Newsletter 31 October
- From the Principal
- Have your Say
- 2026 Intentions
- From the Pastoral Coordinators Desk
- Community Council Update
- World Teachers' Day - Hats Off to Teachers!
- Class of 2025- Formal Photos
- HSC Milestone Moment
- Year 12 Retreat – Jindabyne
- Art Exhibition
- Commerce Week
- Exploring future pathways
- Radio News
- Scholastic Book Fair Fun!
- Kindergarten Visit to Blakeney Lodge
- Year 7 Drama Fun
- Basketball NSW Primary Schools Tournament
- Mathematics Association of NSW Annual Conference
- Primary Campus Awards
- Vaccinations - 2026
- From Transport NSW
- Swap It
- Cyberbullying Webinar
- Junior Tennis Competition
- Careers Bulletins
From the Principal
Dear McAuley Families,
Over a few days in Canberra last week, I reflected with Catholic Education and my fellow principals on the success and growth we have experienced at McAuley over the past six years.
Our enrolments have grown by 44%, and in line with that, our staffing has also increased significantly. The College facilities have been markedly enhanced by the Primary BGA Project, which will provide the most modern and attractive classrooms in the local area. Improved access and play spaces will set the scene for many years to come.
Renovations and construction on the Secondary Campus have greatly improved our resources and learning spaces. Master planning and dreaming for similar projects on the Secondary Campus are well underway, with hopes that a major project could begin in the next two to three years.
We have experienced great success and rapid change at the College, and it is now our task to embed our culture of learning and respect, continuing to embrace the highest expectations for academic and pastoral care.
Our Year 12 cohort are coming to the end of their HSC exams, and as I run into each of them and check in, they are all so positive about the preparation and support they have received from the College. It is gratifying to hear that the culture we maintain here is recognised and valued. As we come to the end of their education journey, it is heart-warming to reflect on the partnership between families, teachers, and students as a key factor in our Catholic schools.
Linda Stade, on her blog (lindastade.com), writes about the keys to a powerful relationship with your child’s school. She notes that parent engagement is strongly associated with academic success for students. I see and hear many of these actions around the College constantly and always thank our families for choosing us to work with them to form good students and good people.
Here are seven keys to building a strong partnership between parents and schools:
Know that a positive home–school relationship benefits your child.
The children of families who engage positively with school achieve better social and academic outcomes.Parents and schools need to recognise and respect each other’s expertise.
We recognise that parents know their child best and love them unconditionally. Teachers are experts in curriculum and education — it’s an ideal partnership.Use technology for meaningful home–school relationships.
Communication tools, assessment, and reporting are all vital links in understanding how your child is progressing.Have realistic expectations and generous spirits.
Neither teachers nor parents are always readily available. Be mindful with emails and avoid expecting instant responses — open conversation is best.Schools need to provide rich parent experiences, and parents need to attend.
Please take the time to come to information nights, open days, social events, and Community Council meetings so you know what’s happening in the school and in education generally.Recognise the barriers — and tear them down.
Not every parent enjoyed school, so returning can be hard. We recognise people are busy, but that shouldn’t become an excuse for poor communication. Let’s not be an ‘us and them’ community.Parent engagement isn’t just about turning up at school.
Often, it’s the quiet moments — helping with homework or having a chat on the drive to training — that show our children we are invested in their education.
“With heart-led listening and quiet conversation, we can solve most problems, and if not, we can at least soothe them…”
Mary our Mother, look after us.
Eamonn Moore
Principal
Have your Say
The new annual School Engagement Survey is launching mid-November, and you will have the opportunity to reflect on your experiences at the College as a parent or guardian and provide valuable feedback.
Your feedback helps us understand how to better support your child and continue to improve our school.
The new survey has been developed with the support of JWS Research. It will take around 10–15 minutes to complete, and all responses will remain completely confidential, reported only at an aggregate level.
You can expect the 2025 School Engagement Survey to be distributed through Compass as a News Item and push notification in the coming days. If you have any issues accessing the survey link, please contact the Catholic Education Office via Strategy.Survey@cg.catholic.edu.au.
2026 Intentions
From the Pastoral Coordinators Desk
Glimmers
In a world where we are bombarded by the negative — by fear and by the nagging feeling that we aren’t quite good enough — it is easy to miss the glimmers.
Glimmers are best described as the micro-moments of joy: the tiny and often overlooked sparks of happiness that help calm the nervous system and make us feel content, safe, and joyous. Deb Dana, LCSW, first coined the term “glimmers” in her 2018 book, The Polyvagal Theory in Therapy: Engaging the Rhythm of Regulation.
With all the swirling life noise we find ourselves immersed in, it’s easy to miss these glimmers — and it can be challenging to lift ourselves out of the negative and allow the glimmers to shine through.
The Calm website (www.calm.com) suggests that to build the habit of seeing the glimmers, we should:
Set an intention – Every new habit starts with a clear intention and a reasonable goal. You don’t need to strain while looking for glimmers; trust that you’ll know them when they appear.
Practise mindfulness – Glimmers live in the present. If you spend most of your days focused on the past or future, you won’t be able to spot all the good around you.
Let the glimmers land – When you come across a glimmer in your day, allow yourself to stop and really take it in. Acknowledge why it feels good to you and what’s happening in your body.
Start a glimmer journal – Keep a log of all the glimmers you discover throughout the day and reflect on how they made you feel.
Share your glimmers – Take your experience off the page: share your daily glimmers with someone else, or better yet, invite them to join you on your journey to be a glimmer seeker.
We’ve created a Glimmer Padlet, and we’d love you to share where you’ve experienced a glimmer this week. Ms Roche has kicked it off!
Use the QR Code or https://padlet.com/kirsty_roche2/my-weekly-glimmer-m8uj4ofs0ppj
Ms Roche & Mrs Ryan
Community Council Update
Family Trivia Night
A huge thank you to all the students and families who joined us for our Family Trivia Night. Your enthusiasm and team spirit truly made it a special night. Together, we raised just over $1,000!
A special shoutout to Lyn Bathgate for another brilliant set of questions and plenty of laughs, and to Chrissy Massey and Anna Stubbs for tallying up those tricky scores. Thanks also to Anita Mason and Maree Stewart for keeping everyone honest (and competitive!) on the scoreboard.
Big congratulations to our champions, the Special K’s! We hear they might even be smarter than a PE teacher?!
Finally, a heartfelt thank you also to all the teachers and parents who helped make the night such a fantastic success.
Are you smarter than a PE teacher?
Community Council Meeting - 6 November 2025
World Teachers' Day - Hats Off to Teachers!
Today we celebrated World Teachers’ Day with our fun “Hats Off to Teachers” theme! Students were invited to wear their favourite hat — or create one of their own — as a way of showing appreciation for our wonderful teachers.
We are so grateful for everything our teachers do to educate, guide, and support our young people. McAuley has a great heart, and that is made a reality through the hard work, commitment, and deep devotion of our staff to their vocation.
Of course, it’s just as important to acknowledge our support and administration staff, who work tirelessly behind the scenes to keep everything running smoothly. As one parent beautifully put it:
“As a parent, I feel my children are safe, cared for, and well educated. What more can I ask for! Our front office staff are so dedicated, and we are so lucky to have them.”
A heartfelt thank you to all our teachers, support staff, and administration team for everything you do for our McAuley community. 💙
Class of 2025- Formal Photos
We are thrilled to share the Year 12 Formal photos from the end of last term, captured by professional photographer Aiden Rossiter — and they are simply stunning! ✨
What a wonderful way to remember such a magical evening. Thank you, Aiden, for providing these beautiful memories for our Year 12 students.
HSC Milestone Moment
Today marks a special occasion for our Year 12 students sitting their HSC exams — it’s the final exam for 9 of the 13 students, and a particularly historic moment as they complete the last ever HSC PDHPE exam.
From next year, the HSC course will continue under a new name and syllabus: Health and Movement Science.
We are incredibly proud of our students for their dedication, perseverance, and hard work throughout their studies and during this important milestone.
Year 12 Retreat – Jindabyne
Our 2026 Year 12 class spent several days last week on retreat in Jindabyne. This has become a valued annual tradition for our senior students, and this year marks the third time we have held the retreat at this beautiful location.
The theme, “Who am I?”, guided students through opportunities for reflection on their gifts, values, and personal journeys. It was a time for connection, contemplation, and growth as they begin their final year at McAuley.
We extend our sincere thanks to the staff who organised, attended, and hosted the retreat. A great deal of planning and care goes into ensuring this is a meaningful and memorable experience for our students. 💙
Year 12 Jindabyne Retreat
Art Exhibition
On Wednesday evening, we held a very special Opening Night of the McAuley Art Exhibition. Students’ works from Kindergarten through to Year 11 were proudly on display for family and friends to admire.
The night was made even more memorable with special guest, local artist Aiden Hartshorn, who officially opened the exhibition and shared insights into his life and artistic journey. You can read Aiden’s bio below and visit his website to explore more of his incredible work.
It was a truly wonderful evening, and huge thanks go to coordinator Ms Liz Place and everyone who helped make the event such a success.
Students have continued to visit the exhibition during class time on Thursday and Friday, and family and friends have also been dropping by. It’s been an incredible experience to share these creative works with our community. Well done to all involved!
Aidan Hartshorn
Aidan Hartshorn’s (Walgalu/Wiradjuri) practice examines the environmental and cultural impacts of industrialisation in Australia’s high country. Raised in Tumut, where the Murrumbidgee and Tumut Rivers meet, Hartshorn’s connection to his ancestral land is shaped by the disruptions of the Snowy Hydro-Electric Scheme, which submerged much of Walgalu Country, erasing sacred sites. The ongoing flooding and diversion of the Snowy River continue to affect Hartshorn’s community, limiting access to cultural practices and ancestral lands.
Through his work, Hartshorn addresses the intersection of colonisation, environmental degradation, and cultural loss, often using industrial glass to create objects that reflect his heritage and the ecological damage. His creations, like his Murrin (bark canoe), embody reflections on loss, resilience, and the struggle to reconnect with the land.
Hartshorn’s practice highlights the environmental consequences of Australia’s water management syst ems, challenging the narratives promoted by institutions and government. His work underscores the devastating impact on Walgalu Country, with patterns and forms echoing the fracturing of land and water systems, revealing both the beauty and violence of altered landscapes. His visual inquiries explore the complex relationship between industry, culture, and land.
View his artworks here: https://www.instagram.com/aidan.hartshorn/?hl=en
Commerce Week
Our Secondary Commerce students showcased their entrepreneurial flair this week by running food stalls during recess. They offered a tempting selection of treats, including loaded potatoes, popcorn, cookies, cupcakes, and even chocolate-covered strawberries!
All funds raised will be donated to Caritas, Catholic Mission, and St Vincent de Paul. Well done to all involved — it’s wonderful to see your business skills in action while supporting such worthy causes.
Exploring future pathways
Today, four McAuley students began the new YES Taster Program at TAFE Tumut.
Throughout the program, students will develop employability and foundation skills, explore alternative education and training pathways, and identify future employment opportunities. Each participant will also take part in fun, practical activities in the areas of construction, tiling, automotive, and welding.
Radio News
Billy and Phoebe had a great time and did a wonderful job on Radio News last week! Talking with Dave is always a highlight, and we’re very grateful to Sounds of the Mountains for welcoming us each week.
Remember to tune in every Wednesday morning at 9:30am to hear from our student representatives as they share all the latest from McAuley!
Scholastic Book Fair Fun!
We’ve really enjoyed the Scholastic Book Fair on the Primary Campus this week! A big thank you to everyone who visited and purchased items — your support means we’ll also be able to add a few new books to our library.
To celebrate and reward our fabulous readers, one lucky student from each class received a $10 voucher to spend at the Book Fair.
Happy reading, everyone! 📚💙
Kindergarten Visit to Blakeney Lodge
Our Kindergarten students enjoyed a wonderful visit to Blakeney Lodge this week. As part of their language and literature novel study, The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson, the students shared their learning and presented some beautiful handmade butterflies to the residents.
These visits are always such a special opportunity to connect with our community, and we are very grateful to Blakeney Lodge for welcoming us once again. 💙
Year 7 Drama Fun
Our Year 7 students are having a wonderful time writing and rehearsing their very own play as part of their Drama studies. It’s been fantastic to see their creativity, teamwork, and confidence shine as they bring their ideas to life on stage.
We can’t wait to see the final performance — it’s sure to be full of energy, imagination, and McAuley spirit! 🎭
Basketball NSW Primary Schools Tournament
Our Primary students had a fantastic few days in Wagga Wagga last week for the 2025 Basketball NSW Primary Schools Tournament!
👏 The boys started strong on Tuesday with wins against Scots School Albury and Gundagai Public, and a close loss to Franklin Public.
💪 On Wednesday, our girls gave it their all — showing awesome teamwork and sportsmanship in some tough games against Wagga Christian College, Scots School Albury, and Franklin Public.
We’re so proud of how both teams represented McAuley with pride and spirit!
A huge thank you to our parents for transport and to our coaches for their time and support.
Basketball superstars
Mathematics Association of NSW Annual Conference
At the end of last term, Mr Ryan and Ms Piper attended the Mathematics Association of NSW Annual Conference in Wollongong.
Across two days, 529 educators took part in 64 sessions featuring dynamic workshops, thought-provoking keynote presentations, and collaborative discussions — all designed to enhance teaching and learning in Mathematics.
Workshop topics included:
Engaging Ways to Teach Maths (Years 7–12)
Climbing the Bands (Years 11–12)
How AI is Reshaping Maths Education
What’s New in the Stage 6 Syllabus
It was a fantastic opportunity to learn from experts, explore the latest developments in Mathematics education, and connect with teachers from across NSW. Mr Ryan and Ms Piper look forward to applying the insights and resources gained to support their students’ success in Mathematics.
Primary Campus Awards
Vaccinations - 2026
From Transport NSW
Please consider visiting our website for lots of useful information for school age children and their families. This information can be shared via your school newsletter to provide valuable information to help keep our community safe, whether it includes walking, cycling, or driving to and from school.
DISTRICATION – P PLATE RULES FOR MOBILE USE
Many older students may drive to and from school. The below information is a good reminder for teachers and principals when discussing road safety with those students.
Learner, P1 and P2 drivers must not use a mobile phone while driving, even when you’re stationary, for example, stopped at lights or stuck in traffic. This includes:
- texting
- phone calls
- music
- emailing
- social media
- using the internet
- maps and navigation
- photography
This applies to mobile phones that are handheld, in a phone holder or hands-free, for example, via Bluetooth.
All drivers, including learner, P1 and P2 drivers, can use a mobile phone for any function when parked out of the line of traffic. The ignition does not need to be off.
Motorists can receive a fine and demerit points for using a mobile phone illegally. Double demerit points also apply. Students who have either a learner or P1 licence will go over the demerit point limit and lose their licence.
Please see link for more information – mobile phones.
BUYING A USED VEHICLE
Some students when gaining their license may look to purchase a used car for transportation.
It is recommending before buying a used vehicle, students should think about:
- what best suits your needs, lifestyle and budget
- whether you want to buy a used vehicle through a private sale, online, auction or dealership. Each option has pros and cons
- if you’re buying an electric vehicle, consider how and where you will charge the vehicle
- the total costs involved in buying a used vehicle. This includes registration, insurance, maintenance or repairs and interest on any loan.
To help support those students who may be looking to purchase a used car, feel free to direct them to our website – Buying a used car.
CHILD CAR SEATS
Parents of children when dropping off school may not have the correct child car seat fitted.
Children aged under 7 years must use an approved suitable child restraint when travelling in a vehicle. A child restraint is a forward‑facing or rear-facing child car seat (also referred to as a baby car seat or baby capsule), or a booster seat.
Please note below basic 5 step test before a child can move to seatbelt.
For teachers wanting to know more information, please visit our website – Child Car Seats.
Welcome to Term 4
Please consider visiting our website for lots of useful information for school age children and their families. This information can be shared via your school newsletter to provide valuable information to help keep our community safe, whether it includes walking, cycling, or driving to and from school.
SUMMER HOLIDAY BREAK
With the summer holiday break just around the corner, we want to remind all teachers, students, and school staff to remain safe on the road.
We wish everyone a happy and safe summer holiday break.
If you have any questions or if you are concerned about road safety around your school network, please reach out to us via school.student.safety@transport.nsw.gov.au
School Student Safety Team
Community & Place | South Region
Regional and Outer Metropolitan
Transport for NSW
SUMMER HOLIDAY BREAK
With the summer holiday break just around the corner, we want to remind all teachers, students, and school staff to remain safe on the road.
We wish everyone a happy and safe summer holiday break.
If you have any questions or if you are concerned about road safety around your school network, please reach out to us via school.student.safety@transport.nsw.gov.au
School Student Safety Team
Community & Place | South Region
Regional and Outer Metropolitan
Transport for NSW
Swap It
Cyberbullying Webinar
Junior Tennis Competition
