Term 3 Week 6 - Thursday 25th August 2022
News from the Principal
Mercy Day Preparations Are Underway
In the past couple of years we have been unable to celebrate our foundation day, Mercy Day, in the usual manner because COVID restrictions have prevented us from doing so. However, this year, we are thrilled that this important school event can proceed as it has for many years prior to the onset of COVID.
The day begins with a special mass and the badging and commissioning ceremony for our new School Captains, Portfolio Leaders and Assistant Leaders, and House Leaders and Assistant Leaders. This year mass will be celebrated by The Most Rev. Bishop Vincent Long, Bishop of Parramatta, and concelebrated by Fr Walter Fogarty, Parish Priest of Sacred Heart, Westmead. Students should be impeccably dressed in their full winter uniform, including their blazers, for mass.
Mass will be followed by a day of community activities and fund raising for the Mercy Works Chicken and Egg appeal, and students are invited to bring costumes to change into for the afternoon celebrations and activities. Lunch is being provided for all students, and is being served by volunteer parents. The generosity of their time on Mercy Day is much appreciated.
This truly is a day for community celebration; I know your daughters are looking forward to it and will enjoy it immensely. I offer many thanks to the teachers and parents who have contributed to the organisation and running of the day.
Westmead Community Mass
This is a reminder that there is a weekly Mass every Wednesday morning at 8:00am. Students and staff from Catherine McAuley and Parramatta Marist High School are invited to attend. Mass takes place on alternate weeks in the Mercy Chapel at Catherine McAuley and the La Valla Chapel at Marist, and is celebrated by Fr Walter or one of the priests from Our Lady of Mt Carmel, Wentworthville. I extend an invitation to all students to join us for this weekly interlude during what are very busy weeks.
Integrity In All We Do
At times we work with students who make inappropriate choices in their actions and behaviours at school. Most students recognise that their choices or actions may not have been reflective of the Catherine McAuley spirit or culture, and they accept the resulting consequences in a manner that demonstrates integrity. Sometimes, however, students may not accept that they have acted in a way that is contrary to the school’s ethos, and they deny responsibility or resist accepting the subsequent consequence.
One of the important Mercy values is integrity, and it is shown when we do the right thing and make the right decisions, even after something has gone wrong. When we show integrity we are honest and have strong moral principles. The way in which we model integrity as adults will often shape the way our children show integrity.
This week, I ask you to talk to your daughters about this value and its meaning; showing integrity makes for strong women, capable of navigating the world with dignity and right judgement.
Year 12 Are Nearing The Completion Of Their Studies
We are moving into the second part of Term 3 which, for students in Year 12, signals the end of their school education at Catherine McAuley. They are in the midst of receiving feedback on their Trial Examinations, and they are engaged in revision programs for most of their subjects. In addition, they are enjoying the last of the community celebrations, such as Mercy Day.
As Year 12 students complete their studies, we wish them well and look forward to sharing their last few weeks with them.
Mary Refalo
Principal
Pray With Us
News Articles
- Year 12 Student Awarded the Bishop of Parramatta Award for Student Excellence
- Catherine McAuley Students Complete Their ‘Adventurous Journey’
- McAuley Students Raise Funds For St Vincent de Paul At The Winter Sleepout
- Students Preparing For The McAuley House Cheer Off
- McAuley Teams Triumph At PDSSSC Netball Grand Final
This Week on Social Media
Follow Catherine McAuley Westmead on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn for regular updates. One of the posts from this week is shown below:
58 students in Year 12 have already been offered a place at university! In total our Year 12 students have received 93 offers for 58 students - so many have received more than one offer!
Offers are varied and range from Bachelor of Archaeology at Macquarie University, to Bachelor of Sports Development at Western Sydney University, to Bachelor of Health and Exercise Science at Australian Catholic University, to Bachelor of Law at Macquarie University, to Theatre and Screen Acting at The Academy of Film, Theatre and Television.
Many more early entry offers to come. Well done Class of 2022!
Need To Know
Upcoming Fortnight
Term 3 Week 7
- Captivate Dance Arts Factor Eisteddfod
- HSC Industrial Technology Practical Examination Marking
- Mercy Day
Term 3 Week 8
- Year 12 Community & Family Studies In-School Activity
- Year 11 Exams
- HSC Music Practical Examination
- PDSSSC Oztag Gala Day
- STEM Mad Nationals