From the Principal
Dear Parents & Carers,
I am excited to welcome our students back to school on Monday 13th September, now that this region of NSW has been moved from Lockdown, and Stay at Home Orders have changed to level 3 COVID 19 restrictions. Our return to school focus for week 10 is Reconnect and Catch-up. In this newsletter, you will find copies of Parent letters explaining the Return to School Plan, and support documents outlining the level 3 restrictions and tips to assist your children as they return to school.
I am very proud of the way the school was able to operate in the last 4 weeks in the Blended Learning environment. We promote ourselves as a place of learning and wellbeing, developing the whole person across all aspects of education, and I believe we have continued to do this while learning and teaching remotely. We are constantly learning and reviewing our practices, so as part of the return to school process we will be asking students, parents and staff to provide feedback on the Blended Learning experience. Thank you for the support, understanding and amazing work you have been doing with your children over the last month. Unfortunately, under the level 3 restrictions visitors, including parents and carers, are unable to come on-site. I look forward to the day when I can invite you back to a school event!
We continue to keep our Year 12 students in our thoughts and prayers as they manoeuvre their way through a new and slightly strange time, preparing for their HSC exams which will now be in November. We are creating plans for weeks 1 - 4 of term 4, which will incorporate lessons, revision, exam practise, as well as wellbeing and farewell activities, including a Graduation. Care packages were distributed to year 12 students last week and Mr Bellamy has included an article in this newsletter.
Mercy Day
We usually acknowledge our Mercy history and traditions on McAuley Day. Unfortunately, this is the second year these plans have been affected by COVID 19 restrictions. We will continue to look for ways to celebrate our long and important connection to, and charisms of Catherine McAuley and the Sisters of Mercy. Kathy Warby has more information in her article.
Retirement of Rosemary Cureton
It is with sadness that I announce the resignation of Rosemary Cureton. Rose has given over 40 years of service to Catholic Education, the majority of this at McAuley Catholic College and the schools that became McAuley. Rose has taught thousands of students, including me and others on staff, and I imagine a very large number of parents. She has made a difference to the lives of so many people in our school and Diocese. Her love of learning, her dedication to the students, the profession and to the art of teaching; her innovation and support of staff; and her love of Catholic education has been inspiring and greatly appreciated. I hope and pray that we can farewell Rose in a more formal and personal way in the near future.
In this edition of the Newsletter you will find news on:
- R U OK? - because a conversation could change a life
- Year 12 Revised HSC timetable
- Great webinars organised by the Parent Assembly. I encourage you to check these out and register via the links provided.
- Information on Child Protection Week, which was last week, and a reminder about our Family Connect Service which is provided by Sky Pullen.
- News from the Blended Learning Classrooms
I keep in my thoughts the people of Afghanistan and pray for peace at this time. Twenty-five years ago, when I lived in Pakistan, I visited Peshawar where I met a few Afghan refugees, both women and men, who had made it to Pakistan and were trying to make a life for themselves. I was intrigued and touched by their stories, but couldn’t quite comprehend their lives and their experiences. Whilst living in Pakistan, I would read the news from Afghanistan as it frequently filled the national papers, often with graphic descriptions and photos. I made a scrapbook to bring home but I’m not sure why - perhaps to help me understand something I couldn’t comprehend. Still now, two and a half decades on, as I watch the scenes from Afghanistan on the television news, I am unable to comprehend the situation of the country and what this change of government will mean, especially to women. I can't help but think - what would I do? This week I have placed the simple but treasured trinkets I purchased from the Afghani's in 1996 on my prayer table.
Wishing you all the best for the week ahead and a safe and relaxing holiday. School returns for all students and staff on Tuesday, the 5th of October.
Yours sincerely
Kate
Kate Thomson
Principal
“We should be shining lamps, giving light to all around us.” Catherine McAuley