Term 1 Week 4 - Thursday 16th February 2023
Notes from the Principal
This week saw the annual swimming carnival and long distance carnival. As always, these events were wonderful community events, and opportunities for students to excel in sports. The camaraderie, encouragement and joy that was so evident at both carnivals was clear, exemplifying all that is so special about Catherine McAuley and the students who attend this school.
In addition to this, we held our high achievers assembly this week. It was a privilege and an inspiration to greet last year’s HSC high achievers, to hear about their plans for 2023 and beyond, and to honour their successes in their final year of school. The Dux of 2022 spoke about her experiences of school in a way that helped other students to understand her journey, as well as identify that success, whilst sometimes glamorous, also takes significant application.
You will read about these events, as well as others, in today’s Weekly Review.
Mary Refalo
Principal
News from the Assistant Principal
The school year is well and truly underway having celebrated our Opening School Mass and joined together as a community last Friday for the School Swimming Carnival where so many girls were involved in many ways to support their House. In amongst these events girls have been involving themselves in many groups and activities as the new school year starts. All the information regarding when different activities and groups are being held is available to the students on their Compass News Feed.
High Achievers Assembly
On Wednesday, 15th February the school celebrated the success of our High Achievers from the Class of 2022. It was a pleasure to welcome back to Catherine McAuley these young ladies and their families. A highlight of the assembly was Victoria Carr addressing the students on her reflections of learning at Catherine McAuley. Her words were inspiring and challenging to our current students. I recommend you take the time to read and discuss with your daughter Victoria’s reflections and learnings about herself as she journeyed through Year 7 to 12 at Catherine McAuley. Victoria’s address can be accessed via this link.
Study Skills Handbook
Our school is a subscriber to the study skills website www.studyskillshandbook.com.au including the Study Samurai video library.
This website will help students develop essential skills for academic success. There are units of work on improving time management skills, how to study, research skills, summarising, technology use, brain and memory, as well as many wellbeing topics in the Study Samurai Library. Everything you need to know about becoming a more powerful learner and improving your marks at school can be found on this site. For example, learn how the colour of your room affects your ability to study, what the best study techniques are for your type of brain, how to improve your handwriting and useful software and apps to block yourself from technology distractions.
There are also a range of useful handouts, grids and planners at the bottom of the THINGS TO PRINT page.
To access the handbook, go to www.studyskillshandbook.com.au and login with these details:
username: mcauley
password: 189results
Leaders of Learning Wellbeing refer to this website regularly. In the coming weeks Leaders of Learning Wellbeing will be highlighting the importance of positive mindset and how to change negative thoughts.
When you change your negative thinking, you look more for the good in your life. Your communication becomes more positive and your focus is on your strengths rather than your weaknesses. In a better positive state not only do you learn quicker and easier but your relationships and other areas of your life improve.
Two Ideas For A More Positive Mindset (from the Study Skills Handbook)
Balance Your Mental Diet
It’s impossible to completely escape the overwhelming negative images in news, film, online, gaming etc. That’s why it’s important to limit the negative, distressing external sources and increase your exposure to positive stories and images.
Identify Your Positive Circle of Influence
You become the average of the five closest people around you! You know when you are around positive people because you walk away feeling uplifted and inspired rather than drained and exhausted. Take a moment to write down the five most positive people who influence you.
Debbie Grigson
Assistant 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:
Welcome to Miss Moe Miyao and Miss Konomi Takahashi who are two Teacher Assistants from Japan who are working with the LOTE Department. Miss Miyao and Miss Takahashi will be at Catherine McAuley for the next four weeks and will be assisting in Japanese language classes.
Need To Know
Upcoming Fortnight
Term 1 Week 5
- Ash Wednesday Liturgy
- Lifted Leaders Evangelisation and Networking Event
- NSW All Schools Triathlon
- Welcome to Year 7 Parents' Afternoon
- Year 12 Hospitality Excursion
- Years 9 and 11 Study Skills Session
Term 1 Week 6
- NSWCCC Tennis
- Year 12 French Excursion