Term 3 Week 3 - Thursday 8th August 2024
Note from the Acting Principal
The Catherine McAuley Community congratulates our Year 12 debating team who presented a strong argument in the final of the CSDA Debating last Friday night. We were judged second to Rosebank College in an exciting, informative debate from both teams. The strong performance from our Year 12 and 11 teams throughout the season resulted in Catherine McAuley presented with the Catholic Schools Debating Association (CSDA) Aggregate Winner for the Senior Division. This award is given to the school with the most consistent and best performing senior teams (Years 11 and 12) over the entire 2024 season. Thank you to our Public Speaking and Debating Coordinator Mr Thomas Fraser and the staff, students (including weekly timekeepers and chairperson) and parents who supported our Years 7 to 12 debating teams throughout the debating season.
School attendance plays a critical role in enhancing the lives of children and young people. Every day of attendance adds to a student's opportunity to learn, develop and experience success in education. Consistent attendance improves student outcomes, increases career options, and helps students build relationships and confidence. Education for your child is important and regular attendance at school is essential for your child to achieve their educational best and increase their career and life options. When young people attend school every day, learning becomes easier and your daughter will build and maintain friendships with other children.
While I understand there are times when students are absent from school due to health reasons, it is important that students attend school each day to have the possibility of achieving their potential.
I encourage each student to commit themselves to attending school each day to contribute and participate in the learning and activities that build the Catherine McAuley Community.
In times of challenge may we reflect on the ways and words of Venerable Catherine McAuley:
“If we are humble and sincere, God will finish in us the work God has begun.
God never refuses grace to those who ask for it.”
Debbie Grigson
Acting Principal
News from the Acting Assistant Principal
Last Friday, 2nd August we celebrated Green and Gold day. This was a day to support our Olympic athletes and celebrate the spirit of the Olympics as a school community. Our Sports Leaders, Alyssa and Genevieve, with the support of Ms Papazoglou and the House Patrons, arranged a number of Olympic themed events for the students to participate in during lunch time at the 'McAuley Olympics'. It was fantastic to see so many students and staff in their green and gold outfits and getting involved in the lunchtime activities - a strong sense of community was evident throughout the day.
Many of us may have had late nights or risen in the early hours of the morning to watch our athletes compete in Paris live, or perhaps avoided social media and the news to ensure we can watch a replay without knowing the results, to witness the success of our athletes. However, the Olympics are often a powerful symbol of resilience. We hear stories of athletes overcoming injury, personal hardship and intense competition to strive to achieve their best - sometimes coming up with a personal best or a gold medal while other times finding themselves just missing out on reaching their goal. We can look for similarities in the resilience of our athletes and that of our students:
- Adversity: Athletes may face injuries, intense competition, or personal setbacks, while students might deal with academic pressures, social challenges, and extracurricular demands
- Commitment to Goals: Olympic athletes and high school students often work towards long-term goals. Athletes aim for peak performance and medals, while students strive for good grades and entrance to university, TAFE or the career that they have dreamed of pursuing
- Need for Perseverance: Both athletes and students must demonstrate perseverance. Athletes train rigorously and overcome obstacles to excel in their sports, while students must persist through difficult coursework and personal challenges to succeed academically
- Mental and Emotional Resilience: The mental and emotional aspects of resilience are crucial in both contexts. Athletes deal with the stress of competition and performance, while students manage stress from exams, social pressures, and future uncertainties.
An athlete's journey at the Olympics is marked by growth and learning, just as a student’s journey through school is. From the stories of resilience we have seen at the Olympics and will witness at the upcoming Paralympics, our students can be reminded to embrace challenges and see them as opportunities for growth as well as the importance of teamwork and support, being adaptable, setting and revising goals and finally that perseverance often pays off.
Bullying No Way Week
Next week we will be supporting 'Bullying No Way: National Week of Action', which runs from 12th to 16th August 2024. Bullying No Way Week is a commitment made by thousands of schools and supporters across the country. It provides an opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to bullying prevention. It gives us an opportunity to connect with students, staff and our school community to implement workable solutions to prevent bullying.
The theme for this year's campaign is Everyone Belongs. This theme highlights the importance of creating a sense of belonging and inclusion for students. We recognise bullying often thrives in environments where individuals feel marginalised or excluded, and it is our collective responsibility, staff and students, to ensure that every student feels valued and respected.
For more information about Bullying No Way Week and bullying prevention, visit the Bullying No Way website.
During the week we will be encouraging meaningful conversations through homeroom aimed at promoting empathy, understanding, and respect for diversity. We encourage you to have conversations with your daughters about the themes presented to them throughout the week.
Below are some links to parent information sheets developed by CSPD on bullying that you may find useful.
Cyberbullying Parent Help Sheet
Sharon Brincat
Acting Assistant Principal
Pray With Us
Need To Know
Upcoming Fortnight
Week 4
- Year 12 HSC Trial Examinations
- Year 12 HSC Dance Practical Examination
- Year 10 Reflection Day
- Year 8 Maths Enrichment Day
- Year 7 English Incursion
- Duke of Edinburgh Adventurous Journey Camp
Week 5
- Year 12 HSC Trial Examinations
- Year 11 PDHPE/Fitness Incursion
- Year 11 2025 Subject Counselling Interviews
- Year 10 PDHPE Excursion
- Year 9 Commerce Market Day
- Music, Sport and Co Curricular Photos
- Education Mass and Mission Expo
- International Chemistry Quiz
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:
Our Music students joined with other secondary music students in the Diocese last week for the CAPTIVATE Arts Factor Music Learning Exhibition held at Nagle College Blacktown. The day provided students with performance experience outside of their school community and gave them the chance to receive feedback from industry professionals.