MacKillop Chronicles 2023 Term 2, Week 1

Thursday 27 April, 2023

Play and Connect @ MacKillop

Primary Matters

Dear Community,

Sunday Gospel Account

"Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the gate for the sheep. Whoever enters through me will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture. A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly." John 10: 1 – 10. The Lord is our shepherd, and we are his sheep. A good shepherd knows who the unruly and misbehaved are among us. The shepherd loves all his flock even the ones who cause the most grief. And it is through the work of the good shepherd who will lead us to green pastures. No God No peace! Know God Know Peace!

ANZAC Day Commemoration Prayer Assembly

The children after recess on Wednesday participated in a prayer remembrance for ANZAC Day. They were treated to the Last Post and Reveille played by Mr Zammit one of our High School teachers. The reflection focused on the sacrifices many made for our freedom, rather than glorifying conflicts in any way. My sincere thanks are extended to the families who took the time to attend local dawn services and march. It is heartening to know that as Australians we stand as one in our thanks for the men and women who have served or are serving to protect our freedoms and democratic ways of living.

Principal and Parent Open Forum Wednesday 10 May @ 6:30 pm

As you would be aware at the start of each term, I usually hold a principal and parents coffee n chat morning. For this term, both Deb Ferguson (Secondary Principal) and I would like to invite any parents and friends to come along to explore what is possible moving forward as a parent body for the school. Until this year there had been an advisory body and class parent arrangement in place. This operated when we had a College Principal which is no longer the case. It is time for our school to re-imagine what is possible in the parent involvement space and to this end, any parent who would like to be involved in this design planning is asked to come along on Wednesday 10 May @ 6:30 in the library. You will need to register for this event so please do so at https://forms.office.com/r/10EA9taUnK

Seasons for Growth Expressions of Interest

This term some of our trained staff will be hosting Seasons for Growth sessions for students in Years 1 and 2. This is open to children from these grades who may be living with significant effects of change and loss. Many factors can cause change such as:

• Friends can come and go
• Loss of someone or something you love (It is suggested that anyone affected by bereavement wait 6-12 months before participating in a Seasons for Growth program.)
• Parents and families separate
• Moving to a new place
• Impact of illness
• Family work-life changes

Learning outcomes for the participants in Seasons for Growth:

• Learn that change and loss are part of life.

• Learn about different ways people experience change and loss.

• Learn skills to assist with adapting to change and loss.

• Learn about ways that help in moving forward with life.

The program runs for 8 weeks, and the children participate in a weekly session of 40 minutes. The children in Years 3 and 4 who would benefit from Seasons; will participate in a similar program during Term 3 and for Years 5 and 6 in Term 4. Please complete the EOI form and return it to Mrs Christine Newell.

Mother’s Day Photo Request

If you would like a photo to be included in the Mother’s Day Mass presentation that will be shown on Friday, 12 May, at 7:30 am as a part of our Mother’s Day morning then please send one photo through as a jpeg to Mr Snelling to his email address timothy.snelling@dbb.catholic.edu.au no later than Monday, 8 May.

Enrolment are still open for 2024 till the end of May

As stated previously three of the four Kindergarten classes for 2024 are full and we are over half-full for the fourth class. If you know someone interested in being a part of kindergarten 2024, they must submit their enrolment forms as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. Interviews are being held now and offers are being made and accepted.

A Thought for the Week…

“Nothing on earth can overcome an absolutely non-resistant person.” Shinn

God Bless,

Frank Cohen

Primary Principal

EALD Survey

Keeping Kids In Mind - Parenting Program

Secondary News

Prayer for the beginning of term:

 Lord God, At the beginning of this new term, teach us to be your hands and feet where we are.

At the beginning of this new term teach us to love as you love us. At the beginning of this new term teach us to pray for those in need.

At the beginning of this new term teach us to show your abundant love, grace, mercy and peace. So that You are honoured and glorified

AMEN

Learning:

We often talk about our college being a Culture of Thinking (CoT) Learning Environment. The term was used by Ron Ritchhart who said, "Learning is a consequence of thinking, not something extra we tack on for good measure but something in which we must actively engage to promote our own and other's learning."

As educators, at MacKillop we want students to become proficient with the kinds of thinking they can use to develop their own understanding of things. For example, we want students in our school to:

• Ask questions, identify puzzles, and wonder about the mysteries and implications of the objects and ideas of learning.
• Make connections, comparisons, and contrasts between and among things - including connections within and across the discipline as well as with one's own prior knowledge.
• Build ongoing and evolving explanations, interpretations, and theories based on one's ever-developing knowledge and understanding.
• Examine things from different perspectives and alternative points of view to discern bias and develop a more balanced take on issues, ideas and events.
• Notice, observe and look closely to perceive details, nuances and hidden aspects fully and to observe what is really going on as the foundational evidence for one's interpretations and theories.
• Identify, gather, and reason with evidence to justify and support one's interpretations, predictions, theories, arguments, and explanations.
• Delve deeper to uncover the complexities and challenges of a topic and look below the surface of things, recognising when one has only a surface understanding.
• Be able to capture the core or essence of a thing to discern what it is really all about.

Restorative Practices:

Last Monday all the Secondary staff attended a day based around Restorative Practices presented by Maurizio Vespa who is an expert in this area. Our Welfare Policy has always been based on this approach and this day was a great refresher for our staff.

Schools committed to the principles of Trauma Informed Care practices cannot overlook the use of restorative interventions when working with members of its learning community. The foundations of these environments focus on SAFETY, CHOICE, COLLABORATION, TRUSTWORTHINESS, EMPOWERMENT and PREDICTABILITY.

 An Overview of Restorative Practices

• Provides a framework that guides our actions and language.
• Authoritative in its approach – sets boundaries.
• Not an absence of consequences – it’s about natural and logical consequences.
• About quality learning relationships
• High in accountability and high in support applies to victims and offenders.
• About drawing out the harm to others from misbehaviour
• About teaching and guiding - to choose what is “right”
• About reparation with learning
• Not about retribution with punishment as the messenger of the learning
• About “Power with” rather than “Power over”

What the Research says about Positive School Climate

• A positive school climate is a product of healthy relationships between staff/students and parents.
• A positive school climate is associated with positive child and youth development.
• A positive school climate affects the self-esteem of the learner
• A positive school climate reduces the negative effects of self-criticism.
• A positive school climate in early adolescence is predictive of better psychological and well-being outcomes.
• A positive school climate is correlated to decreased absenteeism and is critical to effective risk prevention interventions.

ANZAC Day March:

Last Tuesday we had the privilege of marching with other schools and organisations at the Toukley ANZAC Day March and then attending the ceremony at the Toukley Memorial. Our Primary and Secondary students marched proudly together, and our Primary and Secondary captains led the way and placed a wreath during the commemoration ceremony.

Red Earth Immersion:

In the second week of the holiday 3 of our teachers and 20 of our students set off to the centre of Australia to be immersed with two of our first people’s communities. We look forward to hearing about their adventures and all they learnt when they return. Here they are upon arrival.

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Year 7, 2024 Taster Day:

Next Tuesday, all students who are considering attending MacKillop next year, are invited to attend a Taster Day. Registration is available for the day on our website as are all the details for the day. The students will have the opportunity to experience some lessons, a tour of the school, meet teachers and students and play some sports.

Year 7 Camp:

Year 7 will attend their first Secondary School Camp next week at Tea Gardens at the Great Aussie Bush Camp. This is a wonderful opportunity for the form to bond more closely and for them to spend time with their teachers outside a classroom.

EAL/D Survey (English as an additional language or dialect)

A survey has been sent home to all our families K-12 so that we can identify any students whose first language is a language or dialect other than English and who need support in developing their proficiency in Standard Australian English (SAE), both conversational and academic. It is important that all families complete this survey so we have accurate information for our College and to attract funding for those students who need support.

Catholic Schools Broken Bay collate all the information from the survey and then apply for funding from the government.

Winter Uniform:

Just a reminder that we commence Winter Uniform on Monday, Week 3 of Term 2 to allow for the heat that sometimes accompanies the beginning of Term 2.

So, on Monday, 8 May every Secondary student must be in full Winter uniform.

The Girls Year 7-12 in blue tights / The Junior boys in their chambray button-up shirts and long College blue trousers / all students in the College Blazer / if a Jumper is needed it must be the College blue jumper for Juniors and the red jumper for Seniors.

No undershirts or hoodies or any foreign jumpers.

Blue, red or white scarves can be worn. No beanies.

Please check blazers now for dry cleaning or replacing.

New Phone System:

At the end of Week 4, we will no longer have phone lines with our provider and will be moving to using our Microsoft Teams Lines where all calls come through our server. This has been the decision of the Catholic Schools Broken Bay Head Office for all the schools within our diocese.

Our phone numbers will change, and we will be sending out all the information for this to you by the end of Week 4. We expect there may be some teething problems, so we ask for your patience when all this occurs.

Parents and Friends Restructuring

What does a parent-representative group look like at MCC K-12?  It’s time to review our parent advisory group and we want to work in partnership with our community to establish a strong parent body that meets the needs across our diverse K-12 school.

We would like to invite all interested parents who would like to be involved in assisting us to set up a viable and supportive Parent Group to a meeting on Wednesday, May 10th in the Library at 6.30 pm.

This night will allow parents to have an important voice in this formation and the naming of our parent group.

No one will be obliged on the night to take up any responsibilities other than to voice their opinions. As a result, we truly urge as many parents as possible from K-12 to attend this meeting so that we can ensure all our parents can feel connected and supported here at MCC.

We also wish to ensure that we create a close-knit community where we may all work together for the best outcomes for our students.  So bring a friend along and be a part of our MCC community.

If you plan to attend it would assist us if you complete the quick registration form.
https://forms.office.com/r/10EA9taUnK

Important Dates for Term 2 Week 2:

Tues -  Year 7, 2024 Taster Day / Year 11 Leadership forms available

Wed – Fri -  Year 7 Camp

Final Word

If you have any questions or concerns always, please contact the College.

Remember to check COMPASS, our website and, our Facebook pages for information.

God bless.

Debra Ferguson

Secondary Principal

Calm Kids Central Free Webinar Series #3

Webinar 3: “Calm and Connected Kids” - learn to help children to develop positive friendships and manage peer difficulties.

Tuesday 23rd of May 2023 at 7 pm (ACST), or 7.30 pm (AEST)

To register (you can attend 1 or all 3) please go to: https://developingminds.net.au/webinars

Photo Permissions on Compass

We still have some children without an up-to-date photo permission event on COMPASS. It needs to be approved or denied each year, log in now and let us know what your preference is for your child/ren today. 

The Fathering Project - Free Webinar

Mary MacKillop News | Edition 159 | 8 April 2023

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