Dear McAuley Families

As we race towards the end of the year it’s important to remember the positives in our lives.  We can easily lose touch with what’s important and forget our many blessings.  Resilient people work to bounce back from hardships and this is a vital skill we need to pass on to our children.  With the huge rise in anxiety in society it is vital that schools and families work to build our boys and girls as resilient people.

Claudia and I proudly watched our Fearghus graduate with his Year 12 Cohort from Marist College Canberra yesterday.  The day was made more special by me being asked to speak on behalf of the parent group to many of the boys I had enrolled into the Junior School.  This group of Year 12’s have endured much loss and disappointment this year, as have all final year students (our McAuley Year 10’s included).  They began their final year of school with bushfires and smoke and were soon sent away from school due to the COVID lockdown.  They encountered a type of educational change only dreamed of in the past at an incredible pace of change.  They missed out on camps, retreats, overseas tours, formals and assemblies, yet as they gathered and sang the College song together for the last time rejoiced in their special bond of friendship and care for one another.

 Andrew Fuller has some excellent free resources on his website (www.andrewfuller.com.au) including some family tips about building resilience in our kids.  He suggests making these things habits in our family life:

• Promote belonging to our family, build friendships with different people
• Have some “mooch” time where you have nothing planned
• Rediscover family rituals like Sunday roast
• Love our kids for their differences
• Be a parent – say “NO”
• Be consistent – stick to the rules
• Teach self-esteem – give descriptive praise “I like the way you…”
• Know how to argue – resolve conflicts fairly
• Be “reliably unpredictable” – don’t always do what our kids expect!

These are simple but such effective ways that perhaps we have lost track of over time.  Just this morning I watched a young mum plead with her child to hop in their car seat, begging and apologizing for having to do what “mummy says…” we need to back ourselves and our skills and work together to create our fine young people.

Please be sure to join our Community Farewell for Mr Hughes and Mrs Henderson who leave us at the end of the year.  Casual drinks and nibbles will be offered at the Oriental Hotel on (this coming) Friday 4 December from 5.00-7.00pm.  Please let the office staff know if you plan to attend.  I also remind you that COVID regulations will be in place and those who are feeling unwell should not attend.

Thanks to our McAuley staff who presented an interesting and fun day for Year 7 2021 Orientation Day last Tuesday.  We welcomed a number of keen prospective students for next year who enjoyed learning about and experiencing the supportive and caring McAuley culture which is so valued by many.

Prayers continue for Stephen Olsen (Year ¾) who is making excellent progress after heart surgery last week.  The Olsen family are enormously grateful for the prayers and support offered for Stephen.

Mary our Mother… Look After Us.

Eamonn Moore

Principal

Please take the time to keep an eye on our Electronic Calendar as this busy time of year approached. 

MCAULEY SCHOOL ELECTRONIC CALENDAR

Parents of K-10 students are invited to arrange an optional Interview regarding their child's progress this year. Reports will go home to parents for K-6 students this Friday. Reports will go home to parents for 7-9 students on Thursday 11th December.

It is important to note that this semester’s reports will only contain grades and effort levels not written comments.

An interview with your child’s teacher will provide a richer amount of feedback as the year comes to an end.  It is encouraged that all families take advantage of the chance to meet with their children’s teachers and celebrate the learning and achievements that have taken place this year.

Please note specific information for both Primary and Secondary Campus Interviews.

K-6 Parents: Interviews will be held for parents on Tuesday 8th December from 3:30pm to 5:30pm. Please book via the online booking system using the instructions below. A hard copy was also sent home with your child yesterday.

7-10 Parents:  Interviews can be arranged by contacting the individual teacher required to arrange a mutually convenient time. This can be done by phoning the school 02 69472000 or via email at office.mcauley@cg.catholic.edu.au

NEWS RELEASE - STUDENTS CELEBRATE DAIRY CREATIONS - Congratulations to Elly Dumbell and Kelly Calonne

The team from McAuley Catholic Central School, along with more than 1,030 students from 70 different schools spent the semester whipping up a storm in the kitchen, thanks to the Great Ocean Road – Careers made here - Cheese Your Own Creation programme. 

In teams of two, students designed their own unique dairy creation before submitting the recipe and photo of their creation to be judged.

Today, we are pleased to announce the 13 schools selected as programme winners, each receiving $250 for their school and inclusion in the 2021 Great Ocean Road calendar.  

2020 Cheese your own Creation winners:

Birdwood High School, SA, St Augustine’s College, QLD, Clarence High School, TAS, Good Counsel College, QLD, McAuley Catholic Central School, NSW, Bayside Christian College, QLD, Uralla Central School, NSW, Christian College Geelong, VIC, Bunbury Cathedral Grammar School, WA, St Brigid’s College Horsham, VIC, Busselton Senior High School, WA, Timboon P-12 School, VIC and Manjimup Senior High School, WA.

“We have been really impressed by the creativity and imagination of the students,” Tracy Wong, Great Ocean Road Senior Brand Manager, said.

“Every school and student should be proud of what they have achieved during the programme. It was a very hard task to choose only 13 recipes from so many unique dairy creations.” 

The programme was offered as a curricular activity within the school’s Food Technology classes. Students and teachers were provided with supporting resources and curriculum for the duration of the programme. 

Great Ocean Road is proud to support the Cheese your own Creation programme.

“It’s a great opportunity for students to have fun while learning important life skills like cooking and getting to know more about the wide range of career opportunities in Australia’s vibrant dairy industry,” Tracy said.

“The programme showcases dairy products and their nutritional value, as well as highlighting the importance of the industry to regional economies. When students see dairy products on their supermarket shelf, they can make the connection back to where dairy comes from in their local community.”

Our secondary students recently had their end of year exams. For our Year Seven's these were their first big exams as we didn't have half yearly exams this year due to Covid-19. These exams can be very dauting first time around and sometimes some of our students just need a little assistance with the reading of these quite long and extensive papers. 

We are extremely fortunate to have ana amazing group of volunteers most of whom come over the three day exam period to help our students. Some of them have been coming to assist with exams for over ten years and include parents of ex-students, grandparents of current students and ex-teachers! This year we were lucky to have; Carole Taylor, Marika Stacy, Trish Matthews, Maree Matthews, Kym Moore, Kath Rosetta, Lee Ebeling, Ros Piper, Ivana Michelini and David Taylor as well as our Classroom Support Assistants Nakia Morriss and Jaime Hood who are always so accommodating in changing their work day around to suit our student's needs.

At the end of each day's exams, our volunteers get together with the secondary teachers to share morning tea and catch up with each other. If you would like to assist with future exams by being a Reader or Writer please contact the school on 69472000.

Many thanks to all our volunteers who have become valued and treasured members of our school community. 

Wendy Hill - Classroom Support Teacher

A great day on our Secondary Campus last Friday, with the Year 7 2021 group coming together for their second taste at High School. Thanks everyone for a really successful and enjoyable day. 

Our great Year 6's have shown wonderful initiative and leadership this week, organising some fun games and activities for their peers on the Primary Campus. Some activities included: Basketball, craft, bookmaking, hit the target, bin ball and finger knitting! Well done and thanks Year 6.

Last Thursday lucky students had a once in a lifetime opportunity singing in a recording studio. The students recorded Christmas carols that will be played on the local radio station ‘Sounds of the Mountains’ leading up to Christmas. We hope you tune in!

This Wednesday Xander and Sophie delivered our school news! The pair were a delight to listen to, the expression and excitement clearly evident in their voices! 

FREE online presentation on Leadership & Catholic Women

It will be hosted by the ACU Brisbane on Wed 9^th Dec 5.30-8.00pm. I hope you will enjoy this presentation. Kind regards. Anita Mason REC.

CLICK HERE