Term 2 - Week 7 - 9 June 2023

Dear Parents and Carers,

I write to you this week with a heavy heart and great sadness as I acknowledge the terribly sad and tragic death of Year 10 student, Noah Smith. I ask that you keep Noah’s family and friends in your thoughts and prayers, as we are each day. We have been able to provide support, care and compassion to all impacted by the passing of Noah. Extra counsellors and support people have been available, as well as various support spaces, for the students. We have also tried to ensure that our school routines are maintained which was explained in our Assembly last week which had the theme - The Power of Routine.

The following is an extract of my Assembly Address to the College:

 Life changed for us as a community when we received the news of Noah and we know that the days, weeks and months ahead will continue to be difficult. I wish to acknowledge and thank the students for the way you have dealt with this difficult and sad tragedy, supporting each other, checking in and asking for help. I particularly direct this thanks to Year 10, but I know that Noah had friends across the year groups and outside the school. 

I thank my staff for the support, care and understanding you have given our students, families and each other.  In addition, please know we have received so many emails, text messages, cards, and flowers from schools and families from across the Clarence Valley and Lismore Diocese expressing their condolences. 

We have also received amazing support from the Catholic Schools Office, which has included a number of people coming in to take classes, cover playground duty and supervise in the support room. They have all mentioned how great the students have been under the circumstances.

The process of mourning and acknowledging Noah and processing what has happened is in the early stages. We all do this differently, so I ask that you be kind, gentle, and understanding of each other at this time. 

It is also important that we keep our routines and surprise yourself each day with your own courage.

We will have opportunities to acknowledge Noah in the near future. Please reach out and seek help for your child and yourself. We have been supported by a number of organisations, including headspace Schools and Communities, and Be You and I have included some of their resources in this newsletter.

Headspace availability 

We have been informed that students who present to our local headspace will be given priority. 

Some Staff changes

I welcome to the College Administration Team, Bethany Priest. Bethany comes to us from WA and brings with her extensive experience in Customer Service. Bethany will be working the Front Office 3 days a week with Alex Eggins.

Assistant Principal Mission & Wellbeing, Kathy Warby has taken leave for 8 weeks to be with her family. Kathy will be replaced by Margaret Bertalli (5 June - 30 June) and Tiffany Lee (17 July - 11 Aug). We wish Kathy all the best with her grandmother duties! 

McAuley Fest

The new date for McAuley Fest is Thursday 20th July, which is week 1 of Term 3. Tickets will go on sale this week through Compass. Please come along and support the students and staff of McAuley. There is amazing talent in our community and this is a great way to discover and appreciate this. Thank you to the Student Leadership Team who have organised this exciting event. I note that it is difficult to find the next best date for this event. Any later than week 1 next term clashes with the Year 12 Trial exams and HSC practical exams and submissions. Thank you for your support and understanding.

Subject Information Evening - Tuesday 13 June

We will be hosting our annual subject talks on Tuesday in preparation for subject selections for 2024 and we encourage all parents of students in years 8 and 10 to attend. There will be important information provided by Mrs Lee to the whole gathering followed by small group and individual talks with subject leaders and teachers. Yr 8 session is 6 - 7pm; Yr 10 session is 7 - 8pm.  We will also have some of the new uniform samples on display. 

Athletics Carnival

A reminder that our annual Athletics Carnival is on this Friday 16th June at Barnier Park, Junction Hill. More information can be found on Compass.

Take care in the fortnight ahead,

Sincerely

Kate

Kate Thomson

Principal

“We should be shining lamps, giving light to all around us.”

Catherine McAuley

SHINE unites Youth Ministry (CSYMA) students in Catholic secondary schools of the Diocese of Lismore. The Youth Ministry program is offered to Year 9 and 10 students, allowing those with a willingness to nurture their faith an opportunity for Christian fellowship and spiritual formation.

With a continued focus on peer-to-peer ministry, the two-day SHINE event combines elements of praise and worship, inspiring keynote speakers, student testimonies, small group discussions, interactive workshops, prayer, Eucharistic Adoration and Mass. 

Senior Ministry Team members are invited to apply for roles as small group leaders, testimony givers and workshop facilitators.

An integral part of the Proclaim Lismore Student Discipleship Continuum, SHINE will again be held at St John Paul College in Coffs Harbour on Thursday 24th – Friday 25th August, with over 600 participants expected. Please join us in praying for its ongoing success.

Youth Ministry students from years 9 and 10 have been invited through COMPASS. Consent and Payment are due by 16 June, through COMPASS.

Margaret Bertalli
Acting Assistant Principal - Mission and Wellbeing

Subject Selection

Yr 10

During week 5, Year 10 students could attend a Careers Expo facilitated by Mr Paton. The day provided students with the opportunity to explore different career pathways by engaging with a variety of people from within their local community.  Hopefully, this has prompted lots of discussion about their future. In week seven, they were given more information about subject offerings and received their Stage 6 McAuley Catholic College Course handbook 2024-2025 for the 2025 HSC. Parents are also encouraged to attend the information session that will take place at the college on Tuesday, 13th June, where the school will go through the stage 6 Curriculum options and expectations. Parents have received a note via Compass indicating the starting time for year ten parents is 7 pm. This is the beginning of our subject selection process. We will also host a  compulsory interview with parents and any year ten student who would like to enrol at the school for year 11, 2024. This will be in the form of a subject counselling interview on Tuesday 15th August (week 5) 3.30 - 6 pm (parents will be able to select a 15 min time slot within this time period). The booking process will be similar to parent-teacher-student conferences, and time slots will be open during week 3 of term 3.  Please add this date to your calendar.

Yr 8

Mrs Lee has met with students in year 8 to administer the subject selection handbook and explain the process that we have in place to support student selection of their pathway of study for 2024. There are many decisions to be made, and subject offerings will be created based on student preferences at the beginning of next term. We will have a parent evening Tuesday next week (13th June) for parents of year eight students starting at 6 pm.

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Recently I  attended a seminar presented by VET Skills & Regional Workforce Symposium for Senior Education Leaders. The Symposium was a final project of the DEWR-funded Industry Training Hub pilot programme that looked at ways we can build a stronger regional workforce in the following local government areas (LGAs) of Grafton, Coffs Harbour and Bellingen. The seminar presenters promoted some of the job growth areas in the Grafton / Coffs Harbour and Bellingen LGAs and how we, as educators, can support the skill set in these areas. The presenters focused on three main areas Healthcare and community services, the construction boom in the northern rivers and road work on the new Coffs bypass. 

 Some professions where the presenters indicated that there  is a high need in our local area over the next ten years in our areas are listed below:

• Geotechnical engineering 
• Project managers
• Houseraising (Lismore)
• Construction
• Film industry
• Eco, Agriculture and regenerative tourism 
• Agricultural areas
• Hospitality

Artificial Intelligence and Its Impact on Education: Embracing the Challenges

As we embrace new technologies in education, it is essential to address the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI). One area of focus is AI writing tools, such as ChatGPT, which have sparked diverse responses within the education sector. At McAuley College, with the support of the Catholic Schools Office, we are discussing how best to respond to these tools. Indeed, the use of AI to create responses to questions that are assessments would be considered a form of cheating, equivalent to having paid someone to write your assignments, and this will be written into our school policies.

When using any AI tools, such as chatbots or image generators, it is crucial to develop our student’s knowledge and understanding of AI, especially data privacy and the information you provide. Understanding how the application adheres to the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) and safeguards personal information is a good starting point. 

Reactions to AI writing tools range from concerns about cheating to recognising their potential as valuable learning aids. Similar debates have arisen in the past, such as the introduction of scientific calculators. Educators had differing views on their impact, but we ultimately embraced calculators as tools for deeper learning.

At McAuley College, we aim to strike a balance that harnesses the benefits of AI writing tools while promoting critical thinking and problem-solving skills. We value your input and encourage you to join the discussion as we shape our approach to these tools. If any parent is interested in this area or would like to offer their perspective, please contact the office via email with the subject line:  AI discussion.

Together, we can prepare our students for the future by embracing the challenges and opportunities presented by AI and emerging technologies.

Indigenous  Education News

National Sorry Day Assembly

Over the past two weeks, our College has recognised National Reconciliation Week and National Sorry Day, a time for all Australians to reflect on our shared histories, cultures, and achievements and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia in our daily lives. 

I especially want to thank our Indigenous Education Workers (IEWs), Wil Bancroft and Ellee Munro, for coordinating a meaningful assembly. I would also like to thank our indigenous students for participating in the assembly and supporting our school and local communities' awareness of ongoing reconciliation, understanding and unity. 

Excursions

Our Indigenous dancers also represented the school in week 6. They could present the dance, which they had been working on during the term, to some members of the Grafton Aged Care Home. On all accounts, the performance was excellent. It will be shared with our school community at the NAIDOC assembly in week 10.

In week seven, some of our students also participated in the Clarence Valley Close The Gap Day held at Yamba. The Close the Gap program hosted by the Mudyala Aboriginal Corporation was a day that was filled with fun activities and opportunities to raise awareness on aspects of health, education, employment, justice and culture.

Please see the full report from Wil and Ellee later in the Newsletter

Official Opening of Bush Tucker Garden and the Yarning Circle

We would like to invite all members of the school and the broader community to the official opening of our new Yarning Circle and Bush Tucker garden. Please join us as we take tangible steps towards reconciliation and cultural understanding together. The Yarning Circle and garden will serve as a space for all students and a place to hold meaningful conversations and connections within our school community. Please see the invitation in this Newsletter.

Elevate Education

Elevate Education works with our students, delivering high-impact workshops on study skills, motivation, well-being, and exam preparation. In the last session held by Elevate, Over 6,000 parents from across Australia attended the Exam Preparation webinar.  These numbers just go to show how challenging this time can be for students and parents in the lead-up to exams. The next Elevate webinar this term is on Wednesday, 21st June. The focus will be exclusively on  Minimising Stress and Maximising Marks and how you, as parents, can help your children prepare for tests and exams.

In this webinar, elevate will be discussing:

• What to do in the final days before any test or assessment 
• How to establish a good routine for the night before 
• How to optimise exam-room perform

By tuning into their webinar series, you will learn how you can help better support your children at home by reinforcing the skills they learn at school:   

Wednesday 21st June @ 6:30pm (AEST) 

Click here to register for free

Dianne McGowan

Uniform Reminders 

As we near the end of term and prepare for Term 3, a couple of uniform reminders to consider:

Winter Options:  As you know we are in the process of making uniform changes. So in the interim period - for terms 2 & 3 - we have made the following options available, considering that additional changes are coming and wanting to reduce costs to parents:

• all students can wear the College tracksuit pants (and jacket) on sports day and when they have PE practical lessons.
• Boys can wear long grey dress pants
• Girls can also wear maroon dress pants.
• Girls can wear maroon, black or beige stockings

Jumpers - The only jumpers to be worn include, a Maroon “Gotcha’ with a monogram, Para Sport Jacket or Maroon Woollen College-Style Jumper. Remember to label all uniform items with the student's name. Many are left behind in the afternoon and are placed in the lost property bin for collection. 

Jewellery - Jewellery should be modest and kept to a minimum. Students may wear a wristwatch, a single neck chain, one simple ring and one bangle. Students may wear a maximum of two sleepers or studs in each ear. These are to be small, plain earrings. 

Neckbands, as well as wrist and ankle chains and ankle bands and leather jewellery, are not permitted. 

Excess jewellery will be confiscated by staff and returned at the discretion of the Assistant Principals or Pastoral Care Coordinator. All care will be taken, but no responsibility accepted. 

Nose Piercings - Visible facial piercings are not permitted. If your child has their nose pierced, they must wear a clear spacer during school time. 

Hair - Hair should be well-groomed and tidy - Long hair over the collar MUST be tied back. Ribbons and other hair ties are to be in school colours. Extremes of hairstyle, including extremes of colours, are not permitted. During the holidays is a perfect time to tidy the hair and get ready for the next term. 

These guidelines are in the Student Planner and students are encouraged to refer to this when unsure regarding uniform guidelines and the wearing of the Sports uniform.

Year 10 Future Pathways Planning Day

The Year 10 Future Pathways Planning Day was held at the College on Thursday, May 25. The day provided students with the opportunity to explore different career pathways by engaging with a variety of people from within the local community. 

The students rotated in small groups where they had the opportunity to hear about each presenter’s pathway to their current role, what their job involves, and lessons that they have learned on their career journey.  

The presenters were from the following local businesses:

• Clarence Valley Council
• CHS Training, Grafton
• Comerford  Cabinetry
• Southern Cross University
• Clarence Valley Women's Engineers Group
• NSW National Parks And Wildlife Services
• TAFE NSW
• Connect NR
• Summerland Credit Uion
• James and Dare Creative
• FM Radio
• Ray White Real Estate
• Westrac
• Jetts
• Bright Sparks Early Learning

The day was a highly successful venture that was designed to get students thinking about their future careers and the planning necessary to get to their destination. 

I would like to thank all the presenters for volunteering their time to attend and also Jill McCall from Regional Education Partnerships for making the day so worthwhile for the Year 10 students who attended. 

Year 12 Students

Year 12 are reminded again to check their school email as I am regularly sending information on University Open Days, early entry, the university application process, and employment opportunities.

We have been discussing the university application process in Career Classes via the NSW University Admission Centre.

Entry to Queensland Universities via the Queensland Tertiary Admission Centre will be covered after the students finish their trials.

It is important that students and parents are aware that application closing dates for universities vary and may even vary depending on the course to be studied. Students need to research their proposed university and courses thoroughly to avoid missing application dates.

Students have been made aware of Early Entry opportunities so far and have applied during Career classes.

Grafton Aged Care performance 

On the 29th of May, our Indigenous dance group visited and performed for the residents of Grafton Aged Care as part of their Reconciliation Week celebration. The day began with a Welcome to Country by Uncle Rob who is a resident of the home, a smoking ceremony, and the raising of the flag. 

Our students then performed for the residents. This was an extreme honour to be able to perform in front of some of our Elders who expressed their feelings of pride and love for the younger generation of our culture. 

We ended the day with a cake which residents and students enjoyed in the sunshine. 

We would like to thank Grafton Aged Care for inviting us to be part of their Reconciliation Week celebrations. 

Wil and Ellee
Indigenous Education Workers

COUNTRY CUP RUGBY LEAGUE

Under 15’s Rugby League Team Report

Our MCC Under 15’s team travelled to Coffs to play three hard games against formidable teams. It is important to note that we didn’t have any reserves; however, the boys never slackened off with their commitment.

In the first game, we played Bellingen High. The boys played as a team and scored three great tries. Two to Peter Hammond and one to Beau Edwards. Beau converted all three tries. Our forwards took the ball up with gusto and this gave the backs plenty of room to split the defence on numerous occasions. Special mention to Cruz Sewell, Ollie Godfrey and Max Forwell who tok on a forward pack much larger than themselves and laid the platform for a dominant display of vintage schoolboy football.

The second game, saw our fortunes disappear when a much larger team from Macksville High splattered with rep players took us on. While they put three tries on us, we crossed the try line at least twice for the tries to be disallowed. Some players were feeling the physical exhaustion of non-stop footy with no reserves. Towards the end, we only had eleven players to thirteen. A gallant effort no less!

What a game to finish the day off. Playing Toormina High with our team having two players off the field for the whole game. It was one try each and only a conversion being the difference. Moral winner was a term used by many after the game which indicated how each and every player played. This game showed that every player was committed to each other and a ‘team effort’ won on the day.

It was a pleasure to help out on the day, as we had the coach Mr Coggan unable to be with the team. Wonder could have been if he was there.

A champion team full of champion boys. Well done!

Under 13’s Rugby League Team Report

The McAuley Catholic College team travelled to Coffs Harbour for the Country Cup Rugby League tournament confident of some good performances. In game 1 we played Saint John Paul College from Coffs Harbour. The team dropped a lot of ball and pushed too many unnecessary passes however came away with a 12 - 4 win. Tries were to Cooper McLennan and Zaden Nipperess who also converted both tries. 

Our second game was against South Grafton High who many of the boys knew well. We put in a better performance against a depleted South team and won 34 - 0. Tries were from Jason Maitz x 2, Lennox Sutton-Sinapatti, Cooper McLennan and Zaden Nipperes who converted 5 goals. 

The Grand Final was a return match against the local SJPC again where we were victorious 22-0. Try scorers were Jason Maitz x 2, Ryley Bultitiude, Jai Adamson and Zaden slotted 3 goals.

The team will now progress to the Regional Finals at Port Macquarie on Tuesday 20th June where they will play another three games.

Opens Rugby League 

The MCC Opens Rugby League team played 3 games on the day, all with only 13 players and 0 subs! Game 1 was against the old rival, South Grafton High. The boys dug deep and came away with an 8-4 victory. Special mention in Game 1 to the aerobatics of Noah Gallahger who dived through the air to score a great try on the wing. 

The second game was against St. John Paul College. This was a much more physical game with our forwards running hard and tackling harder. Unfortunately, there were a few missed opportunities and the lads lost 18-6, with Mack Brennan scoring our only try in the centres. 

The last game demonstrated what the lads really had in them. They had already played two 25-minute games without much rest and the legs were starting to get tired in the last game against Macksville. The boys played well and had a 1-point lead going into the final two minutes. However, Macksville scored a long-range try to take the game 17-12. 

Everyone represented the college with pride and showed great teamwork and sportsmanship throughout the day.

Dates to note:

June:

13th: Year 8 & 10 Subject selections for 2024 

13 & 14: Respectful Relationships 8 & 9 

14th: Year 10 Immunisations 

16th: MCC Athletics Carnival

20th: U13's Country Cup Rugby League Port Macquarie

21st: FNC All Schools Touch Football Carnival Yrs 7&8

22nd: FNC All Schools Touch Football Carnival Yrs 9&10 

22 - 25: Street Retreat Brisbane (Yr 11) 

23rd: White Card Course- 23rd June

29th: NAIDOC celebrations and Rachel Johnson Touch Football 

29th: Last day of Term 2 (students) 

30th: Staff Spirituality Day

The College is pleased to announce that it now offers lunch orders online for students through the Flexischools app. Please see the attached flyer to get started.

Please find here some resources from headspace and Be You to be used in times of grief 

• Stress response in adolescents and adults

• Be You Support Services

The Australian Government Review to Inform a Better and Fairer Education System (the Review) will make recommendations for Education Ministers to inform the next agreement to improve education outcomes in Australia and meet the current and future needs of students.

As part of the Review, the Government has engaged the Social Research Centre to survey Teachers, Parents and Students. This is an opportunity for teachers, parents and students to contribute their perspectives and help shape the future of education in Australia.

The Review will use survey results to help draft a consultation paper which will invite submissions from all stakeholders. Results will also inform the development of recommendations for the final report, which will advise Education Ministers on what targets and reforms should be included in the next National School Reform Agreement.

The Survey closes on Friday, 23 June 2023:

Parent and Student Survey

Prayer for Noah Smith

The following prayer was said last week with all year groups in the College as we shared the tragic news of Noah. During the week we continued to pray parts of the prayer each day. 

Heavenly Father, we come together today as a college community asking for Your grace and comfort in our time of grief as we mourn the loss of Noah.

The absence of Noah creates within our lives an emptiness that hurts which, we know will take time to heal. The darkness of grief clouds our vision and hides your light which we, as a community, need in our lives to lead us through the sadness.

Through Your grace, Come to us. Hold us. Heal us, and strengthen our weak spirits with sure faith in the Resurrection you promised and delivered from the cross.

Most merciful God, whose wisdom is beyond our understanding, surround the family of Noah with your love, that they may not be overwhelmed by their loss, but have confidence in your goodness, and strength to meet the days to come.

Lord of all gentleness, surround us with your care and comfort us in our sorrow, as we grieve at the loss of Noah. Guide our thoughts to find comfort in Noah's peace as he now sits with You and all the angels and saints in our Father's divine kingdom.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen

Please note COVID-19 is still present in our community. Rapid Antigen Tests are still available at the College. If you require additional tests please contact the College Office.

Please be reminded that students and staff CANNOT attend school if they are showing any symptoms of COVID-19. 

Students who are unwell

If a student is unwell, displaying any COVID-19 or cold and flu-like symptoms at any time, they CANNOT attend school and should undertake a rapid antigen test. 

If the rapid antigen test is positive and the student is unwell and/or experiencing any symptoms, they CANNOT attend school.

If the rapid antigen test is positive and the student is not feeling unwell and not displaying or experiencing any symptoms, they CAN attend school under the following conditions:

• the school office is informed of the positive test result, AND
• the student (over 12 years old) wears a mask for a period of 7 days in all indoor settings.