Excellence in VET

Sydney Catholic Schools is committed to excellence in vocational education and training (VET), delivering high-quality programs that reflect current industry practices and meet the diverse needs, aspirations and career goals of our students. This commitment is demonstrated through the outstanding achievements of our students and teachers, who are recognised each year for their dedication, skill and excellence.

Sydney Catholic Schools proudly celebrated the achievements of the following award recipients:

2026 NSW Training Awards

VET Teacher of the Year

James Kotselas

Baking
Southern Cross Catholic College, Burwood

VET Student of the Year

Isaac Nassif

Business Services and Automotive
Southern Cross Catholic College, Burwood

School-Based Apprentice/Trainee of the Year

Lara Duffy

Human Services
St Aloysius College, Cronulla

2025 NSW Training Awards

VET in schools Student of the Year

Bridie Irwin

Retail Services
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College, Kensington

Teacher – Karen Mott

Sydney Catholic Schools Article

School-Based Apprentice/Trainee of the Year

Taine Wihare

Carpentry
Micon Projects NSW
De La Salle College Caringbah & St Yon Trade Training Centre Bankstown

Teachers – Adrian McKevitt & Peter Faber

2025 WorldSkills Australia Competition

Gold Medal

Quentin Lassauniere

Hospitality – Cookery
De La Salle Catholic College, Caringbah

Teacher – Louise Benson

Silver Medal

Sienna Balocco

Make-Up
Southern Cross Catholic College, Burwood

Teacher – Pauline Cole

Bronze Medal

Maverick Masutti

Electrotechnology
St Yon Trade Training Centre, Bankstown

Teacher – Katherine Jeffs

Certificate of Excellence

Carla Loria

Hospitality Cookery
St Joseph Trade Training Centre, Hinchinbrook

Teacher – Sharon McInerney

2023 NSW Training Awards

VET Teacher of the Year

George Frangioudakis

Finalist Southern and South Western Sydney Region
Automotive
Southern Cross Catholic College Burwood

Winner Southern and South Western Sydney Region

Ayla Ali

Certificate II in Construction Pathways
Southern Cross Catholic College Burwood

Teacher: Peter Waldersee

State Winner and Winner Central and Northern Sydney Region

Charlize Ashby

Certificate II in Kitchen Operations
Brigidine College Randwick

Teacher: Mrs Alethea Oliver

2023 WorldSkills Australia Competition

Given the calibre of Sydney Catholic Schools’ students, in 2023, many students participated as Finalists in the Australian WorldSkills Competition in Melbourne; and four teachers/trainers were judges for Electrotechnology, Hairdressing, Hospitality and Plumbing. The following students gained a place in the national competition: