Dear McAuley Families

It’s amazing to think we are halfway through the school year as we wind up Term 2.  We have quickly gone ‘back to normal’ and I find I am still experiencing many firsts as the calendar fills. Please take some time to enjoy a break from the daily routines and work and school over the holiday break. To those heading to warmer places (and other places!) travel safely.

School resumes for Term 3 on Tuesday 13 July (staff have professional learning on Monday 12 July). Winter uniform please.

Uniform:  Elsewhere in this Newsletter, you will find the new and revised Uniform options for McAuley students K-10.  We have worked to keep a uniform that is affordable, comfortable, flexible and non-gender specific in line with national trends and activity guidelines. All items can be obtained at Swans and we are grateful for their patience and support as we have undergone a long period of uncertainty and change. Please support the new uniform options by ensuring your sons and daughters are in correct uniform as they return to school.

Tell Them From Me Survey:  Survey results have been released in the last few hours and I look forward to reading them in the holidays. Suggestions and concerns will add to our Strategic Planning over the coming weeks and months. We are certainly working hard to improve the physical facilities and look of both campuses and I am grateful to the Community Council for their support and enthusiasm. More to come as we break open the responses from staff, parents and students. Thanks to those who took the time to respond.

Western Region Athletics Carnival:  Don’t forget change of date to Wednesday 14 July.  Helpers are needed for canteen and other duties. There will be communication elsewhere about how to offer your support.

Information Sessions & Orientation Days:  We have held a successful Kinder open morning, Year 7 Information Night and Orientation Day in the last week.  Numbers and interest continue to be strong from those families who are keen to join (or continue) their journey with us here at McAuley. Please keep up your positive promotion of our school as a point of difference in the local area and one which is going from strength to strength as a “good” school with great academic and social results.

Staffing:  Thanks to Lucy West who has offered to take on Fran Clark’s English teaching load next term in Years 7-10. Lucy is a qualified English teacher and I am pleased that we continue to be able to have specialist teachers in place right through our Primary and Secondary classes. Jenny Jackson will take on Lucy’s previous role as a Release from Face to Face teacher in the Primary classes. I am grateful to them both for their flexibility and commitment.

Thanks also to Mr Hughes and Ms Dougherty who took on extra and varied loads for this term to support our students. They have both worked hard to keep things smooth for your sons and daughters. Thank you all.

Confirmation:  Congratulations to our Year 6 students who celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation last Thursday. I was disappointed to miss the night as I was in Lake Cargelligo at a Western Region Principals’ meeting but heard excellent feedback on all involved. Well done to those who worked to prepare and carry out this very important sacrament.

Community Council Meeting:  Please feel welcome to attend our next Community Council Meeting this Thursday (tonight) at 5.00pm in the Secondary Staffroom. This is a great way to learn more about the directions of the school and the ways in which parents can assist with fundraising and general community building activities.

I look forward to seeing guests, staff and students at our Term 2 Awards Assembly on Friday @ 2.00pm. Enjoy the break everyone.

Mary our Mother… Look after us.

Eamonn Moore

Principal