Students Encouraged To Strive For Higher Things At The International Women's Day Assembly

Melissa Doueihi, Class of 1992; Donna Davis MP, Member for Parramatta; Mary Refalo, School Principal and School Captains at the International Women's Day morning tea.

The school held a special International Women’s Day Assembly on Wednesday this week with special guests Class of 1992 student Melissa Doueihi, Head of Strategy and Innovation, Endeavour Energy; Donna Davis MP, Member for Parramatta; Sr Sally Bradley RSM, Parramatta Sisters of Mercy and Executive Director of Mercy Works; Sr Patricia Bolster RSM, Parramatta Sisters of Mercy Congregational Vicar; and Year 11 mothers and grandmothers.

Melissa focused on the school motto ‘Strive For Higher Things’ in her keynote address. She told the students that her experiences at Catherine McAuley have always been part of her journey and the motto ‘Strive for Higher Things’ continues to be a big part of her life. “When I consider what a Catherine McAuley girl is today, I see girls who are vibrant, courageous, open and curious,” Melissa said. “Interestingly, these are the same girls I went to school with. We are the same girls.”

“International Women’s Day is for all women, regardless of our background, regardless of where we grew up, regardless of our status or age - it’s about all women. And it’s about our rights, equality and empowerment.” Melissa described her current position as Head of Strategy and Innovation at Endeavour Energy as an amazing position. Endeavour Energy supplies power to nearly 3 million people in Western Sydney, the Blue Mountains and the South Coast. Melissa is involved in helping Endeavour Energy do this in a sustainable way.

Donna Davis MP told the students that they are our future change leaders.”Thanks to the forward thinking initiatives in the workplace, hard fought for by our mothers, aunts, grandmothers and great grandmothers, it is your generation who has opportunities that past generations of women never thought possible.”

Donna acknowledged that the assembly was a celebration but also a call to action. “Together we can call out these gender stereotypes, challenge discrimination, question bias and share our knowledge and encourage each other towards breaking down more barriers to gender equality.”

Mary Refalo, School Principal, thanked the Year 11 mothers and grandmothers who were in attendance at the assembly. “Each of you are instrumental in raising the young women in Year 11 who are gracious, inspired and who model the Mercy way.”

Following the International Women’s Day assembly the Year 11 students and special guests gathered together in Dobson Green for a morning tea.