Dear McAuley Families

Whilst I was away enjoying a special family time on the soggy (but warmer) north coast, the exciting news was announced of McAuley’s progression to Stage 6 (Years 11 and 12) in 2023/2024.

I know this has been a long term dream of the local community and I am proud of the work that has been done by the Executive Staff and the enormous support of Community Council to realise the potential and maximize the benefits for our town and area.

There is much to be done in terms of financial, physical and staffing detail.  An information night with input from CE staff will be held on Thursday night to outline the virtual, onsite and distance components that might be offered as well as information on Vocational (VET) pathways that may be possible.

In all we are excited to be able to offer a Catholic Education pathway for Kindergarten to Year 12 where your children can be at home with their families and friends contributing to our school and area.  There is much more detail to come as we learn and prepare for next year. 

We are open for enrolments now for 2023 in most classes.  In particular we seek enrolment for Kindergarten, Year 7 and Year 11, 2023.  Please see the school website or contact the office for enrolment details. Those families that are already enrolled at McAuley do not need to reapply – your enrolment now continues until Year 11 and into Year 12, 2024.

Our first Year 7 Orientation Day will be held next Friday 17 June at school.  Details will be provided to all interested in trying a day at McAuley and being able to see what a day in Year 7 might look like. Mr Turnbull and I visited our local Catholic Primary Schools at Gundagai, Adelong and Batlow earlier this week. (We saw lovely snow in Batlow and left just in time!).  The time spent with their Year 6 students was really enjoyable and they had lots of questions about being in a “big” High School!

We had a good number of families in attendance at our Year 7, 2023 Information Meeting held on Tuesday 7 June.  Parents were outlined information about our pastoral care policies and procedures, curriculum offerings and technology tools.  Again, there were good questions and discussion.  I am always grateful for the interest and trust placed in us by existing and prospective families as we move forward into an exciting future.

Friday 10 June is our first of two Pupil Free Days this term (10 June and 1 July). These days have been set by Catholic Education as a recognition of the interruptions staff have endured due to absences and cancellations due to COVID.  On Friday our staff will be continuing on their Professional Learning in High Impact Teaching methodology and catching up on planning and administration tasks.

I know the weather is cold but I ask all parents to ensure their children are in correct school uniform?  There is provision for warm fleecy tops, bottoms and jumpers for all students as part of the new options.  Please enforce that all are correctly dressed in warm school uniform (including white socks). Teachers will give uniform warnings.  Three warnings result in an email home as per our Student Welfare Policy.

Thanks to those families and staff who were able to support the Primary Disco last Friday.  All looked to be having a great time.  It is lovely to be able to slowly return to the gatherings and events we have missed during the last couple of years. 

I had some time to read whilst away and have been enjoying Martin Seligman’s “Flourish”. Many will know I am a fan of Seligman’s optimistic, growth focus on living our lives.  His simplicity and positivity are a model for us all.  “Here is the exercise: find one wholly unexpected kind thing to do tomorrow and just do it. Notice what happens to your mood.”

Give it a try and let’s encourage our sons and daughters to be kind.

Mary our Mother … look after us.