The school is very saddened to learn of the passing of Sr Dr Sophie McGrath rsm, former Principal from 1974 - 1977. Sr Sophie was the third Principal of Catherine McAuley and was appointed to this position after teaching and leading in a number of Mercy schools across the Sydney metropolitan area.
A great advocate for women, Sr Sophie was a founding member of the Golding Centre for Women’s History, Theology and Spirituality at the Australian Catholic University. Her university work as a researcher at ACU began in 1982 and she became a Research Fellow in 2000. The Golding Centre was established in 2003 and Sr Sophie has been the key contributor from the Strathfield campus. She has also mentored doctoral students.
Sr Sophie is warmly remembered at Catherine McAuley Westmead for her contributions to girls’ education in the Parramatta area. The Sophie McGrath Building, known as the SM Building, originally built as classroom spaces but now the site of the staff study and common room, are named in Sr Sophie’s honour.
Sr Sophie recently reflected on her time as Principal in the school’s 50 years anniversary Book ‘A Book of Memories’ by writing, “The mosaic of my time at Catherine McAuley is dominantly made up of cooperative, generous teachers and developing young women with a wide range of talents, some more suited to the disciplined situation of school than others, and with usually interested and caring parents”.
We pray that Sr Sophie enjoys eternal life in the company of the many women about whom she researched and whose lives she shared with her audience.
Former Principal Sr Sophie McGrath at the school swimming carnival in 1976.
Catherine McAuley Westmead
www.mcauleywestmead.catholic.edu.au
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25 Apr 2024
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LEST WE FORGET πΉ They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them.
17 Apr 2024
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15 Apr 2024
From Facebook
Chatting with Year 7 students it is apparent that the stand out feature for most of them, as they complete their first term at high school, is that they have made lots of new friends and are enjoying the varied activities the school has to offer. π₯° Read the full story on our website: https://www.mcauleywestmead.catholic.edu.au/news-events/news/2024/04/10/05/05/year-7-students-complete-first-term-at-high-school-with-lots-of-new-friends
12 Apr 2024
From Facebook
11 Apr 2024
From Facebook
The Catherine McAuley Weekly Review for Thursday 11th April 2024 is now available via this link:
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Senior OzTag Team Wins PDSSSC Grand Final
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11 Apr 2024
Year 8 History Students Enjoy Interactive Medieval Session
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11 Apr 2024
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10 Apr 2024
From Facebook
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10 Apr 2024
From Facebook
AROUND THE CLASSROOMS β‘οΈ Who doesnβt love the smell of brownies? π For these lucky Year 10 Food Technology students of Miss Grow they spent their last lesson of the term today making and then eating brownies.
10 Apr 2024
Year 7 Students Complete First Term at High School With Lots of New Friends
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10 Apr 2024
From Facebook
Year 8 Geography students spent the day last Wednesday exploring The Rocks and learning about the importance of water in the world. π¦ π¦ The students learnt about the connection between water and social status in the early days of colonisation and they learnt about the Tank Stream which used to be the main source of water in the area. It flowed through what we now call Pitt Street.
09 Apr 2024
From Facebook
PROJECT COMPASSION βοΈ Year 12 students continued a tradition this morning which they started when they were in Year 7 with Mrs Wilson (now retired) as their Year Coordinator. The students every year save their loose change and do a money trail as a Project Compassion fundraiser. This year, given it is their last, the students excelled and raised $706.65! π The House with the longest money trail was Veritas House, who also raised the most money with a total of $235.90. All Year 12 Homerooms contributed with Caritas House raising the next largest amount with $167.80. Well done Year 12 on this tradition and for raising so much today for Project Compassion. ππ