Term 4 Week 4 - Thursday 2 November 2023
Notes from the Principal
Catherine McAuley students are really doing some wonderful things to support younger students in other schools at the moment, and I would like to share some of these local opportunities with you.
During Terms 3 and 4, students in Year 11 have been supporting students at Mother Teresa Primary to develop their reading skills. Each Wednesday morning, they read with students in Kinder to Year 3 to develop their fluency, vocabulary and comprehension skills. And this week, students in the Year 9 STEM Club will visit Sacred Heart, Westmead to support and mentor younger students in developing their STEM skills during their fundraising day.
I applaud students who are keen to support through their involvement in these extra-curricular activities for demonstrating the hospitality we value as being so important. I encourage students to take up any opportunity they can to be involved in extra-curricular activities: we know that it improves their own skills, provides an outreach to others, and connects them to their school.
In addition, today, we look to the conclusion of the HSC examinations this Friday. Catherine McAuley students enrolled in Food Technology will complete the last exam in the HSC timetable. Year 12 students have remained diligent and focussed during this exam period. They should be proud of their efforts and look forward to receiving their results in December.
Mary Refalo
Principal
News from the Director of Formation and Mission
On Friday, 27th October students and staff at Catherine McAuley Westmead responded to Pope Francis’ request for a day of prayer, fasting and penance for world peace. The Holy Father did not single out a particular conflict but asked people across the world to remember those who are living in war zones. Pope Francis prayed that Our Lady would "touch the hearts of those imprisoned by hatred; convert those who fuel and foment conflict. Dry the tears of children, be present to those who are elderly and alone; strengthen the wounded and the sick; protect those forced to leave their lands and their loved ones; console the crestfallen; awaken new hope".
As per our usual practice, the Mercy Chapel was open throughout the day for personal prayer but on this special day of prayer, students and staff were able to pray in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament for world peace. Religious Education classes and the Rosary at Lunch Group joined their voices with the Universal Church in praying the rosary for world peace. May our prayers unite with Pope Francis' prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary to "inspire the leaders of nations to seek paths of peace".
Students and staff were able to pray in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament in the Mercy Chapel.
While we continue to pray for world peace, we have entered the month of November which is traditionally a time in which the Catholic community remembers those who have died. This tradition dates back to 998 A.D and today we continue to give thanks for those who have gone before us and we look with prayer and hope to their new life in heaven and our desire to join them there one day.
All Saints’ Day is celebrated every year on 1st November. We honour all of the saints and ask them to pray for us. All Souls’ Day is a solemn celebration commemorating all of those who have died and is observed on 2nd November. The Book of Remembrance has been placed in the Mercy Chapel. Your daughter is invited to write the name of a family member or friend who has died in the Book of Remembrance. At the Westmead Catholic Community Mass, Father will especially remember and pray for our loved ones who have died.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace. Amen.
Genevieve Banks
Director of Formation and Mission
Pray With Us
Need To Know
Upcoming Fortnight
Term 4 Week 5
- Year 12 2024 Modern History Excursion
- Year 10 Exams
- Year 7 2024 Orientation Day
- CAPTIVATE Arts Factor Music Secondary Learning Exhibition
- STEM MAD National Event
- School Morning Tour
Term 4 Week 6
- Year 7 Reflection Day
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:
AROUND THE CLASSROOMS - Last week Year 11 Hospitality students of Ms Emanuel set up and completed an ‘in class cafe experience’ for each other. The cafe experience was a great success and such good fun said Ms Emanuel. The students made and served toasted banana bread with butter, ham cheese and tomato croissants and milkshakes.