The Year 12 PDHPE classes that visited the Australian Catholic University ‘BEST Hub’.
The Year 12 PDHPE classes visited the Australian Catholic University ‘BEST Hub’ at the ACU Blacktown campus last week.
The BEST Hub is home to top-of-the-range sporting facilities, including a strength and conditioning suite, aquatic recovery pool, an industry leading 3D motion capture biomechanics laboratory and exercise physiology labs.
The following summary has been written by Year 12 students Chanel F. and Gabrielle S.
We had a blast at our recent excursion to BEST Hub! We participated in a range of activities and spoke to university lecturers and sports professionals which expanded upon our knowledge and understanding of the unit we are currently learning in PDHPE, Factors Affecting Performance.
In our sessions we heard and learnt about the latest sports technology. We were able to participate in activities such as running across a track on weight plates which measured our strides and steps throughout our run. This is pivotal in assessing how to improve our technique when running.
We also participated in the VO2 max test, the wingate test and hydrotherapy recovery techniques which has you alternating between hot and cold baths. It was a wonderful opportunity which we learnt so much from and an experience we will never forget.
Chanel F. and Gabrielle S., Year 12 PDHPE students
Catherine McAuley Westmead
www.mcauleywestmead.catholic.edu.au
-
![ARTiculate HSC Visual Arts Showcase Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese]()
![Upskill at CathWest Innovation College]()
14 Apr 2025
Upskill at CathWest
Use the Term 1 School Holidays 14 - 15 April for an opportunity to upskill for employment outcomes and develop skills in your passion area. Limited spaces still available!![Women in Trades at Cathwest Innovation College. Young woman at Cathwest working on car.]()
14 Apr 2025
Build, Create & Drive Your Future
Join our Women in Trade Program - a hands-on workshop in Automotive and Carpentry designed to empower and connect young people in the trades.
More News
21 Mar 2025
From Facebook
YEAR 11 VISUAL ARTS 🎨 📷 Year 11 Visual Arts students visited the Art Gallery of NSW on Tuesday this week to view both the ARTEXPRESS exhibition and the exhibition, ‘Cao Fei: My City is Yours’. This contemporary exhibition is interactive, with surreal humour and cyber-futuristic elements. Students could delve into the foam installation and explore its tactile and immersive qualities, engaging with the playful yet thought-provoking aspects of the work. Teacher Mrs Malek said that overall it was an inspiring day for the students, filled with creativity and new perspectives on contemporary art.
21 Mar 2025
Commitment to Close the Gap clear for Western Sydney Catholic schools
Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD) has released its first annual Closing the Gap report. This report outlines its contribution to improving socio-economic outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, particularly students and their families. CSPD Chief Executive Officer Jack de Groot said the report reflects the dedication of CSPD’s 6 500 staff in fostering reconciliation and equity through the organisation’s 80 outstanding school across Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains.
21 Mar 2025
From Facebook
HARMONY DAY 🧡 ‘Everybody Belongs’ - Today Catherine McAuley is celebrating Harmony Day! All week there have been activities in Homerooms including students participating in writing prayers on orange shaped hands that are on display at the entrance of the Chapel. Today the Student Leaders of Hospitality have organised activities at lunch including the school rock band performing in Mercy Square. Students have also been encouraged to wear an orange ribbon in their hair. Next week the celebrations will continue with ‘Grade Chats’ between Years 7 and 8 in Homeroom. “Our school promotes inclusivity and collaboration,” said Tahlia and Georgia, Leaders of Hospitality. “It doesn’t matter where you are from, who you are, what you believe, we all resonate with Catherine McAuley herself and see her as a role model.” “There is so much hate in the world right now, everyone is disagreeing with each other so at Catherine McAuley we embrace harmony as it brings everyone together.”
20 Mar 2025
From Facebook
HSC PREPARATION 🖊 Last Thursday the Year 12 French Continuers students attended an Alliance Française writing workshop to experience a taste of what their HSC French writing exam will be like. Their French mentor, Clara, organised a variety of writing tasks and activities, while also practising their listening skills, by instructing them solely in French. #
20 Mar 2025
From Facebook
The Catherine McAuley Weekly Review for Thursday, 20th March 2025 is now available via this link:
20 Mar 2025
From Facebook
BASKETBALL GALA DAY 🏀 A great day yesterday for the students who represented Catherine McAuley at the Parramatta Diocese Secondary Schools Sports Council (PDSSSC) Open Basketball Gala Day. Held at Penrith Regional Sports Stadium, the McAuley Team played six games winning four, drew one and lost one. They missed out on the grand final by only one point.
20 Mar 2025
From Facebook
HSC PREPARATION 🖊 In preparation for the upcoming assessment block, senior students from SORI and SORII (Studies of Religion) attended an optional workshop after school yesterday. Information was provided about the specific requirements for SOR, along with some general study tips. Most importantly, there was an opportunity for collaboration with peers and members of the Religious Education Team, Ms Grigson, Ms McGlone and Ms Banks to unpack past HSC questions. Later in the year, the RE Team look forward to running more SOR Workshops for Year 12 students.
19 Mar 2025
From Facebook
PROJECT COMPASSION ✝ The Year 10 Coolock St Patrick’s themed bake stall for Project Compassion was held today in Mercy Square during lunch. All money raised will go to the Caritas Australia Project Compassion Appeal.
19 Mar 2025
From Facebook
YEAR 7 ACTIVITY DAY 😀 A one day outdoor recreation experience for Year 7 as they foster team building and resilience! The students spent the day at Vision Valley, Arcadia developing skills in problem solving and critical thinking.
18 Mar 2025
From Facebook
SCHOOL CONCERT BAND 🎶🎶 The school concert band is busy each Tuesday at lunchtime rehearsing their new pieces of music with Ms Picone, Leader of Learning Creative Arts. Today the piece was ‘All That Jazz’. Yesterday it was the turn of The Glee Club to rehearse, Thursday will be the Senior and Junior Rock Bands and on Friday it is the Senior Vocal Ensemble.
18 Mar 2025
From Facebook
AROUND THE CLASSROOMS ➡ Year 11 Exploring Early Childhood students with Ms Papazoglou are learning the struggles of caring for a newborn, or in this instance an ‘egg baby’, as part of an assessment. The students have completed the topic ‘Pregnancy and Childbirth’ and as an assessment have now been tasked with looking after their ‘egg baby’ for one week. The students need to take their ‘baby’ with them to classes or after school events and for two nights during the week they need to get up twice to their crying ‘baby’. ‘Egg Day Care’ is on offer three times a week during Homeroom. “The students are learning the importance of looking after their ‘babies’ and understanding that this is hard work,” said teacher Ms Papazoglou.
18 Mar 2025
From Facebook
PROJECT COMPASSION ✝️ Today it was Year 8 Caritas who were raising money for Project Compassion. Thank you to donations from ‘Little Bits n Bites’ and ‘Graze R US’, both local businesses run by Catherine McAuley Year 8 mothers, who donated items for the students to sell. Students could donate to the Caritas Australia Project Compassion appeal by buying a chocolate covered oreo or donut. Also on offer was a lucky dip organised by the students. @Little bits n bites @Graze U US #projectcompassion #caritasaustralia #donuts #chocoreo #catherinemcauley #catherinemcauleywestmead https://www.facebook.com/people/Little-bits-n-bites/61557597056574/ https://www.facebook.com/GrazeRUSsydney/
18 Mar 2025
Year 11 Students Look After Egg Babies As Part Of The Course Exploring Early Childhood
Exploring Early Childhood (EEC) Year 11 students have spent the past week looking after ‘egg babies’ as part of an assessment task designed to give the students an idea of what it means to look after something as fragile as an egg (or a baby).
15 Mar 2025
From Facebook
The Catherine McAuley Dance Company Choreography Team for 2025 has been announced! “I have every confidence that these students will do a brilliant job in this leadership role,” says Ms Flynn, Dance, PDHPE & RE teacher. Congratulations to these students. 👏👏👏
14 Mar 2025
From Facebook
AROUND THE CLASSROOMS ➡ Year 7 Visual Arts students have been looking at the elements of art and learning watercolour techniques. 🎨 The students created in their visual arts process diary a colour wheel and a beautiful watercolour cupcake.