Term 4 Week 5 - Thursday 14th November 2024
Note from the Principal
Last Friday evening we were blessed to celebrate with Ms Fernandes, a Visual Arts teacher at Catherine McAuley who started teaching here in 1974. For Ms Fernandes, 50 years of her teaching career was spent at this school, offering service and tutelage to many students whose paths took them through this school (perhaps in the realm of 12,000 Catherine McAuley students). It was a beautiful celebration, beginning with Mass in Mercy Square, and followed by speeches and supper also in Mercy Square.
It was lovely to welcome so many current and past staff, students and parents who came along to share the celebration of Ms Fernandes’ commitment to this school over so many years. Sr Barbara, past Principal, told the audience stories of the school set in the late eighties - about the predecessor to the photocopier, the Gestetner duplicator and the design of the school at that time. She also told us how students loved Ms Fernandes, and how she loved them, teaching and inspiring them to become artists.
On behalf of every Principal who has led the Catherine McAuley community during Ms Fernandes’ years here, I would like to thank her for her commitment to girls’ education, and for the Visual Arts and life lessons she taught whilst she was here.
During yesterday’s school assembly, I spoke about the Mercy value of excellence. Coincidentally, so did the School Captains, and Fr Januario at yesterday morning’s chapel Mass. It must be a week for thinking about excellence. Each of us reminded students of Catherine McAuley’s words, “to resolve to be good today, but better tomorrow”, and “do the ordinary extraordinarily well.” I encourage you to talk to your daughters about the importance of ‘striving for higher things’ at school and at home, in her learning, in the activities she enjoys and in her relationships.
I hope this week goes smoothly for you.
Mary Refalo
Principal
News from the School Captains
Hello McAuley Community!
In Week 3 of Term 4, the leaders announced the new school theme for 2024 - 2025. We are proud to share it with you and are excited to see it flourish amongst the McAuley community over the next year. The name of our theme is ‘Strive for the 5’, and we aim to focus on the foundations of our school, through the embrace of our 5 mercy values.
To begin, we want to share a quote from Catherine McAuley that resonates with us.
“Let us rejoice when good is done, no matter by whom it is accomplished”
Among many other things the wise Catherine McAuley said, our theme aligns with this quote as we want our school community to celebrate when they display a mercy value. As a way to “rejoice” when we display a mercy value, we are encouraging the students and staff to ‘high five’ each other. In the launch of our theme at the school assembly, we presented a lighthearted video that shares examples of ways each mercy value could be demonstrated at school.
EXCELLENCE
‘Strive to do the ordinary extraordinarily well’. This year, we ask everyone to think of ways that they can excel in all aspects of their lives, whether it be in sports, performing arts, academics or ticking one more thing off that to-do list. We want to remind you that excellence is both the small things and the big, so strive for your goals no matter how big or small you think they are.
HOSPITALITY
Catherine McAuley displayed hospitality throughout her life, and in particular, as she laid on her death bed with the Mercy sisters, she was concerned for their comfort. She instructed that visitors would enjoy a cup of tea, which has become a symbol of her hospitality. In our school, we are inspired to display hospitality by extending a welcoming hand to others. For example, by being friendly to new students and new Year 7s, welcoming them into our community. In this way, our McAuley community can be united and our legacy of ‘sisterhood’ can continue.
COURAGE
Courage is to act, despite fear and to uphold your values and what is right. At school, having the strength to do the right thing is to follow school rules and be in control of your learning. We want to create an environment where students feel comfortable telling their peers to make better decisions, for example, by having the courage to tell your friend to stop being distracting, students can take control over their learning and excel.
INTEGRITY
Integrity is doing something, not because someone told you to but because you know it is the right thing to do. This year, we want you to think about striving to do all those little things right. Do what's right because you know it is and remember that it's okay not to follow the crowd.
JUSTICE
We must all strive to treat each other with respect, kindness and love. As well as showing kindness to individuals in our school grounds, our school community extends far beyond that. We must also become aware of the injustices around our community and work together to help in any way we can, like participating in fundraisers and donating to our many charities. Catherine McAuley said “It is for God we serve the poor, not for thanks. Serve one another with whatever gist each of you has received”. So, we ask you to strive for justice in our community by serving and showing kindness.
We hope you all love our new theme just as much as we do!
That's all we have for now, until next time.
Kaitlin and Emily,
School Captains
Pray With Us
Need To Know
- Mercy Money
- What is the RoSA - Record of School Achievement?
- Invitation to Parents and Carers - Parents Representative Council Meeting
- Minutes From the Term 4 Parents & Carers Meeting
- Minutes From the Parents & Carers AGM
- FREE webinars From The eSafety Commissioner
- Parramatta Marist High School Open Night
Upcoming Fortnight
Term 4 Week 6
- Arts Factor Dance Festival
- Year 7 Reflection Day
- PDSSSC AFL Gala Day
- Year 7 2025 Orientation Day
- School Tour Morning
Term 4 Week 7
- Captivate Battle of the Bands
- Performing Arts Showcase
- Years 11 & 12 Geography Excursion
- Year 9 English Incursion
- Year 8 Drumming Workshop
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 9 - Yesterday the Year 9 Global Connections students visited Taronga Zoo with Ms Spelman to further explore their topic of ‘Oceanography’. The students spent time assisting in clearing plastic from a local beach and understanding the impact of plastic pollution on marine animals.
