Year 7 Students are completing their fourth week of high school this week and say they are enjoying the change from primary school and have made many friends.
We asked some of the Year 7 students to reflect on how they have found high school so far:
Chloe A.
Q:What are you enjoying most?
A:“I am really liking the transition and the change from primary school. I like all the subjects and I particularly like Maths. I like that in Maths I am learning new strategies and new ways to solve problems. I can use these skills in everyday life”.
Q:What has been hard?
A:“Sometimes finding my classes has been hard. Catherine McAuley is a very big school”.
Q:What has surprised you?
A:“I thought I would find the learning scary but it has been fine. I have also surprised myself and am more organised than I thought I would be”.
Crystal M.
Q:What are you enjoying most?
A:“I enjoy moving around the school and not staying in the same classroom. I like that each day is different”.
Q:What has been hard?
A:“Staying on top of all the homework has been hard. Making it a priority when there are other distractions is particularly hard”.
Q:What has surprised you?
A:“The amount of friends I have made”.
Sophia K.
Q:What are you enjoying most?
A:“I am enjoying having so many teachers rather than just one teacher. I am enjoying getting to know them all”.
Q:What has been hard?
A:“Nothing has been hard so far”.
Q:What has surprised you?
A:“I am surprised I have been so organised and am staying on top of my work”.
Elise P.
Q:What are you enjoying most?
A:“I am really enjoying English. We have a really good book to read this term called ‘Finding Darcy’ and it is such an interesting book to read”.
Q:What has been hard?
A:“I don’t like Maths and find it hard to focus on Maths so that has been hard”.
Q:What has surprised you?
A:“Things have not been as crazy as I thought they would be!”
Christine Z.
Q:What are you enjoying most?
A:“The community is what I am enjoying the most. It is very friendly and supportive. I am also enjoying all the friends I am making”.
Q:What has been hard?
A:“They give us a lot of Maths homework so that has been hard”.
Q:What has surprised you?
A:“I came to Catherine McAuley by myself so I am surprised how I found my friendship group so easily. I now have a lot of friends”.
Gabriella V.
Q:What are you enjoying most?
A:“I am enjoying having so many different teachers”.
Q:What has been hard?
A:“Keeping track of all the different subjects and all the different homework for each subject has been hard”.
Q:What has surprised you?
A:“High school hasn’t been as bad as I thought it would be. I was over thinking things before I started. I have also been surprised how quickly I have learnt my way around. By the second day I knew where to go”.
Sophia T.
Q:What are you enjoying most?
A:“I am enjoying meeting new people and I also enjoy all the different spaces for different subjects. I really like the library and the BM Building”.
Q:What has been hard?
A:“Getting organised has been hard and so is knowing my way around the school. I am not always quick enough to get to class on time”.
Q:What has surprised you?
A:“I have met so many new people who I have something in common with. Many more than I thought I would”.
Gabrielle V.
Q:What are you enjoying most?
A:“All like all the subjects. I don’t have a favourite subject yet because I like all of them. I also like having a locker and not having to carry my bag around”.
Q:What has been hard?
A:“Sometimes trying to get to class on time is hard because I have to wait to use my locker because there is someone above me”.
Q:What has surprised you?
A:“High school is not how I predicted it would be. It is more fun than I expected”.
Giselle H.
Q:What are you enjoying most?
A:“I am enjoying all the new subjects which I have not done before. Subjects like Technology Mandatory and in particular the cooking. I am enjoying Maths because I like algebra and I like English also. I like the variety each day with all the different subjects”.
Q:What has been hard?
A:“Trying to organise my time has been hard. I am trying to be neat with my homework and do it in an organised way which has also been hard”.
Q:What has surprised you?
A:“I am surprised at how many new friends I have made and at the overall feeling of community at Catherine McAuley. The school has been very welcoming to Year 7 and they are giving us time to settle in”.
Jacqui Hamilton | School Development Officer
Catherine McAuley Westmead
-
![listing-image-news-events]()
27 Aug 2024
Catherine McAuley School Tours
Register for our upcoming school tours to discover what we offer.
More News
20 Nov 2024
Year 9 Students Attend Academy U Innovation and Investigation Day
Ten Year 9 students from Catherine McAuley Westmead attended an Academy U Innovation and Investigation Day last week on Tuesday, 12th November at the Western Sydney University Parramatta South campus.
19 Nov 2024
McAuley Students Volunteer At The Annual Parramatta Street Feast
Last Wednesday, 13th November, a small team of Catherine McAuley students had the opportunity to visit St Patrick’s Cathedral and volunteer at the Parramatta Street Feast 2024, an event which helps provide and cater to the greater community.
19 Nov 2024
Junior Jazz Dance Company Perform At Captivate Dance Festival
The Junior Jazz Dance Company joined other Catholic school students in the Diocese of Parramatta for the Captivate Dance Festival on Monday this week. Held at St John XXIII Catholic College, Stanhope Gardens the students performed twice in both a matinee and evening performance.
14 Nov 2024
From Facebook
MINUTE TO WIN IT!! ⏰ The Catherine McAuley Minute to Win It competition will begin next week! With the aim to raise awareness and money for the Jesuit Refugee Service students will be able to compete with their friends in this fun competition organised by Clare, Coolock and Dobson Houses. Heats start next week on Monday 18th November and will be held for two weeks each Monday, Tuesday and Friday. The grand final will take place on Tuesday 3rd December. Everyone is invited to watch and support their friends. Donations of $1 and $2 for entry to watch the fun can be made either through Mercy Money or eftpos. The Student Leaders from Clare, Coolock and Dobson demonstrated some of the games at the school assembly yesterday. The School Leadership were also keen to have a go with Ms Refalo, Ms Grigson and Miss Brincat attempting the cup challenge.
14 Nov 2024
From Facebook
YEAR 11 LEARN ABOUT LINKEDIN 🧐 Representatives from the University of Sydney were at school today to speak to Year 11 students about the advantages of creating a professional LinkedIn profile. Organised by Ms Xuereb, Leader of Learning Pathways and Partnerships, the session covered how students can use LinkedIn to explore post-school options, including universities, professionals in specific careers, and organisations they may wish to join in the future. LinkedIn allows students to begin building a professional network, gain insights into organisational cultures and stay informed about industry trends. Thank you to the representatives from Sydney University for guiding the Year 11 students on how to successfully use this platform.
14 Nov 2024
From Facebook
The Catherine McAuley Weekly Review for Thursday 14th November 2024 is now available via this link:
14 Nov 2024
Catherine McAuley Westmead 2025 School Theme
A video made by the student leaders to explain the 2025 school theme
14 Nov 2024
Year 12 Drama Students Nominated for OnSTAGE
Catherine McAuley has had two Year 12 Drama students nominated for OnSTAGE, the annual showcase of outstanding drama performances and projects from the HSC.
13 Nov 2024
From Facebook
Congratulations to Annabelle T., Year 12 Drama student, who has been nominated for OnSTAGE, the annual showcase of outstanding drama performances and projects from the HSC. 🙌 🙌 Annabelle has been nominated for her individual project. If selected for OnSTAGE Annabelle will perform at the Seymour Centre from Saturday 8th February to Friday 14th February 2025. To be nominated for this HSC Showcase is an incredible achievement! @nswedustandards #onstage #drama #classof2024 #catherinemcauley #catherinemcauleywestmead
13 Nov 2024
From Facebook
Congratulations to Odessa K., Year 12 Drama student, who has been nominated for OnSTAGE, the annual showcase of outstanding drama performances and projects from the HSC. Odessa has been nominated for her individual project. If selected for OnSTAGE Odessa will perform at the Seymour Centre from Saturday 8th February to Friday 14th February 2025. To be nominated for this HSC Showcase is an incredible achievement!
13 Nov 2024
From Facebook
Congratulations to Sophia B., a Year 12 Visual Arts student, who has been nominated for ARTEXPRESS, the annual showcase of HSC Visual Arts works. 🙌 🙌 Sophia’s artwork is called ‘End of Beginning, Too Fast to Fold’ and explores the passage of time and the contrasting range of emotions spawned from the inescapability of change and the inevitable movement of life. If selected for ARTEXPRESS Sophia will have her work exhibited at one of a number of galleries around NSW throughout 2025. To be nominated for ARTEXPRESS is a wonderful achievement and means the student’s work is amongst the best for that HSC year.
13 Nov 2024
From Facebook
Congratulations to Matea N., a Year 12 Visual Arts student, who has been nominated for ARTEXPRESS, the annual showcase of HSC Visual Arts works. 🙌 🙌 Matea’s artwork is called ‘Agape’ and explores her perspective of unconditional love through the symbolism of a domesticated dog. If selected for ARTEXPRESS Matea will have her work exhibited at one of a number of galleries around NSW throughout 2025. To be nominated for ARTEXPRESS is a wonderful achievement and means the student’s work is amongst the best for that HSC year.
13 Nov 2024
From Facebook
YEAR 9 🌊 Today the Year 9 Global Connections students visited Taronga Zoo with Ms Spelman to further explore their topic of ‘Oceanography’. The students spent time assisting in clearing plastic from a local beach and understanding the impact of plastic pollution on marine animals.
13 Nov 2024
From Facebook
13 Nov 2024
Year 12 Visual Arts Students Nominated for ARTEXPRESS
Catherine McAuley has had two Year 12 Visual Arts students nominated for ARTEXPRESS, the annual showcase of HSC Visual Arts works.