Newsletter 19 September 2025
- Principal's Update
- Important Dates
- Community Council Update
- Year 12 2025 - Important Dates
- Primary Term 3 Assembly
- Year 11 End of Course Examinations
- Year 12 Design & Technology - Major Works
- R U OK? Day
- NSWCCC Athletics Championships
- Archdiocesan Public Speaking Finals
- BNSW U16s State Championships
- Yes Program - Metal Fabrication & Welding
- Year 4 Share Kindness
- Textiles Excursion
- Shine Conference 2025
- Wellbeing Week Inspiration
- Chisholm Spirit Day
- Footsteps Dance Program
- Kindergarten Orientation Dates
- Kinder and Year 6 Buddy Time
- Year 1 Science - Exploring Forces
- Year 7 Food Technology - Cupcake Creations
- Canteen Help
- Change of Canteen Days
- Primary Awards Week 8 and 9
- Holiday Workshops
- Spring School Holiday Program
- Netball School Holiday Clinics
- Job Opportunity
Principal's Update
As we come to the end of another hectic term, I offer thanks to our fabulous team for their commitment and hard work. The offerings of curriculum, sport and cultural activities that have occurred this term are quite remarkable. None of this happens by accident. Thank you all for your planning, teaching, marking, assessing, organising and dedication to making school life rich, varied and rewarding. Thank you also to our families for your constant time, energy and support of our endeavours at the college.
Next week we will host some of our emerging traditions, being the events around Year 12 graduation. We will fondly and proudly recognise and farewell our Graduating Class of 2025 with a mass, assembly and formal evening.
This group have proven to be cohesive and kind to one another. They have worked hard to each reach their own goals and have made great gains in their study, results and work opportunities. Individually they are well-mannered, hospitable and kind. Collectively they show inclusion, kindness and tenacity. It will be with great pride that we recognise and celebrate their achievements next week as they finalise their preparation for HSC exams and the workforce.
Pleasingly, some have received early entry offers to university, some have secured trades, apprenticeships and work roles, and others some great plans for what comes next. This speaks to the fine work the college can offer to establish and create a pathway to life that is relevant and meaningful to our students. Our size means that our staff know our students at every level and best cater for their individual academic and pastoral needs.
Relationships are at the core of what we do, and it is a very special part of the Year 11 and 12 experience to work with our young people as they grow into young adults. It brings with it quite a unique flavour to the college which is fast becoming a vital part of our culture.
I know you will join with us in prayer and congratulations that these men and women next week will be reflective of our mission:
“…to provide high quality education that recognises each individual student’s values and development in a safe, caring and empowering learning environment…”
I know too that each one of our graduating class will have proudly enacted our motto: “Believe… strive and achieve…” — well done to them all.
Please enjoy the spring break. We look forward to all classes resuming for Term 4 on Tuesday 14 October.
Mary our mother, look after us.
Eamonn Moore
Principal
Important Dates
Community Council Update
Father’s Day Stall: What a Success!
A heartfelt thank you to our families for their generous donations and to all the wonderful stall helpers who gave their time. A special shout-out to the team who organised such an incredible range of gifts for students to spoil their special someone.
Thanks to everyone’s support, we raised just under $3,000, which will go towards valuable student resources.
Father's Day Stall
Our New Basketball Backboards & Rings Are Here!
We’re excited to share that the new basketball backboards and rings, funded by the proceeds of our recent Trivia Night, have now been installed!
A big thank-you to Lyn Bathgate for organising them.
Family Trivia Night - Are you smarter than a PE Teacher?
Year 12 2025 - Important Dates
Primary Term 3 Assembly
Year 11 End of Course Examinations
Year 11 have now completed their End of Course examinations, an important checkpoint in their Preliminary studies. These exams provided students with the chance to consolidate their learning, demonstrate their understanding, and gain valuable experience in preparing for their HSC year.
Teachers are now providing feedback to guide students as they continue the remainder of their Year 11 course, and, more importantly, as they move into Year 12 at the start of Term 4.
Congratulations to all Year 11 students for their hard work and perseverance throughout the exam period. Your efforts now lay the groundwork for a strong start to your HSC studies.
Year 12 Design & Technology - Major Works
This week, our Year 12 Design & Technology students had their final HSC major works assessed. Each student has invested countless hours in researching, designing, problem-solving, and creating innovative products that showcase both creativity and skill. We congratulate them on their outstanding finished projects:
Tom – Go-kart service stand
Nate – Adjustable mood light
Will – Multi-function dining table
Rahn – Tambour door TV unit
These impressive major works are a testament to the students’ dedication and perseverance, as well as the guidance and support of their teacher. We are very proud of their achievements and wish them every success as they complete the final stages of their HSC.
R U OK? Day
Last Thursday, our students embraced R U OK? Day – a day that encourages us all to start meaningful conversations and check in with those who may be struggling by simply asking, “Are you OK?”
With a splash of yellow and plenty of heart, students took part in class discussions about looking after themselves and supporting each other. It was inspiring to see their care, empathy and understanding shine through. 💛
NSWCCC Athletics Championships
Congratulations to all our McAuley athletes who recently represented our school at the NSWCCC Athletics Championships. Competing at this level is a remarkable achievement, and we are so proud of the effort, determination and sportsmanship shown by each of our students on the day. 💙
A special mention goes to:
Regan – awarded 3rd place in the 12 Years Javelin 🥉
Brad – achieving 5th place in the 15 Years Shot Put
These results are a fantastic reflection of the talent and commitment of our students. Well done to all involved for proudly representing McAuley on such a big stage!
Regan receiving her bronze medal - well done!
Brad in action
Archdiocesan Public Speaking Finals
Last Friday, Sacred Heart, Cootamundra hosted the Archdiocesan Public Speaking Finals for Years 3–6. Students from across the region travelled to take part, and the standard of speeches was incredibly high – each one delivered with confidence, expression and skill.
We are very proud of our McAuley representatives, Alfie (Year 6) and Billy (Year 5), who both spoke beautifully and demonstrated courage and commitment in front of a large audience. A special congratulations to Alfie, who was awarded Runner-Up in the Year 6 division – a wonderful achievement at this level of competition.
Both boys represented our school with pride, and we commend them for their hard work, confidence and willingness to challenge themselves in such a significant event.
Congratulations Alfie
Congratulations Billy
BNSW U16s State Championships
Our U16 basketball teams had an incredible two days of competition at the BNSW State Championships in Penrith. The first day set the tone for the competition with some fantastic performances from all teams.
Division 3 Boys came out firing, walking away with 2 wins from 2 games.
Division 3 Girls fought hard in both games, keeping it close right to the end – a true display of grit and determination.
Division 2 Girls dominated their matches with two solid wins, showing skill, teamwork, and heart.
Day 2 continued the excitement with strong results and impressive effort:
- Division 3 Boys made it through to the semi-finals, where they went down 19–26 in a hard-fought match, demonstrating sportsmanship and resilience throughout.
- Division 3 Girls wrapped up their tournament with a strong win, securing 6th place in the state. A great effort by the team!
Division 2 Girls battled their way to the grand final, holding their own against tough, physical opponents. They narrowly missed the win, going down 36–23 to St Patrick’s College, Sutherland, finishing as Division 2 Runner-Up in the state – an impressive achievement!
A huge thank you to all parents who helped with bench duty and transport, and a special mention to Gina, Alicia, Narissa, and Todd for stepping up to coach and support the teams.
Congratulations to all players, coaches, and supporters – your teamwork, hustle, and heart on and off the court made McAuley proud. 💙
Basketball Stars
Yes Program - Metal Fabrication & Welding
This week, four of our students participated in an Introduction to Metal Fabrication and Welding YES program at Tumut TAFE. What a wonderful opportunity for students to develop their skills and gain valuable insight into the industry.
Throughout the program, the students produced some impressive creations and thoroughly enjoyed the hands-on experience. Well done to all involved
Year 4 Share Kindness
Our wonderful Year 4 students were disappointed not to be able to visit our friends at Blakeney Lodge on Wednesday, but they didn’t let that stop them from spreading kindness and joy. Instead, the students spent their morning creating a bright and cheerful spring card filled with thoughtful messages, along with carefully folded origami love hearts.
These special handmade gifts will be delivered to our friends at Blakeney Lodge as a reminder that, even when we can’t be together in person, the friendship and connection between our students and the residents remains strong.
It was heartwarming to see the students’ creativity, teamwork and generosity shine through in this thoughtful gesture. 🌸💜
Textiles Excursion
Our Year 9 and 10 Textiles and Design students had a fantastic time on their educational excursion to Wagga Wagga. They explored pyjama design at Peter Alexander, sourced materials at Spotlight, and studied corset construction.
The day gave students hands-on experience with fabric selection, garment construction, and industry techniques, inspiring them as they work on their own projects back in the classroom.
Getting Inspiration
Shine Conference 2025
On Friday September 12, a group of our Year 10 students attended the SHINE Conference in Canberra, joining with students from across the Archdiocese for a day of faith, friendship, and inspiration. The conference gave students the opportunity to deepen their understanding of leadership and discipleship, explore their gifts, and celebrate their faith through music, prayer, and engaging workshops.
Our McAuley students represented the College with enthusiasm and respect, and they returned with a renewed sense of purpose and connection to the wider Catholic community.
Wellbeing Week Inspiration
Earlier this week, we were honoured to welcome Maddison O’Gradey-Lee, the 2025 NSW Young Australian of the Year, as a guest speaker at our College. Maddison shared her inspiring journey and important work in youth mental health—both here in Australia and across the globe.
Her passion for supporting young people, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth, and her leadership in creating programs that empower youth advocates worldwide, gave our students a powerful example of the difference one person can make.
We are truly grateful for Maddison’s visit and the encouragement she gave our students to look after their mental health, support one another, and believe in their ability to create change. 💙
Chisholm Spirit Day
As part of our Wellbeing Week celebrations, we held a special Chisholm Spirit Day. Students were invited to come dressed in the colours of the sporting teams they follow, and the campuses came alive with jerseys, scarves and team pride.
It was fantastic to see the wide variety of teams represented – from local clubs to national and international favourites – and the excitement students shared as they proudly showed their colours. The day was also a wonderful opportunity to highlight how sport brings people together, encouraging a sense of belonging, fun and connection within our community.
Spirit Day reminded us that supporting our favourite teams is not only about the game, but also about the joy, teamwork and community spirit that sport inspires.
Students showing team spirit
Footsteps Dance Program
This week, our Primary Campus was very fortunate to welcome Georgie from Footsteps Dance. Each class participated in a series of fun, upbeat dance lessons, learning new moves while building confidence, rhythm and teamwork. The energy and enthusiasm in every session was wonderful to see, with students thoroughly enjoying the chance to express themselves through dance.
The highlight of the week was a lively school disco on Wednesday evening, hosted by Footsteps in partnership with our SRC. The disco was filled with music, dancing and laughter, and it was a fantastic opportunity for students to come together socially in a safe and supportive environment.
A sincere thank you to Georgie, the SRC, and all staff and families who helped to organise and support the program and disco – it was a truly memorable week for our students.
Learning the moves
Kindergarten Orientation Dates
Kinder and Year 6 Buddy Time
Yesterday our Kindergarten and Year 6 buddies came together to enjoy a wonderful play in the sunshine. The Buddy Program is an important part of our school, giving our youngest students a sense of security and connection, while providing our Year 6 leaders with the chance to be positive role models.
Their time together was filled with laughter, games and smiles, with every student feeling included, supported and valued. It was a beautiful reminder of the strong sense of community and friendship that makes McAuley so special.
Fun in the Sun for Buddy Time
Year 1 Science - Exploring Forces
Year 1 have been investigating forces in our Science lessons. Today, students designed and tested their own sailboats to discover which features help them move most effectively through water. The excitement was contagious, with one student exclaiming, “This is the best Science lesson ever!!”
Year 7 Food Technology - Cupcake Creations
Our Year 7 Food Technology students had a fantastic time in class, making and decorating their own cupcakes. The students enjoyed every step of the process, from mixing the batter to adding the finishing touches with icing, sprinkles, and creative decorations.
It was wonderful to see students experimenting with flavours, sharing ideas, and taking pride in their creations. The activity not only encouraged creativity and teamwork, but also gave them a taste of the fun and practical skills involved in the kitchen.
Well done to all our budding chefs – the cupcakes looked delightful and reflected the effort, care, and imagination the students put into their work.
Canteen Help
Change of Canteen Days
Primary Awards Week 8 and 9
My New Gallery
Holiday Workshops
Spring School Holiday Program
Snowy Valleys Council Spring School Holiday Program, for more information please visit
https://www.snowyvalleys.nsw.gov.au/Local-Events/School-Holiday-Program-Spring-2025
Netball School Holiday Clinics
Job Opportunity
K-Hub Tumut are looking for staff over the upcoming holiday period.