MacKillop Chronicles Term 4, Week 3

Last week’s playgroup was full of giggles, glue, and a touch of spookiness! Children got creative making spooky crafts from bright orange pumpkins to wiggly spiders.  The room was filled with a mix of cobwebs, glitter, and laughter. The craft tables were buzzing as everyone proudly showed off their spooky masterpieces.

Of course, no spooky session would be complete without costumes! Our playgroup friends came dressed as witches, superheroes, and even a few friendly monsters. It was wonderful to see everyone’s imagination come to life. Thank you to all the parents and carers who joined in the fun!

Today we came together to celebrate Staff Appreciation Day with a delicious morning tea, honouring the incredible team that keeps our community running smoothly every single day. From our dedicated maintenance crew to our wonderful educators, administrators, and executive team, every staff member plays an important part in the running of our College.

A huge thank you to our generous families who kindly donated an array of yummy treats for everyone to enjoy. Your thoughtful contributions made the morning even more special and reminded us how lucky we are to be part of such a caring community. It was a lovely way to pause, share smiles, and show appreciation for the hard work and heart our staff bring to everything they do.

With thanks,

 Lucy Marien | Parent Engagement Coordinator

The first day of Year 5 Camp has been wet and wonderful! Despite the rain, our students embraced every challenge with enthusiasm and teamwork. They’ve shown great resilience, maturity, and a positive attitude throughout the day. All the teachers are incredibly proud of the growth and spirit our Year 5 students have displayed as they take on new experiences together. 

Our second day at camp has been amazing! We’ve been blessed with beautiful weather, inspiring a real sense of adventure as we explore the nature around us at Point Wolstoncroft. It’s been wonderful to see our Year 5 students challenge themselves, try new experiences, and enjoy each other’s company.

Tim Snelling | Religious Education Coordinator K - 6

Dear Families,

Importance of Sport

I love sport in all its forms.  I enjoy playing sports, watching sports live and also sitting back in the comfort of my home to watch a wide range of sports.  My love of sport was what attracted me to a career in PE teaching, and I still get a real kick out of seeing kids at school enjoying the opportunity to participate in sport.

Last Friday, I had the pleasure of getting across to St Peter’s to watch our teams compete in rugby league.  It's fair to say that our teams are comprised of students who span the whole gamut from those who live and breathe footy, those who are on an elite pathway, to those who enjoy a run around in preference to class.

What was common to these kids was their sense of camaraderie, their willingness to take on a formidable contest, their school spirit, their sportsmanship, their resilience and their strong sense of character.  Many of our students were playing up an age or racing to the game after their exams but despite these challenges, their effort couldn’t be questioned.

A big part of our job at MacKillop is to deliver the very best learning outcomes for our students.  We are absolutely focused on building a culture of high expectations where every student experiences learning growth year on year.  Along with this, we also have an obligation to develop young men and women of character, young people who will actively contribute to society and graduates who carry forward the legacy of Mary MacKillop in who they are and what they do.

Last Friday, I witnessed young men and women who embody these qualities.  Of course, I wish some of them had the same passion for their studies as they do for rugby league, but what was clearly evident is that they have all the tools they need to leave our College one day and lead very successful lives.

God Bless.

Paul Lynch | Head of Secondary

Recently, we were blessed to celebrate our Youth Mass with our Primary, Secondary and Parish communities. We are always indebted to our staff and students who come and run Youth Group from 4 pm-5 pm and then minister during 5 pm Sunday Mass. We would like to extend a warm welcome to any staff, students and families to attend the Youth Mass in the Parish, which occurs on the 4^th Sunday of every month during the school year.

On Tuesday, 28 October, our College Captains and Vice Captains attended the Year 12 Diocesan Leaders Day at the Caroline Chisholm Centre, Pennant Hills. Accompanied by our Wellbeing Lead 9-12, Mr Julian Legge, the students met with other student leaders across the Diocese to look at the importance of servant leadership. This event was led by the CSBB Evangelisation and Catechesis Team.

The students and staff were joined by the team at the Ephpheta Centre for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. This Centre is a Catholic organisation dedicated to fostering a Catholic community for those with hearing disabilities. They spoke to the students about servant leadership and the importance of reaching out to those who are marginalised and struggle in our world. It was an enriching day of formation for our student leaders, and we hope it was useful for them in terms of how they serve our MacKillop community.

Blessings,

Chrystal Price | Deputy Head: Evangelisation and Catechesis

As we approach the end of the year, our HSIE classrooms are buzzing with activity:

• Year 7 are journeying through the ancient world, currently exploring Ancient Egypt and soon diving into Ancient China.
• Year 8 are investigating Interconnections, learning how people, places, and environments are linked across the globe.
• Year 9 are examining Sustainable Biomes, considering how ecosystems function and how humans interact with them.
• Year 10 have just completed their end-of-year exams and are now exploring Human Wellbeing, analysing global inequalities and development.
• In Commerce, students are engaged in Law in Action and Running a Business, applying legal and entrepreneurial concepts to real-world scenarios.
• Elective History students are exploring the concept of freedom fighters and the role perspective plays in interpretation.
• Year 11 Ancient History, Business Studies, Economics, Extension History, Legal Studies, Modern History and Society and Culture have officially begun their HSC courses, diving into their first topics with fresh energy and focus.

It’s a busy and exciting time across the HSIE faculty, and we’re proud of the curiosity and commitment our students are showing.

How to Succeed in HSIE

HSIE subjects help students make sense of the world; its history, systems, cultures, and challenges. Whether you're studying History, Geography, Business Studies, Legal Studies, or Languages, success in HSIE is built on a few key foundations:

1. Be Curious: Ask questions, explore different viewpoints, and seek to understand the “why” behind the facts. Curiosity leads to deeper learning.
2. Stay Organised: HSIE tasks often involve research, analysis, and extended writing. Use school diaries, folders, or digital tools to manage your workload and meet deadlines.
3. Think Critically: Learn to evaluate sources, identify bias, and build arguments supported by evidence. HSIE is about interpretation, not just memorisation.
4. Connect with the World: Read and watch the news, follow current events, and engage in discussions. Real-world connections make HSIE subjects more meaningful and relevant.
5. Ask for Help: Our HSIE teachers are here to support you. Whether you need help understanding a concept or refining a draft, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Success in HSIE isn’t just about marks; it’s about developing skills that will serve you well in life, study, and work. We look forward to spotlighting the great work happening in our classrooms in future articles.

Kind regards,

Erin Sullivan | Leader of Learning and Teaching HSIE

Semester 2 has been an active and engaging time across all PDHPE classes as students reflect on their learning, develop new skills, and build confidence both in theory and practical settings.

Year 7 students have been reflecting on their own health, identifying positives, challenges and strategies for improvement in theory lessons. In practical sessions, they have enjoyed refining their dance moves as part of the Movement Composition unit, showcasing creativity and teamwork.

Year 8 have been developing vital lifesaving skills in their First Aid unit, learning and applying the DRSABCD action plan to an e-scooter accident scenario in their theory assessment. In practical classes, students have worked collaboratively in small groups to design and video a performance drill to improve their gameplay in invasion sports such as Frisbee, OzTag or Touch.

Year 9 students have explored Nutrition in theory, examining how food choices influence energy, performance and overall wellbeing. In practical lessons, they worked collaboratively to design and teach a modified game to their peers, with an emphasis on fun, inclusion and active participation for everyone.

Year 10 have been immersed in their Team Competition unit, running a round-robin basketball tournament where each team took turns managing the lesson, from setup and pack down to refereeing, scoring, substitutions, and timekeeping. They also recently completed their yearly examination, and we hope the time spent creating palm cards and engaging in structured revision during theory lessons pays off in their results. The focus on developing effective study habits has set them up well as they prepare to enter Stage 6 next year.

It’s been a busy and rewarding Semester for all PDHPE students, who continue to demonstrate growth, teamwork and enthusiasm in both theory and practical settings.

Nicole Abel | Leader of Learning and Teaching PDHPE

Mass is a celebration. However, for most of us, we grew up not knowing this. As children, we went to Mass and were told to sit still, be quiet, and follow along with a ceremony we did not understand. Every Fourth Sunday in the MacKillop parish, we are attempting to change this experience of Mass for our young people. Sunday afternoon Mass begins at 5 pm; however, an hour earlier, we start Youth Group. Youth Group is an opportunity for young people to come together and participate in games and activities that bring a sense of joy and community before entering into Mass. The activities are run by students, who are members of our Pharus leadership team. This provides the younger participants with student role models who can provide positive examples on how to behave and understand the process of Mass. Youth Group ends by touching on the message in the Gospel and a short explanation of the celebration that is about to take place. Through Youth Group, our younger members of the community can gain a deeper understanding that they are an accepted and loved part of our Catholic community.

Furthermore, the Catholic community is being further embedded in the MacKillop culture with the beginning of the Life Essentials course taking place in the Ryan centre. ‘Life Essentials’, a course aimed at Year 7 and 8 students (but open to all students), is an introduction to Youth Ministry and life in the College. The course offers a place and time where young people can come together with their friends and talk about anything from screen time to forgiveness to who Jesus is. It’s short and sweet, it only goes for half a break time but is full of questions that spark deep discussions around faith. Each week we will explore topics around identity, purpose, belonging and faith. It’s designed for young people to engage with their friends and feel comfortable to talk about themselves and their faith.

Finally, as we move towards the end of the year, the final Connecting Catholic Coasties is to take place on Friday of Week 6. As this is the Year of Hope, the Catholic Coasties have been touring different sacred sites within the Broken Bay Diocese and visiting the relics of the associated saints. To finish off this pilgrimage, the final destination will be our Cathedral in Waitara on November 14, where we will celebrate the finally of the pilgrimage and explore the true meaning of Christmas. For those who have been completing the pilgrimage, don’t forget to bring your passports, and for those who are yet to come along to a CCC event, you are most welcome to bring yourself along to this one!

Dr Ashley Sadler | Youth Ministry Coordinator

As the 2025 school year continues, we take great pride in celebrating the achievements of our Vocational Education and Training (VET) students. Throughout the year, students across Business Services, Construction, Entertainment, Fitness, Hospitality, and other VET frameworks studied at TAFE have demonstrated remarkable growth, commitment, and professionalism. Their success in both classroom learning and workplace training highlights the value of practical, skills-based education and the strength of our school’s VET program.

Many students have excelled during their work placements, earning praise from industry supervisors for their reliability, teamwork, and emerging technical skills. These experiences have not only strengthened their employability but have also inspired many to pursue apprenticeships, traineeships, and further study in their chosen fields. The confidence and competence our students display are a true credit to their effort and enthusiasm.

Behind every student success story stands a team of dedicated VET teachers whose guidance, expertise, and encouragement have shaped meaningful learning experiences. Their commitment to ensuring students meet industry standards, gain real-world skills, and feel supported in their career pathways is deeply appreciated. We thank our VET staff for their tireless work, professionalism, and passion for vocational education.

As we approach the end of another successful year, we congratulate all VET students on their achievements and thank our teachers, host employers, and community partners for their ongoing support. Together, we continue to build pathways to bright futures through quality vocational learning.

Yours Sincerely

Dennis Gasparotto | Leader of Learning Vocational Education and Training and Careers Adviser.

It is important as a community to understand the basics of what an allergy is — an immune system response to Food proteins (or other allergens, such as medications, pollens, dust, etc), that the body mistakenly believes are harmful. Reactions to these allergens can range from mild to severe, which in some cases may require medical intervention and hospitalisation.  By discussing this in the home with your children, they can support each other during the school day to avoid mistakenly coming into contact with or consuming an allergen.

When a person eats food containing the allergen, the immune system releases a large amount of chemicals, including histamine, that lead to signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction.

An allergic reaction can involve the gut, skin and breathing and/or heart systems. Symptoms of food allergy can range from mild to moderate to severe (including anaphylaxis). 

Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening emergency. Hospital presentations for anaphylaxis have increased for all age groups in the past 30 years, with food being the major cause of anaphylaxis in the 0-4 age group.

Have you ever wondered what happens inside your body that leads to you developing allergies? It is normal to wonder why you or a friend has a food allergy when others do not.

This short animation provides a simple explanation about how we develop allergies and also what happens in our body to cause symptoms of an allergic reaction.

This video explains: How Allergies Work

This information was sourced from Food allergy - Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia    and   ALLERGY 250K

If your child has an allergy, please ensure you provide the College with an up-to-date action plan so we can provide the appropriate support in the event of a reaction.

Term 4 registrations are open for CCFSS parenting courses. Courses for the next period include;

• 123 Magic & Emotion Coaching - Inclusive Adaptation
• Triple P Positive Parenting program
• Tuning In To Kids - Young Parents

Courses are free for eligible parents and carers on the Central Coast. To register for a course, simply visit www.ccfss.org.au/course-work-programs/ or call on 4340 1585 for more details.

Dear Parents, Carers and students,

CSBB Digital Enablement has advised us that Microsoft will stop supporting Windows 10 on October 15, 2025. After this date, devices running Windows 10 will no longer receive essential security updates or technical support from Microsoft.

To ensure students can continue to learn safely and effectively, it is highly recommended that all families check their child’s device and take action before this date.

What families need to do

• Check if your child’s Windows device can upgrade to Windows 11.
• Most newer devices will support Windows 11.
• If the device is too old, you may need to consider an alternative supported device (where possible).
• Microsoft has provided step-by-step instructions on how to upgrade here

• Check apps and programs.
• Before upgrading, please confirm that any personal apps or software used by your child are compatible with Windows 11.

Why this is important

• Upgrading ensures your child’s device remains secure, supported, and able to operate current learning tools and applications.
• Not upgrading means the device could become more vulnerable to viruses and may lose access to required apps in the future.

We ask that families complete this process before October 15, 2025, so that students do not experience disruptions to their learning.

Thank you for helping us keep student learning safe and supported.

Amelia Goodwin | Digital Enablement Lead 7-12

Greg Inglis is coming to MacKillop Catholic College! 2nd December 2025

One of rugby league’s greatest players, Greg Inglis, will be visiting MacKillop Catholic College to share his journey of triumphs and hardship after a glittering career. This is part of the Stick With It campaign, which encourages people to seek help during tough times.

Find out more about the campaign:

Watch the video

Exclusive Student Lunch with Greg Inglis!

After his talk, Greg will have lunch with a select group of students to discuss his experiences further.

Want to be in the draw? Here’s how to qualify:

 85%+ Attendance in Term 3 & 4 (From Week 3)

10+ Merits in Term 3 & 4 (From Week 3)

 No Afternoon Detentions in Term 3 & 4 (From Week 3)

 Open to all Secondary MCC students

 Eligible students will be entered into a ballot and names will be drawn before the visit

"I want people to know that they're not alone, and it is OK to actually reach out."

— Greg Inglis

Luke Barry-Donnellan | Director of Wellbeing K - 12

For parish Mass times and the latest bulletin, please visit: www.bbcatholic.org.au/warnervale

Camps are an integral part of school life. Away from the daily classroom, teachers and students have an opportunity to engage in new experiences and master new skills.

Listed below are tentative camp dates for 2025. Please consider these dates when booking holidays or other leave requests to take your child/ren out of school. As camps are compulsory school events, we are unable to credit or refund camp costs for non-attendance.

Year 5                 29 October to 31 October 2025

Year 11              3 November to 5 November 2025

Wed 29 Oct – Fri 31 Oct Pri - Year 5 Camp
Sat 01 Nov - All Saints Day
Mon 03 Nov - Sec Year 12 2026 Info night via Teams
Mon 03 Nov – Wed 05 Nov Sec - Year 11 Retreat
Mon 03 Nov - Pri Yr 3 Surf Safety Day
Tue 04 Nov - Pri Yr 6 Surf Safety Day
Tue 04 Nov - Pri Kinder Yana Transition
Wed 05 Nov - Pri Year 4 Future Pathways
Thu 06 Nov - Pri Yr 5 Surf Safety Day
Fri 07 Nov - Pri Yr 4 Surf Safety Day
Tue 11 Nov - Year 12 Formal
Tue 11 Nov - Pri Kinder Yana Transition
Thu 13 Nov - Year 9 Catch the Wave Spirituality Day tbc
Fri 14 Nov - Sec CSBB Volleyball
Tue 18 Nov - Pri Kinder Yana Transition
Thu 20 Nov - Yarn Up
Sun 23 Nov - Youth Group & Mass
Tue 25 Nov - Sec Year 7 2026 Parent Info Evening
Thu 27 Nov - Pri Stage 2 touch/tag gala day
Thu 27 Nov - Sec Gold Day tbc
Fri 28 Nov - Year 7 2026 Orientation Day
Tue 02 Dec - Pri Swimming Carnival
Wed 03 Dec - Pri Yr 6 Graduation Mass & Disco
Thu 04 Dec - Pri K-5 Step up day and new Yr1-6 2026 students
Fri 05 Dec - K-12 Thanksgiving Mass
Mon 08 Dec - Pri Awards
Mon 08 Dec - Pri Year 6 Crossing the Bridge
Wed 10 Dec - Sec Awards
Thu 11 Dec - Pri Christmas Liturgy 1 pm
Fri 12 Dec - K-12 Last day for students
Mon 15 Dec - Staff Development Day
Tue 16 Dec - Staff Development Day
Wed 17 Dec - Last Day for Staff
Thu 18 Dec - HSC Results Released

For the most up to date information please refer to Compass

Counselling and support services | eSafety Commissioner

If there are any risk concerns regarding your child’s emotional state – please call one of the below numbers to seek help:

- Kids Helpline - 1800 551 800

- Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636

- Mental Health Line: 1800 011 511

Crisis Support

If you, or someone you care about, is at risk of harm right now call Triple Zero (000).

Suicide/self-harm

If you are having thoughts about suicide or self-harm, please call:

- Lifeline on 13 11 14 

- Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467