MacKillop Chronicles 2023 Term 3, Week 2
- Thursday 27 July 2023
- First Holy Communion
- Parents and Teachers Got Talent
- Little Lighthouse Playgroup
- Primary Matters
- Monthly Youth Group and Mass
- PARENT WEBINARS - ONLINE SAFETY
- Secondary News
- Peter Solness Master Class
- Changes to School Fee Payments
- Getting to know Ms Erin Sullivan
- Indigenous Literacy Foundation 2nd hand Book Sale
- COMPASS Sign-in Update
Thursday 27 July 2023
This week we have welcomed our students from our sister school, Nihon Daiichi Junior High School in Japan to our College. It was a long flight overnight that saw them arrive full of nervous excitement on Monday afternoon. Since our host families met them on Monday the students from Nihon Daiichi have been making the most of their time here, experiencing MCC life, taking some classes, visiting some iconic places and making many new friendships. Head to our website to see all the fun they have been having during their stay.
Book week is Week 7 and the theme this year is 'Read, Grow, Inspire'. This is always a highlight on the MCC calendar with K-12 students all participating in activities celebrating and inspiring a love of reading. Yes, there will be a parade on Wednesday 30 August.
Congratulations to our U14’s, U16’s and Open Rugby League teams that competed in the Isabella Kelly Cup — 9’s on Wednesday. Well done to our Opens team on taking out the Championships!
Don't forget to get your ticket for this Friday's unique showcase, "Parent's and Teachers Got Talent". This is a special fundraiser for the students embarking on the USA Tour next year. We have some great acts lined up so please come along to watch the incredible talent we have in our MacKillop community act up a storm! Tickets are $5 on Qkr. When and where: Theatre Friday 28 July 6.30 pm. Churros, cakes, slices, drinks and noodles are available from 6.00 pm.
As part of National Science week and Poetry Month, students will be engaging in many activities that encourage and inspire. One of those activities is run through the Poetry Forest. Students are encouraged to write and submit their own poetry. The Poetry Forest will then plant a tree for every poem that is entered. For more information about this visit: POEM FOREST 2023
Remember to check Compass for up-to-date news and information on events
and contact us on 7256 2116 for enquiries.
First Holy Communion
Sacrament of First Holy Communion
If your child is in year 4 or older and you would like him/her to receive the Sacrament of First Holy Communion (First Eucharist), a program is beginning at St Mary of the Cross MacKillop Parish at Warnervale in August.
There will also be an information and enrolment session on Tuesday 1 August at 7 pm in the College staff room.
For more details contact the parish office 8379 1740 or email warnervaleparish@bbcatholic.org.au
Parents and Teachers Got Talent
Do you like to entertain or even be entertained? Well it's your time!
Date: Friday 28 July
Time: 6.00 pm
Venue: Theatre
Tickets are available on Qkr! at $5 per head.
Refreshments will be served from 6pm and are lovingly supplied by the USA Trip parents (and all proceeds from the sales, go towards funding the USA Performing Arts Trip).
If you want to share your talent please contact Mrs Baird at sharon.baird@dbb.catholic.edu.au
Little Lighthouse Playgroup
Little Lighthouse Playgroup happens every Friday during Term time in our Primary multi-purpose room from 9.30 am- 11.00 am. Little Lighthouse welcomes all families in the community with children, 0-6 to have some fun together
Our playgroup is a safe and friendly environment run by parent/carer volunteers. Please bring your own morning tea and sun hat.
This week we will be bending, stretching and calming our minds with some fun kids' yoga. Bring a friend and connect with other families from MCC, the parish and the community.
For more information please contact our Parent Engagement Coordinator: Lucy Marien
Primary Matters
Dear Community,
Sunday Gospel Account
“Thus it will be at the end of the age. The angels will go out and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.” Matthew 13: 44 – 52.
Last Sunday and this Sunday’s Gospel account are quite matter of fact in what is being outlined. To reject Christ you do so at your peril. In today’s amazingly fast world, many have lost sight of what it means to be a Christian and have invested their time and energy into material things. To worship only earthly gains with no gaze to God is the essence of this parable. None of us will get out of here alive and so the message is pretty clear on how we are to act and the deeds we need to do as followers of Christ.
Social and Emotional Learning Programs
As you would all be aware the school introduced the Second Steps program this year to teach the students valuable social skills and how to regulate emotions. From time to time we will have students who act out in a way where emotions have not been checked and there is a need for a specific strategy to be used to direct the student.
Beginning soon our school will add to the Second Steps program through the introduction of specific programs for these students. Having surveyed the staff and upper primary students, some distinct themes have emerged that require specific intervention.
These are:
- Emotional regulation and conflict regulation for boys.
- Trauma intervention for some of the students based on their life experiences thus far.
- Anxiety with making and sustaining friendships.
- Spreading rumours, making and keeping friends and body image for girls.
- Owning own behaviours.
The school is going to employ a teacher one day a week to release key staff who will work specifically with students who require help in any of the aforementioned themes.
Parents who feel their child would benefit from such specific intervention are asked to send a message to their teacher indicating what you believe is needed in the SEL space.
Principal Coffee 'n Chat Friday 4 August at 9 am in the library.
This term's Coffee 'n Chat will happen next week, Friday 4 August at 9 am in the library. For those who cannot make it, we will zoom it live. The Zoom link to register will be in next week’s newsletter.
Parent Education Information Nights
On Tuesday 22 August and Tuesday 29 August, our teacher coaches and numeracy and literacy leaders will hold parent information sessions in the library commencing at 6:30 pm. As the dates become closer more information will follow. However, on Tuesday 22 August the focus will be on Maths and English for Kinder – Year 2, and the following Tuesday 29 August the focus will be Years 3 – 6. Mrs Whitmore and Mrs Shilling will run through the new syllabus documents, a daily program for each and the types of strategies and assessments used when educating the students.
Pets and School
As much as we love pets there needs to be some boundaries when they are on the school site. If you come to school with a pet, you will need to stay just outside the boundary fence. This is particularly true for owners of dogs. Being the owner of the fattest, yet cutest Labrador in Australia, I love dogs. However, as an owner, I also know that some people are terrified of them and WHS restrictions state that dogs must stay outside of the school gates. Sorry if this message offends anyone, but if you could comply with the request, we would be grateful.
Public Speaking Competition
In two weeks’ time, the annual K – 6 public speaking competition will begin. Students will learn how to write a speech and deliver the speech in their own classes. From their classes, some children will then advance to compete in stage finals that will be held the week commencing Monday 28 August. Your child’s teacher will fill you in with more information over the coming weeks.
Year 5 Word Study
This week Mrs Kenney has been working with the Year 5 teachers on looking at the morphology of words and their parts. Morphemes, like prefixes, suffixes and base words are defined as the smallest meaningful units of meaning.
100 Days of Kindergarten
On Monday 31 July, our current Kindergarten students will celebrate 100 days of big school. I know that the kindergarten teachers are looking forward to the celebration with wonderful activities planned.
A Thought for the Week…
“The purpose of life is to matter – to count, to stand for something, to have it make some difference that we lived at all.” Rosten.
God Bless,
Frank Cohen
Primary Principal
Monthly Youth Group and Mass
On Sunday 25 July, we had our monthly Youth Group & Mass. The group was led by our dedicated Youth Ministry Leaders who engaged with the children and made sure everyone had a great time. All the children joined in with lots of enthusiasm and positive energy.
Our next Youth Group & Mass is Sunday 27 August, so bring a friend and come along to have some fun! Youth Group starts at 4 pm, followed by the Youth Mass at 5 pm and BBQ after Mass. RSVP here: August Youth Group and Mass
This is open for all school-aged children K-12.
PARENT WEBINARS - ONLINE SAFETY
Technology and online spaces are full of opportunities for connection and entertainment, however, they also come with risks and responsibilities. Live webinars from the eSafety Commissioner give parents and carers the knowledge, skills and tools to support their children to have safe online experiences.
1 August 2023: eSafety 101: How eSafety can help you
Multiple dates in Term 3: Online boundaries and consent
Multiple dates in Term 3: Getting the most out of gaming
31 August 2023: Online relationships and consent: Sending nudes and sexting
Multiple dates in Term 3: Getting started with social media: TikTok, YouTube, Instagram
For more information regarding these webinars and to book please visit: eSaftey Parent Webinars
15 August 2023: Online relationships and consent- Sending nudes and sexting.
This 30-minute webinar is designed for parents and carers of young people in Secondary school. It will cover, the impact of sharing nude images without consent, practical suggestions for starting the chat about respectful relationships, consent and pressure to send nudes, where to get support for a young person who has experienced abuse, and the impact of sharing nude images without consent.
Register here: Online Relationships and Consent webinar
Secondary News
From the Secondary Principal
Prayer: For Yr 12 Exams
Let us pray for all students undergoing examinations:
Lord, pour out your Spirit of Wisdom on these students:
help them to remain calm,
to attend carefully to the questions asked,
to think clearly, to remember accurately,
and to express themselves well.
Grant that they may reflect on the best of the work they have done
and the best of the teaching they have received.
Accept their best efforts in these examinations
and in the great test of life on earth.
May your love be upon them, O Lord,
as they place all their trust in you.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
AMEN
Learning:
Year 12 Frozen Week and CSSA Trial Exams:
This week, Week 2, is the Year 12 Frozen Week prior to the commencement of the CSSA Trial Exams. A Frozen Week is a time where learning is considered paramount with all students and teachers expected to attend every lesson to prepare for the students’ exams. On Monday our Year 12 students commence their HSC Trial exams. We wish them all the best.
Years 8 and 10 Subject Market and Information Sessions:
Thank you to all our students and parents who attended the Subject Market and Information Sessions last Monday afternoon for Years 8 and 10. Students now need to consider carefully all the advice they were given and select their subjects for 2024.
Japanese Sister School:
On Monday, our Sister School, Nihon Daiichi Junior High School, from Tokyo, arrived and the students met their Host families. It was a very exciting time for all involved. On Tuesday morning there was an official welcome in the Theatre with all our Japanese elective classes attending. This was followed by a welcome morning tea for the Japanese teachers.
The Japanese students will be attending English classes first thing each day.
This week they have had the opportunity to also attend classes at school for Indigenous Art, dance and to do a lifesaving activity outside of school. On Friday this week, our Host students will be accompanying their Japanese students to The Reptile Park.
Academic Excellence Awards Semester 1:
In Week 3, Friday 4 August are the Academic Awards for Years 7-11 for Semester 1. This acknowledges all students who came 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in each subject in each Year group. All parents are also invited to attend this.
Commissioning of the New Student Parliament:
All the newly elected Student Leaders were commissioned last Friday, 17 July, the first week back at school. We thanked our previous Parliament for all their hard work and especially Tessa H and Ryley C, our 2 inspiring College Captains. They now retire from their positions to allow Year 12 to concentrate this term and next on their HSC.
We congratulate the following students who will represent their College and Pastoral classes for the next 12 months.
College Leaders:
Mission – Leo B and Ryan McC
Culture – Prabhleen I and Annabel J
Wellbeing – Patrick E and Keely S
The third group who were blessed were our new Altar Servers. At the beginning of this year, a group of students registered to become altar servers for our College-based and parish Masses. Together, Br Shayne and Sr Jiji facilitated this program with the assistance of Ryan from Year 11. The students learnt about their roles, jobs during a Mass, holy items, and vestments. The group also completed numerous workshops during their lunch breaks and was commissioned at a Youth Mass last term. These students were unable to attend so I would like to invite these students to the stage for their blessing and commissioning from Sr Jiji.
We congratulate the following students:
Renata D, David K, Abigail C, and Keisha S
Sports Assembly:
Last Friday, following the Commissioning, was our Sports assembly recognising all the achievements of Semester 1. We congratulate the following students:
Swimming Age Champions:
12 – Lily B & Cooper B
13 - Krista S & Jackson G
14 - Lauren B & Levi P
15 - Sienna W & Cooper McL
16 - Evie D D & Cooper M
17 - Zara C & Noah S
Alma – HOUSE CHAMPION
Athletics Age Champions:
12 - Cooper B & Ryanna McG
13 - Xander O& Rahni D
14 - Alex Tr & Aaliyay F
15 - Fynn S & Katie A
16 - Kai R & Grace J
17+ - Manuel A-G & Charlie S
Alma – HOUSE CHAMPION
Cross Country Age Champions:
12 - Cooper B & Kiara W
13 - Caleb K & Summer M
14 - Jack C& Shelby M
15 - Samuel C & Sienna W
16 - Albert Cs & Mia T
17 - Brodie S & Emilie L
Fitzroy – HOUSE CHAMPION
Representing for the Diocese and Beyond:
Catholic Schools Broken Bay
Touch
Opens - Anabelle R
15 - Sienna B & Cooper B
Netball
15 - Chloe R, Mia J, Lara S, Makenzee R and Emily S
Rugby League
Kye N, Keanu M M, Enda C, Sienna D, & Anabelle R
Swimming
Noah S
Cross Country
Cooper B, Brodie S – Age Champion & Logan T
Soccer
Joshua B, Jacob W, Fynn S & Zoe Karipidis
Metropolitan Rugby League
Kye N, Keanu M M, Anabelle R & Sienna D
President
Connor MacN
NSW CCC
Touch
Cooper B
Hockey
Alana M. Emma J & Lachlan M
16’s and Open - Emma B
Rugby League
Anabelle R
Soccer
Zoe K
NSW ALL SCHOOLS
Touch Cooper B
Football Zoe K
Hockey Alana M
Teachers and Parents Got Talent:
The Performing Arts Faculty are presenting a ‘Teachers (and Parents) Got Talent’ this Friday Night. This will be a great night of entertainment and laughs. Please try to attend. This fundraising event is for our MCC students taking part in the USA Performing Arts Tour in 2024.
Date: Friday 28 July
Time: 6.00 pm
Venue: Theatre
Tickets are available on Qkr! at $5 per head.
Refreshments are lovingly supplied by the USA Trip parents.
Important Dates for T3 Week 1:
- Mon- Fri - WYD away / Year 12 Trial HSC exams
- Mon – Jun and Intermediate girls basketball
- Tues – P6 Catholic Care presentation / Stage 4 Parent meeting on Maths Pathways Information Night 6.30 pm (see COMPASS for more information)
- Wed- U13 and U14 girls rugby league
- Friday – Farewell to Japanese students ceremonies / Academic Assembly Years 7-11 at 11.30 am in the Hall and parents welcome
- Sun – Japanese students leave at 9 am
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, please contact the College.
Remember to check COMPASS, our website and, our Facebook pages for information.
God bless.
Debra Ferguson
Secondary Principal
Peter Solness Master Class
Students in Year 9 and 10 Photographic and Digital Media had a chance to work with Peter Solness for an evening Master Class and to learn about his career journey. This was a good opportunity to work with a practising artist and to further develop skills in photography.
Peter Solness is a multi-award-winning photographer, artist, educator and writer who specialises in the photographic method of Light Painting. This involves mounting his camera on a tripod and working in darkness to allow long camera exposures and by hand-illuminating his subjects, using torches he creates artworks with visual effects not generally associated with traditional methods of photography.
Changes to School Fee Payments
Changes to payment method of School Fees via Qkr and Direct Deposit from Term 3 2023
Catholic Schools Broken Bay is moving to a new finance system and there are changes to the following payment methods:
Qkr Payment of school fees via Qkr will no longer be accepted from Term 3 2023.
Direct Deposit If you have an arrangement in place to pay your school fees via Direct Deposit to the school bank account, this facility will not be available from Term 3 2023.
Our preferred payment method for payment of school fees is BPay and your monthly Fee Statement includes the BPay Reference number and Biller Code. Catholic Schools Broken Bay Biller Code accepts BPay payments from a credit card.
We thank you for your support as we transition to the new finance system.
Getting to know Ms Erin Sullivan
Name: Erin Sullivan
Occupation: Leader of Professional Growth
What is this role responsible for: I work with all staff to support them in their professional development. This initially starts with pre-service teachers who complete placements throughout the year; I coordinate this program at the College. Then I work closely with our Early Career Teachers whom I mentor and help them complete the accreditation process, as well as support all other teachers with their maintenance of accreditation. In addition to this, I am part of the Pedagogy Team which looks at the learning culture through analysis of data, practice and professional development.
Hobbies/ Interests: I love to read (at the moment I’m reading two books, The Bookbinder of Jericho by Pip Williams, and The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell), I also love to travel (my favourite places are Italy, Scotland, Ireland and Iceland), spending time with my family is super important to me, and finally my hidden hobby is crocheting.
Hopes for the future: Personally, I want to continue to travel and spend time with my family. Professionally, I want to keep learning new things.
Most looking forward to at MacKillop in 2023: School community being reconnected and seeing my students in class. We also have a lot of Early Career Teachers this year and I’m really looking forward to working with them and learning from them.
But did you also know, that she taught casually at St Joseph’s and St. Peter’s before teaching at Blue Mountains Grammar School? Ms Sullivan, went to the Australian Catholic University at Strathfield for her undergraduate degrees (B/Teaching & B/Arts), then went on to complete a Masters degree at Uni of Newcastle (Masters of Educational Studies) and a Post Graduate Certificate at NSW University (Gifted Education). She also trained to become an Apple Distinguished Educator in 2015 and attained her certificate as a Highly Accomplished Teacher in 2020.
Indigenous Literacy Foundation 2nd hand Book Sale
In Week 9-10 this term Mini Macs and the Library will be hosting the Indigenous Literacy Foundation 2nd hand Book Sale. We would like to ask parents to donate good quality 2nd handbooks that we can sell to raise money for the foundation (all books will sell for 50c each).
Donated books can be sent to the Library anytime from now.
The Indigenous Literacy Foundation will use the money raised to “help provide culturally relevant books and learning resources to children and families living in remote Communities across Australia. Donations also support the publishing of books written by Communities, for Communities, in languages of their choice.”
COMPASS Sign-in Update
Down Load the app so you are always up to date with school events.
Remember to check Compass for up-to-date news and information on events
and contact us on 7256 2116 for enquiries.
