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- PRINCIPAL'S REPORT
- RECONCILIATION WEEK
- NATIONAL SORRY DAY 2023
- BIGGEST MORNING TEA
- CANBERRA GOULBURN BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS
- PRIMARY AWARDS WEEKS 4 AND 5
- FIRST HOLY COMMUNION
- CANBERRA GOULBURN RUGBY UNION TRIALS
- KINDERGARTEN -SKETCHING SKILLS
- THE TWITS
- INDIGENOUS ARTEFACTS
- YEAR 8 COOKING UP A STORM
- ATHLETICS CARNIVAL
- ENROLMENTS FOR 2024
- KINDERGARTEN 2024 PARENT INFORMATION EVENING
- YEARS 7, 11 AND 12 2024 - INFORMATION NIGHT
- ENVIRONMENTORS
- DO IT FOR DOLLY DAY
- SNOWY HYDRO GRANT
- CAREERS NEWS BULLETINS
- APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM
- PARTNERS IN PARENTING
- WARHAMMER WORKSHOP
Dear McAuley Families
The issue of cyber bullying has been under the spotlight this week with the visible impact on ABC TV reporter Stan Grant being highlighted. Sadly, we are not immune at McAuley and receive reports of issues from a growing number of Secondary and Primary families. It is almost impossible for schools to deal with these matters as they happen away from our grounds and supervision. The comments are often cruel, thoughtless, and threatening. It seems anyone can hide behind the internet and say what they want.
Please look to the E-safety Commission website for resources and advice. Never hesitate to report threats and violence to the Police and always talk to your boys and girls. These types of issues are very often under reported or left until the situation is dire.
Linda Stade pleads with parents to be “in charge” of internet usage in our homes. Indeed, she says that children should not be alone in bedrooms with internet connected devices. She writes about the “six basic truths about kids online:”
- Kids will occasionally do silly things online (even good kids!)
- Not everyone online can be trusted
- Conflict among young people escalates online
- Kids tend to be less inhibited online
- Many seek validation and acceptance online
- Kids are especially vulnerable to technology addiction (read about the TikTok “Rabbit hole!”
The terrible fact is that online bullying can be relentless, and phones can transmit hate and anger all throughout the night to our young people.
It is important that we adults model good habits in terms of our internet usage and actions. Our children watch and listen to use more than we ever realise, so please be conscious of those things as we move forward into the very connected future of learning and living.
Maree Stewart lost her beloved mum, Pauline, to brain cancer on Mother’s Day and Kerry Croft her father Geoff recently. I know their families have so much appreciated the prayers and support offered by our McAuley family over the past weeks. It is in times like this that our care and concern for one another is so practical and valued. Thank you all.
Thanks also to those families who reached out to support and compliment our staff and students after our recent lockdown situation. As my notification stated, the safety of all involved was our priority. Please do not be alarmed by the urban myths that are circulating about weapons or assaults on staff. None of that is true. We have high expectations for the behavior of our students, and I can assure you that we have great boys and girls who are happy and cooperative at our school.
Catholic Education are sending a consultant firm to refine our policies and procedures. We look forward to ensuring that we are demonstrating best practice in terms of our lockdown and evacuation processes.
Over the coming weeks we will be carrying out a concerted enrolment campaign for 2024. Places are available at our main entry points (Kindergarten, Year 7 and Year 11, 2024). We are in the position of having wait lists for a couple of year levels. Please be sure to encourage your friends and family to consider a McAuley education in a school with proven academic results, strong and authentic pastoral care and a true community who supports and cares for one another.
Mary our Mother, Look after us.
Eamonn Moore
Principal
National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. The theme for National Reconciliation week in 2023 is 'Be a Voice for Generations'. Reconciliation must live in the hearts, minds and actions of all Australians as we move forward, creating a nation strengthened by respectful relationships between the wider Australian community, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
In House groups lead by our Chisolm, Therry and Mackillop house captains, McAuley primary students participated in a liturgy to acknowledge National Sorry Day. We created a school display using candles that we decorated.
At recess our amazing families donated baked goods for The Biggest Morning Tea which we shared to acknowledge Sorry Day. Our brilliant staff ran the stall with great success. Students donated money and ate goodies while families joined us for a cuppa. Thanks to everyone who helped out. We are so lucky to have the community we have!
Our amazing families donated baked goods for The Biggest Morning Tea. A big thank you to everyone who helped out.
We are so lucky to have the community we have!
An amazing $861.35 was raised for Cancer Council.
Six students attended the Winter Trials for Rugby Union in Canberra on Monday, 15 May. Congratulations to Brad Beavan, Nash Fife and Joey Parry who were selected in the Archdiocesan Side.
Kinder have been using their sketching skills to draw Mr Potato Head and wow did they do a great job. Miss Groves is so impressed with her budding artists!
Year 3 and 4 had an excursion to the Wagga Civic Theatre to see a live performance of Roald Dahl's 'The Twits'. They enjoyed the beautiful sun and fresh air at the Botanic Gardens. They even squeezed some time in for a walk around Wagga Zoo.
Katrina Cambridge from CE came to visit Kinder and Year 1 and brought with her some Indigenous artefacts. We saw some handmade tools and eggs from a crocodile and an emu. We are so lucky to have someone to share their knowledge with us. Thanks, Katrina!
Another very successful Athletics Carnival was held on May 12. Age champions will be announced shortly once the High Jump is completed.
Enrolments for Kindergarten, Year 7, Years 11 and 12 2024 will be open in Week 8, Monday, 12 June and close Friday June, 30.
There will be a Kindergarten Information Evening on Tuesday, June 6 at 5pm.
Years 7, 5.00pm and 11 Information Evening, 6.00pm will be Tuesday, June 13.
Online Enrolment forms and information can be found on the School Website.
On Wednesday, May 17th we had a visitor to our school- the Enviromentors! Our primary classes were given information about recycling, rubbish and FOGO bins. Students sorted items into the correct bins and learned about different types of recycling, composting and worm farms. We are reminded to keep Australia beautiful.
The 'Do it for Dolly' fundraiser at the Athletics Carnival raised an amazing $720.15 for Dolly's Dream Foundation.
A huge thank you to families who baked goods, and also Year 8.1 for their efforts.
McAuley has been awarded a STEM grant from Snowy Hydro to further resource and develop technology education.
The funds will buy a laser cutter/ etcher and a number of new workshop machines that will enhance the quality of project work and grow the skills of students.
This year, students have been learning to design their projects using Fusion 360. This is a CAD (computer aided design) program that allows students to take their ideas, create them digitally, and then 3D print them using our new 3D printer. Our senior students are particularly making good use of this technology, creating models and prototypes of their design ideas.
The CAD program, 3D printing and Laser cutting/ etching capability put McAuley students at the front line of technology education, and gives them skills and knowledge relevant to life outside of school. Very exciting times!
