Term 4, Issue #13 2023

From The Leadership Team

Dear Catherine McAuley Families,

We hope you receive this final newsletter entry for 2023 in good health, as we gradually ease into the summer holiday period. Students, staff and families will appreciate the break and enjoy the timely opportunity to relax, reflect on the school year and think ahead to the next one.

It has been a busy year for all of us at Catherine McAuley School and we have made substantial progress in all areas, as highlighted in our received NAPLAN Reports. We will continue to develop as a school community, and we thank you for all your contributions along the way. As a school community, we have grown so much, and yet we continue to grow in many sides of education. 2024 will prove to be an exciting time for growth as we embark on our building plans.

Congratulations to all our Year 6 students who graduated this week. Well done to all our Year 6 students who will be moving on to Senior School next year. We wish them all the absolute best. They take with them the Mercy charism, a heritage that inspires us to service. Our priority remains our hope that Catherine McAuley School students leave with a deep faith, that they contribute actively to society, believe in themselves and have inner strength.

Also well done to all our students for trying their absolute best this year. Thank you to the students for all their efforts and for making Catherine McAuley such a wonderful school. We hope that our students keep themselves and their brains active over the holiday period by exercising and reading as regularly as possible.

This year we sadly say goodbye to nine of our most respected and outstanding staff members: Miss Edwards, Ms Jahic, Miss Komljenovic, Ms Kaur, Mrs Wood, Mrs Nicholls, Ms Turner, Miss O’Neil and Mrs Richards. These staff members have shown every day what it means to be consummate professionals, teaching and leading with passion, dedication, and with a complete desire to improve the academic outcomes of all our students and the growth of our school. These amazing staff members are embarking on new adventures, and it is with a sad heart we have to say goodbye. We wish them all the best in their new ventures.

Mrs Caldinez leaves us for 12 months to pursue a leadership position at Our Lady of the Visitation and Mrs Mackowiak will be on leave during 2024 to pursue personal interests. We will welcome them back in 2025. We wish them the absolute best.

We would like to say a big thank you to all our incredible staff who have worked tirelessly and diligently throughout the year to provide outstanding education to all our students. Thank you to all our students for committing to improving and striving for excellence in their studies. Finally thank you to our families who have been so supportive, compassionate, and genuine educational partners to improve Catherine McAuley School this year. Thank you all, for allowing us to mould such delicate minds and for trusting us with your most prized possessions.

‘We must strive to do ordinary things extraordinarily well’ - Catherine McAuley.

Lastly, we wish everyone a very Blessed and Holy Christmas. May your holidays be filled with cheer, warm memories, and happiness.

God Bless.

Yours in Faith, Growth and Unity,
Leadership Team

From The APRIM

Catholic Charities – The Joy of Generosity

Sometimes, we are so busy getting caught up in all the pageantry and commercialism of the holidays that we forget that a lot of people simply don’t have the luxury of enjoying the upcoming holidays. This time of year can be more stressful for those who are struggling or have limited access to food and other necessities. Giving something to them can somehow help ease their stress and sadness.

Generosity is a quality our Catherine McAuley family and community embrace. The power of giving is also a trait which is alive and well within our school community. Christmas is a great opportunity for us all to spread joy by being charitable. Giving is ‘the root of empathy’ which is embedded in our well-being programs taught throughout all year levels.

Thank you. No really, thank you for allowing us to contribute to spreading joy in our local community by providing gifts which are sitting proudly underneath our Wishing Tree in the administration building and for the $640 raised from the Spirit of Christmas and Charities Stalls (those stalls that could go ahead). When we give through Hope, we keep hope alive. Let’s keep building a legacy of hope and joy.

‘May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.’ Romans 15:13

Every year, around the world, people celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ on CHRISTmas Day, 25 December. It's a day – and season – filled with CHRISTmas carols, tree decorating, gift-giving and parties. And, among all the celebrations, you may be wondering: what is the real meaning of CHRISTmas? Or, why do we have these CHRISTmas traditions? What do they have to do with Jesus?

Our lives, country and world are far from perfect. There are always challenges and struggles we face both personally and collectively. The good news of CHRISTmas is that even when the world or our circumstances change – the message of CHRISTmas is timeless. Because CHRISTmas is about the birth of God’s Son – Jesus. It is about how he came to give us love, hope and joy. That message doesn’t change from year to year.

Singer Andy Williams said it best in a CHRISTmas song ‘It's The Most Wonderful Time of The Year.’ And it truly is.