Year 9 students come together for their Reflection Day on Friday, 23rd May 2025.
The Year 9 Reflection Day was held last week on Friday 23rd May at Parramatta Cathedral.
The day gave students the opportunity to come together as a Year Group, in small groups and individually, as they reflected upon their relationship with God and their family, friends and peers.
As the day was held during the month of May the students, as young women of Mercy, explored how Our Lady continues to be a role model of excellence through resilience and growth for all.
Year 9 student Heidi S. said that she enjoyed the day as an opportunity to all come together.
As a grade, we prayed the Rosary, attended Mass, and reflected on how we can live in Mary's footsteps. The day encouraged us to grow in faith, but also support one another in doing the same.
Jacqui Hamilton | School Development Officer
Catherine McAuley Westmead
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08 Nov 2025
From Facebook
YEAR 11 VISUAL ARTS 🎨 On Wednesday, 5th November Year 11 Visual Arts students took an exciting step in their Body of Work journey. The Visual Arts Department hosted their very first Mentor Night, where students invited a mentor into school to take part in a creative learning carousel - a ‘speed-dating’ style rotation of conversations, ideas and encouragement. Led by Australian contemporary pop artist Johnny Romeo, the evening celebrated the importance of community, collaboration and artistic support. Students shared early concepts, received valuable insight, and built connections to carry with them throughout the year. A huge thank you to our mentors and to Johnny for inspiring us to think boldly, work with heart, and trust the process. We can’t wait to see these Body of Works come to life.
07 Nov 2025
From Facebook
CHRISTMAS CRAFT 🎅 Today at lunch many students and staff gathered together to make Christmas decorations for the upcoming Christmas craft stall. This stall will be one of the many fundraising stalls this term to help raise money for the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS). Support of JRS will help them continue to provide initiatives to empower refugees in our local community.
07 Nov 2025
From Facebook
WALK THE TALK AWARDS 💜 Catherine McAuley Westmead was recognised at the Women’s Community Shelters Walk the Talk Awards at NSW Parliament House last night. Six Year 10 students, along with Ms Brincat and Mrs Kempys, proudly represented the school. Year 10 student Victoria M. spoke about the school’s support for the Parramatta Women’s Shelter - including over $15,000 raised this year! 👏 Thank you to Women’s Community Shelters for acknowledging our ongoing commitment to healthy relationships, respect, and community support. Parramatta Women's Shelter Women's Community Shelters
07 Nov 2025
From Facebook
VIRTUAL REALITY 🌐 Earlier this term, students had the exciting opportunity to try out Virtual Reality (VR) headsets provided by Work Window in partnership with the Defence Industry. Through this immersive experience, the students explored two different roles within the industry and gained a deeper understanding of its importance. Many students were surprised to learn that the Defence Industry isn’t just about weapons or the military. It actually drives much of the technology we rely on every day, including AI, GPS and the internet. From engineers and scientists to IT experts, designers, and project managers, students discovered that the Defence Industry is a high-tech, innovative, and collaborative field with opportunities for everyone. Thank you to Work Window for this opportunity!
07 Nov 2025
Catherine McAuley Acknowledged At The Women’s Community Shelters Walk The Talk Awards
Catherine McAuley Westmead was thanked for the school’s fundraising efforts at the Women’s Community Shelters Walk the Talk Awards.
06 Nov 2025
From Facebook
The Catherine McAuley Weekly Review for Thursday, 6th November 2025 is now available via this link:
06 Nov 2025
From Facebook
YEAR 9 MERCY VALUES SEMINAR 😀 This morning in the Morley Centre Year 9 students attended a Mercy Values seminar led by Karis Ministries. Each Year group has been (or will soon be) involved in a one day program where they are invited to consider a particular Mercy value and to assess how it is represented in their lives. The program allows students to reflect on that value in terms of their relationships with their friends and families, and to understand how those relationships can be improved. During the seminar there were also opportunities to join together and sing some favourite songs with Mrs Beadman, Leader of Learning Wellbeing Year 9, choosing Abba’s ‘Dancing Queen’.
06 Nov 2025
From Facebook
AROUND THE CLASSROOMS ➡️ A huge thank you to Mr Ben Walton from CAPTIVATE for working with the Year 11 PVDI students over the past three weeks! Ben generously shared his skills and experience in flash photography, studio lighting, product photography, composition, silhouettes, and exploring shapes and shadows inspiring students to think creatively, experiment confidently, and refine their photographic eye. We are so grateful for your time, passion, and guidance. Our students are better photographers because of you. 📸
06 Nov 2025
From Facebook
JERSEY THURSDAY 🤩 It’s official - Year 11 have their jerseys! 🙌 The Class of 2026 have proudly started wearing their new design every Thursday whilst at school, showcasing their unity and spirit. The jersey was designed by the students themselves, with the SRC leading the process and the final design voted on by the whole Form. For the first time, the design features a meaningful biblical quote: “I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 Congratulations to the Class of 2026 on receiving their jerseys, one of the many milestones that mark their HSC year.
05 Nov 2025
From Facebook
Congratulations to the Catherine McAuley Dance students who took part in the recent Arts Factor Dance Eisteddfod and who were recognised at the school assembly last week. 💃 1st place Senior Jazz Ensemble 2nd place Junior Jazz Ensemble 2nd place Hip Hop Crew The Senior Jazz Ensemble has been selected to perform at the Diocesan Captivate Dance Festival on Wednesday, 19th November. 👏👏👏
05 Nov 2025
From Facebook
ALL INVITED 📣📣 Come along and see the amazing Visual Arts displays and Performances at the CAPA Showcase on Wednesday the 26th of November, where creativity takes centre stage! You can also shop some amazing student creations from bookmarks, cards and more, with all proceeds going towards the Jesuit Refugee Service. 🎨🎭🩰🔖
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Year 8 English: Exploring Growth Through ‘Peeling the Onion’
This term, Ms Shipley’s English class have been reading the novel, ‘Peeling the Onion’ by Wendy Orr as part of their study on the concept of Growth.
04 Nov 2025
From Facebook
CELEBRATING SCIENCE SUCCESS ⚛ At last week’s school assembly, Science students were recognised for their outstanding achievements in two prestigious international competitions - the International Chemistry Quiz (ICQ) and the Australian Brain Bee Challenge. In the ICQ, over 100 Catherine McAuley students from Years 9 - 11 put their scientific thinking to the test, with many earning Credit, Distinction and High Distinction awards.💡 In the Brain Bee Challenge, seven Year 10 students placed in the top 52 in NSW, with Maria J. achieving an incredible Top 10 placement in NSW! 🧠👏 Congratulations to all the Science students who took part in these competitions.
04 Nov 2025
From Facebook
AROUND THE CLASSROOMS ➡️📖 Ms. Shipley's Year 8 English class have been reading 'Peeling the Onion' by Wendy Orr as part of their study on the concept of Growth. The concept of the onion is central in understanding the main character's growth and identity and to explore the concept further, Ms. Shipley brought in an onion to class. 🧅 At first, the class thought that cutting the onion would burn their eyes; however, this didn't happen. Students discussed their assumptions, causing fear and steering them away from delving into the onion deeply. This is something that Anna, the main character of the book, struggles with after she suffers a life-altering accident. From this, students learned that the concept of an onion is really powerful in understanding how we as individuals can challenge ourselves further by exploring the layers of our identity to get to the core of who we are.
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Year 8 Student Finalist in Young Writers Competition
Well done to Year 8 student Ananya G., who has been selected as a finalist in the Cumberland City Council Young Writers Competition.