Dear Parents and Carers, Staff and Students,

Thank you to all families for the support and understanding you have given the College in the opening 3 weeks of the term. Our Year 7 students are settling in well to their new environment, making new friends and adjusting to the changes from primary school. 

Bike Path

The new bike path to McAuley has been completed and currently 12 - 15 students and staff have been using it. We have been informed that the official opening will not be happening at this stage; however, it is open for use. We will be making a new entrance/exit for bike riders and walkers and creating a crossing between the roundabout and the staff car park. In the meantime, students are to enter and exit the school using the footpath on the far side of the carpark. Bikes are currently kept in the racks at the back of the Admin block. Students are asked to bring a lock for their bikes and they must be wearing their helmets correctly when riding their bikes.

Commencement Mass

We celebrated our Commencement Mass in the College Hall on Wednesday, 8th February with both Fr Joe and Fr Emmanuel officiating. Our students are to be commended for the reverence they displayed from the time they entered the space until they left. This was commented on by the visitors present on the day. Incorporated into the Mass was a student and staff pledge, where we ask each member of the community to pledge themselves to the College and all that it stands for. The student pledge was led by our Captains Nash and Kaydence, stating:

We, the students of McAuley Catholic College, commit ourselves to building a Catholic community of faith and action. We will work together to promote Gospel values and the dignity of all. We will accept responsibility for our learning and behaviour. We will cooperate with our families and school staff to strive for excellence in all aspects of college life.

Parent Forum - Parent Gathering

I would like to invite parents and carers to our Term 1 gathering in week 6 - 7th March 2023 from 5.30 for a 6.00pm start, finishing by 7.30pm. We will also offer parents & carers the opportunity to join the gathering via Zoom. The Parent Forum is one way you can be involved in your child’s education and find out what is happening in the College.  

Student Leadership team - Valentine’s Day

Well done to the SLT for their organisation of the Valentine’s Day fundraiser. This event appears to be a rite of passage for our senior students in terms of their dress-up and musical presentation! I was lucky enough to be serenaded in the front office (in front of visitors). The funds raised will be going to Caritas as part of our Term 1 focus.

Reporting and Parent-Teacher-Student Interviews

Our reporting system will be moving to the COMPASS platform, with our first reports being issued will be the OPAL scores. OPAL stands for Ongoing Participation and Application Log. The purpose of these reports is to keep parents informed about their child’s progress in terms of effort. We are hopeful that these will be available at the beginning of week 6.  Parent - Teacher - Student interviews are scheduled for week 8 - Tuesday 21st March from 3.40 to 6.30pm. Information on booking these interviews will be provided when the OPAL reports become available.

Student Participation

I take this opportunity to remind all our families that when you enrol your child at the College you agree to your child attending and participating in all aspects and events of the College. This includes the following events that are scheduled in the next fortnight: 

• Ash Wednesday on 22nd February where all students and staff will receive Ashes. A reminder that the Canteen will NOT be selling meat products on Ash Wednesday, which remains a day of fast and abstinence in the liturgical calendar.  As many of us know, Ash Wednesday begins the season of Lent, a time of reflection, fasting and penance that prepares us for Christ’s resurrection on Easter Sunday.
• Our annual Swimming Carnival on Tuesday 28th February.  A letter outlining the details of the carnival will be sent home this week. Due to the current closure of the Grafton Pool, the carnival will be held at Maclean Olympic Pool. The Carnival will begin at 9.45am and finish at approximately 2.15pm. All parents/carers will receive an event notice via Compass which will outline all important information. Please ensure this is completed so that transport can be arranged for students from McAuley to Maclean and back again.
• School Photos on Wednesday 1st March - All students are to be in full school uniform. All students will have their photographs taken for our records. Purchasing school photos is optional and school photo envelopes are to be returned on photo day

Save the Date:

• Staff Development Day 1 (Pupil Free Day) is scheduled for Monday 6th March. The office will also be closed on this day for Professional Development.
• Open Night 2023 is April 4th between 4.00 & 6.30pm. This is a great opportunity for prospective (and current) families to visit the College, ask questions and pick up enrolment information.

Bus Passes

It is vitally important that parents and carers have applied for a bus pass for their child/children. This must be done online at https://transportnsw.info/school-travel-apply. Transport for NSW will determine transport needs for our students based on the number of bus passes applied for. This is supposed to be based on numbers as of the 24th of February. 

Uniform update

Over the last few years, we have been looking at and designing uniform options based on feedback from students, parents and staff. We have been working with a company for the last 18 months; however, the progress has been slow, mostly due to COVID. We have engaged the services of an alternative uniform company and hope to have some designs available within the next few weeks. 

In terms of our current uniform, I am concerned about the skirts that some of the students are choosing to wear.  Our documentation states that it is a knee-length skirt. We have allowed it to be just above the knee; however, many alterations have been made by students which are unacceptable. I will be speaking to the girls about this issue and requesting that the skirts are worn at an appropriate length as per the documentation. If this change doesn’t occur students will be spoken to individually and requests for alterations will be sent home.

Congratulations

A belated congratulations to Duke Orr and Jack Donaldson who have been selected into the Sydney Swans Academy (AFL). 

To all parents and carers, please let us know when your child has an achievement we can celebrate with the community, as we don’t always have this information.

Ash Wednesday & Lent

Ash Wednesday is an important day in the Church Year, being the start of Lent. Lent is the season for prayer, almsgiving - doing things for others, fasting and reconciliation. It is a time to think about ourselves and also beyond ourselves - to the chaos of the world and how we can make a difference in the lives of others around us. Lent is a good time to reflect on what we do and the impact we have on others. Sometimes we think we don’t need prayer or faith or spirituality or the support of others. However, in times of adversity, in times of despair, of feeling helpless and sad - prayer has great power. It is often in times of hardship and adversity that we turn to our faith, to prayer, to Christ. And sometimes this sets us on a path of discovery, or rediscovery, of our faith.  On the 18th of February Pope Francis tweeted #Lent is a time of grace to the extent that we listen to Jesus. He speaks to us in the Word of God and through our brothers and sisters, especially in the faces and stories of those who are in need.

Enjoy the fortnight ahead

Kind regards,

Kate

Kate Thomson

Principal

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

Catherine McAuley

LENT

Lent begins next week with Ash Wednesday. It is the season of reflection and preparation before Easter, and its observance culminates in the solemn celebrations of Holy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter Vigil which lie at the heart of the Catholic year. In Catholic tradition Lent is marked by fasting, reflection, giving to others and deepening our sacramental living, especially in Reconciliation. 

Parents and families are welcome to attend our Ash Wednesday service in the College Hall beginning at 12.45 pm on the 22nd of February.

During Lent, our focus will be on giving and living out our Mercy value of Compassion. On Wednesday we will hold a coin line where we will raise funds for Catholic Mission. Money raised will support the victims of the earthquake in Turkey and Syria.  Students are encouraged to bring in some spare change to give to this worthwhile cause.

In the devastating earthquakes that struck Turkey (officially known as Türkiye) and Syria last week, tens of thousands of precious lives have been lost, with many more injured, waiting to be found or left with no home.

To provide immediate relief to families that have suffered catastrophic loss, the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) has mobilised its network of missionary priests, religious sisters, laymen and women to aid survivors. Responding to the call of the Church, Catholic Mission is aiding missionaries on the ground providing pastoral support and immediate assistance to those impacted by the earthquakes. 

Ongoing prayer and material support for those affected by these tragic circumstances are an expression of the solidarity of the universal church as we reach out to bring hope and relief to those in need.

Your generous donation can make a real difference to the lives of the people of Turkey and Syria as they seek immediate and ongoing support. (Catholic Mission)

The other project that we give to during Lent is Project Compassion. Donations to Project Compassion allow Caritas Australia, the Catholic Agency for International Aid and Development, to work with local communities around the world to end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity.

The theme of Project Compassion 2023 is ‘For All Future Generations’ and reminds us that the good we do today extends to impact the lives of generations to come. It invites us to make the world a better place by working together now and finding long-term solutions to global issues.  We encourage you to put your compassion into action this Lent through prayer, fasting and almsgiving in support of Project Compassion. Each Homeroom will have a Project Compassion box and students are encouraged to give to this appeal during this time. 

LEAD

This week we introduced the LEAD Conference to Year 11 and 12 students. LEAD is a Student Leaders Conference that enhances Senior Ministry Teams of Year 11 and 12 students to be equipped for ministry in their schools by nurturing their own faith and developing them into supportive communities. Returning from LEAD, these students will be encouraged to meet regularly to support each other and to facilitate Youth Ministry initiatives within their own school communities and at regional events such as SHINE.

We encourage you to have a discussion with your child about attending the LEAD Conference. If they wish to attend, please ensure that your child speaks to Mr Montford to have their name included for the Conference.

TRANSITUS 

Year 7 students were introduced to Transitus in their Religious Education classes this week. Transitus is a retreat for invited Year 7 students from Parish Secondary Schools in the South of the Diocese to create a smoother transition to secondary schools, celebrate and be nurtured in their faith at a diocesan level. 

The retreat will be a chance to bring students together to meet like-minded peers and to celebrate with other young people who want to grow and be supported in their Christian faith. The activities will be a mixture of large and small sharing groups as well as celebrating the Eucharist together. The program has been geared to meet the needs of these Year 7 students. 

The retreat will be an overnight experience that will allow students to build relationships with other students from throughout the Diocese as well as a chance for students to talk and share about their faith journey.  This retreat is for students who:

• Regularly attend Mass,
• Are involved in some other form of Church involvement either at school or in the parish
• Show initiative, common sense and maturity, and
• Are seeking to grow in these areas

We can offer 10 places for Transitus this year. Any student who would like to be considered is asked to complete the Expression of Interest form provided by their class teacher.  

EOIs close on Wednesday 22nd February and shortly after you shall receive all of the details of the retreat through the events module in your Compass portal where you can give consent for your child to attend.

ATTENDANCE 

In New South Wales, all children from six years of age are legally required to attend a school or be registered for homeschooling. After they complete Year 10 and until they turn 17 years of age, students then have the following options. They may also be in:  

• full‐time further education and training (eg TAFE, traineeship, apprenticeship)  
• full‐time, paid employment of an average of 25 hours per week; or  
• a combination of both of the above. 

Children are expected to attend all school activities, on time. It is essential that students arrive at the College before 8.43 when the warning bell goes for homeroom. Regular attendance helps your child:  

• develop the skills needed to access the world of work and other opportunities  
• learn the importance of punctuality and routine  
• make and keep friendships. 

Parents are asked to limit the times their children arrive late to school or leave early.  

ABSENCES

If your child has to be absent from school, you must provide a reason for your child’s absence. To explain an absence parents and carers are asked to:  

• send a note in with your child to hand to the office,
• contact the school via phone or email, 
• Respond to SMS messages sent in the morning with an explanatory note. 

A small number of absences may be accepted by the Principal. For example, if your child:  

• is required to attend a serious and/or urgent family situation (eg a funeral)  
• is too sick to go to school or has an infectious illness. 

If you consider that it is in your child’s best interests to be exempted from the legal requirement to attend school you must discuss this with your child’s Year Coordinator. Under certain circumstances, the Principal can grant your child leave (no form required) or they will provide you with an ‘Application for Exemption from Attendance at School’ form and assist you to complete it. The Principal will consider your application and decide whether to grant a ‘Certificate of Exemption from Attendance at School’. 

Parents intending to seek an exemption must give the Principal at least a full term’s notice of the request. These exemption regulations also apply for students requesting an absence from school to participate in employment in the entertainment industry, participation in accredited elite sporting programs and for students in Year 10  undertaking a full-time apprenticeship or traineeship. 

Kathy Warby

Assistant Principal - Mission & Wellbeing

Australian Defence Force Visit

The Careers Department continues to provide many varied opportunities for MCC students to explore their future career pathways. Last week members of the Australian Defence Force gave a presentation on the numerous career options available in the Army, Navy and Air Force, for students in years 10, 11 and 12.

University of Newcastle Scholarship

Pictured is Year 12 student from 2022, Brooke Surawski receiving her Vice-Chancellor's Award For Academic Excellence in Year 12, from Careers Advisor Mr Paton. The University was unable to attend our Year 12 Graduation Ceremony. Congratulations Brooke.

McAuley Careers Website

This is an invitation to parents and carers to visit our Careers website. Go to the College website and click on Teaching and Learning, click Careers and that will take you to valuable links to assist with information on jobs, apprenticeships and universities. The site can also be assessed by going to www.mcauleycatholiccollegecareers.com or via moodle.

Your child is able to develop a resume or digital portfolio for free. I invite you to have a look at this great resource. Advice on how to help your child with Career Planning can be found in the For Parents section. This provides valuable assistance, especially for parents of Years 11 and 12 students.

Please note that The Australian Job Guide, which provides information about future job growth, is not published anymore. This is available via The Good Universities Guide, which is one of our links.

Structured Workplace Learning

The Structured Workplace Learning (SWL) Program is run at MCC for interested students who are intending to leave school at the end of Year 10.

The Program provides benefits to employers by:

• Contributing to the development of workplace skills and entry-level skills in their industry
• Promoting to young people the career potential of their industry
• Providing access to a pool of future paid apprentices, casual or part-time workers
• Enabling potential recruitment of new employees who can be immediately productive
• Developing the-training and supervisory skills of employees who will induct, train, supervise and/or assess MCC students
• Enabling employees to mentor young people in their career decision-making process
• Encouraging students to become involved with businesses in their local community.

Benefits to students include:

• Improving understanding of the work environment and employers' expectations
• Increasing self-understanding, maturity, independence and self-confidence, especially in the workplace
• Increasing motivation to continue to study and/or undertake further training
• Ability to put knowledge gained in the classroom into practice in a real-world situation
• Opportunity for personal improvement through the development of employability and generic skills

• Development of networks and obtaining industry feedback and a professional referee 
• Enhancing opportunities for an apprenticeship, casual or part-time employment
• Providing an opportunity to try out career choices before leaving school 

Benefits to McAuley College include:

• Catering for a diverse range of students and learning needs
• Information from employers regarding expectations and work tasks to facilitate a better match between employer and student
• Engaged students who are able to put classroom learning into practice and contribute their experiences to classroom discussions.

Students find their own workplace based on their interests and attend their chosen workplace one day per week or fortnight depending on circumstances. The length of the program varies on individual circumstances. The minimum length is one Term.

Students are covered by CCI Insurance whilst enrolled in the program. However, they do not attend during school holidays unless they have their own insurance.

There are documents to complete and return to the school before students begin their workplace learning. They must complete a booklet as they progress and keep in regular contact with me.

In previous years, as was the case in 2023, students who were enrolled in SWL have gained apprenticeships or employment. Students who are interested in SWL are encouraged to visit me in the Careers Office.

Courses & Workshops for Students

UCAT NIE Attention Yr. 10, 11 and 12: UCAT Preparation Workshop (live online interactive). The National Institute of Education is conducting a full-day UCAT Preparation Workshop on 5 March 2023 (9am-5pm). To register: visit https://www.nie.edu.au/ucat-courses/simulated-ucat-day-workshopFor further enquiries please contact NIE at enquiries@nie.edu.au or call (02) 4367 0404 M: 0404 197 178 www.nie.edu.au

UCAT NIE Years 11-12 Considering a career in Medicine or Dentistry? If so, then you should start your medical interview preparation early. To register please visit https://www.nie.edu.au/medical/umat-interviews/medical-interviews-workshop For further enquiries please contact NIE at enquiries@nie.edu.au or call (02) 4367 0404 M:0404 197 178 www.nie.edu.au

University of Tasmania: Experience a Week as a Marine Biologist University of Tasmania is proud to present Year 11-12 students with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience a week as a marine biologist. Experience 5 days on picturesque Maria Island on the Tasmanian East Coast, exploring issues threatening biodiversity as well as the productivity of the marine system. Apply: www.utas.edu.au/community-and-partners/schools/marine-discovery-competition

iCanMed Free UCAT Webinar This webinar will cover 10 common mistakes & 5 research-based tips to save time and effort, plus how to solve Section 1-5 UCAT questions (+ mini mock test). Register: www.icanmed.com.au/events

Macquarie University Free HSC Seminar Macquarie University will be hosting a free HSC Seminar for Year 11 & 12 students on Saturday 11th March (10am-11:30am). Presented by a former Senior HSC Marker, the topics include; how to prepare effectively for exams/tasks, what teachers value in your responses & maintaining motivation. 

Book here: https://inspired.edu.au

JMC Academy Workshops & Short courses JMC is keen to hear from Year 9 - 12 students about the workshop and short course programs they are interested in, for the next rollout of the JMC school holiday, after-school and Saturday programs. Students can register their interest here https://www.jmcacademy.edu.au/news-and-events/events/high-school-workshops-short-courses/

Thoroughbred Breeders Australia Fast Track Program. If you are passionate about horses, this could be the start of an exciting new career for you. Successful applicants will commence a full-time traineeship with a reputable stud farm while studying for a Certificate III in Horse Breeding – a nationally recognised formal qualification. Fast Track is open to anyone in Australia 18 years and over, regardless of their level of horse experience. Applications close March 12th and you can head to http://tbaus.com or email careers@tbaus.com to find out more information.

Years 8 and 9 Food Technology

Year 11 Hospitality

The Student Leadership Team has had a busy start to the school year organising MCC’s annual Valentine's Day celebrations, which were held this week on Tuesday, the 14th of February. Students were able to send a personalised message to their special someone for 50c, chocolates for $2 or buy a song performed by the Year 12 boys for $5. The event was a success, with over $300 raised for Caritas’ Project Compassion which aims to provide aid to areas that are directly affected by poverty. 

Please note the following dates for Term 1

• Swimming Carnival: 28 Feb
• School Photos: 1 March
• OPALs: 6 March
• Staff Development Day: 6 March (No students)
• LEAD: 9 & 10 March
• NAPLAN: 15 - 17 March
• Parent Teacher Student Interviews Yrs 7-11: 21 March
• MCC Cross Country: 30 March
• Open Night: Tuesday 4 April (week 10)

From 2023 parents can provide consent online for their child’s routine school vaccinations.

If your child is in Year 7 or Year 10 this year, you can now provide online consent for their routine school vaccinations.

In Year 7, students are offered free vaccines for diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (dTpa) and human papillomavirus (HPV). In Year 10, students are offered the meningococcal ACWY vaccine.

Vaccination will only be provided at school if consent has been received. 

How to provide consent:

1. To complete online consent for your child’s school vaccinations, visit: https://nswhealth.service-now.com/school
2. Click the login with ‘Service NSW Account’ button and log in using your Service NSW details. This is the same account you may already use to renew your driver’s licence. If you don’t have a Service NSW account, refer to Service NSW to create one. 
3. Update or confirm your personal details in Service NSW as required. 
4. Complete the School Vaccination Consent Form for your child/ren. You will need to:  
   • Enter your child’s personal details 
   • Provide the Medicare card details for you and your child  
   • Read the linked Parent Information Sheet and privacy statement
   • Provide consent  

If you or your child do not have a Medicare card, consent can still be provided by requesting a paper-based consent form directly from your child’s school.

Read a step-by-step guide on how to provide consent online. Translated guides are available in Arabic, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Vietnamese.

For more information on routine school vaccinations, please visit www.health.nsw.gov.au/schoolvaccination.

Translated information about school vaccination is available in 27 languages, please visit www.health.nsw.gov.au/immunisation/Pages/school_vaccination_language.aspx 

Year 7 Immunisations will take place on Tuesday 28^th March.

ESafety advice for parents - ThinkUKnow program

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) are urging families to be proactive this school year and update the privacy settings on children’s devices to help prevent predators from contacting them online.

The AFP-led ThinkUKnow program – Australia’s first and only nationally delivered, law enforcement-led online safety program – has produced guides for parents and carers.

• Gaming devices and what you need to know
• Parent and carer social media starter kit

For more information, visit this website: