Term 3, Week 1 - 20 July - 2020

Dear Parents and Carers

I hope there were some happy moments in your holiday and you all had an opportunity to stop and relax and have some fun.

This report is a little different to the one I prepared at the end of last term, ready to go out this week. The devastating news we received in the holidays has resulted in a rewrite and I apologise for the delay in releasing our first newsletter for the term. In a year that has been challenging, this is the most difficult newsletter article I have written so far.   

Thoughts and Prayers Requested - Mani Hart-Deville

At the end of the first week we heard the terrible news of Mani Hart-Deville who was the victim of a shark attack at Wooli. Even though Mani didn’t go to school here at McAuley, we know he was friends with a number of our students both current and former, and that many people in our College have been greatly affected by Mani’s tragic and untimely death. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mani, his family and friends and the communities of Wooli, Minnie Waters, South Grafton High School and all those in the Clarence Valley and beyond who have been affected by the tragic death of Mani. We are here to support our students in this difficult and sad time.

Thoughts and Prayers Requested - Rachel Johnson

In the middle of the second week of the holidays we received the tragic news that our friend, colleague and long time staff member Rachel Johnson had passed away so suddenly. No one was prepared for this terribly sad news and many of us are struggling to deal with Rachel’s untimely death. It will take us a while to really comprehend this loss.  Rachel was 46 years old and a committed and loving mother to Larisa, Bud, Nikkita, Darnell and Dora and a loving grandmother to her 5 grandchildren. She was a rock for her family and we, as a community, were a special place for Rachel.

Rachel was in her 20th year of service at the College. She has made a significant contribution to the College community, particularly to the learning and wellbeing of our Indigenous students. Rachel has been a bridge between Indigenous and non-Indigenous culture. She was very proud of her heritage, her culture, her spirituality and she taught me and many others in the College so much about Indigenous culture.  

Rachel loved her family and was a beautiful mum. She also loved the Broncos and would have been bitterly disappointed with their current form. Rachel was involved in touch football and hockey and we also know that Rachel loved George Michael. We have searched for an image (to use with permission from her family) but we have struggled to find one as Rachel really didn’t like having her photo taken! I hope she would be happy with the one we have chosen, which was taken at the end of Term 2 while working on the painting of our courtyard poles, a project she initiated last year.  Rachel left us way too soon. We pray for all those people who are deeply saddened and hurting at this time - her family, her friends, our students and colleagues. I ask that you keep our community in your thoughts and prayers in the days, weeks and months to come. 

When we are struggling, sad, grieving and feeling lost as many of us are right now, we come together as a Catholic community to pray and support each other. This was the focus of our opening Assembly on Monday morning. Here is a copy of a special prayer we prayed for Rachel. I have also included the prayer service from our opening Assembly on Monday where we prayed for Rachel and Mani and all those suffering at this time. 

Prayer for Rachel. 

Father of all, 

you gave us the Dreaming

when you made the Aboriginal people in the beginning.

Through our great Ancestral Beings,

you form our Homelands, Rivers, Seacoasts and Islands.

You gave us our Sacred Places, our Lore and Traditions.

Then, after thousands of years you sent your Son Jesus

to live as one of us in poverty and oppression.

He underwent the great passing-over of death and then rose to life

again to prepare a place for each of us in the resurrection,

which is the fullness of the Dreaming.

In sorrow, we offer to you, Father, the body and spirit of our beloved Rachel.

We know that her spirit is now free. Comfort and console her family and friends and grant her

eternal peace in Mother Earth and among our honoured Ancestors.

We make this prayer through Jesus our Great Ancestor in Faith.

Amen.

I thank all our parents who have sent condolence messages. I would also like to acknowledge the support we have received from St Mary’s and St Joseph’s Primary schools. Principals Jacki and Lee have checked in with us each day and sent their counsellor Catherine Collopy and Indigenous Assistant Shona Heron to McAuley to assist our students. 

Support for Students in this time of grief:

We have the following support available at the College 

• Counsellor - Siobhan; Student Support Worker - Megan Barton; St Mary’s Primary Indigenous Support Assistant - Shona Heron; Youth Support workers - from Headspace
• Students can go to P6 to have time out. Here they access the above support people, write messages to the families, meditate, journal, pray and just be still.  A record of students attending the room is kept so support as well as follow up can be initiated.

Funeral Plans for Rachel Johnson

It has been confirmed that Rachel’s funeral is on Friday at The Barn at 11am. Students who wish to attend the funeral are asked to attend with their family. I am expecting a number of our staff will attend Rachel’s funeral (depending on COVID 19 restriction), so there will be major disruptions on this day. The school will remain open with alternative arrangements for supervision in place. I thank our community in advance for your support and understanding.

Staff changes for Term 3

We have had to make some changes to staff this term. I have outlined the changes here and I welcome our new staff to the McAuley community.

• Anthea Kinny has replaced Gail Elliott in Science. Anthea has also taken on the Leader of Science position, replacing Michael Burton who stepped down from the position in mid-term 2. 
• Rowan Butcher has replaced Douglas Colwell who has taken a PE position at St John Paul College, Coffs Harbour.
• Caroline Spence is replacing Rose Cureton who has taken leave for Semester 2. Caroline will be job-sharing with Fran McHugh.
• Nardia Hill is replacing Jasmine Organ while Jasmine is on maternity leave for 3 terms.
• Shauna Ellis is job sharing with Rosie Morgan, teaching RE/HSIE/ENG
• Mark Bellamy is the Learning Technologies Coordinator for Semester 2. 

COVID 19 Safety Plan

It has been very difficult to escape news of COVID 19. The increased spread of the virus as restrictions eased has consumed our lives for the last few weeks.  I have shared below the latest information from the CSO and CSNSW and our current procedures. We need to consider the possibility that we could be asked to go back to Blended Learning. 

Please note the following:

• If you have been in Victoria you need to be in self isolation for 14 days. Students are not be at school.
• Good hygiene and social distancing between adults are the best personal actions to prevent possible transmission of COVID-19.  Therefore, at school, students are asked to socially distance from staff where possible
• In classrooms, desks are wiped down at the start of lessons and hand sanitiser is available in each classroom and 7 places in the playground. Students and staff are encouraged to wash their hands regularly, use hand sanitiser and follow appropriate coughing etiquette - as per the signage around the school
• Cold & flu symptoms: If a staff or students display any cold or flu symptoms, even mild symptoms, they must stay at home. People are encouraged to undergo a COVID19 test to expedite their return to school.
• School excursions and school camps remain on hold and will be reconsidered in early Term 3.  A ‘local field trip’ can proceed, as approved by the Principal 
• Parents and visitors are to avoid attending school premises unless under extraordinary circumstances as deemed appropriate by the school principal
• School sport can resume.

Parent - Teacher Interviews via Zoom - Tuesday 28th July

At this time of year we offer parents and carers the opportunity to discuss their child’s progress with their respective teachers. This is usually done in a face to face setting at the College. Unfortunately, due to COVID 19 restrictions which recommend restricting parent gatherings, we are unable to offer Parent - Teacher interviews in the conventional way. Therefore, our alternative is to conduct our P-T interviews via Zoom or telephone. Information regarding this has been sent to parents earlier in the week and more details are in the Curriculum section of this Newsletter.

DOLSIS survey - Staff, Students and Parents

Each year we ask staff, students and parents to participate in the Diocese of Lismore School Improvement Survey - DOLSIS.  The data we receive from the survey assists us in our school improvement process.

• Students will complete the survey in a PC lesson 
• A random selection of parents & carers will be invited to participate in the survey. Information will go home next week with students and a follow up email will be sent to ensure you have received the package. The survey can be completed either online or via a hard copy between the 27th July and 7th August.

Athletics Carnival - 31st July

We have been given permission to conduct our Athletics Carnival this term, which will be held next Friday, 31st July at Barnier Park, Junction Hill. We have put into place additional procedures related to COVID 19 safety to ensure we conduct this carnival safely and appropriately. Sadly, as per directives from CSO and Catholic Schools NSW, parents and visitors are asked not to attend the carnival. More information and details about the carnival will be sent out next week.

Enrolments for 2021 are still open 

Please submit your enrolment form ASAP and let your friends and family know that there are still some vacancies for 2021! Forms are available from the Office.

Take care

Yours sincerely

Kate

Kate Thomson

Principal 

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

The current Stage 5 Industrial Technology Timber classes have recently completed their serving tray projects, with some students incorporating digital technology by laser printing their choice of design onto their project. This was an introductory project used to develop skills and knowledge when using tools, materials and techniques in the designing of timber products. Despite the interruptions of COVID19, students have worked well and will now build autonomy in the areas of design, project management and communication techniques in the production of a timber toolbox.

Dean Coggan
TAS Teacher

Despite an unusual set of circumstances during the last term the students in HSIE classes have been very busy. Our Year 7’s finished the Geography course with a unit on place and liveability, that focused on what makes a place liveable and how we may be able to design our cities in the future to meet all our needs while being sustainable. Starting Term 3 they will move to their first History unit - Investigating the Ancient Past.

The Year 8 cohort have finished their History course for the year with an investigation into Aboriginal and Indigenous peoples around the world. They now begin the geographic study of water. This unit covers water as a natural resource and the factors influencing its flows and availability. They will also investigate how it is managed around the world.

Year 9 have had the opportunity to tap into their creative side, with a project requiring them to create a product/business that focuses on the sustainable development of the local area. This project was part of the sustainable biomes unit of work. They now venture into the time of the Industrial Revolution and the world wars in the History component of the course.

Year 10 has completed a unit of work called Human Wellbeing, which required them to investigate how we globally measure and determine the health of nations around the world. They finished with a focus on Australia and the inequality that unfortunately exists. This leads into the History course. The focus for the first topic is extremely relevant at the moment as it is Changing Rights and Freedoms of People.

Our Year 11 students in Business studies, Legal studies, Modern History and Geography head into their last term before starting their HSC courses. Good luck on final preliminary exams later in Term 3.

The HSC courses of Ancient History, Modern History, Legal studies, Business Studies and Geography approach their final term of their course. They continue to strive towards improving their skills in preparation for the HSC exams. Good luck to all of our senior students on the final push towards the end of their formal schooling.

If your child needs support at this time here are some contact numbers to keep handy:

30th Anniversary of (Catherine) McAuley Catholic College.

2013

2012

Please find attached the latest Parish Bulletin from Clarence Valley Parish

FOOD FOR THOUGHT   7

Matthew 27

Then two robbers were crucified with Him, one on the right and another on the left.

 Even the robbers who were crucified with Him reviled Him with the same thing.

Luke 23

 Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.”

 But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”

 And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”

Have you ever wondered why there were only 3 crosses that day? On one occasion the Romans had crucified over 6000 people. Crucified people were a common sight and occurrence in ancient Palestine.

Two thieves, sinners, one on either side of Jesus.

Both led to their cross of death by their actions.

 Both crucified - the ending for a series of bad life choices.

 Both equally close to the man in the centre, led there by others for no sin of His own.

Both at first revile Jesus, then one, comes to the understanding that he is there because of his own action, his own choices and sins and castigates the other who was telling Jesus to save both him and himself.

It seems to me that we need to own the fact that we are sinners.

That we need a Saviour and that Saviour is Jesus the Christ.

Then we too can walk with Him in Paradise.

When we acknowledge our sins and turn to Him in repentance He forgives us our sins and cleanses us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). What a Saviour!

(David Ogg)

Savannah Connolly, Jude Kreis, Sophie Brien, Riley Donoghue, Simone Vener, Nadine Venter, Mikey Blanch, Hudson Daley-Hadi, Ezekiel Mollenhauer, Colin Young, Matthew Gardner, Kristel Gravolin, Zeplen Davies, Sam Mooney, Ava Pollock, Paige Tierney, Isaac Cooper, Emily Renelt, Kirrah Campbell, Stella Lydon, Lynai Cotterill, Jack Simpson, Flynn Hanson, Olivia Best, Flynn Power, Riley Connell, Abby Dickson, Wilson Moore, Elle Commerford, Jack Smajstr, Briony Doust, Evan Whitty, Angelina Francescucci, Rowan McPherson, Aaron Kay, Molly Shaw.