Term 4 Week 8 - Thursday 5th December 2024
Note from the Principal
In the Catholic Liturgical calendar, this week was the start of Advent, the time for preparation for the coming of Jesus at Christmas. For all of us at Catherine McAuley, it is a special time. During yesterday’s assembly, the Liturgy Leaders led students through an Advent prayer that reminded us that Advent is a time for “expectant waiting, hopeful anticipation and joyful preparation” for the coming of Christ. The video they used to introduce the prayer is here for your perusal and today’s Weekly Review includes a prayer you may use with your families as you prepare for Christmas.
At school, each year group has in their prayer spaces an Advent wreath with three purple candles representing hope, peace and love, and these candles are lit during weeks 1, 2 and 4 of the Advent season. A pink candle representing joy is lit in the third week of Advent, and finally, a white candle representing the arrival of Christ, is lit on Christmas Day. The Advent wreath is a visible reminder that we are people of hope, peace, joy and love, and these values are more widely represented in our Mercy values of justice, courage, hospitality, integrity and excellence.
Advent wreaths have been placed around the school.
In addition to this, our faith in action focus this term is the Jesuit Refugee Centre and St Vincent de Paul for whom we have fundraised and made many generous donations of pantry items to support refugees in our community. Fundraising activities are continuing for JRS, and students can participate in this by purchasing Mercy Money or using their bank debit cards. In these last few weeks of term I encourage students to continue to support these important causes as part of their spiritual preparation for Christmas, and I thank you for encouraging them to do so.
As we all prepare for Christmas during this time of Advent, I wish you and your family moments of hope, peace, joy and love, even amidst the chaos that can sometimes characterise this time of the year.
Mary Refalo
Principal
Veritas House students with their decorated tree in Mercy Square.
News from the Assistant Principal
In preparation for the 2025 school year Catherine McAuley Westmead has introduced a mobile phone free zone for students. The Leaders of Learning Wellbeing and Wellbeing Teams have reviewed the CMW Responsible Use Of Digital Devices Procedures in light of the Government regulations, CSDP Policy and Procedures and our school values. In line with the state and federal government's commitment to improve students’ learning and social development, from Thursday, 5th December 2024 CMW students will no longer be able to access their mobile phone on the Westmead Catholic Community site. Students will be allowed to carry their mobile phones while travelling to and from school but once they enter the school gate their mobile phone must be in their school backpack.
Throughout Term 4 staff and students have continued to fundraise for our charity Jesuit Refugee Service by hosting Minute to Win It, a range of stalls initiated by different homerooms and Santa photos with our own resident CMW Santa. We are calling upon the generosity of students and families to support the Christmas hampers for the Jesuit Refugee Service. The Foodbank Poster lists the requirements for these hampers, with the appeal closing on Wednesday, 11th December. Students can also donate gift cards from Woolworths, Coles or Aldi that allow families that JRS support to purchase their own food. I thank the House Patron’s, who have worked with Wellbeing Teams and students, to organise these events in support of the Jesuit Refugee Service.
To celebrate the end of the school year and the Advent Season, as has happened in the past couple of years, Thursday, 12th December will be Christmas Themed Thursday. Students may wear Christmas themed accessories with their Sports Uniform or School Uniform.
On Friday, 13th December we will join together as a school community for the Academic Assembly to celebrate the academic achievements and commitment of students to our Mercy values in action. The Academic Assembly commences at 1:00pm. For parents who are not available to join us the Academic Assembly will be live streamed via this Link
As we approach Christmas, may you find comfort and joy in the message of hope and salvation that the Christ Child brings. Have a blessed holiday season.
Debbie Grigson
Assistant Principal
Lord God,
Your Church joyfully awaits the coming of its Saviour,
who enlightens our hearts and dispels the darkness of ignorance and sin.
Pour forth your blessings upon us as we light the candles of the Advent wreath;
may their light reflect the splendour of Christ, who is Lord,
for ever and ever. Amen
Pray With Us
Need To Know
Upcoming Fortnight
Term 4 Week 9
- Duke of Edinburgh Silver Adventurous Journey
- Years 7-11 Awards Ceremony
Term 4 Week 10
- Years 7 - 11 Parent / Student / Teacher Meetings
- Staff Professional Learning Days / Pupil Free Days
- End of Term 4
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:
PERFORMING ARTS SHOWCASE - Highlights from the Dance performances at the Performing Arts Showcase held on Wednesday, 27th November 2024.