Dear McAuley Families

This week we acknowledge Sorry Day in our community.  We especially support our First Australian families and friends on this anniversary of the apology made by Prime Minister Rudd. My hope is that our school and community can continue to support and develop a culture that is rich, diverse and understanding of all different cultures and traditions.

Almighty and loving God, you who created ALL people in your image,

Lead us to seek your compassion as we listen to the stories of our past. You gave your only Son, Jesus, who died and rose again so that sins will be forgiven.

We place before you the pain and anguish of dispossession of land, language, lore, culture and family kinship that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have experienced. We live in faith that all people will rise from the depths of despair and hopelessness. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families have endured the pain and loss of loved ones, through the separation of children from their families.

We are sorry and ask God’s forgiveness.

Touch the hearts of the broken, homeless and inflicted and heal their spirits. In your mercy and compassion walk with us as we continue our journey of healing to create a future that is just and equitable.

Lord, you are our hope. Amen.

NAPLAN:  Well done and thank you to our Year 3, 5, 7 and 9 students who completed National Assessment testing last week.  I was pleased to see all students approaching the assessments with a positive attitude and make strong efforts.  Results will be made available to families later in the year.  NAPLAN test results, although a ‘point in time’ result are used for a number of strategic and funding decisions made both at school and by Catholic Education.  Grateful thanks to Mrs Dumbrell, Mrs Black and our many teaching and support staff who worked to organise and supervise the sessions.  Should you have any feedback in this regard please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Tell Them From Me Survey:  Each year students from Years 5-10, staff and parents complete a satisfaction survey on the operations and various aspects of the school.  This year’s survey is a slightly different format.  Final areas and questions are being confirmed now prior to the release of the test.  Please take the time to respond constructively and comment on the areas of strength and areas to develop at McAuley.  Details will be sent home in the coming days.

Sporting Events:  Elsewhere in this Newsletter you will see reports of a number of sporting events our students have attended both locally and in Canberra over the last two weeks. It is pleasing to have continual positive feedback and comment about our McAuley students’ good sportsmanship and excellent manners.  Thank you all for your fair play and great efforts.  Thanks to our families also for your support in providing so many outstanding opportunities for your sons and daughters.

Religious Education Planning:  You might be aware that the Archdiocese is currently rolling out a new Religious Education Program, based on the Archdiocese of Brisbane documents.  We have been able to release teachers at various times to undertake planning of new units.  This week (Thursday and Friday) we welcome Mrs Bernadette Scott from CE Canberra who will work with staff from K-10 evaluating and planning for Terms 3 and 4.  Classes will be covered internally in a variety of ways to ensure teachers are able to collaborate and plan.  Our REC, Miss Mason is doing an excellent job leading this curriculum change and the work produced by our teachers is an example for other schools.  Thank you all for your hard work and insight.

Enrolling now for 2022:  Don’t forget we are enrolling now for 2022 with places especially in Kindergarten and Year 7 being offered.  Details of Orientation Programs and Information sessions will appear in various local press, Facebook and communications.  Please encourage those who might be uncertain about a Catholic Education at McAuley to contact me for a tour and chat about what our school can offer to their family. The future looks bright for our school and the Executive Team and staff are working hard to embrace and maximise the potential of our school as a ‘point of difference’ with strong academic support and results, as well as a strong pastoral and wellbeing framework.

Managing Big Emotions Workshop:  Don’t forget as part of our Parent Education Sessions we are offering a workshop on “Big Emotions” (conducted by Be You facilitators) next Wednesday at 5.30pm.  Please RSVP so we have an idea of numbers.  This will be a very interactive and practical session for all interested parents. Session flyers will give further detail.

Building Works: The building works on the Primary Campus are moving along, with the pouring of the slab this week and walls going up.

Mary our Mother… Look after us.

Eamonn Moore

Principal

Wellbeing Week is next week.  Take some time out for yourself and spend some time with family. This is becoming an important part of our term calendar. Please be sure to build into your family time a 'check in' on everyone's physical and mental health.

There will be a K-6 meal deal on offer on Tuesday 1 June and a K - 10 'Green Theme Day' the same day.

More information will be sent home this week.

As a part of the study of Geography in Stage 4, Year 8 students walked down to the river to collect data on the way the river changes with land use.

We were lucky with the weather - choosing the perfect day for our fieldwork. Students analysed qualities of the Tumut River at a number of sites, including pH, water temperature and turbidity. We also observed the land use in the surrounding area, the vegetation present and human impacts such as pollution.

- Belinda Schirmer, Teacher. 

Year 10 students have benefited from an excursion to Canberra, visiting the Australian Catholic University. Learning about further study and inspiring career opportunities, students were immersed in hands-on activities and experiences during the day.

What a great opportunity to see first hand what is available to them after graduation from McAuley.

Athletics Carnival - Champions and Runners Up:

Congratulations to our Champion Athletes from the recent Athletics Carnival. Well done on your achievement and efforts. We are very proud of you all. 

Thank you to EVERY student who participated in the Carnival - you are all wonderful. Our 'School Spirit' is alive and thriving!

Mortimer Shield: 

Thank you Cohen, Paige, Lordes and Macy who have provided the following write-ups regarding their League and League-tag experiences at round one of the Mortimer Shield League last week:

At Mortimer Shield on Tuesday, 'McAuley 2' boys played 3 games.Our first game was played against the 'Small Schools' team beating them by a try or two. Our second game was against the tough Tumut Public School who played really well. We tried our best and we won. The third game was a final where we finished at the top of our pool and played against Franklin who was top of their pool. In this game we scored in the first half and this won us the game. After all games were played we had a presentation with all the teams and schools and Mack Dean won our teacher's choice. It was a fun day, we all enjoyed playing and can't wait to go onto the next level. Cohen Keenan

'McAuley 3' had a great day at Mortimer Shield. Our team consisted of Ava Lindley, Marolena Hanna, Meg Parry, Jasmine King, Stella McGuffie, Matilda Brown, Taylani Kapoor and Paige Kelly. We won our first game against South Gundagai Public, with Taylani, Ava and Meg scoring all of the tries. In the next game we lost against Gundagai Public and Ava scored 2 tries. Next game we lost against Franklin. In our last game we lost against 'All Saints' with Meg scoring 1 try and Taylani scoring another. We did not make it away but we had a great day! Paige Kelly 

'McAuley 1'. After getting off the bus and unpacking, we headed over to start our first game, it was against Tumut Public School. The game was tough and there were some good plays. Macy scored the first try, a full field. The game was hard, but we came out on top, 3-1. We went back, ate, then mucked around for a bit. We headed off to our next game, against St Joey’s Adelong. Alex scored a try, from way back at the goal line. Taylor scored another, then Macy. Pippa scored the last and we won 3-2. After having a 2-3 hour break, we played again. It was the finals, against Gundagai. Alex and Macy both scored a try from the goal line at the back, Taylor scored another, Hannah and Pippa both scored one. We won! 7-2! It was a pretty tough game. Alex Crowe won player of the day and the Ferrets came home undefeated! It was a pretty awesome result. The McAuley Ferrets consisted of Hannah Hood, Taylor Kelly, Macy White, Alex Crowe, Sophie Webb, Rory Caffery, Lacey Thomas, Zoe Carter and Pippa Malone. We are looking forward to our games at Wagga. Macy White.

'McAuley 2'. Before the first game we all warmed up and stretched. In our first game we played against Gundagai and we tied. It was pretty fun and everyone went well. In the second game we played against another Gundagai team and we won. In this game we did a lot of teamwork and we enjoyed it. In our last game we played against Tumut Public School and everyone came to watch. In the second half they left and then we went back on. After the game we lost but we had lots of fun.  After our game 'McAuley 1' went to play and we cheered for them. We went to the presentation and Jessica got the player of the day in our team. Then after the presentation our bus came and we came back to school after a great day.  Lourdes Canteros Paz.

K-6 AFL Clinics:

This week, in the last glorious days of Autumn, Primary classes all enjoyed a promotional AFL presented by the 'Giants'. 

Caught on Camera! Happy McAuley faces :) 

We are always looking for parents who may have an free hour to help with our Canteens.

Kellie (Secondary) Canteen can always use a hand, even just an hour over the busy lunch preparation time, would be a huge help. 

Our Primary Canteen requires regular parent help for 35 minutes every 3rd Wednesday and every 3rd Friday of the month. ie: Wednesday 16th June and Friday 18th June would be the next rostered days. 

Please contact the Office if you can assist.