Term 2 Week 7 - Thursday 12th June 2025
Note from the Principal
Mercy Heritage Trail
Yesterday I attended the opening of the Mercy Heritage Trail at the convent and administration centre of the Parramatta Sisters of Mercy on Victoria Rd. Ms Banks and a number of Year 10 students joined me.
The vision to represent the story of Mercy in Parramatta was born in 2022. It aimed to represent this story in a museum style exhibition that could be open for all to see. The exhibition includes a walk through the grounds with each stage of the history of the Sisters of Mercy in Parramatta marked by a series of 10 plaques, some of which include the landscaping and sculptural forms surrounding them, and others include historic photos. A comprehensive website also supports the exhibition, and is here for you to see.
The history of the Mercy Sisters in Parramatta is an important one. The convent was originally owned by the Sisters of Charity who arrived in 1838. A hospital was also built here where the sisters cared for the colony’s sick and dying. The buildings were taken over by the Sisters of Mercy in 1846 when they arrived in Australia. On this site, many were nursed and cared for, and many were educated. The site has certainly done much to contribute to the local community in the many years it has been there.
The Mercy Heritage Walk is testament to the spirit and tenacity of the Sisters in their work to do the work of Jesus through the Mercy lens. It is a place where, for over 160 years, the values of hospitality, excellence, integrity, courage and justice have been demonstrated and modelled.
Students with Sr Catherine Ryan RSM after viewing the Mercy Heritage Walk
Students with Margery Jackman, former principal of Catherine McAuley Westmead
School Attendance
With regards to attendance, we have seen some improvements this year. We are keen to see the improvements continue throughout the year, and especially as we approach the end of the winter term. A reminder that weather is not a reason to be absent from school, and that absences should only be in the case of illness that makes your daughter too unwell to attend that day. Maximum attendance allows for maximum learning and personal growth, and this is what we are all aiming for.
Enjoy your weekend, everyone.
Mary Refalo
Principal
News from the Assistant Principal
The Advantage of Becoming Involved
Students' involvement in extracurricular or lunchtime activities are highly important, having an impact on a range of academic, social, personal, and future-oriented benefits. At Catherine McAuley we see the benefits of involvement in a range of different activities in the following ways.
Improved Academic Performance: Participation in extracurricular or lunchtime and social justice activities is linked to better grades, and increased educational attainment. Students develop transferable skills such as discipline, concentration, memory and time management, which enhance their study habits and exam performance. For example, team sports promote discipline and balancing workloads, while music improves memory and focus. Studies show students engaged in extracurricular or lunchtime and social justice activities often have higher motivation, engagement and attendance, leading to better academic success.
Enhanced Learning Opportunities: Extracurricular or lunchtime and social justice activities provide hands-on learning experiences beyond the classroom, fostering critical thinking, public speaking, leadership, collaboration, empathy and cultural awareness. Activities like debate, sports, performing arts and community service help students develop practical skills applicable in academic and professional contexts.
Building Social Skills and Friendships: These activities offer opportunities to meet peers, work in teams and develop communication and interpersonal skills, fostering a sense of belonging and long-lasting friendships. For students who struggle socially, extracurricular or lunchtime and social justice activities provide a supportive environment to connect with like-minded individuals.
Confidence and Leadership: Taking on leadership roles in a range of activities and events helps students build confidence, responsibility and communication skills.
Mental and Physical Health: Physical activities boost mood, reduce stress and improve overall health. Creative outlets like art, music and drama help reduce anxiety and build emotional intelligence, offering a healthy balance to academic pressures.
Exploring Interests and Passions: Extracurricular or lunchtime and social justice activities encourage students to try new things, discover new interests and develop passions that may influence their future career paths. This exploration fosters lifelong learning and personal fulfilment.
Time Management and Responsibility: Balancing academics with extracurricular or lunchtime and social justice commitments teaches essential time management and organisational skills, preparing students for the demands of life after school.
Networking and Social Capital: Interacting with peers and teachers in extracurricular settings helps students build networks and social skills important for future academic and career opportunities.
In summary, involvement in extracurricular activities during high school supports academic excellence, personal growth, social development and future readiness. It cultivates skills and experiences that enrich students' lives inside and outside the classroom, making it a vital component of a well-rounded education
This is a sample of the items from the Compass News Feed of activities students can be involved in this week at Catherine McAuley.
- It’s officially Environment Week: The Earth Action Committee and your Environment Leaders have planned a jam-packed week of fun activities every lunchtime that emphasises our shared duty of protecting the planet. Students are to watch this video in Homeroom to find out what will be happening each day this week.
- Busking in Mercy Square: on Tuesday.
- Chapter Chatter: Join the Library Ambassadors at lunchtime on Wednesday for Chapter Chatter. This week it's all things Harry Potter!
- 🧶 Crochet for a Cause! 🧶 Join our Crochet Charity Group every Wednesday at lunch in Dobson Green. Whether you’re a complete beginner, a crochet expert, or just keen to learn, everyone is welcome. We will be creating handmade items for the Parramatta Women's Shelter. It’s a great way to relax, make friends and make a difference!
- The Big Give: Parramatta Women's Shelter needs the following items, please dig deep and give BIG! The Link outlines the items we need you to GIVE. Place donations in your homeroom baskets. This is in addition to many activities organised by homerooms to support Parramatta Women’s Shelter.
- Push Up Challenge 2025: From June 4-26, complete a set number of push-ups or an alternative exercise to raise awareness about mental health, sign up here, in friend groups, homerooms or classes!
- Wellbeing Wednesday: Come walk with your friends on Wednesday and raise points for your House.
- Creative Corner: Friday in the Art Room.
I ask parents to discuss with their daughters the ways they can become more involved in the range of activities at school. There is not a day that goes by that there is not something happening in homeroom or at lunchtime.
May these sayings inspire your week
The mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be ignited.
A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.
Debbie Grigson
Assistant Principal
Music students busking in Mercy Square
'Chapter Chatter' in the school library
Pray with Us
Need to Know
- Creative and Performing Arts Mid Year Showcase
- Years 7 and 10 Vaccination Program
- Parenting Teens - A free webinar for Parents & Carers organised by the Council of Catholic School Parents NSW/ACT
Upcoming Fortnight
Term 2 Week 8
- Senior Retreat
- Year 11 2026 Subject Talks
- Year 10 Career Development Incursion
- CSDA Debating Competition Semi Final
Term 2 Week 9
- 2025 CAPA Mid Year Showcase
- Year 12 Formal
- Year 11 Biology Excursion
- Year 10 Global Connections Overnight Fieldtrip
- Year 8 Japanese Drum Incursion
- PDSSSC Dance Competition
- CSDA Debating Competition Final
News Articles
- NSW VET in Schools Student of the Year Regional Finalists
- Year 11 Students Complete The Gold Duke of Edinburgh International Award Qualifying Journey
Our School on Social Media
Follow Catherine McAuley Westmead on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn for regular updates. A recent post is shown below:
ENVIRONMENT WEEK - It’s officially Environment Week at Catherine McAuley!! The student-led Earth Action Committee (EAC) organised a week full of fun activities every day during lunch that emphasised the shared duty of protecting the planet.
On Tuesday it was a Repurposed Pop-Up Stall with the students selling unique, handmade items, crafted by the EAC students, from repurposed materials. Items included tote bags, crochet pieces, flower pots, keyrings and more. All money raised will go to the Parramatta Women’s Shelter.
