Week 10 - Term 2 Newsletter 2023

Principal's Message

Dear Parents,  

Thank you all for another great term of learning; it is hard to believe we are halfway through the year already. I would like to commend all our families for their support throughout this Semester, as we are all very grateful. 

NAIDOC Day

Yesterday, our school had the wonderful opportunity to celebrate NAIDOC Day, a day dedicated to honoring and celebrating our local Indigenous culture, history, and achievements. This year's NAIDOC Week theme, "For Our Elders," resonated throughout the day, highlighting our deep respect and gratitude for the wisdom, guidance, and contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander elders.

At Brooms Head, students actively engaged in various activities that fostered a greater understanding and appreciation of Indigenous culture. Dreamtime story-telling captivated their imaginations, while clay-making allowed them to explore their creativity. They also enthusiastically participated in indigenous games, immersing themselves in the vibrant traditions. The highlight of the day was the cultural dancing session, where McAuley students showcased their talent and celebrated the legacy of their elders.

The day commenced with a meaningful smoking ceremony & Welcome to Country by Uncle Ron, infusing the air with sacred smoke and welcoming our school community onto Country. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our Yagel Elders, community visitors, and the dedicated efforts of Mrs Senz, Mr Randall, and Mrs Waghorn for organizing this memorable day. Their commitment to honouring our elders and fostering a deep appreciation for Indigenous culture is truly commendable.

Staff Development Day - Monday 17th July

Just a reminder that our first day back for students will be Tuesday, 18th July. On Monday, our staff will participate in a Professional Development Day focused on strengthening our Catholic Identity and Mission Domain. This day is designed to realign our connection with the Sisters of Mercy Values and revisit the foundational principles upon which our school was established, as we have experienced changes in staff over the past five years.

The event will take place at the Mercy Centre in Grafton, providing our staff with a valuable opportunity to deepen their understanding of the Mercy Charism and History while engaging in spiritual formation. Guided by Sr Colleen Brady and Sr Marg Bray, our staff will delve into the rich story of the Sisters of Mercy and explore how their values have shaped our school's direction for almost 120 years.

Thank you in advance to all our families for supporting our staff as they undertake our 5 Days of Professional Learning each year. We acknowledge the difficulty this places around care minding for families; however, these days are invaluable for staff in developing themselves as learners. If you need child care, please contact our Vacation Care, which will operate on this day.

Staffing Changes - Term 3

Next term we will be welcoming three new staff into our school community, Mrs Josie Donaldson, Mr Bridon Pettiford-Dank & Mr Anthony Gilchrist. Whilst I acknowledge all 3 teachers have had this last week working in classrooms and becoming familiar with our school routines, Josie, Bridon & Anthony will be joining us in a more permanent capacity for the remainder of the year.

Mrs Donaldson will be taking on the role of Kindergarten Class Teacher and replacing Miss Lovegrove who has decided to relocate back closer to family and friends. Whilst Mr Pettiford-Dank (Stage 2) & Mr Gilchrist (Stage 3) will be working in our Primary classrooms supporting Literacy & Numeracy and leading other KLAs during our afternoon sessions. Additionally, Mrs Mullins will be shifting into the Stage 1 space, replacing Mrs McMahon, who will be heading off on maternity leave.

We would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation to Miss Lovegrove for her invaluable contribution to Kindergarten and our school community. Her dedication, passion, and unwavering commitment have made a significant impact on the students' growth and learning journey, and we wish her all the best in her next endeavours.  We also wish Mrs McMahon all the best as she embarks on her maternity leave. May this special time be filled with joy, love, and precious moments as she welcomes her new addition to the family and no doubt, we will see her back soon.

With today being our last day for Term 2, I wish you all the best over these upcoming holidays & trust that you enjoy this time with your families. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Kind regards

Dale

Upcoming School Dates

• Last day of Term 2 for students (Thursday 29th June)
• PUPIL FREE DAY (Friday 30th June)
  
• PUPIL FREE DAY (Monday 17th July)
• Students return to School (Tuesday 18th July)
• Little Joey's begins (Friday 28th July)
• Stage 3 Basketball Gala Day (Monday 7th August)
• Term 3 Parent Forum Meeting (Tuesday 8th August)
• Stage 2 Basketball Gala Day (Monday 14th August)
• Diocesan Athletics Carnival (Tuesday 15th August)
• Sacrament of Confirmation (Tuesday 15th August)
• School Photos (Thursday 24th August)

Leader of Learning

Why do we participate in Eisteddfods?

School is much more than learning to read, write, add and subtract. Teachers work hard to ensure children are ‘well-rounded’ and develop skills to support them as they explore the world around them. Recently all children participated in the Clarence Music Eisteddfod - here are some of the benefits of participation:

Fostering Confidence and Self-Expression

Eisteddfods provide an ideal platform for children to develop confidence and self-expression. They showcase talent, build resilience, and overcome stage fright. They learn to communicate emotions and ideas through music. This invaluable experience bolsters their self-esteem and equips them with essential skills for public speaking and future endeavours.

Encouraging Discipline and Dedication

The journey towards an Eisteddfod performance requires discipline and dedication, teaching children valuable life skills. To deliver their best on stage, children must practice regularly, hone their techniques, and polish their performances. The process instils a strong work ethic, teaching them the importance of perseverance, goal-setting, and time management. 

Building Resilience and Grace Under Pressure

Eisteddfods provide a unique opportunity for children to learn how to handle pressure gracefully. Nerves and butterflies are part and parcel of any live performance, and through participating in these events, children become adept at managing their emotions and performing under pressure. The valuable lessons they learn in the face of challenges and setbacks strengthen their resilience and equip them with vital coping mechanisms that can be applied to various aspects of their lives.

Fostering Community and Connection

Children learn to work as a team and begin to understand that the performance of one member can impact the group in both positive and negative ways. They connect with their classmates differently. Performing as part of a group strengthens friendships and builds a sense of belonging.

From building confidence and discipline to fostering resilience and camaraderie, Eisteddfods are an ideal way for your child to develop essential life skills.

Mrs Bailey

Mission & Values

Mercy In Action Award

Congratulations to our Mercy In Action Award winner this fortnight, Blake Hausler. We recognise Blake for the way he displays the Mercy Value of Respect, in the way he follows class and school rules, as well as his compassionate and kind treatment of others. Blake consistently strives to be an outstanding student and a valuable community member. Thank you and well done Blake!

Class Awards

Our Principal's Award winners this week are:

Our Class Award winners this week are: 

Class News -

On Thursday 22nd, St Joeys ventured down to the River Rooms (the previous Ex-Servicemen's Club) to perform the two pieces of music that the stages have selected, learned and been practising all Term 2.

This was the 11th Annual Lower Clarence Music Eisteddfod and was adjudicated by Sabina Turner (B.Mus., Dip Ed, A. Mus.A).

The song selections were:

Every student did themselves, their peers, their teachers and their school proud, singing with gusto, passion and pizazz! 

We unfortunately do not have photographs or videos of the morning/ performances due to recording and child safety permissions of the Eisteddfod Association. We thank every parent and family member that was able to make it down to watch us perform.

The Lower Clarence Music Eisteddfod’s aims are…

‘To encourage and promote local and regional musicians, community organisations and individuals to participate in the performing arts with the aim of contributing to the musical and artistic life of the community. And to foster the development of self-esteem and confidence of our musicians by providing the opportunity to perform in a community setting and with an audience.’

We are SO lucky to be able to participate in such a wonderful community event, and we cannot wait til next year!

Ms Zietsch

School Sport

The Clarence Zone Athletics Carnival was held today in Coffs Harbour, in sunny but crisp winter weather.

It wasn't just the outstanding athletic achievements that made the carnival special, it was the camaraderie & sportsmanship displayed by all participants. 

Congratulations to all the students who participated and showcased their abilities at the carnival, you all should be proud of your accomplishments.

Thank you to the families and friends who were able to travel to support our students, your presence and encouragement undoubtedly played a significant role in their achievements.

Congratulations to Dotti, Sophie, Avah & Jessika who all made finals in their respective races.  

A big Congratulations to Jessika Dalton who placed 1st in the 100m Final and 2nd in the 2oom Final. She will now be competing in The Lismore Diocesan Athletics Carnival will be held in Coffs Harbour on Tuesday 15th August.

Mr Hitchings

Library News

A BIG thank you to the Parent Forum, who recently donated generously to the library. In consultation with the students, we decided to continue to grow our Graphic Novel section, and we purchased over 30 books, which the kids cannot wait to get their hands on! All can enjoy Graphic Novels but they are particularly great for the reluctant reader. They can add extra support to help kids through the text and help to develop verbal and visual literacy simultaneously. 

Thanks again to the Parent Forum! 

Mrs Waghorn

Parent Forum

Fete Update

Our school fete is just 10 weeks away! We encourage you to sign your name up on our day's roster and bring any goods for the raffle as soon as possible.

Mrs Barrington and Miss Juana have kindly offered to host our plant stall. If you have any plants to donate, please keep them at home until closer to the fete and ensure that they are rooted! Thanks so much, everyone! Have a lovely break.

The Parent Forum Team

Pastoral Care - Family Connect

Checkout the below activities happening this school holidays

 Skye Pullen 0417 004 779

Community Notices