Dear McAuley Families

I offer my thanks again as we progress through the term smoothly. The vigilance around testing and hygiene is certainly helping keep us all as safe and well as possible.

I hope that by now our students and families are in good routines at school and at home.  Routines help us feel organised, comfortable, safe and secure.  Indeed, good routines help us as parents as we feel more organised and less stressed. Various articles and websites all point to the benefits of routines… here are some I found after a 

quick Google search:

1. Routine helps us be on time.
2. Routine helps bind families together….
3. Establishes expectations.
4. Creates a calmer household.
5. Gives children confidence and independence.
6. Establishes healthy habits.
7. Provides opportunity for family “rituals”.
8. Offers stability in times of stress.

Class and PC teachers in Year 6 and above will be speaking to their students assisting their planning and organisation in the use of Google Calendars which are available to all through their log ins.  Assessment timelines are about to be published by Secondary staff which will help plot what is due and when.  It also gives us a chance at school to be sure that there is a fair “spread” of due dates throughout the semester.  I encourage you to build your son or daughter’s personal organisation skills by the good use of diaries and calendars and by planning ahead so that their stress and workload are reasonable.  Please don’t hesitate to contact the school should you have questions or need support.

Our new counsellor, Joanne Burton has been introduced to you by email and I know has already met some of our students and families.  Please be sure to reach out should you have concerns or questions about your son or daughter’s social progress, friendships or mental health.  We are very lucky to have her advice and support for three days a week this year.

The season of Lent begins this week as we lead up to Easter.  Those 40 days provide us with a roadmap to examine our actions and to work to either deny ourselves of something or indeed to “do” something for others.  Our Mercy traditions remind us that it is our calling to serve the most marginalised and to make our spirituality an “action”. Indeed “… when we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.” (Paulo Coelho).

As restrictions are easing I very much look forward to being able to welcome parents, volunteers and visitors onto the school grounds and to learn, meet and celebrate together.  Our Community Council met last night and I know are keen to plan fundraising and community activities to work to support and re-connect our McAuley families.  I am keen for all to have a voice and input into our future plans.  Our Strategic Plan for 2022-2024 was discussed and explained to be looking to investigate possibilities and embrace opportunities.  Namely:

• Year 11 & 12 Academic and VET pathways
• Further Capital Works and renovation/s of Classrooms, Administration spaces, toilets and canteen/s
• Landscaping, exterior works and provision of play/activity/learning spaces for students

It is an exciting time for us at McAuley and I look forward to sharing the journey together as we navigate the “new normal” in education, work and life. We welcome the Director of Catholic Education Ross Fox to the school today and I very much look forward to showcasing the immense progress we have made over the last two years in capital works, building and renovations moving our school into the future.

Mary our Mother… Look after us.