Ms Fiona Sandeman, Strong Sisters Coordinator on left with ex-student Shanaya Donovan, a proud Dharug Woman, and Strong Sister students.
Catherine McAuley concluded the school’s Reconciliation Week celebrations with a smoking ceremony in Mercy Square.
Led by The Strong Sisters the ceremony took place via live stream to all Homerooms, who then proceeded to walk through the smoke as the students walked to their first class for the day.
A smoking ceremony is an ancient Aboriginal custom that involves smouldering native plants to produce smoke. This smoke is believed to have both spiritual and physical cleansing properties. Thank you to Dharug Women - Shanaya Donovan, Class of 2021 and her mother Ms Clarke-Jones, who performed the smoking ceremony.
Ms Clarke-Jones, mother of former student Shanaya and a Dharug Woman, addressing the school assembly.
Year 12 students walking through the smoke at the smoking ceremony.
On Friday, 27th May as part of the Reconciliation Week events Year 8 Strong Sisters student Jordan B. represented Catherine McAuley at the Indigenous Veterans Commemoration Service held at the ANZAC Memorial, Hyde Park. This moving ceremony celebrated the contribution of indigenous veterans.
Jacqui Hamilton | School Development Officer
Catherine McAuley Westmead
More News
02 Dec 2022
From Facebook
Who needs the World Cup when you have the Year 10 vs Teachers Newcombe Ball Competition!! 🙌🙌🙌 The students won 3 games to 2 and are officially the Newcombe Champions! 🥳
02 Dec 2022
From Facebook
Well done to the Year 8 students who have been acting as reading tutors this year to Mother Teresa Primary School students. 📚📚 Every Thursday morning the reading tutors have been working with their reading buddy and have been enthusiastic and encouraging with the younger students. The McAuley students presented their reading buddies with a certificate and small gift bag yesterday and the primary school presented the Year 8 students with a certificate of their own. Well done to all involved and keep reading! 😀 Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta
02 Dec 2022
From Facebook
AROUND THE CLASSROOMS ➡ The Year 10 Global Connections class have been exploring different South East Asian countries this term in their ‘Australian Neighbours’ Unit. 🇻🇳 🇮🇩 🇹🇴 🇵🇭 Year 10 Media Team Student Angel explains: “This research has led to a mini project that showcases aspects of our chosen countries such as climate, topography, native animals and location. This has helped the class gain a better understanding of these countries. The students also created an oral presentation, using visual aids such as physical posters, and we presented this to the whole class”.
01 Dec 2022
From Facebook
Highlights from last night's Performing Arts Mini Showcase, Wednesday 30th November 2022
01 Dec 2022
From Facebook
The Catherine McAuley Westmead Weekly Review for Thursday, 1st December 2022 is now available via this link:
30 Nov 2022
From Facebook
PERFORMING ARTS MINI SHOWCASE 🤩🤩 A wonderful afternoon today as the school gathered for the Performing Arts Mini Showcase! Performances from Drama, Dance and Music students. Well done to all involved!!
30 Nov 2022
McAuley Students Spread Christmas Cheer
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Catherine McAuley students are embracing the Christmas spirit with students donating to both the JRS Christmas Appeal and the Vinnies Christmas Appeal, whilst also decorating the trees in Mercy Square in Christmas House colours.
30 Nov 2022
From Facebook
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! 🎄🎄🎄 House Leaders and Assistant Leaders have been decorating the trees in Mercy Square in their House colours. Mercy Square is looking very festive!
30 Nov 2022
From Facebook
The school is collecting for both the JRS (Jesuit Refugee Service) Christmas Appeal and the Vinnies Christmas Appeal. Thank you in advance for your kind donations. 😍😍
30 Nov 2022
Year 10 History and Geography Students Extend Their Studies
Year 10 History students spent the day on Friday last week exploring the Vietnam War period in Australia whilst Year 10 Geography students spent the day studying the erosion and management strategies of Collaroy and Narrabeen beaches.
29 Nov 2022
From Facebook
Year 10 History students spent Friday last week exploring the Vietnam War period in Australia. Students were fortunate to be able to listen to Ms Tang, Catherine McAuley teacher, who told the students the story of her mother, who came to Australia as a refugee after the Vietnam War. The students then watched an Anh Do documentary and answered reflection questions on the experiences of refugees who fled to Australia after the war. The History students finished their day listening to Mr Brett Hunt, a theatre in education performer, who shared the experiences of his father Frankie, and other veterans, who inspired the song ‘I Was Only 19’ by Redgum.
29 Nov 2022
From Facebook
Year 10 Geography students spent last Friday at Collaroy and Narrabeen beaches investigating the current management strategies by the Northern Beaches Council. ⛱⛱ Collaroy Beach has received much attention over the past few years due to the beach erosion and the students examined in detail the biophysical and atmospheric conditions that, combined with development, have contributed to the erosion.
29 Nov 2022
From Facebook
The combined McAuley and Marist Choir have been busy practising each Thursday morning for the upcoming Christmas Concert.
29 Nov 2022
From Facebook
The combined McAuley and Marist school choir have been busy rehearsing each Thursday morning ready for the upcoming Christmas Concert and hopefully a performance at Parramatta Westfield. 😀