Dear McAuley Families

As advised in our last Newsletter, I am proud to launch our “McAuley Way” campaign.  These agreed actions are at the core of what our students commit to each day in their learning.  It is our goal that these words are well known and well publicised in our classrooms and homes and become our ‘core’ actions and habits.

Our Year 12 students and staff have contributed to these core habits we will promote in classrooms and at home to be sure that every pupil at the college is engaged, positive and contributing to their learning.

 As the seasons change and students need to wear warmer attire, please also be aware of correct uniform.  Wendellie have correctly branded stock of jumpers and jackets to purchase ready for Term 2.

A reminder too about our phone and technology policies.  These align with Catholic Education guidelines.  Students should not be using phones or devices in classrooms or during lunch or recess times.  This includes the use of ear buds and digital watches.  Should a student be asked to remove or place their device in a classroom pocket there should be no dissention.  We want our students to be active and interactive in their break times and to be fully focussed on class without distractions. We expect your support at home on these matters.  Should a student need to contact home during the day they can do so by coming to the office. Please don’t call or text your children during class time, as this is an added distraction.

As a long time, Andrew Fuller fan, I stumbled across this article on ways to assist your child to succeed at school.  Please take note of a few of these interesting statistics.

• Most learning doesn’t happen at school. Your child spends 15% of their time at school.  The rest is sleep 33% and, home 52%.
• 70% of jobs in the future don’t exist yet.
• Knowledge is doubling every three years!

We know that children’s brains are wired differently. We are now raising the generation that have had access to devices since birth.  Exposing children under 2 years of age to devices is proven to impact brain development, delay language skills and shorten attention span.

Research carried out (for example Navarette et al 2021) demonstrates that there are simple ways to work to improve concentration (focus and learning) in our children.

1. Give brain breaks. Schools are very aware of the need to allow for movement, a small snack or drink of water. Do we make this happen at home during study or homework time?
2. Have time and space. Do you have a study area at home and a clear, set routine?
3. Practice mindfulness. A busy mind can impair concentration. Focus on now. Belly breathing and short activities provide calm.
4. Break tasks down. Do you assist with ‘chunking’ big tasks or assignments into smaller parts or timeframes?
5. Focus games. Puzzles, cross words and brain games are excellent tools to build problem solving and clear thinking. Do you play games as a family?

Computer and video games are designed to give the player a small reward every now and then to keep them focussed. Do you do the same with homework and study routines?

I look forward to our students representing the College at Anzac and Festival of the Falling Leaf activities in the coming weeks.  Please keep an eye out for communication about these events.

Mary our mother, look after us.

Eamonn Moore

Principal