Year 10 students at the Google offices in Sydney where they took part in a problem solving program.
Last week a group of Year 10 students had the unique opportunity to participate in the Google Design Sprint Program.
This innovative program introduced students to problem-solving techniques used by leading companies. Students collaborated in teams to brainstorm, prototype and present solutions to “how they might use technology to solve a challenge for students in schools in Australia”, all within a matter of minutes.
Year 10 student Shallavi was part of one of the teams who made it through to the finals with their idea of creating an earpiece to reduce noise/distractors for neuro-diverse students and has written about her experience:
From my perspective, I really enjoyed this experience because we got to work with students from other schools, which sparked more ideas and made the collaboration really exciting. It felt like a free and open space where everyone could share their ideas without any type of judgment. The management team throughout the program set a great example of the kind of career path I hope to pursue when I leave school.
The experience was a fantastic way for students to develop creative thinking, teamwork and entrepreneurial skills, inspiring them to approach challenges with confidence and innovation.
The students are to be commended for being outstanding school representatives and for fully engaging in the day’s activities. A big thank you to the facilitators in Google education who made this memorable learning opportunity possible!
Ms Joanne Xuereb | Leader of Learning Pathways and Partnerships
Catherine McAuley Westmead
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25 Dec 2024
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WISHING OUR STUDENTS, FAMILIES AND STAFF A HAPPY AND HOLY CHRISTMAS β¨ Artwork by Year 9 student Irene M.
19 Dec 2024
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FAREWELL π₯° Farewell to the staff leaving the Catherine McAuley Westmead community at the end of this year. We wish you well in your future endeavours!
19 Dec 2024
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CONGRATULATIONS πππ Congratulations to Estavan Alberti, Information Technology Trainee at Catherine McAuley Westmead, who has been awarded the Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese IT Trainee of the Year! Well done Estavan!
19 Dec 2024
From Facebook
The Catherine McAuley Weekly Review for Thursday 19th December 2024 is now available via this link. This is the final edition for the year.
18 Dec 2024
From Facebook
THANK YOU! ππ The school delivered 50 bags and boxes to the Jesuit Refugee Service this week containing all the generous grocery donations from our students, families and staff. JRS was extremely appreciative! These items will be used at the JRS Parramatta Foodbank and will help local families in need this Christmas. THANK YOU!
18 Dec 2024
From Facebook
FIRST IN THE STATE FOR BUSINESS SERVICES π The school was very pleased to be able to congratulate Sanmeet in person this morning at the HSC results morning tea for her First-In-Course result for the Business Services Exam. She is here with her teachers, Ms Spelman on left and Mrs Relan on right, and Ms Refalo, School Principal, in the centre with Sanmeet. The school has again performed outstandingly in Business Services with four students placed in the Top 10 in the State. 1st place - Sanmeet B.; 2nd place - Jessica B.; 5th place - Jazmin A.D. and 10th place - Elna R.
18 Dec 2024
From Facebook
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CLASS OF 2024 πππ Many of the Year 12 students from the Class of 2024 returned this morning for a morning tea with staff to celebrate their HSC results. Congratulations to all students!
18 Dec 2024
From Facebook
HSC RESULTS π€© Six students have been named as Top Achievers in Course (these students achieved one of the highest places in a HSC course or VET examination). Congratulations to these students!!
18 Dec 2024
From Facebook
Congratulations to the Class of 2024 on their outstanding HSC results! π π Catherine McAuley had 73 students named on the Distinguished Achievers list (these students have received a Band 6 in at least one course); Sanmeet B., has achieved First-in-Course for the Business Services Examination; 65% of courses studied were above the State average; students achieved a band 5 or 6 in 54% of all exams undertaken and a band 4, 5 or 6 in 92% of all exams undertaken. Six students have been named as Top Achievers in Course (these students achieved one of the highest places in a HSC course or VET examination). 1st place Business Services Examination - Sanmeet B.; 2nd place Business Services Examination - Jessica B., 5th place Business Services Examination - Jazmin A.D., 10th place Business Services Examination - Elna Rose K.; 5th place Community and Family Studies - Samantha T. and 19th place PDHPE - Gabrielle S. Two students have been nominated for ArtExpress, two students nominated for OnSTAGE, one student nominated for Callback and one student nominated for SHAPE. Of the 73 students named on the Distinguished Achievers list 27 of these students were accelerated Year 11 students. This is a wonderful result for these Year 11 students! βThe Class of 2024 have made some very impressive achievements this year in their HSC,β said Mary Refalo, School Principal. βThey have worked hard, and their practice and diligence has paid off in the results they have received today. We are always proud of them, but especially proud when they aspire to excellence as they have done so to achieve these results. As always, I commend their teachers whose guidance and instruction have supported students in their learning at each step of the journey.β Well done to the Class of 2024! The school is very proud of all that you have achieved!
17 Dec 2024
From Facebook
Thank you to all the parents and VIP guests who attended our Academic Awards Ceremony last Friday. π The school was very pleased to have join us Sr Margaret Jones and Sr Patricia Bolster from the Sisters of Mercy Parramatta; Donna Davis MP, State Member for Parramatta; Dr Hugh McDermott MP, State Member for Prospect; representatives from Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese and the Chairperson, Vice Chair, Secretary and PRC Representative from the Catherine McAuley Parents & Carers Group.
17 Dec 2024
From Facebook
HSC FIRST IN COURSE π π Congratulations to Sanmeet B. from the Class of 2024 who has achieved First-In-Course for the Business Services Examination in the HSC. Sanmeet has said she was shocked to find out she had topped the State. βMy teachers were the foundations for all this, their feedback, help and preparation support was so helpful,β Sanmeet said. Well done to Ms Spelman and Mrs Relan! πππ
17 Dec 2024
Five Western Sydney Catholic students top the state in HSC courses
Bede Polding College Windsor, Gilroy Catholic College Castle Hill, Cerdon College Merrylands, Catherine McAuley Westmead and St Columbaβs Catholic College Springwood are celebrating the achievements of their students who have been awarded First-in-Course at a HSC awards ceremony hosted by the Deputy Premier and Education Minister The Hon Prue Car MP on Tuesday 17 December at the University of New South Wales (UNSW).
17 Dec 2024
From Facebook
CABRINI NURSING HOME π₯° A group of seven Year 9 students, a representative from each Homeroom class, have spent every Thursday afternoon over the past nine weeks visiting residents at the nearby Cabrini Nursing Home. These visits have allowed the students involved to learn mercy in action for themselves. Thursday last week was the final visit for these students as next year a new group of students will attend. The students have written about their final visit: βWe had a wonderful time and said our goodbyes to our friends we have got to know over the past 9 weeks. We are excited for this to continue in the new year with the current Year 8βs - we have told our friends that the students are excited to meet them next year. The cookies made by the Year 11 Hospitality students were well received and the residents and staff gave their complements to the chefs!"
17 Dec 2024
2024 Academic Awards Ceremony
Congratulations to all students who received an award at the 2024 Catherine McAuley Westmead Academic Awards Ceremony.
16 Dec 2024
From Facebook
AROUND THE CLASSROOMS β‘ Year 9 Design and Technology students of Mrs Mani have spent the past two weeks making wooden boxes. The boxes have been made out of plywood and nailed together. The students have used many of the different machines in the workshop to make their boxes and used techniques such as hammering and sanding.