Aaron Mahony

It has been an exciting and productive time for our Year 7 and Year 8 students in Wati Endeavour House at Catherine McAuley. The students have been active participants in a variety of school events, demonstrating their growth as vital members of our school community. As Catherine McAuley once said, “A good community is one where people help each other and share the responsibility for one another’s welfare.” This sense of belonging and support has been clear in how Year 7 and Year 8 students engage with their peers and contribute to the vibrant life of our school. Over the past fortnight, Year 7 and Year 8 students have actively participated in many exciting activities, including Blazing Belles, Connection Club International Women's Day celebrations, and the Diocesan Swimming Carnival, with the upcoming school musical adding to the excitement. Through their participation in these community events, our students are continuously growing and contributing to a sense of belonging in the school community. I would also like to congratulate Year 7 on the way in which they conducted and applied themselves during their recent NAPLAN testing. The culture of striving to do your best was on show and is a great indicator for what is to come this year!

As a focus of our House Assembly next Monday, the focus turns to  ensuring confidence in Wati House around assessment preparation and homework completion. One area that can make a significant difference in our students’ academic journey is the development of strong time management and study habits. Effective scheduling and prioritising tasks are vital to balancing schoolwork, extracurricular activities, and downtime. In addition, Understanding and using feedback from assessments is key to academic success. I encourage families to sit down with their children to review the feedback received from upcoming assessments as they seek growth throughout 2025. This is an important step in identifying strengths and areas to improve. By setting clear goals and making small adjustments based on this feedback, students can boost their confidence and academic performance. For some practical tips in setting up quality practices as a family, visit https://www.edmentum.com/intl/articles/7-tips-for-parents-to-help-their-child-develop-effective-study-skills/ . A few strategies include breaking down larger tasks into smaller, manageable chunks and allocating specific times to work on each, prioritising assignments that are due soon or require more effort. Encouraging students to use planners or apps like Google Calendar to keep track of deadlines, assessments, and activities can also help them stay organised. Additionally, setting clear goals for each study session, such as completing one section of a project or reviewing a specific chapter, can help students stay on track. Minimising distractions by ensuring that students have a quiet and organised study space can also help them focus on their tasks without being sidetracked by social media or entertainment. By implementing these strategies, students can stay organised, reduce stress, and develop a strong sense of responsibility for their learning moving into their senior studies.

Year 7 and Year 8 are continuously becoming integral members of Catherine McAuley, and it’s a joy to see them grow in both their academic and personal journeys. Let’s continue to support one another and strengthen our community, knowing that every student plays a vital role in the shared experience of our school. To accommodate the positive start to the year, please find reflections from Year 7 on their experience since joining CMCC. In an amazing statistic, 93% of Year 7 outlined they have thoroughly enjoyed the start of High School and are developing positive relationships with peers and teachers. Below I have placed a snapshot of the reasoning behind this enjoyment and long may it continue in their educational journey.

I encourage any families seeking support or further information regarding Stage 4 studies to please reach out to aaron.mahony@mn.catholic.edu.au. I thank all Year 7 and Year 8 students for their efforts in Term 1 and look forward to working with them, journeying together.

Yours Faithfully,

Aaron Mahony- Head of House (Wati Discovery)