries across NSW, nearly one in ten called an SCS school home. Freeman College led the cohort with two selections, and the stories behind both projects are as compelling as the works themselves.

Pyper Paszyn, a Year 12 student in Mr Lettieri’s very first HSC timber class, created a standing tambour jewellery cabinet, its sliding door adorned with an intricate marquetry inlay of kookaburras and eucalyptus trees inspired by her love of native Australian fauna and flora.

The inlay was cut and assembled using a laser machine, and the tambour doors alone required more than 75 hours of work and three separate …

April 24, 2026|
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TAS Teachers Empower Tomorrow’s Innovators

Two impressive Technological and applied studies (TAS) teachers at Freeman Catholic College Bonnyrigg Heights, are pursuing life-long passions for woodwork and food technology in the classroom.

From Sydney Catholic Schools’ student to teacher 

Alessandrio Lettieri, one of Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS) Technology Teachers, has a rich history and familial ties in construction.

His journey from hands-on work with his father to excelling at BESIX Watpac, the company behind the iconic Burj Khalifa in Dubai, laid the foundation for his teaching career.

“It’s fantastic to take everything I learned in construction and then apply the same critical-thinking and problem-solving back into an actual subject. 

“My students are the future innovators of the world. I try as much as possible to bring real-life experiences into the classroom to assist students with making their studies a career path they can actively use,” Mr Alessandrio Lettieri said. 

An alumnus of Freeman Catholic College, Mr Lettieri’s journey has gone full circle, and he still draws on his experiences growing up in SCS.

“I was always taught to be a good person, compassionate, and respectful which flowed on through high school,” Mr Lettieri said. 

Mr Lettieri has a long history of excelling in TAS subjects both as a student and teacher. For his Year 12 Major Work, he built a woodwork model of Disney’s Wall-E which was showcased at the Powerhouse Museum.

“Today the Wall-E model is still displayed in the office here at Freeman Catholic College.” 

A photo of Mr Lettieri's Year 12 Major Work woodwork model of Disney’s Wall-E

Mr Lettieri’s Year 12 Major Work woodwork model of Disney’s Wall-E

“I regularly use it as an example for students to explain …

November 16, 2023|
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Students celebrated at Youth Community Service Awards

Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS) students have received a hat-trick of NSW Youth Community Service Awards for the second year in a row.

Three SCS students were among only 26 in the state presented with the 2023 awards, which recognise exceptional community service by a Year 11 or 12 student, in honour of their mentoring, volunteer and advocacy efforts.

The awards are held annually by the NSW Branch of the Order of Australia Association and were presented by Governor of NSW Margaret Beazley at Government House on 7 September.

Asteer Salem from Mary MacKillop Catholic College Wakeley, Erica Chau from Freeman Catholic College Bonnyrigg Heights, and Archibald (Archie) Kingham from Marist College Eastwood were acknowledged at the ceremony with a certificate and medal.

Asteer gave the vote of thanks at the end of the ceremony.

Archie, in Year 11, said he felt humbled to receive the award.

“There were some incredible candidates with superb contributions to their community,” he said. “I believe that everyone has a duty to support others less fortunate than themselves.”

“The greater the privilege and opportunity we have the more reflective and supportive we should be.”  – Archie Kingham

Marist College Eastwood Principal Silvana Rossetti said all three students were a credit to their schools and the communities they served. She said Archibald lived the Marist characteristics of presence, family spirit, and love of work each day.

“I am extremely proud of Archie who shows genuine concern for the wellbeing of others,” she said.

“This is exemplified by his involvement in organisations both in and out of school that have as their core value the wellbeing of those less …

September 27, 2023|
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Former Freeman Catholic College student signs with German football powerhouse Bayern Munich

Former Freeman Catholic College student, Anthony Pavlesic, is set to kick off his European football career this month after signing a coveted multi-year deal with German Bundesliga powerhouse FC Bayern Munich. 

At just 17, Anthony has already demonstrated his potential and determination to succeed in the highly competitive world of international football, where he will thrive in his position as goalkeeper. 

The former Sydney Catholic Schools student is an extraordinary talent, already making significant strides in the footsteps of Australia’s most accomplished Socceroos players.

Anthony is set to join an illustrious list of Australian football stars, who made household names for themselves on Europe’s biggest sporting stage. 

“Two of my biggest sporting heroes are Mathew Ryan and Mark Schwarzer. Both players were goalkeepers for the Socceroos who played in the European Premier League and achieved so much on one of sports’ biggest international stages,” Mr Anthony Pavlesic said.

Already standing at an impressive 190cm, Anthony has repeatedly drawn comparisons to current Socceroos captain and goalkeeper Mathew Ryan, especially in the way he carries himself both on and off the field. 

Melinda Melham, Principal at Freeman Catholic College, explains how the school encourages all students to pursue their talents, whether that be in sport, creative arts, debating or music.

“We are very fortunate to have teachers who support the co-curricula life of the college. Our coaches support students pursuing various sporting endeavours, with many competing at representative levels outside of school.

“It’s important that students understand the importance of working hard so they can pursue their opportunities in sport, drama or music whilst maintaining dedication to their studies,” Mrs Melinda Melham said.

When asked how Freeman Catholic College has contributed to the successful young man he is today, Anthony explains the important role his schooling and …

July 27, 2023|
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Freeman student honoured in Premier’s Respect Awards

Freeman Catholic College student Gianfranco Dabbene was one of 10 students recognised across NSW for exemplary behaviour, inclusiveness and community-mindedness at the inaugural Premier’s Respect Awards. 

Gianfranco was acknowledged for his hard work and dedication to the school and the wider community at a special ceremony at the Museum of Sydney, alongside his family, friends and Principal Melinda Melham. 

The Premier’s Respect Awards were introduced by Premier Dominic Perrottet last year with the aim of giving respectful conduct in schools the same high regard and prestige as academic achievement.  

All 3,165 schools across NSW were invited to nominate a student in recognition of their respectful conduct, with Gianfranco being one of the 10 exemplary students selected by a panel of representatives made up of government and non-government schools.

Gianfranco accepts the award alongside Dominic Perrottet and Sarah Mitchell, Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning

The power of kindness

Gianfranco said it was uplifting being able to attend the awards ceremony and hear about the good deeds of his peers across NSW. 

“It was an amazing day because I was receiving an award but also seeing all the other students in the state who were awarded for their amazing achievements and contributions to their community,” Gianfranco said. 

“Listening to everyone’s stories was inspiring, and shows people how we should be acting towards others” – Gianfranco Dabbene

Gianfranco said his grandmother is his biggest inspiration when it comes to being a good person. 

“She taught me how to determine what’s right and wrong, and to always help those who are in need to create a better future for our world,” Gianfranco said. 

“I feel as if I was born with the need to help others but this …

February 7, 2023|
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Trio honoured with NSW Youth Community Service Awards

Three Sydney Catholic Schools students have been recognised for their exceptional community service in the 2022 NSW Youth Community Service Awards.

Kardina Batti, Aimee Blackmore and Neethu Siril were among 26 recipients from across NSW recognised at a ceremony at Government House on Friday, 2 September.

Recipients of the 2022 Youth Community Service Award Recipients of the 2022 Youth Community Service Award.

The students from Mary MacKillop Catholic College Wakeley, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College Kensington and Freeman Catholic College Bonnyrigg Heights, respectively, were presented with a trophy and certificate of commendation by The Honourable Andrew Bell, Chief Justice of the NSW Supreme Court.

“None of the students sought recognition for their actions, but we honour them with the highest recognition available to NSW high school students” – Order of Australia Association NSW Branch Chairman, Jim Mein AM

Gilda Pussich, Principal of Mary MacKillop Catholic College Wakeley, praised Kardina’s pure, generous nature.

“Mary MacKillop once said ‘Let us try to keep God with us by charity of thought, word and act’. Kardina, who is a caring, compassionate and selfless young woman, lives by these words,” Ms Pussich said.

A modest Kardina said: “This award isn’t only mine, it is for all of us because if my loved ones and those in need were not here, who would I have done all of this for?”

“I work on improving our community in most of my free times” – Kardina Batti

About the Award

The annual award of the Order of Australia Association (NSW) Branch is given to students across NSW who are exemplary community role models.

Principals from 1,017 secondary schools nominated one Year 11 or 12 student each for the Youth Community Service Award in …

September 7, 2022|
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HSC 2020: Sydney Catholic College with the most All-round Achievers

Freeman Catholic College’s HSC results are cause for celebration.

The Bonnyrigg Heights secondary college had the highest number of All-Round Achievers recipients from Sydney Catholic Schools’ cohort, with eight of the total 46 received.

According to the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA), All-round Achievers lists the students who achieved a result in the highest band possible (Band 6 or Band E4) in 10 or more units of courses in their current pattern of study.

A staggering 25 per cent of all Freeman HSC students achieved Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) scores of over 90 in 2020.

College Male Dux, Vincent Nguyen, achieved the best result of his peers with 99.75, while Female Dux Alessia Poles received the second-highest at the college with a score of 99.3.

How the HSC mark is calculated

Freeman Catholic College Principal, Raymond Wooby, said he was proud of both his students and teachers, putting the fantastic results down to a proud culture of collegiality at the college.

“It’s all about the team – there is no ‘I’ in Freeman – staff who are dedicated, committed and selfless; students who understand the importance of hard work and are driven to be aspirational and parents who are willing to support,” Mr Wooby said.

“There is no ‘I’ in Freeman” – Principal Raymond Wooby

Freeman currently sits in 109th place on the HSC school rankings list and Mr Wooby is resolved to continue to improve on the college’s enviable results into the future.

“Firstly, we will take the time to acknowledge and commend these great results to the Freeman community by presenting as many of the Class of 2020 at a College assembly in February 2021,” Mr Wooby said.

“We will then examine and evaluate the HSC results and each faculty will create a plan for the year ahead.

“The third aspect of our …

December 23, 2020|
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We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which our schools and offices now stand. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.

Sydney Catholic Schools’ students perform an ‘Acknowledgement of Country’

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