Dear McAuley Families

We’ve dragged ourselves to the end of Term 3.  I hope that all can enjoy the chance to have a break from the routines of school and work in the coming weeks.  Thanks to our parents and carers for their massive and positive support and grateful thanks to our staff for their dedication and hard work for our students.

We begin next term with a couple of innovations.  The first is the trial of our new Student Welfare Policy (SWP).  The staff have elected a Working Group who, over the last terms have researched and constructed a policy and procedure which is aimed at positive feedback, is merit based and works to be clear and consistent in terms of consequences and actions.  Staff will trial the SWP in Term 4 with an awareness there will need to be “tweaks” in some of our processes.  All classes from K-10 will be stepped through the protocols and processes and information in the form of graphics will be sent home to families early next term.

It is our hope that descriptive praise and a merit based system will not only reinforce our school’s Mercy Values but assist our students to treat others with fairness, justice and compassion.  We also clearly aim for high expectations of ourselves and others in our social and academic care.  Education writer, Linda Stade (www.lindastade.com) highlights “Ten Characteristics of a Good Student” being…

1. Growth mindset: change language from “I can’t do this…” to “I can’t do this yet…”
2. Brave: Brave students take risks and grab opportunities and experiences to learn.
3. Organised: Use diaries, planners and tools to keep on top of things.
4. Consistent and Persistent: There are many skills we all need to practice and master through sheer hard work.
5. Deal with Failure: Not every player wins a prize! Students need to learn from errors.
6. Set Goals: Students who work step by step to achieve things do well.
7. Connect learning to life: Parents and teachers need to highlight links between learning and skills to real life situations and experiences.
8. Have emotional skills: Students need to learn emotional regulation and look after their mental health.
9. Partner with teachers: Relationships between students and teachers are key to success.  It is as important that students work at this as much as teachers.
10. Value education: The best students come from homes where education is seen as important and vital to success and happiness in life.

Surveys from the last few years have highlighted the desire for a McAuley policy that is clear and consistent and I believe we have achieved that with our new SWP.

The other initiative that we are trialing in Term 4 is an alignment of bell times between Primary and Secondary campuses.  It is important that we work as a united K-10 school and be open to as many opportunities we can to share staffing and resources across the campuses.  The most significant change in this trial is that Pastoral Care (DEAR) time in Secondary School (Years 7-10) moves to 9.00am.  At the first bell all students will go to their home room for prayer, roll marking, administration and so on.  Students who are late to PC will be marked late (after 9.05) and consistent lateness will incur a consequence.  School still begins at 9.00am for all McAuley students.  We ask that parents respect and enforce this change and ensure that your sons and daughters are at school on time and appropriately equipped for the day’s study.  Timings are listed below for your information.  I look forward to welcoming your feedback on this trial also.

Secondary Bell Times from Term 4:

Primary Bell Times from Term 4:

Student timetables and teacher duty rosters are currently being adjusted to reflect these alterations.  Please always note that attendance at school is a legal responsibility and we ask that as much as possible parents avoid medical and social appointments being made during school hours. Those students who are consistently absent or signed in late are disadvantaged in terms of their learning, organisation and progress.

Please enjoy the holiday break. Classes resume for Term 4 on Monday 12 October at 9.00am.

Mary our Mother… Look After Us.

Eamonn Moore

Principal