Welcome back to Term 3.  I trust the winter break was a time for a break from the routines of work and school and that all were able to enjoy some family time together. One of the outcomes of COVID surely is a reminder to us all to make the most of the opportunity to get together with family and friends and enjoy the moment.  Claudia and I travelled to Orange for the wedding of a past student of mine from quite some time ago.  It was so lovely to meet up with people we haven’t seen for a few years now.  A special and happy time.

As always, doing a good job as teachers and parents is at the core of what we do.  The disconnection and uncertainty caused by COVID restrictions has led to a well-publicized rise in social issues.  The “Parenting Ideas” Blog has an excellent range of articles to assist us understand and work with our boys and girls.  Recently Michael Grose writes about girls and what makes them “tick?”  (See: https://www.parentingideas.com.au/blog/know-what-makes-girls-tick/).

He reminds us that girls:

1. Crave connection and contribution.
2. Being accepted is #1.
3. Are challenged to find their true self.
4. Often conceal their worth.
5. Feel immense pressure to conform.
6. Feel misunderstood.
7. Need other girls and women.
8. Need to discover passion and purpose.

Let’s work to make our daughters proud and strong women.

Over the last couple of days I have communicated the regulations and requirements being placed on us by NSW Health and Catholic Education.  Sadly it looks like a number of our plans will have to change as we cancel and postpone events during Term 3.  The predictions from NSW and ACT Health are grim and I urge everyone to continue to practice COVID safety and minimize any risk.

Again I reiterate:

• Staff, students and visitors must not attend school if they are unwell and will be sent home if they have any COVID 19 symptoms.
• Please notify the school if a member of your household tests positive for COVID 19. Please complete the online declaration form (https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/stay-safe/testing/register-positive-rat-test-result)
• Parents can attend the school site outdoor areas for drop off and pick up. Other meetings should be conducted online where possible. Visits should be for essential reasons only.
• Staff/student physical distancing should be encouraged.   Minimise mixing where at all possible.
• Masks whilst indoors are not required for staff/students though encouraged where it suits them. Children in K-2 should not wear masks as they can be a choking hazard.
• Ventilation is important – windows slightly open.
• Extra-curricular activities (that take a teacher off class) should not proceed until Term 4 - camps, excursions, carnivals.
• We will re-consider performances, musicals, public speaking competitions or defer to Term 4.
• Assemblies are permitted but without parent attendance.
• Community Council have elected not to hold meetings this term. 

RAT kits are available on request from the office. Again, thank you all for your support and care of one another as we look ahead to a possibly challenging time ahead.

As always any important communications will come via email and Compass notifications. Facebook is used for reminders and general news.  Please be sure to keep an eye on any announcements about regulations, cancellations and postponements as they come along this term.

Best wishes to Mrs Greacen who is enjoying some well-earned long service leave this term.  We have been very lucky to secure Mr David Edwards who joins us from the Scots School, Albury.  David has a great deal of experience and is looking forward to joining our staff and wonderful school.

Dean and Stacey Crane welcomed baby Claudia in late June and we send much love and best wishes to their little family. I know the Kindergarten class were very excited to hear the news and look forward to meeting the new addition to our McAuley family.

I met late last term with Libby McGruer who offered her resignation as our Primary Campus Secretary.  Libby has the been the face and voice of a generation of students, providing band aids, love, care and soothing advice to many students and families.  I look forward to being able to farewell Libby in fine style later in the year and know that you all send your love and gratitude for her many years of dedication to McAuley.

Year 10 students and families will receive an email in the next few days requesting they book a time on 4 & 5 August for Subject Selection Counselling sessions.  These meetings are for students and parents to discuss and highlight subjects in line with possible career and study paths for next year. They are available for all families, no matter if they intend to stay for Year 11 at MCCS or not.  Please be sure to avail yourselves of this excellent opportunity.  This is another exciting step in our Year 11 and 12 planning and will inform the offerings we will have both on-site and virtually for our first Year 11 class in 2023.

This week we will also have a visit from the Block Grant Authority (BGA) team who are examining our application for further renovations and building works on our Primary and Secondary campuses.  This is in line with our developing Master Plans in buildings, facilities and grounds and gardens.  Exciting times!

Please don’t forget extra Pupil Free days this term:

Friday 5 August

Monday 12 September

Mary Our Mother Look After Us.

Eamonn Moore

Principal