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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08 Sep 2023
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06 Nov 2023
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27 Sep 2023
From Facebook
12 Year 9 students attended a Cyber Industry Day at the end of last term which was held in partnership with KPMG and the Department of Education. The day gave students the opportunity to work collaboratively with students from other schools to solve cyber problems. They participated in a cyber escape room, a robotics activity organised by UNSW students and an open source intelligence activity. Besides learning better ways to protect themselves online, the students also were able to hear from successful women in the cyber industry and learn what it is like to pursue a career in this area.
25 Sep 2023
From Facebook
The Catherine McAuley Library Ambassadors organised a ‘Big Book Give Away’ last week. 📚📚 Students and staff donated books they no longer wanted and students could then take their pick for some holiday reading. The Ambassadors set up a stall in Mercy Square at lunchtime and any left over primary student level books were given to Mother Teresa.
24 Sep 2023
From Facebook
Today marks the day in 1827 when Catherine McAuley opened the first House of Mercy on Lower Baggot Street in Dublin, Ireland. Mercy House was opened as a place to shelter and educate women and girls. From Dublin, Ireland to Westmead, Sydney we think of Catherine McAuley and her work today!
23 Sep 2023
From Facebook
YEAR 10 😀 Through song and story telling, Mr Chris Doyle, from Karis Ministries, led a wellbeing workshop for Year 10 students on Friday last week. Thank you to Year 10 Media Team students Kaitlin and Annie for taking these photos.
23 Sep 2023
From Facebook
Thank you to the Year 11 Hospitality students who served families, Year 12 students and staff at the Year 12 Graduation Mass this week. Our Hospitality students are always ready to serve with a smile. 😄
22 Sep 2023
From Facebook
22 Sep 2023
From Facebook
END OF TERM 3! Wishing all students an enjoyable school holidays. 😀 The first two days of Term 4 are staff professional learning days so students return on Wednesday 11th October 2023.
22 Sep 2023
From Facebook
Congratulations Gabrielle, Jazmin, Rihana, Naydeen, Alyssa B, Mackenzie, Shanice, Patricia, Alana, Emma, Alyssa C, Isabella, Claudia, Katherine, Tania, Abigale, Lara, Temika and Irene who were accepted into The Australian Catholic University’s Step-up Program. During the school holidays they will commence their first unit of university study in either Business, Nursing and Midwifery, Sports and Exercise Science or Teaching. We wish these students all the best in these studies. 😀
22 Sep 2023
From Facebook
YEAR 12 AWARDS 👏👏 Congratulations to the recipients of the Year 12 Special Awards which were announced at the Year 12 Graduation Ceremony this week.
22 Sep 2023
From Facebook
YEAR 12 AWARDS 👏👏 Congratulations to Sophia P. who is the recipient of The Catherine McAuley Award. This award is the school’s highest non-academic award and is presented to the student who has made an outstanding contribution to the life of the school. “We should be shining lamps, giving light to all around us” - these words of Venerable Catherine McAuley are clearly reflected in the way Sophia has spent her time at school. In her role as Leader of Hospitality, Sophia introduced initiatives to promote harmony among the students, ensuring that everyone was made to feel welcome and included. She provided a ‘light’ to the new Year 7 students, running lunchtime programs to help in their transition to secondary school. Working closely with the Leader of Culture, Sophia helped implement and regularly supervised Creative Corner - an initiative that provided a place and opportunity to relax, be creative and meet new friends. In the classroom Sophia’s diligence and strong determination to excel has yielded outstanding academic results. She constantly strives for personal excellence, whilst quietly assisting other students. She is always willing to take risks and challenges in her learning, confidently expressing her ideas whilst always listening respectfully to others. Sophia also volunteered to participate in a number of community leadership forums and inter-school events. Her participation in The Smith Family Reading Program shows her concern for the wider community. Sophia’s generosity and positive attitude have impressed staff and students alike. She is an outstanding role model ‘giving light’ to those around her, and is truly a worthy recipient of this prestigious award. Congratulations Sophia!
21 Sep 2023
From Facebook
School choir singing 'Suscipe of Catherine McAuley' at the Year 12 Graduation Mass on Tuesday 19th September 2023.
21 Sep 2023
From Facebook
The Catherine McAuley Weekly Review for Thursday 21st September 2023 is now available via this link:
21 Sep 2023
From Facebook
21 Sep 2023
From Facebook
Year 12 students were honoured at the Graduation Mass on Tuesday night. Each student was given a teacup (a symbol of the Venerable Catherine McAuley) which contained a candle which was then lit by each student’s Homeroom Teacher. The students formed a ‘Circle of Mercy’ to demonstrate the strength that comes from the formation of a circle and the call to live with the values of mercy at the forefront.
21 Sep 2023