Catherine McAuley Westmead eNewsletter

News from the Principal

Congratulation and Farewell to Year 12
In this final week of Term 3, we have farewelled the 2024 Year 12 cohort in a range of events that have celebrated their time at school and their futures as Mercy women making their way into the world. The Graduation Mass was held on Tuesday evening at St Patrick's Cathedral. Students, their families and staff gathered for a beautiful celebration that culminated in students forming a ‘Circle of Mercy’, and leaving the Cathedral whilst the school liturgy choir sang the hymn of the same name. Students have also participated in a number of farewell assemblies, including a special Year 12 assembly on Tuesday, and House and whole school assemblies yesterday. Finally, this morning they were acknowledged in their Academic Assembly, during which the special awards were presented to students who have achieved in a range of aspects of school life at an exemplary level. You will find the award winners here. To read a copy of the Principal's Address made at the Academic Assembly this morning please find it here.

Principal's Address at the Graduation Ceremony this morning

HSC Music class performing at the Graduation Ceremony

Mikaela B.S. was awarded The Catherine McAuley Award

I would like to congratulate Year 12 students on their achievements so far. I also remind them that their HSC exams are now only weeks away, and that the next two weeks should be focussed on preparing for these final assessments. We look forward to hearing about their HSC success in December.

On another note, you have been advised previously that a building program for Catherine McAuley and Mother Teresa Primary has been planned. The first stage of that program, the Performing Arts learning space, has been completed. Tomorrow we will take possession of new music, dance and drama rooms, and a small staff study space, which have been relocated to the top floor of the BM Building. Preparations are being made to begin the new building, a multistorey building that will accommodate both the primary school and Catherine McAuley, as well as the new Sacred Heart Parish Church. Over the mid term break, the open area to the back of Catherine McAuley will be established as a building site, and the current Performing Arts classrooms will be decommissioned and used as site sheds. Moving forward, Catherine McAuley students will use the large open space adjacent to Gate 3 for PDHPE classes and during breaks. Whilst there will be some adjustments to traffic flow to Gate 3 in the future, at this stage there is no change to that area of the school site.

Finally, I wish you and your daughters a restful mid term break. It has been a busy term for them, and some rest will prepare them for a successful Term 4. Next term students will return to school in full summer uniforms, including their blazers for all formal events. As part of their uniform, students should wear any badges they have, including their House badges. If your daughter’s House badge has been lost, replacements can be purchased from Student Reception and the school canteen for $4.00.

As always, I encourage students to remain physically, intellectually and spiritually active over the break, and to read, read, read from their choice of fiction or non fiction to improve their critical literacy, grow their empathy and to relax.

Mary Refalo
Principal

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Need To Know

Upcoming Fortnight

Term 4 Week 1

Staff Professional Learning Day / Pupil Free Day (Monday, 14th October)
Student Commence Term 4 (Tuesday, 15th October)
HSC Written Exams Commence
Year 11 Japanese Excursion
Year 8 English Incursion

Term 4 Week 2

Year 11 HSC Presentation
Year 7 Pastoral Care Seminar
PAT-R Testing for Years 7 - 10 Students

Link to Parent Calendar

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Congratulations to Ryan House who are the winners of the Catherine McAuley House Cup for 2024!

The House Cup was presented at the Year 12 Farewell Assembly held in the Morley Centre on Wednesday, 25th September. The House Cup is awarded to the House who has collected the most House points throughout the year. Points are obtained in a number of ways including House competitions, sports carnival results and merit certificates and awards received by students throughout the year.

Place positions were: