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- PRINCIPAL'S REPORT
- FROM THE REC
- FIRST HOLY COMMUNION
- PRIMARY CAMPUS BGA PROJECT
- ENROLMENTS FOR 2024
- SCHOOL PHOTO DAY
- TERM 1 FEES
- PRIMARY AWARDS
- PRIMARY CROSS COUNTRY
- STAFFING
- ARCHDIOCESAN SWIMMING
- SCHOOL-BASED APPRENTICESHIPS AND TRAINEESHIPS
- MACKILLOP DRESS UP DAY
- RAFFLE TICKETS
- EASTER RAFFLE
- YEAR 7 CAMP
- YEAR 6 AND THEIR BUDDIES
- 5/6T GYMNASTICS
- AIFS WEBINAR
- YOUNG SCIENTIST PROGRAM - 2023
- CATHOLIC SCHOOL PARENTS
- CAREERS NEWS BULLETINS
Dear McAuley Families
RAIN! It certainly is a wet start to autumn and adds to the feelings of busyness and makes us all feel unsettled. I learnt today that there is a name for a person who loves the sound of rain and feels joy and peace on rainy days… a “pluviophile!”
Perhaps having 400 odd students milling around may change the feelings of a pluviophile somewhat! But there is a certain joy in wet, rainy days and nights.
We wish Liz Place all the best as she embarks on a well-earned time of long service leave. Liz is looking forward to a European adventure and some time with her new baby grandson. Year 1PB will be well looked after by our relief staff, and of course Ms Baldry on her usual days.
This week we welcomed Year 8 and 9 students from Temora and Cootamundra who joined our McAuley students for the Western Region Retreats. The Retreats were facilitated by the CE Catholic Youth Ministry International (CYSMI) team who always reach out to connect young people with their growing faith. This is an excellent opportunity for our young people to meet others and explore their faith.
Our Year 10 and 11 students attended the “Try a Trade Day” in Tumbarumba on Wednesday and found excellent resources and ideas presented to them about future pathways. We are so excited as a school to be able to support student choice and offer a variety of options for your young people to plan a future career. Early next term we will be speaking with Year 10 parents and students about their future directions as we plan for the Year 12 Graduating Class of 2025, subject offerings, staffing and facilities.
In line with that we will open an enrolment period next term for 2024. We will be closing enrolments especially in Kindergarten, Year 7, and Year 11 to get firm indications of classroom numbers as we will need to work to staff and service those (and other) year levels. More detail will come next term.
As our school expands, we have appointed more office staff and clarified roles. I am pleased to welcome (and welcome back) …
Secondary office:
Trish Taylor – Finance (Monday – Friday)
Larissa Buckley – Student support services & Compass support (Monday – Wednesday)
Narissa Mildren – Student support services & Compass support (some Wednesdays, Thursday, Friday)
Primary office:
Trish Marsh – Enrolments officer, Student support services & Compass support (Monday – Friday)
Narissa Mildren – Student support services & Compass support (some Wednesdays)
Karen Lindley will join us on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, in the upcoming weeks.
Our office staff perform a vital role in connecting families with teachers, looking after communication, finances, enrolments, excursions, trips, events, forgotten lunches, first aid and medications and the many ebbs and flows of a school day. Thank you all for your immense work and support of us.
Please take care over the Easter and holiday break. I trust all families can find some time to recognise the solemnity of Easter and reflect on the meaning of sacrifice and commitment that the Easter story brings us. Also, importantly the joy and celebration of life that the resurrection reminds us of.
Term 2 will commence on Monday 24 April with Staff Professional Learning (no students). Following the Anzac Day Public Holiday on Tuesday 25 April, classes for all students Kindergarten to Year 11 will commence on Wednesday 26 April.
Mary our Mother, Look after us.
Eamonn Moore
Principal
Please remember that Holy Week, which this Sunday with Palm Sunday, is the most important week in the Church’s year. It is a time when we celebrate the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. We remember his actions, reflect on his messages and recommit to living as his disciples in the world today. Easter is the greatest celebration in the Catholic church because it completes Holy Week and ends with the resurrection of Jesus. Easter celebrates the beginning and foundation of Christianity.On Wednesday 5th April, we will have a school reflection of the Stations of the Cross.
This year the Year 8 students are presenting each station as a frozen tableau of the scene in and around the school hall at 9am.
The Easter Triduum
The Easter Triduum refers to three days in the Church’s calendar which expresses the central mystery of our Christian faith.
It begins on Holy Thursday as we focus on Jesus’ farewell words and deeds at the last supper. Good Friday is when we ponder the events of his suffering and death. It finishes with the Easter Vigil when we celebrate the liberation of humankind through Christ’s resurrection. This three –stage sequence of worship allows to take in an enormous mystery in small parts and relate it to our own lives-the sorrows, joys, successes and failures. The Easter Triduum is considered the highlight of the Church’s Year.
Western Region Retreats for Year 8 and 9.
McAuley hosted the ‘Western Region Retreats’ for Year 8 and 9 students this week. Students from St Anne’s in Temora and Sacred Heart school in Cootamundra joined with McAuley students for the retreats.
They were facilitated by the Catholic Schools Youth Ministry Internation (CSYMI) from the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn. The cost of the CSYMI team was funded by our Catholic Education Office.
That students were given opportunities to recognise their value and self-worth. They were involved in activities that develop team building, cooperation skills and their spiritual growth.
Congratulations
Excellent news is that we have been successful in gaining a Commonwealth Capital Grant of some $980,000 for the Primary BGA project which should amount to a project of $1.4m. As you are aware this project calls for the demolition of the Kindergarten/Year 1 Block and Administration Block with construction of new learning, admin and toilet areas. This is very exciting, and I am grateful for the support of CE and Government to help in us achieve our strategic goals in providing open, modern and attractive learning and teaching areas. The architects will begin consultation with staff and community sometime into the future around the concept drawings that have already been shared.
Enrolment period will open next term for 2024. We will be closing enrolments especially in Kindergarten, Year 7, and Year 11 to get firm indications of classroom numbers as we will need to work to staff and service those (and other) year levels. More detail will come next term.
Place getters for the Primary Cross Country.
Congratulations, these students will now represent McAuley at the Western Region Cross Country on Friday 28 April in Grenfell.
An update on our office staff:
Secondary office:
Trish Taylor – Finance (Monday – Friday)
Larissa Buckley – Student support services & Compass support (Monday – Wednesday)
Narissa Mildren – Student support services & Compass support (some Wednesdays, Thursday, Friday)
Primary office:
Trish Marsh – Enrolments officer, Student support services & Compass support (Monday – Friday)
Narissa Mildren – Student support services & Compass support (some Wednesdays)
Karen Lindley will join us on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, in the upcoming weeks.
Congratulations to Ashton. Gold in 50m Freestyle!
Ashton will now represent MacKillop at the NSWPSSA Swimming Championships next week.
Darcey Fife was signed up today for her School Based Apprenticeship with Tumut Truck Repairs.
GIANTS NETBALL RAFFLE
Dear Parents,
Each family has now been sent home with a raffle flyer with 5 x $5 raffle tickets attached. It will be drawn on 6th April at the Awards Assembly.
The 1st prize is:
- 4 x Giants netball tickets for 29th April (2 courtside, 2 the row behind)
- $200 VISA Card
- Parking Voucher (worth $35)
This was all donated by Matilda and Austin Brown. Matilda and Austin have also now added to the prize:
- a signed and framed poster of the Giants netball team
- a merchandise bag including caps, headbands, cup holder and other goodies.
We have also been generously donated a 2nd and 3rd prize:
2nd prize – recovery kit for the athlete or everyday warrior, and $100 gift voucher (total worth over $250 donated by HealthKlinix)
3rd prize - $50 SportsPower voucher (donated by SportsPower)
Please support this school fundraiser. Proceeds going towards:
- Playground – Primary campus
- Other fundraising targets as yet to be confirmed by parents and the Community Council, potentially a table tennis table & sand volleyball court – Secondary campus.
Warm regards,
Rebecca Hartshorne – Chair, Community Council
Year 7 students attend the Sydney Academy of Sport in Narrabeen NSW on 15 - 17 March, 2023.
Students had sessions in building team work skills through collaborative activities as well as learning kayaking and sailing skills.
Fun with buddies. Our Year 6 and Kindergarten students enjoyed some time with their buddies today. Our year 6 buddies were super helpful helping us log onto the chrome books.
Presenters: Trish Ratajczak, David Edwards and Jaylene Friel. Facilitated by Dana Shen.
Date & time: Wednesday, 26 April 2023, 1:00PM – 2:00PM (AEST). Find your time zone.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people often experience barriers to seeking help. These include a lack of culturally appropriate services and geographical remoteness.
Online and digital programs that are community-led can address some of these barriers and support the resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.
Hear from three Aboriginal experts in innovative online and/or digital wellbeing programs, as they discuss:
- How Aboriginal-led online and digital programs can help address barriers to accessing health services.
- Examples of culturally safe, online and digital approaches to supporting children and families.
- Practice tips and insights for using online and digital approaches to remote service delivery for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families.
This webinar is recommended for practitioners and service providers who provide support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families.
Now Open!
The Young Scientist Awards Program motivates students to undertake inventive projects and scientific investigations to develop innovative solutions for real-world problems. Its objective is to recognise excellence in STEM education through inquiry-based learning.
STANSW Young Scientist Online Information Session
Term 2: Monday 1 May, 4pm
We are running a FREE Young Scientist information session in Term 2! The session will provide an opportunity to learn more about the program and will aim to demystify the application and selection process.
Whether you are new to Young Scientist or just need some extra tips, please come along!
2023 Young Scientist Project Key Dates
17 March: 2023 Submissions Open
Monday, 1st May, 4pm: 2023 Information Session via Zoom
28 August: Submission Deadline & Judging Registrations Close
September: Judging Period
November: STANSW Young Scientist Awards Presentation UTS
