Term 1 Week 4 - Thursday 22nd February 2024
Notes from the Principal
High Achievers’ Assembly
Yesterday we celebrated our 2023 High Achievers’ Assembly. We were thrilled to honour the students who attained an HSC ATAR result of over 90 in last year’s HSC examinations, and their families who accompanied them.
We congratulate each of these students, and many others in their cohort, who have shown how to ‘strive for higher things’. We wish each of them well as they progress to the next chapter of their exciting lives.
After School Tutoring Begins
I am pleased to offer to students the after school tutoring program again this year. Tutoring is available on Monday and Tuesday afternoons straight after school until 5.00pm for all students in a range of subjects. In addition, there will be some specialist tutors in the library all day on Tuesdays and on Thursday mornings to assist senior students during their study breaks, and on Thursday afternoons, the tutors will move to the BM Building to be available to the Year 11 students who are in study hall. Year 12 students are also welcome to see tutors in the BM Building on Thursday afternoons.
Afternoon tea will not be provided this year, but I encourage students to bring a snack to see them through the afternoon.
I would also like to remind you that the school library space, the David Scott Resource Centre, is open each afternoon until 5.00pm on Mondays to Thursdays, and until 4.00pm on Friday afternoons.
Best wishes for a wonderful week, everyone.
Mary Refalo
Principal
Specialist Maths Tutor in the school library on Tuesday this week.
News from the Director of Catholic Identity and Mission
In preparation for the 2025 Jubilee Year 'Pilgrims of Hope', 2024 has been designated a Year of Prayer by Pope Francis. Pope Francis made this announcement on 21st January at his Angelus address. Pope Francis stated that the Year of Prayer, “a year dedicated to rediscovering the great value and absolute need for prayer in one’s personal life, in the life of the Church, and in the world”.
Since Pope Francis made this announcement the Church has moved from Ordinary Time to the Season of Lent. Prayer is one of the three traditional pillars of Lent, and in the forty days between Ash Wednesday and Holy Saturday, Lent is the perfect time to take heed of Pope Francis’ wisdom. Prayer can simply be defined as an act in which we lift our hearts and minds to God. Prayer can take many forms.
Here at Catherine McAuley, in Homerooms the school day always begins with prayer. At School/Form/House Assemblies we again gather together to pray. Recently we have joined as a school community to pray together at our Opening School Mass and Ash Wednesday Liturgy. Religious Education lessons begin with prayer and at noon we pause as a school community to pray The Angelus. Our Wednesday Morning Westmead Catholic Community Masses have resumed and the Mercy Chapel is open throughout the day for private prayer.
In your Parishes as a family you may be participating in The Stations of the Cross or a Lenten Prayer Group with a focus on the Sunday Gospels. At our first Wednesday Morning Westmead Catholic Community Mass, Fr Albi Dos Santos O.Carm said that Lent provides us with a beautiful opportunity to repent and believe in Jesus.
During Lent we are challenged to be more to others. Venerable Catherine McAuley said, “The simplest and most practical lesson I know is to resolve to be good today, but better tomorrow”. May we all strive to be better each day in all that we do. In the coming days and weeks, through our prayers and discernments, may we live the Lenten message as we prepare to celebrate the great joy of the risen Christ at Easter.
Genevieve Banks
Director of Catholic Identity and Mission
Stations of the Cross, Lourdes, France.
Photo shows Station 3 - Jesus Falls the First Time (Photo taken at the 2023 WYD Pilgrimage).
Pray With Us
Need To Know
Upcoming Fortnight
Term 1 Week 5
- Welcome To Year 7 Parents and Carers Afternoon
- CSDA Public Speaking Round 1
Term 1 Week 6
- Catholic Schools Week - School Tour Morning
- PDSSSC 15 Years Girls Netball
- International Women's Day Assembly
- International Women's Day Breakfast
- Year 12 Hospitality Excursion
- School Photos
News Articles
Our School on Social Media
Follow Catherine McAuley Westmead on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn for regular updates. A recent post is shown below:
Thank you to Year 12 students Maxine, Ayesha, Tania and Elizabeth who began their term of volunteering at Ronald McDonald House this week. Every Monday afternoon after school from 4.00-6.00pm they will volunteer their time to assist children in the learning centre with activities and games. Thank you Maxine, Ayesha, Tania and Elizabeth for your Mercy service!
