Dear McAuley Families

The winter days are certainly beautiful. I’m finding that Tumut doesn’t have the cold Canberra wind (so far!). The sunshine is certainly good for the soul and easily lifts the mood!

Good mental health and the need to promote and maintain good connections with our families, friends and colleagues is much highlighted in the press lately. We are working to maintain a well-structured and positive school where we can be as “normal” as possible. This helps our students and staff work positively together and, supports our families in their role as the first educators of their children. An article by former Prime Minister, Julia Gillard from Beyond Blue yesterday reminds us of the signs to look for if a child or adult is struggling…

“Children and young people’s physical and mental health can be impacted when there are high levels of stress or multiple stress factors, especially those they can’t control. Students who may be feeling overwhelmed by stress or anxiety could appear tired, withdrawn, irritable, fearful, unmotivated, moody, lose their appetite, need more comfort, or have trouble concentrating and feel physically unwell.”

The school has systems and supports in place should you be concerned about your child. I encourage you not to hesitate to contact your child’s classroom or PC teacher for support and advice.  A “detox” from too much news seems to help many people and certainly quickly lifts the mood!

I am enjoying Kindergarten and Year 7, 2021 interviews currently. It is great to get to know our new and existing families and meet our keen new students. Please remind family or friends who have not submitted their enrolment applications for next year to do so as soon as they can. Enrolments are part of the mapping Catholic Education carry out to allocate budgets and staffing for next year so accurate numbers will assist that process.

After more than 35 years of faithful service to McAuley and the local community, Michael Hughes has indicated his desire to retire at the end of the year. I wrote to Michael and thanked him for his loyal support of so many staff members, students and families over the years.  I can only hope that as restrictions ease we can farewell Michael suitably in Term 4. Michael lives the McAuley values and gives a fine example to all through his patient and positive interactions with all. 

All families, staff and students should have received the email links to the 2020 Satisfaction Surveys last week.  I encourage you to take a few minutes to reflect and complete the survey.  It is helpful to us as a leadership team that we use your positive thoughts and suggestions as part of our future planning.  Your comments assist us to move forward in a strategic and positive manner.  It is good also for me to be able to reflect on some of the changes my leadership has brought even in these early months.  Please contact the office if you did not receive the link/s to the surveys.

We remain at Step 2.2 on the Catholic Education Roadmap as far as restrictions go.  Sadly, this has led to the cancellation of our major excursions in Year 9 and 10.  We are working to have other possible options in place and await the future to see how things pan out. Recent advice from CE also advise to place on hold any Graduation activities. More information will come as we become aware.

Many of us will have Victorian friends and family. Please remember them in your prayers as they work to overcome the outbreak in that state and the tough lockdowns they are enduring.  In particular, I pray for those struggling with remote learning especially those Year 12 students having to complete their final year with such disruption.

Mary our Mother… Look After Us.

Eamonn Moore

Principal