Term 3 Week 7 - Thursday 1st September 2022
News from the Principal
The highlight for the school community this week has been in our focus on cultural events that unite the student body and strengthen our commitment to our school and to one another.
Yesterday the House Cheer Offs took place, having had to be cancelled during the past couple of years as a result of COVID restrictions. There was great excitement for students as they ensured their costumes and routines were polished and loud. Congratulations to Mercedes House who won and Veritas who placed 2nd, Clare who placed 3rd and Ryan who placed 4th in this event.
The week culminates in Mercy Day tomorrow. Again, there is great excitement for this special day where we celebrate what it is to be Mercy women. The celebration of Mass and the commissioning of our new school leadership team in the morning acclaim our values of hospitality, justice, excellence, integrity and courage, and the activities that follow further uphold our wonderful school spirit and culture.
Mary Refalo
Principal
News from the Assistant Principal
Success Looks Different For Everyone
I am pleased to share two very different success stories achieved by the students at Catherine McAuley. A useful measurement for success for all of us is if OUR current achievement is an improvement on OUR previous achievement, we are successful. Celebrate any movement forward rather than comparing yourself to the achievements of someone else. It's the acknowledgment and celebration of forward progress toward a goal that motivates us - so celebrate and keep moving forward.
Early Acceptance for McAuley's HSC Students
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.
These offers are based upon a range of school-based assessment results, school recommendations and student work. Consistency does pay off - well done to these students. As the offers keep coming I am sure this number will grow.
STEM Make a Difference (MAD) National Competition
We have just received the news that the Catherine McAuley teams presenting at the STEM MAD competition have done extraordinarily well.
Ashrya C. from Year 11, with her project Jarara Totem, won the Inspired By Nature Award - Secondary School Division AND the Award For Demonstrating The Catholic Ethos, Secondary School Division.
Luise V. and Shivali S. of Year 10, with their project Eco Air, won the Best Demonstration of Science in Context Award.
As I have written about previously, to make it through to the National final of this competition is truly remarkable, but to win three of the divisions is completely phenomenal. Congratulations to the girls, their families and to their teacher, Ms Tara Hartman.
Jaie Skinner
Assistant Principal
Luise and Shivali with their Eco Air STEM MAD entry.
Ashrya with part of her 'Jarara Totem' STEM MAD entry.
Pray With Us
Counsellor's Corner
With R U O K? Day approaching on Thursday, 8th September we are again reminded to ask, “Are you OK?” and to remember every day of the year to support young people who may be struggling. It is very crucial that your daughters are looking out for and cared for one another. Having supportive friends is of great importance to your daughter’s happiness and wellbeing.
At Catherine McAuley, we know that regular meaningful conversations can and will make a difference. You do not have to be an expert to ask how someone is going. As parents we need to encourage our daughters to be good friends to those in need and a good listener. Recommend to them If they do get a feeling that someone they know or care about is not behaving as they normally would, assist and guide them to have the courage to ask R U O K?
R U O K? is a national charity dedicated to inspiring all of us to have regular, meaningful conversations to support anyone struggling with life in general.
You can learn more about the signs and how to as R U O K? at WWW.RUOK.ORG.AU
As we do with students and staff at Catherine McAuley, we encourage all parents and carers to contact the School Counsellors, Mrs Suzan Boulattouf (Mon-Fri) or Mrs Kathryn Rogers (Wed-Fri) on 09499100 during school hours to discuss any concerns you may have throughout the school year.
Suzan Boulattouf
School Counsellor
News Articles
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:
The school has printed some beautiful blank greeting cards featuring the artworks of our very talented Year 11 students. Claire G., Lana C., Daanya A. and Videhi S. (absent from photo) have had their artworks professionally printed onto greeting cards which will not only be used by School Principal Ms Refalo, but which are also available for purchase by the wider school community from Student Reception. Cost is $10 for a pack of six with all money going to Mercy Works.
Last Thursday afternoon the Year 11 student artists, and their parents, joined Ms Refalo, Mr Skinner and Visual Arts Teacher Miss Breen for an afternoon tea to celebrate the launch of these new cards.
Need To Know
Upcoming Fortnight
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
Term 3 Week 9
- Year 12 Study Day
- Year 12 Formal
- Year 11 Exams
- Year 10 Global Connections Excursion
- Year 8 Geography Excursion
- Year 8 History In-School Activity