Dear McAuley Families

Third term is already full on and busy. It is important that we be sure our sons and daughters are well organised and using all the tools available to keep them on track with assignments, study, sport and social commitments.

In this “busyness” we are very aware of our lack of having a school counsellor. Catholic Care have been working hard to replace Joanne after she left last term. Should you have an urgent need for counselling support please contact your child’s teacher or myself to arrange support.

I read a lot about good mental health and our staff are committed through various programs such as “The Resilience Project” and others to support and assist us help our young people to be resilient and happy. Andrew Fuller is a great resource. (See his website www.andrewfuller.com.au) for many free papers and articles. His recent piece “Depression Proofing Your Kids” offers some great advice for us all.

1. Sadness is not always bad. We need to remember we can’t be happy all the time. Part of being human is recognising that these times will pass.

2. Lower the amount of stress. Work to find ways to ‘decompress’ at stressful times.

3. Find some good friends. Talking things through with others is always helpful.

4. Eat healthily. Some foods can make us depressed. Eat fish, fatty acids, whole grains and leafy greens.

5. Have some sources of “flow”. Regularly do good things for others. Give compliments, increase others’ happiness.

6. Be grateful and lucky. Decide to be lucky.

7. Get enough sleep and rest. The most powerful de-compressant (serotonin) is produced between the sixth and eighth hour of sleep.

8. Get some exercise. Exercise produces cortisol and increases endorphins. These are the “happy chemicals.” Moderate exercise for even 10 minutes a day is enough to trigger these chemicals.

9. Laugh more. Share funny stories, even when you don’t feel like it.

Please always reach out to us at school if you have concerns about your child’s mental health.

In other news we are working on both Primary and Secondary Campuses to plan future building projects. At our Community Council Meeting there was an explanation of both current and future hopes and plans as our school continues to grow and prosper. It is very exciting to be able to show plans and concepts at the large-scale building and renovations that are being planned.

I would ask that those families who are leaving McAuley at the end of 2023 would let us know as we undertake staffing, budget and facilities preparation as we become a K – 12 school in 2024.

Enrolments are open for most classes for 2024. There remain limited places available for our main entry points of Kindergarten, Year 7 and Year 11. Please encourage your friends and families to get their applications in as soon as possible as places seem to be filling quickly.

Best wishes to Miss Moss as she recovers from surgery. We look forward to welcoming Janeanne back soon. It is also lovely to have Mrs Stacey Crane return to work with our primary classes after her maternity leave.

Mary our Mother, Look after us.

Eamonn Moore