Dear McAuley Families

The weather certainly is beautiful at the moment.  The sunny days lift our spirits as we move towards the end of the academic year.  I hope all parents are encouraging good study habits and building routines around exam and assessment time.  Being well prepared, well fed and well rested will help your sons and daughters achieve at their best.  Nightly revision helps retain facts and build mastery which lowers stress – a winning combination!

Research shows that parent engagement promotes higher success for our sons and daughters (some studies show between 40 and 60% higher school performance). More than just being ‘involved’ an engaged parent asks deeper questions than “How was school today?” but has a good knowledge of the school’s programs, strategic directions and timetables.  An engaged parent discusses current affairs, internet safety, study skills and social issues.  Engaged parents use parent teacher interviews to set goals and worthwhile targets.  Most importantly they work in partnership with the school and teachers to take the curriculum beyond the classroom and make faith and learning real.

Education (thankfully) has moved beyond the industrial era when parents dropped kids at the school gate and waited for the ‘factory’ to churn them out at the end.  The remote learning time during COVID reminded us all of the vital role of teachers and the partnership that is important in the well-rounded development of young people.  As our Executive work to plan for 2021 these relationships are foundational to our success as an excellent school.  Our Strategic Planning aims at building an enriching, challenging and practical curriculum which focuses on all aspects of our students’ lives and bring parent engagement and partnership to the fore.  The Mercy Values espoused by Catherine McAuley remind us simply that practicality is key “…show your instructions in actions as much as you can…”

The staff have spent some time reviewing our new Student Welfare Policy. As we predicted there are some tweaks required in the operation of some areas but overall there is an obvious increase in positive behavior and effort.  As a staff we aim to build a student cohort who treat one another with kindness and compassion, and importantly have the fortitude to stand up for what is right.  As Catherine McAuley implored her new Sisters of Mercy “…”state your opinion and always act with courage…”   It would be good to have your son or daughter explain our “new” system to you and gain a better understanding of the behavior rewards and consequences being enacted through this policy.

As regulations relax somewhat we aim to have a Community Council Meeting before the end of the year to outline this policy, approve 2021 budget, clarify uniform directions and plan for next year.  The meeting will be held on Wednesday 2nd December, at 5pm.  We also plan to hold a Community Farewell for Mr Hughes and Mrs Henderson who leave us at the end of the year.  This will take place upstairs at the Oriental Hotel at 5pm on Friday 4th December.  

There was great excitement yesterday as our final Kindergarten Orientation for next year took place.  Mrs Crane is very much looking forward to the Class of 2021 as are their future Year 6 buddies who met them yesterday and gave them a school hat as a welcome gift.

Please also note the change of date for Year 7 2021 Orientation Day which is now being held on Tuesday 1 December.  All local eligible students are welcome to attend and see what McAuley can “make them”.  Please encourage those you know who have not formally enrolled for next year to do so quickly as we plan class allocations and subject loads for next year.

Mary our Mother… Look After Us.

Eamonn Moore

Principal