Year 10 students, with Bishop Vincent and Ms Refalo, showcasing the school's work for The Parramatta Women's Shelter.
Catherine McAuley students joined with students from other schools in the Diocese of Parramatta for the annual Education Mass and Expo.
On 27th August 2025, four Year 10 Students, along with Ms Refalo, School Principal and Ms Banks, Director of Catholic Identity and Mission, attended the Education Mass and Expo with all the CSPD higher and primary schools. This event happened to take place on the Feast Day of Saint Monica. Saint Monica is remembered for her patience and faith, praying for 17 years until her son, Saint Augustine, converted and became a Doctor of the Church. Her story ties beautifully into the theme of united education and the importance of faith, perseverance and community.
After the Mass, some schools showcased the charitable works they have been involved in. Our school presented the service we have been offering for Parramatta Women's Shelter, sharing how we’ve worked together to support and bring awareness to this cause. It was inspiring to see the creativity and commitment from so many schools. The stalls set up highlighted projects that supported different charities, with one school even building a school in India. This was an incredible example of what is possible when communities come together.
We also saw new initiatives that we could take inspiration from. Many schools showed interest in crocheting blankets to donate to charities, a simple yet powerful way to provide comfort to those in need. Another popular project was the Big Give Baskets, which allow schools to collect essentials for families and individuals who are struggling.
Overall, the day was an opportunity not only to give back to our community but also to share and receive new ideas. By learning from each other, all CSPD schools can continue to grow in service, compassion and unity.
Victoria McCann | Year 10
Catherine McAuley Westmead
More News
03 Sep 2025
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The House Cheer Off is always a highlight of Mercy Week.
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SUPPORTING MERCY WORKS 💙 Today’s Father’s Day Stall helped raise funds for Mercy Works, the school’s social justice focus for Term 3. In particular the school is supporting the Remote Laundries initiative in the Gunbalanya Community, Northern Territory. This project provides a remote laundry, local jobs and health education to the local population. Funds raised this term will also support the Baabayn Aboriginal Corporation’s Mums and Bubs Group and their programs designed to improve connections within the community for young Aboriginal mothers and their families.
02 Sep 2025
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🎉 MERCY WEEK - DAY 2 🎉 The energy was high this morning as students came together in their House colours for the ultimate Cheer Off! 🙌 Each House brought their Mercy spirit, creativity and plenty of volume as they competed to see who could claim the title of Best Cheer. 🏆 And the winning House was…Clare House!!! Well done also to 2nd place Veritas, 3rd place Dobson and 4th place Mercedes.
02 Sep 2025
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🎉 MERCY WEEK - DAY 2 🎉 At lunchtime today the Sports Leaders organised a ‘Mercy Olympics’ with students able to participate for a House point in any of the seven activities on offer. Well done to all students who participated and earned points for their House! 🏃♀️The total number of points earned was 582 points with 1st place to Ryan (119 points), 2nd place to Mercedes (99 points) and 3rd place to Coolock (87 points).
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✨MERCY WEEK ✨ To kick off Day 1 of Mercy Week, Mercy Square came alive at lunchtime with vibrant pop up music performances 🎤 as well as bracelet making 🧵. It has been a fantastic start to Mercy Week as students came together in creativity, community and connection to celebrate Mercy values.
01 Sep 2025
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YEAR 8 GEOGRAPHY EXCURSION 🌏 Last Wednesday, our Year 8 Geography students ventured out to Manly Dam to learn more about water in our world. They explored key questions like where our water comes from, what impacts the quality of our water and why it's important to look after it. Students conducted turbidity tests, pH tests and even tried their hand at fishing as an indicator of life in the dam. Despite the windy conditions and the bush turkeys, the students embraced the day with energy and enthusiasm. 💧🐟📝
01 Sep 2025
Celebrating Faith, Learning and Mission at 2025 Education Mass
Students, parents and carers, educators and clergy from Catholic schools across the Diocese of Parramatta gathered in a spirit of unity and celebration for the 2025 Education Mass on Wednesday 27 August.
01 Sep 2025
Education Mass and Expo
Catherine McAuley students joined with students from other schools in the Diocese of Parramatta for the annual Education Mass and Expo.
30 Aug 2025
From Facebook
EDUCATION MASS AND EXPO ✝️ On Wednesday, 27th August four Year 10 students joined Ms Refalo and Ms Banks in representing the school at the annual Education Mass and Expo, held at St Patrick’s Cathedral Parramatta. Following Mass, schools from across the diocese came together to showcase their contributions to social justice and community service. The Year 10 students presented the ongoing work the school community has been doing in support of the Parramatta Women's Shelter - highlighting the school’s efforts to raise awareness, provide support, and stand in solidarity with women in need.
29 Aug 2025
From Facebook
AROUND THE CLASSROOMS ➡️ Year 8 History students had an unforgettable experience on Wednesday with an interactive medieval performance! 🛡️⚔️ From learning about the Norman invasion of Britain to exploring authentic medieval clothing and weaponry, students immersed themselves in the world of Medieval Europe - with plenty of laughs along the way.
29 Aug 2025
From Facebook
This week students in Years 7 - 10 were the audience for a play, ‘A Bright Light in the Darkness’, that explored the life of Catherine McAuley and the first Sisters of Mercy. The play chronicled Catherine McAuley’s journey from her early life which included the death of her parents and her dramatic change in her social position. The play concluded with Catherine’s establishment of the House of Mercy in Dublin, built as a home and school for vulnerable women and children that today continues to extend hospitality to all who knock on the door. This experience made Catherine’s life more tangible for students in 2025, and helped to make important connections to the school’s Mercy Values of Integrity, Justice, Hospitality, Excellence and Courage.
29 Aug 2025
From Facebook
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT 🥈👏 Congratulations to Year 9 Student Riena Rose M. who at 14 years old became a World Silver Medalist at the Hip Hop International (HHI) Championships where she had the honour of representing Australia and her dance team in Arizona, USA. Riena progressed from the preliminary rounds, the semi-finals and then the finals in which her and her team managed to place 2nd in the world. Well done to Riena and her dance team!
28 Aug 2025
From Facebook
AROUND THE CLASSROOMS ➡️ McAuley Café Experience! 😀 Mrs Bonello’s Year 12 Hospitality students turned the classroom into a vibrant café this week, inviting one teacher each to enjoy a freshly made hot beverage. From perfect pours to professional service, the budding baristas showcased their barista skills. ☕ ☕
28 Aug 2025
From Facebook
MERCY 5 JUNIOR FORUM 💦💧 A number of Year 9 students (Mercy in Action Leaders and students from the Environment Group), accompanied by Ms N. Mahajan, attended yesterday the Junior Mercy 5 Forum at Monte Sant’ Angelo Mercy College, North Sydney. Students learnt about the World Water Action Decade and how it ties in with the Mercy value of Stewardship. Students heard from two guest speakers who are working and living out the Catholic Social Teaching on Care for Creation, as well as participating in a walk around the nearby neighbourhood to observe water sustainability risks caused by humanity.
28 Aug 2025
From Facebook
THE WOMEN’S COLLEGE SYDNEY 🎓 On Monday night a group of Years 10 and 11 students attended a formal dinner at The Women's College at the University of Sydney. This college provides residential and affiliate programs for young women attending a number of universities in the Sydney city area. Catherine McAuley students had the opportunity to tour the college, find out more about college life and experience one of the weekly formal dinners. By talking to current university students they were able to understand the support available to them while studying if they chose to be a part of the college.