Catherine McAuley students joined with students from Mercy schools across Australia for the AMSSA Student Virtual Conference.
Students joined Mercy schools from across Australia for the second session of the AMSSA Student Virtual Conference, exploring how young people can live out Mercy values and create positive change in their communities.
On Wednesday, 27 May, a group of students attended the second session of the Australian Mercy Secondary Schools Association (AMSSA) Student Virtual Conference, held online with Mercy schools from across Australia. The theme of the session was Living the Legacy: Young People of Mercy Today. Throughout the day, we explored what it means to live out the Gospel values of Mercy as young women today and how we can make a positive difference in our communities.
One of the highlights of the conference was hearing from Catherine Edwards, whose inspiring story demonstrated the impact of putting Mercy values into action in everyday life. Catherine has been involved in advocacy work addressing issues such as modern slavery and human trafficking. Her work has taken her around the world, including a 10-month internship with Mercy Global Action, an advisory body to the United Nations. She also had the opportunity to meet the late Pope Francis while campaigning against human trafficking. Catherine encouraged us to recognise that meaningful change begins when we choose to respond to the needs around us, no matter how small our actions may seem.
Throughout the conference, we were reminded that Mercy is not simply what we believe, rather it’s how we respond to the needs of others. Inspired by Catherine McAuley’s actions herself, we learnt that meaningful change often begins with small acts of kindness and compassion. Just as Catherine McAuley’s simple acts of Mercy grew wider, we are encouraged to start small and aim to make a difference in the world.
Catherine McAuley herself said, “Prayer is a plant, the seed of which is sown in the heart of every Christian, but its growth depends on the care we take to nourish it. If neglected it will die; if nourished by constant practice it will blossom and produce fruit in abundance.”
Overall, the conference encouraged us to think about how we can continue to live Mercy values in our everyday lives. We learnt that it’s not about having answers, it’s about noticing and responding. We were left inspired, knowing that even the smallest acts of kindness can make a meaningful difference in the world.
Zara F. and Sienna R. | Year 10
Catherine McAuley Westmead
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09 Jun 2026
LIVING THE LEGACY OF MERCY
Students joined Mercy schools from across Australia for the second session of the AMSSA Student Virtual Conference, exploring how young people can live out Mercy values and create positive change in their communities.
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From Facebook
CELEBRATING 60 YEARS 🎉 The 31st of July 1989 is a day fondly remembered by many students who attended the school at the time. It was the day Peter Garrett, lead singer of the popular Australian band Midnight Oil, visited Catherine McAuley Westmead. The visit was part of the school’s Environment Week, with Peter attending as a guest speaker in his role as President of the Australian Conservation Foundation. “I remember that as a school we were all assembled in the top quad (now named Coolock Court) waiting with excitement for his arrival,” said former teacher Rosanna Torresan. “He encouraged us all to take action in some way towards saving the global environment from major damage. I felt that we were very privileged to have this world known celebrity come to speak to us on a subject that he was so passionate about.”
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The Catherine McAuley Weekly Review for Thursday, 4th June 2026 is now available:
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HONOURING INDIGENOUS VETERANS 🇦🇺 Students attended the Indigenous Veterans Commemoration Service at the ANZAC Memorial in Hyde Park last week on Friday, 29th May. The service provided a meaningful opportunity to recognise and honour the service and sacrifice of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander veterans, while reflecting on their significant contribution to Australia’s military history.
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From Facebook
YEAR 9 ELECTIVE HISTORY EXCURSION ▫️ Today, Year 9 Elective History students visited The Central Synagogue in Bondi Junction, where they participated in the Resisting the Holocaust program. A highlight of the excursion was the opportunity to hear firsthand from a Holocaust survivor, providing students with a powerful and moving insight into this significant period of history. Mrs C. Howlett, Leader of Learning – History, said the students thoroughly enjoyed the experience and valued the opportunity to deepen their understanding through personal stories and reflection. Thank you to new members of the Year 9 Media Team for taking these photos.
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From Facebook
Well done to Holly Zaccaria, Class of 2022, who did an amazing job as joint MC at the NSW Training Awards (Western Sydney and Blue Mountains region), held last week on the evening of Thursday, 28th May. Holly is a former VET in Schools Student of the Year - Western Sydney and Blue Mountains region, and it was extra nice to have Holly present the award to this year’s winner and Catherine McAuley student - Georgia! Holly is currently a final year Bachelor of Business student at Macquarie University, specialising in Human Resources and Business Administration. Congratulations Holly on your skill in guiding attendees through the awards ceremony last week!
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From Facebook
LIP SYNC BATTLE 🎶 🎤 The Catherine McAuley Lip Sync Battle is officially underway, with Year 7 and Year 8 students performing today to an enthusiastic and supportive crowd! Students made a gold coin donation to support the Parramatta Women’s Shelter, with all proceeds going towards this important community cause. The competition is just getting started, with the Lip Sync Battle Grand Final set to take place later this term. We look forward to seeing which acts make it through to the final! 📸 Thank you to Tiara A. from the Year 11 Media Team for capturing these photos.
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Year 12 Student Named NSW VET in Schools Student of the Year – Western Sydney and Blue Mountains Region
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From Facebook
💙🩷 PARRAMATTA WOMEN'S SHELTER 💙🩷 Today at lunchtime, Year 12 Mercedes and Ryan Houses hosted a hugely successful sausage sizzle, raising funds for this term’s Social Justice cause - Parramatta Women’s Shelter. This initiative not only supports the important work of the shelter, but also helps raise awareness of the vital care and assistance provided to women and children in our local community. Thank you to everyone who supported this meaningful cause!
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From Facebook
CELEBRATING 60 YEARS 🎉 In the early days of the school in 1966, students attended classes in demountables while the new school buildings were being completed. Behind the classrooms was a farm, with cows and horses grazing in the paddocks, which students were allowed to use during recess and lunch breaks. Denise Cohen, Class of 1967, fondly remembers those days, saying, “I remember sharing my lunch with the cows!”
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From Facebook
HUGE CONGRATULATIONS!! 🎉🎉 Congratulations to Year 12 student Georgia E-K. who has been named as the VET in Schools Student of the Year - Western Sydney and Blue Mountains region! This award was announced last night at the NSW Training Awards. The award recognises an exceptional student who is undertaking accredited vocational education and training (VET) as part of their HSC program of study. Georgia had been nominated by her teacher Ms L. Spelman for her Business Services subject. Georgia will now automatically be in the running for the State award as she will represent the Western Sydney/Blue Mountains region for the NSW VET in Schools Student of the Year to be announced later in the year.
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From Facebook
SCHOOL DEBATING 💬 Last night Round 6 of the Catholic Schools Debating Association (CSDA) competition continued with debates against Mount St Joseph, Milperra. Catherine McAuley had a successful night with Years 7, 8, 11 and 12 winning their debates and Year 9 the only loss. Well done to all students who are taking part in the debating competition this year. Thank you to Katrina N. and Jenolin P. from the Year 9 Media Team for capturing these photos.
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From Facebook
YEAR 9 STUDENT VOLUNTEERS 🥰 Last week, we celebrated National Volunteer Week by recognising the compassion and dedication of our Year 9 student volunteers serving at Bolton Clarke Cabrini Residential Aged Care in Westmead. The students share stories, offer a listening ear and bring a smile to the residents every Thursday afternoon. The staff at Cabrini very kindly celebrated our students with a surprise afternoon tea to thank them for their time and generosity of spirit. The students are following the footsteps of Jesus and Catherine McAuley and the school is very proud of them. #faithinactioncspd Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese