Term 4 - Week 1 - 17 October 2025

Dear Parents and Carers, Staff and Students,

As we begin a new term, we warmly welcome all students, staff, and families back to another exciting chapter of learning and growth at McAuley College. We hope everyone enjoyed a restful break and are returning refreshed and ready for the opportunities ahead.

The staff dedicated valuable time on Monday during the Staff Development Day to curriculum development. The day focused on the students of our college and developing a curriculum to support the growth of their learning and academic achievement. 

Year 12

At the end of last term, we celebrated the graduation of our Year 12 students. HSC examinations started last Thursday and continue for the next few weeks. We wish our students all the very best in their exams, and we ask that our community keep Year 12 in their thoughts and prayers at this time. The Year 12 Formal will be held on Saturday, 8th November.

We look forward to celebrating the milestone of finishing school at this special event. 

Staff Changes for Term 4

The following staff changes have been made this term: 

Kate Thomson is currently on leave for the first 4 weeks of Term 4. In her absence, Mrs Kathy Warby will be Acting Principal, Mrs Sophie Beresford will be Acting Assistant Principal, Mission and Wellbeing, and Mrs Zoe Rodda will be Acting Leader of Inclusion and Diversity. 

Leanne McLennan will be Acting Leader of Pedagogy while Margaret Bertalli is on leave for the term, and Mr Lance Smith will be replacing Mr Pat Gleeson, who is also on leave for the term. 

Staff Development Day - Crossing Cultures Hidden Histories

On Monday, 17th November, the staff will participate in a Staff Development Day. The course Crossing Cultures Hidden Histories will be delivered by a Catholic Schools Office Team of trained facilitators. The aim of the day is for staff to develop an understanding and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures, and languages so that they can promote reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians and develop their capacity to be culturally responsive educators and strengthen their connection with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents/caregivers and the community. 

Congratulations

Congratulations to 3 of our Industrial Technology students, Sam Waterhouse, Amelia Adamson and Benji Hunt, on their nomination for possible inclusion in SHAPE. SHAPE is an exhibition of selected outstanding works from HSC Design and Technology, Industrial Technology, Textiles and Design students. This is a fantastic achievement for them to be nominated, and we wish them all the best in the next phase of this exhibition. 

I would also like to acknowledge and congratulate Mrs Ashley Esad, Mr Rowan Butcher and Mr Pat Gleeson on the completion of their Certificate IV in Training and Assessment. This qualification is required to teach Vocational Education subjects within the college. 

This week, I also received a letter from Mr Richie Williamson, MP, Member for Clarence, congratulating Samara Bennett, who graduated from our College in 2017 with a Community Recognition Statement. This statement, presented in Parliament, recognises Samara’s remarkable achievement in being selected to volunteer with the Nurses in Action Program through World Youth International.  Samara completed a Diploma of Nursing at RMIT University and went on to study a Bachelor of Nursing at James Cook University.  Samara’s passion for healthcare and compassion to serve others, will see Samara travel to Nepal delivering vital services to communities experiencing extreme poverty. We wish Samara well in her commitment to serve others.

Mercy Values 

One of our School Strategic Improvement priorities for 2023 - 2025 has been to renew the focus on our Mercy Values with staff, students and families. Throughout the last three years, the staff have undertaken a Staff Development Day each year with Caroline Thompson from Mercy Partners to strengthen our understanding of our Mercy charism and tradition. 

We have discussed with the staff and student leaders the possibility of changing the Mercy Values to remove Respect, as it is also present in our College Expectations. This change would avoid confusion and repetition. Through discerning this, we reviewed the many values Catherine and her sisters displayed, and it has been decided that as of next year, our College Mercy Values will include Courage. 

Catherine believed courage came from trusting in God's help and using one's gifts to serve others. This value was evident in her willingness to undertake new work despite hardship, by opening a house for the poor, visiting the sick and uneducated, and establishing new communities even when ill or afraid. As a college, we hope that students will follow Catherine’s example and show courage when they too undertake new work or when they are feeling challenged.

Throughout this term, we will begin incorporating Courage into our Mercy Values and inspire our students to “always act with courage" (Catherine McAuley). 

Uniform

This is a reminder that all students are to be in the new uniform by the beginning of the 2026 school year. Uniforms are purchased from the Uniform Shop, which is located on-site, or they can be ordered online. 

Mobile Phones

Thank you for your support in discussing the College Mobile Phone Policy with your child. Whilst mobile phones can be useful, when misused, they can significantly distract from learning and teaching, causing unnecessary angst during the school day. Research supports that it is vitally important for students to have substantial periods of time free of mobile phone use. The College is committed to ensuring it provides a safe environment for all, where a focus on effective learning is central to all practices and procedures.

Please continue to remind your child of our policy and remember phones cannot be used for purchases at the canteen or Catherine’s Cafe. The policy is attached further in the newsletter. 

Parent/student communication during the school day

For matters of importance, students who need to contact their parents must do so through the office. Parents who need to contact their child are reminded that this should be done by contacting the college office and asking that a message be relayed to their son/daughter. 

Reminders:

• Thursday, 30th October, is a holiday for the local Jacaranda Festival
• Tuesday, 11th November, is the Year 6 Orientation Day for all students who have accepted enrolment at MCC for 2026
• Monday 17th November, Staff Development Day 
• Tuesday, 16th December, Annual Christmas Liturgy and Prizegiving  
• Wednesday, 17th December, final day of term 4 for students.

As we move through the term, we encourage all students to embrace every learning opportunity, support one another, and take pride in being part of a community that shines as a light for others. 

Welcome back, and let’s make it a great term together!

Kind regards,

Kathy Warby

Acting Principal

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

Catherine McAuley

HSC Examinations

Week 1 marked the commencement of the HSC Examinations, and we extend our best wishes to all Year 12 students undertaking the exams. The diligence of some students shone through as they took a boat from Yamba to Harwood and organised a lift to Grafton due to the blocked road out of Yamba at the start of the day on Thursday. Students have access to Stay Healthy HSC resources, which may be helpful for the duration of their exams.

The Importance of Reading and Goal Setting

In Week 1 at Assembly, Mrs Gleeson discussed the importance of reading and critical thinking. Both skills are essential to student success as they contribute to academic achievement and personal development, supporting students in all areas of study. Reading is a powerful tool that enhances understanding of all subjects. It's not just about novels and stories but also about accessing the curriculum across all Key Learning Areas. At McAuley, we value reading so much that we allocate time to Drop Everything and Read (DEAR), providing students with dedicated time each day to cultivate strong reading habits.

Goal setting was another key focus this week. A positive growth mindset and opportunity for students to set specific, measurable, and achievable goals for Term 4 were the focus for PC. Clear goals provide direction and motivation, helping students track their progress and focus on their objectives.

Progressive Achievement Tests (PAT)

Students in Years 7 to 10 will participate in PAT testing this term in Week 3. The PAT tests are assessments of Maths, Reading, and Science. They measure a student's knowledge, skills, and understanding and help pinpoint where they are in their learning journey and what they need to progress.

Year 9 and 10 Exams

Week 4 will be a busy time for Year 9 and 10 students as the school has reintroduced an exam period. Exam periods offer a concentrated way to assess deep, sustained student learning and synthesis of knowledge under timed conditions, closely mimicking real-world and external examination pressures (like the HSC).

Year 11 Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences – Tuesday, 4th November

The Year 11 Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences will be held on Tuesday, 4th November. We encourage all Year 11 students and their parents to take full advantage of this opportunity to support ongoing academic success.

Year 11 HSC Information Session – Tuesday, 4th November at 6 pm

Following the Parent-Teacher-Student conferences, we invite Year 11 parents and students to a HSC Information Session on Tuesday, 4th November, at 6pm in the Performing Arts Room (P1). 

Thank you for your continued support.

Dianne McGowan

Assistant Principal Learning and Teaching

The Year 12 celebrations for this year will conclude with a Formal Dinner on 8th November 2025. Tickets are on sale via Compasstix - with ticket sales strictly closing on Monday, 20th October 2025.

Year 12 Active Volunteering - Step Into Your Community!

On Tuesday 14th October, some of our students from the Year 12 Active Volunteering classes spent the morning at the Grafton Regional Gallery at a volunteering expo. Whilst there, students were able to find out more about different organisations and got to speak with active volunteers who are involved in a range of activities covering LandCare, WIRES, Lifeline, Australian Red Cross, Rural Adversity Mental Health Program and the School of Arts Neighbourhood House.

Students were able to hear first-hand from these volunteers about the personal and social benefits of being an active part of the broader community and were given food for thought on how they might get involved themselves. It was a pleasure to spend some quality time with our students and great to see them taking an active interest in the various opportunities open to them. A big thank you to Mr Smith for getting us safely there and back on the bus, and to Mrs Green for her support. 

Kind regards,

Caroline Doyle

Leader of Catechesis

Jubilee Art Prize Finalists Progress to Grand Finale!

Congratulations to our talented students in Years 8 and 9 whose hope inspired artworks have progressed to the final stage of the Jubilee Art Prize. A special mention goes to Max Lobsey from Year 9, who was also an individual finalist in the Junior Photography section.

The Jubilee Art Prize is an art competition hosted by the Diocese of Lismore to celebrate their Jubilee Year of "Hope." Max, as well as students from 8A and 9A were previously announced as finalists for their creative works inspired by this theme, and their projects were on display at St. Augustine’s in Coffs Harbour, during September.

We are thrilled to announce that following this regional exhibition, the works by our  students have all progressed to the final exhibition! This grand finale event will take place at St Carthage’s Cathedral in Lismore on December 6th. This is a huge achievement and a wonderful recognition of our students' work.

All parents, carers, and students involved in this art exhibition are invited to attend the final exhibition to celebrate this success. To ensure your place, please RSVP.

Please join us in congratulating these talented artists on their incredible journey in the Jubilee Art Prize.

Ignite Conference

On Thursday 25th September, 4 of our senior students, Raimi Mortimer, Molly Dick, Eleora Nichols, and Beckett Albert embarked on a 4 day retreat to the Ignite Conference in Brisbane. 

Ignite is a Catholic discipleship event which invites all ages of life to participate and celebrate their faith. Through praise and worship with Emmanuel Worship dynamic rallies, which gave us the opportunity to encounter the lord, and prayer teams which allowed for others to pray over you. 

Day 1: Started with a bus trip, we left McAuley at 9:30am. After many hours of games, talking, sing-a-longs to music we arrived at our venue. As a group the Lismore Dioceses made our way to Ignite Conference 2025. With a massive expo centre with people from all over the world, merch, different Religious orders, and the opportunity to ask many questions. We entered into our first rally of Ignite which had a hype pre-rally, followed by a talk by Stacey Trolove and a dynamic prayer experience to launch Ignite the Light. We left the venue with our hearts on fire. After a short debrief we were ready for whatever was heading our way for day 2. 

Day 2: After a well deserved and needed sleep we all woke up to eat a delicious breakfast and start the day off right with bacon, eggs, toast and drinks all offered to us so we could be energised for the day ahead. The day started with an opening rally with praise and worship lead by Emmanuel Worships, amazing songs, and then a touching talk from Fr Rob Galea which spoke about how stains on a wedding dress are like our sins and the person at the alter is Jesus and he is ready to accept you. After a quick morning tea we went into mass which was led by Fr Will who’s homily was a standout to all the participants as he used rap to begin and showed how connected he was to the culture of today. After celebrating mass we had lunch and were ready to go to our first keynote of the conference and first of the day. After both keynotes were complete we headed into our rally to conclude the night with more praise and worship, then a speech led by Sam Brebner which was then concluded by a beautiful time of Adoration which then led to us quickly piling into the bus to get back to the accommodation to sleep and prepare for Day 3.

Day 3: Another round of breakfast had us fueled and ready to go! After the bus ride we went straight into our morning rally. An absolute highlight of Ignite was Kym’s Couch. This is an opportunity to hear from 3 people who have written a letter about their life to their future selves. We heard from Emily, Father Josh and Jess. Which, hearing their own stories gave us the opportunity to reflect and see how God has worked in our own lives. We then had the opportunity to experience Reconciliation and Prayer teams for the first time at Ignite. After this we went off to our own workshop and keynote streams, we could chose workshops based off our own interests. This was an absolute highlight of Ignite this year. After our keynotes and workshops we had dinner breaks to explore the expo and join the podcast hosted by some of our College Youth Ministers. This was followed by a night rally of Holy Spirit night where we heard from Rebecca Crouch how we could live in the light now and every day. This night was very powerful and we were ready for day 4 to live in the light now and everyday. 

Day 4: After the last big three days, we all woke up ready to face the last one with new found hope, belonging and fostered faith. We once again had a delicious, nutritious breakfast to prepare us for the day and packed all of our things into the bus. We headed to the venue one last time for Ignite 2025 and straight into mass. As a diocese we all decided to sit together in mass and have that last opportunity to bond and grow our faith together as a collective along with our peers. We then headed into our last workshops of the conference. These workshops were designed to foster the needs of each age group and encourage them in their faith journeys. We were reminded about the fruits of the spirit and how we can live these out in our daily lives - teaching us about ourselves and how we can use our personal strengths to help others. We then headed into our final rally where we heard from Tash, the director for youth and young adults in the Archdiocese of Brisbane. She discussed the “light of Christ’ and encouraged us to take the lessons we learnt and our spiritual growth from the conference and apply them to our daily lives. We then said goodbye to our new found friends in Christ and headed home on the bus. The bus ride consisted of lots of sleeping, singing and new found bonds flourishing. Anyone that attended this last day of Ignite 2025 and was on that bus could tell you the profound joy radiating from each and every one of us. It was a pleasure to be a part of, and we can’t wait to do it all over again. 

Overall Ignite conference was a beautiful time to explore and deepen our understanding of our faith and allowed for us to open our eyes to the world of ministry I wholeheartedly recommend this retreat to any people who are unsure about their faith or anyone wanting to further deepen their understanding of faith; next years theme of Ascend will truly help to raise our hearts to the lord and continue living out our faith.  

Beckett Albert, Eleora Nichols and Jacob Somers (CYM)

Murder Mystery Game

It is time to celebrate all things spooky as we head into the Halloween season.

The Mercy Library is hosting a Murder Mystery game based on the book My Family and Other Suspects by Kate Emery. It is a fun book that keeps you guessing until the final pages, and this game will also keep students guessing.

Students are invited to come into the library and take on the detective role and see if they can solve the clues. Already there has been much discussion about who the nefarious killer could be of the beloved (or maybe not so beloved) grandmother.

Watch the following trailer for more hints about who may have murdered the family matriarch, GG. https://studio.youtube.com/video/dU5aq6JLo1w/edit

Meanwhile, keep looking out in upcoming newsletter editions as the library decorates for the unique Jacaranda and Halloween combo - Jacaween.

ClickView

As the Social media delay comes closer, teachers and students are concerned about where they can access high-quality, AV educational material.

Our school subscribes to Clickview which has had a revamp over the last few years and is well placed to offer Australian curriculum-based material for students in high school which are subject and topic specific.

Clickview has supplied the attached information about the benefits of accessing their high-quality educational material.

Donation

Thank you very much to teacher, Mr. Tim Treanor for his generous donation to the library of a coffee table with a leather chess board inlay. Tim found this exquisite coffee table over the holidays and rushed out to buy it for the library.

As an extra note, the chess table was made by Gympie potter and artist, Peter Wallace who obviously has an eye for detail and the aesthetic. 

We cannot thank him enough for his kindness, generosity and thoughtfulness, and giving the students in the school this wonderful gift. We hope all of our chess players enjoy the use of this beautiful space.

Linda Gleeson

Librarian

Welcome back to the final term of the year. Here is an update on upcoming events and activities which have occurred.

Year 10

Year 10 are preparing resumes in Careers classes. Their Work Experience will occur this term in Week 8. All paperwork should be returned by now. Those who are working with animals or working away from home will need to fill out extra paperwork. Please contact me if you have any concerns regarding this process.

We are looking forward to this exciting opportunity for the students.

Newcastle University will be visiting the school this Thursday, 23rd October, and any Year 10 students who would like to join the presentation at lunchtime are welcome.

Year 11

Career Opportunities for Year 11 this term include a visit from the University of Newcastle this Thursday, 23rd October, who will be coming to present information on opportunities at their University and information on courses, funding and accommodation. There is a Queensland University tour occurring in Week 8, and we will be touring 4 Queensland Universities.

In Week 4, there will be a Year 11 Parent HSC Information Evening on 4th November to help students and parents prepare for the final stages of the HSC course. I am looking forward to meeting parents to discuss their students’ needs.

By now, most students have finalised their courses for Year 12 and are firming up subject choices.

Southern Cross University’s Scholars Program - applications are now open.  Study a University unit for a term starting in March. This can be used for guaranteed entry for students at Southern Cross University. Also, automatic eligibility for scholarships, and can be used as course credit when entering university at SCU. 

Year 12 

The school has processed the University Admission Centre's (UAC) scheme school’s recommendation applicants. This process allows us to support students who have applied for Universities through UAC by providing feedback on their suitability for courses. 

Many students have received early entry offers from Universities but they must read the details of offers carefully to ensure if the place is conditional or unconditional (meaning they require a specific ATAR score). As stated in previous newsletters, students who do not achieve their dream course as an early entry spot should not be disheartened, as limited spots are available for some courses. Hopefully, their ATAR will reach the course requirements, and they can access their course. Further, if a student had an early entry offer of a bridging course or diploma instead of their actual degree course, this is an effective short stepping stone to accessing the course. These transitional courses are very short and prepare students really well. Further, universities state that students who complete these courses often outperform those who entered without a bridging course.

Educational Access Scheme - if a student has experienced significant hardship in recent years, they can apply through UAC for the EAS - Educational Access Scheme. The scheme means special consideration will be given to their scores to account for the disruption and disadvantage experienced by the student. This process will require documentation and will need to be signed by a relevant staff member. The closing date to apply for this scheme is 18th November. Please contact me if you require further assistance.

Attached is a list of the relevant dates for the UAC  processes.

Students should continue to research scholarships and apply. I am happy to assist students with these processes. Southern Cross University has an app that will match students to appropriate courses they can apply for. I have attached this below. Also, attached is a link to assist students in finding an appropriate scholarship. https://scuau.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0IFB2PeqtW8MCbQ. They can also visit The Country University Centre in Grafton, next to the library, for further assistance.

Students can apply to University courses through UAC up until the 6th February next year to start a 2026 course. However, applications at this stage are more expensive as the early bird application fee closed on the 30th September.

Jobs

There are three job opportunities available.

1. Year 12 school leaver with the Coffs Harbour Council. It is a procurement officer and includes 2 years of training. Please see attached. Council’s career page.
2. Orara Farms is seeking a farmhand. Please see the advertisement attached below.
3. Apprenticeships are available with the local Sunshine Sugar mills. Please see below.

Applications are currently open for Apprenticeship and Traineeship opportunities with Sunshine Sugar. These are listed on our website at www.sunshinesugar.com.au/careers/apprenticeships-and-traineeships/ and advertised on Seek.

Broadwater Sugar Mill

• Mechanical Fitter 

Condong Sugar Mill

• Laboratory Traineeship
• Boilermaker
• Electrician

Thank you for reading this update. Please contact me if you have any questions or require any assistance. 

Maria Rouse

Careers Advisor

Jacaranda Running Festival!

Sunday, 2nd November 2025
Memorial Park, Grafton, NSW

Run beneath the vibrant Jacaranda blooms, cross the iconic Grafton Bendy Bridge, and soak in breathtaking views of the Clarence River.

Event Options for All Ages & Abilities:

2km Family Fun Run/Walk (with an optional colour run finish) 
5km Run/Walk 
10km & Half Marathon 

Join Grafton Athletics – Fun for All Ages!   

Looking for a fun, inclusive way to stay active this season?
Grafton Athletics is your local community club, welcoming students and families aged 3 and up to take part in weekly track and field programs.

Whether you’re aiming for personal bests or just want to give it a go, our safe and supportive environment helps build skills, confidence, and lifelong friendships.

Saturdays – 8:50am
Terry West Oval, Junction Hill

Further Info and to Register now: graftonathleticclub.com.au

Athletics – affordable, fun, and for everyone!

Brochures and Flyers:

Survey_poster.pdf

Survey_poster _pdf 144.19 KB

Caringa_Allied_Health_Group_Sessions_Term_4.pdf

Caringa_Allied_Health_Group_Sessions_Term_4 _pdf 5.14 MB