Dear McAuley Families

The weather certainly is beautiful at the moment.  The sunny days lift our spirits as we move towards the end of the academic year.  I hope all parents are encouraging good study habits and building routines around exam and assessment time.  Being well prepared, well fed and well rested will help your sons and daughters achieve at their best.  Nightly revision helps retain facts and build mastery which lowers stress – a winning combination!

Research shows that parent engagement promotes higher success for our sons and daughters (some studies show between 40 and 60% higher school performance). More than just being ‘involved’ an engaged parent asks deeper questions than “How was school today?” but has a good knowledge of the school’s programs, strategic directions and timetables.  An engaged parent discusses current affairs, internet safety, study skills and social issues.  Engaged parents use parent teacher interviews to set goals and worthwhile targets.  Most importantly they work in partnership with the school and teachers to take the curriculum beyond the classroom and make faith and learning real.

Education (thankfully) has moved beyond the industrial era when parents dropped kids at the school gate and waited for the ‘factory’ to churn them out at the end.  The remote learning time during COVID reminded us all of the vital role of teachers and the partnership that is important in the well-rounded development of young people.  As our Executive work to plan for 2021 these relationships are foundational to our success as an excellent school.  Our Strategic Planning aims at building an enriching, challenging and practical curriculum which focuses on all aspects of our students’ lives and bring parent engagement and partnership to the fore.  The Mercy Values espoused by Catherine McAuley remind us simply that practicality is key “…show your instructions in actions as much as you can…”

The staff have spent some time reviewing our new Student Welfare Policy. As we predicted there are some tweaks required in the operation of some areas but overall there is an obvious increase in positive behavior and effort.  As a staff we aim to build a student cohort who treat one another with kindness and compassion, and importantly have the fortitude to stand up for what is right.  As Catherine McAuley implored her new Sisters of Mercy “…”state your opinion and always act with courage…”   It would be good to have your son or daughter explain our “new” system to you and gain a better understanding of the behavior rewards and consequences being enacted through this policy.

As regulations relax somewhat we aim to have a Community Council Meeting before the end of the year to outline this policy, approve 2021 budget, clarify uniform directions and plan for next year.  The meeting will be held on Wednesday 2nd December, at 5pm.  We also plan to hold a Community Farewell for Mr Hughes and Mrs Henderson who leave us at the end of the year.  This will take place upstairs at the Oriental Hotel at 5pm on Friday 4th December.  

There was great excitement yesterday as our final Kindergarten Orientation for next year took place.  Mrs Crane is very much looking forward to the Class of 2021 as are their future Year 6 buddies who met them yesterday and gave them a school hat as a welcome gift.

Please also note the change of date for Year 7 2021 Orientation Day which is now being held on Tuesday 1 December.  All local eligible students are welcome to attend and see what McAuley can “make them”.  Please encourage those you know who have not formally enrolled for next year to do so quickly as we plan class allocations and subject loads for next year.

Mary our Mother… Look After Us.

Eamonn Moore

Principal

The theme for NAIDOC Week this year is ‘Always Was, Always Will Be’ which recognises that First Nations people have occupied and cared for this continent for over 65,000 years. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are spiritually and culturally connected to this country. Their culture is the oldest living culture on planet Earth.

McAuley celebrated NAIDOC Week (8 – 15 November) with the theme ‘Always Was, Always Will Be’. NAIDOC Week is usually held in July but was pushed back to this week in November due to COVID-19. While the usual large-scale events and gatherings were not possible this year, McAuley has celebrated the week in a variety of ways. 

At McAuley we began the celebration of NAIDOC week by unveiling a large mural. The mural was painted by Trish Matthews in consultation with Aunty Sue (Sue Bulger - local aboriginal elder.)  The mural depicts aboriginal people looking down onto the Tumut Valley and the Tumut River, native animals and native flora. Aunty Sue spoke about the connection the Wiradjuri people have with this land and how they are so grateful for this beautiful place, Tumut. Both Aunty Sue and Trish were presented with a Bogong Moth Brooch, from Principal Mr Moore, for their contribution to McAuley School. 

Also during NAIDOC week, the children were given the opportunity to sample some traditional aboriginal food, including kangaroo meatball in a bush tomato sauce, johnny cakes and damper with native finger lime marmalade or native honey and some lemon myrtle or strawberry gum tea. The food was provided to each individual class and they learnt about how the food was prepared and used by the traditional aboriginal people. The children loved the experience.

Each class also participated in a NAIDOC week class liturgy. The liturgy gave each class the opportunity to acknowledge that the very first footprints on this continent were those belonging to First Nations peoples and they have maintained ongoing spiritual and cultural connections to the land and sea. 

Finally, to finish off our NAIDOC week, Aunty Sue spoke to each class about her experiences growing up in Tumut as a Wiradjuri woman. She shared some stories and spoke about her family’s experiences with the ‘Stolen Generation.’

McAuley would like to thank Trish and Aunty Sue for helping us celebrate NAIDOC week.

Term 4 School Fees are due THIS Friday 20th November 2020. Prompt payment is greatly appreciated.

Please click on the link above which will take you to the school's electronic calendar.

It's a busy time of year, so make sure you keep an eye on upcoming dates. 

Tuesday 26th January 2021 - Australia Day Holiday

Wednesday 27th January 2021 - Pupil Free Day

Thursday 28th January 2021 - Pupil Free Day System Day - Catalyst

Friday 29th January 2021 - Years 1 to 10 commence school

Monday 1st February 2021 - Kindergarten commence school

Many students at McAuley entered the Coles "Little Treehouse" Writing Competition earlier this year.  From 6000 entries across Australia, we are very excited to announce that LYRON BROOKS was chosen to be one of the TOP 100 entries for his fantastic story "The Swooping Magpie".  Lyron won a $100 Coles Myer Gift Card AND 100 books for our school!  Way to go Lyron... Mrs Hotham and your classmates in 5H are very proud of you!

CONGRATULATIONS to Angus Hotham in Kinder who recently won a section in the combined Department of Veterans Affairs/ Koori Kids colouring in and poster design competition, depicting ANZAC Day.  A wonderful achievement, considering there were over 64,000 entries!  Well done Angus!

Last week in Peer Support students had the opportunity to discuss their personal qualities and strengths.  Students identified their qualities and acknowledged how they contribute to their achievements.  Through activites the students recognised they use their strengths to achieve success and can be encouraged to approach future activities optimistically. 

Ask your child to describe their own qualities and strengths so you can recognise and acknowledge these.

This week in Peer Support students discussed skills and how to communicate their feelings and needs to others. The students discussed skills they use when participating in a variety of activities.  When children understand they already have many of the skills needed to succeed, they can feel more confident when trying something new.  Students were asked to identify events which trigger different feelings.

Encourage your child to remember the skills they have used in one activity when trying something new.  Also encourage your child to communicate their feelings and needs.

Megan Turnbull, Peer Support Coordinator.

K-6 students have been enjoying their swimming lessons.

Year 6 students took the opportunity to spend time with their Kinder buddies on the bus trip to the pool.

Swimming lessons will continue next week 23rd, 24th, 26th and 27th November.  Please note that there are no lessons on Wednesday 25th.

The second Year 7 Orientation Day is being held on Tuesday 1st December. (Please note that this is a change of date from that previously advertised, due to a conflict with other school events).

The day is for all students who are presently at McAuley or are interested in attending McAuley for Year 7 in 2021.  All students are required to make their own way to school, with the day commencing at 9am.  All students should wear their sports uniform with appropriate sports shoes.  It is compulsory that they have a hat with them.

The canteen will not be open on the day, so students need to bring their recess, lunch and drink with them.

Please contact either David turnbull or Jeanette Dumbrell at the school if you have any enquiries, 6947 2000.

3/4B have been studying 'Chance & Probability' in their Maths classes.

Some of our Year 9 and 10 students have been given the opportunity to participate in courses being held at Tumut and Wagga TAFE campuses.  The aim of the courses is to provide students with experience in learning at TAFE and in different careers.  The courses are held one day a week for 4 weeks.  Our students are participating in the following courses:

Childcare, Welding and Beauty at Tumut campus

Physiotherapist assistant and Fitness at Wagga campus

Agriculture skills at North Wagga campus.

Feedback from the participating students is that the courses have given them a great insight into their chosen careers and helped them gain new skills.

Year 3 and 4 boys and girls had a great day at the Trent Barret Shield yesterday. Boys played rugby league and the girls league tag.

Introducing the graduating Class of 2031!!!

Enthusiastic and interactive volunteer lifesavers have been visiting schools in rural and remote areas of NSW and the ACT to educate primary aged students about beach and water safety. McAuley students had a one-hour presentation yesterday which focused on beach and water safety. Students learned about general beach safety, sun safety, rips and waves, sea creatures, basic first aid, rescues and getting help from a lifeguard.