Term 3 Week 5 - Thursday 22nd August 2024
Note from the Acting Principal
We welcome Mr Daniel Geoghegan to the Catherine McAuley Community. Mr Geoghegan will be teaching in the TAS Department. We thank Mrs Narelle Moore for overseeing the TAS classes this year.
The Rotary Youth Vocational Educational Awards celebrates excellence in vocational education and recognises the outstanding achievements of young people in our school communities across Western Sydney. On Monday evening we congratulated and celebrated the achievements of the following Year 12 students and Catherine McAuley teacher who received awards.
- Eliana C. - Business Services
- Charlize A. - Business Services
- Jessica B. - Business Services
- Amelia C. - Hospitality
- Mrs Poonam Relan - Teacher Award
This week we join with many schools throughout Australia to celebrate Book Week highlighting the importance of reading. The theme for Book Week this year is Reading is Magic. During the designated reading time in homeroom students were involved in a number of activities that evolved from sharing great stories and building lifelong habits The library had a display acknowledging students' favourite books with the titles of the books appearing as a magic star coming from a top hat.
The leadership of Catherine McAuley and that of the sisters who followed her is a model of service. I acknowledge and thank the students from Years 10 and 11 who put themselves forward for leadership and I am confident they will continue to be a model of service as Catherine McAuley was to the people of Dublin. The Catherine McAuley Community congratulates our Student Leaders for 2024 / 2025. On Friday 6th September, at the celebration of Mass Mercy Day, the commissioning of our School Captains and Student Leaders for 2024/2025 will take place.
As we conclude another week of acknowledging and celebrating the achievements of students within the community and the classroom, I ask you to reflect on the following quote from Venerable Catherine McAuley:
We should be shining lamps, giving light to all around us.
Debbie Grigson
Acting Principal
News from the School Captains
Hey McAuley!
We’re sure you all know by now that coming up on Friday, 6th of September, is Mercy Day. It has come around so quick! Mercy Day is one of the most important events in our community, a time to acknowledge the rich history of our school and honour the spirit of mercy that is woven into the fabric of life at McAuley.
The day begins with a Mass where we commission and bless the incoming Leadership Team of 2025, inspiring them to carry forward the values of Catherine McAuley in their roles as leaders of our Mercy school. After that, the day is filled with dress ups and fun activities, from photo booths to haunted houses, giving students the opportunity to have a great time with friends while raising money for Mercy Works.
The dress up theme for Mercy Day this year, 'Rhyme Without Reason', was announced today. Created by the SRC Student Leadership Team, the theme encourages students to come together with friends and dress up in imaginative pairings like, ‘pink panther and dancer’ or ‘barbie and army’. This captures the essence of our 2024 school theme, ‘Embrace, Excel, Empower’. The concept of a ‘Rhyme Without Reason’ explores the notion that two seemingly unrelated ideas can be united through their rhyme, symbolising what the McAuley community has strived to live out throughout 2024: embracing our differences, excelling in unity, and realising that we are empowered to be stronger together, all guided by the spirit of mercy. We can’t wait to see all the amazing outfits the girls come up with!
That’s all from us for now, don’t forget to Embrace, Excel, Empower!
Alyssa and Lea
School Captains
Pray With Us
Need To Know
Upcoming Fortnight
Week 6
- Higher School Certificate Drama Practical Examination
- Year 11 Drama Incursion
- Year 9 Activity Day
- Years 9 and 10 2025 Subject Selection Talks
- NSWCCC Netball Championships
- School Morning Tour
Week 7
- Year 12 Visual Arts BOW Display
- Bishop of Parramatta Student Excellence Award Ceremony
- PDSSSC Athletics Carnival
- 2024 Arts Factor Dance Eisteddfod
- MERCY DAY
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:
Huge congratulations to our amazing Year 9 students who just conquered the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award camp! Over the past few days, they’ve faced both physical and mental challenges, with their teamwork, resilience, and enthusiasm on full display as they successfully climbed six mountains! Navigating tough terrains and setting up camp, they supported each other every step of the way. We're incredibly proud of all they’ve achieved—this adventure has definitely left them stronger and ready for whatever comes next!