From the Classroom, Camps & Excursions
Debating Champions
Last week we travelled to Sydney to compete in The Catholic Schools’ Debating Competition hosted at St Patrick’s College, Campbelltown.
The difficult topics for the debates were:
Years 7 and 8: 'Eliminating plastic is a dream.'
Year 9: 'Testing on animals can be justified.'
Year 7 and 9 were successful in these debates naming them the NSW Regional Champions. Year 8 just missed out on the reigning title, naming them the NSW Regional Runners Up. These students are congratulated on this amazing feat.
Year 7 and 9 then competed against the fierce Sydney schools for the State Title. The topics for these debates were also very challenging and included:
Year 9: ‘Religious schools should be banned.’
Year 7: ‘Schools should not be dealing with contemporary political issues.’
The teams fought valiantly in these debates but unfortunately, after a close score, the debates were awarded to the Sydney schools, so our Year 7 and 9 teams were named Runners Up for NSW State.
The teams have developed well with some students only beginning debating this year, so it was an impressive achievement for all involved. The teams displayed excellent teamwork and oration skills. The students have grown in confidence and should be very proud of their achievements.
Furthermore, they were an absolute joy to be with and our long train journey went very quickly thanks to their crazy sense of humour, singing and dancing talents, and general good spirit.
Thank you to Leanne Kelly for accompanying us on this epic trip and her support of the team. Thank you also to the College Librarian, Linda Gleeson who has also assisted the development of the team.
Mrs Maria Rouse
Debating Teacher
Year 7 - Maya Conaghan, Amiah Carroll, Willow Rowney 
HSC ARTEXPRESS Selection
Regarding the concept of the piece, Fallon states, "My art piece communicates the influence a group of girls have on an individual going through adolescence. The women I have painted surround the audience with their intense eyes, refining themselves with plastic distortions of the lips and exaggerated dark eyelashes and deathly-sharp nails."
The piece uses many symbolic measures to communicate the concept further including, "The blankness on the girls' faces [to] represent how women overwork their image in ways that make themselves look non-human, to become acceptable for the male gaze," she said and she has used this as the influence for the piece's title.
"I have become a product of my own environment by the intense pressure others make me feel. Like I need to dramatise these features and strip away my inner child and natural beauty," Fallon continued.
This is an amazing feat for Fallon and a testament to her talents, hard work, and interpretation skills. She has excelled at her craft.
G.O.A.T Retreat
On Thursday, 9th November, three students (Anthony Y, Mitchell D and Hayden L) represented MCC in the first G.O.A.T. retreat; a gathering for Year 10 male students from parish secondary schools in the Diocese of Lismore to celebrate their faith at a Diocesan level. The students went to the Coffs Coast Adventure Centre, Bonville.
The overnight retreat was a fantastic emphasis for the students' capacity to become a gift of service to others by living out a radical adventure as a young Catholic man. The students participated in various activities designed to provide them with a transformative faith experience as they embarked on their journey through manhood, guided by the life of Jesus, the Saints and the teachings of the Catholic Church.
The students were able to build relationships with other young men at the retreat by talking and sharing about their faith journey and working together to complete physical tasks and activities.
Overall, The G.O.A.T experience was received positively by the students with a sound recommendation being provided for future Year 10 boys to take part in this insightful and challenging event.
Year 10 Camp
Year 9 Food Technology
Our Year 9 students created some scrumptious chicken burgers with roasted golden potatoes in class this week.
Jacaranda Woodshow 2023
As part of the annual Jacaranda festival, the Clarence Valley Woodworkers Association organises an exhibition for woodworkers in the region. The showcase includes a dedicated section for schools, allowing students to present their projects. This year, McAuley students participated with over 30 projects, demonstrating the high calibre of their work and earning numerous awards.
Congratulations to all participants, with special recognition for the following award winners:
- Year 7 and 8 Section: Holly Cooper and Lucy Sowry
- Year 9 and 10 Section: Kate Morgan and Sam Waterhouse
- Open Section: Ella Cahill, Mack Brennan and Will Pattison
Thanks to the outstanding efforts of our students, McAuley secured the title of 'The Most Successful Secondary School', claiming a $500 prize that will be reinvested in the Workshop for the continued benefit of our students.
Gratitude is extended to the members of the Clarence Valley Woodworkers Association and The South Grafton Ex-Servicemen's Club for their sponsorship and unwavering support.
Mr Adam Bancroft
Leader of TAS
