Term 1 - Week 1 - 2 February 2024

Dear Parents and Carers, Staff and Students,

Welcome to the 2024 school year! It is with great pleasure that I welcome all our students, staff and families to McAuley Catholic College, especially our 130 Year 7’s and our new staff. We have had a very pleasing and positive start to the year, with high enrolments in all year groups.

On Wednesday, Years 7, 11 & 12 started their school year and it was an exciting start with Year 7 students and their parents able to gather for a meet and greet opportunity in the courtyard and at Catherine’s Cafe.  In our brief Welcome Assembly, we presented each year 7 student with a College badge, and we asked that they wear it with pride. Our Year 11 students have transitioned into senior school and have started straight into their studies. We also welcomed back our Year 12 students who should be ready to continue with their work. We have included some photos from Day 1 in this newsletter.

Years 8, 9 & 10 returned to school on Thursday and there was an excited buzz around the school, with perhaps a little bit of nervousness evident at times. We started Thursday with our first whole school assembly for the year in the hall which was very full with our largest enrolment of the school, reaching over 600 for the first time. At the Assembly, I welcomed everyone to McAuley and outlined my expectations of all students.

The overall Mission of the College continues to be the development of the whole person through spiritual, academic, cultural, physical and wellbeing experiences. This year we continue to focus on High Expectations as well as on building strong relationships, improving student engagement and achieving student academic and personal growth through the continued implementation of the Berry Street Education Model and The Learning Collaborative based on Dr Lyn Sharratt. We have been building a strong wellbeing - pastoral care base to ensure students are ready to engage in learning.  Everything we do is under the guidance of Jesus Christ, who is our model, as demonstrated by the Sisters of Mercy and Marist Brothers, whose ethos and charisms form our traditions and history. 

WELCOME TO NEW STAFF

We welcome the following staff to McAuley in 2024:

• Mr Nick Littlewood - Business Manager
• Mr Pat Gleeson - TAS
• Mr Ben Ralston - TAS & VET
• Mrs Bec Lane - Teacher Assistant
• Miss Destinee Walker - Indigenous Education Assistant

We will introduce each of these people in more detail over the next few editions of the newsletter.

We welcome back:

• Katrina Don & Tegen Filewood who are returning on a full-time basis
• Returning from leave - Kathy Warby, Sandra Bartholomew, Brayden Jamieson, Siobhan McNamara, Maz Lawrence

On behalf of all members of our College community, I warmly welcome each of these staff members to McAuley in their respective roles and know that they will each make a valued contribution to our College during their time with us. 

 Important Beginning of the Year Information in this Newsletter 

The majority of this Newsletter provides parents & carers with introductory information on staff (Year Coordinators, House Leaders and Homeroom teachers), communication, requirements and procedures.  Hopefully, this helps you navigate the start of the year smoothly. 

UNIFORM

Unfortunately, this was not the start I was hoping for in terms of the availability of our new uniforms! However, the supply issues are beyond the control of us or our uniform supply company. I am hoping to bring you positive information about the arrival of uniforms very soon. Please see the uniform section in the newsletter for current information.

 The College Uniform shop has been operating from the building at the end of the car park. Signage has been ordered. Caroline Sutherland is operating the shop on behalf of P&C Uniforms. I thank you for your patience with the current supply orders.

Year 12 2023 HSC results

Congratulations to our Year 12 students who achieved their HSC at the end of the 2023 school year. We are proud of the achievements of each and every one of our students. There were some outstanding performances that I would like to acknowledge here. Congratulations to Mayha Mead-Davies who achieved our highest ATAR of 97 and will be acknowledged as Dux at our special assembly on Thursday 8 February. I also congratulate Stella van Leest and Levi Vereyken for also achieving an ATAR over 90. Well done to the 11 students who achieved Band 6 results in a variety of subjects. We extend a very special congratulations to Seth Webster who achieved first in the State for Mathematics Standard 1. Many students achieved substantial growth and we have been congratulated on this achievement. 

RE Congress in Los Angeles February 2024

I have been fortunate enough to receive a sponsored place at the LA RE Congress. I will be away from the College from 12th to 21st February. I will be sharing this experience with you on my return.

I look forward to working with all parents and guardians throughout 2024 and beyond and I ask for your ongoing support as we work in partnership to make a difference in the lives of our children so they can be the best they can be. 

Kind regards,

Kate

Kate Thomson

Principal

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

Catherine McAuley

COLLEGE LEADERSHIP TEAM

The College Leadership Team is responsible for the smooth operation of the school and oversees its spiritual, academic, pastoral and co-curricular programs.

STUDENT LEADERSHIP TEAM 2024

College Captains - Brooklyn Roach and Eva Patricks

College Vice-Captains - Finla'e Cassidy-Thomason and Molly Shaw

Faith and Action Leader - Laura Hoade

House Captains:

o   Champagnat House Captains - Jasmine Smith and Jack Fels

o   McCarthy House Captains - Theo Lobsey and Lucy Day

o   Mercy House Captains - Mitchell Dick and Eva MacNamara

o   Tracey House Captains - Charlie Imeson and Sienna Clifton

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student Leaders

Nate Laurie and Charlie Thompson

Year 11 Leaders: 

Alicia Boehem, Amali Rainbow, Beau Thompson, Axel Vereyken

Year 10 Leaders: 

Raimi Mortimer, Eve Van Leest, Liam Salvestro, Max Forwell

MISSION STATEMENT

McAuley Catholic College is a Christ-centred, student-focused, inclusive learning community founded on the Mercy and Marist traditions. We strive to develop the whole person through spiritual, academic, cultural, physical and well-being experiences, enabling every student to achieve the fullness of life.

VISION STATEMENT

To inspire our students to be confident, curious and compassionate lifelong learners who will bring about a better tomorrow through the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom, and the embodiment of the Mercy values.

School Improvement Direction Statement 2023 -2025

 “High Expectations”

From 2023 to 2025, McAuley Catholic College in collaboration with our Parish, families and the broader school community, will strive to provide an environment that promotes and celebrates high standards across all areas of College life. We will do this through a culture of continuous improvement and growth, and belief that all learners can be successful.

Uniform Delay

As previously communicated, there is a delay with the new uniforms due to port strikes. We hope to have uniforms delivered in the near future. In the meantime, to start the school year, the uniform requirements are as follows:

Year 7 and new students - 

Year 7 and new students can wear a new McAuley Catholic College Sports shirt (blue & maroon), the "old" white sports uniform (eg from siblings, or a second-hand shop) or primary school sports uniform. If students do not have McAuley shorts they can wear maroon, black or navy sports shorts of an appropriate length.

Year 11 

Year 11 students are to wear their maroon skirt or grey shorts as per junior uniform with their Year 10 polo (orders are available at the MCC Uniform shop) or the McAuley sports shirt (old or new)

Years 8-10 & 12 

Students are to wear the uniform as of last year (as it is a two-year rollover these students are not required to wear the new uniform yet)

Hats - need to be purchased from the uniform shop located at the end of the car park. Hats are no longer available to purchase through the front office. Year 7 students have been provided with a hat as part of the enrolment pack.

Please Note: All other aspects of the uniform policy are to be followed - shoes, hair, jewellery, tattoos, piercings etc, as per the College Planner and College Handbook. 

Uniforms can still be ordered on the website www.mccuniformshop.com.au which will be ready to collect once the uniforms arrive. 

We understand this is not ideal and apologise for the inconvenience this may cause; however, this is beyond our control. We hope for the situation to be rectified quickly and will communicate with you as soon as uniforms arrive at the store. 

UNIFORM TRANSITION 

The transition to the new uniform is a two-year process. By 2026 all students will be wearing the new uniform. New students to the College are required to wear the new uniform. For current students 2024 (students in years 8, 9, 10 & 12) may wear the old uniform.  All students are welcome to purchase the new uniform items. We have outlined below the uniform requirements for students across the year groups:

COLLEGE UNIFORM - BOYS

COLLEGE UNIFORM - GIRLS

SPORT / PE UNIFORM - UNISEX

If students do not have their correct sport uniform they are to wear normal uniform with a note of explanation and change into their sport clothing.

SCHOOL SHOES

Please take note of the attached diagram regarding the correct College school shoes. The shoes McAuley Catholic College students are required to wear need to be ‘school style’, that is black leather polishable, low-cut, lace-up shoes with a distinguishable heel on the shoe (not too big). The diagram outlines acceptable and unacceptable footwear.

SPORTS UNIFORM FOR PE/PASS/SLR/DRAMA LESSONS 

Students may wear their sports uniform on days they have a scheduled practical PDHPE/PASS lesson. Students will be advised at the beginning of the year by their class teachers when their practical lessons will be.

All students are the wear full school uniform every Wednesday and on days they do not have a timetabled practical lesson. 

1. PE & PASS students can wear their sports uniform when they have a practical lesson - as indicated on their timetable as HALL. 

2. Wednesday is a formal uniform day for all students.

3. Drama students are to change into their PE uniform (or shorts etc). This will be in the P1 Toilets and change room. 

4. SLR students are to change into their PE uniform. This will be in the Hall toilets & change room.

5. GEM students are to change into their PE uniform. (Some of these students may require a uniform pass as discussed with  Sophie/Tahnee). Change will be in the Hall toilets & change room

6. Students training on a day that they don't have PE or PASS prac, change into their sports uniform

7. Senior students are to wear their formal uniform every day except Thursday.

8. Year 10 and seniors who have a Year 10 shirt can wear them on sports day only.

9. Practical subjects - Tech, Science, VET: When PE/PASS/etc prac falls on the same day as Tech, Science, VET Prac:  Students are to bring their appropriate footwear and or clothing (eg boots) OR they can wear their formal uniform for practical work and change into sport uniform

Cheryl, Kim and Tracey would like to welcome back all our College families and especially our new Year 7’s for 2024.

We are proud of our canteen menu and work hard to offer nutritious meals; many being made fresh in-house daily. We also cater for special dietary requirements (please ask).

We work with our suppliers to purchase goods at the best possible prices, but unfortunately, prices on certain lines have increased and we have had to pass on some of these increases.

On offer daily are a variety of freshly made sandwiches, rolls, wraps and salad bowls along with our regular pie warmer staples.

• On Mondays, we offer Lasagna, hotdogs and pizza;
• Tuesday - beef burgers and crispy chicken wraps;
• Wednesday - sushi and other Asian delights, and meatball subs
• Thursday - chicken burgers and nachos;
• Friday - butter chicken, fisherman’s basket, nuggets & chips, oven-fried chicken & chips, chicken schnitzel on Turkish

Breakfast is available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8 am and features bacon and egg muffins, pancakes, croissants, toast, hot chocolate and hash browns when available.

The fridge is full of canteen-approved drinks including no-sugar mineral water, kombucha, milk, and juice to name a few. We also have frozen icy poles and ice creams.

EFTPOS facilities are available (except for American Express) and lunch orders can be placed before 9 am. Our menu is available on the school website and on the canteen window. The College also offers lunch orders online through the Flexischools app. Please see the attached flyer to get started.

An updated price list will be included in the next newsletter.

Wishing everyone a healthy 2024,

Tracey, Cheryl and Kim.

School Bus Travel Pass

Road Safety is a Back-to-School Essential Conversation

As students return to school, it is important to keep safety in mind. Talk with your young person about safely getting to and from school. 

• Keep your young person safe by expecting that they will always use the door closest to the kerb to enter and exit a car. 
• Keep your young person safe by expecting they will take off their headphones while walking. 
• Keep your young person safe by expecting that they will be a positive role model for younger students while travelling to and from school on the bus. 
• Keep your young person safe by expecting they will wear a properly fitted bike helmet when travelling using wheels - bike, scooter and skateboard. 
• Student drivers must follow government rules, school expectations/ procedures and drive safely and responsibly. This includes only approved passengers being transported in the car with a student driver. 

Teach your young person never to sacrifice safety for convenience, source: https://roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au/.

Traffic Management 

Of an afternoon we ask all parents collecting their child to park safely in the carpark before your child gets in the car. All students leaving must use the pedestrian crossing if you are parked on the western side of the carpark. 

Students riding to school must dismount at the gate at the end of the path and walk their bikes into the school grounds, use the pedestrian crossing and store their bikes in the racks provided. Of an afternoon students must again use this process and start riding once they leave school grounds.