Dr Vanessa Moss graduated from Catherine McAuley in 2004 and returned to school to speak to students about her amazing STEM career.
Dr Vanessa Moss graduated from Catherine McAuley in 2004 and since that time has embarked on an amazing STEM career.
Currently a Radio Astronomer based at CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation), Vanessa works with the world’s biggest telescopes to explore and understand our universe.
Organised by Ms Xuereb, Leader of Learning Pathways, Dr Moss returned to school on Monday this week to talk about her journey since high school and the work she is involved in. Students were able to listen to Dr Moss speak about her current role where she oversees science operations for the groundbreaking ASKAP telescope in remote Western Australia. Vanessa manages astronomical observations from specification to arrival for processing at the Pawsey Supercomputing Research Centre.
Dr Moss has also recently been named as a ‘Superstar of STEM’ and is looking forward to returning to Catherine McAuley again to talk to students.
Jacqui Hamilton | School Development Officer
Catherine McAuley Westmead
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13 Aug 2025
Become an IT Trainee and earn while you learn
If you are a Year 10-12 student, attend an information session on either 13 or 14 August 2025 (4pm-6pm) at Aengus Kavanagh Centre, 59 Railway St Rooty Hill NSW 2766 to get started.
More News
29 Jul 2025
From Facebook
ATTENTION CLASS OF 2022 😀 The school has copies of the 2022 Yearbook available. If you were from the Class of 2022, 2023 or 2024 and would like a copy you are able to come to the school office to collect a copy for yourself and friends. If you still have a younger sister at the school she may collect on your behalf. The 2023 Yearbook will arrive soon and the 2024 later in the year.
29 Jul 2025
From Facebook
STAFF VS YEAR 12 STUDENTS 😀 The Year 12 students were victorious in yesterday’s Family Feud Challenge between teachers and Year 12 students. This event took place as part of the annual school competition called ‘McAuley Shield’ which sees Year 12 students compete against staff in a number of events. 💪 With questions like, 'Name Your Favourite Female Singer’, ‘Name An Animal You Would Be Most Excited To See At The Zoo’ and ‘Name Something People Are Scared Of’, the students proved they are more in touch with general opinions. Bring on the next event!
29 Jul 2025
From Facebook
WELCOME 😍 A very warm welcome to the group of Year 10 students from Iida Girls School, Nagano, Japan, accompanied by their teachers, who are visiting Catherine McAuley from today through to Thursday 7th August. As part of the hosting program, the Japanese students will join their buddy’s classes during their time and our Japanese language students will have a wonderful opportunity to practise their language skills.
29 Jul 2025
From Facebook
Congratulations to the team of Years 9 & 10 students who, as part of their involvement with the Captivate After School Drama Ensemble, have placed 3rd in the State Final of the Sport for Jove Shakespeare Carnival. This carnival is a drama competition that draws students from across NSW. The McAuley Team placed 3rd in the Self Devised Category for their self devised piece, ‘To Love, Serve, Honour and Obey’ which explored the complex relationships of females in Shakespeare's plays. 🎭 🎭 Well done also to the team of Year 9 students who entered the Smartphone Film Category and who devised, performed and filmed a short Shakespeare inspired video piece.
29 Jul 2025
From Facebook
A number of Year 10 students had a unique opportunity last Thursday to consider a career with Sydney Trains as they attended a ‘Sydney Trains Immersive Exploring Rail Day’ at the Clyde Hub. 🚆 The students explored career pathways in train signalling, planning, telecommunications, asset management, drone piloting, and more. Hands-on workshops, tech demos, and chats with current staff gave them real insight into future opportunities - from apprenticeships to engineering roles. Ms Xuereb, Leader of Learning Pathways & Partnerships, said that the knowledge the students obtained will support them in making informed decisions when it comes to selecting their senior subjects and planning their post-school pathways.
29 Jul 2025
From Facebook
Thank you to Ava, Julia, Tahlia and Zoe who have started volunteering this week at Ronald McDonald House. They will assist in the learning centre every Monday after school this term. Ronald McDonald House is a charitable organisation that provides a support home away from home for families of seriously ill or injured children who are receiving treatment at Westmead Children’s Hospital. The school has had a partnership with Ronald McDonald House for many years with students regularly volunteering to help in the learning centre.
28 Jul 2025
From Facebook
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT 👏🏀 Well done to Year 8 student Heazel L. who is busy competing in basketball tournaments around Australia. Heazel most recently competed in the NAIDOC Basketball Tournament held in Canberra over the school holidays. This tournament brings together local and interstate teams celebrating Indigenous culture through sport. Heazel has also recently competed in a tournament in Adelaide and a local tournament with the Hills Hornets Basketball Association.
28 Jul 2025
From Facebook
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT 🎖🩰 Well done to Year 8 student Emily C. who is achieving at a high level in ballet. Emily recently achieved a ‘High Merit’ grade in her Intermediate Foundation Ballet Exam set by the Royal Academy of Dance. This is a wonderful result for what is considered to be one of the most challenging exams especially for young dancers. Emily will now go on to complete the Intermediate Exam.
28 Jul 2025
From Facebook
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT 👏 Congratulations to Year 11 student Ava S. on her high achievements in AFL. Ava has been selected for the Under 18s Giants Academy for the fourth consecutive year, a testament to her dedication, skill and commitment to the sport. In addition, Ava was selected for the prestigious Under 18 AFL Multicultural Team. She was flown to Melbourne for a long weekend of high level training and the opportunity to compete in a showcase match against the AFL Indigenous All Stars Team. Finally, Ava was also selected, and has begun playing, in the Women’s Premier Division in AFL Sydney this year.
25 Jul 2025
From Facebook
COME ALONG TO THE TERM 3 PARENTS & CARERS MEETING 😀 All parents and carers are invited to attend the Term 3 Parents and Carers Meeting to be held on Tuesday 5th August at 6pm for a 6.30pm start. These meetings are a great chance to hear directly from the School Principal what is happening at the school and what activities are coming up. COME ALONG AND BRING A FRIEND!
24 Jul 2025
From Facebook
The Catherine McAuley Weekly Review for Thursday, 24th July 2025 is now available via the link:
24 Jul 2025
From Facebook
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS 👏👏👏 Well done to Year 8 student Jenolin P. who was awarded a Highly Commended Award in the Blacktown City Council 2025 ‘Living Stories Western Sydney Writing Prize’. Jenolin was awarded in the 13 - 15 Years Old Age Group and recently read her piece at the awards ceremony.
24 Jul 2025
From Facebook
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS 👏👏👏 Congratulations to Year 11 student Tanisha S. who represented NSW in the Indoor Cricket National Championships held in Perth during the holidays. Tanisha played in the Under 18 Girls side who won the grand final in their age group playing against the ACT.
24 Jul 2025
From Facebook
GRAND FINAL WINNERS!! 🥳 🥳 Three cheers for the Senior Netball Team who won the PDSSSC Netball Competition this afternoon in their grand final game against Marian College Kenthurst. 🙌 🙌 🙌 The Catherine McAuley Team won convincingly with a 49 - 10 win!
22 Jul 2025
From Facebook
Year 12 Chemistry students attended The University of Sydney Chemistry Kickstart Program at the end of last term. 👩🔬 💦 🧫 In the words of their teacher Mrs Manoogian, “The students worked through different spectroscopy techniques such as Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy, Infrared Spectroscopy, Mass Spectrometry and UV-Visible Spectrophotometry, to investigate the interaction between matter and electromagnetic radiation of all different wavelengths. The students learnt how these instruments are operated and used them to analyse different organic compounds.” Sounds complicated! 👩🔬👩🔬 This program was a wonderful opportunity for the HSC Chemistry students to continue their study and preparation for the HSC.