MacKillop Chronicles 2023 Term 2, Week 10

Thursday 29 June 2023

Changes to School Fee Payments

EALD Survey - We need your help

Primary Matters

Dear Community,

13^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

“…and whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me.” Matthew 10:37-42. To follow Jesus we have to pay a price. Sometimes the price is pain and suffering. The Gospel makes it very clear on what one has to do to be a follower of Christ. Our school tries its best to model these values to the students and families. It all depends upon who you talk to on whether we do a good job of it or not. We have some in the community, particularly retired folk, who say we are not Catholic enough. To balance this, we have families who write and say we have too much prayer and liturgy and should do more secular events, like save the endangered koala! Once upon a time, the Catholic school’s role was to partner parents in the faith upbringing of their children, yet close to 90% of families do not worship and do not take their children to Mass. I am not sure of the answer, but what I do know is that the Easter message is abundantly clear. I would suggest, if I may, that any investment in faith needs to come from the home first, and be supported by the school and not the other way around.

NAIDOC Week Celebrations

On Monday, the children were involved in NAIDOC Week activities which began with a healing smoking ceremony conducted by Uncle Tim Selwyn and assisted by Mr Peter Coombes. NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines Islanders Day Observance Committee. The theme for this year is: “For Our Elders.” Following this significant cultural smoking ceremony, the children moved through a series of activities to learn about the history, culture, traditions and celebrations of our First Nation People. Australia as we know it, is formed by states and territories. To the Indigenous people, it is a nation made up of hundreds of different languages, tribal and nation groups. The children participated in traditional Indigenous games and cultural experiences. My sincere thanks to Mrs Noah and Miss Cheney for providing such a rich and wonderful learning day for the children.

On Wednesday, Year 1 were visited by some family members of one of our own students. Kynamin G's mum Jess, and his uncle Josh, came to school to teach us about their Indigenous heritage. Jess and Josh both have Aboriginal heritage and were born in Taree, which is on Biripi Country. They taught our Year 1 students about traditional tools that were used and invited the students to take part in games and dancing. All Year 1 students had a fun afternoon learning about our First Nations People and their culture. Thank you Josh and Jess for sharing your knowledge. 

AFL Paul Kelly Cup

Congratulations to our AFL Girls team who made it to the semi-final stage of the AFL Paul Kelly Cup. The way the girls played and conducted themselves is a credit to their families. A big thank you to Mr Snelling for guiding the girls well.

Sacrament of Confirmation

It is with great delight that we welcome Bishop Anthony to our Parish this Saturday for the Sacrament of Confirmation. The majority of children from Year 3 will make their Confirmation and it is heartening to see that a number of children from the other grades will also be confirmed. May the fruits and gifts of the Holy Spirit be with all on this day and in the years to come.

The last Day for Term 2 is Thursday 29 June.

Just a final reminder that staff will be attending the Diocesan-wide staff development day this Friday, which is a pupil-free day.

Enrolment Pressures

At present, we are full in all grades and now have established waiting lists for families wishing to be a part of MacKillop. If it is your intention to leave MacKillop, please let us know at your earliest convenience so we can place the children on our lists.

Awards Assembly and Pizza Party

Congratulations to the growing number of children who were awarded Assistant Principal Awards and Principal Awards. Well done to ALMA House on winning a pizza lunch for their efforts on the playground throughout the term.

Wellbeing and SEL

This term we have been working hard on the playground earning points for our houses and classes. These points are for being a respectful member of MacKillop, playing appropriately, waiting in lines as asked, and other good Mary MacKillop deeds. This term Alma is the winning house and earnt a pizza lunch. Congratulations to Alma on 660 points.  The points are reset and we will begin the race again next term to see which house will receive the pizza lunch in Term 3.

A timely reminder at the end of the term that the 3 MacKillop School Rules are: Respect for Self and Others, Respect Everyone’s Right to Learn, and Respect the Environment.  Following these rules is an important part of the MacKillop community. We hope to see everyone back safe and well after the break. Enjoy the rest and see you next term.

Enjoy the winter break with your family. May God’s blessings and guidance be with all families during this time. See you all back at school on Monday 17 July.

A Thought for the Winter Break…

"Whoever I am and whatever I am doing, some kind of excellence is within my reach."  Gardener.

God Bless

Frank Cohen

Primary Principal

Secondary News

This Thursday we are raising money for Cancer research. All students are asked to wear a beanie and bring a gold coin. 

Prayer: For Cancer Patients

Dear God,

We come before you today with a heavy heart and a prayer for healing. I ask that you watch over and protect those who are battling cancer. We ask that you provide them with strength, courage, and hope as they face this challenging journey. AMEN

Student Leadership:

Years 7 -10 Leadership: During the last 2 weeks students in Years 7-10 have been nominating for Student Leadership. Last Tuesday during Pastoral, all the Houses met to hear a short 1-minute speech from each nominee and then to vote. We admire and thank all those students who have nominated and wish to be a voice for their peers and to work towards an even greater community. The votes will now be tallied and the students will be informed first day back next term who was successful.

Year 11 Leadership Camp:

The Year 11 Leadership process started with the group providing 28 very courageous nominees for a leadership position in the College Parliament for 2023/2024. This is a testament to the quality of the group, with each of the nominees more than worthy of a position.

Our staff and students are involved in the meritorious process to select the Year 11 - 12 Leaders.  With over 25 high-quality candidates, we felt assured that the eventual leadership team would be one of tremendous talent.  There was an excellent group of student nominees presenting leadership speeches to the staff, students and fellow nominees.  I commend the students for their efforts and thank them for all their work concerning these speeches. 

The selected Year 11 leaders for 2023 – 2024 are a formidable group of students.   By the time parents read this article, all of these leaders will have travelled away to the Leadership Camp with Mrs Tenev and I.  Here the group began their journey as leaders and formed a close bond as a group working collaboratively together and with staff.  I have faith in their ability to reach the highest standards of leadership and look forward to seeing just those who will go on to successfully attain the position of College Captains. 

The Leadership Retreat helped the students explore, via various group and individual tasks, the key skills of teamwork, collaborative problem-solving, and pastoral leadership. It also gave the students an opportunity to revisit the very reason Mary Mackillop and the Josephite Sisters started in Catholic Education in the beginning.

The Camp enabled the students to strengthen the concept of Servant Leadership. It also enabled them to discuss some of the ideas that might be put to the Executive as our key focus areas in leadership as a group for 2023/2024.

This group of students was already quite tight before the Leadership Camp, but they are even more so now.  The camp saw them come together more over the space of the two days spent together.

We cannot thank Mrs Tenev enough for her planning, leadership and execution of tasks and activities on the Camp, you will always be intertwined with this leadership group.  I would also like to thank Sister Ellen and all the staff at the St Joseph’s Spirituality Centre at Kincumber for their wonderful hospitality. Finally, a special shout out to Mr Kent O’Malley who answered a late call up to drive our bus.

Our successful Leadership team for 2023/2024 is Manuel Ampoma G, Kate B, Albert C, Patrick E, Kavai F, Isabelle J, Ashleigh J, Emma J, Annabel J, Benjamin P, Rose S, Leo B, Prabhleen I, Logan L, Ryan McC, Keely S.

College Captain Interviews:

Last Wednesday the College Executive interviewed 13 students who nominated for College Captains. This involved the students preparing and presenting their set question - “How do you think that in your role as College Captain, you could support the mission goal of ‘Being a Light to the World’”. They were then asked a couple of more questions about their vision for the position.

We are so blessed to have such passionate and courageous young men and women in our college and they all represented themselves with dignity and intelligence.

Parliament House:

Our present Year 12 College Captains attended Parliament House for a tour and to attend a parliamentarian meeting. This is an annual event where our Captains are invited to meet with their local State Member and to experience what they do when present.

Learning:

Parent Teacher Meetings:

Thank you to every family who attended the recent Parent Teacher Meetings. We had a very good attendance rate, and our staff were so pleased to be able to speak to so many parents and students.

Any parents who could not make these interviews but would like to speak to any of their child’s teachers, please just email the teachers and request contact for this to occur.

Semester 1 Reports:

We were deeply upset by the problems we experienced with COMPASS and sending out the reports. This has now been amended and hopefully, you now have the correct reports. Please read through these carefully with your children and also reflect on the goals they made for this semester.

At the beginning of next term, we will have the students review their reports and set new goals for Semester 2. It would be beneficial if students have already had a discussion with their parents about this beforehand.

Commissioning of the New Student Parliament

All the newly elected Student Leaders will be commissioned on Friday, 21 July, the first week back at school, Term 3 at 11.30 am in the College Hall. We invite all parents to attend this, especially the parents of the children being commissioned. Following the commissioning are the Sports Awards and a light morning tea in the Café.

Academic Excellence Awards Semester 1:

Friday 4 August in Week 3,  are the Academic Awards for Years 7-11 for Semester 1. This acknowledges all students who came 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd in each subject in each Year group. All parents are also invited to attend this.

RSA and RSG Training:

A number of our students completed training organised by our Careers and Vet Leader, Mrs Kerrie Pearce, in RSA and RSG (Responsible Service of Alcohol and Responsible Service of Gambling). This is a wonderful opportunity for these students and gives them extra skills and qualifications for when they leave school.

RYDA:

Today all our Year 11 is attending RYDA. RYDA is more than a program, it’s a partnership that supports teachers on the journey as they provide their students with the tools and understanding they need to see themselves as active, responsible road citizens. RYDA features a highly engaging and memorable one-day workshop that front-loads students’ understanding of road safety. The workshop sessions are designed to be held in small classroom-sized groups (approximately 25 students) and are led by a team of trained facilitators including Police, driving instructors and other community sector specialists. RYDA is delivered to over 660 high schools throughout Australia and New Zealand, with an average of 40,000 students participating in the RYDA Program every year.

Congratulations:

Firstly, to Sienna C: She has travelled to Croatia to commence her Water Polo Clinic in a few days. She was selected to attend this due to her prowess in this sport.

She has now been Invited to play in the USA Junior Olympic Water Polo Nationals being held in Los Angeles near the end of July. She has been invited to play for the Asphalt Green Water Polo Club which is a New York Team that needed 3 players (a centre forward, Centre back and Driver). Sienna along with 2 of her Sydney Uni teammates have been asked to fulfil these positions as they are multi-position players.

This is an amazing opportunity for her as she will learn another set of international skills. The USA Nationals are where the scouts are and often pick up students for college opportunities. Well done to Sienna!

Next, we congratulate Regan B. She was a nominated winner at last Friday night’s prestigious NSW Training Awards Hunter and Central Coast Award Night 2023 held at NEX (Newcastle Exhibition & Convention Centre). Regan was nominated by her workplace, KFC. She is doing a Retail SBAT with KFC and she also does Fitness at MCCW. To be recognised as getting an HSC and 2 Cert III qualifications is amazing. The 2 certificates will also be finalised by the end of Year 11.

On Friday night she was successful in being named the new School Based Apprentice/Trainee of the Year. Such a wonderful honour and so well deserved!

Parents and Friends:

Last Monday Night we met once more with interested parents to review what our new Parents and Friends might look like and how it might operate. We thank all who attended and for some excellent discussion and planning.

Important Dates for Term 3 Week 1:

Mon- Everyone returns- staff and students.

Wed –Parish Council Meeting 6 pm

Thurs – CSBB Netball / Parent and Teacher Have Talent Night 6 pm

Fri – WYD students and staff depart for Italy and Portugal

Fri – Assembly – 11.30-1 pm – Assembly is the Commissioning and the Sports Awards Assembly

New Phone System:

Our new number is 72562116. We do expect issues and problems may arise for the next few weeks so please be patient whilst we work through any hiccups with the new system.

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

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CatholicCare Vacation Care

Vacation Care program for July is now available

CatholicCare’s Vacation Care service offers a wide range of activities catering to children of differing ages and interests. We also head out and about on various fun local excursions each holiday. We provide a stimulating and enjoyable environment and activities that harness the children’s interests and strengths while respecting their leisure needs. The July programs are available here www.catholiccaredbb.org.au/vacation-care. We hope to see you there!

COMPASS Sign-in Update

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