Term 2 Week 8 - Thursday 20th June 2024
Note From The Principal
This week the students in Year 12 are on their Retreat. They have travelled to Lake Macquarie for three days, where they are engaged in a program of personal and spiritual reflection and renewal. It is a highlight of their Year 12 year, and is the culmination of what they have done through the pastoral care programs over their six years at Catherine McAuley generally, as well as what they have done in their Religious Education classes and Reflection Days more specifically. We wish them well for this very special time together as they approach the end of their school studies.
Yesterday in our weekly Wednesday morning Mass, Fr Albie from Wentworthville gave a very inspiring homily to the small congregation of students from Catherine McAuley, Marist Parramatta and teachers from both schools. He spoke about the human condition of wanting to be honoured, praised and known through our actions. Fr Albie wasn’t implying that we should be boasting about our actions, but that all we do should be with the intention of those acts being honourable, praiseworthy and reflective of how we want to be known. He implored us to give, say and act from our heart. It is a nice reminder for us all.
Finally, I’d like to remind you of the uniform items that are available in the school canteen. Students are able to purchase the items listed below from the canteen. At the moment students are permitted to wear any black scarf in the winter terms, however, from 2025, all students will be required to wear the school scarf, also available from the school canteen.
- House badges - $4
- Scarves - $25
- Sports socks - $10
- Winter tights - $7.95
Have an enjoyable week everyone.
Mary Refalo
Principal
News From The Assistant Principal
As we progress through another enriching academic year here at Catherine McAuley, it is timely to share some insights into an essential aspect of our educational philosophy: student ownership of learning. This fundamental principle lies at the heart of our efforts to cultivate not only academic excellence but also lifelong skills and a sense of responsibility in our students.
This is an important message with Year 7 - 10 Parent / Student / Teacher Meetings coming up in Week 10. On Thursday, 4th July we will conduct meetings onsite from 1 pm - 7pm and on Friday, 5th July the meetings will be online from 9am to 2pm.
At Catherine McAuley, we firmly believe that when students take ownership of their learning journey, they become active participants in their education. This goes beyond simply completing assignments or passing exams; it involves students engaging deeply with their studies, taking initiative, and becoming self-directed learners.
Why is this so crucial? When students are encouraged to take ownership of their learning:
- Intrinsic Motivation Flourishes: Students are motivated not just by external rewards but by the joy of discovery and personal growth. They develop a genuine interest in their subjects, leading to deeper engagement and a desire to excel.
- Critical Thinking Skills Develop: By making choices about how they learn and what goals they set, students sharpen their critical thinking abilities. They learn to evaluate information, solve problems creatively, and make informed decisions.
- Preparation for Real-World Challenges: In today's rapidly evolving world, adaptability and resilience are key. When students take ownership of their learning, they develop these essential skills, preparing them for future challenges in higher education and beyond.
To support our students in this journey, our school employs a variety of strategies:
- Goal Setting: Encouraging students to set academic and personal goals helps them stay focused and motivated. These goals are personalized to each student’s aspirations and abilities.
- Reflection and Feedback: Regular reflection on their progress, combined with constructive feedback from teachers, allows students to track their growth and make adjustments as needed.
- Choice and Autonomy: Providing students with choices in how they demonstrate their understanding or pursue their interests fosters a sense of autonomy and encourages creativity.
- Partnership with Parents: We recognise that fostering student ownership of learning is a partnership between school and home. Your support and encouragement at home play a vital role in nurturing your child’s independence and enthusiasm for learning.
As we move forward, I encourage you to have conversations with your child about their learning experiences at Catherine McAuley. Celebrate their achievements, discuss their challenges, and help them set goals for the future. Together, we can ensure that every student not only succeeds academically but also develops into a confident, self-assured individual ready to embrace the opportunities of tomorrow.
Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership in your daughter's education. Together, we can empower our students to become lifelong learners and leaders.
Michael Hall
Assistant Principal
From The School Counsellor
Negative Self-Talk
Hearing your daughter constantly expressing negative self-talk can be exhausting. All you hear is their internal dialogue where they belittle, criticise self or have lots of self-doubts. These thoughts often manifest in the form of statements like "I can't do this," "I'm not good enough," or "Why even bother?" Negative self-talk is not an accurate reflection of reality, but a distortion influenced by emotional states and past experiences.
The origins of negative self-talk are not the same for everyone. For some, these patterns might stem from childhood experience where they never felt good enough. Peer pressure, past failures, or emotional challenges from specific incidents can all play a part in causing negative self-talk.
This can be triggered by several factors:
- Past experiences: Failures, embarrassments, or negative feedback in the past can initiate a sequence of negative self-talk in similar future scenarios.
- Expectation from Society: Pressure to conform to social norms or ideals can cause thoughts of inadequacy or imperfection.
- Stress and anxiety: Stressful situations or periods of heightened anxiety can exacerbate negative thinking patterns.
- Interpersonal conflicts: Disagreements or misunderstandings with others can lead to self-blame or feelings of inadequacy.
Recognizing your daughter’s personal triggers can be invaluable in addressing and managing their negative self-talk. As parents, how do we navigate and assist our daughters in managing negative self -talk anxiety in the moment. This might include-
- Identify the thought: Before changing the thought, you need to be aware of it. Pay attention to what you're telling yourself during anxious moments.
- Challenge the thought: Question the accuracy and validity of your negative self-talk. Is this thought based on facts or assumptions?
- Reframe the thought: Replace the negative thought with a more balanced or positive one. For example, change "I can't handle this" to "I'll do my best."
- Use mindfulness and relaxation techniques: Deep breathing and grounding exercises like those on the Calm app .
If you have any concerns about your daughter’s mental health, feel free to contact the School Counsellors; Mrs Suzan Boulattouf (Mon-Fri) or Mrs Kathryn Rogers (Wed-Fri) on 02 9849 9100 during school hours.
Suzan Boulattouf
School Counsellor
Pray With Us
Need To Know
Upcoming Fortnight
Term 2 Week 9
- Year 12 Physics Excursion
- Year 12 Formal
- Year 7 Vaccination Program
- AMSSA Student Conference
- CAPA Mid-Year Showcase
- PDSSSC Dance Competition
- Staff Formation Day (Pupil Free Day)
Term 2 Week 10
- Year 12 Geography Fieldtrip
- Years 7 - 10 Parent / Student / Teacher Meetings
- End of Term 2
News Articles
Our School on Social Media
Follow Catherine McAuley Westmead on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn for regular updates. A recent post is shown below:
Year 10 Global Connections students explored the geography of the South Coast region of NSW on their recent overnight excursion.
AROUND THE CLASSROOMS: Students in Year 9 Geography have been studying Sustainable Biomes. This topic involves the study of biomes around the world, and their capacity to support food and agricultural production. We created our own food producing biomes using a variety of seeds, plus propagated cuttings of established plants to see what could grow in different environments. We have enjoyed taking care of them and watching the seeds develop and sprout. Students were particularly amazed at how some plants thrive in just water, and how quickly some seeds can grow.