RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS
WELCOME BACK!
The McAuley staff commenced the new school year by celebrating Mass together with Fr George and Fr Namora.
The theme for the staff Mass was based on 'The Apostles Creed' which is a clear statement of our most important Catholic beliefs. The creed begins with the words... 'I believe". In saying the Creed, we profess Jesus Christ is central to our Christian identity, to who we are and who we want to become, as individuals and staff working within a Catholic school. Of course we must also remember that our faith is more than just talking. When we say that we believe in God then that faith and commitment must evidence itself in action.
Profession of Faith
I believe in God,
the Father Almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried;
He descended into hell;
on the third day He rose again from the dead;
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
from there He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Holy Catholic Church,
the communion of Saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting.
Amen.
BEGINNING OF NEW SCHOOL YEAR
As we celebrate the beginning of our new school year, we give thanks to God for the life we share together. We ask God’s blessing upon us all, so we will grow, not just through the learning and wisdom we receive, but especially through the love, care and support we give to one another in our community here at McAuley
Prayer:
Good and loving God, bless us in your love,
as we begin our journey together this year, at McAuley.
Open our hearts to receive
the message of Christ in all its richness,
so that it may find its home in us.
Empower us to truly live in the Spirit of his love,
so that we may truly celebrate Your Spirit here with us.
Amen.
MAKING JESUS REAL
Throughout this year the teachers and students will be continuing to incorporate ‘Making Jesus Real’ (MJR) into their school day. MJR is a way of life that allows students to see Jesus working in their lives through people and creation. These are the 'God Moments' and they happen in our schools, on our playgrounds and in our home 100’s of times a day. We just need to “Get Switched On” to recognise them. It is about being a witness and sharing Jesus’ love with others.
Students learn about having a positive attitude and that their actions, attitudes and behaviours have an impact on their relationships. MJR provides students with a language that allows them to evaluate their thought and behaviours and provides strategies for alternative actions.
They learn about the two ways of live. In you are living out the WEST you are welcoming, encouraging, you can say sorry and thank you. WEST teaches students about including people, about body language, eye contact and the importance of forgiveness and gratitude.
If you are living out the EAST, you exclude others, you argue, sulk and talk back. We are all born ‘takers’ MJR encourages students to become ‘givers’ in their relationships.
We all move between WEST and EAST, it is our ability to transport our attitudes and move on from disappointments that keeps us positive and resilient. MJR teaches students the skills to achieve this. Students are taught about the importance of daily reflection, to suck the goodness out of every day.
They are called to ask the BIG question … WHERE WAS JESUS IN MY LIFE TODAY?
YEAR 7 ORIENTATION CAMP
This year our Year 7 students have the opportunity to be involved in an Orientation Camp at Borambola to assist in the settling in process. The theme of our camp is “Belonging”. The students will be involved in activities which promote healthy relationships, team building, orientation to Secondary School and just getting to know each other and enjoying each other’s company away from the formal school setting.
The camp is in the third week of the first term, Thursday 14th and Friday the 15th of February. This will allow the year 7’s to start their secondary schooling by building relationships with each other as well as their Pastoral Teachers, Miss Piper and Mrs Dumbrell who will accompany them on this camp. Mr Hughes will also attend the camp to assist with the supervision of our students.
The election of the Year 7 class representatives to the McAuley Student Council will take place after the camp so that all of the students would have had an opportunity to decide who they would like to represent them throughout 2019. They will have a special liturgy later in the term to commission these students as leaders and to present the Year 7 students with their badges.
SECONDARY PEER SUPPORT
This term our Year 7 group will also be involved in a peer support program with our senior Year 10 students. Peer Support is dedicated to providing dynamic, peer led programs which foster the mental, social and physical wellbeing of young people and their community. Moving into Secondary school represents a significant change for students, as they adjust to a new situation which is quite different from their primary school. Research has shown that when students form close connections with their peers, they are more likely to have a satisfying and successful school experience. The Year 10 students will lead the students through an orientation program that will focus on assisting the Year 7’s to feel familiar, confident and happy in their new environment.
SRC
The 2019 SRC Co-Ordinator for both primary and secondary is Miss Mason. The SRC students will attend SRC meetings each fortnight planning ways to build our school and house spirit with fun and entertaining activities. The SRC will also raise any concerns or ideas from the classes that they represent.
HOUSE MEETINGS
Our House leaders on both the primary and secondary campus led their students in their first House meeting for 2019. The House Captains and Vice Captains’ role was to give the students some instructions for the upcoming McAuley Swimming Carnival. Each House spent time organising cheerleading and relays and building enthusiasm with their students. It will be the first Carnival that the new shades and House banners will be used since that were purchased by the 2018 SRC after lots of fun fundraising.
Anita Mason - Religious Education Coordinator
