Dear McAuley Families

This week we celebrate the excellent work and support given to our staff and students by our Classroom Support Assistants (Teacher Aides).  Our team of angels carry out high quality intervention programs and support to boys and girls in classes right through our school.  Thank you to Anna, Dora, Jackie, Jaime, Kimberley, Maree and Nakia for their care, professionalism and fabulous support they give to all at McAuley.

We continue to experience high levels of interest in enrolments for 2024.  Please continue to encourage friends and family to submit applications online for next year – especially in Kindergarten, Year 7, and Year 11.  Places are filling quickly.

NAPLAN results are being released currently, with particular emphasis in the press on the teaching and learning happening through our Canberra Goulburn Catholic Education high impact strategies and programs.  Early analysis of McAuley’s results reveal excellent rankings against local and national benchmarks placing us equal or above many of our Canberra counterparts.  This is an excellent reflection of the planning, teaching and assessment being carried out by our teaching staff. More detail will be provided in the coming weeks.

The McAuley Colour Run is certainly gaining some steam!  Our primary students are leading the charge in fundraising pledges.  We hope that our Secondary students can get on board for sponsors for what will be a fun way to raise money for our Community Council projects and student supports. Thanks also to many local businesses who are very generous in their prize sponsorship and support.

This week we began the process of electing our 2024 College Captains.  These leaders will hold the exciting roles of “Foundation College Captains” and lead our students into an exciting future as we grow and evolve into a K-12 College.  Their speeches to their peers showed humility, vision, and optimism for our future.  Thank you to Liam Buckley, Olivia Dean, Russell Guppy, Daniel Smith, and Lily Webb for putting themselves forward as future student leaders.

Elsewhere in this Newsletter you will read about the success many of our sporting teams have gained at local and regional events.  I am proud to always receive very positive and complimentary feedback about our student’s good manners and sportsmanship every time they represent McAuley.

We are also beginning the process of recruitment for staff next year as we continue to evolve and offer new subjects and pathways.  We are currently advertising for the positions of:

• Assistant Principal (Primary)
• Secondary teachers of English, Mathematics, Religious Education and Modern History
• Secondary Coordinators (x 2)

Please encourage suitably qualified friends and colleagues to enquire and apply to work at McAuley at a very exciting time in our history.

We continue to experience high levels of illness among students and staff.  Please be assured that we place a high priority on keeping classes and subjects running normally but there are times when this is not possible due to a severe shortage of relief staff and availability of existing staff.  Please bear with us as we navigate the last weeks of winter flu season.

Mary our Mother, Look after us.

Eamonn Moore

Principal

Father's Day is  this Sunday 3rd September. On this day we celebrate the gift and importance of Dad’s. Father's and father figures have an integral role in the lives of our students, as mentors, providers, caregivers and so much more.

Prayer

Bless all fathers and all who care for their children. 

May they be patient, kind and trustworthy, 

Understanding and strong in faith. 

Grant that they may inspire their children 

To be loving and caring, always looking to help those in need, 

and respecting the dignity of everyone they meet. 

We ask this prayer through Christ our Lord

Amen

Year 1 presented their first Mass on Wednesday 30^th August  in the presence of  their families, Kindergarten, Year 2,  and parishioners. It was a beautiful celebration to remind us of our stewardship responsibility  of our World and communities.  

Father Joe commended all the students on their engagement with listening, reading  and singing during the Mass . Congratulations Year One we are very proud of you.

Miss Place and Mrs Baldry  

The election of College Captains took place on Wednesday 30^th August by students 7-11 and staff. 

Our leadership model is 2 Captains and 2 Vice Captains. 

The results will be announced through Compass at 4pm on Friday 15^th September. The students will be presented with their badges and commissioned as leaders at our Mercy Mass On Wednesday 20^th September at 10:20. 

McAuley K-11 Art Exhibition

McAuley  School Hall Wednesday 13th September to Friday 15^th September  

Official Opening Wednesday 13^th September at 6pm  by vibrant, rural artist Stephanie Corkhill Hyles.

Light refreshments, raffle art packs  prizes and lucky door art pack prize.  

Come along and admire the creative artistic talents of our students both in visual arts and musical talents. 

Opening Times 

Wednesday 13^th 12.30 - 4.00   Evening  from  5 - 7pm with Guest Artist  opening with her speech at 6pm 

Thursday  14^th  8.30 - 4.30

Friday 15^th  8.30 - 4.30

Congratulations to Bonnie from Year 2P who was the winner of our first spot prize draw for our Colour Run.
She won a Karaoke Microphone just for being signed up. Our next draw will be next Monday where anyone who has received a donation will have a chance to win a Bluetooth Wireless Speaker. Let's keep up the great work and make this fundraiser our biggest ever! 

(Bonnie was away but her big sister happily collected her prize.)

SILVER

BRONZE

STUDENT OF THE WEEK

RESILIENCE AWARD

From Friday August 11, Primary classes have been holding Open Classrooms from 2.45pm to 3.15pm. Over the past two weeks Year 3 and Year 5/6R have had their doors open for parents/guardians to come and see the wonderful things that are happening in the classroom this term.

Today Kindergarten have their door open. See the next Newsletter for some great photos.

Year 3

5/6R

On Monday 21st August two of our talented students represented McAuley at the Western Region Public Speaking Competition, held in Young. Alfie Carney competed in the Year 4 competition, his speech was on 'How Sport Brings Us Together'. Alfie did a magnificent job and was very unlucky not to proceed to the next level. Billy Bathgate competed in the Year 3 competition, his speech was on 'My Backyard'. Billy spoke extremely well and was selected to represent McAuley at the Archdiocesan Public Speaking Competition in a few weeks time. Congratulations to both boys and we wish Billy all the very best for the next level. We are extremely proud of you both. WELL DONE!!

Next week McAuley Commerce students will be holding their Business Week.

On Monday Years 3 to 6 will be able to purchase a range of products from $1.50 to $3.00.

Years 7 to 11 will be able to purchase goods on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Term 3 School Fees are now due. If you did not receive your fee statement, please contact the school office.

What's that beautiful aroma coming from Year 4? A slow cooked mushroom risotto that's what!

Such a rewarding experience growing, nurturing,  harvesting and cooking our own mushrooms. 

A big thank you to the  Australian Mushroom Growers Association who sent us the four boxes.

We can't wait for the second crop! Maybe a stir fry next?? 

In Year 2 we have been talking about how we can care for God's creations. When students were asked how we can look after our school, Bonnie suggested we should clean up litter in the playground. So today we put on our gloves and got to work! 

5/6T enjoyed presenting plays to their class in drama . There were some interesting characters including crazy cats, scientists, policemen, astronauts and old ladies.

Book Week 2023 - Read, Grow, Inspire

On Thursday the K-6 classes celebrated Book Week by dressing as their favourite book characters and participating in interactive workshops with Wagga author/illustrator, Suzanne Houghton, in the Library. They listened to stories, learned how to draw the main character from There's a Shark in the Loo and learned about the process of writing and illustrating a book.

SunSmart Hat Wearing

How To Pack A Healthy Lunchbox

Must Haves In The Pantry

Sandwich Filling IdeasVegie and Pepita Muffins

TUMUT

SEPTEMBER SCHOOL HOLIDAY

TENNIS  CLINIC

1^st Week

VENUE: 106 Simpson Street, TUMUT

MONDAY, 25^th September. – THURSDAY, 28^th September.

4 DAYS ONLY

9.00 – 10.00am = 5 - 8 years

   10.00 – 11.00am =  9 -11 years

11.00 – 12.00md = 12 years +

 (Limited numbers per class so bookings essential)

Contact Bernadette Cahill

MOBILE = 0427 343 904

EMAIL: birdietennis@bigpond.com