Term 4 - Week 9 - 9 December 2022
- From the Principal
- Assistant Principal - Learning & Teaching
- Assistant Principal - Mission and Wellbeing
- Pastoral Care News & Safe on Social Media
- Vaping - Parent Support & Education
- From the Classroom and Excursions
- Careers
- Indigenous Education
- Library News
- Advent Liturgy and Prizegiving Invitation
- Prayer Time - From The Soul
- Parish News
- COVID-19 update
- Advertisements
Dear Parents and Carers,
We have come to the end of the year and what a year it has been! This is the last newsletter for 2022 and contains information about the last two weeks, as well as information to prepare you for the holidays and 2023. Great things continue to happen in our College and I encourage you to peruse the articles in this newsletter.
Advent Liturgy & Prizegiving
Our annual Advent Liturgy and Prizegiving is this Wednesday, 14th December in the College Hall at 9.30am. It is a few years since we have been able to hold it as a full community event, as last year we could only gather in year cohorts and in 2020 we were unable to have guests (including parents and carers) present. The event will be followed by a morning tea for parents and carers. Students receiving an award have been notified via a posted list and parents were emailed today. Congratulations to all our students who are receiving awards. A list of special award recipients and some photos will be published in a special edition Newsletter next week.
Student Leadership - Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander representatives and Year 10 & 11 leaders for 2023
Our student leadership team for 2022 has been finalised for 2023. Thank you to the numerous students in years 9 and 10 who were nominated for these positions, and presented a speech to their year group. It is encouraging for the community to know so many students are prepared to put themselves forward as a leader and represent their school and give their peers a voice. Congratulations to our Year 11 Leaders for 2023 - Eva Patricks, Ayla Howell-Mclachlan, Finla’e Cassidy-Thomason, Harry Anderson; and our Year 10 leaders for 2023 - Jasmine Chellew, Amali Rainbow, Will Tait, Tim Van Der Vlist; Our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives are Noah Burchell and Sienna Clifton. A badge presentation will take place at the Advent Liturgy and Prizegiving on Wednesday.
Two leadership days have been held in the last week, one with our Year 12 leaders and the second with the whole team to prepare them as Servant Leaders, set goals and norms for meetings in 2023 and plan for the coming year. I thank them for their enthusiasm and involvement in these days and look forward to working with the team in 2023.
Staff Farewells
We thank and farewell staff leaving us at the end of this year. Mrs Meg Bindon has resigned from her position as Teacher and Leader of Inclusion and Diversity. Meg has been at the College since 2013 and in her time here has worked tirelessly in the area of disability/ additional needs, now called inclusion. Meg has ensured that all students, particularly those with additional needs, are well-educated and included in all aspects of the College. We wish Meg all the best as she ventures into new and unknown areas next year. We also thank the following staff for their dedication this year - Lucy Howard, Georgia Salvestro, and Anneka Jones. Thank you to Brenton Hope who has replaced Mr Humphries this term. The following staff are taking leave for 2023 - Siobhan McNamara and Sandra Bartholomew. We wish you both all the best and hope to see you back in 2024. We will publish a full list of all new staff and Coordinators in the first newsletter of 2023
Bike Pathway
The bike and walking pathway is nearly finished and it has been exciting to watch the progress of this project over the term. We look forward to using this path very soon. An official opening will be held early next year. Again, I thank Clarence Valley Council and Transport for NSW for their involvement in this project.
Open Mic - Courtyard Concert
Last Friday was a Green mufti-day, organised by the Student Leadership Team, to raise funds to continue to beautify the school grounds. To coincide with this day was the finale of the Open Mic series, which was held in the courtyard. Well done to Mr Butcher and his team for organising the concert and to the numerous students and staff who performed in front of a large audience. Wonderful talent and courage were on display!
Thank you
Thank you for the support you have given to me and to the College throughout 2022. It has been another interesting and at times difficult year, due to the flooding earlier in the year, the weather events and the ongoing effects of COVID. I am looking forward to 2023, and all that it will bring. Our enrolments are very good across all the year groups, with waiting lists in years 7, 8, & 10. We have 5 streams (classes) in both Year 7 and Year 10 in 2023.
In this time of Advent I offer to you this quote and statement from Pope Francis:
During this #Advent Season, let us ask the Lord to help us keep the lamp of faith alit in our lives, to be prepared to receive him, and that he fill us with peace and joy. Twitter · Nov 26, 2022
On behalf of Frs Joe and Emmanuel, along with all College staff, I wish you all a Happy and Holy Christmas and a safe and relaxing holiday, spent in the fine company of family and friends.
Kind regards,
Kate
Kate Thomson
Principal
“We should be shining lamps, giving light to all around us.”
Catherine McAuley
HSC students/parents
Please note the following dates:
- HSC results released from 15 December 2022.
- HSC Results Services and download of credentials are available from 16 December 2022.
- 2022 ATARs will be released to NSW HSC students at 9 am on Thursday 15 December 2022.
VET students
- All VET certificates are available for download in Certificates/eRecords from 10.00 am 15 December 2022.
Reflection on Triumphs and Tribulations
With the end of the year fast approaching it is a good time for students to reflect upon their approach to school this year and what they have learnt from the challenges they faced. I am encouraging our students to take a moment to do a WWW (what went well) or a S.W.O.T (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis on their personal approach to school and learning. Students may also like to discuss these questions with a teacher, parent or friend.
STRENGTHS
- What did you do well at school this year?
- What subjects or topics were you good at?
- What worked for you in your approach to learning?
- What are you proud of achieving?
- What new skills did you develop?
WEAKNESSES
- What were your greatest challenges in achieving your personal best at school?
- What did you find difficult this year?
- What skills do you feel need more work?
- What areas of your approach did you struggle with?
- When did you feel not confident about your ability to succeed?
OPPORTUNITIES
- What could you do to build your strengths and deal with your weaknesses?
- Who did you encounter this year that might be able to help you on this journey?
- What will be different about next year that will create opportunities to change?
- What could you personally do differently in your approach to school next year?
- What one thing could you change that would make the biggest difference to you being a more effective learner?
THREATS
- What are the biggest obstacles to you making changes in your approach?
- Are there other students you sit with who make learning difficult?
- What is stopping you from achieving the top marks you are capable of achieving?
- What challenges do you face in staying motivated to do your work for school?
- What challenges do you face in managing distractions and procrastination?
In these school holidays, it is important for students to have a decent break, recharge and spend time with friends and family doing things they enjoy. Certainly, if our junior students are able to put the device down and pick up a book or do a little practice on a regular basis of Literacy or Numeracy skills during the holidays it would not go astray!
Our Year 12 students are required to allocate some time during these school holidays consolidating the work from Term 4 Year 12, ensuring study notes are up to date and they are organised and prepared for the challenges ahead in Year 12. Any student who missed lessons needs to catch up on work missed and those with major projects should also spend time focusing on this area.
All students may find it useful to complete some of the study skills units over the holidays, particularly on their areas of weakness.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank our wonderful staff who have worked so very hard this year to ensure that the students in their care have the very best opportunities available to them. In particular, our relatively ‘new’ Indigenous Education Workers (IEWs) have really hit their strides now that COVID restrictions have eased, ensuring that the school's focus on our indigenous students remains constant and that the students are given many extracurricular opportunities. A few of the activities that they facilitated are listed below:
List of HEAL extracurricular activities 2022
- Yarrawarra Bush Tucker walk
- North coast academy of sport Aboriginal Talent day
- Cooking using Bush Tucker
- Dancing for NAIDOC @St Joseph Primary South Grafton, St Mary’s Primary Grafton
- Visited the Elder's meetings
- SolidMOB smoking and vaping visit
- Language with Uncle Kerry Skinner
- Hospital Aboriginal careers day
- Aboriginal Youth Forum in Lennox Head
- Aboriginal Leadership training for our Student leaders
- Weaving with Maddy Richey
- Women's Business Meeting @Gurehlgam
I wish each and every member of our school and wider community a safe, happy, holy and relaxing Christmas. May it be a time for all to reflect on God’s gift to us in his son Jesus and to celebrate the great things in our lives.
Stay safe, I hope to see you all in 2023!
Di McGowan
Assistant Principal - Learning & Teaching
In preparation for starting 2023, please be aware of the uniform requirements and keep these in mind when planning for the return in the new year. When purchasing items remember to follow our uniform policy. The holidays may be a time for new hairstyles, nails, piercings and jewelry. The following are some general reminders:
All students are expected to:
- Wear the correct school uniform each day with pride.
- Label all uniform items with the student's name - there are many items that have been gathered from around the playground. These have been washed and will be available in the office.
- Keep uniform items, including hats, free of graffiti or paint.
- Wear the Sports uniform on Thursday and on days when a timetabled practical PDHPE lesson occurs.
- All students MUST be in the full College uniform every Wednesday
- Wear the correct uniform when representing the College eg special events, sporting events, and excursions
Shoes
Please take note of the attached diagram regarding the correct College school shoes. The shoes McAuley Catholic College students are required to wear need to be ‘school style’, that is black leather polishable, low-cut, lace-up shoes with a distinguishable heel on the shoe (not too big). The diagram outlines acceptable and unacceptable footwear.
HAIR (Boys & Girls)
- For both boys and girls, hair is to be well-groomed and tidy. Long hair over the collar must be tied back.
- Ribbons and other hair ties are to be in school colours. Extremes of hairstyle, including extremes of colours are not permitted. Mullets, mullets with shaved sides, undercuts, steps, cuts less than a number two, streaks, noticeable dyes and gel or styling products are examples of haircuts that do not meet the requirements of the College policy.
- Boys must be clean-shaven.
MAKE-UP
Make-up is not to be worn and fingernails are not to have coloured nail polish.
JEWELLERY
Because of uniform requirements and safety factors and to guard against breakage or loss, the wearing of jewellery is restricted. Students may wear a wristwatch, a single neck chain, one simple ring and one bangle. Students may wear a maximum of two sleepers or studs in each ear. These are to be small, plain earrings.
Not permitted: Neckbands, as well as wrist and ankle chains and ankle-bands, leather jewellery, and visible facial piercings (such as nose, eyebrow, tongue, lip). Only clear nose spacers are permitted
Students may be asked to stay home until uniform issues are rectified.
Excess jewellery will be confiscated by staff and returned at the discretion of the Assistant Principal or Pastoral Care Coordinator. All care will be taken, but no responsibility accepted.
CHRISTMAS
During the Third Week of Advent, the Church emphasizes the joy which should be in our hearts as we anticipate Christmas and prepare for welcoming the birth of Christ. The great joy of Christians is to see the day when the Lord will come again in His glory to lead them into His kingdom. The third Sunday of Advent is also known as Gaudete Sunday. The term Gaudete refers to the first word of the Entrance Antiphon, "Rejoice" and the rose-coloured candle on the Advent wreath is lit.
On Wednesday we will celebrate our end of the year with a prayer service and prizegiving. During the Prayer service, each homeroom will present its hamper for distribution by St Vincent de Paul to families in need. We hope these hampers will bring joy to these families in this special time.
During this season, I wish everyone a holy and joyous time with their family and friends.
Christmas 2022 Mass Timetable
Christmas Eve - (Saturday 24th December)
6.00pm Children’s Mass at St Mary’s Church, Grafton
7.00pm Mass at St Patrick’s Church, South Grafton
Christmas Day - (Sunday 25th December)
8.00am Mass at St Mary’s Church, Grafton
8.00am Mass at Mary Immaculate, Cowper
9.30am Mass at St Patrick’s Church, South Grafton
Mrs Kathy Warby
Assistant Principal - Mission and Wellbeing
For some people, the festive season and holidays can be an exciting and enjoyable time of year as family come together and time is taken away from our everyday activities such as work, school and daily routines. For others, however, it can be a stressful, difficult period as pressures can mount across different areas of our lives. We are also mindful that it can be a time when access to usual supports such as therapists, counsellors and other practitioners can be delayed or particularly difficult to become linked in with. Here are a few 24-hour support options below that are available 7 days a week:
Headspace: 1800 650 890 or headspace.org.au/eheadspace
Kids Helpline 24/7: 1800 55 1800
Lifeline 24/7: 13 11 14
Mental Health Line 24/7: 1800 011 511
Or in an emergency 000 or present to your local hospital ED
Other things to keep in mind over the festive period:
- Plan ahead for difficult/alone times - The festive season can be an overwhelming time as we try to fit in many activities. For others, it can be a lonely time - plan in advance for these times by including downtime for yourself or enjoyable and fulfilling activities that will take your mind off things. The festive season can be a great time to volunteer also!
- Exercise your choice - If you’re experiencing a lot of pressure over festive arrangements, gift-giving, or other festive activities that can be stressful, make choices that put you and your family first and spend time with supportive people doing things that are enjoyable; avoid doing things out of obligation or tradition that are stressful or not enjoyable.
- Be wise with gifting - Christmas can easily become a financially challenging period with food, gifts and the many associated activities that come with the holiday period. Stretching yourself will only add further pressure. Be mindful that gifts don’t have to be material objects - they can be offering someone help or time with everyday tasks, or just spending some quality time together!
- Look forward - The downtime of the festive season can be a great time to look ahead and set positive, achievable goals for the year ahead and make plans about how you’re going to achieve these.
- Reach out - If you are feeling lonely or finding the festive season stressful, talk to people you trust about it; this may include parents, friends, forums or any of the support networks listed above.
- Relaxation - If you are feeling tense or stressed, you can try meditation, progressive muscle relaxation or other relaxing activities (e.g. yoga, calm breathing) that are free and easy to implement. There are many apps and resources available online. An app we recommend for many of our students here at McAuley’s is Smiling Minds for meditation.
We’ve enjoyed working with students and their families this year and look forward to welcoming back familiar and new faces in 2023. Best wishes to all and we hope that you and your families have a safe and happy holiday.
Kind Regards,
Siobhan McNamara and Megan Barton
Student Counsellor and Student Support Officer
Vaping: How to support my child if they are vaping (Part 3 of a 3 part series)
Although advertising and peers can heavily influence your teen’s decisions, the impact you have as a parent carries enormous weight. Research has found that parental involvement and a positive outlook can make a significant difference in healthy decision-making, both now and in the future.
Take a Health Approach
If you discover that your teen is vaping, address it as you would any other risk to your child’s health. Try to resist the urge to lecture, yell or punish your child. It is important to keep the lines of communication open and show your child that you are concerned about their health and safety.
Although purchasing vapes containing nicotine without a prescription is illegal in Australia, many vapes labeled as nicotine-free do contain nicotine. Your child may need support to stop vaping as nicotine is very addictive. The more your child vapes, the more both the brain and body will get used to having nicotine, and the harder it is to go without it. When a person stops vaping, even for a short period, they can experience withdrawal, including strong cravings, irritability, fatigue, headache, sleeplessness, and difficulty concentrating.
Conversation Starters
Make sure your child recognises how much you care about them and that the conversation is coming from a place of unconditional love, support, and concern for their wellbeing. Use the conversation starters below to understand if your child may be continuing to vape to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
Do you continue to vape even though you want to stop or think it’s hurting you in some way?
Do you feel anxious or irritable when you want to use your vape but can’t? Do thoughts about vaping interrupt you when you are focused on other activities? Do you vape at school? How often?
Have you ever tried to stop vaping but couldn’t?
Do you feel like you have lost control over your vaping?
Support to Quit Vaping
Read this helpful infographic for suggestions about how to support your child to quit vaping.
On Monday the 5th of December, Year 11 Legal Studies students attended the Grafton Court House as part of their studies. Students were lucky enough to meet with Magistrate Crittenden who provided an extensive overview of the role of the Grafton Local Court, the courtroom structure and its personnel. Magistrate Crittenden also spoke of the purpose of the law and the processes that take place in determining a hearing or sentence. Students spent time in the public gallery observing proceedings of a List Day in one of the busiest levels in the Australian Court Hierarchy and applying their studies of the Legal System to real-life situations.
We would like to thank Magistrate Crittendon for her time and knowledge shared and for the Grafton Local Court in making this excursion possible. After a two-year restriction period, it was great to be back in the Courtroom!
Business Studies - Sanctus Brewery
Year 12 Business Studies students have recently had the privilege of visiting Sanctus Brewery to learn about many aspects of the business including its operations, management and marketing. This was a great opportunity to apply course theory to a local business. These enthusiastic students asked many questions and Kim Geritz was brilliant at answering these questions. Kim added her experience of the history of this business and explained the importance of being flexible in the catering industry in the light of recent Covid health regulations, legislative requirements and the importance of sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility.
Students were taken on a tour of the plant where scheduling and sequencing were of major priority in the batch production of various beers. Several students were brave enough to sample produce in the herb garden. Others were keen to learn about the secret recipes.
Many thanks to Sanctus Brewery for hosting this excursion and thank you to Mr Bowling for organising the transport logistics.
Business Studies - Janet’s Craft Bags
This year all Year 11 Business Studies students were awarded Newcastle University certificates for their efforts in creating a Business Plan. Mackenzie Gooley also was fortunate enough to win a mini iPad.
One student, in particular, saw her business plan through to fruition, Janet Irwin followed a market research approach gauging the demand for her product. She then set about costing the making of her originally designed bags. After sourcing inputs and collecting money, Janet set about making her bags with some extra guidance. In the end, Janet’s product received a five-star rating from her customers.
Janet is still to decide what charity she will donate her money to.
Well done to the whole of the Year 11 Business Studies students.
Year 12 students are reminded to check their school email as I am regularly sending information on University Open Days, early entry information, the university course acceptance process for different universities, scholarships, and employment opportunities.
It is important that parents and students are aware that course acceptance closing dates for universities vary. Therefore, students need to accept their courses if they wish to attend the university of their choice and avoid disappointment.
Year 11 QLD Uni Tour
After a three-year hiatus due to Covid and bushfires the Year 11 Queensland University Tour recommenced at the end of November. The students who went on the tour have come back praising the tour. The students were able to inspect the campuses of Bond Uni, Queensland University of Technology, University of Queensland, Griffith Uni, and Southern Cross Uni on the Gold Coast.
Year 10 Structured Workplace Learning
In previous years students who were enrolled in SWL have gained apprenticeships and it was the same this year with students gaining employment or an apprenticeship. Well done, once again to those students who took part in the program.
Year 10 Work Experience
The Year 10 cohort managed to find a wide variety of career choices to investigate ranging from dentist, engineer, journalist, vet assistant to the many trades available. Work experience offers a great opportunity for students to explore their destinies as they have such a wide variety of career pathways to choose from in the future. It allows them to decide whether to continue to Year 11 or if an ATAR is needed for their career pathway.
The students visited locations ranging from Grafton to Sydney and Brisbane. Four students made the most of the opportunity by exploring two occupations each. That is a great effort at utilizing the time available.
In previous years there have been offers of part-time and full-time employment emanating from our Work Experience Program so I look forward to seeing this year's results. Congratulations to all the students who took part in their initiative and enthusiasm for the program.
Rod Paton
Careers Adviser
Weaving lessons with Maddy Richey
This week during HEAL we had Maddy Richey visit us to teach our Indigenous girls how to weave. We began the lesson by collecting Lomandra from our garden at school and Maddy explained the process of collecting and drying the Lomandra leaves for weaving.
We began weaving using Raffia with some girls making earrings and others making small baskets. The room became quiet as everyone was focused on their new project. After a few short minutes, there were sighs of frustration as patience wore thin. However, the lesson was filled with smiles and laughter as the girls had a yarn while they weaved.
We want to say a huge thank you to Maddy Richey for taking the time to come teach the girls and being so kind and patient with them. We all had an amazing time learning, laughing and connecting to culture.
Gurehlgam Women's business meeting
On Wednesday our Indigenous girls were invited to the Women's Business morning tea at Gurehlgam. The event was run by Larisa Johnson from the Grafton Base Hospital.
The day included a Women's health workshop, weaving, art and the girls building relationships and connecting with other members of the community.
We had a wonderful day out not only participating in the activities but also bonding with each other as a group.
Thank you to Larisa and everyone else who was involved. We look forward to the next one.
Wil Bancroft
IEW (Indigenous Education Worker)
Premiers Reading Challenge 2022
Twenty students completed the Premiers Reading Challenge (PRC) in 2022. They read at least 20 books from the official list between March and August.
Congratulations to Nina Bibby, Emma Bransdon, Ruby Egen, William Hartley, Kayde McClelland, Hailey O’Grady, Saidee Perich, Charlie Rainbow, Abbey Spears, Lucy Warwick, Joe Becker, Mikayla Crapp, Annabelle Hourigan, Willow Johnson, Lilyanna McPherson, Eleora Nichols, Tracey Cassidy, Brooke Chapman, Miles Jack and Beau Thompson for completing the PRC in 2022.
Special congratulations to the following student who also achieved special awards
Gold Certificate (4 years of PRC): Mikayla Crapp, Eleora Nichols
Platinum Certificate (7 years of PRC) Joe Becker, Brooke Chapman, Miles Jack
Premiers Medal ( Completing every PRC from Year 3 to Year 9) Beau Thompson
- The Manger (Anne Wilson with Josh Turner)
- Come Home For Christmas (Matthew West)
- Silent Night / Jesus We Love You (TRIBL feat. Maverick City Music)
Please find attached the latest Parish Bulletins from Clarence Valley Parish as well as the Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools Newsletter Ed 2 that is sent to Parishes to inform Parishioners news from across the Diocese.
The College has a supply of Rapid Antigen Tests available for students. Please contact the College if you require additional tests and they will be sent home with your child or they can be picked up from the office.
You may be aware of an increased number of positive cases of COVID-19 in the broader community. Please be reminded that students and staff CANNOT attend school if they are showing any symptoms of COVID-19.
Students who are unwell
If a student is unwell, displaying any COVID-19 or cold and flu-like symptoms at any time, they CANNOT attend school and should undertake a rapid antigen test.
If the rapid antigen test is positive and the student is unwell and/or experiencing any symptoms, they CANNOT attend school.
If the rapid antigen test is positive and the student is not feeling unwell and not displaying or experiencing any symptoms, they CAN attend school under the following conditions:
- the school office is informed of the positive test result, AND
- the student (over 12 years old) wears a mask for a period of 7 days in all indoor settings.
