Term 4 Week 1 - Thursday 13th October 2022
News from the Principal
I would like to begin today’s Weekly Review by congratulating all students on the very settled start they have made this term. Their classes have been dynamic learning spaces, full of the life and energy of well-rested and motivated students.
In my letter last week I asked that students inspect their uniforms and ensure they are not absent from school. Both of these areas have clearly been attended to, and I would like to thank you for your support in keeping these small things in order so that we can strive for higher things in more significant areas of school life. These areas will remain a focus throughout the term.
Learning should be challenging
As students progress through school they are continually challenged by new content and the need to develop new skills. Learning is a very active endeavour that should not be easy; it involves applying the grit and determination necessary to create new ways of thinking and to solve complex problems.
You may have heard your daughter talk about ‘the learning pit’. We use this image as a metaphor for describing the stages of learning: the following graphic illustrates each stage of the learning journey.
When students are learning effectively, they might often struggle with understanding something new. This is okay. They should use the moment of confusion to try a different way of solving a problem and to stick at it until they find a way through the confusion.
Teachers at Catherine McAuley use a range of techniques to assess student learning and to appropriately support students in their achievement of the outcomes in each subject. We are conscious of developing students’ risk taking and resilience in their learning. In doing this, we are also stretching each student to achieve her potential, within her capability.
With Term 4 will come a range of formal and informal assessments for students in Years 7 - 11. There will be times when the work is difficult, as it should be; however, be assured that your daughter’s teachers are working with her to support her as she reaches her potential. As always, matters that concern you should be raised with the appropriate teacher or coordinator.
HSC begins this week
Many students in Year 12 sat their first HSC examination for English today. Students arrived at school in high spirits as they faced this challenge; they were well-settled and prepared for this exam.
I continue to wish them well as they embark on the rest of their studies over the next couple of weeks.
Year 11 Retreat takes place next week
Year 11 students will participate in their Senior Retreat next week at Galston. This is a significant experience for them as they undertake a journey of spiritual self reflection, and understand the presence of their God in their lives.
We wish them well for this very important experience.
Mary Refalo
Principal
Pray With Us
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:
AROUND THE CLASSROOMS - Year 11 Textiles and Design students of Mrs Bonello have recently finished their assessment which was to make a furnishing or apparel item that had at least two functional properties such as warmth, durability and comfort.
Mrs Bonello said that overall the quality of the work was fantastic and was to a very high standard. Well done Year 11!
Need To Know
Upcoming Fortnight
Term 4 Week 2
- P & F Meeting
- Girls Futsal Gala Day
- CAPTIVATE Creative Arts Factor Secondary Music Ensemble Day
- Year 11 Senior Retreat
- Year 9 English In-School Activity
Term 4 Week 3
- Year 11 PDHPE Excursion
- Year 7 Pastoral Care Seminar
- Year 7 Science Excursion
- Year 7 2023 Transition Interviews
