Term 1 Week 5 - Thursday 6th March 2025
Note from the Principal
Yesterday was Ash Wednesday, a time in the Christian calendar for reflection and renewal. It marks the beginning of Lent, and invites all of us into a six week period of understanding how we can be better people, able to serve others in a way that is Christ-centred and inspired by the life of Jesus. As a Mercy school, the life of Catherine McAuley herself also provides inspiration to each of us to lead lives characterised by integrity, justice, excellence, courage and hospitality.
This week marks the celebration of International Women’s Day. As women in a girls’ school, this is a very significant day for all at Catherine McAuley. We are in a school which models itself on strong, just and inspiring women, and we aspire to be them in all that we do. We know that there are still gender inequalities in many areas, and in our everyday work to combat injustice and inequality, we know we are encouraging the women at Catherine McAuley Westmead to grow from strength to strength, and to take their place as strong women in a contemporary world.
There are a number of activities taking place at school this week and next week, including educational information in the Compass notices, breakfasts hosted by local organisations with significant female keynote speakers, and culminating in our school assembly next Wednesday. At this assembly, alumna Ms Melissa Doueihi (Class of 1992 and currently Head of Strategy and Innovation at Endeavour Energy), is delivering the keynote address. Year 11 parents have been invited to join us for this event, and for morning tea following the assembly.
Last Friday’s swimming carnival was a fabulous celebration of school spirit, participation and achievement, as students from Years 7 - 12 arrived resplendent in house colours to take to the pool for both competitive and novelty events. I would like to thank each of them for being so involved and supportive of one another throughout the day. I would also like to thank all staff, but particularly those organising the day, for their oversight of students and for making the carnival such a success.
Age champions from the carnival will compete in the PDSSSC Swimming Championships on Friday. We wish them well.
On another matter, a number of families are applying for leave for their daughters to take family holidays and for other reasons. A reminder that, as I notified you in my letter at the beginning of Term 1, students in Years 10, 11 and 12 will not have leave applications approved, and students in Years 7, 8 and 9 may have their leave applications denied if they already have high levels of absence, or if their absence means that they miss too much time from school. Any absence from school will impact student learning; we value high attendance and our practices and policies reflect this. Thank you for your understanding.
Mary Refalo
Principal
News from the School Captains
Hello McAuley community! Kaitlin and Emily here, McAuley’s School Captains.
Swimming Carnival
Our recent swimming carnival was an excellent example of our Catherine McAuley community coming together. Whether students participated in novelty or competitive races, it was a great day to get involved. We saw many girls strive for excellence in the pool with the students winning against the teachers in the Student Teacher Race and Elisha H. in Year 12 winning the Fastest Girl in the School Race.
Ash Wednesday Liturgy
On Wednesday this week our school came together to commemorate the beginning of Lent at the Ash Wednesday Liturgy. The ashes all students and staff received are a symbol of our mortality, as well as a reminder for our need of redemption and repentance. This Lent we should strive to better ourselves through our relationships, attitudes and actions.
As this year is a Jubilee Year, we are called to be Pilgrims of Hope, emulating the values of justice and mercy through almsgiving and generosity. Our school community can do this by donating to Project Compassion, to ‘Unite Against Poverty’ this Lent, in alignment with their theme for this year. Project Compassion raised more than $290 million over the last 60 years, and this year our community is called to continue to donate and raise awareness, to aid the vulnerable, as Jesus and Catherine McAuley intended.
International Women's Day
This Saturday is International Women's Day, an important event for our school because it celebrates the strength, achievements and potential of women and girls worldwide. It exemplifies the inspiring success of existing women, and reminds us as a school to evoke positive change, challenge stereotypes and to strive for higher things! The Social Justice Leader Isabella L., and Assistant Leader Luanda L., have lots planned for next week to celebrate this, so stay tuned!
Remember to continue striving for justice this Lent and excellence this school year.
Kaitlin and Emily
School Captains
Pray With Us
Need To Know
- NAPLAN Timetable
- Online Ordering For The School Canteen Now Available
- School Photos - Friday 7th March 2025
- Years 7 and 10 Vaccination Program
- Collection Notice For Parents/Guardians - 2025 Student Residential Address
- School Subscription To Study Skills Handbook
- Study Skills Handbook - How To Break Down Complex Subjects
- The Sydney Alliance Federal Pre-selection Assembly for 2025
- Parramatta City Council Free Online Workshop for Supervisors of Learner Drivers
Upcoming Fortnight
Term 1 Week 6
- Year 12 Food Technology Excursion
- Year 12 Hospitality Excursion
- Year 8 Geography Excursion
- Year 8 History Incursion
- Year 7 Activity Day
- School Morning Tour
- International Women's Day Year 11 Parent Event
Term 1 Week 7
- Year 11 Visual Arts Excursion
- School Cross Country
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:
CSDA PUBLIC SPEAKING - Last Friday, Catherine McAuley hosted the first round of the Catholic Schools Debating Association Public Speaking competition. Our school hosted 11 different Catholic schools from around Sydney.
Catherine McAuley had 12 students take part from Years 7 through to Year 12 with five students making it through to the Qualifying Final to be held this coming Friday at Our Lady of Mercy College. Well done to all students who took part and good luck to those competing again this Friday.