Term 2 Week 4 - Thursday 18th May 2023
Notes from the Principal
Yesterday evening we had an Open Afternoon for Year 8 students and their parents. The afternoon was a terrific opportunity to share and celebrate the wonderful things that Year 8 students are learning in a range of their subjects. It was also a time for parents to reconnect with one another and to enjoy their daughters' successes at school.
Congratulations to all students in Year 8 on their achievements this year. I would also like to thank the Year 8 and Year 11 students who helped out yesterday afternoon for their gracious hospitality towards the families who visited us. Finally, I offer a sincere thank you to the parents and families who attended to enjoy their daughters' progress in Year 8.
On another note, your daughters will be approaching their assessment period over the next few weeks. In many of their subjects, particularly in Years 7, 8 and 9, they will be completing ongoing, classroom based assessments under the directions of their teachers, but in other classes, they will complete formal assessments. I remind them to remain focussed on achieving their very best results at this time, and to look to stretching themselves by engaging in deep problem solving. They should also ensure their study programs are balanced with good rest, exercise and sleep patterns.
Enjoy your week, everyone.
Mary Refalo
Principal
News from the Director of Formation and Mission
Year 9 Reflection Day
On Friday, 12th May Year 9 attended their Reflection Day at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. This day was an opportunity for students to spend time together away from school and reflect upon their relationship with God, their peers, family and friends.
The theme for the day was ‘Young Mercy Woman of Excellence.’ Students explored how they could ‘do the ordinary, extraordinarily well’ and ‘strive for higher things’ in all aspects of their lives. Year 9 were able to draw inspiration from our school patroness, Venerable Catherine McAuley and Mary, Mother of God.
Thank you to the Cathedral staff who always warmly welcome students from Catherine McAuley to the Cathedral and to staff from Catherine McAuley who supported Year 9 on this important community day.
Below is a review of the Reflection Day by Georgia and Anyka, Year 9 Media Team students
On Friday, 12th May Year 9 attended a Reflection Day at St. Patrick's Cathedral. It was a day of reflection, prayer and excellence. The main focus of this year's Reflection Day was ‘Excellence’ - something which Year 9 worked to achieve throughout the day.
The day started off with some ‘ice-breaker activities’ which was closely followed by an immensely enjoyable and inspirational speech from Ms Shipley. She spoke about her life as a McAuley mercy girl and what excellence means to her. Students were also given the opportunity to act out what excellence might look like in our daily lives - with one group from each class getting the chance to act out their performance to the grade.
We were able to attend mass at the Cathedral; joining the public in prayer. It was a chance for students to reflect on what excellence might look like as children of God. The day concluded with some colouring-in activity which allowed a final chance to reflect on the main focus of excellence.
Overall, Year 9 thoroughly enjoyed the day and the chance to reflect on what has happened, but most importantly, what comes next!
Next Wednesday, May 24th, the Catholic Church in Australia will celebrate the Solemnity of Our Lady, Help of Christians. Mary has been the Patroness of Australia since 1844. At this time, there were only three Bishops in Australia and at their very first Synod in 1844, they requested the Pope to declare, as Australia’s special patron, the Mother of God under the title of Mary Help of Christians. The feast was celebrated from this time, even though it was not officially approved by Rome until 1852.
The infant Church in Australia had a special reason for turning to Mary. In those early times when Mass was not able to be celebrated, it was largely the Rosary that kept the faith alive. Australian Catholics remained faithful to Mary, and was the first nation to choose her, under the title of Help of Christians, as principal Patroness. Just as the fledgling colony needed Mary’s help at that time, today we continue to seek Mary’s intercession for our nation. We are helped through the example of her life, as seen by the theme Pope Francis has selected for World Youth Day (WYD) 2023, “Mary arose and went with haste” (Luke 1:39). Luke’s words capture Mary's desire to serve and spread the good news to all.
Interestingly, most images of Our Lady Help of Christians depict the virgin standing on a globe of the world, holding the child Jesus in one arm and a sceptre in another. Her head is always crowned and the child Jesus in her arms is often crowned as well. In some images the map of Australia is featured on the globe to signify the Virgin’s special relationship to Australia under this title.
At Catherine McAuley Westmead, we continue the much loved Catholic tradition of praying the Rosary. On Fridays during the month of May, students and staff gather in Mary’s Garden to pray the Mysteries of the Rosary. In praying the Rosary, we offer our special intentions and reflect upon the lives of Jesus and Mary including the Archangel Gabriel’s appearance to Mary at the Annunciation, to Jesus’ glorious Resurrection and Ascension. Let us continue to seek Mary’s intercession for the protection of our nation and that all may live in a just and peaceful world.
Genevieve Banks
Director of Formation and Mission
Pray With Us
News Articles
Need To Know
Upcoming Fortnight
Term 2 Week 5
- Year 10 Teen Mental First Aid Session
- CSDA Debating Round 5
- PDSSSC Years 7-9 Girls' Football Gala Day
Term 2 Week 6
- Years 11 and 12 Parent / Student / Teacher Meetings
- Year 12 French Speaking Skills Day
- Year 12 Japanese Speaking Skills Day
- Year 10 Career Development Day
- CSDA Debating Round 6
- Parents Representative Council (PRC) Meeting
- Vinnies Winter Sleepout