I came across the following article this week and thought how well it fits into the current 'reading culture' at McAuley. Staff have participated in numerous professional development opportunities over the past few years and have adopted new strategies within the classrooms to enhance the development and student attitude towards reading. It is very refreshing to hear students ‘buzzing’ about the latest books they have read, which author they are currently enjoying and which shop sells the best books!

Our hope is that this love of reading continues into adult life.

LETTER TO A YOUNG READER

Dear Children

I want to share something with you — and that is how much I loved books when I was your age. Of course, back then there was no Internet, no television — we learned everything from printed books.

We didn’t have much money when I was a child and I couldn’t afford new books, so most of what I read came from our library. But I also used to spend hours in a very small second- hand book shop. The owner was an old man who never had time to arrange his books properly. They were piled everywhere and I would sit there, surrounded by all that information about everything imaginable. I would save up any money I got for my birthday or doing odd jobs so that I could buy one of those books.

Of course, you can look up everything on the Internet now. But there is something very special about a book — the feel of it in your hands and the way it looks on the table by your bed, or nestled in with others in the bookcase.

I loved to read in bed, and after I had to put the lights out I would read under the bedclothes with a torch, always hoping my mother would not come in and find out! I used to read curled up in front of the fire on a cold winter evening. And in the summer I would take my special books up my favourite tree in the garden. My Beech Tree. Up there I read stories of faraway places and I imagined I was there. I especially loved reading about Doctor Doolittle and how he learned to talk to animals. And I read about Tarzan of the Apes. And the more I read, the more I wanted to read.

I was ten years old when I decided I would go to Africa when I grew up to live with animals and write books about them.

And that is what I did, eventually.

I lived with chimpanzees in Africa and I am still writing books about them and other animals. In fact, I love writing books as much as reading them — I hope you will enjoy reading some of the ones that I have written for you.

Acknowledgement: Jane Goodall, A Velocity of Being: Letters to a Young Reader

Community Council News

Arron Taylor has resigned from his position of chairperson of the McAuley Community Council. We thank Arron very much for his leadership over the past 4 years. During this time the council was able to fundraise over $20,000 and built the primary lunch shelter and the school bus shelter. We appreciate Arron’s time and commitment to McAuley.

The next Community Council Meeting will be held Thursday 21st March at 5pm. We are hoping to find enthusiastic parents who would like to be active in the school via the council. It is not an onerous task. Meetings twice a term. All council positions will be declared open. Please come along if you would like to be involved. We would love to see you.

School Uniform

Thank you to parents for your continued support in ensuring your child/ren are wearing correct school uniform. A requirement at McAuley, particularly for secondary students is black leather school shoes. This is a safety requirement as students are participating in practical lessons, Wood Work, Food Tech, Science, Agriculture and at times come across hazardous or heavy objects. Black joggers are NOT permitted as school shoes. Joggers to be worn on sports days only. We appreciate your support. 

Hoping everyone is enjoying the cooler weather,

 Kerrin Henderson

Acting Principal