Term 4 Week 5 - Thursday 10th November 2022

Notes From The Principal

This week we launch our new Catherine McAuley Westmead website. Whilst the content is unchanged, the format is fresh and contemporary. We hope you like it.

Thank you to all families for your focus on attendance. The student attendance rate has improved, but still has a little way to go. I ask you to continue to prioritise this when possible, although of course, students who are very unwell should remain at home to recover.

I would also like to let you know that we have seen improvements of the little things; I highlighted to you at the beginning of the term that these would be a focus for this term. Again, some more improvements are necessary. In particular, I remind you that students should not wear visible jewellery with their uniforms. The student Dress Code Policy can be found in the Student Planner and on the school’s website.

In today’s Weekly Review you will hear for the first time from the 2022 - 2023 school captains. Needless to say, they are leading the school well at this early stage. I thank them for their contribution to today’s Weekly Review and into the future.

Mary Refalo
Principal

News from the School Captains

Hello McAuley! We are very honoured to introduce ourselves as the School Captains for 2022-2023. 

To have this amazing role has always been an aspiration of ours and representing the school community is something we take immense pride in. As Catherine McAuley herself once said, “resolve to do good today and better tomorrow”. As such, the spirit of mercy she embodied is something we wish to carry with us in our daily lives. 

It is compassion that requires action. It is the giving of oneself today so that we may be “better tomorrow”. It is an essence. By being a part of this community since Year 7, we have been inspired by other students, teachers and past school captains as we continue to carry on their legacy by adopting the mercy values of excellence, integrity, courage, hospitality and justice. 

In saying this, we are very excited for the day soon when we will be able to announce the school theme for 2022-2023. The student leadership team has been working hard in constructing a theme that will encompass what the school community will respond to. This year we have decided to emphasise the importance of strong support systems and relationships. In particular, we cannot wait to welcome new students into our school community in 2023. It is a safe place for belonging, learning and growing with one another. 

Until next time… Stay Merciful, McAuley! 

Jasmine and Jacinta
School Captains

Pray With Us

Remembering the Life and Legacy of Catherine McAuley

View the Remembrance Day Service from Mercy International Association (MIA) here

News Articles

• Lots of Activities for Year 7 at the Year 7 Activity Day
• Year 8 Students Look At The Need For Positive Relationships
• Year 11 Students Learn About Road Safety

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 8 students on Tuesday this week viewed a live performance by Starrs Productions of ‘Flowers for Algernon’ as part of their English work. 

The students have been studying this science-fiction short story, written by Daniel Keyes, which centres on a developmentally disabled man named Charlie who is given the opportunity to undergo a surgical procedure to increase his mental intelligence. Along the way, Charlie befriends a white mouse named Algernon, who is also going through the same experiment. Charlie soon realises however that with this increase in intelligence his relationships with people begin to deteriorate.

Need To Know

• Introducing The New School Website
• Join the Parents Representative Council for a free presentation by well known television personality Osher Gunsberg
  

Save the Dates

Upcoming Fortnight

Term 4 Week 6

• Year 10 PASS Excursion

Term 4 Week 7

• Year 10 Geography Excursion
• Year 10 History In-School Activity
• LOTE Showcase
• School Morning Tour