From the Principal

Dear Parents and Carers,

It is with great pleasure that I write this newsletter following my return to the College from long service leave. Thank you to Dianne McGowan for stepping into the Principal role and to Tiffany Lee and Marg Bertalli who have also been in Acting Assistant Principal roles this term. It certainly makes it easier to take leave knowing the school is in very capable hands. I thoroughly enjoyed my 6 weeks of travelling in Europe and feel refreshed and rejuvenated, ready to finish 2023 and prepared for 2024. 

Visit to Mercy International Centre, Dublin, Ireland

In the last newsletter, Mrs McGowan wrote about the legacy and vision of Catherine McAuley, founder of the Sisters of Mercy, and the namesake of our school. While travelling in Ireland I was given the opportunity to visit and stay at the Mercy International Centre on Baggot St, Dublin, also known as the First House of Mercy or the House of Catherine McAuley, as it is the actual house that Catherine McAuley commissioned to be built in the 1820’s in response to the needs of the poor in Dublin - an amazing feat for a Catholic, single woman at this time.

This was my own small 2-day pilgrimage to the place where the work we do at MCC Grafton originated. And even though we are a long long way from Baggot St, Dublin and nearly 200 years on I felt very blessed and validated that we at MCC are carrying out the work this amazing woman - Catherine McAuley - started. 

The House was completed in 1827 so Catherine and others could help the poor and less fortunate people of Dublin, especially women and children. The centre was a school, a safe shelter for young women, and a centre of outreach to the sick and those in need. 200 students enrolled at the school on the first day!  

The official tour of the House with Sister Margaret from Cork allowed me to visit various rooms within the house and view items from Catherin'es life, such as thecup and saucer shown here.

Today the "good cup of tea" represents Mercy hospitality and is always part of the symbols used in our school liturgies and Masses

Visiting the House of Mercy has allowed me to obtain further insight into the life, work, vision and legacy of Catherine. The experience has certainly inspired me to continue in my work, to advocate, to educate our young people, and to promote our Mercy values to ensure they are our guiding lights.

New A Block Toilets

The new toilets in A block are complete and they opened on Monday 13th November. They have been designed by a company that specialises in toilet design and construction. The new design is quite different to our previous toilets, allowing for teacher supervision from the outside and increasing safety, as students have indicated in their feedback surveys that the toilets were the area that felt most unsafe in the College.  Students are asked to take care of this new facility and be proud and appreciative of the investment we have made in response to their feedback.

Sunflowers 

The amazing sunflowers planted by Brett Bowling and year 9 & 10 students at the entrance to the school can only make you smile! Thank you Brett and students for this great initiative! 

Alumni Come to Visit! 

Former student Katie Brown popped in to say hello when she was visiting Grafton recently. Katie graduated from McAuley in 2009. Katie currently works as a reporter on Channel 7’s Sunrise. Katie has had an exciting and interesting career after graduating from SCU with a Degree in Media. Katie has also worked for the NRL, on Radio SEN, with Channel 7 as a Sports Reporter and founded her own media outlet which puts a spotlight on women's sports. 

Congratulations 

A huge congratulations 

• To the year 7, 8 & 9 Debating Teams who recently competed in the State Debating Championships in Sydney and achieved outstanding results. Congratulations to Maya Conaghan, Amiah Carroll, Willow Rowney; Ahlia Hartley, Judy Irwin, Paisley Padayachee; Aalyiah -Scarlett Roach, Poppy Ross, Emily Newman.
• To Fallon Smith on the inclusion of her HSC major artwork in ART-EXPRESS
• To Annalese McKee on her Diocesan Golf results
• To Year 7 - 12 woodwork students for their great results in the Jacaranda Woodshow

Year 10 & 11 Leaders for 2024

Congratulations to the following students who have been elected as student leaders for 2024:

Year 11 2024: Alicia Boehme, Amali Rainbow, Beau Thompson, Axel Vereyken

Year 10 2024: Raimi Mortimer, Eve Van Leest, Liam Salvestro, Max Forwell

I wish to thank all the students who applied for a leadership position and went through the election process. All students who were involved in the process will receive a certificate of participation. 

Uniform 2024

Please note all students in years 7 & 11 2024 will be wearing the new College uniforms. All other students will gradually progress to the new uniform over a 2-year period. Parents of students in years 8,9,10 & 12 are welcome to purchase the new uniform items. If parents wish for their child to try on uniforms for size before purchasing in January, time has been made available from 3.30 - 5.00 on Monday 4th & Tuesday 5th December.  

Parish Christmas Gathering - Thursday 30 November

We are looking forward to hosting the Parish Christmas Gathering at our College on Thursday, 30th November. There will be performances from students from St Joseph’s, St Mary’s and McAuley as well as the Parish choirs. I’m sure a great night will be had by all.

Year 10 Work Experience

I wish Year 10 all the best for their week of work experience. We see this as an important part of their education in terms of career planning and development. Thank you to the numerous businesses, organisations and individuals who have generously accepted our students into their places of work.

Preparing for the end of the year

As we head into the last few weeks of the 2023 school year, it is important that we finish well. All students are to attend school each day and engage in learning activities and experiences such as reflection days and excursions. School rules and expectations are to be followed by all students. Save the Date: Year 7 - 11 Liturgy and Prizegiving on the 13th of December.  Activities 13 - 15 December 

Advent 

Next Sunday, 3rd December, we begin the Advent journey of waiting for the coming of our Saviour Jesus Christ. This is a time when we prepare for Christmas. We are called to live in this time of waiting by loving and placing our trust in God, and by caring for one another, especially the poor, needy and vulnerable in our world - and for the whole of God’s creation. 

All the best for the fortnight ahead.

Sincerely,

Kate Thomson

Principal

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

Catherine McAuley