At Catherine McAuley Catholic College every February, the whole community gathers to formally open the school year with a series of important events.聽These moments reflect the College鈥檚 values of Courage, Compassion, Hospitality and Faith in Action and the path on which the College continues to grow and flourish. Last week鈥檚 opening, blended culture,聽faith聽and academic excellence into a meaningful celebration for students,聽staff聽and families.
The morning opened with a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony conducted by Uncle John and Uncle Justin and accompanied by other members of the Murrook Culture Centre at Williamtown. The ceremony provided pause and reflection for the year to come, grounding the day in connection to Country and recognising the significance of place within the life of the College.
Students, Staff and families then moved into The Opening School Liturgy in the hall, bringing the community together to celebrate the faith life of the College with Fr Joyce presiding. Through prayer and reflection, the opening liturgy affirmed the values that guide daily life at Catherine McAuley Catholic College.
Following the liturgy was the Recognition of Academic Excellence Assembly for the 2025 school year. HSC success was recognised and celebrated, highlighting dedication and academic excellence amongst the first HSC graduates from CMCC.
The pinnacle of this Assembly was the announcement of Catherine McAuley Catholic College鈥檚 inaugural Dux, Anjah聽Jedniuk.
Achieving an ATAR of 91.6 and a Distinguished Achiever Award for English聽Advanced, Anjah聽has set a formidable academic standard for the College and all learners that follow. Anjah studied Chemistry, English Advanced, Mathematics Extension 1, Mathematics聽Advanced, Physics and Studies of Religion 1. Her accomplishments reflect dedication and grit in the pursuit of her learning goals, the support of her teachers and family, and the strong learning culture established聽at Catherine McAuley Catholic College.
Further honours acknowledged at the Assembly were those of the College鈥檚 Academic Leader聽at the conclusion of internal assessment in 2025,聽Taylor Smith. Taylor was recognised聽as a聽Distinguished Achiever聽in Mathematics Standard 1 and for achieving first聽place in the Diocese for Mathematics Standard 1 and History Extension.聽All outstanding achievements.
The 2025 ROSA Awards were another important set of Awards presented at the Assembly with twelve students recognised for achieving six or more Grade A鈥檚 across their subjects. Skyla Buman, Jhanella聽Dolan,聽Amelia Gregory,聽Heidi Gibson,聽Simran Gulati, Makayla Kelly, Charlotte Nilon,聽Josie Parsons,聽Lainey Russell,聽Bridie Smith,聽Zaliah Spencer and聽Nicholas Witcomb聽all received ROSA Awards and did themselves, their families and the College proud and we look forward to all that they will achieve in the years ahead.
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