Term 3 - Week 1 - 20 July 2022
- From the Principal
- Assistant Principal - Learning & Teaching
- Assistant Principal - Mission & Wellbeing
- NAIDOC Week & Indigenous Education
- Careers
- Library News
- Iluka Rainforest Excursion
- From the Classroom
- Athletics Carnival 2022
- Pastoral Care News and Safe on Social Media
- Parents Assembly News
- COMPASS - SCHOOL COMMUNICATION PLATFORM UPDATE
- COVID-19 update.
- Parent Education and Support
- Prayer Time - From The Soul
- Parish News
- Birthdays
Dear Parents and Carers
Welcome back to Term 3! Our first newsletter for the term is full of information covering excursions and events from the last term, particularly our NAIDOC celebrations; Athletics carnival details, COMPASS details, learning expectations for the term, Safe on Social Media information, the upcoming Tell Them From Me survey, and Parent Assembly news. I encourage you to spend some time reading through the various sections of the newsletter to keep up to date and involved in the College.
Parent Teacher Interviews - Tuesday 26th July
Our Parent Teacher interviews will be held in the College Hall between 3.40 and 6.30pm. Thank you to all parents who have already made interview bookings via the online booking system. If you require assistance, please call the Colege office. Here are some suggestions for questions you could ask your child’s teacher. These 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)
I ask that parents follow the COVID safe procedures we have in place, particularly practising physical distancing when waiting, and wearing a mask if you are feeling unwell. Hand sanitiser will also be available at stations inside and outside the Hall.
School Review - Week 3
This year our College will participate in a School Review. This is part of our ongoing School Improvement process which aims to improve student outcomes in the areas of learning, faith and wellbeing.
The School Review will help us determine our priorities for the next 3 years as we develop our Strategic Management Plan. The Review will be conducted by ACER (Australian Council for Educational Research) using the National School Improvement Tool. The review will take place at the College between the 2nd & 4th of August by 4 external reviewers. The reviewers would like to talk to interested parents on Tuesday 2nd August between 2.45 and 3.30pm. As an alternative to attending in person at this time, a member of the panel can contact you by phone. If you would like to participate in this review please contact Katrina Toovey at the College Office during this week.
Semester 1 Awards at Week 3 Assembly - Thursday 4th August at 11.45am
At our week 3 Assembly we will be acknowledging students in years 7 - 11 who achieved at an outstanding level across the expectations of the College and academically in their Semester 1 report. Parents will be invited to attend this event.
Parent Assembly Information Night - Chris Hudson - Motivating Teenagers - 9 August. 6.30pm.
Feedback from parents indicated they would like some assistance in motivating their children. Parent Assembly has sourced a guest speaker - Chris Hudson - to give parents strategies to help them navigate this area. Please support this initiative by coming along on the 9th August at 6pm (See flyer in the newsletter)
NAIDOC Celebrations
At the end of last term, we celebrated NAIDOC week with the theme Get up! Stand up! Show up! Watching our Indigenous students participate in the assembly was a highlight of the day, especially our dancers. I congratulate all students and staff involved in this event. Another highlight of the day was the playing of our Rachel Johnson Memorial Touch Football Competition. Congratulations CH6 on winning the trophy this year!
Finally, I wish all our Year 12 students the very best in their Trial HSC exams which will be conducted over the next 2 weeks.
Enjoy the fortnight ahead
Yours sincerely
Kate
Kate Thomson
Principal
“We should be shining lamps, giving light to all around us.”
Catherine McAuley
What makes a good learner?
At assembly last week the students were asked to reflect on what areas are important for success in learning. Although there are many things that we can focus on, the five areas that were addressed in the assembly included:
- Growth mindset (someone who is willing to learn from their mistakes)
- Risk-taking (brave learners have a go)
- Organisation (by being organised you stay on track)
- Feedback (anyone who wants to improve needs to act on feedback)
- Goal Setting (having direction gives students something to aim for)
I hope that our students maintain their love of learning, passion for knowledge and drive to develop and grow academically as we embark on a new term. I would also like to express my best wishes to our year 12 students, who have used their skills to get to the point that they are commencing their final term of secondary education.
Trial HSC Exams
The Trial Exams for year 12 will start on Monday 1st of August and continue until Friday the 10th of August. Assessment Procedures and Policy Apply – please consult the HSC Assessment Handbook 2021-2022 for detailed information.
Minimum Standards Tests Year 11
Students in NSW are required to demonstrate a minimum standard of literacy and numeracy to be eligible to receive the Higher School Certificate. The minimum standard ensures students have a functional level of reading, writing and numeracy.
To demonstrate this knowledge, students must achieve a Level 3 or 4, in short, online reading, writing and numeracy tests of skills for everyday life.
Students in Year 11 will have the opportunity to attempt the online tests during study lessons beginning in Week 2 of Term 3. Mrs Jones will be organising students to complete the test.
Year 10 News
During Week 5, there will be an opportunity for parents to meet with senior staff members to discuss post-school options for their children. It is expected that prospective year 11 students will also be in attendance. Please make a note in your calendar that Tuesday 16th August will be the date for these meetings. More information will be emailed to parents this week.
Parent Feedback on the reporting system
Please use this LINK to take you to a survey regarding school reports. The survey aims to collect feedback about the College's Academic Reports and will help form the basis of any improvements in reporting for parents.
Di McGowan
Assistant Principal - Learning & Teaching
Informing School Improvement
In the coming weeks, we will be inviting students, teachers and parents to provide feedback on their experience of our College using an online survey. The surveys are an essential part of our whole school evaluation and planning process.
We invite you to complete the Tell Them From Me (TTFM) Partners in Learning survey. As we value the role of parents and carers within our school community we would greatly appreciate your feedback. The information you provide will be used to maintain our commitment to working together in partnership to further improve student learning and wellbeing at McAuley Catholic College.
The survey is anonymous and will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. You are able to access the parent survey on your computer or mobile device by using the URL that will be emailed and sent to you in the first week of August.
Letters will be sent home next week regarding the student survey.
Yr 11 Retreat
Retreat for our Year 11 students has been organised for Week 4 of Term 3. The whole of Year 11 will be going on retreat together as a year group. Retreats are an opportunity for students to explore relationships with friends, family and God in a reflective and non-threatening environment. Through prayer, reflection, discussion and sharing, students are guided to a deeper understanding of themselves, each other and their values that will help them over the coming year and into the future.
This retreat is a very important link in the retreat program of the College. It is an experience which students remember well, for many reasons. The emphasis is on the group working together, leadership and making a difference. Therefore it is most important that all students attend.
The retreat provides the opportunity to get away for a while to reflect, to enjoy the company of friends, to pray together, to work together in a different framework and environment.
Date: Monday 8th August to Wednesday 10th August 2022
Venue: Stuarts Point Convention Centre
Facilitators: McAuley Catholic College Retreat Team
Cost: The cost for the retreat has been included in school fees. Please make sure these are up to date.
Transport: Bus from the College and return to the College.
Times: Depart from the College 8.45 a.m. Monday, Return by 3.00 p.m. Wednesday.
Kathy Warby
Assistant Principal - Mission and Wellbeing
During the last week of school last Term (Week 10, Term 2) we held our school NAIDOC assembly run by Wil Bancroft and Ellee Munro, our school IEWs (Indigenous Education Workers). The assembly involved guest speakers from local Aboriginal Elders and community members, a contemporary dance performance from our Indigenous students, and cultural discussions, and finished with a morning tea with our students, families and guests.
Our Indigenous student dancers have since been invited to two of our local primary schools to perform a contemporary dance for their NAIDOC assemblies. We would like to thank St Mary’s Primary School, Grafton and St Joseph’s Primary School, South Grafton for inviting us to celebrate NAIDOC with them.
In week 10 we permanently anchored our Acknowledgement of Country Plaque which pays respects to the First Nations Peoples and the land upon which the school is built.
Following our NAIDOC assembly, we held our annual Rachel Johnson Touch Football Carnival. Rachel Johnson worked at our school for over 20 years supporting our Indigenous and children with Special Needs. This year we held this carnival at Lower Fisher Park with Rachel’s family in attendance. It was a wonderful afternoon with the whole school's involvement. It was a great way to end the term, having all students and staff participate in games of touch football, whilst remembering and celebrating the life of Rachel.
Congratulations Wil, Elle and Indigenous students for all your hard work. A big thank you also to the TAS department for organising the morning tea and Mr Bancroft, Mr Coggan, Mr Day & Metalwork students for their contribution to the plaque, and all of the staff who helped with the setup and organisation of the touch football competition.
QTAC's new application portal update.
Some of you may have heard QTAC has been working on a new application portal to deliver an enhanced experience for our applicants.
The new platform was due to be rolled out on 3 August 2022, however, it has now been delayed until the following admissions period.
Please be assured this will not negatively impact applications and the high service level provided to students and the wider school community.
Information Session for Students & Parents
- TAFE NSW Virtual Open Days: 24-26 August 2022 - Students and their parents are encouraged to log in and explore their options. Across the three days, participants will be able to access Information Webinars, the virtual Exhibition Hall, as TAFE has exciting on-demand content, including interviews, videos and podcasts. Register: https://www.tafensw.
edu.au/virtualopendays.
- Sydney Actors School and Sydney Film School are inviting students to attend the Open Houses at Waterloo Studios, Sydney. Tour the state-of-the-art Film & TV studio and learn why Sydney Actors School and Sydney Film School offer the most practical, hands-on accredited programs in Australia. To register, please click on the following link: https://www.eventbrite.
com.au/e/sydney-actors-school- and-sydney-film-school-open- house-tickets-308344626077.
- Macquarie University Hear from Macquarie's academic experts alongside their Student Ambassadors about different areas of study available at Macquarie. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask their questions about their dream degrees in this online series. register here: https://macquarie.zoom.
us/webinar/register/WN_Go- yZDmXRhiV8KXXvgVe9Q.
- Academy of Interactive Entertainment Career in Games & Film, Open Day at Academy of Interactive Entertainment Sunday 14th August. If you are considering a career in games or film then discover AIE’s courses in Animation, Programming, Game Design, VFX and Filmmaking! Learn about entry requirements and career pathways. Industry and alumni guest speakers. RSVP - https://aie.edu.au/openday.
- Western Sydney University Registrations are open for Western Open Day on Sunday 14 August. This is a chance to discover everything Western has to offer, explore presentations and student panels, meet academics, and current students and find out more about Western's early offer pathway, HSC True Reward. Visit https://www.
westernsydney.edu.au/openday? cid=em:EGMT-CAA-news-open-day_ jul22.
- Transport for NSW Transport for NSW is glad to inform all Year 12 students and their parents that the traineeship program advertisements are going live from 18th of July 2022. The positions advertised are Road Design Engineer in Training, Electrical Design Engineer in Training and Traffic Engineering Officer in Training. All these will be closed on 10 August 2022.
- Teach NSW Support your senior students by registering for a Teaching 101 Webinar with the Teach NSW team. Each session includes information on scholarship opportunities for future teachers as Teach NSW university entry requirements. Find out more and register: Teaching.
Scholarships, Early Entry, Alternative Pathways
- The University of Canberra Applications for the August Early Offer Round are currently open and will close Sunday 24th July. For students that are eager to secure a space at UC as soon as possible, this offer's round will provide conditional offers this August based on Year 11 results and supplementary forms. Please direct any questions to Study@canberra.edu.au or 1800 864 226.
- ACU Guarantee application process and student panel webinar. The ACU Guarantee program offers eligible Year 12 students a place at ACU based on your Year 11 results. Join ACU on Wednesday 27 July 6 – 6.30pm AEST to learn detailed information on how to apply and hear current students share their experiences. Register: https://www.acu.edu.
au/about-acu/events/2022/july/ acu-guarantee-application- process-and-student-panel-nsw- act-qld.
- JMC Academy Apply through JMC's Early Entry program to secure your conditional offer in the February 2023 intake before you even sit your final exams! Find out more information about the program https://www.
jmcacademy.edu.au/how-to- apply/domestic-students/early- entry/.
- Teach NSW For senior students who are interested in a career in teaching, applications for the NSW Department of Education's future teacher scholarships are now open. Scholars receive financial support and a permanent teaching position following graduation. Find out more at: Teacher Education Scholarship (nsw.gov.au).
Rod Paton
Careers Adviser
The Library has recently acquired some outstanding new resources in the Gumbaynggirr language from Muurrbay Aboriginal Language and Co-operative. These include a Gumbaynggirr dictionary and learner’s grammar and a Dreaming story collection that is written in Gumbaynggirr and with an accompanying English translation. These books arrived in the library for NAIDOC Week and will be a great resource for our Indigenous students and teachers.
Mark Bellamy
Teacher-Librarian
Food Technology
Our annual Athletics Carnival is set for Thursday 27th July. We hope and pray that we are able to go ahead with this carnival. Please see the letter attached for details. Parents & carers are welcome to attend the event.
COMPASS - SCHOOL COMMUNICATION PLATFORM
As you are aware, we have moved to COMPASS School Manager, which is a new communication and school management platform.
We have repeated below the information here that we provided last term.
In addition, we sent out information last week requesting parents and carers to sign a document that indicates they will be using the online Event Management of COMPASS to give permission for your child/children to participate in College events. This letter needs to be returned to the College by Wednesday 27th July, if possible. This will enable us to move to electronic organisation, communication and payments as soon as possible.
A copy of this letter is attached here. It must be signed by all parents/carers who will be providing permission.
COMPASS MANAGEMENT PLATFORM
The Compass platform is a web-based system that is accessible on any modern web browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome and Safari) or by using the Compass School Manager iOS or Android App. Every family receives a separate login to Compass, which we will provide to you.
The Compass platform includes many different features and you’ll have the ability to:
- Receive notifications about school events, news and information
- Enter an explanation for an absence
- Communicate with your child’s teachers
- Update your family contact details (mobile phone & email)
- View your child’s timetable and the school calendar
- Download and view your child’s academic reports
- Book parent-teacher interviews
- Pay and provide digital consent for events (no more permission slips)
- Pay school fees
To access the platform;
SMARTPHONE ACCESS
- Download the Compass School Manager App (Google Playstore OR Apple Store).
- Use the updated unique username and login that was emailed to you this week.
- Open the app on your device. If you are already a member of a Primary School you will still have to complete items 4-7 below and create an account at the College.
- Search for our school by searching for “Grafton” and then you will find “McAuley Catholic College -Grafton”
- Use the unique username and log in sent to you by email
- You will be prompted to confirm your mobile phone number and email address, and create a personal password.
- Read the welcome message that will be posted on our dashboard.
DESKTOP ACCESS
If you wish to use the desktop version of the platform please note the following;
- Once you receive your unique username and log in, open a new tab on your preferred browser, and navigate to https://grafslism-nsw.compass.education/
- Use your unique username and password to log into the platform
- You will be prompted to confirm your mobile phone number and email address, and create a personal password.
- Read the welcome message that will be posted on the dashboard.
NOTE: Your unique username and password can be used to access the app and the desktop
For more information you can visit Compass for Parents. For further assistance, email the school at james.hand@lism.catholic.edu.au
Close Contacts Attending School
Students and staff who are close contacts and have no symptoms can continue to attend school if they follow the guidelines
- notify the school if they are intending to return under this provision.
- conduct a daily rapid antigen test (RAT) and return a negative result each morning before attending school for 5 school days.
- wear a mask indoors (except when eating or exercising).
- close contact will not be permitted to participate in overnight excursions, including school camps.
- No apprentices, trainees or students on placement or staff member identified as a close contact will be permitted to attend settings identified as high risk by NSW Health (healthcare, aged care, disability care or correctional facilities)
- Any visitor to a school site who is a close contact is required to advise the school that they are a close contact before they come on site. These visitors should conduct a daily RAT and return a negative result before attending. They must also wear a mask indoors at all times. Schools should consider if the visit can be conducted virtually.
Testing
Remember:
- Staff and students cannot attend school if they are showing any symptoms of COVID-19.
- If symptoms occur at any time, students should not attend school and should undertake a rapid antigen test (RAT).
- The RATs can be used for symptomatic testing or for daily testing as part of the close contact requirements.
- Note - that students and staff in specialist centres or support classes or who utilise assisted transport who are identified as close contacts must not attend school and learn from home.
For Positive COVID-19 Cases
If there is a positive case in school, staff and students can continue to attend school in line with NSW Health advice.
If a student or staff member receives a positive RAT test, they need to:
- record the positive RAT result through the Service NSW website or Service NSW app
- notify the school of the positive RAT or PCR test result as soon as possible
- follow NSW Health advice to isolate for 7 days.
Schools are to continue to inform their community when there is a positive case in the school and guide families on NSW Health advice, including monitoring for symptoms. Parents should expect regular communication.
Masks
- Masks are not mandatory for staff and students in high schools, but encouraged
- Staff and students will be supported to wear a mask if they choose to do so.
- Mask wearing is mandatory for staff and high school students returning to school as close contacts for 5 school days
- Where students or staff are unable to wear a mask, they will be supported to learn or work remotely.
Hygiene and cleaning
- Students and staff are encouraged to wash their hands regularly with soap and water.
PRAYING WITH MUSIC
Please find attached the latest Parish Bulletins from Clarence Valley Parish.
Here is some information from this week's Parish email:
