Dear Parents, Carers and Guardians,

A big thankyou to all those  who supported the students at the swimming carnival on Monday past.

A special note of appreciation for all those volunteer Time Keepers. The weather was perfect, the program ran smoothly and the students enjoyed themselves. Well done to the organisers Mrs Stewart and Mrs Bathgate.

Thursday and Friday this week Year 7 Orientation Camp is at Borambola. 

As mentioned in the last newsletter McAuley is hosting the Western Region Swimming Carnival this Friday 15^th. The Community Council has organised to provide BBQ facilities on the day for all those hungry swimmers and families from across the Western Region. The schools involved include St Joseph’s Adelong, St Mary’s Batlow, St Joseph’s Boorowa, St Joseph’s Grenfell, St Patrick’s Gundagai, Trinity Murrumburrah, St Mary’s West Wyalong, St Mary’s Young, Sacred Heart Cootamundra, St Anne’s Temora.

Attention all new and existing McAuley families - the McAuley Community Council will meet on Thursday 21^st at 5.00pm in the Secondary Staffroom. All interested parents are welcome to attend, meetings last a maximum of 90 minutes.

Reminder, next Monday 18^th is School Photo Day. Full school summer uniform please. 

I would ask you to click on the link "2019 Student Residential Address and Other Information Collection Notice". This notice is from the Australian Government Dept of Education and Training. 

Kind regards to you all.

Rod Little. 

“ I have set you to be a light for the Gentiles, so that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth”

Acts 13:47

In Term 2 the students in Year 6 will be preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation which will be held on Saturday 22^nd June at 6pm.

Please be aware that in 2019, leading up to the Sacrament, Fr George and Fr Namora have asked for a demonstration of the commitment to their faith by both the students and their families. Therefore, during Term 2, the Sacramental candidates are expected to attend Mass each weekend to prepare for this special Sacrament. Early next term the children will be given a 'commitment card' that the priest will sign when they attend a weekend Mass. Families may attend Mass in another parish, however they will be expected to get the priest that celebrates that Mass to sign their card. This is one of the new expectations of the Sacramental preparation in our parish so that your child will be able to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.

In perfect weather conditions on Monday, the Tumut Pool came alive with RED, GREEN & BLUE and the sounds of cheering from the McAuley Community.

We hope you enjoy our gallery from Monday's carnival which was a very successful and enjoyable day. Thank you to all parents and volunteers who helped make our carnival great. CONGRATULATIONS to all students who participated and gave their best in the Pool.

All results will be released in the coming days.

BASKETBALL SELECTION

Congratulations to Yr 6's Zahli Dean for her selection in the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn Primary Girls Basketball team to compete at the MacKillop Trials in Wollongong on March 1st.

CRICKET SELECTION

Congratulations to Yr 4's Oliver Henderson on his selection in the Archdiocese Cricket team to compete at the MacKillop Trials.

School Photo Day is Monday 18th Febraury.

Each child has their own individual envelope which must be returned on the day. Parents can order on-line or with the CORRECT cash. Please do not visit the school office(s) - correct cash is required in the envelope. No change is available.

FAMILY/SIBLING photo ordering is available. Please contact the office if you would like an envelope prior to photo day.

Remember each student must present their own envelope on the day.

Year 3/4 students are exploring how illustrations can help tell a story.

They have created their own stained glass windows using descriptive language and pictures, the classes are also using the library's new technology to stimulate story line ideas.

Next Friday morning, February 22nd, parents and carers who have a spare hour up their sleeves are invited into the library at 9:30am for a coffee, cake and covering session. Ms Roche will provide the morning tea in exchange for volunteers covering our new school books.

The closing date for the 1st edition of bookclub closes Friday 15th February.

Don’t forget that all orders need to be placed on the L.O.O.P ordering system.

Year 1 enjoyed exploring dinosaurs last week with their special package from the Dinosaur Museum - which included fossils, dinosaur eggs, dinosaur footprints and dinosaur teeth!

“The person of each individual human being, in her or his material and spiritual needs, is at the heart of Christ’s teaching; this is why the promotion of the human person is the goal of the Catholic School” 

 -  John Paul II

McAuley Secondary students are always encouraged to be of service to their school, parish and local community.  This involvement develops the values, knowledge and skills necessary to undertake lifelong personal and spiritual growth. Each year the student’s efforts are recorded and each student who reaches the level of activities, for their year group, is presented with 'Spirit of Service Award' to celebrate their involvment. 

Students who have exceeded the number of activities for their year group during the year will be considered for the Secondary Catherine McAuley Award at the end of year Awards Ceremony. Each time a student assists at a school, parish or community event their pastoral teacher records this activity. Each child’s aim is to reach the same number of activities as they are in year groups. ie. Year 9 - nine different activities they have supported our school, parish or community during the year. 

Last year the prestigious Catherine McAuley Awards (Primary and Secondary) went to Montana Dean and Alexander Torio. Both students are pictured with Fr George. 

Each Wednesday morning at approximately 9:30am our SRC students present ‘McAuley’s School News’ on the local radio station, Sounds of the Mountains 96.3. Our McAuley captains Abby Skein and Jack Beavan presented our first week’s radio news. Next week we will hear from our primary leaders, Reese Keenan and Dusty Hood. Please refer to our roster below.

GET INVOLVED IN OUR SCHOOL BANKING PROGRAM (Fridays)

We are pleased once again to offer the Commonwealth Bank School Banking program to all Primary students. If you are interested in this program please click on the link above - or contact the primary office for an enrolment form which can be sent home with your child. 

Dont forget to use our Qkr! app for canteen orders and school payments. Click on the link above for more information. 

As we continue to promote our eNewsletter format, we now encourage all parents to download the szAPP. Please click on the link above.

The purpose of moving to this new format is to engage the school community more effectively and provide parents, students and the community with a more effective and content rich newsletter format. This new format will include videos, image galleries, online bookings, feedback forms, calendars, an app and much much more.

Healthy Canteen Network Meeting  - 

Tuesday 5^th March

Are you interested in learning about healthy food and ways in which local schools are introducing healthy food options for their students ? 

Then.. you are more than welcome to come along to...........

A meeting of local school canteen managers and interested canteen volunteers is to be held here at McAuley. 

Venue: Hall classroom (adjacent to the McAuley Main Hall)  -

Time 10am - 1pm

A healthy, delicious lunch will be provided.

Please contact Liz Boxall 69472000 if you would be interested to attend to confirm numbers for catering purposes (limited numbers available).  

CAN YOU HELP FOR TWO HOURS ON ANY FRIDAY?

Our canteen is back into the swing for 2019 and our Relief Canteen Supervisor Kellie Deudney, is desperately seeking parents who could lend a hand (with lunch preparation) on FRIDAY from 10am to 12noon. Please, if you can spare some time, contact the school as a matter of urgency.

office.mcauley@cg.catholic.edu.au

PRIMARY CANTEEN ROSTER.

Next Monday 18th -  Anita Davis, Next Wednesday 20th - Aimee Lee McIntosh, Next Friday 22nd - Fiona McMahon. Thanks ladies for your assistance.

Tumut Basketball Association. Team nominations for the 2019 Autumn Comp are available from Pie in the Sky and Sportspower. Team nominations must be submitted on or before Monday 18th Feb from 4pm to 6pm at Club Tumut. More info from Debbie Webb 0427 647 027 or at www.tumut.basketball.net.au.

2019 Kids Art Classes. Tumut Art Society Inc. 5 Ways. 8 week classes 12^th Feb to 2^nd April. 3:30pm to 5pm Tuesdays. $200 per term. 7-12 years. More info from Melissamartin.art@gmail.com or admin@tumutart.com.au

Children’s Mosaic Classes. Monday and Wednesday afternoons at 3:30pm to 5:00pm. Cost involved. More info from kerriebellette@live.com.au or 0407265828

Pilates Mat Class with Jaime. Do you need to increase your core stability? Correct muscle imbalances? Improve your posture. 45 minute classes on Saturday 8am @ The Gym. Tuesday 5:15pm @ St Mary's Hall. $15-00. Bookings essential via Facebook. Or call 0420309301

Piano/Keyboard Lessons: Individual lessons available, during school hours at McAuley. Ages 6 years and up. Ring Vanessa Hall for more details on 0448609479