Dearest families and friends

Welcome to the 2022 school year, which has begun quite creatively, I think you might agree. First and foremost, I want to thank you all for your support and calm in this unusual beginning.

I would like to congratulate all the new Reception students and families on a magnificent start and truly that you are adhering to the one parent per child drop off and pick up without lingering.

I am very pleased to introduce you to our new staff members and anticipate the time when we can actually gather and meet properly.

Tracey Morrison – Receptionist/Administration Assistant 

• I Love to travel with my family.
• I have two boys, one in highschool and one in primary school.
• My Favourite colour is blue.

Ashlee Leahy and Samantha Turner- Year 2LT

• We met each other in Kindy (yes the one across the road) and have been best friends since. We went to primary school and highschool together as well. 
• We are both boy mum’s. Miss Leahy has a 9 month old son and Miss Turner’s son is 2.5 years old.
• Outside of school we love going to the river and relaxing with our families.

Year 4/5 Teachers

Mrs Emmaline Berry 

• I got married in November last year.
• I have a Great Dane X GSP called Jemma.
• I love going for walks and getting out in nature.

 Miss Lauren Kosenan

• This is my second year of teaching.
• I love gardening and everything plant.
• I have 2 adorable cats.

Miss Stephanie Ricci

• I have a German Shepherd dog call Boston.
• I love making homemade pasta with my Nonna.
• I have been teaching for 6 years.

Miss Taylor Bayly

• I enjoy competitive dance and my favourite genre is Hip Hop.
• I am committed to communication with everyone in the community so please come say Hi if you see me.  
• Many of the children would also already know me from Expressive Arts and Relief Teaching in the last year but actually my favourite topic to teach is Literacy.

I look forward to us building community together and I will continue to update you as new information comes to us from our Director, Dr Neil McGoran, who is liaising with the minister for health.Thank you again for your partnership and remember we are all in this together.

Kindest regards

The Leadership Team

Welcome to the 2022 School Year 

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 

“But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31 

The last two years have challenged us as a community and individually, weakening our dreams and aspirations and, at times, reducing our hope. What helps us to continue our journey and not give up has been the constant presence of a God who holds us, nurtures us, loves us, a God who gives us hope. As Christians we are invited to bring God’s hope to others, to show them a generous hand and a kind heart, to help them believe in a future, one in which they can find joy and pleasure, a journey in which they are not alone and will be accomplished together with another. 

Pope Francis addressed the nation on a ‘Synodal Church, Journeying Together’ a focus for the Church in 2022. Synodality itself is made up of two Greek words – ‘with’ (συν) and ‘path’ (όδός) – that evoke the meaning of walking or journeying together along the Way of Jesus. The synodal process presents us with a vision of what we are called to be—people in communion with God and with each other, living out discipleship in the world, and participating in the mission.  

This journey, in regard to Catherine McAuley School, is both a gift and a task: by journeying together and reflecting together on a journey that will enable us to learn which processes can help us to live communion (Faith), to achieve participation (Growth), and how to further open ourself to mission (Unity). How does this journeying together, which takes place today on different levels, allow the Church to proclaim the Gospel in accordance with the mission entrusted to Her; and what steps does the Spirit invite us to take to grow as a synodal Church here at Catherine McAuley School?’.

Teaching and Celebrating the Liturgical Year – A Journey with Jesus 

Over this year, I thought I’d take the opportunity to share with you, and invite you to join, our Catherine McAuley School’s Catholic journey. It’s critical that we develop a culture where we support each other and each other’s learning, lifelong learning, more so now than ever. Focusing on learning and how to truly improve student’s outcomes is more important than just getting good results and it is everyone’s responsibility hence our strong home-school partnership with you at Catherine McAuley. That said, as your children learn about our liturgical year, you too can be / stay informed of such learning.  

There probably won’t be many people wishing you a Happy New Year on Nov 30th. But the last Sunday of November is the beginning of the new year in the Catholic Church. It marks the official start of the liturgical year (the annual date is the Sunday that falls during the week of Nov 27-Dec 3). The liturgical year is a cycle that keeps repeating itself year after year but from a spiritual standpoint it is always new because it continues to draw us more deeply into our relationship with Jesus. The liturgical year celebrates the sacred mysteries of the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus, one of the most important parts of our Catholic faith. It includes the feast of the Ascension, when Jesus returned to heaven with the promise that he would come again, and Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles. 

The liturgical year is organised in seasons over a 12-month period (just like weather seasons). Each season has its own particular feel, its own colour, its own symbol, its own customs and its own activities that we associate with. As we explore each season, it provides us with a way of looking at the same mystery, year in-year out, from a different aspect to learn something new each time we experience it whether it be from a physical, social, emotional, and spiritual stance. Year after year it invites us to deepen our relationship with Jesus.  

The Scriptures take us through the liturgical year on a three-year cycle. The church selects readings to be used each day on a three-year cycle. We have liturgical years A, B and C. We look at Jesus and our own lives through the Gospel of Matthew (cycle A), Mark (cycle B) and Luke (cycle C). The Gospel of John is included at particular times in all three cycles.  

The liturgical year is one way that we can interpret the Scriptures, enabling us to integrate our life experience with the life of Jesus. At Catherine McAuley School, it is a way we express our identity as Christians. 

Mrs. Caldinez 

APRIM 

After reading the Green Sheep we went on a bit of a tour around the school to try and find the green sheep which was hiding in the classroom. Read a few more stories, learnt a few classroom expectations & procedures but most importantly made some friends and got to know one another. Over the last week we have been working as a team to make our classroom a fun, friendly and welcoming environment where we all feel valued and respected. To help us do this we have learnt lots about A & B choices, bucket filling and bucket dipping. We also made some first week of reception crowns which we all think make us look pretty cool! 

Updating Medication Care Plans 

Does you child have asthma or allergies etc?

Please bring in to the front office your 2022 care plans and medications.

All Medications need to be provided in the original box with the pharmacy label.