From the Principal

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. 

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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