From the Principal

Dear Parents and Carers,

I write to you this week with a heavy heart and great sadness as I acknowledge the terribly sad and tragic death of Year 10 student, Noah Smith. I ask that you keep Noah’s family and friends in your thoughts and prayers, as we are each day. We have been able to provide support, care and compassion to all impacted by the passing of Noah. Extra counsellors and support people have been available, as well as various support spaces, for the students. We have also tried to ensure that our school routines are maintained which was explained in our Assembly last week which had the theme - The Power of Routine.

The following is an extract of my Assembly Address to the College:

 Life changed for us as a community when we received the news of Noah and we know that the days, weeks and months ahead will continue to be difficult. I wish to acknowledge and thank the students for the way you have dealt with this difficult and sad tragedy, supporting each other, checking in and asking for help. I particularly direct this thanks to Year 10, but I know that Noah had friends across the year groups and outside the school. 

I thank my staff for the support, care and understanding you have given our students, families and each other.  In addition, please know we have received so many emails, text messages, cards, and flowers from schools and families from across the Clarence Valley and Lismore Diocese expressing their condolences. 

We have also received amazing support from the Catholic Schools Office, which has included a number of people coming in to take classes, cover playground duty and supervise in the support room. They have all mentioned how great the students have been under the circumstances.

The process of mourning and acknowledging Noah and processing what has happened is in the early stages. We all do this differently, so I ask that you be kind, gentle, and understanding of each other at this time. 

It is also important that we keep our routines and surprise yourself each day with your own courage.

We will have opportunities to acknowledge Noah in the near future. Please reach out and seek help for your child and yourself. We have been supported by a number of organisations, including headspace Schools and Communities, and Be You and I have included some of their resources in this newsletter.

Headspace availability 

We have been informed that students who present to our local headspace will be given priority. 

Some Staff changes

I welcome to the College Administration Team, Bethany Priest. Bethany comes to us from WA and brings with her extensive experience in Customer Service. Bethany will be working the Front Office 3 days a week with Alex Eggins.

Assistant Principal Mission & Wellbeing, Kathy Warby has taken leave for 8 weeks to be with her family. Kathy will be replaced by Margaret Bertalli (5 June - 30 June) and Tiffany Lee (17 July - 11 Aug). We wish Kathy all the best with her grandmother duties! 

McAuley Fest

The new date for McAuley Fest is Thursday 20th July, which is week 1 of Term 3. Tickets will go on sale this week through Compass. Please come along and support the students and staff of McAuley. There is amazing talent in our community and this is a great way to discover and appreciate this. Thank you to the Student Leadership Team who have organised this exciting event. I note that it is difficult to find the next best date for this event. Any later than week 1 next term clashes with the Year 12 Trial exams and HSC practical exams and submissions. Thank you for your support and understanding.

Subject Information Evening - Tuesday 13 June

We will be hosting our annual subject talks on Tuesday in preparation for subject selections for 2024 and we encourage all parents of students in years 8 and 10 to attend. There will be important information provided by Mrs Lee to the whole gathering followed by small group and individual talks with subject leaders and teachers. Yr 8 session is 6 - 7pm; Yr 10 session is 7 - 8pm.  We will also have some of the new uniform samples on display. 

Athletics Carnival

A reminder that our annual Athletics Carnival is on this Friday 16th June at Barnier Park, Junction Hill. More information can be found on Compass.

Take care in the fortnight ahead,

Sincerely

kate.PNG

Kate

Kate Thomson

Principal

“We should be shining lamps, giving light to all around us.”

Catherine McAuley