Term 4 Week 4 - Thursday 3rd November 2022
News from the Principal
This past week has seen students in Year 7 involved in a range of community building activities, connected to both their academic curriculum and their own wellbeing and social development. They participated in a pastoral and leadership development day on Wednesday, attended their Taronga Zoo Science excursion on Friday, and joined in the outdoor activities day at the Wedderburn Christian Campsite on Monday.
This program of events, which replaces the traditional Year 7 camp, has given Year 7 students wonderful opportunities to forge their connections with one another, as well as to stretch their intellect and sporting capability. It has also given them great opportunities to build their risk-taking and resilience - both important characteristics for learning and growth.
I would like to congratulate Year 7 students on their participation in these activities. I would also like to thank their teachers, and all other teachers, for making possible all the activities you will read about in this edition of The Weekly Review.
Year 12 conclude their half yearly exams on Friday this week. Congratulations to all Year 12 students. We look forward to hearing about their HSC successes on 15th December, the day results are released by NESA, and seeing them on 16th December at the ATAR morning tea in Mercy Square.
Finally, I would like to remind families that tomorrow is a pupil free for all students. School staff will use tomorrow as a day to ensure their planning and preparation for lessons is up to date. Students should do likewise.
Mary Refalo
Principal
News from Religious Education Coordinator
In the Catholic tradition, November is traditionally a month of remembrance of the dead. The Church has consistently encouraged prayers for the faithful departed. November begins with the Solemnity of All Saints on 1st November and the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls’ Day), on 2nd November. As Catholics we remember the many women and men who have gone before us and who have responded to the challenge of faith in their time - with faith, hope and love.
At Sunday Mass when we profess the last words of the Nicene Creed we state our belief in ‘the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen’. While death is the end of our earthly life St Ambrose reminds us that death does not end ‘our existence since the soul is immortal’. Growing old, accepting the frailties which may accompany old age and the inevitable fact that as humans we will all face our death can present many challenges. This is particularly true in western countries (including Australia), where knowledge and experience are often undervalued in the pursuit of eternal youth. Despite the lack of credible scientific evidence, there is a huge industry devoted to the manufacture of products to prevent ageing. However, the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches ‘Our lives are measured by time, in the course of which we change, grow old and, as with all living beings on earth, death seems like the normal end of life’ (CCC #1007).
Death is the passage to the fullness of true life and the Catholic Church teaches that this begins at Baptism. In Baptism, Catholics sacramentally die in Christ so as to live a new life. As a Catholic school, in the Mercy Tradition, we particularly remember how Venerable Catherine McAuley followed the example of Jesus by faithfully serving others, especially the most vulnerable. On 11th November, we will commemorate Catherine’s death on 11th November 1841. In her sixty-three years Catherine McAuley transformed lives and this mission continues today at Catherine McAuley Westmead. Our students are not only prepared for academic success but enter the world knowing that there is a better way of doing and being and that is by ‘being Christ for others’.
Genevieve Banks
Religious Education Coordinator
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:
Year 7 students had a wonderful time on Friday last week at Taronga Zoo! The students have been studying the unit ‘Who Am I?’ as they look at the classification of living organisms. Whilst at the zoo the students were also able to examine the habitat and physical and behavioural adaptations of the animals.
Need To Know
Upcoming Fortnight
Term 4 Week 5
- Year 8 English In-School Activity
- Year 8 Pastoral Care Seminar
- Year 7 Reflection Day
- Year 7 2023 Orientation Day
- McAuley's Got Talent
- School Morning Tour
Term 4 Week 6
- Year 10 PASS Excursion