Mrs Gemma McDermott has joined the school as Director of Wellbeing.
The school welcomes Mrs Gemma McDermott who joins the Catherine McAuley Westmead community in the role as Director of Wellbeing, a newly created leadership role at the school and one which will work closely with Ms Debbie Grigson, Assistant Principal with oversight of pastoral care.
Mrs McDermott introduces herself below:
I am Gemma McDermott, the new Director of Wellbeing. I have been teaching for over 30 years and my last four schools have been Ravenswood Gordon, Loreto Normanhurst, Mercy Chatswood and Loreto Ballarat. I am passionate about the education and wellbeing of girls. I have held a number of roles in Wellbeing with my last role being Assistant Principal Wellbeing at Loreto Ballarat.
I am an OLMC ex-student, so I feel at home in the Catherine McAuley Community. I value the strong Mercy traditions and charism which I believe provides every student with a dynamic learning environment to thrive and flourish, where every girl is known and valued, and are given the tools to embrace whatever challenges lie ahead.
My subject area is Mathematics. I have always loved studying Mathematics but my real passion for teaching Mathematics came from my Years 11 and 12 Maths teacher, Sr Janet Woods, who would ask me to teach the class (yes I was a student) when she was called away due to her Principal responsibilities. I have lectured in Mathematics and have written two General Mathematics books. I have a Master of Education degree, a Postgraduate Certificate in Pastoral Care Leadership, and a Diploma in Positive Psychology and Wellbeing.
Helping the students to find the joy of learning is important to me as well as challenging them to have the freedom and courage to ask questions, to be innovative, independent, confident, and articulate learners. I am driven everyday to be an excellent educator through my classroom teaching and in supporting the social and emotional wellbeing of our students as they navigate their educational journey. As we are all well aware, supporting a student's wellbeing takes a village so working in collaboration with staff is essential as well as working in partnership with parents.
I look forward to the year ahead and getting to know students and their families over the course of the year.
Gemma McDermott | Director of Wellbeing
Catherine McAuley Westmead
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From Facebook
The school welcomes Mrs Gemma McDermott who joins the Catherine McAuley Westmead community in the role as Director of Wellbeing, a newly created leadership role at the school and one which will work closely with Ms Debbie Grigson, Assistant Principal with oversight of pastoral care. Mrs McDermott has been teaching for over 30 years and her last four schools have been Ravenswood Gordon, Loreto Normanhurst, Mercy Chatswood and Loreto Ballarat. Mrs McDermott is passionate about the education and wellbeing of girls and has held a number of roles in Wellbeing including her last role as Assistant Principal Wellbeing at Loreto Ballarat. โI am an OLMC ex-student, so I feel at home in the Catherine McAuley Community,โ says Mrs McDermott. โI value the strong Mercy traditions and charism which I believe provides every student with a dynamic learning environment to thrive and flourish, where every girl is known and valued, and are given the tools to embrace whatever challenges lie ahead.โ Welcome Mrs McDermott! The school is thrilled to have you join the Catherine McAuley Westmead community. Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
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From Facebook
The school welcomes Mrs Kate Kelly who joins the Catherine McAuley Westmead community this year as Assistant Principal with oversight of learning and teaching. Mrs Kelly has replaced Mr Michael Hall who retired at the end of 2025 and will join with Ms Debbie Grigson, Assistant Principal with oversight of pastoral care and administration, in the two Assistant Principal roles at Catherine McAuley. Mrs Kelly is an experienced educator and English teacher who has been teaching for 22 years. Most recently she was the Head of School for Years 5 - 8 at St Lukeโs Catholic College, Marsden Park. Prior to that Mrs Kelly taught at St Patrickโs Marist College, Dundas and has worked as a literacy consultant at Catholic Schools Diocese of Parramatta and an English teacher and literacy coach in the Sydney Diocese. โI am excited to join the Catherine McAuley community because of its strong sense of purpose, its commitment to faith-filled education, and its clear focus on high quality teaching and learning,โ said Kate. โThe schoolโs emphasis on both excellence and care resonates deeply with my own values and experience in Catholic education, and I am inspired by the opportunity to contribute to a community that places student learning at the centre of everything it does.โ Welcome Mrs Kelly! ๐ฅฐ The school is thrilled to have you join the Catherine McAuley Westmead community. Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
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