Term 3 - Week 5 - 19 August 2022

Dear Parents and Carers,

Year 12 have returned from their trial examinations and will now be finishing off their courses, revising, and preparing for their graduation at the end of the term. Time goes very quickly for our Year 12 students. Year 11 students are coming to the end of their preliminary courses, with an assessment week scheduled for week 9 of this term. They have had their 3-day Retreat in the last fortnight which had a focus on Leadership, as they take on the leadership roles of the College from term 4. Nominations are currently open (closing on Friday 16 August) and I encourage our Year 11 students to consider applying for a leadership role as an opportunity to serve others. 

The Year 10 reflection day facilitated by Michael Fitzpatrick was a great day and an opportunity for the students to reflect on their lives and those in their community. Reflection days and retreats are a very important part of the spiritual dimension of the College as we work together with parents to develop the whole person. Year 10 have a day at RYDA - Road Safety Education, sponsored by various local Rotary Clubs. This is a compulsory day for all of year 10, so all students are expected to attend.  RYDA features a highly engaging and memorable one-day workshop which front-loads students’ understanding of road safety and gives them the tools, habits and motivation to take action and stay safe on our roads as both drivers and passengers throughout their lives.

Thank you to the staff and students who attended the Year 8 Camp and SHINE (year 9 & 10 CSYMA classes) in the last fortnight. The reports from the staff and students indicate both events were engaging and worthwhile for all. 

In the last fortnight, we have had a number of opportunities to have parent involvement. On the 9th of August, an intimate gathering of interested parents listened to Chris Hudson talk about Motivating Teenagers. Chris is a well-known speaker and provided insight, strategies and reminders on dealing with teenagers (and those beyind the teenage years!). Thank you to our Parent Assembly co-ordinator, Chrissie Morrison for organising this event. 

Year 10 students and their parents participated in a new initiative called Future Pathways, coordinated by Di McGowan, AP - Learning & Teaching. The purpose of this event was to have a conversation about subject choices and options within the College and beyond post-year 10. 

Another initiative for the community was the College Senior Charity Ball, which is to be held on Saturday evening (20th August). At the time of writing this, I can say we are looking forward to the event, which is replacing the Deb Ball but keeping some traditions. The Ball has been organised by Mrs Maria Rouse and a committee of Year 11 students and staff. Proceeds from the night are assisting Stage 3 students from St Joseph’s Primary School, Woodburn, attend their school camp. As you know the community of Woodburn was severely affected by the 2022 floods. We look forward to letting you know in the next newsletter how the Ball went.

Coming Events:

• Our first Year 6 Orientation Day is in week 6, with over 100 students attending this day. Enrolments are still being finalised for 2023, with a second orientation day planned for November.
• The next big event to put on your calendar is McAuley Fest on Thursday evening, the 8th September. This is a family night and tickets are currently on sale. The following day - 9th September is McAuley Day!
• For many years we have celebrated McAuley Day, except for the last 2, due to COVID! McAuley Day is our Feast Day where we celebrate our Mercy history and traditions and raise money for the Mercy organisation  Mercy Works, which supports those less fortunate than ourselves, modelling Catherine McAuley, and the Sisters of Mercy. Planning has started this week with Homerooms getting their activity ready and we look forward to a great (COVID safe) event.

You may have noticed that the large McAuley sign has been removed from the hill as you approach the College and a few surveyor pegs along the Big River Way. It is exciting to announce that the long-awaited bicycle and walking path is being constructed and should be completed by the end of the year, connecting McAuley to South Grafton. The work is being funded by the Federal Government through the Federal Road Safety stimulus program. Transport for NSW is working with Clarence Valley Council to carry out the work, which involves building about one kilometre of shared user path as well as a 26 metre bridge over Alipou Creek. I will let you know more details as they come to hand.

Enjoy the fortnight ahead

Yours sincerely

Kate

Kate Thomson

Principal

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

Catherine McAuley

P.S. The Charity Ball was an overwhelming success! Photos and news in the next newsletter.

Di McGowan
Assistant Principal - Learning & Teaching

School Improvement - We want your voice 

Tell Them From Me Parent Survey 

We invite you to complete the Tell Them From Me (TTFM) Partners in Learning survey. There is still time to have your say as the survey will close at the end of August. 

We value the role of parents and carers within our school community and we would greatly appreciate your feedback. The information you provide will be used to maintain our commitment to working together in partnership to further improve student learning and wellbeing at McAuley Catholic College. 

The survey is anonymous and will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. You are able to access the parent survey on your computer or mobile device by using the URL below:

Excursions 

All excursions and events that require permission notes and money must be handed in by the due date as advertised on the parent letter. It is essential that this is completed by the due date as outlined in the letter to ensure staff and students are prepared and ready for the excursion. No child is to attend an event without parent permission or having paid. Therefore, no child is to attend an excursion on the morning of the event without having followed the correct procedure. We ask that you support the College by having this all organised and finalised before the due date.

Students on Stages 2 or above will have their privileges withdrawn, which include no representing the College in sport, cultural activities, school excursions (non-academic) and no attendance at school socials as outlined in the Behaviour Management Policy. 

We would also ask that students attending excursions follow the dress code set in the parent letter. If they are to wear College uniforms then it is essential students are dressed and prepared accordingly. Teachers may send a child home with their parent if the procedures are not followed.

McAuley Day will be held Friday, 9th September. This is a day of celebration which acknowledges our Mercy traditions and the founder of the Sisters of Mercy, Catherine McAuley. 

McAuley Day is one of the highlights of our school year where we celebrate our traditions and come together as a community of Faith and Action. The day will include a range of activities and events and each homeroom will run a fundraising activity. Money raised on the day will support Mercy Works programs run by the Sisters of Mercy.  

The day will include a McAuley Day Liturgy starting at 9.30 am to which we extend an invitation to any parents and carers who wish to attend.

Kathy Warby
Assistant Principal - Mission and Wellbeing

This week for HEAL, our Years 7,8 and 9 Indigenous students cooked Kangaroo Burgers. 

The students made burger patties out of kangaroo mince and constructed their burgers working in pairs. This was a modern twist on traditional bush tucker and was a great way for the students to build relationships. Next week our Year's 10,11 and 12 students will be cooking their kangaroo burgers.

Yarning Circle & Bush Tucker Garden update

Throughout the past couple of weeks, we have made great progress with the Yarning Circle and Bush Tucker Garden. 

The sandstone blocks were delivered and placed around the circle for seating and the circle itself was dug out in preparation for flooring.

A big thank you to the members of the community and staff who helped out with these steps.

Wil Bancroft

Indigenous Education Worker (IEW)

PISA is the Programme for International Student Assessment. 85 countries participated with about half a million students, of the same age, being assessed. PISA results assist Australian educational authorities to understand the effectiveness of their educational systems and learn from other countries' practices. 

This year McAuley Catholic College was randomly selected. McAuley had twenty students representing Australia last week. The assessment lasted two hours and a follow-up survey was also conducted. These students were absolutely amazing and there were many personal best performances given on the day. 

A mighty thank you to our representatives: Jasmine Chellew, Brayden Grant, Matilda McEntee, Thomas Austin, Layla Bender, Sienna Clifton, Bailey Chivers-Smith, Zahli Cronin, Noah Gallagher, Elizabeth Graham, Regan Howard, Hayden L’Estrelle, Dana Lyndon, Macy Muir, Jett Nikas, Ashton Pullen, Addison Robinson, Amy Shipman, Darby Smidt and Sebastien Toyer. A few Australian-themed treats were enjoyed by these participants after this international event.