Dear McAuley Families

It’s “Super Week” at McAuley! So many things happening… a reminder that school is so much more than reading, writing and class work. All of the experiences we provide our students add to the richness of their McAuley journey.

Yesterday (as well as Melbourne Cup celebrations and Book Week Dress ups) the school underwent Registration. Every 5 years schools are required to prove their fitness in facilities, finance, curriculum and community. This year, due to the COVID regulations the panel from Catholic Education conducted a “compliance registration off site” meaning they gained access to all of our records and met via Teams meetings with Executive staff. The brief feedback this morning was excellent. The panel in particular were impressed with the recent work we have completed in policy update and review, plans for buildings and refurbishment, improved Student Welfare Policy and of course the sheer hard work our staff put in for our students. I am grateful for the work of the Executive and all the staff to be ready for this huge event and humbled by the early feedback. Thank you to our Community Council for their excellent support and vision for the school also.  McAuley will be provided with a formal report containing commendations and recommendations in due course.

Tuesday, you will have seen the announcement of our new Assistant Principal. I join with you and the staff to congratulate David Turnbull on his appointment knowing that he will be an excellent leader in our school as we move into the next phase of our Strategic Planning and Curriculum work.

Yesterday we welcomed our Kindergarten class of 2021 for their first orientation.  We have around 20 excited new starters who spent a busy day with their teacher Mrs Crane, finding out what a day at “big school” will be like. They even managed to make it to my office to find the lost green sheep… there were a few planted around the school including (I am told) possibly a real live one!  If my maths is correct, they will be the McAuley Graduating class of 2031!  Something to think about!

Next Kinder Orientations are Thursday 12 November and Tuesday 17 November. 

Year 7, 2021 Orientation Day is Friday 27 November.

We have limited places available in those year levels and I would strongly encourage those families considering a McAuley education to get their applications in for next year.

It’s good to see classes being able to participate in sporting fixtures and local events again. Our Primary students performed well at NRL Gala Day at Gundagai recently with excellent feedback on their participation and behaviour. We have Cricket Competitions for Primary and Secondary students also this week. Physical activity is great for fitness and mental health and being able to enjoy this beautiful weather is surely good for us too.

I’ve recently stumbled across education writer and blogger Linda Stade. I recommend her Facebook page to you and checking in to see some of her excellent articles on schooling and parenting and in particular the partnership between the two. I loved this image shared this week which is a great reminder of the vital work we all do in forming young people who will one day be good husbands, wives, leaders and members of society. It is a job we take seriously and do with great joy at McAuley.

Mary our Mother… Look After Us.

Eamonn Moore

Principal

The beginning of Secondary School is one of life’s exciting rites of passage. It is the time when learners begin to enjoy more freedom, move around classrooms and begin to choose subjects that interest them.  Whichever Primary School you have come from, I know you will find McAuley to be a place where you are not only well supported, but also challenged.  Our teachers will push you to learn at your best, to achieve strong results and to become the best person you can be.

Year 7 begins the Stage 4 Course of Study. The Stage 4 course of study at McAuley is designed to give a solid academic foundation and to provide a good breadth of different learning experiences that will result in the students having the knowledge, skills and resilience to successfully pursue Stage 6, years 11 and 12 or the workforce.

Please refer to the link below for full information regarding Year 7 at McAuley. 

Stage 4 Handbook (Year 7/8 2021)

We will be holding our next Year 7 Orientation Day on Friday 27th November for enrolled students. 

Students from 7 to 10 will be involved in an Assessment period the week from Monday 16th to Friday 20th November. 

Students are reminded to get themselves prepared and don't hesitate to ask for assistance from their teachers. This will ensure they truely understand the material. Teachers are always willing to assist students as the prepare for these exams. 

CONGRATULATIONS to Kelly Calonne and Elly Dumbrell on being shortlisted for the Great Ocean Road - "Cheese Your Own Creation" programme!  Their entry is 1 of 16 vying for a position in the final 12 winning calendar pages!  The 12 winning pages will make up the 2021 Saputo – Great Ocean Road calendar.  Good luck girls!

All parents should have received a note regarding the Swimming Program for K-6 students. As this program is optional, All PERMISSION notes should have now been returned so we assume those who have not returned their notes are not participating. 

IF YOU HAVE NOT DONE SO ALREADY -  full payment is due by WEDNESDAY 11TH NOVEMBER 2021. Please remember, this is not a school program. No refunds will be given and full payment is required by the above date.

First week will be 16th, 17th, 19th and 20th November. Followed by next week 23rd, 24th, 26th and 27th.

Thank you for your support.

Kindergarten Orientation Day One was a happy occasion for the 20 enrolled Kinder children. The children settled well and are all looking forward to the next Orientation Day which will be held next week Thursday 12th November. 

It is not too late to enrol - tell your friends to contact the school asap for enrolment details. 

We hope you enjoy our photo galleries of these lovely days, enjoyed by our Primary students.

Primary students were excited to begin the Peer Support program in Week 3.  The students are participating in a new module 'Moving Forward', which focuses on resilience.  The experiences in the module help children to identify their qualities and strengths, develop skills, respond with a range of strategies and seek support when faced with challenges. 

During this week's session, the children established connections with other members of their group and developed their group agreement to enable them to work well together.  The children discussed an example of a challenging situation and some resilient and non resilient responses.  Our Year 6 students did a fantastic job at conducting the lesson for our Kindergarten to Year 5 students.

You might like to discuss with your child what they can do to help them take an active role in Peer Support.

Megan Turnbull, Peer Support Coordinator

Year 6 enjoying cricket for sport, in their Mission Day coloured clothes.