Term 1 Week 10 - Thursday 10th April 2025
Note from the Principal
This week we enjoyed the school athletics carnival. Student participation in this event was exemplary, with many students competing in both competitive and novelty events. The house cheers were excellent, as they always are, really showing a spirit of camaraderie and connection, and also highlighting successful team work.
I’d like to thank the many staff who contributed to the organisation of this event: it is a big event that takes significant coordination.
As we move into the end of Lent and the season of Easter, we are reminded of our commitment to one another, lived out in the way we engage with one another and our environment.
Yesterday morning students attended a Good Friday liturgy where we considered each station of the cross and the way it represented our own lives, which are sometimes characterised by pain and suffering, as Jesus’ life was. We see Jesus’ suffering as he carries the burden of his cross, reminding us of the times we are carrying our own metaphoric crosses, and when he cries out for help, we remember that we, too, need help from others when times are difficult. However, through the experience of Jesus’ life and the Easter story, his resurrection reminds us that hope for something better always guides us forward and invites us to seek lives that are full of joy and goodness.
Also yesterday morning during Mass in the Mercy Chapel, Fr Janu spoke to the small congregation gathered there about using the final days of Lent to fast from behaviours that prevent us from loving one another and the earth. He reminded us to strive towards being people of love and hope, as Jesus’ was in his mission on earth.
Our awareness and fundraising for Caritas Australia concludes this week, with many donations given to JRS during the dignity drive held earlier this term and almost $5,000 raised for this important cause. Over the Lenten period, many cakes were baked, bracelets beaded and coin donations made to make this a successful fundraising opportunity. Thank you to each of you for your support of our mission and social justice endeavours. We will make a formal donation to Caritas Australia early in Term 2.
As we conclude the term, I wish you all a restful holiday break, a happy and holy Easter season and many loving times with your families and friends over the break. I also remind students to keep reading over the break to continue to engage and challenge their minds.
Mary Refalo
Principal
News from the School Captains
Hello McAuley community!! Kaitlin and Emily here, McAuley’s School Captains.
Athletics Carnival
Monday, 7th April was our school’s athletics carnival. It was a day full of support, cheering and lots of participation. Specifically, this marked the last athletics carnival for Year 12. It was a day of nostalgia, marked by shared memories, school spirit and a final chance for Year 12 to get involved in a school carnival.
It was amazing to see the creative and engaging cheers created by the House Leaders and Assistant Leaders. These cheers show the dedication of these leaders to their House and fostering school spirit. Make sure to take a look at the school social media pages to see the videos of our House cheers!!
Our Year 12 theme for the carnival was 'Tennis', where students were able to dress up in matching tennis outfits with hats and accessories in our House colour.
Year 12 students at the Athletics Carnival on Monday.
Initiatives
Over the past few weeks the Leaders of Learning have been working on our ‘Peer Tutoring Program’. This involves students having the opportunity to get help from senior students in any of their subjects. This program is a great way for students to build confidence, make connections and improve their learning. While supporting academic success amongst younger students, it also helps to create a more connected and supportive school environment. We commend our Leaders of Learning, Niamh M., Year 12 and Erin M., Year 11 for organising this amazing program and thank all of the students involved, for making it so successful. If there are any students looking to get involved, please look on Compass for upcoming announcements!
Kaitlin and Emily
School Captains
Peer Tutoring Program
Pray With Us
Need To Know
Upcoming Fortnight
Term 2 Week 1
- Term 2 Commences
- Pupil Free Day - Monday 28th April
- Staff Formation Day / Pupil Free Day - Tuesday 29th April
- Year 12 Italian Excursion
- CSDA Debating Competition Round 3
- Academy U Complexity Workshop
Term 2 Week 2
- The Big Science Competition
- PDSSSC Cross Country
- CSDA Debating Competition Round 4
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:
BREAKING NEWS - Mercedes House named Overall Athletics House Champion of 2025!! The Overall House Champion refers to the House that accumulates the most points overall from competitive and non competitive events held at the school athletics carnival.
2nd Place Dobson
3rd Place Veritas
4th Place Ryan
