Term 3 Week 8 - Thursday 11th September 2025
Note from the Principal
You would have heard from your daughters about the success of last week’s Mercy Day, which was a joyous community day celebrating all that we are at Catherine McAuley. Students had a very enjoyable day, and they participated fully in the morning Mass and the afternoon activities.
A number of parents joined us for both Mass and to help serve lunch to the students. I’d like to thank those who helped out on the day - it was a big job, and many hands made light work.
This term to date we have raised approximately $13,000 for the Mercy Works laundry project. I have thanked the students for their contributions to this important cause, and I would also like to thank you. Young people learn about justice and generosity by what is modelled around them and by the values of the adults who raise them. The generosity of the students at Catherine McAuley is a direct result of the values you have taught them, and these values are supported by school programs which help to bring them to life.
This week we have launched a revised Learning Framework in which we articulate the principles that drive academic, social, emotional and physical learning at school. The Learning Framework is designed around the school’s values of mercy, justice, hospitality, integrity, courage and excellence. It takes what we believe to be our most important values, and these shape our ideas about what excellent learning is. The Learning Framework represents our partnership with you and your daughters to give them opportunities to grow in a dynamic and contemporary world, where they are prepared and expected to make a difference.
At Catherine McAuley, we believe that aspiration and excellence come from positive relationships, inclusive experiences, an innovative mindset, and the courage to take risks and to make mistakes. We are preparing students for a world beyond school, knowing that they are moving into a world that is diverse, challenging, changing and exciting.
School prepares young people for a world outside of school, and in doing so we rely on students being open to possibilities and ready to learn the skills they need to manage in this world.
The Catherine McAuley Learning Framework is here for your perusal.
Year 11 students have been sitting their Preliminary Examinations this week. This assessment period goes until next week. I am pleased to say that students are focussed on achieving their best in these assessments, and the examination period is going smoothly. We wish Year 11 students the best of luck in these assessments, knowing that they set up students for further success in their HSC year.
Year 12 students have only a couple of weeks left of school. In these last few weeks, important revision is taking place, and all students are expected to be in attendance each day, and they are expected to be applying themselves diligently to their studies.
We are looking forward to celebrating the conclusion of their school studies in Week 10 of term.
Mary Refalo
Principal
News from the Assistant Principal
Mercy Day marks a special highlight in the school year, culminating a week of diverse activities that united the community and showcased values of excellence, justice, hospitality, courage and integrity. Throughout the week, students led events with energy and gratitude, inspiring others and exemplifying Mercy values through teamwork, creative initiatives, and service projects such as supporting the Mercy Works Remote Laundries Project in Gumbalanya, NT.
Students lived the Mercy values by stepping forward as leaders, confidently and compassionately organising music performances, fun activities, and a range of food stalls. Their actions not only fostered school spirit but made a real impact for those in need, directly supporting the school’s Mercy Works Project. Every activity contributed not only to student learning and community spirit, but also to making a difference beyond the school grounds.
Student reflections captured the true spirit of Mercy Week:
Year 12 students:
The ‘Mercy Olympics’ got many students involved and out on the field. There were many girls participating in the sporting activities, earning House points towards the House Cup. It was really good to see the House spirit with a sea of House colours during the engaging and fun activities!
This was the best Mercy Day due to the anticipation building throughout the week. Mercy Week really brought out the values of our school as we were able to come together in so many different ways. It was so enjoyable to feel the spirit building throughout the week as the community joined together in celebration underpinned by faith.
Year 9 students:
My friends and I tried the haunted house and it was really fun and scary!
I loved all the activities on Mercy Day, especially the karaoke and carnival games such as the ‘guess the teacher’ game. It was really fun and was a great mercy spirited day!
Mercy Day always brings out the energy and spirit from all students. 2025 has been just as great, a day full of enjoyment, laughter, dance, enthusiasm and most of all a day that upholds 'Unity in Diversity'.
Mercy Day was such a wonderful experience! It was amazing to see everyone come together and participate in activities around the school showcasing students' mercy spirit, from the Mass, through to the disco, everyone was having fun. I also loved seeing how creative everyone was with their outfits, so many people dressed up to match the theme of 'The Year You Were Born' and it added so much fun and colour to the day. The whole day was a special and memorable event!
Year 8 students:
Mercy Day 2025 was one of the best yet! The Mass was a great start, with everyone singing together—it really set a joyful tone. The celebrations afterwards were full of energy, with fun stalls and games. The karaoke was a highlight, as we cheered on friends sharing their favourite songs. I also was very happy that we were able to leave in our costumes, and hope we can do the same for all the years to come. Mercy Week was definitely the highlight of the year, I’m looking forward to next year!
Mercy Day was a truly enjoyable experience for me! I loved the disco at the end and all the fun stalls with food and games. I think this was my best Mercy Day yet!
Mercy Day was a fantastic day to celebrate the tradition of our amazing school. It helps us to remember Venerable Catherine McAuley, and her mercy actions. In the beginning of the day, a beautiful Mass was held in the Morley Centre. It was amazing to hear the voices of students, teachers and visitors singing our merciful hymns together as one. Later on during the day, our whole school had the chance to dress up to the theme, The Year You Were Born'. All the outfits were colourful; really showing the school's creativity. There were many fundraisers from snow cones to a haunted house, carnival games and much more! It was great to know that the money spent by students and teachers would go to a good cause, the Remote Laundry Project; all money spent will really make a difference in our world. At the end of the day was the famous McAuley disco! It was extremely fun and enjoyable to dance around with friends and teachers. Overall, Mercy Day was a great day to celebrate Venerable Catherine McAuley and our school values, (excellence, justice, hospitality, courage and integrity) and I am definitely looking forward to Mercy Day next year!
Year 7 students:
As my first Mercy Day at Catherine McAuley, I thought it was an amazing day! From all the stalls and carnival games, to the beautiful Mass and disco. Overall I had an amazing day, just being able to dress up with my friends and work at a stall was so amazing. Thank you to all the staff and students that took their time to prepare and work to create this day.
Such a fun and bright day! It was my first one which made it even more exciting and I loved seeing and participating in all the activities like karaoke, 'guess the teacher', carnival games, photo booth and working at the bake stall.
I wanted to thank you for last week’s Mercy Day. I had a lot of fun with all the stalls and the disco and I know it takes a lot of effort to organise so I wanted to say one last thank you.
To round out the term in our support for Mercy Works we are partnering with them in support of the Mums and Bubs program at Baabayn Aboriginal Corporation. Over the next two weeks we are asking students to donate any items that are listed in the brochure below and leave them in the baskets provided in their Homeroom.
I thank students and their families for their ongoing support of Mercy Works this term. We will be making a donation towards the Remote Laundries Project in Gumbalanya, NT of over $13,500.
Deborah Grigson
Assistant Principal
Pray With Us
Need to Know
Upcoming Fortnight
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
Term 3 Week 10
- Student Leaders' Conference
- Year 12 Graduation Mass and Supper at St Patrick's Cathedral - Tuesday 23rd September
- Year 12 Graduation Ceremony - Thursday 25th September
- Term 3 Ends - Friday 26th September
News Articles
- Catherine McAuley Celebrates Mercy Day
- Mercy Week Fundraising Raises $10,600 for Mercy Works
- VET Students Recognised for Outstanding Achievement
- Year 10 Students Implement Awareness Campaign About Domestic Violence
- Year 7 Students Explore Drama Through ‘The Cyberbully’
- Catherine McAuley In The News - 'Parra News'
Our School on Social Media
Follow Catherine McAuley Westmead on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn for regular updates. A recent post is shown below:
SCHOOL ASSEMBLY - On Wednesday morning at the assembly the school community gathered to celebrate student achievements across Science, VET, Sports and STEM.
🔹Science students were recognised for outstanding results in the Big Science Competition (shown pictured).
🔹VET students were congratulated for success in the World Skills and ParraSkills competitions, with special mention to Summer K. for her recognition at the NSW Training Awards.
🔹Sporting successes were celebrated with PDSSSC Season 1 & 2 winners acknowledged including the Senior OzTag and Netball Teams and the Junior Football Fives Team.
🔹STEM Mad participants were also acknowledged for their innovation and creativity.