Principal's Page

Dear Parents and Carers,

The year is off to a flying start - I can't believe it is already Week 6. I hope the beginning of the school year has been good for you all.  I would like to acknowledge the vital role that the Parent group plays in the life of our school. Your commitment, generosity, and willingness to support our students, staff, and families make a significant difference. Whether through fundraising, volunteering at events, offering feedback, or simply building connections among families, your contribution strengthens our community in countless ways. So Thank You!

Welcome Mrs Rachael McKenzie

Please join me in welcoming Rachael to the McAuley Family. Rachael and Mrs Kate Budworth are sharing the Office Manager role recently vacated by Annalisa's retirement. Rachael will work on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and Kate works Monday through to Friday. Please say "Hello" when you come into the office and if there are any queries about school fees, Rachael is the person to see. 

Learning Focus 2026

Our learning focus this year is to build on the excellent work the teachers and support staff have been doing in the area of literacy that has yielded such positive results in terms of student learning outcomes. Literacy skills are fundamental to learning across all subject areas and underpin a child’s capacity to think critically, communicate effectively, and engage confidently with the world around them.

In 2026, we will continue to strengthen our whole-school approach to evidence-informed literacy instruction, ensuring consistency in practice from Kindergarten to Year 6. This includes refining our explicit teaching of reading and writing, deepening students’ vocabulary knowledge, and supporting strong comprehension skills across all curriculum areas. Targeted intervention programs will remain a priority so that students requiring additional support receive timely, personalised assistance, while extension opportunities will continue to challenge and inspire high-achieving learners.

Professional learning for staff will remain central to this work. Through collaborative planning, data analysis, and instructional coaching, our teachers will continue to build their expertise and share effective strategies. By maintaining high expectations and fostering a culture of continuous improvement, we aim to ensure that every student experiences success and growth in literacy.

Maintenance Work and Playground Upgrades

A number of projects to enhance and refresh our school facilities are already underway, reflecting our commitment to providing a welcoming and high-quality learning environment for our students.

To date, the Sacred Heart building has been fully repainted and the floor coverings replaced, creating a brighter and more contemporary space for learning. The timber floors in the hall have been refinished, restoring their warmth and character, and new flooring has been installed in the hall kitchen and foyer areas to ensure durability and functionality for our many community gatherings and events.

Over the coming months, this work will continue. Additional classrooms will be painted, and worn carpet and blinds will be progressively replaced to maintain a safe, comfortable and aesthetically pleasing environment for both students and staff. We are also planning to repaint the exterior surfaces of the school, including a fresh colour change to revitalise the overall appearance of our buildings.

If you have an eye for colour or a flair for design, I would genuinely welcome your suggestions as we consider options for this exciting update. Together, we can ensure our school environment reflects the pride we have in our community and the vibrant learning that takes place within it.

I applied for a major capital works money and received approval to upgrade the playground. This will include extending and refreshing the areas of  the areas of soft fall / artificial turf and to reimage the grass slope in front of the canteen.  We are thinking of a terraced grass area topped with a yarning circle to enjoy the leafy aspect of this area. 

Safety Upgrades

A number of important safety upgrades have also been completed and others approved for completion. All exits from the school grounds have security cameras and high risk spaces are monitored. The locks on the buildings have been upgraded so that exit doors cannot be accidently left unlocked. The balustrade on the verandah at the front of the Sacred Heart Building will be upgraded so that it cannot be climbed. 

Neighbour Complaint

Please be aware of our neighbours especially at pick up and drop off times. Ensure that you are all following NSW road rules and road safety guidelines; eg no double parking, be aware of and comply with the road markings and road signage. 

Please be aware of our neighbours driveways and do not block access to their homes.

Have a lovely fortnight,

Jo Flynn