Term 3 Week 7 - Thursday 4th September 2025
Note from the Principal
For students and staff, the wait for Mercy Day is finally over, with the school celebrating this special day tomorrow. This week there have been a wide range of activities happening in the lead up to Mercy Day, including a pop up music performance, bracelet making, Fathers’ Day stalls, sport competitions, quizzes, praise music events, and the House cheer. The week is certainly taking on some pace, and lots of excitement is emanating from these activities.
I would like to congratulate all students for their participation in the House Cheers. They were well-choreographed, dynamic and exciting presentations of what students can do when they work together. Whilst all Houses participated strongly and had creative and finely tuned performances, the winners were 1st place Clare, 2nd place Veritas, 3rd place Dobson and 4th place Mercedes. Well done to the winning Houses, and many thanks to the House Patrons and Student House Leaders who led this event.
Students deserve great praise for their involvement in the activities this week: there has been a high level of engagement, and a strong sense of belonging to the school. A sense of belonging is important in maintaining a student’s connection to her school, and is therefore a sign of confidence and success at school. In addition to this, attendance has been particularly good this week, and students are to be congratulated on their participation during this special week.
We look forward to the celebrations tomorrow, and to having you join us for Mass and morning tea from 9.30am.
Mary Refalo
Principal
News from the Assistant Principal
Senior Students Final Exams
Our senior students are preparing for their final exams - Year 12, their HSC in October and Year 11 their Preliminary Exams in weeks 8 and 9 of this term. For both this will be a first but they have been prepared for these all through their schooling.
I recently spoke to Year 12 about how they should be using their time up until their exams in October. I pointed out that the students who will gain the higher bands will in fact be working harder now than at any other time. Some unwise students across the State will relax because they have completed their school assessment tasks. This is the exact opposite to what they should be doing. Successful students will now increase their commitment and study time. They will make use of what the school is offering. If there are holiday classes in the spring break they will attend these, if teachers are running extra classes at lunchtime then they will attend them. They will resubmit a response from their trial using the feedback they received to write a stronger response. They will make optimal use of study periods. They will attend school every single day until the end of term. A classroom is a learning environment. Someone might ask a question and the teacher’s explanation clarifies their thinking but if you are not in the room and not hearing the question and response because you decided to take the day off then you are putting yourself at a disadvantage. Be at school!
For Year 11s these Preliminary Exams will be extremely useful in how to prepare and perform under exam conditions, something they have not had a lot of experience with. Preliminary courses are the foundation for the learning that will take place in their final year. All students have been told to prepare for these with 110% effort. If they are successful in these exams this will further motivate them for the HSC course which will begin in Term 4. If they do not achieve as well as they expected then they need to pay close attention to the feedback they receive and if they need further explanation then they must reach out to their teacher. Students who own their learning and realise it is up to them alone to succeed, will in fact be the students who are most successful.
Exam time requires special care of self. Students need to prioritise this time and if they have a part time job need to cut this right back or take total leave. Employers must support HSC students at this time. It is still important for HSC students to still have some social and family time and to ensure diet, exercise and sleep are prioritised.
Catherine McAuley wishes all our students success in these exams.
Michael Hall
Assistant Principal
Pray With Us
Need to Know
Upcoming Fortnight
Term 3 Week 8
- HSC Music Practical Exam Marking
- Year 12 CAFS Enrichment Afternoon
- Year 11 Exams
- Academy U Year 10 Sustainable Futures Hackathon Event
- Year 10 Geography Fieldwork Excursion
- Year 10 Vietnam Veterans History Incursion
Term 3 Week 9
- HSC Design & Tech Practical Exam Marking
- Year 11 Exams
- Year 11 Health and Movement Science Excursion
- NSWCCC Athletics Championships
- Lifted GO 2025 Event
- Duke of Edinburgh Bronze and Silver Adventurous Journeys
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:
ARTS FACTOR DANCE EISTEDDFOD💃Amazing results from the Catherine McAuley Dance students who performed at Monday’s Arts Factor Dance Eisteddfod! 1st place to the Senior Jazz Ensemble, 2nd place to the Junior Jazz Ensemble and 2nd place to the Hip Hop Crew.
Outstanding results! Well done to all the McAuley Dance students and their teacher Ms Flynn!!