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- FROM THE PRINCIPAL
- MOTHERS DAY THIS SUNDAY
- ENROLLING NOW FOR 2021
- POSITIVES IN A PANDEMIC
- THOUGHTS ON REMOTE LEARNING - YR 8
- REMOTE LEARNING IN THEIR OWN WORDS!
- YEAR 5/6 - THE BEST AND THE WORST!
- GOING BACK TO SCHOOL
- FULL SCHOOL WINTER UNIFORM PLEASE
- YEAR 1 SCAVENGER HUNT
- SCHOOL TECHNOLOGY LOAN AGREEMENTS - PLEASE RETURN YOUR DEVICE
- DEVICE PURCHASE
- CANTEEN ROSTER & UPDATES
- CHOCOLATE FUNDRAISER
- HEADSPACE WAGGA WAGGA
Dear McAuley Families
Welcome back to Term 2. No doubt the strangest term I have experienced in 35 years of education! The work our teachers have put into developing and coordinating the remote learning program is nothing short of incredible. With short notice and last minute change of programs our staff have supported one another to roll out learning activities and tasks that are engaging, challenging and achievable. I thank our families too for their positive support and efforts to assist with their children’s learning at home.
The COVID 19 situation and, prior to that the bushfires, have had a massive impact on school and family life in our area. The positive emotional and academic wellbeing of our students is at the fore of our decision to return to normal face to face teaching from next week. Of course this will be a “new” normal for some time as we implement the “Safe Return to School Guidelines for Reducing the Risk of COVID 19” published by Catholic Education on 05 May, 2020.
In short this means that teaching will be offered as a face to face model. Those children who are staying home or are unable to come to school will access classroom work through their online portals and Google Classrooms as has happened in the past. This work will not be presented as remote learning, rather classroom tasks and activities that are reflective of the face to face classroom.
Some of the risk mitigation measures we are putting in place include:
- If your child displays any signs of illness, cold or flu like symptoms they should stay at home.
- If they are referred to the school office/s their temperature will be checked and you will be asked to collect them.
- Physical distancing measures are not necessary amongst pupils but will be maintained in staffrooms and common areas for school staff and other adults.
- Hard copy assignments and teacher feedback processes will be modified.
- Students are to bring their own drink bottle and fill it from the cold tap – no access to bubblers.
- Parents are discouraged from attending the school office/s and school common areas if at all possible.
- Parents are discouraged from congregating outside the school (Primary Pick Up Area) etc.
- There will be no school assemblies/masses or excursions this term.
- We are working on minimal movement for high school and primary school classes between rooms and areas.
- Increased hygiene and hand washing will be encouraged – each classroom with anti-bacterial hand wash.
- Cleaning of environmental spaces (Primary Equipment) and shared materials will be increased.
- Increased cleaning of school bathrooms and shared areas will take place.
I ask that each family work to raise their children’s awareness of safe and appropriate interactions with others. Sneezing and coughing into elbows, using and discarding tissues properly and non-contact greetings and farewells need to be discussed. Every one of us has a responsibility to keep our home and work areas, phones and devices clean and safe. Please remind your children to wipe over their devices daily and to have good stock of tissues and wipes with them at school each day.
I am grateful for the positive feedback we have received about our return next week. I firmly believe that our community will benefit from being together and returning to some type of routine. I know our staff are looking forward to the energy and enthusiasm that having our students at school brings.
Students should return in Winter Uniform beginning next week. Please refer to separate article for specific details.
I look forward to the coming days and weeks very much and offer my sincere backing for those families who have been impacted financially and/or emotionally by this crisis. McAuley has facilities in place to assist and I implore you to seek our advice and support.
Mary our Mother… Look After Us.
Eamonn Moore
Principal
Ayla Clout Yr 2 - I love Mum because she cooks me dinner.
Amelia Smart Yr 1 - My Mum is the best because she cleans everything every day.
Kayla Peacock Yr 1 - Mum helps me with my homework.
Max Webb Yr 2 - My mum gives me hugs and kisses
Chase Evans Kinder - My Mum irons my clothes
Angus Hotham Kinder - My Mum loves me lots.
Mr Hughes - My dear old mum is a kind, giving and selfless lady who has always had my best interests at heart. She also irons my shirts!!
Mrs Boxall - 
My mum, (Anne, Nanny or Topsy to some) is a very practical woman with strong values, a big heart and a great sense of humour. She is a great cook and extremely kind. She has 3 children, 11 grand children and 3 great grand children, soon to be 4! She loves to knit, sew, cook and potter in her lovely garden. She still lives in our family home in Northern Sydney where we all grew up with my 90-year-old dad. If you lose anything she would always pray to St Anthony and everything would always be found! Her banana muffins, cheesecakes and strawberry ice-cream are the best. Love you my dear mum. Stay well and safe in isolation!
We are currently taking enrolments for all classes Kindergarten to Year 10 in 2021. Please click on the link (below) for online enrolment or call into either office for a hard-copy enrolment form.
Please contact the school office for any enquiries - we are all here to help assist you with your decision.
2020 has definitely been a year of highs and lows so far, with the bushfires early in the year and now Covid-19. At the start of the school year I was very lucky to do two days of training for a Literacy Program called MiniLit. However when Covid-19 hit I was worried about how we could continue doing our lessons.
Group lessons became individual lessons which were scheduled throughout the day with the wonderful support of parents who became experts in video conferencing. Parents became an extra pair of hands, an extra pair of eyes, willing participants in games like 'I Spy' and now have a far greater knowledge and understanding of what their child does in a MiniLit Lesson - they could probably even run one themselves!
I would like to sincerely thank the parents who I have worked with. You are your children's biggest fans and it has been a privilege to have been let into your homes.
Ms Wendy Hill - Learning Support Teacher
One of the best things about creating a newsletter, is the interaction with great young people. Today was no exception when I was fortunate to speak with several students on their 'Remote Learning' thoughts.
Molly and Dana (Year 8) were very happy to discuss 'Remote Learning'.
"Remote Learning was a bit challenging at times, especially with our younger siblings! It was hard not having 'face to face' learning with our teachers especially when your parents haven't been to school for ages! ... and they can't remember simple Maths! We can't wait to all be back again on Monday, back with our friends and our teachers."
Both girls agreed they spent far too much time at home with the family - way too close for comfort they said! Both felt lonely at times but kept in good contact with friends through messenger.
Molly was in a great routine, getting up early and helping her younger brothers with tech support arrrgh! and with their school work. Dana disagreed! She said she was just getting out of bed, while her younger siblings had been up for hours doing their school work!
Both girls were so happy and generous with their answers - thank you ladies. Dana and Molly have been friends for many years, ever since day-care they noted.
They were, of course very shy about a photo but they did agree we could use their Kindergarten photo!
Stephanie Yr 6 - The best thing about remote learning was being with my family! I enjoyed being able to have a break when I wanted if I needed it. We did not have to wait for the bell. The worst thing about remote learning was that I missed the group environment and my friends. I was also very worried my brother would jump in front of the camera when I was in my video call.
Aaliyah Yr 4 – I loved that we could see our family more especially when I was sad. It was easier to ask questions, as I did not have to wait in line for the teacher. I also really enjoyed the food at home. The down side was I missed my friends and my teacher. Also mum got carried away talking sometimes and helped me too much!
Marolena Yr 4 – I really enjoyed longer rests and I enjoyed waking up later and getting out of bed later. I loved being in my pyjamas doing my work. It was also great to raid the fridge and eat while I was learning! The worst thing I found was that sometimes I did not understand the work and my parents didn't either! There was also not much to do in my house. I missed my friends.
Alex Yr 2 – Well, I had to come to school all the time because mum and dad had to go to work!
Toby Yr 7 - Remote learning was good because I took the easy option and played around the farm instead of doing my work. Mum told me to do my work but the great outdoors kept calling me. I was sort of lonely but kept in contact with my mates with gaming. Staying home I missed my friends. I wish everything could stay like this – I enjoy only having a few kids around me and a few teachers. It takes a bit of pressure off me. In the words of Toby ... See ya lat’r!
Aiden Yr 10 - It was good having home learning as you are not as rushed and as pressured. It was great not having the teachers looking over your shoulder all day! I actually didn’t like being at home though, because I found it very hard to keep on task. Phones and technology become a distraction fairly easy. It was also hard not having peers around for help, I missed cooperative learning. Like Toby, I have enjoyed the smaller number of kids at school. I have made a lot of new mates because my usual friends haven’t been around.
Year 5 and 6 students were asked by Mrs Bathgate to create an Avatar of themselves and then share the best and the worst things about the Covid-19 Pandemic.
Please click on the link below. We hope you enjoy their responses!
ALL students are to wear WINTER School Uniform commencing Monday 11th May which includes grey pants for boys/navy slacks, tartan skirt (secondary) or tartan pinafore (primary) for girls. NAVY tights or stockings worn with skirt or pinafore. White socks may be worn with skirt/pinafore until the weather gets cold.
NON SCHOOL HOODIES are NOT to be worn under school jacket. Navy school jumpers (woollen or polyester) are both available at Swans Clothing.
PLAIN Navy beanies, scarves and gloves may be worn, no logos, patterns or other colours.
NEW style winter jacket ONLY - old style (red, navy, white) has been phased out.
Please refer to the link below for our 2020 McAuley K-10 Handbook. Please make special reference to pages 5 and 6 which contain the Winter School Uniform requirements.
A note from parents will be required if your child is not wearing the correct uniform.
- Kerrin Henderson, Assistant Principal.
Following reading the great book "A Walk in the Bush," by Gwyn Perkins, Year 1 enjoyed a 'Nature' Scavenger Hunt in the glorious Tuesday sunshine.
"A Walk in the Bush" won the CBCA Children's Book Council of Australia picture book of the year in 2018.
As we all return face to face, we remind all parents and students to ensure the return of your borrowed device/s.
Please ensure you have backed up all data securely on your google drive before the device is returned.
Thank you for your support. We have been pleased to be able to help in this way during the remote learning period.
https://www.orderportal.com.au/Welcome?ofid=131
Please refer to the above link if you are looking to purchase a new device for yourself or your child. This company offers a good range of notebooks and tablets. We have had a couple of parents use the portal to purchase devices and they have been very satisfied with the service. Well worth considering.
Great news! Both our Canteens are back and running from Monday!
Please click on the link below for our latest menu and price updates. Note the great new meals available on Monday, Wednesday and Friday for just $4-00.
Please also refer to the attached Primary Canteen Roster. If you are no longer available, please let the school know.
We have a vacancy on the 4th Monday of each month, next rostered Monday would be 25th May. Please think about volunteering your time for just over half an hour, one day a month! We take this opportunity to thank mum Jessie Reithmuller, who has been volunteering faithfully for some time.
Thank you for your response to our Chocolate Fundraiser. We are pleased to report the Community Council has so far raised, just shy of $1500 which is a wonderful effort considering the COVID restrictions etc.
If you have not handed in your money collected, please do so ASAP. No need to return any un-sold chocolates - enjoy them with your family :)
Headspace Wagga are currently offering counselling services for students who live in the towns of Batlow and Adelong.
They have received funding specifically for young people residing in these 2 towns and are sourcing any students who may require their services. At present they have a lot of appointments available. 2020 has been an extremely challenging year for all, especially our youth.
Headspace have trained counsellors, doctors and psychologists who are ready and able to assist your child/ren on matters big or small.
'Headspace' is a highly recommended service. Please contact the Wagga office direct on 02 69 233170.
