Dear McAuley Families

It seems unbelievable that we have reached the end of the school year.  What a ride!  Looking back as I write my Year 10 Graduation speech I am blown away by the events and rapid changes that have taken place this year.  Amazingly, things continue to be uncertain almost as soon as we start to feel like things are getting back to normal.

 Through it all, I remain amazed and very grateful for the outstanding way we as a community support one another.  It is often in the quiet, unassuming ways that people reach out or the simple question “Are you ok?” that can make all the difference.

Thank you all for the efforts you make to be good mums and dads, mentors, listeners and role models.  We are enduring an amazing time in history and will one day look back with pride at how our families and friends coped with the disappointments and changes that have taken place over the last couple of years.

Amongst all the cancellations and restrictions, we as a school have continued to thrive in 2021.  We are still working on the final stages of building and refurbishment projects totalling over $2 million.  We are ordering to replace furniture and fittings, upgrade outside areas and landscaping.  Staff have collaborated in writing new Religious Education units and undertaken literacy and numeracy programs and initiatives. Plans are well afoot for teaching and curriculum reform further into 2022 where our new Strategic Plan will inform the coming 3 year directions and dreams of our school and community and, hopefully, bring progression into senior year’s offerings and opportunities as well as consolidating our basics. The efforts of our teaching and support staff have been widely recognised as leading the way for other schools in terms of our remote learning platforms, communication and pastoral support.  Thank you all for an enormous effort which has continued (and will) right till the last day of classes next Tuesday.

Staffing/Classes 2022: Best wishes to Wendy Hill who is taking long service leave for some time in 2022.  Wendy has supported many students and families through her years at McAuley and we wish her every happiness as she takes some time to enjoy her grandchildren and a well-earned break from school.  The Learning Support role will be covered by Mrs Black in Years K-7 and Ms Dougherty in Years 8-10.  Our fabulous Learning Support Assistants will continue also in 2022 and we are ever grateful to that team for their efforts to support your sons and daughters.

Mrs Jo Barton has also tendered her resignation after many years of service to our school and we wish her well for her continuing role in Gundagai.  Jo will have taught many of our students in her lengthy post as McAuley’s Kindergarten teacher and I know was always much loved by our newest school members.

Enrolments 2022:  I ask that if your child or children are not returning to McAuley in 2022 that you put that information in writing as soon as possible.  This is important as we roll over school fee accounts, class lists and placements into the end of year chores.  We are also experiencing a large number of enquiries across all year levels and ask that you encourage any families seeking a place at McAuley to do so before the end of next week. 

Student Leaders 2022:  An email will go home later today, Friday (10 December) advising of our newly elected School and House Captains for next year.  Thank you to those many students who put themselves forward for leadership positions.  Leadership holds both enormous challenges and many rewards.  We look forward to being able to re-invigorate our leadership teams next year and provide them with many more opportunities to represent our school and the student body.

Year 10, 2021: Congratulations to our Year 10 students who graduate from McAuley this week as the “Class of 2021.”  I have been so impressed by our school leaders as a class this year.  They are a group who exemplify our Mercy Values, who show care and concern for others and who have shown amazing resilience as many of their Year 10 experiences, traditions and events have had to be cancelled. The students were farewelled at a Family Mass and Prize Giving and social dinner at the Golf Club.

Day Excursion:  Information will be coming home about activities for the last day of school on Tuesday.  We are trying to provide as much “fun” as we can whilst complying with the current school and mingling restrictions. 

Compass App:  Reports were uploaded to Compass on Thursday (09.12.2021).  Please contact the office if you are having trouble accessing your child/rens’ reports.

 When installing please be sure to search for “McAuley Catholic Central School – Tumut” so you are directed to the correct school.  Please contact the school office if you encounter any difficulty or contact the CE helpdesk on 1300 232 448.

Social Media:  I am sad to report a number of unsavoury incidents connected to Social Media misuse.  Whilst the vast majority of this happens outside of school hours, images and conversations with students in school uniform clearly identify our students.  Please be very open with your sons and daughters about abuse, threats, inappropriate use and pornography.  I urge families who are concerned to contact Police and clearly warn your sons and daughters that the thoughtless use and sharing of words or images could result in life long consequences.  I am sorry to be blunt but we need to be really aware of what is happening online and in the hands of our boys and girls.  Again, I refer you to the E-Safety Commissioner’s Website for resources and advice (www.esafety.gov.au). 

Merry Christmas and best wishes: I take this final chance to again pass on my very grateful thanks to all in our community for their positive support and huge efforts this year.  I thank our Priests, George and Namora for their prayerful support, our hard working Executive staff, our fabulous, versatile and resilient teachers and amazingly resourceful support staff.  I also want to wish the best to our ever cheerful, welcoming and active students in all year levels.  Please enjoy a Christmas that is joyful and hopeful with time together with the people you care about.

I look forward to welcoming all back to our renovated classroom and outdoor spaces for a bright, busy and positive 2022.

Mary our Mother… Look after us.

Eamonn Moore

Principal