Term 3 Week 10 - Thursday 21st September 2023
Notes from the Principal
This week is the last week of Term 3, and it has really finished with an enormous sense of achievement for students and staff alike.
It has been a term of diligent application to study and learning, with exams for both Years 11 and 12, and the usual attention to classes and assessments for students in Years 7 - 10. It has also been busy with a range of extracurricular activities and inter school competitions, highlighting the importance of encouraging students to broaden their potential to strive for higher things.
We have also had some wonderful celebrations, with the Year 12 Graduation Mass on Tuesday evening, and the Year 12 Graduation Ceremony on Wednesday morning. Both events were beautiful occasions, honouring Year 12 students and their achievements during 13 years of school. At the Graduation Mass, students formed a ‘circle of mercy’ in St Patrick's Cathedral, Parramatta, repeating the symbol they made at the Opening School Mass when they were in Year 7. The ‘circle of mercy’ demonstrates the strength that comes from the formation of a circle and the call to live with the values of mercy at the forefront.
During the Graduation Ceremony, we acknowledged the achievements of all students in Year 12, as well as those who achieved special recognition for their participation in school life and their learning. Sophia P. was awarded the Catherine McAuley Award, the most prestigious award given at the end of every year, for her humble and generous contributions to Catherine McAuley during her years at school. The transcript for this award is here for you to enjoy. This is a significant award, and Sophia is warmly congratulated on her receipt of this award.
Please view the full list of students here who received a special award at the Graduation Ceremony.
I remind you that the first two days of Term 4 are staff professional learning days, and students will not be required at school on those days. We wish you and your families a restful break over the next two weeks, and look forward to seeing all students on Wednesday, 11 October 2023.
Mary Refalo
Principal
The Class of 2023 on the steps of St Patrick's Catherdal, Parramatta at the conclusion of the Graduation Mass.
Year 12 students formed a circle of mercy at the Graduation Mass.
Teacher Mr Taniane lighting the Year 12 candles.
Mrs Rehayem, Year 12 Leader of Learning Wellbeing, with students.
News from the School Captains
Hey, hey, hey McAuley! It’s your School Captains Jasmine and Jacinta.
Where do we even start? It’s been a great year full of many achievements, none of which could have been possible without the staff and students who form the foundation of our school community.
We would firstly like to shed some light on the achievements of the outgoing student leadership team. From the maintaining of the McAuley tradition of celebrating Harmony Day, International Womens’ Day, Friendship Day, RUOK Day and Wellbeing Wednesday; to the founding of completely new initiatives like Creative Corner and Wednesday Meetups with Year 7, this team has honestly been a testament to the saying we often hear – ‘strive for higher things’. We are truly grateful to have had the opportunity to lead such a bright group of young women.
A big thank you to Ms Refalo and the school leadership team, who have provided constant support and genuine care for our wellbeing. It was a privilege to be representative of the school community and work alongside you all this past year.
Thank you, also, to the teaching staff. It is completely true that nobody would be where they are today if not for all your hard work and patience with us. To the office, library, IT and maintenance staff, you always made sure we had the best environment to learn in.
Thank you to the Year 12 wellbeing teachers who not only have taught our classes, but you have also had to deal with us every morning. You managed to make a classroom of strangers back in Year 7 into a family, and we thank you for dealing with us even when we were late, had sour morning moods and for always making sure our day started off as best as it possibly could.
Finally, we would like to extend our overwhelming gratitude to the woman who has stood by us in all we do – Mrs Rehayem. Over the years the connection we have built with you as a grade has just continued to grow and you have quite literally become a motherly figure in our school lives. There are simply no words to describe how grateful and lucky we are to have you leading us all the way from Year 7.
Catherine McAuley Westmead was and always will be a place of comfort for the both of us. We genuinely hope we have left even half the mark on you, that you have left on us. In a literal sense, the Year 12 Class of 2023 will leave their mark through our gift to the school of quotes put up on the walls of the BM level 3 open areas - to remind everyone in the school that our legacy will remain. We will be forever grateful for the constant support of both our leadership and our goals. And we will always be filled with pride at the prospect of being the younger grade’s ‘big sisters.’
Stay merciful McAuley!
Jacinta A and Jasmine O
School Captains
Pray With Us
We join with the Sisters of Mercy and our international Mercy Family to celebrate Mercy Day on 24th September. Remembering Catherine McAuley.
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:
Congratulations to Year 11 students Alicia, Chanel and Mikaela on their selection into the UBS Young Women's Leadership Academy Program which will run for three days over the school holidays. This is an amazing opportunity where students are given a glimpse into the world of investment banking, develop their leadership, communication and networking skills and meet a diverse group of current and emerging contemporary women leaders.
Best wishes to these students and we look forward to hearing about your experience next term!
Need To Know
Upcoming Fortnight
Term 4 Week 1
- Staff Professional Learning Days / Pupil Free Days
- HSC Written Exams Commence
- Year 9 Career Development Day
- Year 7 Vaccination Program
Term 4 Week 2
- Years 7 and 8 Pastoral Seminars
- Parents and Carers Group Meeting