Term 3 Week 4 - Thursday 14th August 2025
Note from the Principal
Recently I wrote in the Weekly Review about the importance of developing resilience in young people, and I explained what this might look like for your daughters at school.
In line with this, the diocesan Parent Representative Council is hosting a seminar for all parents and carers that further explores the topic, and I highly recommend it to you.
Dr Justin Coulson is leading the presentation on 25th August. Dr Coulson is a very well-known parenting expert. He has facilitated many parenting sessions in the wider Australian community, written a range of parenting books and most recently, is host of Parental Guidance on Channel 9.
A flyer advertising this session, which is free of charge, follows in this Weekly Review.
With a closer focus on this week at school, I am pleased to let you know that the Year 12 Trial Examinations conclude on Monday. Year 12 students are to be congratulated on their approach to these exams, which was characterised by their commitment to their studies and their focus on demonstrating the knowledge and skills they have acquired throughout the year. When they return to classes next week they will receive the important feedback that will help them to further improve their skills and knowledge.
On Tuesday students in Year 10 attended their Reflection Day at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta, where they explored the Mercy value of excellence and deepened their relationships with God, themselves and one another. This important opportunity for self reflection and spiritual growth shapes your daughters’ spiritual self, and it does this within the Mercy context. Congratulations to the Year 10 students for their participation in this program.
Tomorrow students in Year 7 will attend Taronga Zoo for their Science excursion. The focus of the day is learning about animal habitats, adaptations, structural features and classifications. With a dry and sunny day forecast, it promises to be a wonderful day for them. I wish them all the best.
Lastly, I wish to draw attention to the Creative and Performing Arts Showcase taking place next Wednesday. The Showcase features Year 12 major works in Music, Drama and Visual Arts, and will be a wonderful night for showcasing the many talents of Catherine McAuley students. There is further information in this Weekly Review. I look forward to seeing you there.
Wishing you all a great week ahead.
Mary Refalo
Principal
News from the Director of Catholic Identity & Mission
At Catherine McAuley, students who study Studies of Religion learn about the historical and current religious landscape of Australia. Australia has accepted many migrants, especially those seeking safety by escaping from war and/or unjust leaders. In recent times, migrants have arrived from Afghanistan, a country which sadly continues to face substantial humanitarian and economic challenges, compounded by natural disasters. This week, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s Foreign Correspondent show was titled 'The Children of Afghanistan'. It has been four years since the US withdrawal from Afghanistan and the documentary showed what life is like for children living under Taliban rule.
It is widely known that for women in Afghanistan life is particularly harsh and difficult - the Australian Government refers to it as the 'marginalisation of women'. In Afghanistan, without a living male relative, survival is a daily struggle for women and girls. As a result, young primary aged girls become the breadwinners for their families by working on the streets doing menial jobs for very little financial gain. One of the girls who was interviewed for the program said, “No one wants to work on the streets and not study.”
There is such a stark contrast between the young girls of Afghanistan and the lives of our Catherine McAuley students. Students at Catherine McAuley Westmead have already received seven years of primary education, something which is denied to many girls in Afghanistan. The NAPLAN results reveal that the Catherine McAuley students are highly literate and numerate. Their education does not cease at primary school and the majority of graduates will continue post secondary education studies at university.
Year 10 Reflection Day
Venerable Catherine McAuley said, “No work of charity can be more productive of good to society than the careful instruction of women.” Today we might say that education is power. A power that is not dictatorial but a power for goodness. This week, at the Year 10 Reflection Day at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Fr Robert Reidling, Dean and Administrator of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral and Episcopal Vicar for Education, spoke about social justice. Through the examples of studying for exams and receiving prison sentences, Fr Robert explained that justice is what is due to each person. As people of faith, we believe that Jesus’ death on the Cross was the greatest act of forgiveness. Fr Robert reminded the students that we too are called to show Mercy by forgiving others. These small acts of Mercy begin within our families and school community and extend into the wider community when personally and professionally our graduates address social justice issues.
Father Tom Green Visit
Fr Tom Green, Assistant Priest at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, regularly visits our Religious Education classes. This term, Fr Tom has spoken to Ms Banks’ Year 7 Religious Education class about who is God. On his most recent visit to Ms Ticchio’s Year 9 Religious Education class he answered many of the students' questions about good and evil in the world. We very much appreciate Fr Tom’s support of the students’ learning in the new learning cycles for Encountering Jesus.
Fr Tom Green speaking with Year 7 students.
Parramatta Homelessness Memorial Service
Last Friday, Ms Grigson and five students from Year 11 attended the Parramatta Homelessness Memorial Service at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral. Sadly, homelessness continues to be a pressing issue in Australia. The ecumenical service was an opportunity for the students to stand in solidarity with those who need to be 'Wrapped in Love', the theme for the 2025 Memorial Service, so that they experience compassion, their God given dignity and hope.
May our students continue to avail themselves of all the opportunities that their Mercy Education offers them, so that as Venerable Catherine McAuley said that “the careful instruction of women” will bring goodness into our world.
Genevieve Banks
Director of Catholic Identity and Mission
Pray With Us
Need To Know
Upcoming Fortnight
Term 3 Week 5
- Trial HSC Examinations Conclude
- Year 11 2026 Subject Selection Interviews - Monday 18th August
- Music, Sport, Co Curricular Photos
- CAPA HSC Showcase Night
- NSWCCC Netball Championships
- Year 12 Study Skills Session
- Years 9 & 11 Music Excursion
- Year 9 Commerce Market Days
Term 3 Week 6
- Book Week
- School Morning Tour
- Mercy Junior 5 Forum
- Year 9 Japanese Immersion Day
- Year 8 Geography Excursion
- Year 8 Medieval History Day Incursion
- Years 7 - 10 Religion Incursions
News Articles
- Catherine McAuley Students Attend Homelessness Memorial Service
- Year 10 Students Explore Opportunities in Construction
- Student Achievements
- Year 11 Student Article In Australian Catholics Magazine
- Which Hope-Filled Saint Do You Take After?
Year 11 student Annelise T. has written an article and designed a quiz for Australian Catholics Magazine as part of an internship she did with the magazine in May.
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 🇫🇷 Bon Appétit! On Wednesday our Year 8 French students indulged in a taste of French gastronomy as they stepped into the world of a traditional crêperie! 🥞✨
Under the guidance of M. Luca, students learned the art of making delicious crêpes - all while listening to and responding in French. This hands-on experience gave them the chance to use authentic language in a fun, practical and mouth-watering setting.