Dear McAuley Families

Welcome back to Term 4.  It is amazing that we are well into October! I trust all had the chance to have a break from the routines of work and school.  As we race to the end of another year I am thrilled to report excellent progress across all areas of preparation for 2023.

 Our Year 11 and 12 planning is smooth so far.  We have recruited high quality staff, who together with our existing teachers are planning and organising lessons and assessments ready for 2023.  During the break I met numerous times with CE Facilities staff and mapped out the area behind the Industrial Arts Building where two portable buildings will be installed as a temporary step into our future expansion.  As you know, we continue to work on a Buildings and Facilities Master Plan into the future across both campuses of the school which calls for large scale construction and demolition of various areas to provide contemporary learning spaces and appropriate access for all.

Next steps are to confirm enrolment and subject choices for our Graduating Class of 2024.  All current students are automatically enrolled into Year 11 (unless parents indicate otherwise). I am still waiting for clarification from Catholic Education on fee discounts and laptop pricing that will be available for this first group of Senior Students. A detailed subject Information Session will be held next Wednesday (19 October) following the Tasmania Trip Information Session (5.30pm).  There will be an opportunity to meet the staff, hear about the subject offerings and other details.

Other Executive staff are working with students, parents and community members in Working Parties to consult on uniform, events and organisation details as we move into the future.  Exciting times indeed!

Some important end of year event dates are below for your planning (please note updates):

 Our school and community are being so well supported by Catholic Education and the staff at St Anne’s Temora as we expand into the future.  I am grateful for the energy and investment a whole team of people are placing into the planning and preparation for all of our staff and students.  Much of what we are working towards will be cutting edge, and directed firmly at student engagement and appropriate pathways. 

As a Mercy school our charism is based on the ethos of the Mercy Sisters and before that Venerable Catherine McAuley.  My reading tells me she was an innovator who used her “great vision” to mobilise and motivate people to do work for the sick and poor.  In particular, she placed an emphasis on the education of women, seeing a need for them to achieve more in life than home duties.  Her philosophy of hope in going on in “…short, careful steps, not great strides…” is a legacy we are proud to continue here as we move into the future of Senior Schooling.

Grateful thanks to Jed Masters and PRD Real Estate for their donation of Junior Basketball Hoops for the primary blacktop.  After manufacturing, these were installed during the holidays.  These posts will allow our Junior Primary Students access to train and play on suitable equipment.  Many thanks to Jed and family for your generous donation.

Mary our Mother… Look after us.

Eamonn Moore

Principal