MacKillop Chronicles Term 1, Week 1

Thursday 8 February, 2024

A Message from our College Principal

Principal's Welcome

Dear Community,

Seeing our students settle into Term 1 activities so quickly has been exciting. I took the opportunity to see student receiving their new lockers today, and this was a real milestone for many of them. I am so thankful that the teaching staff have all their lessons ready to go and that the classrooms are a place of engagement and interest.

We are so blessed to have such dedicated and professional teachers supporting our students here at MacKillop Catholic College.

Every Minute in the Classroom Counts

As educators, we acknowledge that every minute in the classroom counts for your child's success at school. It is for this reason that we will commence a process of reviewing time taken out of the classroom. While we appreciate that excursions and the like are important, the bottom line is that if students are not in class, then this will most certainly impact their social, emotional and academic success. It is important, therefore, that families take a firm stance on giving their children a day off school for no specific reason, for example, that the weather is hot.

Did you know that when…

So, attendance and every minute in that classroom is very important to your child's learning. Please encourage your teenage children to be at school promptly so they are ready to make a significant difference in their academic success and consistent engagement with others.

Thank you for your ongoing support!

God Bless,

Tanya Appleby

College Principal

Primary Matters

SUNDAY 6^th SUNDAY ORDINARY TIME

Gospel Acclamation:  Luke 7:16

A great prophet has appeared among us; God has visited his people

Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome

School life has begun to form a wonderful rhythm at MacKillop.  All students from Kindergarten to Year 12 are now onsite and engaged in the vibrant life of the College.

Uniform Matters

Our MacKillop College uniform is highly recognisable in the Central Coast community, and it is important that our students feel pride in wearing it. The first two weeks have allowed us to address students in the entire K - 12 College community about the need to maintain consistently high uniform standards.

We ask that parents support our standards regarding correct uniforms and address these with their children.  We are currently in a transition phase regarding socks, and we ask for your patience during this period. Please refer to the uniform policy regarding guidelines for jewellery and hairstyles.

Hats are a vital component of UV protection and an element of uniform we strictly adhere to. It is also the main item that is misplaced. Children who are not wearing a hat will be required to play in the shade sail area of the yard.

Please ensure your child’s uniform is clearly marked with, your child’s first, your family name, and their class on hats.

Mobile Devices

While we acknowledge this is a fabulous safety measure for children who walk or catch the bus to and from school, they are becoming a disruption during class times.  Just as we disallow the use of mobile phones, we also disallow the use of smartwatches for the purpose of communication during school hours.

Rather than banning these watches, we ask that you please disable the communication function during the hours of 8:20 am and 3 pm.

If your child’s watch proves to be a distraction during class or is used as a communication tool, it will be stored in a safe place and returned to your child before the final bell. Thank you for your understanding.

COMPASS for Communication

As mentioned in my last Newsletter, COMPASS is the primary source of communication with your child’s teacher.  COMPASS is a secure and effective method of recording your child’s engagement with school life.

Instructions on how to access email via COMPASS will be provided by class teachers in the coming days.



Inside the Classroom

This week students in 1 Myrtle learnt about 'Friends of 10' through a game of whiteboard Tic Tac Toe and rolling Dice. Thank you Ms Shelley and 1 M for giving us a sneak peak of your class in action.

Sacraments

Students who are in Year 4 and above will begin their preparation for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion in February.

Information letters from the St. Mary of the Cross MacKillop Parish will go home with Year 4 students this week.  If you would like to enrol your child in the Sacramental Program, please attend the Information Session on February 13.

Parent Information Session: Tuesday, 13 February at 7 pm in the Parish Church

Please contact Kim in the Parish Office, 8379 1740 (Tuesday-Friday) if you have further questions.

 Ash Wednesday and Shrove Tuesday

Ash Wednesday signals the beginning of Lent. Lent is a sacred time for Catholics as we prepare for the celebration of Easter by Fasting, Giving Alms and Praying. 

The day before Ash Wednesday is called Shrove or Pancake Tuesday. Traditionally, before the abstinence of Lent, people get rid of all their treats and goodies before their Lenten fast begins. Sweet pancakes provide the symbol of this ritual.  Mrs Marien, along with our Grade Parent helpers and Year 6, will distribute pancakes (with maple syrup and/or ice cream) to the Primary school community on Tuesday, 13 February, from 8 am in the undercroft near the MCC Canteen and Kinder in the Creek Area.

During Lent, the Diocese of Broken Bay actively supports the charitable works of Caritas through Project Compassion. Throughout Lent, students learn about the various charitable works of Project Compassion, and so we ask that, if you are able, please support Caritas by giving a gold coin upon receiving a pancake. Thank you in advance for your compassion in this work of mercy.

Beginning of School Year Welcome Mass

You are invited to attend our Welcome Mass for 2024 on Sunday, 18 February, at 5 pm in the St. Mary of the Cross MacKillop Church.  This Mass is an opportunity to gather as a community of faith to give thanks for the gift of each other and to welcome new families to our community.

Kindergarten students will be presented with a MacKillop bear, and Year 7 students will receive an MCC Logo Keyring for their locker.

We will also take this opportunity to commission our new College Principal Mrs. Tanya Appleby, College Parliament, SRC and Primary School Leaders will have an active role in the Mass.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Enjoy your weekend,

Kerry Power

Acting Primary Principal

Swimming Awards and Winning House Presentation

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Primary Events

Little Lighthouse Playgroup

Secondary News

Dear Community,

A Positive Start to Term 1

It has been very pleasing to see the Secondary school students settle into class routines as quickly as possible. Congratulations to Year 7 students, who are starting to feel a little more confident about navigating the College and the expectations around commitment to learning. This is just another reminder that all students are neatly attired and groomed for school. We appreciate the support that we receive from families who help us maintain a high standard of dress at MacKillop Catholic College.

It may be useful to know that the staff are reviewing the current Uniform and Grooming Policy that is situated on the College website.  We appreciate that it contains ambiguities that have resulted in confusion. Nonetheless, we will endeavour to finalise this as quickly as possible to support clearer communication.

There are a few key events coming up that require student assistance. In particular, we are preparing for Open Day on Wednesday,6 March, and we will also be requesting assistance from a plethora of students as helpers. Students will learn about how they can help support this whole school event in their Pastoral classes. This provides an excellent opportunity for you to encourage your child to step up and show some leadership.

Ash Wednesday

As a Catholic community, we will commemorate Ash Wednesday together. The giving of ashes at this time is very symbolic and reminds us of our mortality and the hope that we celebrate in the resurrection of Christ.  It is wise to mention to your child/children that this will mean that a person will place ashes in the formation of a cross on their forehead. The ashes have a cold sensation when they are placed on the forehead. This may be important for students who have sensory concerns or even those who are not as familiar with the process.

Looking forward to meeting more students and families in the weeks ahead.

God bless,

Paul Lynch 

Acting Secondary Principal

Getting to know Mr Lynch

Enrolments for 2025 - Siblings enrol now!

Shrove Tuesday

Open Day 6 March 2024

Kinder Connect

Mary's Faithful Wardrobe and Mary's Formal Closet

Positive Partnerships

Smith Family - Saver Plus Program

Term 1 Dates

COMPASS Sign-in Update

Download the app so you are always up to date with school events.