Term 2 Week 6 - Thursday 5th June 2025
News From the Principal

Last week I travelled to the Mercy Staff Conference in Perth with Ms Banks, Miss Reynolds and Miss McGlone. There were representatives of 30 Australian and New Zealand Mercy schools present. The theme of the conference was ‘Community, Connection, Celebration’, and it was, indeed, all of that. As a community connected through Mercy, we came together to celebrate all that we are, and all young people in our schools who are striving for justice, excellence, hospitality, courage and integrity.
The opening keynote presented by Prof. Br. David Hall during the conference was about the way we can bring together our Mercy charism and Catholicism through our head, heart, hands and soul; through what we think, what we feel, what we do and how we love. We also heard keynotes on the neuroscience of learning, and wellbeing in education. It was affirming to note that many of the ideas reflected through the conference are visible at Catherine McAuley Westmead. There were also some opportunities to reflect on ways forward for us.
Our connections to other Mercy schools is a powerful one, allowing us to provide strong opportunities for your daughters in faith formation, works of justice, and lives lived in excellence.
In other news, yesterday afternoon we held the Semester 1 Parent/Student/Teacher meetings for students in Years 11 and 12. I’d like to thank the parents and senior students who attended the opportunity to meet their teachers, despite the cold weather. The information provided about your daughter’s learning in each of her senior subjects was informative and encouraged her to grow in her learning.
Teachers are always interested in giving students feedback that allows their students to develop their skills and content knowledge in each subject area. A feedback session such as this allows students to be informed about what they need to do next to improve, and it allows you, as the parent, to be informed of your daughter’s progress in each of her subjects. It is one of the ways we work together to educate your daughters.
Parent/Student/Teacher meetings for students in Years 7 - 10 will take place in the last week of the term, after your daughter receives her semester report.
Best wishes to you all for a lovely long weekend.
Mary Refalo
Principal
Pray With Us
Need To Know
Upcoming Fortnight
Term 2 Week 7
- King's Birthday Public Holiday
- Year 12 Careers Expo at St Pauls Catholic College Greystanes
- Launch of the Parramatta Mercy Heritage Project
- Lifted Breakfast with the Bishop
- McAuley Sleepout for Parramatta Women's Shelter (Years 11 & 12 only)
- NSWCCC Cross Country Championships
- CSDA Debating Competition Quarter Final
Term 2 Week 8
- Senior Retreat
- Year 11 2026 Subject Talks
- Year 10 Career Development Incursion
- CSDA Debating Competition Semi Final
News Articles
- Year 9 Reflection Day
- Year 10 Global Connections Students Explore Iconic Locations Around the Globe
- Year 10 Peer Mentors Reflect On The Peer Mentoring Program
- Year 12 Students Attend the USYD Future Focus Day
- Celebrating Our Year 12 Students – Western Sydney University Academy U Graduation Success
- Students Attend The 2025 Indigenous Veterans Commemoration Service
Our School on Social Media
Follow Catherine McAuley Westmead on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn for regular updates. A recent post is shown below:

AROUND THE CLASSROOMS - Year 10 Design and Technology students of Mr Munro have finished making their storage solution projects. Students had an open brief for what they could design as long as it was something for either a pet, themselves, a family member or the household. Students had a $40 budget between two students and could also use items they could find at school or home. The items had to be under 40cm.
The students have made a wonderful range of storage solutions!