Dear McAuley Families

The winter days are certainly beautiful. I’m finding that Tumut doesn’t have the cold Canberra wind (so far!). The sunshine is certainly good for the soul and easily lifts the mood!

Good mental health and the need to promote and maintain good connections with our families, friends and colleagues is much highlighted in the press lately. We are working to maintain a well-structured and positive school where we can be as “normal” as possible. This helps our students and staff work positively together and, supports our families in their role as the first educators of their children. An article by former Prime Minister, Julia Gillard from Beyond Blue yesterday reminds us of the signs to look for if a child or adult is struggling…

“Children and young people’s physical and mental health can be impacted when there are high levels of stress or multiple stress factors, especially those they can’t control. Students who may be feeling overwhelmed by stress or anxiety could appear tired, withdrawn, irritable, fearful, unmotivated, moody, lose their appetite, need more comfort, or have trouble concentrating and feel physically unwell.”

The school has systems and supports in place should you be concerned about your child. I encourage you not to hesitate to contact your child’s classroom or PC teacher for support and advice.  A “detox” from too much news seems to help many people and certainly quickly lifts the mood!

I am enjoying Kindergarten and Year 7, 2021 interviews currently. It is great to get to know our new and existing families and meet our keen new students. Please remind family or friends who have not submitted their enrolment applications for next year to do so as soon as they can. Enrolments are part of the mapping Catholic Education carry out to allocate budgets and staffing for next year so accurate numbers will assist that process.

After more than 35 years of faithful service to McAuley and the local community, Michael Hughes has indicated his desire to retire at the end of the year. I wrote to Michael and thanked him for his loyal support of so many staff members, students and families over the years.  I can only hope that as restrictions ease we can farewell Michael suitably in Term 4. Michael lives the McAuley values and gives a fine example to all through his patient and positive interactions with all. 

All families, staff and students should have received the email links to the 2020 Satisfaction Surveys last week.  I encourage you to take a few minutes to reflect and complete the survey.  It is helpful to us as a leadership team that we use your positive thoughts and suggestions as part of our future planning.  Your comments assist us to move forward in a strategic and positive manner.  It is good also for me to be able to reflect on some of the changes my leadership has brought even in these early months.  Please contact the office if you did not receive the link/s to the surveys.

We remain at Step 2.2 on the Catholic Education Roadmap as far as restrictions go.  Sadly, this has led to the cancellation of our major excursions in Year 9 and 10.  We are working to have other possible options in place and await the future to see how things pan out. Recent advice from CE also advise to place on hold any Graduation activities. More information will come as we become aware.

Many of us will have Victorian friends and family. Please remember them in your prayers as they work to overcome the outbreak in that state and the tough lockdowns they are enduring.  In particular, I pray for those struggling with remote learning especially those Year 12 students having to complete their final year with such disruption.

Mary our Mother… Look After Us.

Eamonn Moore

Principal

An annual satisfaction survey of parents, students and staff is being conducted on behalf of all Catholic schools in the Diocese this term. The surveys are designed to gather feedback from parents, staff and students about our school and will be used to inform school improvement. Responses are confidential and individuals can not be identified. 

The surveys were launched via email last Friday 7 August 2020 using the email addresses supplied to the school.

If you did not receive an email with a link to the survey, you can access and complete the survey at the following link:

https://www.research.net/r/mcauleycatholicparent2020

Our McAuley school community has had a beautiful tradition of weekly class visits to the Blakeney Lodge residents. Due to the NSW Health regulations in Term 1, the students are no longer able to visit the residents.

To keep the connection alive and to let them know they are not forgotten, the classes are designing personalised cards, creating crafts, writing letters and there are even plans to 'Zoom in' with songs and stories.

Last week Ms Greacen and her Pastoral Class, 8.2 designed some colourful cards which will hopefully put a smile on the faces of our senior friends.    

This continuing K-6 program is all about bringing the Catholic faith to life for our students by showing them how to live it every day. Give them all the tools they need feel the Spirit of Jesus each day and find the God Moments that are always happening around them.

At the moment ..... HOPE IS THE KEY! 

There are many HOPES for McAuley and for all school communities around Australia. 

1. That life can gradually return to a level of safety that students and schools are no longer so restricted in what, and how they do things. 
2. That we all need to continue to be generous and kind so that ‘The Hopes’ of those in our care will survive or evolve from dreams into reality. 
3. That we need prayers of HOPE that a vaccine can be found – remembering that this is one of the first times in history that countries from all over the world are working together to find a solution to a problem. 

Lord Jesus,

We place in your loving care all who are affected by Coronavirus.

Keep us strong in faith, hope and love.

Bring relief to our sick, console our bereaved, protect those who care for us.

We lift our prayer to you Lord, and trust in your infinite mercy.

Amen.

MERCY VALUES

McAuley Catholic Central School is a Christ-centred learning community founded in the Mercy tradition.  It invites us to take up the challenge – one that encourages us to develop fully our own God given talents. At the same time, it enkindles within us a desire to assist others, so that they too ‘may have life, and have it to the full’  John 10:10

The vision and mission of the School serve to promote the dignity and uniqueness of each human person. Their aim is to foster the intellectual, spiritual, emotional, physical and social wellbeing of all members of the School community within a safe, healthy, caring and sustainable environment.

McAuley seeks to live out the following Mercy Values which underpin all that takes place at the School:

Mercy is defined as empathy or love that manifests itself in action that is practical and thoughtful, warm and open, respectful and enabling. The value of mercy is inextricably linked to compassion, justice, dignity, excellence, hospitality, stewardship.

Mercy … not only bestows benefits but receives and pardons again and again. Catherine McAuley

Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Romans 12:15

Compassion is a non-judgmental understanding of another’s need, which results in unselfish giving to meet that need. Let charity be our badge of honour … so that it may truly be said, there is in us but one heart and one soul in God.  Catherine McAuley

As God’s Chosen ones, clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience. First Letter of Paul to the Colossians 3:12

Justice is the treatment of each person with fairness in relation to the equality of all, and the maintenance of a balanced and fair relationship with self and all members of the community. Never speak with contempt of any nation, profession, or class of people. Catherine McAuley

Walk in the way of righteousness along the path of justice. Proverbs 8:20

Dignity is the treatment of each person with respect and the recognition of their inherent value and worth. Now and again bestow some praise. Catherine McAuley

So always treat others as you would like them to treat you. Matthew 7:12

Excellence is the state of achievement of the highest possible standards. There is nothing of greater importance than the perfect discharge of our ordinary duties. Catherine McAuley

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16

Hospitality is the creation of a welcoming, open, inclusive and respectful environment for all individuals, through word and deed. A good beginning is of great importance.  You must waste some time with visitors. Catherine McAuley

Welcome one another just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. Letter of Paul to the Romans 15:7

Stewardship is the grateful and responsible celebration of the sacred gifts God has given us to do the work he is calling us to do. We can never say ‘It is enough’ Catherine McAuley

Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.  2 Corinthians 9:6

Service is the exercising and ministry of leadership in order to make a positive difference in the lives of individuals and communities. If we are humble and sincere God will finish in us the work, he has begun. Catherine McAuley

Serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.  First Letter of Peter 4:10  

Our SRC's will celebrate their leadership with a special Luncheon on Friday. Former Mayor, Ms Sue Bulger, Mr Moore and the School Executive will be present. 

The return of the popular 'spotlight' on our SRC members begins this week - we look forward to hearing from all our SRC members over the coming weeks.

McAuley Inspires Me....!

MAB Blocks are a great resource to teach mathematical concepts including addition, subtraction, place value and counting. The cubes are hands-on and are easily manipulated to express numbers and patterns for problem solving.

Year 1B students all agreed the blocks are a fun way to help them learn place value, number concepts, operations, measurement, and much more! 

Clever kids!

Electricity Safety Week 2020 Competitions NOW OPEN! 

This year the competition has been refreshed, adding more opportunities and more prizes!  

McAuley could win one of THREE $1,000 prizes with great prizes for the winning students and runners up. 

Kindergarten to Year 3 students are invited to enter Essential’s ‘Be a Safety Star’ poster competition and have a chance to win one of TWO $1,000 donations to their P&C Association. The winners and runners up will also receive prizes. To enter download the template and entry form from the website and Rd the full terms and conditions here: www.essentialenergy.com.au/adcomp

Years 4 to 6 students across Essential Energy’s network are also invited to showcase their filmmaking or advertising flair in a 30-second video OR radio ad that highlights one or more important electricity safety messages. There will be one major prize of $1,000 awarded to the winning school’s Parents & Citizens Association and one runner up prize.   

To enter download the template and entry form from the website and read the full terms and conditions here: www.essentialenergy.com.au/postercomp

Entries are now open and will close on Friday 25 September 2020. 

-Mrs Libby Black, Teacher.

Aunty Sue has kindly donated her time to visit McAuley each Thursday afternoon to teach the students K-6 some Wiradjuri language. This week Year 3/4B learnt some greeting words, some animal names and counting numbers to 10. All students were very engaged and learnt lots. Thanks Aunty Sue.

-Libby Black, Aboriginal Education Teacher. 

Does your child know what anxiety feels like for them and what they can do about it when it arises? Here are some simple strategies to figuring out your child’s physical responses to feeling anxious, their triggers, and some great calmers.

Our partnership with 'ParentTV' has formed to grant parents access to reliable advice from experts in a wide range of parenting topics.

Maggie Dent - Author, Speaker & Parenting Educator offers advice on calming anxious children.

Please click on the link below:

CALMING ANXIOUS KIDS - MAGGIE DENT

School banking has recommenced in Term 3. School Banking at McAuley is Fridays.

Please make sure bank books are to the office before 11.00am.

Please click on the link above for updates -

please remember the situation is fairly fluid and changes will be communicated directly in need.