Catherine McAuley Westmead eNewsletter

News from the Principal

It was lovely to see students refreshed and ready to return to school yesterday, as they continue their learning journey into Term 4. I popped into each of the year assemblies at the beginning of the day and was pleased to see students' enthusiasm (although a few seemed to find it tricky adjusting to getting the day started earlier than they have been!).

Year 12 students began their HSC exams yesterday, with their English and Japanese exams. Students arrived in good spirits, and although somewhat nervous, they were confident in their preparation for this important assessment. The whole school community wishes them the best of luck, and we are keeping them in our prayers during this next month as they complete all of their exams.

Last week I wrote to you asking for yours and your daughters’ attention to the way she wears her uniform to school, and I would like to thank you for ensuring that uniforms are being worn in accordance with school expectations. As I said last week, and I say often, when we look to ensure the little things are in place, the big things look after themselves.

A new term always means a fresh and invigorated new start for learning and participation at school. With a quarter of the year still to go, there are many opportunities for students to engage fully in their learning. This term, as always, I encourage them to dive deep into the ‘learning pit’ and to embrace the challenge that comes with authentic learning.

The 'learning pit' comes from the educational theory of James Nottingham (2007). It is a graphic metaphor for the stages of deep learning, identifying that learning should be neither easy nor straight forward, but it should be challenging and too hard; it should require persistence and failure before success comes. This short Youtube clip about the learning pit explains the process of learning effectively, and I invite you to view it. I also say to students that they shouldn’t be afraid of learning difficult content and concepts, because this is what improves their intellectual engagement with their world, their critical literacy and their overall tenacity.

On that note, I wish you and your daughters a wonderful and successful Term 4.

Mary Refalo
Principal

Pray With Us

Pope's October prayer intention: A Church that walks together

Need To Know

Upcoming Fortnight

Term 4 Week 2

Year 11 Earth and Environmental Science Excursion
Years 7 and 8 Pastoral Seminars
PDSSSC Girls Futsal Gala Day
Parents and Carers Group Meeting

Term 4 Week 3

Year 7 Science Excursion

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:

YEAR 9 - Yesterday Year 9 students spent the afternoon participating in career development activities during Periods 3 - 5. The aim of the session was for students to have early exposure to career thinking, broaden their perspective on the world of work and have the opportunity to think about their future through a life design model with The Purpose Project.

The Purpose Project runs school workshops to inform students about the future of work and help them connect the dots between their values, strengths and interests to form meaningful career paths. Students were told that while they spend 12 years at school they will likely spend 48 years at work and should therefore aim to work in a job which will fulfil them.