Kaitlin C. and Emily G. have been announced as the school captains for Term 4 2024 and Terms 1-3 2025.
Congratulations to Emily G. and Kaitlin C. who have been announced as the School Captains for Term 4 2024 and Terms 1 - 3 2025.
Both Emily and Kaitlin have a strong record of leadership with Emily currently the Assistant Leader of Coolock House and has been involved in many fundraising initiatives for Mercy Works and the Jesuit Refugee Service such as McAuley’s Got Talent, the slushie stall and the Easter photos. Kaitlin has been a member of the Public Speaking and Debating Team for many years, is the leader of the Hip Hop Troupe, a SRC leader who has helped with many fundraising activities, a leader of school tours and a volunteer reader to Mother Teresa Primary School students.
Kaitlin and Emily spoke to the Year 11 student body as part of the nomination process for school captain and they spoke about what the spirit of mercy means to them. Kaitlin said to her the spirit of mercy means showing patience, understanding and cooperation. “I believe a mercy leader should help everyone achieve their own greatness. A mercy leader must guide but not dictate, listen and not interpret, and build up and not tear down”, Kaitlin said. “It is not the badge that makes you a leader but your relationships and the attitudes you have to others”.
For her nomination speech Emily told a story about one of her first few days at Catherine McAuley as a Year 7 student catching the bus for the first time in the pouring rain with no umbrella. “I was walking to school getting absolutely drenched when a Year 12 student walked up next to me and offered to share her umbrella”, said Emily. “A big Year 12 helping a little Year 7. I am sharing this story because I was asked to talk about my idea of the spirit of mercy and this is it for me. This is what has stuck with me since Year 7 as a reflection of what it is to be a Mercy Girl”. Emily continued, “Our spirit of mercy is the mercy in the school song, holding the door for someone, the excitement of the lip sync battle, the donating, the money raising, and sharing your umbrella. No matter how big or small, our spirit of mercy is so important to lift each other up every day and extend that to the wider community”.
Congratulations to both Emily and Kaitlin! The School Captains and Student Leadership Team will be commissioned at the upcoming Mercy Day Mass on Friday, 6th September.
Catherine McAuley Westmead
www.mcauleywestmead.catholic.edu.au
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Term 3 fundraising for the Mercy Works Chicken and Egg Program has been an extraordinary success with $20,000 raised so far! 🙌🙌🙌 Caritas, Dobson and Veritas Houses have taken the lead this term in organising the fundraising activities and awareness campaign for the Mercy Works program which sees chickens donated to villages across Timor-Leste to help reduce the risk of severe malnutrition in children under five years old. 🐔🥚 Fundraising activities have taken place during Term 3 with Mercy Day last Friday providing an additional opportunity for fundraising. Activities on Mercy Day included escape rooms, karaoke, a haunted house, a photo booth, dessert decorating and some of the stalls selling food and drink included stalls selling snow cones, popcorn, spider fizzy drinks, chocolate coated marshmallows, zooper doopers, international foods and many more. Read the full story here: https://www.mcauleywestmead.catholic.edu.au/10-09-24-MercyWorks
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MERCY SYMBOLS ✝ Our school Masses always begin with the procession of Mercy symbols. At the Mercy Day Mass on Friday it was Danijela who brought forward the shawl. Late one night in 1832 Catherine carried home in her woollen shawl a newborn baby of a poor woman who had died of cholera. The shawl is a symbol of giving protection and shelter to those in need. Alphonsa brought forward the Mercy cross. This cross was designed by Catherine McAuley, a symbol of her deep love for the crucified Jesus. Brianna brought forward a picture of Catherine McAuley. Catherine founded the Sisters of Mercy in Dublin, Ireland. Ava brought forward a cup and saucer. Catherine believed that welcoming people who needed help and offering them something to eat or drink was a way to share God’s love. Just before Catherine died she asked that her Sisters have a ‘good cup of tea’ together to comfort each other. Kashish brought forward a pair of walking shoes. The Sisters of Mercy were known as the ‘walking nuns’. These shoes are a symbol of the work done by the Sisters of Mercy and all who walk in their footsteps.
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MERCY DAY 2024 🥳 Congratulations to our new school captains for Term 4 2024 & 2025 Kaitlin C. and Emily G. who were commissioned this morning at the Mercy Day Mass.