Dear Parents

As we come to the end of Term a phrase no doubt you have heard before, “I am bored!”  will again be voiced. Many children will hear “get off that device and get outside to get some fresh air and exercise.”

Some experts believe children need at least three hours of outdoor play on a daily basis in order to foster healthy sensory and motor development. They need opportunities to climb trees, run as fast as they can, use their imagination, test their strength, roll, climb, balance and even spin in circles. All of these activities use their brain, activate their muscles both big and small and engage the senses. This lays the foundation for being able to pay attention, listen and learn in a classroom setting.

Studies indicate that when children switch from spending hours primarily indoors and sitting to one where the child is free to move and play throughout the day, the results can be far-reaching. Problems of poor attention all but disappear and children become attentive and active learners. Time spent playing outdoors fosters a joy of learning and confidence in one’s abilities — two critical elements in the classroom and in life. All it takes is some time and a place to play outside.

 As a society we’re making great strides toward obesity prevention. While we are working to keep our children at healthy weights, we must also strive to ensure healthy behaviours, attitudes, sensory function, strength and coordination. This is true health, and to get it, our children should be introduced to more outdoor playtime with their peers or even parents.

Community Council: A big thankyou to the members of the Community Council and  all those parents, teachers and friends of McAuley who assisted in the Canteen at the Tumut Rodeo last Saturday evening as a fundraiser for the school.

Rodney Little

Email: rodney.little@cg.catholic.edu.au

Our Enrolment period for 2020 will officially begin after the school holidays. If you are aware of any families who are interested in enrolling their child at McAuley for 2020 please encourage them to contact the school.  If you would like to enrol your child at McAuley please contact our school office for a school tour and an enrolment pack.

All interested parents, carers, teachers and students are encouraged to download our SZapp - which will further assist you to stay connected with McAuley. You will be able to view and access school newsletters, documents and get instant notifications from us. The app will be another contact point for parents - it is our aim to provide many platforms, which will assist you to keep up to date with happenings at McAuley.

Click below for details:

Year 8 and Year 9 students have benefited from Retreat Days which were held in Cootamundra this week.

The Retreats, were facilitated by the Catholic Schools Youth Ministry Australia (CSYMA) team from our Archdiocese.

Students were given wonderful opportunites to reflect and to recognise their value and self-worth. They participated in activities which were aimed to develop team building, coooperation skills along with spiritual growth. 

Retreats for Year 7 and Year 10 will follow later in the year. 

Secondary Music and Visual Arts Elective Classes will attend the live performance of the musical "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" at the Capitol Theatre in Sydney on Wednesday 8th May. Full cost is $115.

DEPOSIT MUST BE PAID BY 11th APRIL if your child is attending. Full payment before excurison date. 

What a wonderful opportunity for our students to develop understanding and appreciation of live music and culture. 

Receiving congratulations this week is Dusty Hood! Year 6's Dusty is the first student in the school to have read one million words under the Accelerated Reader Program.

Well done Dusty - KEEP READING EVERYONE!

Another great Trek through the Kosciuszko National Park last week, when our PASS (Physical and Sports Studies) students participated in their annual trek. We hope you enjoy our beautiful gallery of photos. 

We were fortunate the Primary Cross Country Carnival was able to be run last Friday, in between the weather forcast for storms and rain. Well done to all students who ran hard and tried their best. 

Monday saw magnificent Autumn weather for our K-10 Athletics Carnival. This was followed by 30 students participating in the Year 3-6 NSW Netball Carnival at the Town Courts on Wednesday.

A full report will be provided of these events - but for now, please enjoy the photos. 

Students and teachers from Year 1 and 2 really enjoyed their bus-tour around Tumut to view some significant historical sites. This excursion complimented the history unit "The Past in the Present". Thank you to everyone who supported this excursion - from guest speakers to parents helpers! 

Click on the link below for photo gallery. 

Thanks to Coles and families for vegi donations. Also a huge thank you to Rebecca Fardell and Jenny Parry for cutting up all the vegies for students to enjoy.

We couldn't do it without you.

Hi everyone, thank you for your continued suppport of our canteens. 

PRIMARY CANTEEN ROSTER NEXT WEEK - Thank you to the following parents and grandparent:

Monday 8th: Toni Laney, Wednesday 10th: Susie Peacock, Friday 12th: Syliva Flynn

Please click on the link below for Canteen menu and price list. 

GIRLS IN ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM - for any interested Year 7-10 student may who wish to explore a career in engineering or technology. Free course at ANU Canberra. more details form cecs@anu.edu.au or phone 61257429. Own transport is required. Friday June 15th. RSVP for catering purposes. 

TUMUT MINOR LEAGUE: Invites all players to register for the 2019 season. $75 per person. Registration Link on Tumut Minor League Website. Or contact Jayson 0427 509 757. Tumut Minor League is registered for the 'Active Kids Program' - click on the link below.

TUMUT AusKick CENTRE (AFL Junior Footy): Registrations NOW OPEN! Register your child now for the 2019 season. Please contact Dwayne Murray dmurray@amurray.com.au or ring 0421000401. Registered for the 'Active Kids Program' - click on the link below. 

SCHOOL HOLIDAY TENNIS CLINIC: Monday 15th to Thursday 18th April. Tumut Tennis Courts. Limited numbers. 10:30am to 12noon. Bookings essential. Bernadette Cahill 69474968 or email birdietennis@bigpond.com

NETBALL NSW - SCHOOL HOLIDAY CLINIC. 26th April at Netball Courts. Ages 5 through to 10. Register via https://www.trybooking.com/BBIPV 

TUMUT YOUTH COUNCIL COLOUR EXPLOSION - 11am to 2pm Bull Paddock. THIS Saturday 6th April. More info from mmazzini@svc.nsw.gov.au. 

Tumut Day VIEW Club (a valued part of 'The Smith Family') offering support and friendship, skills development, enriching experiences, and give the satisfaction of making a difference in your community. If you would like to join this great club or maybe find out more, call 1800805366 or visit www.thesmithfamily.com.au/view 

TUMUT EASTER MARKETS. Good Friday and Easter Saturday. Boys Club Hall - 9am to 4pm both days. Free entry. Great bargains. BBQ, tea and coffee. Bookings and more info from 02 42322337.

TUMUT TAFE PLAYGROUP: Playgroup sessions for local families. Students studying Certificate 3 in Early Childhood will be delivering the sessions. Next session if 10th April. $3-00 per child. 10am to 12noon. Please bring water bottle, hat and morning tea. Tea and coffee available for parents. Contact Kim Pollack 69814831 for more details. 

Children’s Mosaic Classes. Monday and Wednesday afternoons at 3:30pm to 5:00pm. Cost involved. More info from kerriebellette@live.com.au or 0407265828

Pilates Mat Class with Jaime. Do you need to increase your core stability? Correct muscle imbalances? Improve your posture. 45 minute classes on Saturday 8am @ The Gym. Tuesday 5:15pm @ St Mary's Hall. $15-00. Bookings essential via Facebook. Or call 0420309301

Piano/Keyboard Lessons: Individual lessons available, during school hours at McAuley. Ages 6 years and up. Ring Vanessa Hall for more details on 0448609479.