Overview

This section provides an introduction to VET Cluster Classes and VET delivered through School of Now. In both of these cases, the Parramatta Diocese is the Registered Training Organisation delivering these courses.

The following classes are currently on offer, subject to student demand:

Information and Digital Technology: School of Now
Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC): CathWest Cluster Class TBC for 2026/27

Hospitality: Food and Beverage: CathWest Cluster Class TBC for 2026/27

Retail: CathWest Cluster Class TBC TBC for 2026/27

More information is available below; please contact your school's VET and RTO Leader if you need any clarification.

School of Now

What is School of Now?

The Learning Outcomes Directorate is offering students the opportunity to study a number of courses that may not be available within their current local school community. Technology allows students, regardless of location, to work with expert teachers in an online classroom with other students across the Diocese, to complete Stage 6 Preliminary and HSC courses.

How it works

Each course is assigned a School of Now (SoN) teacher who will be responsible for the delivery of the online course.
Students have set timetabled times each week with the SoN teacher and fellow students where the online Virtual Lesson will be delivered.
Students will also complete learning activities between sessions at their own pace and ongoing feedback and assistance will be provided by the SoN teacher.
Students will have two face-to-face workshop days with their SoN teacher per term at CathWest Innovation College, Mount Druitt.

School of Now is suitable for someone who ...

will catch up on any work missed at their school when attending the School of Now class, particularly during face-to-face Masterclass sessions
is self-motivated, diligent and enthusiastic to learn
has great attendance
is organised! Punctual to attend Virtual Lessons and face-to-face Masterclass sessions. Also, bring uniform, laptop and equipment to class.
asks questions when they are unsure, and reaches out for help when struggling.

School of Now Subject Selection Handbook and EOI Application Form

The following links will take you to the School of Now Subject Selection Handbook and Expression of Interest Application Form.

School of Now 2026 Subject Selection Handbook

School of Now 2026 Expression of Interest Application Form

Cluster Classes

What is a Cluster Class?

Sometimes a delivery site may not have the resources or the teacher to deliver a course you are interested in; or sometimes there isn't enough demand from students to run a course; as a result, there may be another site that is able to host a cluster class.

Clustered people.png A cluster class is formed from students from multiple schools.

Offering these courses, provides students with greater opportunities to access courses they are interested in.

Cluster classes are offered one day per week for 3 hours, plus 1 hour of work at home; some are offered one day per week for 4 hours.

Cluster classes hosted at CathWest Innovation College are delivered one day per fortnight for 7 hours.

A cluster class is suitable for someone who ...

will catch up on work missed at school when attending the cluster class.
has great attendance.
is organised! Punctual to catch the bus, attend class each week, bring uniform, laptop and equipment to class.
is able to concentrate for 3 to 4 hours, and for many cluster classes, for a whole day.
does not have other commitments when the cluster class is on:
- morning cluster classes start early – 8am
- afternoon cluster classes may finish late - 4.30pm
- cluster classes that run for a whole day start at 8.30am and finish at 3.30pm