Dear Parents

Welcome back to Term 4 and the intense focus of looming deadlines. As you all know, everything has to be completed before Christmas, ask any tradie! 

Parents and students are encouraged to check the school’s electronic calendar as that is the best way to keep up to date with what is happening in the busyness of school.

WESTERN REGION CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOLS CHOIR COMPETITION. This competition is being held in our Hall today. Winners will be announced in next week's newsletter. It was great to welcome the very excited and animated students from the Western Region to McAuley. 

How many selfies do you take? Why do we feel the need to take selfies at every possible opportunity? Is it that we are vain? Is it that we feel that we haven’t lived the moment unless we’ve captured it in a picture? Is it easier than dealing with other people? Is it good for us? Is it bad for us? Are some people so busy taking a selfie that we miss out on the real experience of what is going on?

When we put our phones away, we can take the time to look around and realise that there are other people who are sharing the same experience, too. Why not talk to them about it in person rather than just posting a photo and a comment on Instagram? Maybe we need to break free from the selfie culture.

If we keep the focus on ourselves, we forget to see the people around us. Selfies are self-centred. That’s not always a bad thing but it’s not good if we are always thinking about ourselves and cut ourselves off from real people and real experiences.

Enjoy Spring before the heat of Summer comes!

Kind regards everyone.

Rod Little

Prayer is the first 'missionary work' - the first! 

- that every Christian can and must do, and it is also the most effective, even if this cannot be measured. 

(Pope Francis - May 2018)

God of all life, God of all creation, we pray in thanksgiving for the people you have enabled us to be, for the gifts and talents we have developed in our lives and for the opportunities that have enabled us to grow within ourselves.

We pray that we may always take the time to recognise our own gifts and the gifts of others. We ask this prayer in Jesus' name.

Amen.

Lucky 5/6 students will participate in their overnight Canberra excursion next week. Highly anticipated, the students are all very excited for the 3 day excursion. 

The students will be given the opportunity to participate in a variety of education programs with a focus on Australia's history, culture, heritage and democracy.

The Australian Government recognises the importance of all young Australians being able to visit the national capital as part of their Civics and Citizenship education. To assist families in meeting the cost of this excursion, the Government will contribute funding of $20 per student under the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate (PACER) Program towards the cost. The rebate was calculated into the initial excursion costing and will be paid directly to the school upon completion of the excursion. 

We take this opportunity to thank the Australian Government for their support. 

Our McAuley Tumut Fire Cadets faired exceptionally well in the Championships in Sydney earlier this month, taking fourth place (out of 23) nationwide teams. McAuley students Corinne Jackson, Jack McQuellin, Jacob Spicer, Jake Crane, Cody McLachlan and Lottie McMahon all participated in the event, enjoying the experience which tested their teamwork, skills and ability. Fire Cadets is an optional program run at McAuley on Friday afternoons - coordinated by Kerry Croft and trained by Peter and Tracey Jones.

Congratulations Fire Cadets! We are all very proud of you. 

PRIMARY CANTEEN ROSTER - next week.

Monday 21st - Anita Davis, Wednesday 23rd - Sam Phillips, Friday 25th - Amanda Sutton and Narissa Watts.

Thank you to our generous volunteers. Without your continued support, our canteen could not be available for our students. 

Saturday 9th November 1pm to 5pm at Elm Cottage. Gold coin donation. Sing Australia Choir and the THS Choir will enjoy a Choral event and raise money towards Koala research. Sausage sizzle and drinks available. Bring your own picnic hamper and sunscreen to join in the fun.

Ring 69475818 for more details.