Well done to Shivali S., Year 10 who last week competed in the State Final of the F1 in Schools Challenge as part of the combined Parramatta Marist and Catherine McAuley team called Team Helios.
The F1 in Schools STEM Challenge is the world’s foremost student competition for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Each year more than 17,000 schools in 52 nations take part and in Australia approximately 22,000 students are involved.
Mimicking the world of a Formula One team, groups of students have to follow a pathway of engineering and manufacturing disciplines: design, analyse, test, make and race as they compete for the world’s fastest miniature F1 car.
Also competing last week was Alana M., Year 11 who was competing in the combined team for the Subs in Schools Challenge. This challenge follows a similar concept as the students explore the complex challenges of maritime engineering and hydrodynamics using coding and electronics as they design and build operational Remotely Operated Underwater Vehicles (ROVs) or a three-dimensional virtual scale model of living quarters in a futuristic submarine.
Jacqui Hamilton | School Development Officer
Catherine McAuley Westmead
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24 Jun 2025
Try a Career Day @ CathWest McCarthy Campus
Year 10, are you curious about trying a career...? Register for CathWest's 'Try a Career Day' at the CathWest McCarthy Campus!![CathWest Innovation College]()
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Try a Career Day @ CathWest Loyola Campus
Year 10, are you curious about trying a career...? Register for CathWest's 'Try a Career Day' at the CathWest Loyola Campus!![CathWest Innovation College]()
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Upskill Workshops @ CathWest Loyola Campus
Use the Term 2 School Holidays 7 - 8 July for an opportunity to upskill for employment outcomes and develop skills in your passion area. Limited spaces are available!
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02 Jun 2025
Year 10 Global Connections Students Explore Iconic Locations Around the Globe
Year 10 students studying the subject ‘Global Connections’ put together a travel showcase last week highlighting iconic physical locations around the globe.
01 Jun 2025
From Facebook
AROUND THE CLASSROOMS ➡ Year 10 students studying the subject ‘Global Connections’ put together a travel showcase last week highlighting iconic physical locations around the globe. 🏜 🏔 🏝 From mountain ranges to coastal landforms, natural springs to expansive national parks, students have investigated the geomorphic processes that make our world so dynamic and diverse, and brought them to life in a travel exhibit.
29 May 2025
From Facebook
AROUND THE CLASSROOMS ➡️ Year 7 Science students have been looking at all types of forces. Today in their Science classes they were investigating the relationship between weight and friction using both spring balances and electronic balances. Photos are from Mr G. Johnson’s 7SCI1 class.
29 May 2025
From Facebook
AROUND THE CLASSROOMS ➡️ Year 11 Biology students today with Ms N. Mahajan were examining a fish dissection and looking at the fish gills. The students have been learning about autotrophs and heterotrophs and spent time comparing the two. An autotroph is an organism that can make its own food whereas a heterotroph is an organism that gets food from other organisms.
29 May 2025
From Facebook
The Catherine McAuley Weekly Review for Thursday 29th May 2025 is now available:
29 May 2025
From Facebook
YEAR 9 REFLECTION DAY ✝ Last Friday, Year 9 students came together for their Reflection Day. The day gave students the opportunity to come together as a Year Group, in small groups and individually, as they reflected upon their relationship with God and their family, friends and peers. Year 9 student Heidi S. said that she enjoyed the day as an opportunity to all come together. “As a grade, we prayed the Rosary, attended Mass, and reflected on how we can live in Mary's footsteps. The day encouraged us to grow in faith, but also support one another in doing the same.”
28 May 2025
From Facebook
CHAPTER CHATTER 📚 Every second Wednesday it is ‘Chapter Chatter’ in the school library. This fortnightly gathering, led by the Student Library Ambassadors, looks at a different theme or book each session. Today it was the novel ‘Shatter Me’, the first book in the global bestselling series by author Tahereh Mafi, which was the topic of discussion. Students can look out for Chapter Chatter notices on Compass or see the signs in the school library. All students are welcome to attend.
28 May 2025
Year 9 Students Attend Parramatta National Sorry Day
Monday 26th May 2025 was National Sorry Day and a small number of Year 9 students attended the City of Parramatta Council event.
28 May 2025
From Facebook
DUKE OF EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL AWARD 🥇The school currently has thirteen Year 11 students, accompanied by Mr C. Foran, completing their Gold Duke of Edinburgh International Award Qualifying Journey. The Gold Award is the final and most demanding level of the Duke of Edinburgh Award and in addition to the physical recreation, skills, voluntary service and residential project components, the students are also required to undertake an ‘Adventurous Journey’. The students will be hiking and camping for four days along the Colo River in what is sure to be an exciting opportunity for them to engage with the natural environment and their peers, and gain new insights and skills. We wish the students and Mr Foran a satisfying journey and plenty of sunshine!
27 May 2025
From Facebook
BUDDY CHATS 🧡 Year 7 and Year 12 Clare House students came together last Friday for a buddy chat. A chance for students across year groups to chat about how everyone is feeling at this point in the year. The Year 12 students also took the opportunity to practise the school song with the Year 7 students.
27 May 2025
From Facebook
PARRAMATTA WOMEN’S SHELTER 🥰 Ryan and Mercedes Houses have organised a CMAC Grade vs Grade Trivia Competition this term as a fundraiser for the Parramatta Women’s Shelter. Only one grade can win the trivia title. Who will it be for 2025? Last week it was Year 12 vs Year 11 and this Friday it will be Year 7 vs Year 8. Students can donate a gold coin to watch the fun!
27 May 2025
Good Friday Walk an Amazing Feat of Faith
More than 1,400 Catholic students and young people from Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains came together in faith to participate in the annual Good Friday walk, a 21-kilometre pilgrimage from Blacktown to Parramatta.
27 May 2025
From Facebook
NATIONAL SORRY DAY ▪️ A small number of Year 9 students accompanied School Principal Ms Mary Refalo and Teacher Librarian Mrs Kirrily Lorenzutta to The City of Parramatta Council event held yesterday at Dharug Circle, Parramatta Square. National Sorry Day is a day of commemoration and remembrance for the Stolen Generations. The Catherine McAuley students joined with students from other local schools, members of the community and civic leaders to observe and learn the stories of the Stolen Generations. The morning included a Welcome to Country, a smoking ceremony, traditional dance and words from local community knowledge holders. Following the proceedings the students took part in a weaving workshop.
26 May 2025
From Facebook
Thank you to the Year 12 students who are volunteering at Ronald McDonald House this term. Well done to Miranda, Jiya, Isabella and Karen. These students will volunteer one afternoon each week and will spend their time assisting children in the learning centre with activities and games.
23 May 2025
From Facebook
Students are preparing for the upcoming Repurposed Pop Up Stall to be held as part of Environment Week in June. The stall will feature handcrafted products the students have made themselves from materials donated for this purpose. On Wednesday a small group of students were busy repurposing a range of items to add to the growing amount they already have. Look out for Environment Week which will run from 10th June - 13th June 2025.