Dear Parents

We are now taking enrolments for 2020.  This week I have interviewed several students for Kindergarten next year. Those who have already lodged applications will be contacted in the near future to establish an interview time.

If you are aware of any families considering McAuley for their children could you please encourage them to enrol on-line or pick up an enrolment pack from the Office.

For those interested in enrolling into Year 7 2020 an Information Meeting will be held in the Hall Classroom at 6.00pm next Tuesday 11^th June. Please refer to separate section of this newsletter for full details. 

With the end of the Semester assessment period just completed and student reports being compiled, it is a good time for a review to our approach to teenage learning and even an opportunity to inspire an adolescent to greater success.

We used to think IQ was fixed at puberty but we now have data that show adolescence is a window where teenagers have incredible neural plasticity, and they can increase their IQ.

That means, secondary school teachers are teaching students at a time when their brains are being modified in really profound ways. Adolescents can be encouraged to build synapses and become experts. This is a time they can hone academic and athletic skills.

Knowing this can inspire teenagers to make the most of this special time in their lives.

SOME MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT ADOLESCENT THINKING AND LEARNING

1. Adolescents are adults with fewer miles on the odometer.

Actually, teens’ brains are more malleable than adults’, meaning learning is quicker and easier for them.

2. The brain finishes developing by age 12.

Actually, it’s not fully mature until the mid- to late 20’s.

3. Teenagers are more resilient than adults.

In fact, they are more sensitive to stress; the same hormones that make adults calmer make teens more anxious.

4. Teens’ IQs are established when they are children.

Actually, with at least two thirds of people, IQ changes significantly in the teen years.

5. Adolescents won’t get addicted to alcohol and other drugs.

In fact, teens get addicted more easily than adults do, and it’s harder for them to quit. Also, cognitive impairment from smoking marijuana lasts longer in teens – up to four days.

6. Teenagers are basically lazy.

Actually, they sleep late because their circadian clock is set differently, releasing sleep-inducing melatonin at 11 p.m., versus 8-9 p.m. in adults.

I take this opportunity to remind you all to subscribe to our e-newsletter via the school's website. We will continue to print some hard-copies, however the quality of the printed version is limited. 

Enjoy your long weekend. No school this Monday 10th due to the Public Holiday.

Kind regards to everyone,

Rodney Little, Principal. 

If you would like a second copy of your child's report, please contact the Office asap. Semester 1 Reports go home on Friday 28th June to all Kinder to Year 10 students. 

Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews (for Secondary students) will be held at 3:40pm to 7:00pm on Wednesday 3rd July in the School Hall. You can now book interviews at times that suit your family best. 

Please follow these simple instructions - or alternatively ring either the school office staff who will make a booking for you.

A beautiful and happy visit by our youngest students this week! Kindergarten brought their favourite books and toys from home to share with their senior friends. We hope you enjoy our gorgeous photos! 

Our Secondary students had a very successful day last Friday at the Archdiocesan basketball carnival in Canberra.

A huge congratulations to our Year 9 &10 girls who went through the day undefeated and have now qualified for the CCC carnival in Sydney. Our junior girls narrowly missed qualifying, winning all but one game, to finish runners up. Our Year 9 &10 boys were also unlucky not to qualify, losing a close grand final contest to also finish runners up in their division. A huge thank you to coaches Rachael Hassett and Jason Beavan for their expert help. Thanks also to Maree Stewart for continually giving our students the opportunites to represent our school in a wide variety of sport options. 

This was a very successful and competitive day by the teams for our school. Well done to everyone involved!

Great result from the Archdiocese Cross-Country Carnival this week in chilly Mt Stromlo ACT.

We have 4 members of the McAuley team progressing to Sydney after very convincing course runs! Congratulations....Oliver Henderson - first, Liam Buckley and Polly Roche both 4th and Aidan Turnbull coming in 6th.

Well done everyone from the combined primary and secondary McAuley team - it's a tough course - great job everyone!

We will hold our annual WARM WOOLLY WINTER DAY where families are asked to donate warm items which St Vinnies will donate to families who are struggling this winter. We need blankets, doonas, winter sheets, warm clothes etc.

The day will be held on Thursday 27th June - so now might be a great time to clean out those cupboards and help a needy family out!

All students are invited to wear sensible warm, woolly winter clothing on this day.

PRIMARY CANTEEN ROSTER FOR NEXT WEEK:

Monday 10th June - Toni Laney, Wednesday 12th June - Susie Peacock, Friday 14th June - Sylvia Flynn. 

Don't forget - if any parent, grandparent or friend has an hour to spare on any Monday, Wednesday or Friday - Kellie would love your help at 10am in the Secondary Canteen with some easy food prep. 

Thanks everyone for volunteering in our Canteens. 

National Sorry Day, Reconciliation Week & Mabo Day - McAuley Community Commemorate. 

A time to recognise the resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the power or saying "Sorry".

Thank you Sue Bulger, an elder of the Wiradjuri tribe, who addressed Monday's ceremony. 

Fee statements were emailed to all families earlier this month. If you are paying by the term, please ensure you have paid in full by next Friday, 14th June.

If you have not received your email, please contact the school. Thank you for your support.  

Would you like to be involved in this great local stage performance at the Montreal? See flyer for full details.