Mercedes and Ryan Houses organised a Mother’s Day stall in May to raise money for The Parramatta Women’s Shelter
“We are so grateful to the Catherine McAuley community”, says Ms Tania Smith, Shelter Manager at the Parramatta Women’s Shelter, after receiving notice that the school has raised $9,004 for the shelter.
“This is absolutely wonderful, what a big surprise!”, said Ms Smith.
“We are so grateful to the Catherine McAuley community for their generosity and ongoing support of our shelter. Thank you so much. Please give a big thank you to everyone involved”.
The Parramatta Women’s Shelter helps women and children in the Parramatta area who have been affected by domestic violence.
Last term both Mercedes and Ryan Houses joined together to raise money for the shelter through a number of fundraising efforts. These included a Mother’s Day stall, a bake sale, a Year 11 money trail and the very popular Lip Sync Battle.
The Lip Sync competition in Term 2 was won by a group of Year 11 students
The school has been presented with a certificate from the Parramatta Women’s Shelter Board, staff and families in recognition of our efforts which enable the shelter to support new beginnings for women and children who need a safe place to stay.
“Wow, this school is amazing”, said Melita who works at the shelter. Thank you to the Mercedes and Ryan House Patrons and Leaders and to all the students who supported this worthwhile cause.
Year 11 Homerooms raised $550 just from bringing in their loose change for a money trail competition
The school has been presented with a Certificate of Appreciation from the Parramatta Women’s Shelter after raising $9,000
Jacqui Hamilton | School Development Officer
Catherine McAuley Westmead
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08 May 2025
Catherine McAuley Westmead eNewsletter
The Catherine McAuley Weekly Review for Thursday 8th May 2025 is now available via this link:
08 May 2025
Photos from Catherine McAuley Westmead's post
YEAR 10 STUDENTS WALK THE TALK ON RESPECTFUL RELATIONSHIPS ▪️ Last Friday Year 10 students participated in the Walk The Talk Respectful Relationships Education Program. This workshop was delivered by Dannielle Miller OAM, Director of Education, Women’s Community Shelters and CEO of Enlighten Education. And of added interest to Catherine McAuley an ex-student from the Class of 1987! 💕 Dannielle described returning to her former school to speak to Year 10 as “one of the most special events of my career!” The school certainly loved having Dannielle return to speak. The program educates students about the elements of healthy relationships and the nature and characteristics of relationship abuse and coercive control. The program informed students how to handle disclosures of abuse and how to seek help. Following this program the students took part in a practical workshop led by Julia Fleming, Education Officer for Women’s Community Shelters. Year 10 students are exploring ways to address the needs of our local community by supporting the Parramatta Women’s Shelter in a practical way. Thank you to both Dannielle and Julia for speaking with Year 10! 😍 Enlighten Education @parrawomensshelter
08 May 2025
From Facebook
LEADERSHIP 🔸 Four Year 12 Catherine McAuley students have spent the last year participating in a leadership program through the University of Sydney. Each holiday period the students attended the USYD campus and completed a variety of leadership workshops aimed to develop their leadership skills. As part of the program the students were assigned to a group with students from other schools and were asked to create a presentation answering the focus question, "How will you utilise leadership for good in the next 12 months to ‘make things happen’?". The students presented to all the students in the program and finished with a graduation ceremony which took place over the most recent holidays. Well done to Emily G., Niamh M., Kaitlin C. and Ann C. on completing this program.
08 May 2025
Year 10 Commerce Students Debate Raising The Age Of Criminal Responsibility
The Year 10 Commerce classes have recently engaged in a mock parliament debate to consolidate their learning of the topic, ‘Law, Society and Political Involvement’.
07 May 2025
From Facebook
Term 2 Parents and Carers Meeting 😀 All parents and carers are invited! This meeting will be a chance to hear what is happening at the school, hear directly from the School Principal, and meet other parents and carers. RSVP to jhamilton4@parra.catholic.edu.au
07 May 2025
Photos from Catherine McAuley Westmead's post
BELLISSIMO!! 🇮🇹 Year 11 Italian students with Ms Tolhurst enjoyed a delicious Italian meal last week as they visited the Italian restaurant Three One Seven in Parramatta. The excursion gave the students the opportunity to experience a little slice of Italy and enjoy some Italian food including the pappardelle lamb ragu and authentic pizzas. After lunch the students visited Messina for a gelato. Year 11 student Acsah N. said that the excursion was a fun and memorable experience. “We’re grateful to the school, and especially to our Italian teacher, for organising it and we look forward to more amazing excursions like this in the future!”
07 May 2025
Photos from Catherine McAuley Westmead's post
AROUND THE CLASSROOMS ➡ Year 12 Visual Arts students (12VA1) of Mrs Langbein-Pass spent today attending an immersion workshop to allow the students to work exclusively on their major work. The students are actively working towards their HSC Body of Work which will be due in early September. The standard of work is very high and the school looks forward to viewing the completed works later in the year.
07 May 2025
Wanderers 5 Junior Football Team Win The 2025 Competition
Wanderers 5 Junior Football Team have won the 2025 Competition.
07 May 2025
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06 May 2025
Photos from Catherine McAuley Westmead's post
Mercy Chapel ✝ During the recent school holidays a series of stained glass windows were installed in the school chapel. The windows were designed in 2023 by seven students who were chosen after submitting entries into the ‘Mercy Chapel Stained Glass Window Design Competition’ established by Ms Smith and Ms Lowrencev (both have since left the school) as part of their involvement in the Mercy Formation Program. This program sees staff members from each of the five Mercy schools in Sydney choose a project to work on which will deepen the understanding of the Mercy charism at their school. The students worked with Ms Fernandes, former Visual Arts Teacher, on the final designs. The windows represent the six Mercy values of Justice, Excellence, Integrity, Courage, Hospitality and Mercy and each House colour is represented in the ribbons flowing through the panes.
06 May 2025
Photos from Catherine McAuley Westmead's post
PARRAMATTA WOMEN’S SHELTER 😍 A fantastic array of gifts were available today at the annual Mother’s Day Stall organised by Ryan and Mercedes Houses. All proceeds will go towards the school’s social justice cause this term which is the Parramatta Women’s Shelter. The Parramatta Women’s Shelter provides crisis accommodation and outreach support to women and children escaping domestic and family violence and homelessness. Thank you to all who donated items and to those who made a purchase!
05 May 2025
From Facebook
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS 🙌 🙌 Congratulations to Annisha R. Year 10 who competed during the recent school holidays at the 2025 Australian Junior Athletics Championships in Perth, Western Australia. Annisha won a bronze medal in the U16 Hammer Throw with a throw of 46.97m. Annisha also came 6th in the U16 Discus. Well done!
02 May 2025
From Facebook
Term 2 Parents and Carers Meeting 😀 All parents and carers are invited! This meeting will be a chance to hear what is happening at the school, hear directly from the School Principal, and meet other parents and carers. RSVP to jhamilton4@parra.catholic.edu.au
02 May 2025
Photos from Catherine McAuley Westmead's post
JUNIOR WANDERERS 5 FOOTBALL TEAM WINNERS OF THE 2025 COMPETITION!!! 🙌 🙌 🙌 Congratulations to the Junior Wanderers 5 Football Team who have won the 2025 Parramatta Diocese Secondary Schools Sports Council (PDSSSC) Competition. The team was undefeated throughout the season and only had four goals scored against them! Amazing effort! Well done also to the Intermediate Team who finished 4th. Coaches Ms Robson and Mr Campbell said that the teams camaraderie and resilience throughout the season is to be commended. Their skill was accompanied with mercy in each game and both teams represented Catherine McAuley with pride. Congratulations to both teams on an outstanding season!
02 May 2025
Photos from Catherine McAuley Westmead's post
AROUND THE CLASSROOMS ➡️ On Friday the 11th of April, Mrs Nicolson’s Year 10 Commerce class held a mock parliament debate on a proposed amendment to raising the age of Criminal Responsibility in Australia. 👩⚖️ Students engaged in this activity with encouragement in taking part in our roles to highlight the significance of the issue, and conduct research from credible sources to support our arguments. The mock debate allowed students to explore the real-life importance of governments, and debates in shaping laws that govern our lives. Each argument presented emphasised the importance of the legal system in ensuring a fair process of everyone involved. The discussions highlighted how the decisions made in parliament can have meaningful effects on individuals futures and the community's safety and wellbeing. After many voices spoke up in the classroom, and different arguments were made from both sides, a vote was done and the class decided to raise the age! ( The ‘ayes’ had it!). Students learnt the crucial work of government in the legislative process, and we eagerly await the upcoming election. - Karina and Yvanna, Year 10 At the conclusion of the debate, the students were asked to post their reflections on why young people need to be involved in political decision making. Here are some samples of what they wrote: Engaging with legal matters empowers them to advocate for their rights and ensures that their voices are heard in shaping policies that reflect their needs. - Olivia The youth of today will eventually have the power to voice their opinions and vote for change in our government, so it is crucial that they remain educated and aware of the laws that will impact their futures. - Mary It is crucial for young people to pay attention to the laws as they directly impact our lives and the future set out for us. - Kruti