McAuley Catholic College Tumut eNewsletter

Welcome back to Term 2. Already the calendar is very full with lots to look forward to as the days grow colder. Please support us at home in re-establishing a good study, homework and assignment routine. This clear organisation and tracking reduce anxiety (for us all!) and helps our family homes be comfortable and peaceful.

On Tuesday at our first Secondary assembly, I reminded the students about our ‘way’ which is to come to school to LEARN. These words and actions are reinforced by our entry and exit routines in every classroom. All of these are signs that we are a sound educational institution where our students can feel safe and comfortable.

We also have some staffing changes to notify. Ms Jo Dougherty is on long service leave this term. In her absence Mrs Belinda Schirmer will act in her coordinator role. Most of Jo’s classes will be covered by Mr Michael Stewart who is new on staff. Michael has extensive experience in Stage 6, including many years as a Senior HSC marker. I thank both Michael and Belinda for their flexibility in taking on extra roles and of course wish Ms Dougherty well for her period of leave.

I also announce that Mrs Katie Campbell has resigned effective Friday 16 May and thank Katie for her work for our secondary students.

We continue to recruit for Secondary teaching staff as we hope to offer expanded elective choices and cover anticipated resignations, leave and change of role positions later in the year. Please encourage your friends to consider joining our staff and working at our very happy and productive college. I always welcome calls from qualified and suitable teachers!

Please be an informed voter in the upcoming Federal election. There are some excellent websites that explain the importance of appropriate government funding for our Catholic and Independent schools. We have a rich and long history in Tumut in providing a high-level Catholic education and our students deserve to be equitably funded. Please see the CEC website www.keepfundingfair.org.au for more information.

Over the last days of the break many of our staff and students were involved in community activities around ANZAC day and the Festival of the Falling Leaf. It makes me very proud to see our boys and girls representing the college or assisting many other local volunteer groups and organisations. Thanks to our staff too who make time to support and encourage our students. The college is certainly enriched by this spirit of service and giving where it is needed.

During the break we installed new bench seating in the Secondary courtyard as well as paths and connections to the top “T” classroom and agricultural areas. Further work is planned in secondary staffrooms, bathrooms and kitchen.

Most exciting is the growing finalisation of our Primary classrooms. We plan to be moving into our new spaces at the end of May with exterior landscaping works and access to Capper Street being the final part of this almost $6 million project. We very much look forward to the move and thank our staff and students for their flexibility and patience. The new spaces look awesome and are light filled and flexible to allow for great learning and team work well into the future.

It's enrolment time! We are offering enrolments in Kindergarten and Year 7 2026 for the month of May. Please be advised that there are very limited places available in other year levels. Most year levels are at capacity (some with wait lists). Please encourage family and friends to get their applications sorted in good time prior to the close of enrolments at the end of May.

Please note a message from Ron our loyal crossing officer that the crossing can be quite slippery when it is wet. Please beware on frosty or rainy days as we have had a couple of mishaps.

Mary our mother, look after us.

Eamonn Moore

Principal

On the last day of Term 2, we gathered as a College community to commemorate ANZAC Day, a day of remembrance, reflection and gratitude. On ANZAC Day we remember those who fell during conflict in all wars Australians have been involved in. We also remember those who suffered as prisoners of war and those who were killed in action. Our service men and women have left us a splendid heritage. May we and our successors prove worthy of their sacrifice.

We were fortunate enough to be joined by Major (retired) Ken Fitzgerald from Tumut. Major Fitzgerald served with distinction in the 1st/19th Battalion, Royal NSW Regiment, from 1983 until his retirement in 2016. We are grateful for him taking the time to address the College on this special occasion.

They shall not grow old as we that are left grow old. Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn; At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we will remember them.

Our Primary leaders, Aflie Carney and Henry Piper attended the official ANZAC Day Ceremony in Richmond Park and presented a wreath on behalf of the College.

All students and staff took part in the Stations of the Cross on the last day of term. This is how we remember Jesus' journey during Holy Week.

From the earliest days, followers of Jesus told the story of passion, death and resurrection. When Christians came to see Jerusalem, they were anxious to see the sites where Jesus was. These sites became important holy connections with Jesus. Eventually, following in the footsteps of the Lord, along the way of the cross, became a part of the Christian visit.

The stations came about when it was no longer easy or even possible to visit the holy sites. In the 1500s, villages all over Europe started creating "replicas" of the way of the cross, with small shrines commemorating the places along the route in Jerusalem. Pope John Paul II developed 14 stations that were more closely based on the Scriptures and these are the stations we follow today.

"A man can have no greater love than to lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13)

Congratulations to children and families who received the sacrament of Holy Communion on Wednesday 9 April, it was a wonderful celebration. Thanks Ms Mason for your efforts and support.

Order envelopes went home with students during the week for school photos. If you would like sibling photos, please contact either office for a sibling order envelope.

Please ensure they are returned prior to, or on photo day, Wednesday 14 May 2025.

Welcome back for Term 2!

Mother’s Day Fundraisers – Friday 9 May 2025

Primary Campus: Mother’s Day Stall K-6
Secondary Campus: Mother’s Day Raffle Draw

Please return all raffle ticket funds and tickets (sold or unsold) to the Secondary Campus Office by Monday 5 May.

Thank you for your support!

Return & Earn – Term 2 Collection Drive

Get ready for the Primary vs Secondary Campus Recycling Competition!

Can collection mornings will take place at both Primary and Secondary Campuses on the following dates:

Wednesday 7 May
Wednesday 4 June
Wednesday 2 July

Let’s see which campus can collect the most and make a difference!

Stay Informed

Keep up to date with key school dates and events through:

Schoolzine and Compass Mobile Apps
McAuley Catholic College Tumut facebook page
https://mcauleytumut.nsw.edu.au/calendar

Want to Get Involved?

We’d love your help with our fundraising efforts.
Email: mcauleycatholiccollegetumut.scc@gmail.com

Next Community Council Meeting

5:00 PM, Thursday 22 May 2025
Secondary Campus Library
Everyone is welcome!

A Huge Thank You to AKD for Your Generous Support!

Our Community Council have organised a little recycling competition between the 2 campuses! What a wonderful initiative and an easy way for us all to get involved and raise some funds.

Please DO NOT bring full bags to school prior to the below dates, we do not have room to store them.

A group of Year 10 students attended the Snowy Hydro Skills Day during the last week of Term 1. A tour of Tumut 3 Hydro Electric Station was followed by workshops in engineering, drones and dam building. Inspiring our students to future careers!

Students in Year 10 and 11 participated in White Card Training on Wednesday. The White Card (Statement of Attainment in “NSW Prepare to Work Safely in the Construction Industry: CPCCWHS1001) is compulsory for any person wishing to work in or do work experience and/or work placement in any of the following trade areas: Landscaper, Plumber, Bricklayer, Painter, Electrician, Concreter, Tiler, Plasterer, shed construction, Carpenter/Builder, Cabinet Maker and also Civil Engineering, Architecture, Interior Design or Surveyor and is also a mandatory part of VET HSC courses.

Please take extra care when using the pedestrian crossing as it can be slippery when wet.

Year 7 travelled to Canberra on Thursday to attend the Pompeii Exhibition at the National Museum of Australia to support students' understanding of their Year 7 History Unit "Investigating the Ancient World". The experience provided a valuable insight into the daily life in ancient Pompeii, the impact of the volcanic eruption, and the archaeological discoveries that have helped historians piece together the past.

There are some useful webinars coming up for parents and carers from the eSafety Commissioner.

The Webinars cover important topics for parents and carers including:

The multicultural class walked to the Sushi shop during the last week of term where they ordered food in Korean from Mrs Susanna Kim.

Year 5/6 Red had a great time at their last gymnastics lesson.

7.2 have been having a fabulous time in class modelling the phases of the moon.

Year 4 had fun constructing and making Easter baskets before the holidays. They look amazing!

Alliena and Sierra went to Tuggerah this week representing Canberra-Goulburn 15s Girls team at the CCC Touch Football Championships.

In what were torrential conditions on the first day, and, after a long delay because of lightening the girls played extremely good touch football and finished the night with a draw against Broken Bay.

The second day the girls started with a win against Armidale 3-0 and a 2 all draw against Lismore.

Both girls excelled in offence and defence and are to be congratulated on their representation of McAuley and the Archdiocese. Congratulations and thanks also to their coach, Mrs Pearce.

Students in Years 3 to 6 had a fantastic time at the Netball NSW Schools Cup Gala Day competing against teams from within our region on 8 April.

The next day, students from the Secondary campus took part with nearly 90 players representing the College.

Some excellent netball was on display over the competition with everyone having a great time!

WEEK 1

10 April 2025 Subject Careers News Bulletin 835.96 KB

10 April 2025 Careers News Bulletin

10 April 2025 Careers News Bulletin 1.85 MB

Parenting Riverina are offering the following courses this term:

Albury

Gaining Control of Ourselves

Thursday 22 & 29 May from 10.00am to 12.30pm

Assists adults to recognise and manage their feelings. Learn healthy ways of expressing anger, techniques for stress management, and beneficial communication styles.

Cootamundra

Keeping Children Safe

Tuesday 3 & 10 June from 10.00am to 12.30pm

Helps parents and carers understand child abuse and neglect and how it impacts children. Learn how to protect children, recognise signs of abuse, and give children the skills to protect themselves.

Wagga

Circle of Security

Thursday 5 & 12 June from 10.00am to 1.00pm

Focuses on how parents and carers can identify their child’s needs underlying challenging behaviour and how to meet those needs in a way that promotes a healthy attachment between parent and child.

Leeton

Circle of Security

Tuesday 17 & 24 June from 10.00am to 1.00pm
Focuses on how parents and carers can identify their child’s needs underlying challenging behaviour and how to meet those needs in a way that promotes a healthy attachment between parent and child.

Griffith

Youth Mental Health First Aid

Wednesday 18 & 25 from 9.00am to 4.00pm

An evidence-based course that teaches participants how to provide initial support to a young person (aged 12-18) who may be experiencing a mental health problem or crisis, such as thoughts of suicide.

Online

123 Magic and Emotion Coaching

Tuesday 17 & 24 June from 6.00pm to 8.00pm
A simple method to manage challenging behaviour in children aged 2-12 years old using an easy-to-remember technique. Learn how to encourage positive behaviour and reduce arguments.

To register for these programs, please complete the attached referral form and return it to ParentingRiverina@missionaustralia.com.au.

Parenting_Riverina_Term_2_2025.pdf

Parenting_Riverina_Term_2_2025 _pdf 59.34 KB