Dear McAuley Families

I trust everyone enjoyed a happy Easter and were able to have a break and spend some time with family and friends.  The Easter season reminds us about sacrifice and hope – something much needed at times in all our lives!

It was unusual to have the Easter break outside of the school term break.  Saying goodbye on Easter Thursday felt like the last day of term for many of us and it was a rude shock to have to return on Tuesday!  I am aware many senior students have some assessments and tests due.  I encourage them to maintain a solid study routine and keep to timeframes.

I must commend our students and staff for their cooperation on Wednesday as we encountered a whole college lockdown.  Privacy regulations make it impossible for me to comment fully on the situation, however, please understand that when a situation threatens to compromise the safety of students or staff a lockdown is called.  It is correct process that Police are contacted – again to maintain safety and to provide advice and support if needed.

This decision is not made lightly, however in some situations it needs to be made quickly.  The feedback I have is that our students were cooperative, settled and calm.  Our staff handled the situation professionally with the care of everyone at the fore of any actions taken.

I understand fully that these situations may be triggering and cause questions and distress.  We ensured extra counselling support for our students yesterday and debriefed with students and staff also.  We can always do better - but in this situation, I cannot see any errors or missteps.  Thank you to those families who have sent messages of concern and support – they are deeply appreciated by us all.

We have highly supportive parents and beautiful students who care about the college and one another.  Sometimes our boys and girls make mistakes, and we need as parents and educators to help them learn something from every situation – good and bad.

Please enjoy the term break.  The college will be participating in the Anzac ceremonies and paying recognition to our local history.  I hope that our students will be available to march in their correct uniform to represent McAuley.  Further details will be posted on social media over the break. Please see below for timings and events on Anzac Day.

Time	ANZAC Events – Thursday 25 April 2024
5.45am	College leaders/participants arrive at Richmond Park
6.00am	Dawn Service Commences
10.15am	Students assemble for march outside Snowy Valleys School – Capper Street
10.30am	March begins – students in correct uniform please.
10.45am	Ceremony begins in Richmond Park

For your planning and calendars the first and last days of next term are pupil free days for staff training and planning. The dates of those days are:

Monday 29 April: Pupil Free – All staff doing Youth Mental Health First Aid training.

Friday 5 July: Pupil Free – All staff doing college-based PL in Catalyst and High Impact Teaching.

Mary our mother look after us.

Eamonn Moore

Principal