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- PRINCIPAL'S REPORT
- FROM THE REC
- PRIMARY AWARDS WEEK 4 & 5
- YR 9 & 10 ELECTIVES
- 100 DAYS OF SCHOOL
- 5/6VT POETRY
- LIBRARY NEWS
- BOOK WEEK REMINDER
- NSW PREMIERS READING CHALLENGE
- BOUND FOR BIG SCHOOL
- NETBALL SCHOOLS CUP - PHASE 2
- FATHERS DAY STALL
- WHITE CARD COURSE
- ADFA VIRTUAL OPEN DAY
- AIM OPEN DAY GALA
- PLAY2LEARN
- PARENTING RIVERINA
Dear McAuley Families
A touch of sun and warmth in the air gives a promise of spring. It certainly remains wet and I thank our mums and dads for keeping on top of the washing of track pants and muddy shoes. It is important that our boys and girls have activity and move during the school day. Brain science over the last few years has really highlighted activity as a huge benefit to learning. Many of our teachers now employ “brain breaks” to reduce stress and anxiety and open the
neurological pathways to better learning. These short bursts of activity really provide a benefit to our students. Dr Wendy Suzuki, author of “Healthy Brain, Happy Life” has also given a very popular TED talk on activity and learning.She talks about treating the brain like a muscle. Exercise builds neurons (neurogenesis) and increases neuro-chemicals like serotonin which “helps your brain today and protects against neurological decay in future.”
Our revised school uniform enhances that ability to move and be comfortable. I am very pleased with the uptake of the uniform and ask that families support correct uniform choices in all students (white socks, jumpers and suitable shoes included). I am aware that some students leave home in correct uniform and arrive at school with a revised version. Our Student Welfare Policy has uniform reminders built into an automated system. Teachers will be conducting a uniform blitz over the next few weeks and reminding students about correct uniform as well as communicating with families.
An aspect of uniform that we are currently refining are the “additions” such as hair, nails and jewellery. A revised appendix to our policy will be provided to Community Council at their next meeting for information and approval. At the base of this area is a need for safety. Students with long hair (below the shoulders), long nails, hooped earrings and multiple rings and bangles may be unsafe in sports, science or construction activities. They will therefore be asked to tie back hair or remove jewelry as a safety request by staff. Again, we expect support from our families in this aspect of tidy, safe and suitable uniform.
There has been a great deal of press lately about mobile phones in schools. Our policy is clear, in that students are not to use mobile phones or devices on school grounds in break or class times. Students may leave devices in their bags or place them in classroom pockets which are provided in Secondary Classrooms (or the office). This removes distraction and allows for concentration on class work. Teachers will enforce the rule that devices are not to be used at break times also. We have had recent cases of students’ videoing and sharing fellow students and staff on social media. This is a clear breach of the ICT Agreement signed annually by parents and students and will lead to consequences and removal of the device for collection by family members from the school. Online threats of violence and the transmission of unsuitable or illegal images should be reported to the Police or the E-Safety Hotline (safety.gov.au).
As stated above we want our boys and girls to move, talk and interact with each other without the distraction of phones and devices during class and break times.
Progress continues in our Year 11, 2023 space. Subject selections are being finalized in the coming days which will inform staffing for 2023. We are about to advertise for teaching positions for 2023 across Primary and Secondary classes, part time, fulltime, permanent and temporary as we build our teaching and support team for next year. Please encourage your friends and colleagues to consider joining our school at this most exciting of times.
Year 10 families will receive notification soon about fees and charges for Years 11 and 12. We are hoping to negotiate substantial discounts and subsidies on fees, VET courses, laptops and uniforms to add to the attraction of remaining at McAuley for Senior Schooling. This will immediately provide a most attractive option to Boarding School Fees, travel and on-costs. Again please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have questions or suggestions.
Mary our Mother… Look after us.
Eamonn Moore
Principal
Feast of the Assumption
Two important feast days are celebrated in August – and both honour women. On 8 August Australia's first saint, Mary MacKillop, on 15 August, Mary, the Mother of God, is celebrated in the Feast of the Assumption.
On August 15th there was a K-10 Mass at 10am to celebrate Mary’s assumption into heaven, to be seated with her loving son, Jesus. The feast of the Assumption is a celebration of Mary’s faithful relationship with her God. She made room for God in her life and showed deep trust in God. It is a reminder to each of us to put our trust in God who promises to be with us as we journey through life. We are called to make room for God in our lives and so become fully human and alive; more deeply the person God has called us to be.
Feast of Saint Mary MacKillop was on 8th August. From this great Australian woman we have much to learn. Mary devoted her life to the poor and defending the rights of all people. Mary helped to start the Sisters of St Joseph which then formed schools, hospitals and orphanages in Australia and New Zealand.
Mary died on 8th August 1909 in Sydney. She was beatified by Pope John Paul in 1995, and in 2010 she became Australia’s first saint.
"Let us try to keep God with us by charity of thought, word and act." 1890
Alter Serving
Each year primary students, who have received the Sacrament of the Eucharist, are invited to train to be an Altar Server. The Altar Server’s role is to assist the priest during school and parish Masses. Our Altar servers are important to our Liturgy, and we ask for a commitment to be available for serving at Parish Masses about once every four to six weeks. Training will require two or three sessions for the child to feel confident with this role. The students will be trained with a partner of their choice either before or after school or on weekends. The time and days will depend on the availability of parents and the students.
If you have any questions regarding Altar Serving training or if you would like your child to be part of the 2022 training please contact Anita Mason
Did you know?
Why we say Amen to end a prayer?
The word ‘amen’ was often spoken by Jesus and means ’so be it’. When we say ’Amen’ at the end of a prayer, it is as if we say: I agree, this is true.
Prayer
Empowering God,
Inspire us by the example of Mary’s openness to your Love.
May we live in this attitude and bring to birth a new world!
Amen.
SRC Secondary News
The secondary SRC over the past year have been raising funds to buy two more refrigerated bubblers, one for each campus. With the financial support of the of the Community Council the SRC has been able to order the bubblers which will be installed before Summer. Congratulations to our wonderful, enthusiastic and hardworking SRC.
Student of the Week - Week 4
Year 9 and 10 Elective classes are great for learning new skills that are helpful both at home and within the workforce!
On Tuesday August 9th Kinder celebrated 100 days of school. What a wonderful achievement and we are so lucky at McAuley to have these 19 special people at our school.
To celebrate we used 100's and 1000's to make fairy bread which we cut into halves for some Maths activities. In sport we completed activities in 100 seconds. We wrote about what we have learned in 100 days and we enjoyed some cupcakes too. What a day!
Thanks to our amazing families who have helped us on our kinder journey and well done students!
Year 1 making fantastically shaped elephants in Library this week after reading CBCA Shortlisted book The Boy and the Elephant by Freya Blackwood.
Our Book Week Parade is being held on Thursday 25th August at 11:40am on the Primary blacktop.
Student's are invited to come dressed as their favourite book character.
Parents are most welcome to attend, however we do ask that you remain behind the witches' hat boundary and wear a mask.
The NSW Premier's Reading Challenge ends today for those students participating. Please ensure that your child's Student Reading Record is entered before 11:59pm today. Ms Roche will log Kinder, Year 1 and 2 students' books.
On Friday August 12th, McAuley had special Preschool visitors join our Kinder class for the morning. 9 wonderful people and 4 fantastic Preschool educators were welcomed into the Kinder classroom for a morning of colouring, cutting, sticking, counters and painting. The visitors stayed until the end of recess and enjoyed some playground play too. Our McAuley Kinders were very helpful and mature showing our new preschool friends all about our class.
Two more "Bound For Big School" days will be held on 23rd August and 5th September.
After a great performance in the Netball NSW Schools Cup in Term 1, McAuley had a team invited to participate in Phase 2 of the competition which was played in Wagga Wagga on Monday 8th August. The McAuley team played 5 games, winning 1. Despite the foggy cold, the McAuley team did their best all day and enjoyed themselves immensely. Thank you to parents who assisted with travel on the day.
K-6 families are invited to donate a non-perishable gift suitable for a child to purchase at our Father's Day Stall.
If you can help on the day, or can assist with the wrapping of gifts, please ring Narissa on 0407 931 610. Thanking you for your generosity.
For students in Years 9 and 10 who are interested in the Construction Industry...
Cost: $160
To enrol or enquire today, follow the link below or call 131 601.
For students interested in the Defence Forces...an opportunity to participate in a virtual open day - tomorrow 20th August starting at 9:00am.
Best Regards,
