The Year 12 Geography students visited Werri Beach whilst on their Geography field trip.
The Year 12 Geography students swapped the classroom for Minnamurra Rainforest last week as they completed their mandatory fieldwork for the HSC.
The students have been studying Minnamurra Rainforest for their rainforest ecosystem case study as part of the HSC topic ‘Ecosystems and Global Biodiversity’. The students collected data on soil, humidity, heat and light, completed vegetation studies and transects and even squeezed in a 4 km hike to the beautiful Minnamurra Falls.
Late afternoon on Day 1 of the field trip was a walk to Werri Beach to enjoy the scenery and beauty of the coastal environment before heading back to the accommodation ready for Day 2.
On the second day the students visited Silos Estate Winery in Berry, as a case study of sustainability in the economic activity of wine making, and completed a tour through Berry, as a study of a rural town. These visits were completed as part of the HSC topics 'Global Sustainability' and 'Rural and Urban Places'.
Many thanks to Raj, the owner of Silos Estate, Councillor Selena Clancy, from Shoalhaven City Council and Kate, from the Berry & District Historical Society, for their time and expertise in bringing to life what these students study in class.
View photos from this event
Jacqui Hamilton | School Development Officer
Catherine McAuley Westmead
-
![CathWest Innovation College]()
24 Jun 2025
Try a Career Day @ CathWest McCarthy Campus
Year 10, are you curious about trying a career...? Register for CathWest's 'Try a Career Day' at the CathWest McCarthy Campus!![CathWest Innovation College]()
01 Jul 2025
Try a Career Day @ CathWest Loyola Campus
Year 10, are you curious about trying a career...? Register for CathWest's 'Try a Career Day' at the CathWest Loyola Campus!![Women's Trade Day Program at CathWest Innovation College]()
07 Jul 2025
Nexgen Women's Trade Day Program @ CathWest Loyola Campus
Ready to explore a future in trades? We’re offering two hands-on training days designed especially for women and you can choose to attend one day or both!![CathWest Innovation College]()
07 Jul 2025
Upskill Workshops @ CathWest Loyola Campus
Use the Term 2 School Holidays 7 - 8 July for an opportunity to upskill for employment outcomes and develop skills in your passion area. Limited spaces are available!
More News
13 Jun 2025
From Facebook
AROUND THE CLASSROOMS ➡ 'As part of their Commerce studies, my class hosted a Global Rights Forum, a vibrant gallery walk showcasing human rights protections and legal systems around the world. Each group became legal ambassadors for a different country, creating embassy-style stalls and comparing international systems with those in Australia. The event aimed to deepen students’ understanding of global citizenship and the wide variety of legal approaches used around the world. It was a great success, with enthusiastic engagement from both the Year 10 presenters and other students who visited, asked thoughtful questions, and collected passport stamps as they toured the embassies. As part of the experience, students also reflected on areas where Australia could improve and made thoughtful recommendations for strengthening human rights protections at home.' - Ms N Nicolson
12 Jun 2025
From Facebook
ALL INVITED!! 🥳 All invited to the Catherine McAuley Westmead Creative and Performing Arts Mid Year Showcase. A wonderful opportunity to view student artworks and listen to student performances!
12 Jun 2025
From Facebook
MERCY HERITAGE TRAIL 👣 Yesterday a number of Year 10 students joined the School Principal Ms Mary Refalo and the Director of Catholic Identity and Mission Ms Genevieve Banks, to the opening of the ‘Mercy Heritage Trail’, located at the convent and administration centre of the Parramatta Sisters of Mercy. This self guided walking tour explores the significant landmarks and contributions of these pioneering women who shaped education, healthcare and community services in the Western Sydney region. The Mercy Heritage Trail is a testament to the spirit and tenacity of the Sisters in their work to do the work of Jesus through the Mercy lens. It is a place where, for over 160 years, the values of hospitality, excellence, integrity, courage and justice have been demonstrated and modelled. Everyone is welcomed to visit the Sisters of Mercy Parramatta Heritage Trail. Information is available via their website: https://www.mercyheritageparramatta.org.au/
12 Jun 2025
From Facebook
The Catherine McAuley Weekly Review for Thursday, 12th June 2025 is now available via this link:
12 Jun 2025
From Facebook
RUGBY LEAGUE 🏉 Catherine McAuley now has a rugby league team!! In the past we have had students represent the school in rugby league but the school has never had its own team for the Thursday afternoon PDSSSC competition. The McAuley Team is playing in the Under 16s 9-a-side competition and won their very first game last week against St Columba’s Catholic College. The team will play Delany Catholic College this afternoon. Well done to the students who were dedicated to getting this team up and running and we wish them all the best for the season!
11 Jun 2025
From Facebook
PARRAMATTA WOMEN’S SHELTER 💜 On Friday Year 12 organised a very popular sausage sizzle fundraiser for the Parramatta Women’s Shelter. Thank you to Year 11 Media Team students Majerin and Georgia for taking these photos.
11 Jun 2025
From Facebook
CHAPTER CHATTER 📖 Today in the library the Chapter Chatter session was all things Harry Potter! A very lively quiz took place as students’ knowledge on the Harry Potter books was put to the test.
11 Jun 2025
Year 11 Students Complete The Gold Duke of Edinburgh International Award Qualifying Journey
Thirteen Year 11 students have completed their Gold Duke of Edinburgh International Award Qualifying Journey.
11 Jun 2025
NSW VET in Schools Student of the Year Regional Finalists
Catherine McAuley has two students who are regional finalists in the NSW VET in Schools Student of the Year Training Awards.
10 Jun 2025
From Facebook
ENVIRONMENT WEEK 🍃 Catherine McAuley Music students joined in on celebrating Environment Week at lunchtime as they busked in Mercy Square.
10 Jun 2025
From Facebook
ENVIRONMENT WEEK 🍃 It’s officially Environment Week at Catherine McAuley!! The student-led Earth Action Committee (EAC) have organised a week full of fun activities every day during lunch that emphasises the shared duty of protecting the planet. Today it was a Repurposed Pop-Up Stall with the students selling unique, handmade items, crafted by the EAC students, from repurposed materials. Items included tote bags, crochet pieces, flower pots, keyrings and more. All money raised will go to the Parramatta Women’s Shelter.
10 Jun 2025
From Facebook
Congratulations to Year 12 students Summer K. and Georgia B. who are both finalists for the NSW VET in Schools Student of the Year Training Awards (Western Sydney and Blue Mountains region). This award recognises an exceptional student who is undertaking accredited vocational education and training (VET) as part of their HSC program of study. Georgia is studying three VET subjects - VET Retail, VET Hospitality and VET Beauty Services. Summer is studying two VET subjects - VET Business Services and VET Fitness. The regional winner of the NSW VET in Schools Student of the Year Training Award will be announced on Friday 20th June 2025. Good luck Summer and Georgia!
10 Jun 2025
From Facebook
PARRAMATTA WOMEN’S SHELTER 💜 Year 7 Veritas contributed to the fundraising for Parramatta Women’s Shelter today by organising a bake stall at lunchtime. Thank you to those Year 7 Veritas students who brought in items to sell today. The school will be raising both awareness and funds for the Parramatta Women’s Shelter all term. Established in 2019 the Parramatta Women's Shelter is a community led shelter that has assisted over 250 women and children escaping domestic and family violence and homelessness.
05 Jun 2025
From Facebook
Congratulations to 2024 Year 12 students Sara E. and Angel N. who have been awarded scholarships for study at Western Sydney University in 2025 as part of their involvement in the Academy U program. This program provides an opportunity for invited students to participate in university subjects whilst still at school. Ms Joanne Xuereb, Leader of Learning Pathways & Partnerships, said that the success of Sara and Angel “is an example of what’s possible through dedication, initiative and embracing great opportunities like Academy U.” Congratulations Sara and Angel! 🙌 🙌 🙌