McAuley Catholic College Tumut eNewsletter

Dear McAuley Families

Third term is already full on and busy. It is important that we be sure our sons and daughters are well organised and using all the tools available to keep them on track with assignments, study, sport and social commitments.

In this “busyness” we are very aware of our lack of having a school counsellor. Catholic Care have been working hard to replace Joanne after she left last term. Should you have an urgent need for counselling support please contact your child’s teacher or myself to arrange support.

I read a lot about good mental health and our staff are committed through various programs such as “The Resilience Project” and others to support and assist us help our young people to be resilient and happy. Andrew Fuller is a great resource. (See his website www.andrewfuller.com.au) for many free papers and articles. His recent piece “Depression Proofing Your Kids” offers some great advice for us all.

1. Sadness is not always bad. We need to remember we can’t be happy all the time. Part of being human is recognising that these times will pass.

2. Lower the amount of stress. Work to find ways to ‘decompress’ at stressful times.

3. Find some good friends. Talking things through with others is always helpful.

4. Eat healthily. Some foods can make us depressed. Eat fish, fatty acids, whole grains and leafy greens.

5. Have some sources of “flow”. Regularly do good things for others. Give compliments, increase others’ happiness.

6. Be grateful and lucky. Decide to be lucky.

7. Get enough sleep and rest. The most powerful de-compressant (serotonin) is produced between the sixth and eighth hour of sleep.

8. Get some exercise. Exercise produces cortisol and increases endorphins. These are the “happy chemicals.” Moderate exercise for even 10 minutes a day is enough to trigger these chemicals.

9. Laugh more. Share funny stories, even when you don’t feel like it.

Please always reach out to us at school if you have concerns about your child’s mental health.

In other news we are working on both Primary and Secondary Campuses to plan future building projects. At our Community Council Meeting there was an explanation of both current and future hopes and plans as our school continues to grow and prosper. It is very exciting to be able to show plans and concepts at the large-scale building and renovations that are being planned.

I would ask that those families who are leaving McAuley at the end of 2023 would let us know as we undertake staffing, budget and facilities preparation as we become a K – 12 school in 2024.

Enrolments are open for most classes for 2024. There remain limited places available for our main entry points of Kindergarten, Year 7 and Year 11. Please encourage your friends and families to get their applications in as soon as possible as places seem to be filling quickly.

Best wishes to Miss Moss as she recovers from surgery. We look forward to welcoming Janeanne back soon. It is also lovely to have Mrs Stacey Crane return to work with our primary classes after her maternity leave.

Mary our Mother, Look after us.

Eamonn Moore

A special Mass will take place next Tuesday in the school hall. The Mass is to celebrate the life and example of the Saint Mary MacKillop, who died in Sydney on the 8th August 1909. This great Australian woman had an extraordinary vision that saw her dedicate her life to those in need.

Mary devoted her life to the poor and defending the rights of all people, to the underclass, the poor, the homeless, the hungry, the uneducated and those whom society rejected.

Mary MacKillop used to say, “Never see a need without trying to do something about it.” She lived her whole life in the simple faith that God would provide for all her needs. Even in times of great suffering and disappointment, Mary MacKillop never doubted God. McAuley will welcome Fr Oliver back to Tumut to celebrate the Mass with the staff and students K-11.

McAuley entered four teams into the Trent Barrett Shield Gala Day. All students had a fantastic day with lots of tries scored, lots of great tags and tackles made and lots of smiles on faces. We even saw a few post-try celebrations. Congratulations to the players chosen as the player of the day from each team, Rhys Laney, Elliott Adelan-Langford, Georgia Evans, and Brianna McCormick. Thanks to our secondary students who gave up their time to help coach the teams.

Thank you to everyone who came to Grandparents' Day. Each class put on a song and dance routine, and it was lovely to see the celebration so well supported.

A big thanks to the primary staff who supplied morning tea, and to our CSA's who helped in getting morning tea ready.

As of the 1st of August, hats are required on the playground.

If your child does not have a hat they will be asked to play in the shade.

We are asking that those families who are leaving McAuley at the end of 2023 would let us know as we undertake staffing, budget and facilities preparation as we become a K – 12 school in 2024.

Enrolments are open for most classes for 2024. There remain limited places available for our main entry points of Kindergarten, Year 7 and Year 11. Please encourage your friends and families to get their applications in as soon as possible as places seem to be filling quickly.

In Science Year 2 have been experimenting making towers with spagetti and marshmallows.

STUDENT OF THE WEEK

RESILIENCE AWARDS

BRONZE & SILVER AWARDS

The Under 14 boys' team were successful at the Small Schools Competition in Boorowa today. They will progress to State Finals in Bathurst on 9 August. Under 16's team played right through with decreased numbers due to illness and injury. Congratulations to both teams.

Year 11 student Lily Webb represented Canberra Goulburn at the NSWCCC U18’s Netball trials at Menai last week. There were over 100 girls at the trials!

Lily played exceptionally well and did McAuley and the Archdiocese proud.

YARNING STICKS

To celebrate National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Childrens Day today on August 4th our Indigenous students have spent time with wonderful Aboriginal Education Worker Nakia Morriss. These students created 'yarning sticks' for their class to use for yarning circles. These objects encourage respect, listening and involvement from all students and centres around the importance of really listening when our classmates are sharing.

Thanks Ms Morriss and to the students who helped create our unique yarning sticks.

These amazing Kinder Students have been learning about collections of objects to 20. They were using different coloured counters to show collections to 10 and then to 20. Great job Kindergarten!

Year One in Science have recently been investigating Machine Makers and the Rube Goldberg effect of pushes and pulls to construct their own energy force effect " the dominoe effect" by designing and making their own Rube Goldberg machine. It was very fun and lots of trial and error and cooperating.

Liz Place and Year One

Constable Murdoch and Constable Crawford visited Years 5 & 6 to chat about bullying, internet safety and vaping.

Year 2 love using our whiteboards, and they are a great way to keep us engaged during our lessons!

In Maths, Year 1 have been learning about procedures. Following a chocolate crackle recipe was a fun way to learn.

McAuley School would like to thank Mr Kevin Apps and his wife Loretta for their generosity and commitment in assisting local families. Kevin and Loretta obtain perishable food items from local supermarkets, bag the items and distribute them to grateful families via local schools.

The Apps are always in need of shopping bags (preferably not paper bags). So if you have a stash of bags you'd like to donate to Kevin please bring them to either office and we will pass them on.

Careers News Bulletin

Subject Bulletin

TUMUT BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION

Tumut Basketball registrations are open for the 2023 Spring competition.
Nominations close on Friday 11th August 2023.
Round 1 starts Monday 21st August 2023.

All information can be found on our Facebook page, our website or by picking up an
information pack from Pie in the Sky Bakery.

Any inquiries can be made to the registrar, Trish Day on 0427474768