Term 2, Week 1 - 29 April - 2022
- From the Principal
- Assistant Principal - Learning and Teaching
- Assistant Principal - Mission & Wellbeing
- Pastoral Care News and Safe on Social Media
- ANZAC DAY Marches
- Catholic Schools Week 2022
- From the Classroom
- MUNA 2022
- Parent Education and Support
- COVID 19 update for our School
- Enrolments Yr 7 2023
- Bus safety awareness
- Prayer Time
- Parish News
- Birthdays
Dear Parents & Carers
Welcome back to Term 2! I hope the holiday break, especially Easter, was a time when you could stop, relax and enjoy some time with family and friends. I was able to spend some time with my two daughters and we chose Melbourne as the place we would meet and “hang out” so to speak. I took the opportunity to attend St Patrick’s Cathedral on Easter Sunday to celebrate the Risen Christ and reflect on the meaning of Easter and the importance of this in our lives today. Easter was the theme of our end of term 1 Assembly where the Year 10 CSYMA class presented a contemporary reenactment of the Stations of the Cross. When we returned to school last Wednesday the Easter theme was again the prayer focus at our opening term gathering. An Easter version of Hallelujah (music by Leonard Cohen) was played and I have included this in the Prayer section of this newsletter. The Easter message of the prayer was reminding us that we are now the hands & feet of Christ as St Terese of Avila says:
“Christ has no body now but yours. No hands, no feet on earth but yours. Yours are the eyes through which he looks compassion on this world. Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good. Yours are the hands through which he blesses all the world. Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, yours are the eyes, you are his body. Christ has no body now on earth but yours.”
Term 2 Focus on Learning
Please see the AP Learning & Teaching section.
Open Night Success & Enrolment Information
In the last week of Term 1, we held our annual Open Night. Over 100 families took the opportunity to visit the College to see for themselves what we have to offer. Various Classrooms were open with displays, videos, interactive activities and demonstrations on show. Staff and student helpers conducted tours, answered questions and entertained in various ways. Even some of our current families came along to wander the College as there have been so few opportunities to see the whole school in action due to the COVID restrictions in the last 2 years. A very big thank you to the 60 student helpers. Your participation and enthusiasm was greatly appreciated. If you know of anyone interested in attending McAuley in 2023 please let them know our enrolments are open and filling fast!
Radio Broadcast - Loving Life 103.1
On the day of our Open Night, Loving Life 103.1, our local community radio station, did a live broadcast from the College from 10am - 2pm, promoting our Open Night and all that McAuley offers. Staff & students took the opportunity to tell the listeners about the College and specific subjects or activities they were involved in. Thank you to Damian Fisher and the crew from Loving Life 103.1 for great work on the day and your ongoing support of the College.
We have a regular Friday morning segment at around 7.45am on Loving Life 103.1 and I encourage you to tune in to hear what is happening at your school!
ANZAC Day
ANZAC Marches were attended by approximately 60 students across the Valley this year, and I thank each and every one of them for representing us so well and for commemorating this important day. Each student will be recognised with a merit certificate at a year assembly in the near future. A few of our students were given additional responsibilities at various Ceremonies and Mr Imeson, who coordinated our students this year, has mentioned these students in his report on ANZAC Day in the respective section of this newsletter.
Our Assembly and Pastoral Care lesson focussed on ANZAC Day. The assembly prayer was led by Mr Montford, Mrs Green, Year 11 Modern History students and Year 9.4 HSIE, and highlighted the importance of service, gratitude and resilience. Paige Thompson (Yr 11) gave the Address to the Assembly and I congratulate Paige on her research and presentation. We were also able to again, share in the gifts of our staff - musicians Rob Imeson and Sarah Nicholls - as they played The Band played Waltzing Matilda by Eric Bogle. The rendition by Rob and Sarah was a very moving experience for many in the assembly.
Catholic Schools Week - Community, Care, Compassion
Each year we celebrate Catholic Schools Week - a time to reflect on and celebrate our shared faith, educational excellence and the importance of every student. However, we feel we celebrate this every day! Catholic Schools offer an educational foundation for living life to the full through the development of the student's spiritual, intellectual, physical, emotional, moral and cultural growth. Catholic schools respond to and serve the needs of parents who seek a Catholic education for their children. Catholic schools contribute to the Church’s mission to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ. Our Catholic schools are well served by dedicated principals, teachers and support staff who are determined to provide high-quality education and accompany students on their faith and educational journeys.
Please see the additional information on Catholic Schools Week in the newsletter.
Staff Changes
I welcome to our teaching staff Ms Fiona Passmore. Fiona is replacing Mrs Katrina Don who is on maternity leave for the rest of the year. We also wish Taylor Jarrett all the best as she awaits the birth of her baby in the coming weeks.
Mother’s Day
This weekend we celebrate Mother's Day and I wish all our mothers (and grandmothers) a Happy Mother’s Day. I hope you are able to stop and feel special and have an opportunity to connect with family. Connection and relationships are so very important which is a message we continue to promote in our school community, and the last 2 years have highlighted the importance of connection.
Yours sincerely
Kate
Kate Thomson
Principal
“We should be shining lamps, giving light to all around us.” Catherine McAuley
Year 12 Parent Student Teacher Conference
The Year 12 Parent Student Teacher Conference is on Tuesday 3rd May for students and their parents. Information has been sent out earlier this week regarding the booking process.
If you have any issues with accessing the portal or making an appointment, please contact our administration staff on 0266431434 who are happy to provide assistance.
HSC Minimum Standard Tests
The HSC minimum standard tests in writing, reading and numeracy were introduced into the HSC in 2020. To show they meet the HSC minimum standard, students need to achieve Level 3 or 4 in short online reading, writing and numeracy tests of skills for everyday life.
Some students with a disability studying Life Skills courses may be exempt from meeting the minimum standard to receive their HSC credentials.
Most of our students in Years 11 and 12 have now passed the tests. Students in Years 11 and 12 who have not completed the tests will have the opportunity to do so in the coming weeks.
Year 10 students will also have their first opportunity to attempt the tests this term. Students will be presented with information about the tests at school and parents are asked to read through the information linked to this newsletter. If you have any questions or concerns about the tests please contact our Curriculum Coordinator Mrs Lee.
NESA Information - HSC Minimum Standard
NAPLAN 2022
A reminder regarding the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is a point in time assessment of literacy and numeracy skills. Students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 participate in the annual tests in writing, reading, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy. All NSW schools will sit NAPLAN online in 2022.
As published in a previous Newsletter, our school will be participating in NAPLAN between 10th and 15th May 2022 and the following tests will occur on the dates indicated:
Tuesday 10th May: Reading
Wednesday 11th May: Writing
Thursday 12th May: Conventions of languages
Friday 13th May: Numeracy
Additionally, catch-up exam times may be organised for those students who miss a NAPLAN test.
Students will need to have a fully charged laptop and a set of working earphones/headphones for the tests.
Excessive preparation for NAPLAN Online is not recommended. Students can use the Public demonstration site to familiarise themselves with the types of questions and tools available in the NAPLAN Online tests.
More information for parents and carers can be found at NAPLAN
If you have any questions about NAPLAN Online, please contact Leanne McLennan, your NAPLAN Coordinator.
Professional Learning Day
Highly effective schools are ones where every teacher believes that all students can achieve high standards given the right time and the right support. They are places where high expectations and early intervention are recognised as being essential to improving student achievement.
To support us in our work, our College is involved in a Learning Collaborative a growth, development and research partnership with Catholic Schools Lismore and Dr Lyn Sharratt. Dr Sharratt is a highly accomplished practitioner, researcher, author, and presenter. She holds a BA in Social Work from the University of Waterloo, a BEd from the University of Western Ontario, an MEd from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, a Doctorate in Education from the University of Toronto, and Supervisory Officer qualifications from the Province of Ontario.
Dr Sharrat is an advisor for International School Leadership with the Ontario Principals’ Council; she consults internationally, working with system, school, and teacher leaders at all levels in Australia, Canada, Chile, Denmark, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States. She focuses her time and efforts on increasing each student’s growth and achievement by working alongside leaders and teachers to put FACES on their data, taking intentional action to make equity and excellence a reality for all students.
On Monday this week, our staff participated in a day of learning and collaboration to deepen our awareness and understanding of evidence-based practices promoted by Dr Sharrat. Major areas of focus included: the importance of Learning Intentions and Success Criteria to support students understanding of what they are learning and what success looks like. As the term continues teachers will really start to focus on five critical questions for learning:
- What are you learning? Why?
- How are you going?
- How do you know?
- How can you improve?
- Where do you go for help?
As our work with the Lyn Sharratt Learning Collaborative progresses, Learning Walks and Talks (teams of teachers visiting classes) will assist the Leadership Team to gauge the effectiveness of our Professional Learning and provide feedback to inform future steps required to support our teachers to reflect on their practice and refine their craft.
Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards
Entries for the annual Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards are open. Capture the imaginations of school students and inspire them to express their thoughts and feelings through the medium of poetry.
Anzac Day Commemorations
In the past week members of our college community have been involved in some very moving events to commemorate ANZAC Day.
On Anzac Day we had a number of students represent the school at ANZAC Day Marches around the local area and we thank them (and in many cases their parents) for taking the time to commemorate our service personnel, past and present, for their sacrifice and service to Australia.
Those who attended marched together with returned service people, current serving defence forces, relatives of the fallen, community groups and other local schools. Paige Thompson (Year 11 Modern History student) wrote and delivered one of the Commemorative Addresses on the Battle of Jutland at the Grafton RSL subbranch commemoration. Ewan Whitty (Year 12 Modern History student) wrote the address on The Battle of Long Tan; however, Grace Fells delivered this on Ewan's behalf at the South Grafton Service
On Thursday the annual McAuley ANZAC Commemorative Assembly took place. This was largely organised by Mr Monford, Mrs Green and some year 9 students. Paige Thompson (Year 11 Modern History student) also delivered her address on the Battle of Jutland and the musical talents of Ms Nichol and Mr Immerson made the assembly very moving.
Assistant Principal, Learning & Teaching
TRANSITUS SOUTH
The Year 7 Retreat that was postponed in Term 1 has been rescheduled for 19-20 May (Week 4) at the same venue, Yarrahapinni Adventist Youth Centre Grassy Head. Students attending from our College will be given a final note this week.
LEAD
LEAD will take place Thursday 19th and 20th of May. Students registered to attend will receive a letter this week with final details.
Hello to all parents, students and staff. A warm welcome back to school for Term 2. I hope the Easter break was restful for everyone after a tiring Term 1!
A couple of concerning events happened over social media before the end of the Term and I feel I need to speak to this to be clear on our school policy regarding the use of social media.
Firstly, we had students threatened over Snapchat by other students at the College. Please understand that cyber-bullying is not tolerated at our College. If your child has received any form of threat over social media, I am asking you to encourage your child to take a screenshot of the threat and report it to the school immediately. If your child has been the one to send threats to other students, please understand their enrolment at the College will be in jeopardy. I take pride in our College being a safe place for students and staff. In today’s world, that includes online.
We also had a student or group of students use the College logo to start a page on Tic-Toc, putting down students in their junior years. This is a serious breach of our Student Code of Conduct. If your child is a part of this group, they are seriously placing their enrolment in jeopardy.
My message to parents is simple. Please be aware of how your child is using social media, particularly in Years 7-9. Check their phones. Set boundaries for phone use. Supervise apps such as Tic-Toc and Snapchat. The impact of these apps on a child’s wellbeing is huge and mostly negative. Boundaries are so important at this age with the use of any digital device. No boundaries can lead to poor mental health and addictive type behaviour. If you are struggling with this as a parent, please call us and we can certainly help with strategies to assist.
Looking forward to Term 2 and all the successes and challenges it will bring.
Take care,
Rob Imeson
Leader of Pastoral Care
The last day of our holidays was the 25th of April, ANZAC Day. In the Clarence Valley, there were more than 60 students as well as 15 staff who represented our College at the various ceremonies that took place. Can I say a huge thank you to all those who gave their time on that special day. Our College community is strong and the way we come together in our broader Clarence Valley community and stand together certainly makes me proud.
Outlined here are the students who participated in various ways at the many Clarence Valley Marches. If I have missed anyone, I sincerely apologise and ask that you contact me or the office so we can recognise your child's participation.
Grafton:
- Paige Thompson - Formal Address - The Battle of Jutland
- Beth Goodall & Eva Patricks - laying of College Wreath
South Grafton:
- Grace Fells read a speech written by Ewan Whitty about the Battle Of Long Tan,
- Matilda Sheehan - Opening prayer.
- Matilda Sheehan and Grace Fells - laying of College Wreath
Yamba:
- Layla Cramb & Sienna Clifton carried the RSL Yamba Sub Branch banner & read the prologue.
- Layla Cramb - laying of College Wreath
Maclean:
- Jack Bailey, Molly Imeson & Prea Cormick - laying of College Wreath
Photos from various ANZAC Day Marches across the Clarence Valley.
Year 7
Ellie White
Tully Waghorn
Sieanna Sutherland
Judy Irwin
Jesse Martin
Matthew Hoade
William Hartley
Olivia Graham
Brayden Cameron
Liam Adkin
Year 8
Jessie White
Millie Day
Joe Becker
Kai Brossman
Bowen Barrett
Annabelle Hourigan
Liam Salvestro
Melia Mccann
Tayla Mackey
Year 9
Anthony Young
Beau Thompson
Axel Vereyken
Sheridan Sutherland
Savannah Cheney
Jailon Donohoe
William Cameron
Henna Anderson
Year 10
Lucy Day
Sienna Clifton
Lucas Becker
Eden Maitz
Charlie Imeson
Michael Young
Laura Hoade
Theo Lobsey
Brooklyn Roach
Eva Patricks
Elizabeth Graham
Year 11
Sophie Newton
Paige Thompson
Levi Vereyken
Janet Irwin
Mikayla Mauler
Paige Mackey
Tylar Donohoe
George Wells
Year 12
Layla Cramb
Jack Bailey
Molly Imeson
Prea Cormick
Elizabeth Goodall
Amelia Kroehnert
Arliah Montague
Grace Fels
Matilda Sheehan
Rob Imeson
Leader of Pastoral Care
Our school will join with more than 620 Catholic schools across NSW and the ACT to celebrate the annual Catholic Schools Week (CSW). This will take place in the Diocese of Lismore from May 2 - 6.
This year’s theme “Community, Care, Compassion’’ echoes the broader mission of Catholic schools in the Diocese of Lismore, to provide opportunities for all of our students to experience life to the full as caring and compassionate school communities. It is particularly pertinent at this challenging time for our diocese and the world.
We are immensely proud of the role we play alongside our parish in maintaining the rich heritage that is Catholic Education in our community.
Dear God,
You call all of us to care and compassion. We thank you for the community we belong to in our Catholic school and for the gift of all those committed to Catholic Education in our schools.
We pray that you help us all to make the most of those opportunities presented to us to share our gifts and to treat others with kindness.
Bless the students, families and staff of our school – past, present and future – as they live out your mission.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Child Studies
Year 9 students have the opportunity to study the Child Studies elective for the first time in 2022. It is an exciting opportunity as we continue to expand the Stage 5 elective opportunities at the College.
The unit of work we are currently studying is Play and the Developing Child. We have been investigating and experiencing different types of play-based learning which contribute to the positive development of children from birth to 8 years of age. In brief, we have studied the stages of development, the different types of play, the benefits of play and appropriate play activities and toys for a range of ages.
We have been able to participate in a range of practical activities including indoor and outdoor play, arts and crafts, including making our own playdough.
Mrs Lee
Child Studies Teacher
On Saturday, 30th April, McAuley Catholic College sent a delegation to the Model United Nations Assembly (MUNA) 2022. Stella Van Leest, Angelina Francesgucci, Sean Sowell and Jack Smajstr, accompanied by Mr Montford and Mrs Green, travelled to Tweed Heads to participate in the Rotary-sponsored Assembly which provided students with a hands-on experience of a UN-style debate.
McAuley students elected to research and represent Denmark and participated in 4 resolutions, three prepared and one emergency.
A big thank you to Rotary Grafton who sponsored the McAuley Catholic College team and a big thank you to the Grafton Community Bus for providing transportation.
- Close contacts of a confirmed COVID-19 case will not be required to isolate, provided they comply with NSW Health guidelines (A close contact is defined as a household contact or an individual deemed by NSW Health to be a close contact):(These guidelines have been modified for the school setting)
- Wear a face mask in indoor settings outside the home including school;
- Undertake daily Rapid Antigen Tests before coming to school;
- Parents are to notify the school that their child is a close contact,
- Close contacts will need to comply with the above guidelines for 7 days from the time a person in their household tested positive for COVID-19.
- There are no changes for positive cases: the seven-day isolation requirement remains in place for anyone who has recorded a positive RAT or PCR result. They must follow NSW Health’s Testing positive to COVID-19 and managing COVID-19 safely at home guidelines.
Be Bus Aware Video
The video discusses how to stay safe on and around buses whether you're a driver, pedestrian, cyclist or passenger.
Prayer
Term 2 Gathering Prayer
We are Christ’s Body
Leader: St Paul reminds us that we are the Body of Christ, each of us adding our gifts and abilities to strengthening and building up Christ’s body in today’s world. Let us reflect for a moment on how we can together be his body, his hands, feet and eyes, transforming the world in which we live.
Leader:
For I was hungry and you gave me food.
I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink
All: Ours are the hands with which Christ works today.
Leader:
I was a stranger and you welcomed me.
I was naked and you gave me clothing.
All: We are the body of Christ, and the compassion of Christ.
Leader:
I was sick and you took care of me.
I was in prison and you visited me.
All: Ours are the feet with which Christ walks about doing good.
C.f. Matthew 25:35–36
Leader:
Christ has no body now on earth but yours;
No hands but yours;
No feet but yours;
Yours are the eyes through which the compassion of Christ must look
out on the world;
Yours are the feet with which he is to go about doing good;
Yours are the hands with which he is to bless his people.
St Teresa of Avila
All: Lord Jesus, help us to be your hands and feet in today’s world.
Teach us to open our hearts to you ways of love and service, so
that we will go about doing good. Teach us to be your eyes, so
that we will look with love on our world.
(From Catholic Education Office, Archdiocese of Melbourne, 2006)
Please find attached the latest Parish Bulletins from Clarence Valley Parish.
Kye Cherry, Molly Wiles, Chase Callaghan, Harry Stephenson, William Collis, Inari Whiley, Owen Howard, Carol Johnson, Arwen Lett, Sophie Newton, MAtilda McEntee, Mayha Mead-Davies, Arie Cave, Olivia Conroy, Alexander Salvestro, Paige Thompson, Aedan Connolly, Arwen Farnell, Meliah McCann, Hamish Smith, Heaton Lloyd, Matthew Hoade, Frazer Stokes, Lachlan Targett, Charlee Thompson, Gemma Walker, Ruby West, Brylee Anderson, Elijah Cheney.