Dear McAuley Families

As we staff, resource and plan for 2024 I ask that all families who have students who are not returning to McAuley in 2024 to please let us know via email of your intentions for next year.  Our paperwork for the office and NESA needs to notify student destination schools.  We also need to have a good idea of class numbers as we are full (with wait lists) in most grades now. Please contact the office: office.mcauley@cg.catholic.edu.au to advise us of your plans for next year.

I am pleased to announce our Primary Campus classes and teachers for next year.  We have been very lucky to recruit keen, expert teachers to join our college and look forward to the contributions they will make into the future.  Primary students will get a chance to meet their new classes and teachers next Tuesday at our orientation sessions.  Please watch out for more detail to come.

It was fabulous to see our Year 10 students enjoy a wonderful week in Tasmania.  Grateful thanks to Ms Wyse and Mr Edwards for giving up their family time to look after our boys and girls.  Thanks also to the Blakeney Millar Foundation for their generous support of this trip which enables the boat and bus costs to be covered.  This is an outstanding opportunity for our senior students and a fantastic tradition for our college.

Please have your planners and diary at hand as there are a number of events coming in the next few days as we wind down our academic year.

We have much to be proud of as our school has made fantastic gains and continues to grow and thrive.  It is heartening to hear the very positive talk about our school, both locally and in the archdiocese.  It is also most special to hear that, without exception our new students feel like they belong with us and quickly become one of our ‘family’.

I look forward to the various end of year celebrations that are being planned and to celebrate what has been an excellent year.

Mary our mother, Look after us.

Eamonn Moore

Principal

The main themes of Advent are hope, peace, joy, and love. Traditionally, these themes are represented by four candles in an Advent wreath. Each Sunday during Advent, a new candle is lit, symbolising the increasing light as Christmas approaches. The colours associated with Advent are typically purple, symbolising penance and royalty, as well as pink, representing joy.

While Advent is a time of joyful anticipation, it's also a period of reflection and spiritual preparation. It encourages us to focus on the deeper meanings of Christmas, fostering a sense of hope in the promise of Jesus' coming, finding peace in the message of goodwill, experiencing joy in the anticipation of the Saviour, and embracing love as exemplified by the birth of Jesus.

In summary, Advent is a meaningful season in Christianity that emphasizes the anticipation of the coming of Jesus and encourages believers to reflect on the significance of his birth while preparing their hearts for the Christmas celebration.

PRAYER FOR FIRST WEEK OF ADVENT

Dear Lord, we come before you with hearts full of anticipation and hope. 

In this season of waiting, help us to prepare our hearts for the celebration of the birth of your Son, Jesus Christ.                       

This week, we focus on the theme of hope. May this week remind us of the hope that Jesus brings into our lives. 

In moments of darkness, help us to remember that your light shines brightest, guiding us with assurance and trust in your promises.

We acknowledge our need for your presence in our lives. Grant us the patience to wait with expectation and the faith to believe in the hope that is found in Jesus. May this Advent season draw us closer to you and deepen our understanding of the true meaning of Christmas.

In Jesus' name, we pray.

The last day for students is Thursday December 14.

The first day for Year 1 – 6, 7, 11 and 12 is Thursday February 1^st.

First day for Kinder, Year 8, 9 and 10 is Friday February 2nd.

This year McAuley had a group of students compete in the international testing offered through ICAS Assessments 2023. ICAS stands for International Competitions and Assessments. Testing  is conducted by UNSW Global and is designed to recognise academic excellence. We thank all those students and parents who signed up for this opportunity.

We would like to congratulate the following students for their performances:

Joey Parry achieved a distinction in Mathematics, Adelene Hartshorn achieved a credit in English, Kobi Noble achieved a merit in English, Alexander Torio achieved a merit in Mathematics, and Rueben White a merit in Mathematics.

We would like to commend the following students for their performance;

Kobi Nobe in Science and Mathematics, Quin Caffery in Mathematics, Brad Beavan in Mathematics, Nemika de Zoysa in Mathematics, Writing and Science, Nace Caffery in Mathematics and Rueben White in English.

Congratulations on 40 Merit Awards Estelle.

GOLD 

SILVER

BRONZE

STUDENT OF THE WEEK

RESILIENCE AWARD

Kinder and Year 6 have spent some special buddy time together this week. With year 6 students venturing off to high school and kinder graduating to year 1, it was important to spend the remaining time together eating ice blocks, sharing books, using computers, and playing. Kinder have been so lucky to have the guidance these big kids have given them and wish them all the best on their next adventure.

The annual end of year awards ceremony will take place next Wednesday December 13 in the school hall at 6pm.

We would like to acknowledge and thank the sponsors of the awards.

Agstock

Allan Kelly Solicitors

C.W.A.

Commins Hendriks

G & J Groves

Goodes Coaches

JMA Legal

Lions Club Tumut

Kristy McBain

Dr Joe McGirr

Panorama Accounting and Advisory

Pie In The Sky & Born and Bread

PRD Tumut

Ray White Tumut & Gundagai

Rural Health

Snowy Hydro Ltd

Snowy Valleys Council

Sportspower Tumut

Russell Stevenson

Switched on Electrical

Tumut Building Supplies

Tumut Freight

Tumut Golf Club

Tumut Jewellers

Tumut Newsagency

Tumut Vet Clinic

Worklocker Tumut

Zac Zacharia Optometrist

A Christmas Carol is being performed by CAST Snowy on Friday 8^th December and Saturday 9^th December at 6pm at the Anglican Church Hall, River Street Tumut. $5 per person or $20 per family. Light refreshments included.

Come and support your local drama group.

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, was first published in 1843. This iconic story of wealth and poverty, the journey from selfishness to generosity and festive joy, resonates as much today as when it was written. Christmas music will accompany the performance. This play is for the whole family and helps us to remember the true meaning of the season.