Term 2 - Weeks 4 & 5 - 30th May 2025
- From the Principal
- Mission and Wellbeing (AP)
- Learning & Teaching (AP)
- From the Classroom
- Sporting News
- A Midsummer Musical - what a show!
- SCU Scholars Program - Congratulations Annabelle!
- Year 12 Retreat
- Library News
- Reconciliation Week
- Celebrating Creativity and Connection: Regional Arts Exchange Program 2024
- Fees - Instalment Payment Reminder
- Dates to Note for June 2025
- Parish News
- Clarence Valley Indigenous Art Award
- Gallery Foundation Emerging Artist Scholarship - Applications open 16 June 2025
- Monash Uni - Invitation to complete survey re: the long-term impacts of the 2019/2020 bushfires
- Safe on Social Media
Dear Parents and Carers, Staff and Students,
As we venture further into the semester, it's important to take a moment to reflect on the recent events and upcoming activities that shape our vibrant community. In week 5, Kathy Warby and I attended the Australasian Mercy Secondary Schools Association (AMSSA) Conference. This is a biennial event, and this year it was held in Fremantle, WA. We look forward to creating a summary of the conference for the next newsletter.
Congratulations to Students and Staff: We applaud the dedication and enthusiasm of our students and staff who participated in various activities over the past fortnight, including Bill Turner Soccer (girls and boys), Hospitality excursion to Sea World, Year 9 and 10 formal assessments, NSW Surfing Titles, Reconciliation Week Dance, and excursion to Art Express at Grafton Regional Gallery. In addition to these events, The College Musical - A Midsummer’s Musical was performed in our College hall on Friday and Saturday evening. Congratulations to all the students involved, and thank you to Mr Conaghan, Ms Passmore, Mrs Esad, Ms Nicholls and the many other helpers from across the College who made this event a great success. The spiritual, academic, physical, wellbeing and cultural experiences offered at the College truly embody the spirit of McAuley and provide opportunities for students to grow, develop, and strive for excellence.
Some individual students have achieved outstanding results across a range of areas, which you can read about in this newsletter. Congratulations to Annabelle Hourigan (Year 11) on receiving a scholarship to SCU in 2027, Lilly Fisher on her selection into representative Volleyball teams, Kyron and Zaden Nipperess on their recent rugby league trials in Sydney, and Hudson Batinovic, who achieved brilliant results at the NSW All-Schools Swimming Championships.
Tell Them From Me Survey: We extend our sincere gratitude to all the parents and carers who have already participated in the Tell Them From Me survey. We encourage more parents and carers to complete it, as the closing date has been extended to Friday, 6th June. Your feedback is invaluable as we strive to enhance the educational experience for our students. The data collected will be analysed to identify our strengths and areas for improvement, guiding us in our continuous efforts to provide excellence in education. The survey findings will be shared with the community in the near future.
Year 7 2026 Enrolment Interviews: Our interview process for prospective Year 7 students for 2026 is underway, and we are delighted to see such a high level of interest in joining the McAuley community. Interviews will continue to be held each Wednesday and Thursday afternoon this term, with offers of enrolment being made at the beginning of July.
Reconciliation Week: As we commemorate National Reconciliation Week, we reaffirm our commitment to fostering understanding, respect, and reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. Through dedicated assemblies and pastoral care lessons, we honour the journey towards healing and unity, acknowledging the past while working towards a better future for all.
Upcoming Events: Mark your calendars for our upcoming Subject Information Night on Tuesday, June 17th for Year 8 and 10 students and parents, providing valuable insights into subject selections for the 2026 academic year; Mission Review of the College on 13th June; and our Annual Athletics Carnival on Friday, 20th June.
Staffing changes: Mr Alex Montford is on leave for weeks 6 to 10 of this term. Mrs Nikita Robinson will be Acting Leader of Pastoral Care, Mr Brendan Smith will take the role of Acting Year 11 Coordinator, and we welcome Mr Sean Gallagher to the teaching team of McAuley.
As we navigate the remainder of the term, let us continue to uphold the values of compassion, excellence, and inclusivity that define McAuley Catholic College.
All the best for the fortnight ahead.
Kate
Kate Thomson
Principal
“We should be shining lamps, giving light to all around us.”
Catherine McAuley
St Vincent de Paul College Sleepout
The College St Vincent de Paul SleepOut will now take place on Friday, 13th June, for students in Years 10-12 only. The idea is that students will spend the night at school to experience homelessness and develop empathy for those suffering in our society.
A collection of clothing, blankets and non-perishable food for St Vincent de Paul is a part of the Sleep Out Appeal. A gold coin donation will be collected to cover the costs of the meal.
Thank you in advance to all staff and students participating in this event.
Jubilee Year - Pilgrims of Hope Jubilee Boat
Tell Them From Me Survey - Your Voice Matters!
Thank you to all parents for providing feedback on their experience of our school using the online Tell Them From Me survey. The surveys are an important part of our whole school evaluation and planning process.
The results of surveys, such as these, help provide direction for future planning and open up areas for fruitful discussion between home and school, and we also use this data to inform our school improvement plans.
Kathy Warby
Learning Hub
It has been wonderful to see the fantastic utilisation of our teacher-supervised Learning Hub during the second half of lunch. The Learning Hub has become a bustling centre of academic activity, with students eagerly taking advantage of this valuable resource. It is remarkable to witness our students being proactive in their learning, diligently working on their tasks, exam preparation, seeking assistance, and collaborating with peers. This initiative highlights the dedication of our students to their academic success and the supportive environment fostered by our committed teaching staff.
OPALS - Week 5
Our Ongoing Participation and Application Log (OPAL) report will be released at the start of Week 6. As we approach the end-of-semester reports, this serves as a progress indicator. Students with scores that are below expectation or are of concern are to have conversations with their teachers to discuss ways to improve. Parents are welcome to contact staff to discuss their child's progress and strategies for improvement.
Inappropriate Use of Technology
As the Assistant Principal of Learning and Teaching, I am acutely aware of our students' daily challenges and how they manage their academic responsibilities. A pressing concern is the inappropriate use of technology, specifically the widespread use of games on Chromebooks and the use of earbuds for music at school. Despite clear school policies requiring that phones be switched off once students enter the school grounds, many continue to disregard these rules and use phones to play music, leading to significant distractions that undermine their learning and cause stress on the teachers who are tasked with enforcing the rules. Chromebooks are only used as educational tools under the teacher's direct instruction during class time.
Observations of our student body reveal that many students consistently have ear pods in their ears, even during teacher instruction and class time. While some students assert that listening to music aids their relaxation and concentration, scientific evidence suggests otherwise.
The human brain lacks the cognitive capacity to perform multiple tasks simultaneously. When we attempt to multitask, we merely switch rapidly between tasks, significantly reducing our ability to complete them to our fullest potential. Thus, the music that some students claim helps them concentrate is, in reality, a considerable distraction that impedes their learning.
Gaming during class is not merely a personal issue; it disrupts the entire learning environment. Teachers find it increasingly challenging to maintain students' attention and engagement when the child is more worried about changing the tab at the top of the Chromebook to hide the game they are inappropriately playing than the work they should be engaged in.
McAuley Catholic College aims to cultivate a focused and respectful learning environment where every student can excel. The school rules regarding the use of Chromebooks and the deactivation of phones upon entering the school grounds were created to support this mission.
Students must reserve music and gaming after school, and we appreciate parental support in our policies.
2026 Subject Information Sessions
On Tuesday 17th June, we will be hosting subject information sessions for students entering Year 9 and Year 11 in 2026.
The Year 8 session will begin at 6pm in L4. This session will aim to provide a general overview of the requirements for Stage 5 and outline the elective choices that may be offered to students for study in Stage 5.
The Year 10 session will begin at 7pm in L4. This session aims to provide information relating to studies in Stage 6 and the requirements for the HSC.
During both sessions, general information will be provided, followed by the opportunity for parents and students to talk to Leaders of Learning and subject teachers from the various key learning areas. An information note with further details will be emailed to parents and carers in the coming week.
We look forward to welcoming you to the College for this evening.
Margaret Bertalli
A/Assistant Principal Learning and Teaching
Year 9 History WWI Incursion
Year 9 Historians were lucky enough to have Shane Blackman form WWI Living History visit the College on Friday 16th May. Students were able to engage with their studies on Australia and the World Wars with artefacts and replicas from Shane’s WWI collection. An interactive and engaging presentation, it allowed students to hold the items and ask questions from a range of topics including weaponry, defence and attack strategies, clothing, food and shelter and life in the trenches at Gallipoli and the Western Front.
A big thank you to Shane for once again travelling to Grafton and sharing his knowledge and experience and to Year 9 who engaged so well with the incursion.
Recently, Year 11 and 12 students immersed themselves in the world of hospitality during a two-day excursion to Sea World Resort, experiencing the Village Roadshow Hotel School firsthand.
Students gained insights into Village Roadshow's company operations and the importance of people and culture. They then jumped into practical food and beverage skills, learning table setting, plate clearing, using a post-mix machine, and carrying plates and beverages. A highlight was the challenge to create an event with a budget and client needs, showcasing their creativity and problem-solving skills.
The first day concluded with a memorable fine dining experience at Glass Dining at the Marina Mirage. The romantic, candlelit ambience provided students with a firsthand appreciation for premium hospitality and the art of creating an unforgettable guest experience.
Day Two: Full Immersion and Practical Experience
Day two saw students fully integrated into various hotel and restaurant departments. They were actively involved in clearing customer plates in the restaurant, assisting with stewarding, gaining insights into housekeeping procedures, experiencing the role of concierge, and participating in kitchen preparation. This hands-on experience provided a comprehensive understanding of the diverse roles within a functioning hotel environment.
This excursion provided our students with invaluable practical skills and a deeper understanding of the exciting hospitality industry. Furthermore, this practical experience is exceptionally well-suited to the Hospitality Food and Beverage syllabus, directly aligning with several key learning outcomes.
This holistic program truly brought the theoretical aspects of the Hospitality Food and Beverage syllabus to life, offering our students an unparalleled head start in their hospitality journey.
Students receive a virtual $50,000 they can invest over a 10-week period, in over 300 companies listed on the ASX. The prices students buy and sell at are the same prices as they would get in the live market.
By participating in the simulated game, students were able to
- develop their knowledge of the sharemarket,
- learn how to research companies,
- discover the importance of wise investment decisions,
- gain a greater knowledge of economic and world events, and
- begin to learn more about investing, which is beneficial for their future.
The winning syndicate for Year 10 was “CPN” - Cruz Sewell, Prithvi Singh and Noyal Antony.
Notable achievement prize was received by Tara Commerford.
The winning syndicate for Year 9 was Sabrina Goulding and Elly Day (also taking out the win for Year 9 and Year 10!)
Honourable mentions to Connor Poole, Indigo Avogniko and Lexi Hall.
Natasha Green, Year 9 Commerce teacher
Mrs Leanne McLennan, Year 10 Commerce teacher
Cross Country
On 8th May, our school hosted its annual cross-country event, with a new and drier course. Congratulations to the following students who qualified for Diocesan and made top 6 in each age group:
The final House Points Tally was:
4th - Champagnat 306
3rd - Tracey 372
2nd - Mercy 373
1st - McCarthy 414
Hudson shines at NSW All Schools Swimming Championships!
- 100m Freestyle – 7th place (with a PB!)
- 100m Backstroke – 9th place
- 50m Backstroke – 6th place (with a PB!)
Hudson's dedication and commitment to swimming are truly commendable. His achievements at this high-level competition reflect his hard work and perseverance. The entire school community is incredibly proud of his accomplishments and looks forward to his future successes in the sport.
Congratulations Lilly!
NSWCCC Rugby League Trials
VW State Classic 2025 Surfing Titles
McAuley students have competed at the VW State Classic Surfing Titles held at Coffs Harbour during the past week, and two of our teams placed 4th in the state, with Madora Barton and Jasmine Iredale placing 4th in the Senior Girls Division and Serena Jack and Heidi van Leest placing 4th in the Junior Girls Division - well done! At time of going to print, Madora had made it through to the U16 Quarter Finals. We will provide further updates in future newsletters. Good luck!
Although our other teams did not advance to the Finals, all of our students were competitive on the day: Hunter Powers, Kai Legge-Wilkinson in the Junior Boys; Pippi Short and Marlie Zvatora in the Junior Girls; and Taj Hextall and Miles Jack in the Senior Boys.
Over the past weekend, our school musical took place. With shows on Friday and Saturday nights and a Friday Matinée for primary school students. The shows were filled with lots of fun and high energy as over 60 people, both staff and students, worked together to create a memorable performance for our audience, and for everyone involved.
The band and crew, alongside the cast, played an important role in making the musical a success. The music, lighting, and behind-the-scenes work helped bring each scene to life from rehearsals to the final shows on Friday and Saturday. Their teamwork and dedication added energy and atmosphere to every moment on stage.
With all the successes, this spectacular production would not have come together without the dedication and hard work of our teachers and staff, who supported us and provided us with a lifetime of experience. Thank you, Mr Conaghan, Mrs Passmore, Mrs Esad, and Mrs Nicholls, for sharing your passion and giving your all to this show. To the TAS department for their hospitality on the night, and to Mrs Hill and all the students who helped with the set.
We’d also like to thank everyone who came and watched the musical and supported the many, very talented people involved. Especially our parents for driving us to the rehearsals and performance nights, and supporting us throughout the whole process. To say this was a very fun experience would be an extreme understatement, and we all look forward to what else may come in the future.
Watch out for the next edition of the College newsletter which will feature lots of photos from this fabulous production.
Annabelle Hourigan, Paisley Padayachee and Will Hartley
Annabelle Hourigan (Year 11) recently participated in the SCU scholars program and she shared this exciting news:
It was a 6 week course where I took on one unit of learning on top of my schoolwork with current university students. There were 4 units to choose from and I chose language and learning. The main focus of the unit was GenAI and the benefits and challenges of it in our chosen discipline. I chose education as my discipline, and really enjoyed the online learning and the ability to be independent. It helped develop my skills especially with my referencing and gave me an insight to what university life will be like. I finished the course with a Distinction and won a $10,000 scholarship and a university offer to SCU for 2027 to study any bachelors degree I choose.
Congratulations Annabelle - this is a wonderful achievement!
Last week, Year 12 embarked on their last retreat together, all the way to Grassy Head. While we were there, we participated in various activities organised by our teachers, which brought us all closer together. The retreat was a great opportunity for our year group to connect and grow together, with friendships strengthening and students forming genuine connections with each other and their teachers. There were many surprises we weren't expecting, and they brought most of us to tears on the realisation that our schooling years are coming to an end.
A highlight many of the Year 12’s can agree on is the amazing food that was cooked by our chef Sanjay. We say thank you to our awesome teachers who organised this brilliant trip and our parents for being our strongest supporters from day one.
Year 12 After School Study
Year 12 after school study will begin next Wednesday, 11 June. The study will be open from 3:30 - 5:00 pm in the Library. All are welcome to have this additional time in the lead-up to the HSC Trials and HSC Exams.
Dyslexia and Reading: What is dyslexia?
Dyslexia is not a disease! The word dyslexia comes from Greek and means difficulty with reading. Individuals with dyslexia have trouble with aspects of reading, spelling and writing. The condition occurs on a continuum from mild to severe and no two experiences of it are alike. Unfortunately, there is no cure for dyslexia since it is neurobiological.
The impact that dyslexia has is different for each person and depends on the severity of the condition and the effectiveness of instruction or remediation. The core difficulty is with word recognition and reading fluency, spelling, and writing.
Children and adults with dyslexia have to put more energy and effort into reading and are more easily distracted than the average reader. Such language problems are often difficult to recognise, but they can lead to major problems in school, in the workplace, and in relating to other people. The effects of dyslexia reach well beyond the classroom.
Dyslexia can also affect a person’s self-image. Students with dyslexia often end up feeling “dumb” and less capable than they actually are. After experiencing a great deal of stress due to academic problems, a student may become discouraged about continuing in school. However, research suggests that the prevalence of dyslexia is independent of a person’s intelligence. In fact, many brilliant people (for example Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison and Alexander Graham Bell) are said to have had dyslexia.
For more information go to https://www.dyslexicbooks.com/what-is-dyslexia
The Mercy Library and dyslexia
The Mercy Library has been buying several dyslexic books to help our students with dyslexia improve their literacy skills. These books have been printed with larger font and on buff or black paper; additionally, they are accessible to all readers. Please visit the library website if you would like to see our current selection of dyslexic- friendly books at https://tinyurl.com/285cd5u6.
This week, the library has purchased a new range of books printed using the Open Dyslexic font on buff pages. Most of the books are English texts, but there is also a selection of books available for the library. The books should be available in a couple of weeks.
The shelf copies are in addition to the thousands of e-books available in open dyslexic font on Sora. If your child has dyslexia, encourage them to use the font size, type and colour background functions to improve each book’s readability. Sora can be found at this site https://soraapp.com/home, and the school sign-in is ACEN.
How does the Open Dyslexic font work?
The Open Dyslexic font changes letters so that they are no longer so similar, and so that they are not mirror images of other letters. It does this in a number of ways:
- Bolds capitals
- Bolds the bottom of letters
- Slants similar looking letters
- Gives letters larger openings
- Improves spacing better letters
These features address letter confusion, rotation and crowding.
If you are interested in reading more about dyslexic fonts, please visit this site: https://www.forbrain.com/dyslexia-children/reading-difficulties/best-fonts/
The following pictures show:
- A comparison of Open Dyslexic to Arial font.
- Accessibility options in Sora (just press the A in the top right hand corner)
- What an Open Dyslexic font looks like in the Tree House books on Sora.
This week, as part of Reconciliation Week, our Indigenous dancers were honoured to perform at Liveable Grafton’s Reconciliation celebration. It was their first performance of the year, and they thoroughly enjoyed reconnecting with the community and dancing for the Elders who joined us for the occasion. A heartfelt thank you to Larisa and the team at Liveable for inviting us to be part of this meaningful event - we will be sharing a selection of great photos in the next edition of the College Newsletter.
As a College, we also came together for our annual Reconciliation Assembly, where we reflected on the meaning of reconciliation and explored how we can each contribute to a more just, equitable, and reconciled Australia both within our College and the wider community.
We will be continuing our celebration of National Reconciliation Week activities into next week.
We are proud to share that a group of talented students from McAuley Catholic College recently represented our school at the Regional Arts Exchange Program 2024. This unique event brought together students from the Archdiocese of Sydney and Catholic schools across Regional NSW, providing an inspiring platform for creative exchange, dialogue, and artistic collaboration, all with a strong focus on recycling and sustainability.
The theme, “Feathered Flair: An Exploration of Avian Beauty”, was inspired by the symbolic meaning of the feather, often associated with strength, growth, hope, and freedom. In many cultures, feathers represent the spirit, ascension, and the journey toward something greater. As birds soar through the skies, their feathers remind us of the power of imagination and the heights that creativity can reach.
The following students from McAuley Catholic College proudly participated in this meaningful event:
Year 10
- Holly Cooper
- Tara Commerford
- Steffany Nudo
- Tiere Woods
- Sieanna Sutherland
- Kyra Barrett
Year 9
- Madora Barton
- Maya Conaghan
- Tilly Flindall
- Bridie McGrath
These students contributed to a collaborative sculptural installation that celebrated artistic flair and environmental responsibility. Their work, created using recycled materials, was both visually striking and thought-provoking.
The unveiling of the installation took place on Friday 2nd May 2025, from 4:30 – 6:00 pm, at the World Square Foyer, Sydney Catholic Schools, located at 680 George St, Sydney.
McAuley Catholic College joined with the following schools in this collaborative project:
- St Anthony of Padua, Austral
- St Aloysius College, Cronulla
- La Salle Academy, Lithgow
- MacKillop College, Port Macquarie
- Xavier Catholic College, Ballina
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to our students for their outstanding creativity and teamwork. The event was a wonderful celebration of the artistic spirit shared across our Catholic school communities, and we thank everyone who supported and attended this memorable occasion.
| June |
| 4th & 5th - Yr 7/2026 Enrolment Interviews |
| 9th - Kings Birthday Long Weekend |
| 11th & 12th - Yr 7/2026 Enrolment Interviews |
| 13th - St Vincent de Paul Winter Sleepout |
| 17th - Subject Information Sessions (for Years 9 & 11, 2026) |
| 20th - MCC Athletics Carnival |
| 26th-29th - Street Retreat (Year 11) |
Please find attached the latest Parish Bulletins from Clarence Valley Parish.
Entries are now open for Grafton Regional Gallery’s 2025 Clarence Valley Indigenous Art Award (CVIAA), and will be accepted up to Friday, 27 June 2025.
The Gallery Foundation Emerging Artist Scholarship has been created to support young creatives in the Clarence Valley local government area.
The $5,000 annual scholarship aims to highlight the talents of young people, enhance connections of young emerging artists with the Grafton Regional Gallery, and advance culture in the region – a major aim of The Gallery Foundation.
The scholarship is open to graduating Year 12 students who have completed studies that year in one or more of the following subjects as part of the NSW Higher School Certificate (HSC):
- Visual arts
- Visual design (11/12)
- Ceramics
- Design & Technology
- Textile & Design
- Industrial Technology
- Photography, video, and digital imaging
Key Dates:
- Student applications open: Monday 16 June 2025
- Student applications close: Monday 15 September 2025
- Scholarship finalists notified: Friday 10 October 2025
- Awards Presentation: Wednesday 19 November 2025
Please note, students are to *SELF NOMINATE* to be in the running for the scholarship.
Applications will be submitted via the Grafton Regional Gallery website, open from Monday 16 June 2025.
For full application details and information, download:
Emerging Artist Scholarship Terms & Conditions
Please email gallery@clarence.nsw.gov.au if you have any questions.
A team from Monash University have been studying the long-term impacts of the 2019/2020 bushfires in four communities, including across the Clarence Valley shire region. You can find more information in their Media Release and on the Project website.
They were recently in Grafton and Maclean conducting in-person survey sessions and heard firsthand about the lasting impacts of the bushfires, subsequent floods, road closures, and the pandemic. These overlapping events have added layers of complexity to the recovery process—one of the key reasons they are conducting this study, some years later, to better understand how communities continue to adapt over time.
The team is hoping to hear from more people in the Grafton area (anyone aged 16 years and over) who were living in the region during the bushfires. The broader the participation, the more meaningful the findings will be in helping shape future health services and long-term recovery planning across the region.
You can take the survey online or by phone:
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Online: https://monash.az1.
qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_ bOBgfE5Tmq7V206 -
Telephone: Email the Monash team at f2fhealth@monash.edu to arrange a time
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Questions: Call (03) 9903 0298
Resources and Cheat sheets from our SOS 2025 Library