WORKING FOR THE COMMON GOOD!

To be 'holy' does not require being a bishop, a priest or a religious. We are frequently tempted to think that holiness is only for those who can withdraw from ordinary affairs to spend much time in prayer. That is not the case. We are all called to be holy by living our lives with love and by bearing witness in everything we do, wherever we find ourselves. Are you called to the consecrated life? Be holy by living out your commitment with joy. Are you married? Be holy by loving and caring for your husband or wife, as Christ does for the Church. Do you work for a living? Be holy by labouring with integrity and skill in the service of your brothers and sisters. Are you a parent or grandparent? Be holy by patiently teaching the little ones how to follow Jesus. Are you in a position of authority? Be holy by working for the common good and renouncing personal gain. 

Pope Francis, Apostolic Exhortation, Gaudete et exsultate #14

ANZAC DAY COMMEMORATIONS:

Last Friday the McAuley students and staff gathered together to commemorate Anzac Day; a day when Australians and New Zealanders give thanks for their free and peaceful country.

The Anzac legend was born on 25 April 1915, when some 20,000 soldiers of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) landed under fire on the shores of Gallipoli, Turkey. The Anzacs on Gallipoli helped shape the Australian story. The term ‘Anzac’ expresses the characteristics that are seen as important to Australians and those serving in the Australian Defence Forces, including courage, equality, endurance and mate-ship.

Each year we commemorate ANZAC Day to remember those who fell during conflict in all wars Australians been involved in.  We also remember those who suffered as prisoners of war, and those who were killed in action. Our service men and women have left us a splendid heritage. May we and our successors prove worthy of their sacrifice.

This year we celebrate the centenary of the Royal Australian Air Force. Australian military aviation began in 1914 as the Australian Flying Corps. In 1921 the RAAF was established.

On Friday we are honoured to have Commodore Rachel Durbin join us for this ceremony. Commodore Durbin is the Royal Australian Navy’s Director General of Engineering. Her role of Director General Engineering is vital to ensuring Navy is capable of fighting and winning at sea. Put simply, Commodore Durbin is in charge or ensuring Navy ships are capable and safe to do whatever they need to do.

But her journey to becoming one of Navy’s highest-ranking officers, began right here in her hometown of Tumut – where much of her family still reside. Commodore Durbin attended Tumut High School where she took a keen interest in STEM subjects. With the support of her teaches, she went on to study Engineering at the University of Wollongong, before joining the Australian Defence Force Academy as a Marine Engineer.

Upon graduating, Commodore Durbin spent her sea-time on-board H-M-A Ships Westralia, Anzac, Canberra and Perth. Since then, she has become one of the Navy’s most respected and regarded engineers.

Throughout her distinguished career, Commodore Durbin has been deployed to operations in the Persian Gulf, conducting exercises in North and South East Asia, fisheries operations in the Southern Ocean and border protection off Northern Australia. She was also awarded the Conscious Service Cross in 2013 for devotion to duty. We also remember all who have served our nation in times of conflict. This year we celebrate the contribution of woman serving in the armed forces especially those who served in World Wars.

It is important day for us to stop and pray for peace – peace in our world, peace among people in our own country, peace in our families, and peace in our own hearts. We know that war brings sadness, grief and death. We also pray for those in our world who are affected by war.

Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, we remember with thanksgiving those who made the supreme sacrifice for us in time of war. We pray that the offering of their lives may not have been in vain.

May your grace enable us this day to dedicate ourselves to the cause of justice, freedom and peace; and give us the wisdom and strength to build a better world, for the honour and glory of your name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

In our Principal's address he spoke of the wonderful support our students gave at the various Anzac Ceremonies. Thank you to everyone for representing our school. 

STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL NEWS - EASTER EGG RAFFLE: Our very active SRC students held an Easter egg raffle as a fundraising activity leading up to Easter. The SRC raised $500 which was spent on sports equipment for the students to use at recess and lunch. Thank you to everyone who bought tickets - and congratulations to Rori Caffery was the lucky first prize winner!

WARM WOOLLY WINTER WEDNESDAY: This term McAuley will hold its annual Warm Woolly winter day on Wednesday 16th June. On this day we ask the students to come dressed to school is their warm woolly clothes and bring in items of clothing, or blankets etc to donate to St Vincent de Paul. So, now is the time to start looking through your wardrobes, so that we can make this McAuley's biggest show of support St Vinnies and the excellent work they do within our community. 

WESTERN REGION RETREATS FOR YEARS 8, 9 & 10: This year St Anne's in Temora hosted the ‘Western Region Retreats’ for Year 8 and 9 students last term. The retreats were facilitated by the 'Catholic Schools Youth Ministry Australia' team from the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn. The cost of the CSYMA team and all travel costs were funded by our Catholic Education Office. Students were involved in activities which developed team building, cooperation skills and their spiritual growth. Both retreats were fun-filled days with students enjoying an opportunity to mingle with students from our Western Region schools. In 2022, McAuley will host the Year 8 and 9 retreats for Temora and Cootamundra students. 

Our Year 10 Western Region Retreat for this year, will be held at Village Conference Centre – Warrambui. More information will follow as details are confirmed. 

SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION: Our Year 6 students will celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation this term, on Thursday 17th June at 6pm. Our Sacraments are Parish led, so more information will be given to the students from the Parish Sacramental Coordinator later this term. 

BRONWYN BANCROFT was chosen as a role model for the Mercy value of Justice in this term's Integrating Focus.

“In everything do to others as you would have them do to you” - Matthew 7:12 

Bronwyn Bancroft is an Australian artist who is amongst the first Australian fashion designers invited to show her work in Paris. Trained in Canberra and Sydney, Bancroft worked as a fashion designer, and is an artist, illustrator, and arts administrator. 

In 1985, Bancroft established a shop called Designer Aboriginals, selling fabrics made by Aboriginal artists including herself. She is also a founding member of Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Co-operative. 

Artwork by Bancroft is held by the National Gallery of Australia, the Art Gallery of New South Wales and the Art Gallery of Western Australia. She has provided artwork for more than 20 children's books, including Stradbroke Dreaming by writer and Aboriginal activist Oodgeroo Noonuccal, and books by artist and writer Sally Morgan. 

Bancroft has a long history of involvement in community activism and arts administration and has served as a board member for the National Gallery of Australia. Her painting Prevention of AIDS (1992) was used in a campaign to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS in Australia. 

A fashion designer, artist, writer, scholar and activist, she is a proud Bundjalung woman from Tenterfield, NSW. In 1985, she started her own company Designer Aboriginals to bring the work of Indigenous fabric artists to the world, going on to show her own fashion designs in Paris. She then turned mainly to painting and illustration. Her use of colour is vibrant and her designs are gorgeously dynamic.  

Bronwyn Bancroft's quote: "We need to know each other's stories, know our stuff, diminish ignorance and get on with life and make sure we do a damn good job of it"