Dear McAuley Family

A cooler change has helped settle things a little as the school year gets underway.  I am grateful for the welcome that has been shown to me as I embrace the role as your School Principal.  It is important that we quickly get into solid routines of work and study so that your son or daughter is comfortable at school.

A lot of information comes home in these first few weeks and I encourage you to model good organisation by using diaries and calendars to track what is coming up.  We all work best when there are “no surprises” in our daily routines. I look forward to meeting many of you at the various school events taking place in the coming days and weeks.

Thank you:  I have received over the last few days a number of excellent donations for our staff, students and families following the recent bushfires.  Please be sure to make a time to see me if you have had impact or know that things are going to be difficult into the future.  We have a number of financial and emotional supports we can offer to assist you.

Grateful thanks this week to the staff of Bungendore Primary School for their donation of teaching resources and to Big W in Wagga who have sent vouchers to assist families in need.

High expectations:  I want to reiterate our expectations letter that was sent home last week.  As parents you have a duty to be sure your children are properly equipped for school, have correct uniform and a positive mindset to make each day a good one.  Please support the expectations of the school in working with us in the education of your child.

Practical people:  Our charism is based on that of Catherine McAuley.  My reading shows that she was a very practical, Irish woman who championed education and women’s rights.  She is an excellent role model for all of us in our daily lives and interactions.  Her letters to the early sisters of Mercy are filled with sound advice and quotes.  One which has struck me, as we get underway is “… a good beginning is of great importance…” Let’s be sure to do that as 2020 gets moving.

Mary our Mother look after us.

 Eamonn Moore

As we celebrate the beginning of our new school year, we give thanks to God for the life we share together. We ask God’s blessing upon us all, so we will grow, not just through the learning and wisdom we receive, but especially through the love, care and support we give to one another in our community here at McAuley

Good and loving God, bless us in your love, as we begin our journey together this year, at McAuley. Open our hearts to receive the message of Christ in all its richness, so that it may find its home in us. Empower us to truly live in the Spirit of his love, so that we may truly celebrate Your Spirit here with us. Amen.

Anita Mason  - Religious Education Coordinator

The McAuley staff commenced the 2020 school year with Mass. It was an opportunity to welcome Eamonn Moore, McAuley's new Principal as well as new staff members, Belinda Schirmer, Patrick McCabe and Jennifer Cutcliffe to our community. 

The theme for the Staff Mass was ‘New Beginnings…’

During our school holidays, we all experienced the devastation of the Australian bush fires particularly in our region. The impact of these fires had on our family friends and ourselves has been overwhelming at times. After the destruction of the bush fires comes regeneration. The blackened bush will soon be full of green shoots…new beginnings. The staff were asked to remember that their faith has broad and deep roots just like the gum tree that will support them as we walk beside each other throughout our journey of recovery. During the reflection, each staff member received a seedling to represent the new beginnings for 2020.

The staff prayed for our fire ravaged nation, especially those who have lost loved ones, homes and livelihoods. They also prayed for all the fire fighters, emergency service personnel and community volunteers asking God for support as we face this crisis together with courage, determination and our Mercy Spirit.

- Anita Mason

Here are three key takeaways from Christus Vivit that relate to the Archdiocesan approach to Youth Ministry: Belong, Believe and Become.                                

Prayer to Support Those Affected by Bushfires

As a school that was founded by the Sisters of Mercy, each term McAuley focuses on one of the very beautiful Mercy values in our Integrating Focus. The students learn about an individual who disaplays these values  through their actions.

“Pay to all what is due to them … Respect to whom respect is due, kindness to whom kindness is due. Love your neighbour as yourself.” Rom 13:7-8

This term we are focusing on the Mercy Value of Human Dignity, and the role model who displays this is Bernie Shakeshaft.

Bernie Shakeshaft pictured, has been named the 2020 Local Hero in the Australian of the Year Awards. Bernie Shakeshaft is the founder and CEO of BackTrack. Based in Armidale, BackTrack, is a non-profit training and education organisation like no other. The first words you see on its website are: "keeping kids alive, out of jail, and chasing their hopes and dreams". Since its inception in 2006, the BackTrack program has worked with more than 1000 at-risk teens who have been kicked out of the education system, or are on the path to prison, or generally both. His actions are a wonderful example of the Mercy Value of Human Dignity.

Anita Mason, REC

Students from Years 3, 4 and 6 should have received a note from Father George and Father Namora regarding information on Sacraments within our Parish. There will be a meeting with Father George and Father Namora in the Church on Wednesday 12th February at 6pm to 6:30pm. ALL parents and their child who would like to receive a Sacrament this year are EXPECTED to attend. 

The Sacrament of Penance, Reconciliation - Year 3

The Sacrament of the Eucharist, First Holy Communion - Year 4

The Sacrament of Confirmation - Year 6

During this meeting, the parents will complete an enrolment form, which will commence the formal process of their child receiving the Sacrament.

As these are Parish based Sacramental programs, please contact Father George or Father Namora on 69474599 if you have any questions regarding these Sacraments. 

Anita Mason - Religious Education Coordinator

Throughout this year our Year 6 students will be involved in Making Jesus Real which  complements our ‘Treasures New and Old’  Religious Education program and Values Education program. MJR is centred around the belief that we are the image of Jesus to all those people around us. We are His representatives and our actions should reflect His values. Jesus also made the comment that we are part of his family and that the ways we treat others should be reflective of the way we would treat Jesus."Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me."
Matthew 25: 40

These values also encourage students to do their best, treat others fairly, be responsible for their actions, follow principles of moral and ethical conduct and to stand up for the rights of others

One of my favourite lessons covered in this program conveys the notion that children have the choice to be either a “WEST person” or “EAST person”. A WEST person is someone who “Welcomes, Encourages, says Sorry and Thanks”; however, an EAST Person is someone who “Excludes, Annoys, Sulks and Talks back”.

I trust that MJR will be of great benefit to our community, and I look forward to sharing some more of with you in future newsletters.

- Anita Mason. Religious Education Coordinator

All parents, grandparents and friends are invited to our Opening School Mass, which will take place on Wednesday 12^th February commencing at 10:00am. The Mass will be held in the air-conditioned, McAuley School Hall.  

Our leaders will be formally inducted during this Mass. Full summer school uniform please, including clean black shoes. No sports uniform. Students can bring their sports uniform to school and change after recess if required.

Due to the safety of our students, normal parking arrangements, as for any activity within the school Hall will apply. Parking will be on Capper or Carey Streets.

Family and friends are invited to stay for morning tea afterwards, in the Hall. Could all SRC families please bring along a small plate of food to share for morning tea. Thank you. 

Our photo gallery show our School Captains and Vice Captains along with our SRC Reps from Year 9. Full write up next week. 

At the beginning of each year our Year 7 students have the opportunity to be involved in an Orientation Camp at Borambola to assist in the settling in process. The theme of our camp is “Belonging”. The students were involved in activities which promoted healthy relationships, team building, orientation to Secondary School and just getting to know each other and enjoying each other’s company away from the formal school setting.

This allows the year 7’s to start their secondary schooling by building relationships with each other as well as their Pastoral Teachers, Miss Wyse and Ms Roche who accompanied  them on this camp. Mr Turnbull also attended the camp to assist with the supervision of our students.

The election of the Year 7 class representatives to the McAuley Student Council will take place after the camp so that all of the students would have had an opportunity to decide who they would like to represent them throughout 2020.

This term our Year 7 will be involved in a peer support program with our senior Year 10 students. The Year 10 students have an intense training day on Monday 10th February to look at enhancing their leadership skills and developing an understanding of the program. Peer Support is dedicated to providing dynamic, peer led programs which foster the mental, social and physical wellbeing of young people and their community. Moving into Secondary school represents a significant change for students, as they adjust to a new situation, which is quite different from their primary school. Research has shown that when students form close connections with their peers, they are more likely to have a satisfying and successful school experience. The Year 10 students will lead the students through an orientation program that will focus on assisting the Year 7’s to feel familiar, confident and happy in their new environment.

Congratulations to all the SRC students for 2020. 

The 2020 SRC Coordinator for both primary and secondary is Miss Mason. Mrs Stewart and Mrs Schirmer on the Secondary Campus and Mrs Bathgate on the Primary Campus are also involved in supporting the SRC students. The SRC students will attend SRC meetings each fortnight planning ways to build our school and house spirit with fun and entertaining activities. The SRC will also raise any concerns or ideas from the classes that they represent.

Our House leaders on both the primary and secondary campus led their students in their first House meeting for 2020. The House Captains and vice captains’ role was to give the students some instructions for the upcoming McAuley Swimming Carnival. Each House spent time organising cheerleading and relays and building enthusiasm with their students. All parents and friends are invited to join McAuley’s annual Swimming Carnival and cheer for their favourite House on Friday 7^th commencing at 9am. Don’t forget to slip, slop and slap!

The highly anticipated, annual McAuley Swimming Carnival will be held this Friday at the Tumut Pool. All parents should now be aware of the arrangements, however please contact the school if you are unsure of any details. 

The carnival is a K-10 event, however Kinder, Year 1 and some Year 2 students will only attend from 9:30am to 1pm. 

All other students from Year 3-10 are asked to be at the Pool by 9am for roll call. Students are to make their own way to the pool. Bus students will be dropped off at the front of the swimming pool. They will be picked up by buses at the same location at the conclusion of the carnival. Students will not be permitted to leave the pool at any stage during the day (unless accompanied by a parent/carer).

The Pool Canteen will be open all day, however as advised, pre-ordered hot food is essential. Students will still be able to purchase other drinks and snacks over the counter. 

The weather is looking to be picture perfect, but remember lots of sunscreen and sun protection please. Have a terrific day everyone. Parents, please come to the Pool to cheer on your children! 

Year 8.1 are productively working on their Micro-bits for mandatory technology. Micro-bits are small computers and the students are learning how to code with them, using Block Code and JavaScript. 

- Fran Clarke, Secondary Teacher. 

One of the privileges of our Student Representative Council (SRC) is to present the weekly radio segment on "Sounds of the Mountains". This takes place most Wednesdays, around 9:45am. 

This week we had McAuley Primary Leaders, Georgie Austen and Cooper Clay (pictured) kicked-off the segment - doing a great job!

Wednesday roster for the rest of the term is as follows:

Chisholm House on Friday 14^th February

On Friday 14^th of February, it is Valentine’s Day where we traditionally celebrate our love for the special people in our lives.  This year, Chisholm House are holding a ROCKIN’ RED Valentine’s Day, to celebrate our school community.

All students K-10, are invited to come dressed in outrageously ROCKIN’ RED clothes or costumes.

To celebrate the beginning of the year, each child will receive a free sausage sizzle from the Student Representative Council (SRC). This is one of the many ways our SRC will continue to support and enhance our McAuley school spirit.

Keep up to date with our Electronic Calendar - please click on the link below. 

Our School Canteens are open on Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays. All students K-10 can order a lunch order. The process is a choice between a brown paper bag (handed in that morning by the student) or via the QKR! app. 

Mrs Kellie Deudney is our Canteen Coordinator and she would love any assistance you may be able to offer her. She operates from the Secondary Canteen and is responsible for food preparation and stock ordering etc.

The Primary Canteen is for K-6, 'over the counter' sales only and is operated by volunteers. We do require the assistance of a volunteer on the 2nd Friday of every month. Next date would be Friday 14th February then the 13th March etc. If you would like to help out - please let us know. 

Congratulations to Debbie Webb who won the Harvey World Travel Voucher. Thank you to all families who sold and purchased tickets. Another successful raffle with $2,000 raised. Thank you to our hard working Community Council for organising this fundraiser.

Get set for Safer Internet Day 2020, taking place on Tuesday, 11 February 2020.

As we all know the internet can be a powerful tool for learning but it’s also a place where your child could encounter dangerous material or people. Learning to use the internet safely is like learning to cross the street. Your child needs time, practice and careful guidance from you and other trusted people, like teachers. www.raisingchildren.net.au (The Australian Parenting Website) suggest you can monitor and supervise your child’s use of the internet.

You as parents, can help your children use the internet safely by monitoring, protecting and teaching them, and by learning about the internet yourself, if you’re not familiar or comfortable with it.

There are many things you can do to educate and protect your children. Online learning is here to stay so by taking the time to be “Internet Safe” we can ensure our children remain safe while also benefitting as much as possible from all the good things the internet has to offer!

For more information see www.saferinternetday.org

https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/webinars

www.esafety.gov.au

After school classes are available from the Tumut Pool. All enquiries to 0409 805 387 or see the Kiosk staff at the Tumut Pool. 

The Tumut Community has been fortunate enough to have a debutante ball for 50 consecutive years. The current Tumut Catholic Debutante Ball Committee is seeking Expressions of Interest from community organisations to form a new 2021 Debutante Ball Committee. Please consider ensuring the future of this important community event for our local youth. We ask that you respond in writing by 28 February 2020 to TCDB Committee. PO Box 205, Tumut. 2720.

Thank you. 

TUMUT BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION

Team Nomination forms for the 2020 Autumn Competition are available from Pie in the Sky Bakery and Sportspower or www.tumut.basketball.net.au.This season the committee will again be accepting Kindergarten aged children. Active Kids Vouchers can be used.

Team Nominations must be submitted on or before Thursday 20^th February, 4.30pm to 6pm at Club Tumut. Any registration enquiries can be made to the Registrar, Debbie Webb on 0427 647 027 or through Tumut Basketball Facebook page. 

Further information for the upcoming competition can be found on the website above.

Jason Beavan, President, Tumut Basketball.