Term 2 Week 7 - Thursday 8th June 2023
Notes from the Principal
Today I wish to share with you some of the incredible resilience of so many of your daughters, the wonderful students at Catherine McAuley. Their stories are truly worth celebrating.
Last Friday was the final round of the 2023 Catholic Secondary Schools Debating Competition. Each team performed remarkably well, with most winning four out of six debates. The Year 7 and 9 teams are through to the quarter finals this week and next week. Throughout the season, each team has conducted itself with grace and elegance, and they have been marvellous representatives of their families and their school, as have all of the helpers. Congratulations to each debater.
The Years 9 and 10 students who this week travelled to Kuringai National Park to complete their Bronze Award for the Duke of Edinburgh program have also been exemplary role models. They have roughed difficult terrain, hiked with their backpacks through 20 kilometres of wet and hilly bushland, and slept in tents. I applaud them for their tenacity and courage, even when things got tough for them. Congratulations to each of the hikers.
And lastly, on Friday night 140 Year 11 and 12 students slept outside to raise awareness and funds for those who sleep rough every night. Students had a budget of just $2.00 to purchase their dinner, an amount consistent with the real life experience of homelessness. Congratulations to these students for their commitment to developing empathy and showing compassion.
Students have, of course, been involved in a variety of other activities throughout the week, including the learning and engagement in their classes. They are doing remarkably well, and should be congratulated on a job well done.
Mary Refalo
Principal
News from the Acting Assistant Principal
This week our Environment Leaders Emily and Sara, in collaboration with the Earth Action Committee, organised a number of activities to acknowledge Environment Week at Catherine McAuley. The week has featured a range of activities raising awareness of environmental issues such as climate anxiety and how to make a difference, as well as a workshop on beeswax wraps and chalk drawings highlighting the environment. In our school assembly this week, Emily and Sara addressed the school community on how we can learn from Indigenous sustainability and environmentalism. They spoke about the work of Amelia Telford, an Indigenous Environmentalist who created SEED, an Indigenous Youth Climate Network. At our assembly, Ms Refalo also spoke about the sustainable practices that she implements to support our environment. The week will end with the highly anticipated McAuley Thrift Swap Store on Friday at lunch. Through these events, students aimed to show other students and teachers (as well as the wider community) that individuals have the power to make a difference in the way they act as stewards of God's gift, and create a greater connection between our school and our land.
Tutoring
Many of our Year 7 - 10 students have likely just completed a number of assessment tasks and our Year 11 and 12 students are in the midst of a busy assessment period. I would like to take this opportunity to remind parents, carers and students, that each Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday after school, we have a number of ex-Catherine McAuley students available to assist students with tutoring in the library. The tutors have a wide range of subject experience and we strongly encourage all students, even those in Year 11 and 12 to visit them if they would like some support or guidance in any of their subjects. In the coming weeks, our student Leaders of Learning, Elyce and Zoe, will also be starting up lunchtime peer tutoring with some of our senior students being available in the library to also assist students. More information about this will be shared with students via compass.
Our School Captains, Jacinta and Jasmine, spoke at the assembly this week about procrastination and how breaking tasks up into small elements and setting clear and achievable goals can be strategies to overcome it. Attending peer tutoring could be one way for students to break that cycle of procrastination and get a start on those assessments.
Sharon Brincat
Acting Assistant Principal
Pray With Us
From The School Counsellor
Overthinking
We have all had some experiences where we can’t stop thinking about something or a situation, no matter how hard we try not to think about it. Overthinking is part of the human experience, but when left unchecked it can take a toll on our wellbeing. Dwelling on the same thoughts may even increase the risk of experiencing mental health conditions.
Some of the behaviours that might indicate overthinking include:
- what 'ifs' and 'should' are dominating our thinking
- not sleeping well due to worry is keeping us from sleep
- we overthink decisions or procrastinate over the next decision
- we might criticise and over analyse a situation
- we may have feelings of self doubt.
These helpful strategies can cope with overthinking:
- Plan a distraction such as playing a game, watching a movie, taking a hot shower, or physical exercise. A brief distraction can give us a break and can improve the mind set to allow us to focus on a productive solution.
- Learn how to reframe negative thoughts in a more positive; this may help relieve the tendency to overthink. Challenging negative thoughts is a way of reminding ourselves that the thoughts that torment us are not facts or realistic.
- Work on interpersonal skills, such as self-confidence and self-awareness, to help us stop overthinking.
- Plan a dedicated 'worry time' during the day. When we find ourselves overthinking, we can tell ourselves, “I do not need to think about this now, I will worry about this in the allocated time”.
- Mindfulness is another helpful strategy that can help curb destructive thoughts; focus on behaviours such as acceptance, compassion, and openness.
If you have any concerns about your daughter's wellbeing, feel free to contact the School Counsellors, Mrs Suzan Boulattouf (Mon-Fri) or Mrs Kathryn Rogers (Wed-Fri) on 02 9849 9100 during school hours.
Suzan Boulattouf
School Counsellor
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:
VINNIES WINTER SLEEPOUT - Last Friday night 140 students in Years 11 and 12 slept out at the annual winter sleepout, an event designed to build empathy with others who sleep out every night. Students had $2.00 each to spend on dinner and they made the best of the cold winter night.
Need To Know
Upcoming Fortnight
Term 2 Week 8
- Year 10 Global Connections Overnight Excursion
- Year 10 Japanese Excursion
- Year 10 STEM Club Excursion
- Year 8 Geography Excursion
- Year 8 Medieval History Day
Term 2 Week 9
- Year 11 Biology Excursion
- Year 10 Vaccination Program