Term 4 Week 2 - Thursday 23rd October 2025
Notes From The Principal
This week in the media we heard about the Australian Government’s investigation into bullying and the release of the document, The Anti-Bullying Rapid Review. The report outlines a number of standards and recommendations which, at Catherine McAuley, we currently implement both in theory and in practice.
At Catherine McAuley we take bullying very seriously, and we respond to incidents of student bullying as soon as possible. We follow the CSPD Bullying of Students – Prevention and Response Procedure (available on the school’s website) and we have our own processes for implementing the CSPD procedure in our unique local context.
We aim to take a proactive approach to combating harmful behaviours, and I often write to you about these. There is an intentional development of a culture of respectful relationships at this school and in this, students build relationships with one another that are strong and supportive. The wellbeing program at Catherine McAuley includes appropriate education on respectful relationships, social and emotional skills, as well as digital safety and citizenship, and explicit teaching about bullying and other harmful behaviours is taught through both the wellbeing program and in PDHPE. The organisation of specific programs, such as Activity Days, Mercy Values programs and the Religious Education Reflection Days are all opportunities for students to develop these relationships, as are House activities and programs and opportunities that arise in daily interactions with students. Students are also offered a wide extra curricular program and are regularly encouraged to participate in this. These activities build respectful relationships, belonging and resilience, and it is important that all students attend each event.
The school improvement plan for students’ wellbeing in the past couple of years has been to develop students’ resilience. We do this by challenging them to manage their responses in tricky situations, and to develop a sense of belonging to the school community.
This doesn’t mean that things are always perfect at school, and when problems arise, we are confident that our processes are effective when we are all working together for the same outcome, which is making our school a safe place for all to belong. At times students tell their teachers or Leaders of Learning Wellbeing when they have felt bullied. We always talk to them about this, including asking them to consider if the actions of the perpetrator are
- Hurtful: someone says or does something unintentionally hurtful and they do it once.
- Mean: someone says or does something intentionally hurtful and they do it once.
- Bullying: someone says or does something intentionally hurtful and they keep doing it, even when you tell them to stop or show them you’re upset.
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Our processes include intervening in a timely manner and investigating incidents of bullying using the principles of procedural fairness to ascertain details about the alleged bullying. Students, including those being affected as well as those causing distress to another, are supported and protected throughout this process, and we work with all of them in a restorative way to rebuild relationships. Throughout the process, parents and carers are kept in the loop, and this further supports all students and builds trusting relationships between you and the school, allowing a resolution to take place. As for all aspects of your daughter’s education, the best outcome occurs when we work together.
Mary Refalo
Principal
News From The Assistant Principal
Term 4 is another busy term for a number of reasons.
The HSC started on Thursday, 16th October and the larger exams have now all been completed. The girls have been happy with most of their exams and now are preparing for their last couple of exams, which will conclude around Friday, 7th November.
Year 11 students are deciding on their HSC program of study. By now, they should be fairly certain of where they want to be in 2027 and are taking this into account when deciding to discontinue a course. They will begin their HSC courses soon and will probably have their first task later in the term.
Year 10 students will be undertaking their final exams in Weeks 3 and 4. During these weeks there will be exams and study periods. They are expected to make optimum use of study periods during the day so that they can demonstrate their understanding and skills in these final assessments.
For both groups of girls, it is important to remind them to keep balance in their lives. A number of them come to school tired - either because they stayed up late completing work that they had left to the last moment, or because they worked a late shift. Either way, they are not in the right zone to learn their lessons effectively. Sleep must be prioritized. Young people need 8 - 10 hours of sleep for their bodies and minds to recover and grow.
Please remind your daughters to keep balance in their lives. They should continue to take part in family gatherings, play sports, be involved in religious and cultural activities, and have time just to relax with their friends or to have time by themselves.
Please contact your daughter’s teachers if you have any questions or concerns.
Michael Hall
Assistant Principal
Pray With Us
Need To Know
- Term 4 2025 P&C Meeting - Tuesday 28th October 2025
- Term 4 Learning Cycles For Religious Education, Encountering Jesus
Upcoming Fortnight
Term 4 Week 3
- Year 12 HSC Written Examinations Continue
- Year 11 Japanese Excursion
- Year 10 Exams - Commence Thursday 30th October
- Year 9 Dance Excursion
- Year 7 2026 Transition Interviews
- Parents & Carers Group Meeting 6pm for 6:30pm start - Tuesday 28th October
Term 4 Week 4
- Year 12 HSC Written Examinations Continue
- Year 10 Exams Continue
- Year 9 Karis Ministries Mercy Values Seminar
- Year 12 2026 HSC Presentation
- School Morning Tour - Friday 7th November
- NSWCCC Cricket 15 Years & Under
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:
YEAR 8 MATHS FUN - Last Friday, Year 8 students enjoyed a full day of exciting mathematical activities as part of the Maths Enrichment Day, a day designed to build problem-solving skills through fun, hands-on and collaborative activities.
Students took part in a workshop run by Inquisitive Minds, working in pairs to tackle problems using critical and creative thinking. They then enjoyed fast-paced Maths Relays and a 3D building challenge using wooden blocks to design imaginative models. The day ended on a high with our very own Maths X Factor, where students showcased their creativity through maths-themed songs — a perfect finish to a day filled with enthusiasm and teamwork!