Term 1, Week 9 - 26 March - 2021

Dear Parents and Carers,

In the last week we, like many communities across the state, have experienced a severe weather event. This resulted in the closure of the College for 5 days due, initially, to local flooding and then the subsequent major flood of the Clarence River, both rendering the access roads to the College inaccessible. I have been asked by some families -  “How often does this happen?”   and according to our records, the last time we closed due to flooding was 2013. 

We may have been unable to access the physical site; however, we were able to move quickly to online learning - almost a year to the day that we did this as a result of COVID19 in 2020. Our experiences from last year placed us in a position where we could be adaptable and transition smoothly to online learning and I hope learning continued for our students during this extraordinary situation. We will spend time in week 10 checking in with students and recapping the online work.

Thank you to all the parents and carers for your understanding and support in a situation that was beyond our control. Of utmost importance throughout this event was the safety of our students, families and staff. In terms of the flooding in the Clarence Valley I was very thankful for the levy banks that surround our towns. Some of our families do not live in areas protected by such a system. If you or someone you know from our community has been affected by the flooding please let us know so we can provide assistance. I have included some photos of the flooding, simply for interest sake, further in the newsletter.  Our thoughts and prayer are with our community and the communities south of us, particularly those in Kempsey, Port Macquarie and associated areas, who have experienced devastating weather and severely damaging floods. 

Impact of Week 9 Closure on Yr 11 & 12 Assessments

We realize that a number of assessment tasks scheduled for Years 11 and 12 have been impacted by the recent closure. Mrs Lee is working with staff and students to reschedule these. 

Parent Forum Gathering

We held our first Parent Forum gathering (replacing P&F meetings) on Tuesday 16th March. It was exciting to have twenty parents join us in the College Library and 5 joined via our Zoom link. Thank you for your attendance and interest in the College. The main focus of the evening was an overview of our Pastoral System and an introduction to the positive education philosophy and practices we have adopted through the implementation of the Berry St Education Model, presented by our Leader of Pastoral Care, Mr Rob Imeson. Our next meeting will be in Term 2 - Tuesday 25th May (to be confirmed) and the focus will be Learning in the College.

Week 10 Term 1 - Parent Teacher Interviews

Our Parent-Teacher interviews will be held on Tuesday 30th March in the College Hall between 3.40 and 6.30pm. It is pleasing that we can resume this connection with parents and carers in-person. I ask that parents follow the COVID safe procedures we have in place, particularly practising physical distancing of 1.5metres when waiting, socialising with other parents, and at the interview. Seating will be provided that accommodates these requirements. Hand sanitiser will also be available at stations inside and outside the Hall. Thank you to all parents who have already made interview bookings via the online booking system. If you require assistance, please call the College office. In the Week 7 Newsletter, I made some suggestions as to the questions you could ask your child’s teacher. I have included them again here and they will also be available on the night:

• What is my child learning?
• How is she or he doing?
• How do you know how he or she is doing?
• How can she or he improve?
• What supports can I provide and can you provide if she or he is struggling? When can we check in again?

(From: Clarity - What Matters Most in Learning, Teaching, and Leading by Lyn Sharratt, 2019)

Attendance 

In week 8 we prepared letters for students whose absences have placed them under 80% attendance. These letters will be sent home this week and we ask parents to work with us to ensure attendance improves and that you communicate with us any unforeseen circumstances or health issues that result in a student being unable to attend school.  Please note - attendance for Week 9 has been recorded as “Special Circumstance - Flooding“ for all students and is not counted as an absence. 

Year 12 Reports

Semester 1 Year 12 reports will be available at the start of Week 10. Due to the disruption of the last week, the reports will be available electronically. A printed copy can be provided by contacting the College office. Parent-Teacher-Student interviews will be held on Wednesday 21st April (first day back Term 2) between 3.40 and 6pm. Information regarding bookings for interviews will be provided with the reports. 

Term 2 

• Please note that the first 2 days of Term 2  - Monday & Tuesday 19th & 20th April are designated Staff Development Days as the staff will be completing their final 2 days of training in the Berry St Education Model. Students resume on Wednesday 21st April 2021.
• Year 12 Parent-Teacher-Student Interviews - Wednesday 21st April
• Open Night - Tuesday 27th April 4pm - 6.30pm

Easter

On Sunday (28th March) the Church celebrated Palm Sunday and we now enter the Holiest Week of the Church year. In his Lenten message for 2021, Pope Francis said “Jesus revealed to his disciples the deepest meaning of his mission when he told them of his passion, death and resurrection, in fulfilment of the Father’s will. He then called the disciples to share in this mission for the salvation of the world. In our Lenten journey towards Easter, let us remember the One who “humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross” (Phil 2:8).    We have included some Easter prayer resources in this newsletter and as you celebrate Easter this year, I encourage you to take time to consider the real meaning of Easter, as the death and resurrection of Christ is the heart of Christianity.

I wish you all a peaceful and Holy Easter.

Yours sincerely

Kate

Kate Thomson

Principal

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

BREATHE THE SPIRIT OF LIFE! 

Father Timothy Radcliffe OP 

Online Symposium Marist Association of Saint Marcellin Champagnat 

On the evening of Tuesday, 2nd March, members of staff joined 600 others for the Marist Association’s online Symposium with Father Timothy Radcliffe OP. Reflecting on the Marist Association theme for 2021: Breathe - the spirit of life (Romans 8:2) as the stimulus, the symposium attracted Catholics from dioceses throughout Australia and overseas, including Vietnam, the Philippines, Timor-Leste, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and members of the Marist Brothers General House in Rome. 

Father Timothy is well known to many as the former Master of the Dominican Order worldwide. A celebrated theologian, Father Tim has authored many inspiring books and shared his beliefs and understanding of God with believers all over the globe. His most recent book Alive in God – A Christian Imagination was a source of stimulus for the Marist Association theme, and his thought-provoking comments and reflections on living the Christian life prompted a stimulating discussion during the symposium. The essence of Father Tim’s emphases was reflected in the assertion that 

“we are most likely to excite people with our faith if Christianity is grasped as the invitation to live fully”. 

Speaking of the many challenges that young people face in Catholic schools, participants were reminded to create space to allow the healing love of God in their lives. Drawing on the metaphor of gardening, Father Tim posited that the challenge for Christians is 

“to become gardeners of life, raising children who know the art of speaking healing words to others, who give freedom from failure and oxygen to live … knowing when we share in that divine creativity we heal, we set free, we forgive, we make new”. 

Brother Peter Carroll fms noted, “The number of participants and quality of engagement demonstrated once again in this holy season of Lent, the thirst among committed Catholics for spiritual thought, discourse and reflection. Seeing so many people in a diversity of contexts earnestly searching together was a graced experience.” 

On Thursday 11th and Friday 12th March the College hosted this year’s LEAD Conference. LEAD is a Student Leaders Conference that enhances Senior Ministry Teams of Year 11 and 12 students to be equipped for ministry in their schools by nurturing their own faith and developing them into supportive communities.  It was a hugely successful event with well over 250 students in attendance, and 45 of those were from our own College. 

This year’s theme was ‘Connected, Committed, Courageous’ and challenged the students to consider the lives of the saints, such St Joan of Arc, Jose Del Rio, St Therese of Lisieux and Pier Giorgio, and how their ordinary lives became extraordinary. God calls ordinary people to the extraordinary and Saints are people who have fallen in love with God. 

The retreat called each participant to consider a committed relationship with God, connected to each other in their community and how they can be courageous in leadership with junior students and peers. 

The retreat gave time for students to reflect on their lives and their future, both as individuals and as part of a faith-filled community. They listened to testimonies, worked in small groups and undertook workshops. Supported by Wildfire, the students were also led in prayer, adoration and the Eucharist. A most enjoyable experience was had by all and we are grateful for the generous support offered by staff and students to help host such a huge event. 

"It was the best experience of my life. I recommend everyone to put their name down for future LEAD and religious events. I felt very connected to everyone as everyone was experiencing the same thing as me, and that was to reach closer to God. It was amazing to meet new people and further develop my leadership and teamwork skills. In the end, I found who I was, that was my mission and I successfully achieved that. I know who I am, and no one can change that." - Paige Thompson 

“LEAD was an incredible experience that allowed me to explore my faith and connection with a group of like-minded people where I made some amazing friendships”. - Brigette Jamieson

Project Compassion 

Each year, Project Compassion runs during the six weeks of the Church season of

Lent. Caritas invites people across Australia to help raise awareness and stand in solidarity with the millions of people across the world with whom they work. During Lent, we have asked our College community to join Caritas in building a more just and fairer world: a world in balance, at peace and free of poverty. 

In Pastoral Care lessons and Religious Education classes students have been given the opportunity to learn about life in different countries through the personal stories of people who have participated in Caritas Australia-supported programs. We thank the many students who have taken on this responsibility and given to Project Compassion.

Through donating money in the Project Compassion boxes and wearing a green accessory on St Patrick’s Day, the students and staff have contributed towards a more just and compassionate world.

Yr 7 Reflection Day 

On Wednesday, 17th March, Year 7 attended their Reflection Day. The day was based on the theme of Jesus is at the Centre of all we do. It aimed to deepen the students' understanding of the centrality of Jesus in their lives and the life of the College. The students attended the Parish Mass at St Mary’s Catholic Church for St Patrick’s Day. They then worked together in their House Groups and rotated through various activities. Sr Jenny Hartley joined with Mrs Bertalli and talked to the students about the role of the Sisters of Mercy in the history of Grafton and McAuley. Sr Jenny also gave us a demonstration of the beautiful Pipe Organ in the Church. Mrs Warby and Mrs Day led the students on a walking tour of the History of our College sites and the inclusion of the Marist Brothers in our history, Mrs Robinson unpacked the history of the College Houses and Mr Montford unpacked the importance of the Church and the parts of the Church. 

A great day was had by all as we enjoyed a BBQ lunch back at the College. The students gained an appreciation of what Catholic education in Grafton would have been like on the old sites. Together we finished the day with a prayer and reflection. Thank you to all staff and students on a positive day. The students will be able to take this learning to support the completion of their Religious Education project. 

Year 7 - Transitus 

Due to the extreme weather event this week, Transitus for selected Year 7 students was postponed. The Transitus retreat will now take place Thursday, 29th and Friday, 30th April.

Uniform 

We thank the many students, parents and staff who have given feedback on our uniform and we look forward to moving with this review next term. However, as the holidays approach just a couple of reminders regarding our current uniform policy. 

All students are expected to:

• Wear the correct school uniform each day with pride.
• Wear Sports uniform on Thursdays.
• Label all uniform items with the student name.
• Keep uniform items, including hats, free of graffiti or paint.

Term 2: 

• All junior and senior boys are required to wear ties in Terms 2 and 3 
• As the weather cools, jumpers must be a Maroon ‘Gotcha’ with monogram, Para Sport Jacket or Maroon Woollen College-Style Jumper

Sports Uniform:  

Many students are presenting notes for a uniform pass to wear their Sports uniform for the whole day.  We ask that as parents you support our policy and ensure that reasons for a pass are legitimate. 

It is important to remember the following:

The full College uniform is to be worn to and from school and at all times during the school day unless there is a timetabled practical PDHPE/PASS/SLR/DRAMA lesson in Periods 1 and/or 2 or Periods 5. The following rules apply:

• Students who have a practical lesson (PDHPE/PASS/SLR/DRAMA) in periods 1 and/or 2, wear their sports uniform to school and change at recess
• Students who have a practical lesson (PDHPE/PASS/SLR/DRAMA) in periods 5 and/or 6, can change at lunch and wear their sports uniform home from school 

We thank you for supporting our current uniform policy and considering how we can move forward to a uniform that maintains the standard and suits the environment in which we work. 

Easter 

Easter Ceremonies will be held at St Mary's Church Grafton as follows:

Holy Thursday 1st April: 7.00pm the Mass of the Lord’s Supper

Good Friday 2nd April: 3.00pm The Passion of the Lord

• Stations of the Cross at St Patrick’s Church Good Friday - 10am

Holy Saturday 3rd April: 7.30pm Easter Vigil

Easter Sunday 4th April: Resurrection of the Lord - Mass times as normal

It has been a difficult week for many of our families within our community and our thoughts and prayers are with you. Please do not hesitate to contact the College if you are in need of assistance. We will endeavour to look at ways that we can support our community in the week to come.  

I take this time to wish all families a happy, safe and Holy Easter

Kathy Warby
Assistant Principal Mission and Wellbeing

Assessment Feedback

As we near the end of a very busy term, there have been many opportunities for students to receive feedback on their learning. Teachers have been busy marking assessments and returning work to students with feedback on ways to improve. A student’s attitude towards the feedback received may affect their learning outcomes.

For the students - 

• When you were handed back a task (either exam/assessment or in class activity) what did you do with your response? 
• Does it get ‘filed’ in the bin or do you take the time to self-reflect? 
• Do you take the time to learn from the experience asking yourself what did you do well and what might you do better next time? 
• Do you set yourself positive learning goals based on your response to the activity and how you are going in class?

For parents - To help you children ‘own’ their learning and embrace the challenges.  

• Do you take the time to look over your child’s work and discuss their responses with them, showing that you value the effort that they are making and lead them through ways to improve? 

The following questions could be a conversation starter:

1. Were you aware of the syllabus outcomes that this task was going to address? (This is on the formal assessment notification given to students at least 2 weeks before a formal task.)
2. Can you show me the marking guide? Did you look at this before answering the questions?
3. Did you highlight the key words in the question?
4. What worked well for you in this task?
5. Did you look at the mark allocation for each question and give enough evidence to earn those marks?
6. What strategies could you use to improve on these results?
7. Have you spoken to your teacher to clarify skills/concepts that were not evident?

Parent-Teacher night

On Tuesday, March 30, Year 7-11 Parent/Teacher interviews will be held in the College hall. This will be a great opportunity to follow up on any questions you have regarding your child’s learning.  Instructions for booking interviews were sent out with the OPALs earlier this week. If you are unable to attend, please contact the teacher via email to organise a time for a phone conversation. 

Study Aids

Edrolo - At McAuley we will use Edrolo for our year 11 and 12 students as a teaching and learning tool to further enhance what our teachers and students are doing day-to-day. It is a comprehensive, online, interactive video and exam simulation resource that has been purchased by the school for students to use as a part of their study resources.  You can see Edrolo in action by visiting this link: 

https://edrolo.com.au/parents/

Year 12 Semester 1 Report

Year 12 Semester 1 reports will be published on the Parent Portal in Week 10. Parent/Teacher interviews will be held Week 1 Term 2 Wednesday, April 21. Instructions for how to book the interviews will be sent with the report. 

Finally, as we near the finish of a very busy school term I would like to wish students a well-deserved safe, enjoyable holiday. Hopefully, you will find yourself in Church over the Easter weekend and be able to reflect on the example set by Jesus and how we can make changes in our own lives to be more like him.

Dianne McGowan
Learning and Teaching Assistant Principal

NAPLAN Practice Online 2021

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is a point in time assessment of literacy and numeracy skills that are essential for every child to progress through school and life. Students in Years 7 and 9 participate in the annual NAPLAN tests in writing, reading, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy.

The aim of this practice test is to assess the technical capacity of the platform and to allow students the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the test format prior to NAPLAN in Week 4, Term 2.

Our school will be participating in NAPLAN Online Practice Test on Wednesday 31st March (postponed from the scheduled day of Thursday 25th March 2021, due to flooding). 

There are TWO practice tests that students complete:

• Omnibus Test: including questions from the domains of reading, conventions of language and numeracy. 45 minutes
• Writing Test: 42 minutes

Year 9 will be completing their tests in Periods 1 and 2.

Year 7 will be completing their tests in Periods 3 and 4.

Students will need to have a fully charged laptop and a set of working earphones/headphones for the tests.

Excessive preparation for NAPLAN Online is not recommended. Students can use the public demonstration site (https://www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment/public-demonstration-site) to familiarise themselves with the types of questions and tools available in the NAPLAN Online tests.

If you have any questions about NAPLAN Online, please contact Mrs Sophie Beresford,  your NAPLAN Coordinator.

Year 12 Work Placement

Our Year 12 VET Students have recently completed their mandatory work placement hours. They are required to complete 35 hours per year in Construction, Hospitality, Primary Industries and Manufacturing & Engineering. A heartfelt thankyou to the following businesses that hosted our students:

Mitchum Davis Steel; Wicks & Parker; Ben’s Marine; Yamba Welding and Engineering; Cuts & Bends Sheet Metal; Gloria Jeans; Coffee Club; Big River Pizza; Duckworth Dairy; Solitary Islands Marine Park Resort; North East Hardwoods; Grafton Golf Club; Farrell McCrohin; Todd Fletcher Building; Craftsman Homes; B&S Kitchens.

Manufacturing and Engineering

Year 12 Manufacturing and Engineering students have recently completed a bench vice project that has incorporated all the skills learned during the course. It begins with marking out tools and progresses through hand tools, power tools, bandsaws, circular saws, welders, lathes, and oxy-acetylene equipment. The vice is then disassembled for cleaning, masking and finishing with a spray paint. The students are very proud of their work and have learnt a lot through the production process.

Creative Arts Term 1

Students have had a busy and creative start to the year: new topics, new skills and lots of hard work mastering them. Here’s a quick tour...

Music

Visual Arts

Student Artworks

Grafton Regional Gallery

Year 8 Catholic Studies

Overall, Term 1 has been a very exciting and eventful time for the Student Leadership Team. One new initiative that the SLT assisted greatly in was the Learning Hub. From the initial idea to the first trials last week, team members have played a critical role in getting the ball rolling, along with Mr Bellamy and Mrs Lee. 

The SLT was also a big help in the organisation of the swimming carnival, Valentine's day, and lunch-time sports in the hall. 

Every Thursday during lunch, there is a friendly game of sport held by the SLT in the hall for all students to come and join in on the fun. The most popular sport by far was dodgeball, with students showing a clear sense of community and teamwork. 

Last Friday the 19th March our school participated in The National Day Against Bullying and Violence. Orange was the colour to represent the day, and strips of orange fabric were handed out by members of the SLT at the gates of the school in the morning. Students were encouraged to wear this around their wrist or in their hair as a symbol of awareness. 

If you have tuned into the radio on a Friday, you may have heard some members of the team on FM 103.1 sharing general school news and some of the more exciting things happening at MCC. So make sure that you tune in when it recommences next term. 

On behalf of the SLT, we hope you all stay safe and support each other, especially in the aftermath of the flooding in the area.

NSW SCHOOL VACCINATION PROGRAM

Each year NSW Health works in partnership with schools to offer the vaccines recommended by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) for adolescents as part of the school vaccination program.

In 2021 the following vaccines will be offered:

Parent Information Kits that include an information sheet, consent form and privacy statement will be sent home to parents/guardians. To consent to the vaccination of their child, parents/guardians are advised to:

• read all the information provided
• complete the consent form, including signing their name next to the vaccine/s they would like their child to receive
• return the completed consent form to their child’s school
• ensure their child eats breakfast on the day of the school vaccination clinic.

Please note that, to improve vaccination completion, students will be opportunistically offered any missed doses during Year 7 and catch up into Year 8 (for HPV and dTpa vaccination) and during Year 10 and catch up into Year  11 (for Meningococcal ACWY vaccination) or consent signed in 2020.

Parents/guardians who wish to withdraw their consent for any reason may do so by writing to the school Principal or phoning the school. The Procedure for Withdrawal of Consent is available on the NSW Health website at www.health.nsw.gov.au/immunisation/Pages/withdraw_consent.aspx

A Record of Vaccination will be provided to each student vaccinated at each clinic either as  a physical card or a text message sent to the mobile number recorded on the consent form. Details about vaccinations given at school will also be uploaded to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) to support complete vaccination histories.

Year 7 Vaccinations will occur in Term 2, Week 2, Friday, 30th April

FOOD FOR THOUGHT  2021 #4

Romans 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. ²⁹ For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. ³⁰ Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

There is no single statement that can fully bring together the different strands regarding God’s sovereignty and human responsibility. But let me give you something I saw recently.

God is in charge of
    what happens
    when it happens
    how it happens
    why it happens
And even what happens after it happens
This is true of
     all events
     in every place
     from the beginning of time.
He does this for
      our good
      and his glory.
He is not the author of sin, yet evil serves his purposes.
He does not violate our free will, yet free will serves his purposes.
We’re not supposed to understand all this.
We’re simply supposed to believe it.

Brief though it is— it does seem to summarize the Christian position on divine sovereignty and human responsibility as it has been developed over the centuries.

Certainly food for thought.   (David Ogg) 

Crispy Fish/Chicken Tacos

(makes 4 small tacos)

Ingredients

4 small Tortillas

Chicken/Fish (8 small pieces)

⅔ cup Plain Flour

⅔ cup Corn Flour

150-200ml cold Beer

½ teaspoon Baking Powder

Salt and Pepper to taste

½ cup sliced Purple Cabbage

½ cup sliced Lettuce

½ lime

1 tsp Olive Oil

½ teaspoon of Caster Sugar

1 Spring Onion sliced

1 large Tomato diced

¼ Capsicum diced 

Kewpie Mayo

Oil for shallow frying

Method

Salsa 

• Dice tomato
• Dice capsicum
• Slice spring onion
• Combine the above ingredients in a bowl with juice of ½ lime, Olive Oil, Caster Sugar, Salt and Pepper to taste

Slaw

• Slice finely lettuce and purple cabbage 
• Add 1 Tbs Kewpie Mayo

Batter 

• Combine corn flour, plain flour, baking powder and salt and pepper in a bowl and mix
• Add beer to dry mixture and use a whisk to combine. A thick creamy consistency is desirable

Fish/Chicken

• Cut meat into thin strips.
• Precoat meat with a fine dusting of seasoned (salt) plain flour in a bowl or a freezer bag.
• Dunk meat into Batter and coat 
• Heat oil in frying pan
• Cook meat until golden brown and crispy

Serving

• Load tortilla with crispy fish/chicken, slaw, salsa. Top with kewpie mayo and a squeeze of fresh lime.