Term 2 Week 4 - Thursday 22nd May 2025
Note from the Principal
At this time of the term, students are consolidating their learning in classes and are moving towards busy assessment periods. During heavy assessment times, it is expected that students’ workloads will increase as they work towards deadlines. It is important that they are consistent in the way they organise their time to begin planning hand-in tasks and begin revising for in-class tasks early. This helps them to consolidate their knowledge and skills, and it allows them to ensure they are taking rest and exercise breaks regularly enough to maintain good health. It is also important that they are getting the recommended 8 - 10 hours of sleep each night, to allow them to function and thrive each day.
Our school motto is ‘strive for higher things’, and we use this motto at school as a mantra for motivation and for seeking personal success in all things, including our academic achievement.
Feedback on tasks will be given to students to show them how to improve in their learning in each subject. In addition to this, the Parent / Student / Teacher meetings are taking place for students and their parents in Years 11 and 12 on 4 June, and for students in Years 7 - 10 on 3 and 4 July 2025. It is an expectation that all parents and students will attend these important feedback meetings. Information about booking times will be sent to you prior to the meeting dates.
In the spirit of feedback, in the last week we have also sent out a link to the 'Tell Them From Me' survey. This survey for students and parents give us very useful information about our school and let us know the things we are doing well and things on which we can improve. We look at them carefully and use your thoughts in our strategic plans to shape the best learning environments for your daughters. All students completed the survey last week.
If you haven’t yet completed the survey, can I urge you to do so? The data, as you know, is more accurate when a large number of respondents have engaged in it.
Mary Refalo
Principal
News from the Director of Catholic Identity & Mission
Since the announcement of Pope Francis’ death on Easter Monday, the world anxiously awaited the election results from the Cardinals’ Conclave. Despite the time difference, (Rome is eight hours behind Standard Eastern Australian Time), I was watching the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel at 2:00am to see if any smoke would appear and it did! In Rome on 8th May, about an hour later, Cardinal Robert Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV made his first appearance on the Central Loggia of St Peter's Basilica.
Within the hour of white smoke billowing from the chimney, His Holiness was taken to the Room of Tears where he was robed in papal vestments and he penned his first address to the people of Rome and the world. Pope Leo XIV was introduced and he greeted everyone with the words “Peace be with all of you.” These words were spoken by Jesus when he encountered his disciples at his post Resurrection appearances. Reading from his handwritten speech, Pope Leo XVI explained why he had chosen these words in particular, “I would like this greeting of peace to resound in your hearts, in your families, among all people, wherever they may be, in every nation and throughout the world. Peace be with you!”
On Sunday 18th May at the Holy Mass for the Beginning of his Pontificate, in the presence of many influential world leaders and the faithful, Pope Leo XIV again emphasised the importance of harmony and unity throughout the world. He stated, “Brothers and sisters, this is the hour for love!” On the same day after praying the Regina Caeli, His Holiness’ devotion to Mary was evident when he implored the intercession of Our Lady of Good Counsel before giving those assembled his blessing. He prayed “for the gift of peace, for support and comfort for those who suffer, and for the grace for all of us to be witnesses to the Risen Lord.”
Here in Australia, on Saturday 24th May we will celebrate the Solemnity of Our Lady, Help of Christians. Sadly, the devotion to Mary by Catholics is commonly misunderstood by non Catholics. We as the faithful, do not worship Mary but invoke her to intercede on our behalf, to her Son, Jesus. We consider her as a true witness of what it is to follow and trust God. Throughout history during times of uncertainty and difficulty, Mary continually intercedes for her children, and protects us as the loving, compassionate mother that she is. In 1844, Australia became the first country in the world to have Mary Help of Christians as Patroness. May all heed the words of Pope Leo XIV who follows the example of The Good Shepherd, and through the intercession of Mary, may conflict cease and may all walk together as sisters and brothers.
This year at Catherine McAuley Westmead, Religious Education students in Years 7 and 9 have been learning from Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese’s new curriculum, Encountering Jesus. For your information, CSPD has created some resources for parents and carers. In term two, the learning cycle for Year 7 is titled What is truth? The learning cycle for Year 9 is titled If God is love, why is there evil in the world? I am certain that your daughter/s would welcome the opportunity to discuss her learning with you, particularly in light of world events. As Catholics, we believe that there is a better way to live, that is to follow God’s way. Beyond Westmead, our young women of Mercy will be peacemakers and show God’s love in all that they do and say. In 2026, all students in Years 7-10 will be studying Encountering Jesus. Later in the term, all teachers of Religious Education at Catherine McAuley Westmead will welcome the opportunity to discuss your daughter/s learning in Religious Education. We look forward to seeing you at these important meetings.
Ms Genevieve Banks
Director of Catholic Identity and Mission
Pray With Us
Need To Know
Upcoming Fortnight
Term 2 Week 5
- Year 11 Drama Excursion
- CSDA Debating Competition Eliminations
- PDSSSC Years 7-9 Girls Football Gala Day
- Indigenous Veterans Service
Term 2 Week 6
- Years 11 - 12 Parent/Student/Teacher Meetings
- Year 7 Vaccination Program
- Year 9 Elective History Excursion
- CSDA Debating Competition Eliminations
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:
CULTURAL DANCE GROUP - The school has started a Cultural Dance Group which will be focusing on Indian dance. The newly formed group will have their first chance to perform at the upcoming PDSSSC Dance Competition to take place on 24th June. The dance group will incorporate a number of classical Indian dance forms including both Kathak and Bharatanatyam.
Kathak is primarily found in northern India and focuses on storytelling and intricate footwork, while Bharatanatyam originates in southern India and emphasizes lyrical movements and dramatic expression.