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MacKillop Chronicles 2023 Term 4, Week 3

Thursday 26 October, 2023

Please read Primary Matters and Secondary Matters for detailed information about events that have happened and are happening at the College.

CSBB have announced a K - 6 Christmas Card Competition. To enter, design a Religious Christmas theme card, i.e., Advent, The Birth of Jesus, Flight to Egypt. Below are some examples of last year's entries. Designs can be Hand-drawn or painted and A4 size. Ensure it is clearly labelled with your name and class on the back. Entries are to be given to your teacher by Thursday, 2 November; winners will be announced on 10 November. Prizes: A winner will be chosen for each stage K-6; the winners will receive a $50 event cinema voucher and a pack of 20 cards for family use.

On Monday, 30 October, students will celebrate their teachers on World Teachers Day 2023. We are asking students to bring in something yummy for the teaching staff, K - 12, to share for morning tea. Students will also be creating gratitude cards for their exceptional teachers. If you can provide for this special morning tea, please bring the items to our PEC, Lucy Marien, in the Library on Monday before school.

Students will be getting creative over the next few weeks, with the annual MacKillop Portrait Prize now open. Our theme is in dedication to Mrs Debra Ferguson, who is retiring at the end of the year.

COMPASS is our main community calendar; it is also how you give permissions, view reports and make payments. Please make sure you download the app and keep up to date.

Remember to check Compass for up-to-date news and information on events
and contact us on 7256 2116 for enquiries.

Primary Matters

Dear Community,

Sunday Gospel Account

"You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind." Matthew 22:34-40. God's will for the world is that it is absolutely essential to love God and love fellow humans as you love yourself. The conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza highlight everything that God opposes. And sadly, the commandment of love one another is exactly what people are not doing, supposedly in God's name! Ego serves a purpose for those determined to achieve. But ego is a bad thing if it means trampling on someone else and at someone else's expense to achieve your goals. Do you gossip? Are you nice as pie to someone's face but then speak ill of them behind their backs? Do you look down on people experiencing homelessness, or do you offer a helping hand? Sometimes, showing love is as simple as opening a door or buying a coffee and being a listening ear.

Theatre Sports and JTF

Three talented young ladies are heading to Sydney tonight to compete in the Theatre Sports contest. We wish Isabella L, Emily G and Samantha G all the very best. They will participate in a competition of improvisation within a timed environment. To even be at this event means the girls have jumped some hurdles already.

JTF – Junior Theatre Festival performances take place this Saturday in Newcastle. We wish all the students the very best and know they will do well based on their rehearsals thus far. The students will perform some parts of theatre participate in workshops, and it is an opportunity for students to meet the stars of theatre who will be working with the children during this festival.

Principal's Morning Tea

It was wonderful to share a special morning tea of hot dogs, caramel slices, watermelon, juice pops, and lolly pops with the students who achieved their principal awards. Well done to all of the children.

Blaise C, Lachlan E, Diyan P, Penelope G, Isla M, Isaac S, Mackenzie W, Alexander H, Aapti D S, Allira D, Mikayla J, Evie W, JR G, James L, Ava N, Amber Z, Sari K, Eliora D, Ashton C, Landon C, Dia P, Riley N, Elijah W, Sienna P, Holly M, Yohaan J, Ellis D, Mila F, Lacey F, Harrison M, Louie S, Khushi U, Josip T, Lilliana M, Maverick B, Ella T, Jack T, Abigail P, Christina J, Joanna B, Joshua S, and Georgia N..

Principal Coffee n Chat

This term's principal coffee n chart will be held at 9:00 am on Tuesday, 31 October. This is an opportunity to learn about the events for the rest of the term with a special update on the building application. Please come along or join online.

https://dbbcatholic.zoom.us/meeting/register/u5Ytdu-orjMoHtIO_V42xxdDhcxvOsxsXK0J

Yana – Kindergarten School Readiness

We look forward to welcoming back all of our new kindergarten 2024 students who will participate in a second round of school readiness activities. Each Wednesday commencing 1 November, for the following four Wednesdays, the students will be working in the kindergarten rooms with teachers undertaking fine motor, gross motor, literacy and numeracy tasks. While the children are working away, the parents are asked to stay and listen to presentations from current school staff and external presenters.

Year 5 Leadership Camp

Our Year 5 students are away at Point Wolstoncroft Sport and Recreation Camp Lake Macquarie. During this time, the children will participate in fun team-building activities and learn to be a leader and team player. Despite some precipitation, by all accounts, the children are having a wonderful time.

Cyber Safety

Some parents have been in contact with the school to pass on information about some unsavoury events that are taking place online with some of the students. Body shaming and how to self-harm are filtering their way into chat rooms, which means that children are being exposed to concepts they should not be at their age. Moreover, it seriously raises the question: Are children being supervised by adults?

For any child under 18, all parents and guardians should have access to their child's online activity. If you are a parent who does not know what your child is getting up to online and does not know the access codes and passwords of their virtual interactions, then you would be oblivious to what they may potentially be exposed to in this environment.

As a minimum, all caring parents should go to https://www.esafety.gov.au and learn about the virtual world and how you can protect your child from some of the nasties! Demand that your child reveals to you the activities and rooms they interact with online and ensure that you have access to their passwords. As a parent myself who believed everything was fine with how my children were using online material, I too, was shocked to learn what they have been and are exposed to in this space.

Year 6 Graduation and End of Year Events

This week another parent/teacher meeting will take place around the graduation event at the end of the year. This is an exciting time for our Year 6 students who walk across the bridge into High School. Just a few friendly reminders that all Year 6 students must maintain wearing the school uniform correctly and that acrylic nails, inappropriate jewellery and hairstyles must not make their way into school and at the end-of-year events. Specific information will be sent home next week to Year 6 families, but we are expecting our students to abide by the school rules as we draw closer to the end of the school year.

20th Anniversary Social Event

On Saturday, 18 November, MCC will celebrate our 20th Anniversary with an over 18 social event for members of our community, past and present. Tickets are $45 each and available through Eventbrite: MCC 20th Anniversary Cocktail Party. Our very own Scott Wallis and his band Steamboat Hollow will be keeping the dance floor full all night, so bring your dancing shoes and buy a ticket today.

Ticket sales close on Tuesday, 31 October, so buy your Tickets NOW.

Parenting Course

This term at school, our school counsellor, Jade Kremer, will be co-facilitating Tuning in to Kids, which is an evidence-based parenting program that has been delivered worldwide. Read more at the official site here: https://tuningintokids.org.au/parents/. The purpose of the program is to help us learn strategies for supporting (coaching) our children in managing their emotions. It is not too late to register. The program will run on Tuesdays from 1-3 pm for 5 weeks starting on Tuesday, 31 October. Please register with Karen Fox on 02 4305 6200 or kfox@uniting.org

MacKillop Portrait Prize

The portrait prize artwork is now open. This year the portrait theme is Mrs Debra Ferguson- Secondary Principal. Mrs Ferguson is retiring this year, and we would like to celebrate her contributions to our MacKillop Community.

Materials you can use are (but not exclusive to) - paint, watercolour, pencil, charcoal, pastel, crayons, and textas.

The portrait needs to be given to Mrs Whitmore by Monday, 6 November - Week 5. These will then be looked at by a panel, and the chosen finalists will be notified.

The students need to keep them unframed, please, and they need to see Mrs Whitmore to get an entry slip to paste on the back with a reflection/statement about their artwork. Please get these from Mrs Whitmore.

If you have any questions, please email Mrs Whitmore at catherine.whitmore@dbb.catholic.edu.au

COMPASS

Please ensure that you familiarise yourself with the permission and payment side of COMPASS as this is the only way that permission and payments will now be accepted. Information has been posted on the Grade pages on how to download the app.

Whole Staff Professional learning

Throughout this week, all staff members have been sent along to receive professional learning development from Professor Lorraine Hammond on explicit instruction techniques. In recent years our academic credentials have been boosted significantly by our collaborative coaching teaching model. This specific training is about how to teach a concept, body of knowledge and phenomena based on a student's ability to cognitively load the information. In other words, how to embed understanding from short-term to long-term memory.

Assembly this Friday

Parents are invited to the awards assembly this Friday in the hall from 1:20 pm. Children receiving their principal awards will also be acknowledged at this time.

A Thought for the Week…

"I saw life through the eyes of a child as I watched him clean his boat before putting it into the lake. We can learn from children." Rinder

God Bless

Frank Cohen
Primary Principal

Getting to know: Mrs Karen Dacey

My name: Mrs Karen Dacey

My role: Primary teacher, currently teaching the amazing 6 Wattle.

My Responsibilities: In my roles as a teacher and a mother, I have a broad spectrum of responsibilities, spanning from providing educational guidance and fostering student growth and support to nurturing and caring for the well-being of my children. Additionally, I endeavour to be a positive role model in both of these important roles.

My hobbies and interests: I enjoy family time, creative projects, gardening, beach walks and walking my dog. I have always had a strong interest in education, child development, and pedagogy. I am always interested in and embrace our ever-evolving curriculum.

Hopes for the future: While cliche, good health and happiness.

Looking forward to MCC in 2024: Meeting and getting to know a new group of students, each with their unique personalities and learning needs.

Little Lighthouse Playgroup - See you Friday!

Our Playgroup runs every Friday during term time from 9.30 am to 11 am. You don't have to be a current MCC family to attend; our playgroup is a friendly community where everyone with children aged between 0-6 are welcome to attend.

For more information, please contact our Parent Engagement Coordinator, Lucy Marien

Secondary News

Prayer: HSC

Please continue to keep our Year 12 in your prayers.

Dear Lord,

We ask for your blessing on our students undertaking HSC Examinations over the coming weeks.

Grant them the confidence they deserve from their years of diligent study.

Grant them the ability to comprehend questions and effectively plan and articulate their responses.

May they be enriched by gifts of the Holy Spirit - Wisdom, Understanding, Fortitude and Knowledge.

May their faith and piety give them the strength to face these examinations and the satisfaction of achieving their personal best.

We ask these things through Christ Our Lord,

Amen

Learning:

HSC Continues:

Our Year 12 continue their HSC exams this week. Many starting now to conclude their exams and their 13 years of schooling.

Year 10 Exams:

Our Year 10 students are completing a number of exams over the next 2 weeks. These will be Year 10’s first experience of completing exams under similar conditions to that of the HSC exams. A supervisor from outside the College runs the exams, and they complete these in the Hall.

Valid Testing:

MacKillop has been involved in The Validation of Assessment for Learning and Individual Development (VALID) program for several years now. The data from Year 8 is compared to another VALID test which is completed when they reach Year 10 and shows student growth in Science ability. It provides online end-of-stage assessments for the science key learning area. The test is linked to the science syllabuses and assesses what students know and can do in science. It also provides useful information about student attitudes towards science. Each student will receive a report outlining the details of their responses to the assessment.

Year 12 Information Night:

Last Monday night, the Year 12 parents and students of the HSC class of 2024 met in the Hall with members of the staff to examine the requirements of the HSC and NESA and to understand the policies and procedures that need to be followed for the next 12 months.

We thank all the parents who were present and also the staff who made themselves available for the night.

Step Up into Teaching:

Catholic Schools and the Australian Catholic University are once again teaming up for the Step Up into Teaching program, providing high school students the chance to experience university life, gain early entry into teaching courses and receive credit towards their degree.

Students participating in SUIT have the opportunity to study one or two modules equivalent to university-level units while completing their high school studies.

Students who pass their SUIT studies will receive an offer to study a Bachelor of Education degree at ACU and can receive credit (recognition of prior learning) for one or two specified units in early childhood, primary or secondary teaching courses.

Studying university subjects through the SUIT program is also HECS-free.

We are so pleased to announce that we have students accepted into this program who have just started their Year 12 HSC year. Congratulations to - Lucinda, Olivia, and Megann Jordan-Miller.

Mission Mass:

On Thursday, 19 October, 7 of our students attended the Broken Bay mission Mass.

All CSBB schools were represented and urged to support the amazing work of the missions. This work provides resources and skills to give people hope and agency in their lives. This year our support goes to provide life-changing support for Timor Leste, where tuberculosis and malnutrition are big challenges in the lives of many people.

MacKillop held a crazy sock day on 18 October to donate to the work being done in Timor Leste. The theme this year is “Hearts on Fire, Feet on the Move.” Our students were encouraged to engage and take action to support positive life outcomes for the people of Timor Leste.

Extra- Curricula:

Junior Theatre Festival:

This weekend, almost 70 students, teachers and parent chaperones are heading up the freeway to Newcastle Civic Theatre to participate in the annual Junior Theatre Festival. This festival (JTF) is Australia's largest celebration of musical theatre for young people in Australia, and we are very excited to participate in this for the 5th year. Our Secondary troupe will perform a 15-minute extract from Frozen Junior, while our Primary troupe will perform an extract from Madagascar Junior. A panel of international visiting artists from Broadway and the West End will judge both troupes.

In addition to adjudication, students attend workshops in acting, singing and dance, led by industry professionals. These workshops help build skills and confidence, but more importantly, students are given the opportunity to connect with other like-minded students from around Australia and New Zealand. Participants in this festival also get to witness new Broadway Junior musicals in development. We are extremely proud and privileged this year to cheer on three students from MacKillop who will be performing in these pilot productions: Congratulations, Caitlyn D, Lilly C, and Ella G. We wish all students in JTF the very best for this weekend.

Camp Breakaway

On Tuesday in Week 2, 8 students from Years 8 - 10, along with Sr Jiji and Mrs Baxter, went to Camp Breakaway to assist with the Mini Olympics.

Camp Breakaway is a facility that provides many services, including respite and care for people with disabilities.

There was lots of excitement on arrival as the camp participants were super keen to get dressed up and start the games. After a quick morning tea, everyone was broken up into teams and house colours. The house names Smeaton, Wright, and Price honour the three nurses who founded the facility.

After lots of chanting and playing games, the green house, 'Price', won this time!

We look forward to attending again at the November camp.

Other Items:

Attendance:

It is so important that all students attend school every day to enhance their learning. Please strive for the 92% attendance that NESA suggests at least and please encourage and assist your children to be resilient. Of course, they should stay home if they are ill but they need to be a good routines to be able to be successful and committed to their education.

It is also important that they are at school every day, including the very last day on Tuesday 12 December.

COMPASS Notification:

From the beginning of this term, parents will not be able to download and print a hardcopy consent form from COMPASS. Instead, all parents will have to use COMPASS to both give digital permission and make any payment(s). Please refer to the Notice on COMPASS that has this information and an attachment which instructs you on how to complete these forms digitally. Information has also been posted in all Facebook grade pages.

Important Dates for T4 Week 4:

Mon – Fri – Year 12 HSC / Middle Leaders Meetings
Tues – Visual Arts HSC examiners on-site
Wed – Year 10 Maths and PDH exams
Thurs – Year 10 RE exam / Science Alliance excursion

A Heads Up:

MacKillop 20^th Anniversary Cocktail Party:

Tickets are only on sale until 31 October, so don't miss out!

This is a social event and is for all members of our community, 18 years and over, past and present.

Come along and meet with friends and make new ones. Get ready to dance along to a great local band, Steamboat Hollow.

Where: Wyong Leagues Club
When: Saturday 18 November
Time: 7 pm - 11 pm
Dress: Black and White Cocktail

Entertainment and nibbles provided; over 18 event

Tickets are $45 each and on sale now: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/700047720577?aff=oddtdtcreator

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

Getting to know: Sharon Baird

My name is Sharon Baird

My role: Leader of Learning and Teaching, Performing Arts

My Responsibilities: My role involves working collaboratively with a team of outstanding performing artists and educators to provide and maintain quality teaching and learning in the areas of Music, Dance and Drama. These subjects are offered in varying degrees from K-12. Our faculty goal is to encourage individual creativity, confidence, critical thinking skills and self-expression. It is my responsibility to enable students to grow and develop by ensuring that we provide programs and learning materials in line with the relevant syllabus and NESA prescriptions.

My hobbies and interests: All things theatrical! I love directing plays and musicals as much as I love being an audience member. Theatre can provide us with insights into our world and challenge us with different perspectives, and I love that. I also love to travel and spend time with family (especially my grandchildren…shhhh…don’t tell hubby).

Hopes for the future: To be happy and healthy and enjoy a retirement when the time comes, surrounded by family and friends.

Looking forward to MCC in 2024: I look forward to a full, thriving performing arts curriculum and extra-curricular program that can provide opportunities for students of all ages and abilities to engage in creative pursuits.

Monthly Youth Mass and Group

On Sunday, 22 October, Youth Mass will be held at St Mary of the Cross MacKillop Parish. This mass is helping raise money for Catholic Mission and the community of Timor-Leste. You are welcome to join the Youth group from 4 pm and then Mass from 5 pm.

20th Anniversary Celebration - Tickets selling fast

Join Us for a Spectacular Evening Celebrating 20 Years of MacKillop Catholic College!

Our journey of 20 years at MCC is a remarkable milestone, and we invite our community, past and present (aged 18 and over), to come together for an extraordinary social event.

Prepare to groove, share laughter, and connect with new and familiar faces at the Wyong Leagues Club. This evening is dedicated to celebrating the enduring strength of our tight-knit community.

Dress to impress in classic black and white attire as we come together to enjoy the talented local band Steamboat Hollow featuring our very own Scott Wallis. Get ready to hit the dance floor!

Details:

Wyong League Club, Saturday 18 November
Doors open at 7 pm
18 and over, licensed venue
Entertainment and nibbles included
Price: $45 per ticket
Purchase via Eventbrite - MCC 20 years Social Celebration

Don't miss out on this fantastic evening of music, camaraderie, and nostalgia. Secure your tickets today, and let's make this celebration a night to remember.

We can't wait to see you there!

Council of Catholic School Parents - eSafety Webinar

CCSP Getting Started with Social Media Term 4 eSafety Webinar Flyer.pdf

Free Parenting Program - New Date

Mary's Faithful Wardrobe and Mary's Formal Closet

Our amazing PEC (Parent Engagement Coordinator), Lucy Marien, in collaboration with our Parish, have developed a community wardrobe for families to borrow special outfits for their child's sacrament celebrations.

Mrs Marien is also starting a Formal version for our Secondary students looking for a special graduation dress or suit.

We are currently looking for donations to get the clothing library started. We are asking the community to go through their wardrobes and consider giving your forgotten good-quality items a new purpose.

For full details, please see the flyers below.

Supporting young people with the transition to Secondary school

Headspace Schools & Communities is hosting a free mental health education webinar for Parents and Carers of young people who are transitioning from primary school to secondary school.

The session will cover:

mental health and well-being in adolescence
how to have conversations with young people about their mental health and wellbeing
noticing signs that a young person might be going through a tough time and struggling with their transition to secondary school
identifying strategies to connect and communicate with young people
increasing knowledge about how to support them during this transition period and where to access professional support

Following the webinar, all those who register will be supported by a digital pack of information that will be sent out via email within 5 days after the event.

Please note: this is a live online event and will not be recorded.

Once you have registered here, you will receive an automated email confirmation from Eventbrite that contains the Zoom meeting link to join on the day. Please check your junk email box if you do not receive the email shortly after registering.

Event Dates:

Thursday 9 November at 9 pm
Parent/Carer: Supporting young people with transition to secondary school

Book with Eventbrite: Thursday, 9 November Webinar

For more information, contact us at: MHEP@headspace.org.au

Proudly delivered by Headspace National Youth Mental Health Foundation Ltd.

GRANDMatters Forum - CCFSS

Central Coast Family Support is delighted to host the GRANDMatters Forum.
This forum is to provide grandparents who have the full-time care of their grandchildren with accurate information, resources and support to assist them in navigating the complexities of their caregiving journey. Please join us for a day of engaging and informative guest speakers presenting on relevant topics affecting grandparents and carers.

Keynote Speaker – Maggie Dent
Maggie will explore the topics of “Real Kids in an Unreal World”.
“We can’t change the world. However, we can help our children develop emotional buoyancy and competence by experiencing life’s joys and successes, as well as its challenges and setbacks. When this is done within the safety of supportive relationships—especially in families and communities”

On the day:
• Registrations open at 8:30 am
• Forum runs from 9:30 am-2:30 pm
• Morning tea and lunch included.
• Free childcare available.

Representatives from government departments and a range of other community organisations will also be available to answer questions and provide further information.

FREE for grandparent carers!

CHIME After-School Art Workshops!

CHIME After-School Art Workshops are arts-based workshops for families with children 0-12 years impacted by parental mental illness. Held over 4 weeks at Wyong School Community Centre, these FREE workshops will bring families together with fun and relaxed activities that relate to topics of mental health and wellbeing.

All art materials will be provided. Registrations are essential! You can register online, email ccfss@ccfss.com.au, or call 4340 1585

NSW and ACT Pathways to Post School Life

NSW and ACT Pathways to Post-School Life

Event Description

The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) would like to invite NSW and ACT students with a disability in Years 9 -12, their parents, carers and education professionals to attend a virtual information session.

This is a session about building skills and paving a pathway to post-school life. We will discuss a range of NDIS-funded supports and other assistance to help young people build skills to prepare for their transition and support them in achieving employment and other goals post-school.

Who should attend: Students, parents, carers and education professionals.

Please refer to the PDF attached to register your interest.

NSW and ACT Pathways to Post School Life Flyer.pdf

CatholicCare Community events

ART THERAPY GROUP FOR WOMEN – IN PERSON TUGGERAH OR WAITARA – FROM 9 OCTOBER

We are excited to announce our new art therapy group for women, where participants utilise art-making to express thoughts and feelings that may be difficult to put into words. Facilitated by a registered Art Therapist, no artistic skills are required, just an interest in the creative process. This group will provide a supportive and non-judgemental space to explore your creative side whilst also giving expression to feelings, thoughts and future hopes. A variety of art materials will be supplied, and themes may be explored through the creative process, supporting a safe connection to self and others in the group. Some additional benefits of art therapy include improved communication skills, a reduction in stress levels, an increase in self-esteem, personal insight, connecting with your strengths and exploring your imagination and creativity. The cost for the 6-week package is $300 or $150 concession. If you have NDIS funding, this will cover these sessions. Please call 1800 324 924 or email therapyservices@catholiccaredbb.org.au to register your interest. Please share!

KEEPING KIDS IN MIND FOR SEPARATING PARENTS – ONLINE PROGRAM – FROM 18 OCTOBER

This is a course for separated parents who are experiencing ongoing conflict. Run online across 5 consecutive Wednesdays from 18 October to 15 November, 12.00 – 2.30 pm it is designed to assist parents to see separation through their children’s eyes and provides tips on how best to support your children through separation. Limited places are now available. Register here: https://catholiccaredbb.org.au/family-youth-children/parenting-programs/.

Term 4 Dates

Term 4 - Tuesday 10 October – Tuesday 12 December Secondary and Thursday 14 Primary

Monday 9 October Staff Spirituality Day/Pupil Free Day
Friday 15 December Staff Mass and Luncheon/Pupil Free Day
Monday 18 December and Tuesday 19 Pupil Free Days

COMPASS Sign-in Update

Download 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.