Catherine McAuley Westmead eNewsletter

News from the Principal

What’s happening at school this week?

The past couple of weeks have seen the school abuzz with some wonderful initiatives led by student leaders aimed at recognising and valuing each of us in our school, city and country.

This week we honoured Reconciliation Week, and to commemorate this important date the Strong Sisters prepared a reflective activity for students where they wrote messages of love and respect on a message wall. Our awareness and recognition of unity in Australia offers dignity and integrity to all in our community. Many thanks to all the students and staff who participated in this activity.

This term’s social justice awareness and fundraising also considers others in our city, with the focus on the Parramatta Women’s Shelter. Ryan and Mercedes Houses, led by their house leaders, have hosted a Mother’s Day Stall and bake sale to provide funds to the Women’s Shelter, and the annual lip-synch competition held later in the term will also raise funds for this cause. Money raised for the Women’s Shelter gives dignity to the women and children who rely on this service. I would like to thank you and your daughters for your generosity to this important cause.

Last week the Technology Leaders prepared and facilitated a range of activities promoting the use of technology by students, and next week the Environment Leaders will lead other students in activities to deepen their understanding of how we can be environmentally sustainable.

Our Mercy values are alive in the young women who attend Catherine McAuley. The activities I have described above speak to mercy, justice, integrity, hospitality, excellence and courage that underpin our view of the world. We are very proud of each of the students at this school, led by their elected leaders, for the ways in which they live these values everyday, and we know they will continue to face their world with love.

Student Attendance

Of continued concern this term is student absence, and so I take this opportunity to remind families of the importance of students’ daily attendance at school.

We know that a face to face environment is best for students when this is the structure of their learning environment, as it is at Catherine McAuley. When students are at school, they are able to foster strong friendships and relationships, thereby supporting their emotional and social health. In addition, their academic learning is much more effective because they are present for the valuable discussions that challenge and synthesise their thinking and problem solving.

Most students should have no more than two days of absence each term. If your daughter is absent more often than this, I ask you to discuss this with her so that she isn’t absent more than necessary.

Of course, when students are very sick they should remain at home to recover. However, in all other circumstances they should attend school.

Student Progress and Feedback

Years 11 and 12 students have just received their Semester One Reports and over the next few weeks students in Years 7 - 10 will be completing a range of formative and summative assessments in each of their courses. Assessment only has value when there is some reflection on how well something has been learned and the next steps of the learning for each student.

In the same way, students’ semester reports are of most value when they are used to identify how students can improve as they move forward in their learning. The reports provide important information on how your daughter is progressing against the course performance descriptors for each learning outcome. They also indicate information about how she demonstrates learning behaviours. Lastly, the homeroom report tells you and your daughters about her attendance and participation in extra curricular activities.

All these aspects of the report give students the opportunity to reflect on how they can improve in their achievement, their learning profiles and their participation in school life in Semester 2 and beyond.

A very important part of this process is the Parent / Student / Teacher meetings which were held this week for Years 11 and 12 and in Week 10 of this term for students in Years 7 - 10. I strongly encourage you and your daughters to use the semester report and the Parent / Student / Teacher meetings as an opportunity to reflect on this semester’s learning and how to improve it in Semester 2.

Mary Refalo
Principal

Pray With Us

The Lord's Prayer

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:

The Australian Space Design Competition has begun at Catherine McAuley! Girls from STEM Club in Years 10-12 have entered two teams into the qualifying round where they will respond to an RFT (Request for Tender) to create an inhabitable space settlement. ASDC is an ‘industry simulation experience’ and allows girls to develop skills in teamwork, research, marketing and more!!

Need To Know

Upcoming Fortnight

Term 2 Week 7

Year 12 Chemistry Excursion
Year 9 Elective History Excursion
Year 9 Talented Maths Workshop
Year 8 Japanese Drumming Workshop
Duke of Edinburgh Award Adventurous Journey Camp

Term 2 Week 8