The 2023-2024 School Captains with School Principal Ms Mary Refalo - on left Alyssa A. and on right Lea Z.
The blessing and commissioning of the 2023 - 2024 Student Leaders took place at the conclusion of the Mercy Day Mass on Friday, 1st September.
The incoming School Captains, Alyssa A. and Lea Z., received their badges of office and the outgoing School Captains, Jasmine O. and Jacinta A., passed on the Leadership Cross.
The new school captains Lea and Alyssa with their parents.
The student leaders made their act of commitment at the conclusion of the Mercy Day Mass.
Lea and Alyssa proceed out of the Morley Centre on Mercy Day.
All Student Leaders made their act of commitment in the presence of the whole school community as they pledged to serve to the best of their ability in leadership and faith.
Mrs Cowling, Leader of Learning Wellbeing - Year 11, called forward the 2024 Year 12 students to be presented with their leadership badges whilst Ms Pasion, Leader of Learning Wellbeing - Year 10 called forward the 2024 Year 11 students.
Dr Hugh McDermott MP State Member for Prospect with the incoming and outgoing school captains.
Sisters of Mercy who celebrated with the school on Mercy Day.
The school community prayed God's blessing over the new student leaders.
The school community were invited to pray God’s blessing over the new leaders before they proceeded out of the Morley Centre, followed by School Principal Ms Refalo, special guests and clergy.
A morning tea was held in Coolock Court at the conclusion of the Mass and leadership commissioning.
Year 11 Hospitality students served guests at the morning tea.
Jacqui Hamilton | School Development Officer
Catherine McAuley Westmead
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The Catherine McAuley Weekly Review for Thursday 8th May 2025 is now available via this link:
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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
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07 May 2025
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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
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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!”
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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.
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06 May 2025
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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.
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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!
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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!
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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