It is a privilege to be asked write the article for our school’s newsletter this week due to the absence of Mr Little and Mrs Henderson. 

On behalf of our school community I would like to extend my deepest sympathy to the Henderson family Kerrin, Chris, Xavier, Oliver and Imogen on the recent death of Chris’ mother. This is a sad time for their family and I hope you will join me as we keep them in our thoughts and prayers.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Throughout our life we encounter many events such as the death of a parent that impacts on our life. If you think about it each of us is like a walking book-full of our own adventures, mysteries, discoveries, dreams, dramas and achievements. Sharing these individual stories with friends allows them to develop a deeper understanding of who you are.

We can also think of our school, McAuley like a book. There have been many adventures, mysteries, discoveries, dreams, dramas and achievements that our school has witnessed over the last 133 years. Some of us can write lots of pages with our memories at McAuley!

It is important for each of us to carry on the Mercy traditions and values within our Mercy school.  This history is vital for us to know so that we can to add valuable pages to our McAuley book. Pride in our history creates a passion and understanding of our Mercy values, and it will also give our school a Mercy Spirit.

Our history starts with the sisters of Mercy.

In 1882 Mother Mary Bernard Grennan, Sister Augustine Mullally, Sister Stanistaus O’Neill and Clare O’Donnell, arrived in Tumut from Yass and took up residence in a cottage at the corner of Simpson and Carey Streets. They conducted their school in the old church building and moved into the convent when it was completed in 1886.

School was conducted in St Mary’s Hall (pictured below), built in 1858. It was continued as a school building until 1968. Our school has seen many changes. A new high school was built in 1968 and a new infant’s school in 1978.

The secondary school and the primary school were merged in 1991 and re-named to reflect the foundress of the sisters of Mercy. Catherine McAuley. There were changes in uniform and logo and motto. The tartan that was chosen for the uniform is a McAuley tartan.

'Mercy is the principal path marked out by Jesus for those who desire to follow him.’ CATHERINE McAULEY

McAuley remains committed to our Mercy Values and we endeavour to translate these into our daily behaviours.

MERCY, we reach out to others in need, treat all with respect and reverence and act with compassion in all that we do.

JUSTICE, we commit to living justly by engaging in action for social justice and by celebrating our diversity and inclusiveness.

EXCELLENCE, we strive for our personal best in all we do.

INTEGRITY, we lead lives which integrate our personal beliefs and values with those of the school.

COURAGE, we stand up for our beliefs by putting our values into practice.

HOSPITALITY, we create a community where all feel welcome, through openness to people, ideas and challenges.

CLOSING PRAYER

Lord, we thank you for the call to be messengers of your mercy.  Expand our hearts with your joy as we grow in knowledge and understanding. Let us remember to always be a messenger of God’s Mercy and fill us with your confidence and courage, that we might learn to live and work as messengers of your mercy in all things.

As we speak….May we speak of love and acceptance.

As we listen….May we hear the call to be Christ in the world.

As we walk….May we walk with those in need.

As we live….May we live the thoughts and actions of Jesus. Amen.

We make this prayer to you in the name of Jesus, your Son.

ALL: Amen.

Catherine McAuley designed the original Mercy Cross which was an ebony cross with an ivory insert. It was attached to a large rosary hanging from the belt of the Sisters of Mercy.

The Mercy Cross that we see today, still has a white cross in the middle of a dark coloured cross.

Catherine chose the cross to be the symbol of the Sisters of Mercy because of her deep love for the crucified Jesus. You may have notice that the Cross does not actually have the crucified Jesus on the Cross. This is because Catherine believed that each Sister of Mercy places herself on the Cross herself upon the cross in union with Jesus. Sisters of Mercy all around the world wear this cross so we can recognise who they are.

Western Region Retreats for Year 8 and 9.

This year Sacred Heart Central School in Cootamundra is hosting the ‘Western Region Retreats’ for Year 8 and 9 students. Year 8 students will travel by bus to Cootamundra on Tuesday 2^nd April the following day, Wednesday 3^rd April, the Year 9 students will participate in their retreat in Cootamundra.

The retreats will be facilitated by the Catholic Schools Youth Ministry Australia team from the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn. The cost of the CSYMA team is being funded by our Catholic Education Office.

The students will be given opportunities to recognise their value and self-worth. They will also be involved in activities that develop team building, cooperation skills and their spiritual growth.

A note outlining the details of the retreat will be handed out over the next few weeks. Retreats for Year 7 and Year 10 will follow later in the year.

2^nd Week of Lent

Each week of Lent invites us into a different insight in how to live more clearly and with greater integrity in our lives.  While each week presents us with a new challenge, we trust that our sincere response will bring us the happiness we so deeply desire.

The Readings for this weekend call us to a deeper awareness of the sacred in all of life!  In our everyday life, these moments of inspiration can be unexpected.  It can be at a time when we feel somewhat ‘clouded’ that we can be surprised to find the shining light of God’s presence breaking through the humdrum and routine. 

Let us pray to be alert, our senses are sharpened to the wonder of God’s love all around us!  

God of Transcending Love

You know the darkness of our minds.

Let your face shine on us.

May our lives reflect your love and presence To all the world around us. 

Your voice announces the Beloved One.

Open our ears to hear him.

Open our eyes to see him present in all the sacred moments of our lives.

We ask this prayer in the name of Jesus, your Beloved Son,

And in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Keep an eye on our electronic calendar for all upcoming dates. Please click on the link above. We aim to keep this calendar as up to date as possible, however sometimes it is sometimes unavoidable that dates do change etc. If in doubt, please ring the school. 

Our Primary Cross Carnival will take place next Friday 22nd March at the Tumut Wetlands. 

All students are to wear their sports uniform, including their school hat. They should all have a drink bottle. Please ensure your child has his/her own asthma puffer if they require one. Students will catch a Goodes Bus at 9:30am to and from the Wetlands. 

A permission note will go home with your child. Please ensure this is signed and returned with $2-00 by Friday. Thank you everyone.

We hope you enjoy our album of Year 8 photography - Hockney style collages.

This eye-catching technique was created by British artist David Hockney in the early 1980s. He called the collages ‘joiners’, and this technique has remained popular ever since

We are hoping some enthusiastic parents who would like to be active in the school, will come along to our next Community Council Meeting which will be held at 5pm Thursday 21st March. 

All council positions will be declared open - but you will not be pressured into taking on a position! Being on the Community Council is not an onerous task. Meetings take place only twice a term.

Please come along next Thursday and see if you would like to be involved.

At McAuley we aim to create a safe and supportive school community for everyone.

You are an important part of our work to prevent bullying and to respond effectively if it happens. Stopping bullying involves everyone.

The following information is from the National Day of Action against Bullying website.

If your child talks to you about bullying:

1. Listen calmly and get the full story. Your calm response is important to allow your child to tell you all about the situation. After they’ve told you their story, ask questions to get more details if you need: who, what, where, when.  Although you may feel some strong emotions about your child’s experience, try to keep calm to avoid more distress to your child.
2. Reassure your child they are not to blame. Many children blame themselves and this may make them feel even worse. You could say things like, ‘That sounds really hard to deal with. No one should have to put up with that.’ or ‘I’m so glad you told me. You should be able to feel safe at school; that’s not fair at all’.
3. Ask your child what they want to do and what they want you to do. A critical part of your response is to avoid jumping in to solve the problem. While it is natural to want to protect your child, helping them to find their own solution is a better option.  It helps them feel they have some power in the situation.
4. Visit bullyingnoway.gov.au to find some strategies. The website has tips and ideas for different bullying situations. One idea is to practise strategies at home to help your child feel more confident.
5. Contact the school. Your child may be reluctant for you to do this, so discuss the idea and reassure them that the school would want to know and is able to help. Make an appointment to meet with your child’s teacher and, if you need to, ask to talk with the principal. Contact the school immediately if you have a concern about your child’s safety.
6. Check in regularly with your child. Keep the conversation going. It can take time to resolve issues, so check in regularly with your child about their experiences and their feelings.  Your ongoing support is important.

If you are looking for support for yourself to deal with a bullying situation, you will find ideas on the Bullying. No Way! website for parents.  As well, please feel free to contact the school if you would like to discuss any aspect of our approach to preventing bullying.

Thanks for your support to make McAuley a great school for everyone.

All parents, grandparents and friends are invited to come to the School Library this Friday from 9:30am to help cover some great new Library resources. Kirsty Roche our Librarian, will have everthing ready to go - and will even 'shout' coffee and cake!

So....grab a friend and come covering!

Year 2-4 Parents and Carers are reminded of the excursion to the Wagga Civic Theatre on Thursday March 21st for the children to see the wonderful stage performance of "Billionaire Boy". Cost of $28 needs to be paid by THIS Friday 15th March. Please pay via our QKR! app or via the Primary Office. 

"Billionaire Boy" is based on the book by David Walliams

Twelve year old Joe has everything a boy could ever want, from a golden underwater Ferrari to his very own cinema. Joe and his Dad have more money than you could imagine, but what Joe really needs is a friend. When Joe arrives at his new school, life really gets tough. Facing the school bully, his Dad’s new girlfriend and the world’s worst school canteen, Joe is about to learn that money might buy you a lot in Raj’s shop, but it can’t buy you everything.

David Walliams’ best-selling books comes to life on stage for 6-12 year olds - and their adults! Don’t miss this original Australian adaptation as the team behind Mr Stink and The 13-, 26-, 52- and 78-Storey Treehouses live on stage return with songs, laughs and yes, that cat sick and sweet potato mash from the canteen…

Year 5.6TB students have been experimenting with Poetry this week, and have enjoyed creating some Haiku poems!

"Haiku" is a traditional form of Japanese poetry. Haiku poems consist of 3 lines. The lines rarely rhyme.....

THANK YOU to every family who took a box of chocolates to sell to family and friends.

Please ensure you return your money ($80 per box) to school by next Friday. Remember if it is easier for you .... please pay via our QKR! app.

Some lovely happy snaps of your children playing at lunchtime on Tuesday.....enjoy!

Thank you to generous parents who support our Primary and Secondary canteen. Remember we always need your help with lunch preparation on our Secondary Canteen. If you have an hour, especially on a Friday - Kellie Deudney would love your help!

PRIMARY CANTEEN: This Friday 15th March - Fiona McMahon and Tash Jeffery. Monday 18th March - Anita Davis, Wednesday 20th March - Aimee Lee McIntosh, Friday 22nd - Amanda Sutton and Narissa Watts. 

THANK YOU LADIES. 

You will be aware an individual class-group from McAuley visit the residents from Blakeney Lodge each week. One of the activities the Blakeney ladies enjoy with our Secondary students, is having hand massages and their nails painted.

Our supplies are dwindling, so if you have any soft shades of nail polish, nail polish remover or any hand creme you would like to donate ....... we would be most grateful. Please leave any donations at either office. 

Thanks to families who have sent in donations this week. 

In addition to our Schoolzine Website, we have SZapp ready for download for all parents, grandparents, carers, teachers and students. SZapp allows you to stay connected with McAuley and to view and access newsletters, documents and get live notifications from the school. Please click the link below:

Download SZapp

TUMUT MINOR LEAGUE: Invites all players to register for the 2019 season. $75 per person. Registration Link on Tumut Minor League Website. Or contact Jayson 0427 509 757. Tumut Minor League is registered for the 'Active Kids Program' - click on the link below. 

TUMUT AusKick CENTRE (AFL Junior Footy): Registrations NOW OPEN! Register your child now for the 2019 season. Please contact Dwayne Murray dmurray@amurray.com.au or ring 0421000401. Registered for the 'Active Kids Program' - click on the link below. 

SCHOOL HOLIDAY TENNIS CLINIC: Monday 15th to Thursday 18th April. Tumut Tennis Courts. Limited numbers. 10:30am to 12noon. Bookings essential. Bernadette Cahill 69474968 or email birdietennis@bigpond.com

TUMUT YOUTH COUNCIL COLOUR EXPLOSION - 11am to 2pm Bull Paddock. Saturday 6th April. More info from mmazzini@svc.nsw.gov.au. 

Tumut Day VIEW Club (a valued part of 'The Smith Family') offering support and friendship, skills development, enriching experiences, and give the satisfaction of making a difference in your community. If you would like to join this great club or maybe find out more, call 1800805366 or visit www.thesmithfamily.com.au/view 

TUMUT EASTER MARKETS. Good Friday and Easter Saturday. Boys Club Hall - 9am to 4pm both days. Free entry. Great bargains. BBQ, tea and coffee. Bookings and more info from 02 42322337.

Children’s Mosaic Classes. Monday and Wednesday afternoons at 3:30pm to 5:00pm. Cost involved. More info from kerriebellette@live.com.au or 0407265828

Pilates Mat Class with Jaime. Do you need to increase your core stability? Correct muscle imbalances? Improve your posture. 45 minute classes on Saturday 8am @ The Gym. Tuesday 5:15pm @ St Mary's Hall. $15-00. Bookings essential via Facebook. Or call 0420309301

Piano/Keyboard Lessons: Individual lessons available, during school hours at McAuley. Ages 6 years and up. Ring Vanessa Hall for more details on 0448609479.