Their studies have taken them deep into the rituals of daily life, Aztec social structures, and the significant impact of Spanish colonisation on this ancient civilisation.
To bring their learning to life, students collaborated in small groups to curate a special exhibition under the guidance of Miss K. Alison. Their task was to present a comprehensive view of Aztec society, highlighting the dramatic changes that occurred before and after the arrival of the Spanish. Students chose a specific area to focus on for their display, with Aztec food, temple design, the use of weapons, and ceremonial and everyday dress just some of the topics explored.
The exhibition, held on Wednesday this week, allowed students to showcase their understanding and creativity to visitors. Students enjoyed sharing their insights and explaining their displays.
Well done to the Year 8 students for their enthusiasm and engagement in exploring this important period of history.
Jacqui Hamilton | School Development Officer
Catherine McAuley Westmead
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17 Jun 2026
Try a Career Day @ CathWest Loyola Campus
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25 Jun 2026
Year 8 History Aztec Exhibition
This term, Year 8 History students have been immersed in the fascinating world of the Aztecs.
25 Jun 2026
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Year 8 Religion classes recently participated in the ‘Inspired Women of Faith Podcast Challenge.
24 Jun 2026
From Facebook
AROUND THE CLASSROOMS ➡️ Year 8 Aztec Exhibition 🏺 This term, Year 8 History students explored the fascinating world of the Aztecs, investigating daily life, social structures and the impact of Spanish colonisation. Under the guidance of Miss K. Alison, students worked in small groups to create exhibition displays on topics including food, temples, weapons and traditional dress. Held this week, the exhibition gave students the opportunity to showcase their learning and share their knowledge with visitors. Congratulations to Year 8 on their creativity and enthusiasm in bringing history to life.
24 Jun 2026
From Facebook
ATTENTION CLASS OF 2024 & 2025 STUDENTS 📣 The 2024 Yearbook is now available! 🙌 You are most welcome to come to school and collect your copy (you may collect for friends also) or if you have a younger sister still at the school she can ask for your copy from Student Reception. The 2025 Yearbook is expected later in the year.
24 Jun 2026
From Facebook
💵YEAR 9 COMMERCE MARKET DAY 💵 After 10 weeks of working hard to bring their business skills to life, the first batch of Year 9 Commerce students finally made Market Day a reality at lunchtime yesterday, Tuesday 24th June. Over the last 10 weeks, students have been the leaders of their businesses, learning financial, operational and promotional strategies to understand how to run a successful business. There were amazing stalls with products ranging from squishies to cosmetics and carnival games. Overall, when planning and executing the businesses, everyone had both fun and hard times learning how to plan and manage a business. The remaining market day stalls will continue to run again on Friday this week. - Glow Up Gang: Year 9 Commerce Group
24 Jun 2026
From Facebook
🛏💜 SOLIDARITY SLEEPOUT 💜🛏 On Friday, 19th June, over 100 students from Year 11 and 12 participated in the McAuley Solidarity Sleepout. Senior students were invited to stand in solidarity with those experiencing homelessness, especially women and children who experience this as a result of family violence. This event aimed to raise awareness of the challenges many people experiencing homelessness face every day. All funds raised from the event will be used to support the Parramatta Women's Shelter. - Miss R. Reynolds
24 Jun 2026
From Facebook
Last Thursday, Year 12 student leaders had the privilege of attending the LIFTED Leaders’ Breakfast with Most Reverend Vincent Long Van Nguyen, OFM, Conv DD STL (Bishop Vincent) and Mr Jack de Groot, Executive Director, Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese. The gathering provided an opportunity for students to share their reflections and experiences of Catholic education, offering valuable insights that will help shape the future direction of Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese. Thank you to our leaders for representing Catherine McAuley Westmead.
24 Jun 2026
From Facebook
TONIGHT‼️ Don't miss the Creative and Performing Arts Mid-Year Showcase TONIGHT. Art Exhibition starts 4pm - 6pm and the Music Showcase starts 6pm - 7.30pm. ALL WELCOME! 🎶 🎨
24 Jun 2026
From Facebook
TONIGHT❗Art Club Creativity on Display! 🎨 Students attending Art Club each Wednesday and Friday lunchtime have been enthusiastically working to complete their artworks under the guidance of Year 11 CAPA Assistant Leaders Denise C. and Riona L. Their creativity and collaboration have made Art Club a vibrant space for artistic expression. Join us THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT Wednesday 24th June to view the students’ artworks and celebrate their achievements. 🖌️ The CAPA Mid-Year Showcase will begin with the art exhibition in CS103 Art Room 4pm - 6pm and the Music Showcase in BM302 6pm - 7.30pm.
23 Jun 2026
From Facebook
📚 CAREER PATHWAYS 📚 Last Friday, 19th June, Year 10 students participated in a Career Development Day, helping them prepare for subject selection and explore future career pathways. Students learned about TAFE NSW post school options, VET and EVET courses, and opportunities available through the Khuda Academy program. Student ambassadors from the University of Sydney provided valuable insights into university pathways, entry requirements, and subject prerequisites, while interactive activities encouraged students to reflect on their strengths, interests, and goals when choosing senior subjects. 🧠💡 The day concluded with a panel of Year 12 students who shared their experiences of senior school and offered practical advice on subject selection and study strategies. It was a valuable day of learning, reflection, and future planning for students. - Ms J. Xuerub (Leader of Learning, Pathways and Partnerships)
19 Jun 2026
From Facebook
CELEBRATING 60 YEARS 🎉 A History of the Catherine McAuley Westmead School Hat!! Who remembers the Catherine McAuley school hat? Today, students wear a bucket hat or school cap as part of the sports uniform, but in earlier years a more formal hat was a compulsory part of the school uniform. The original school hat was a teal boater-style design, as seen in the first photo from 1970. This later evolved into a teal woollen beret, featured in the black-and-white photo from 1974. The beret was phased out during the 1980s, and in 1997 a boater-style hat was reintroduced - this time in maroon. The maroon hat with teal trim remained a compulsory part of the school uniform until it was gradually phased out in 2010.
18 Jun 2026
From Facebook
AROUND THE CLASSROOMS ➡️ Years 9 & 10 Music ReMix Project 🎶 🎶 Years 9 and 10 Music students yesterday took part in an exciting ReMix Project workshop, developing their audio production and remixing skills using GarageBand. Led by representatives from Captivate, the workshop included a special session with the composer of the song being remixed. Students were given access to the song’s original stems (individual audio tracks grouped by instrument or vocal parts), allowing them to explore how a song is constructed and transformed. Through hands-on learning, students experimented with arranging and remixing the track into different musical genres, gaining valuable insight into contemporary music production. The project has provided a strong foundation for the students’ in-depth Stage 5 Music study, which they will continue throughout Term 3. 🎵
18 Jun 2026
From Facebook
The Catherine McAuley Weekly Review for Thursday, 18th June is now available:
18 Jun 2026
From Facebook
YEAR 8 WELLBEING SEMINAR 😀 Yesterday, Year 8 students participated in a wellbeing seminar designed to strengthen resilience and foster positive relationships within their peer group. Facilitated by Chris Doyle from Karis Ministries, the seminar explored important topics including belonging, empathy and building meaningful connections with others. Students valued the opportunity to come together in a relaxed and supportive environment, strengthening their relationships and developing greater trust and understanding within their year group.
17 Jun 2026
From Facebook
KHUDA WOMEN IN STEM PROGRAM 🔬💡Catherine McAuley Westmead is proud to be one of only six partner schools in Western Sydney participating in the inaugural Khuda Women in STEM Program. Established through a historic $100 million donation from the Khuda Family Foundation, the program is celebrating its first year and aims to address the gender gap in STEM by fostering long-term engagement and opportunities for young women across Western Sydney. While women’s participation in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) has improved over recent decades, significant gaps remain. Women account for just 37 percent of university STEM enrolments in Australia, and only 15 percent of people working in STEM jobs. Thanks to the donation from the Khuda Family Foundation, the largest ever made to the University of Sydney and the largest philanthropic gift in NSW, a pathway program now exists for Catherine McAuley students and other young women across Western Sydney to pursue STEM education and careers. Photo shows Catherine McAuley Westmead students with Robin Khuda at the launch of the program last year. A number of recent articles in the press explain more about the program here: https://www.sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/news/2026/06/12/school-visit-sees-100m-women-in-stem-donation-at-work-in-western-sydney.html https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/education/regions/new-south-wales/tech-billionaires-100m-bet-on-women-in-stem-is-already-paying-off/news-story/0ffcf49e0366bf2d8461a5a88934e8b3