Happy 60th Birthday, Catherine McAuley, Westmead
A New School Called Catherine McAuley
On Friday, 6th November 2026, Catherine McAuley Westmead will celebrate 60 years since Catherine McAuley Girls’ High School (now known as Catherine McAuley Westmead) was officially blessed and opened by His Eminence Cardinal Gilroy on Sunday, 6th November 1966.
At the time, the opening of both Catherine McAuley and Parramatta Marist formed part of the largest building project undertaken by the Catholic Building and Finance Commission. Together, they were among the largest school centres of their kind in the metropolitan area.
Catherine McAuley opened with twelve classrooms, two science laboratories and a preparation room, along with a library and administrative offices. The founding Principal was Sister Mary Eugene Dobson, and the school had an enrolment of between 400 and 450 students.
A strong sense of community has always been part of Catherine McAuley, and this was evident from the very beginning. On the Saturday before the official opening, parents, students and staff came together for a working bee to clean the new parquet floors in preparation for the big day. Sr Eugene later recalled:
“From early morning to late afternoon there were over 300 mothers and fathers, boys and girls and members of staff involved in a huge, combined effort to wash and polish the floors of the two schools from front door to back door in readiness for the great day. The strength of any school is in its community, and those early groups set the tone and standards that I have seen so wonderfully maintained through all the years that have followed.”
The Catherine McAuley uniform was also something quite different for its time. While most girls’ schools in Sydney had similar uniforms, typically navy box-pleated tunics and blouses, Catherine McAuley opted for something more distinctive. The summer uniform was a teal blue dress, while the winter uniform featured a teal tunic and beige blouse, complemented by a teal jumper and blazer.
The choice of teal surprised and delighted families. Former students have since recalled that “it was a bold new colour…very out there for the time” and “it was the most attractive uniform I had ever seen.”
As Catherine McAuley celebrates its 60th anniversary tomorrow, it does so with the same strong school spirit that founding Principal Sr Dobson recognised in those early days. Students and staff will mark the occasion with a special day, including a shared picnic morning tea, a 60th anniversary liturgy recognising staff for their years of service, birthday cake and other activities.
Happy 60th anniversary, Catherine McAuley Westmead!
