MacKillop Chronicles Term 1, Week 10

Thursday 11 April, 2024

MCC presents Frozen Jr

Primary Matters

Third Sunday of Easter

Gospel Acclamation: 

Lk 24:32 “Lord Jesus, make your word plain for us: make our hearts burn with love when you speak.”

Dear Parents and Carers,

Message from the Principal

It was wonderful to participate in the Sacrament of First Eucharist/Holy Communion last Sunday.  When Catholics experience these rituals, we remember our own sacramental journey, renewing our commitment to the mission of Jesus. Symbols such as water for Baptism, the white garment for purity and bread and wine transformed into the Body and Blood of Jesus remind us of the message of the Last Supper, retold in the Mass, “Do this in memory of me.” Catholics believe that in consuming holy Eucharist believers are transformed as Christians to be people of good influence and make a difference in the world.

Cyber Safety

Technology has become part of our daily lives. Our ability to communicate and connect via the internet has changed our lives in a variety of ways.  Increasingly, children from a young age are using many forms of technology to engage with their world.  Unfortunately, children sometimes fall victim to harassment and bullying as a result of participation in social media located on technological devices.

As users of technology, our students learn how to use their devices with safety in mind.  The e-safety commission Cybersmart Hero highlights skills that allow students to:  

• identify what cyberbullying is  
• describe and use strategies in situations where they feel cyber bullied  
• recognise when to seek help in cyberbullying situations  
• be a positive bystander in a cyberbullying situation 

Danger as a result of technology is also an issue. In the past, strangers in the ‘real world’ were easier to identify.  The internet has made engagement with dangerous people a much more prolific issue for children of the twenty-first century. Holidays can provide time for parents and guardians to sit with the children in their care and review and acknowledge the privacy settings required to use technology safely. Please consider initiating conversations with your children about how they can maintain their own safety and develop respectful relationships with others through the responsible use of technology. For more information, access the e-safety commission

Welcome to MacKillop

In Term 2, we welcome Mrs Terese Collins to MacKillop.  Mrs Collins will replace Mrs Catherine Brown in Kindergarten Wattle.  Mrs Brown has accepted a specialist role at another CSBB school for the remainder of 2024. Farewell to Mrs Brown, and welcome to Mrs Collins.

ANZAC Day March, April 25^th

ANZAC Day is a significant cultural event on the Australian calendar. The alliance between the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps is a deeply held remembrance of friendship and love between our two nations in times of war and peace.  The MacKillop Community has committed to involvement with the Toukley Branch of the RSL for most of our 20-year history. 

In 2024, students are invited to march with many others from the wider community, from the Toukley Mall down Main Street to the Garden of Remembrance at the Toukley RSL. We ask that students gather in their uniforms at 9.30 am for a 9.45 am start. College leaders in both Primary and Secondary schools are expected to attend. Please consider joining us for this significant cultural event. Further details are available through COMPASS.

Stage 2 Soccer Gala Day

On Wednesday, 10 April, Stage 2 participated in the Central Coast Soccer Gala Day. Leading up to the day, our wonderful Year 3 and Year 4 classes learnt, practised and enjoyed fine-tuning their soccer skills with Mrs Denneman and Mr Field. 

The day was filled with lots of smiles, lots of enthusiasm and lots of soccer skills being displayed.

Well done, Stage 2, on making MacKillop proud as you competed against the other schools with lots of laughs and enjoyment! 

A big thank you to all our parents and teachers who braved the cooler weather to coach, manage and cheer on our teams!

Uniform

As the weather begins to change to the cooler seasons, it is time to begin planning your child’s Winter Uniform.  The changeover officially begins Term 2, Week 3, on Monday, 13 May. Please refer to the Uniform Policy (link below) for accurate information.  We ask that students wear one uniform completely rather than elements of both.

The uniform shop is open and is ready to receive orders for Term 2.

Please remember that Term 2 begins on Tuesday, April 30

Blessings for the Easter Season and a happy and restful autumn break

Kerry Power

Acting Primary Principal

Primary Events

MCC Year 6 Enrolments for Year 7 2025

Secondary News

Dear MacKillop Families,

I would like to wish all our families and our staff, a restful break. To our Year 12 students, this is an opportunity to revise and prepare yourself well for the Ace your Exams week. Build some time into your routines for rest, recreation, and study, holding yourself accountable for your use of time.

This week, I wish to explore the pursuit of excellence because the world needs excellence, and Australia needs excellence. For us to evolve as humans, it is imperative that we all strive for excellence. Excellence should not be confused with perfection. They are different concepts.

In the formative years of adolescence, the pursuit of excellence serves as a beacon guiding young individuals towards personal growth, societal contribution, and lasting fulfilment. As the world continues to develop, the demand for individuals who strive for excellence becomes increasingly imperative. Herein lies the essence of why adolescents should ardently pursue excellence in every facet of their lives.

The pursuit of excellence fosters a mindset of continuous improvement. Adolescents who strive for excellence are driven to refine their skills, expand their knowledge, and push beyond their perceived limitations. Dedication to growth not only enhances their individual capabilities but also cultivates resilience in the face of challenges. By embracing the pursuit of excellence, adolescents learn to view setbacks as opportunities for learning and development rather than insurmountable obstacles.

Moreover, excellence begets success, both personal and professional. Whether in academics, extracurricular activities, or relationships, striving for excellence sets adolescents on a trajectory towards achieving their goals. By consistently delivering high-quality work and demonstrating a commitment to excellence, adolescents position themselves for future opportunities and advancement. Also, the habits and values instilled through the pursuit of excellence lay the foundation for long-term success and fulfilment in adulthood.

Furthermore, the pursuit of excellence cultivates a sense of responsibility and accountability. Adolescents who aim for excellence understand the importance of their contributions to the greater community. Whether through academic achievements, volunteerism, or leadership roles, they recognize their capacity to effect positive change and make meaningful contributions to society. By holding themselves to high standards of excellence, adolescents become stewards of progress, actively shaping a better world for themselves and future generations.

In addition to personal and societal benefits, the pursuit of excellence nurtures self-confidence and self-esteem. As adolescents strive to excel in their endeavours, they develop a deep sense of pride and accomplishment in their abilities. This confidence, then, not only fuels their motivation to pursue new challenges but also empowers them to navigate the complexities of adolescence with resilience and good grace.

Ultimately, the pursuit of excellence is not about achieving perfection but rather about embracing a mindset of continual growth and self-improvement. In a constantly evolving world, adolescents who strive for excellence are equipped with the skills, values, and determination needed to thrive in any endeavour they pursue. Therefore, I wish to encourage and support adolescents in their striving for excellence, for in doing so, we empower them to become the architects of a better world and a brighter future for all.

God bless,

Mrs. Mel McGuinness

 Assistant Principal, Secondary

ANZAC Day Ceremony

On Monday, the College commemorated Anzac Day with a ceremony held in the hall. To start the day, there was a Morning Tea, where our Year 12 parliament, school captains, and leadership were able to meet with our guests, learn more about their experiences, and deepen their understanding of the significance of ANZAC Day.

This year, our special guest was former NSW Australian of the Year Deng Adut. He shared his experiences as a child soldier in Sudan, his journey to Australia, and his new life as a lawyer in Western Sydney. Mr Adut also spoke about the importance of acceptance and respect for others and the importance of community. Our students certainly benefited from hearing about his experiences and hopefully went away understanding more about the impacts of war.

During the commemoration, we also welcomed members of the Toukley RSL Sub Branch, who delivered the RSL address commemorating the sacrifices of Australian and New Zealand soldiers. After the ceremony's conclusion, members of the RSL and our parliament laid wreaths in the school’s memorial garden.

Students from MCC are invited once again to join in with the Toukley Branch of the RSL for their ANZAC Day march from the Toukley Mall down Main Street to the Garden of Remembrance at the Toukley RSL.

We ask that students gather in their uniforms at 9.30 am for a 9.45 am start. College leaders in both Primary and Secondary schools are expected to attend. Please consider joining us for this significant cultural event. Further details are available through COMPASS.

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NSW CCC Touch Championships

Congratulations to Anabelle R, Kiara B and Cooper B on their selection into CSBB OPENS TOUCH TEAMS. Also, to their Coaches, Mrs Elcoate and Mr Langbridge.

We wish them success at the NSW CCC TOUCH CHAMPIONSHIPS at Tuggerah.

Year 7 Taster Day

Yesterday, we welcomed students from all over the Central Coast to MacKillop to see what it is like to be a Year 7 student at MCC.

Mrs Tenev spoke with our potential Year 7s about what it means to be a MacKillop student and the many opportunities they will have to be involved in the community. She encouraged them to shine their light in the spirit of St Mary MacKillop of the Cross the day they got to know each other.

With the help of our Year 10 peer support students, they shook off their nerves by playing a few games, followed by handball in the CA. The rest of the day, they moved around as they would on a normal school day, attending a science lesson, a PDHPE class, and then PDHPE prac in the afternoon. We hope you all enjoyed the day and look forward to seeing you later in the year for orientation.

JUMP Afternoon Tea with Loreto Gardens 

This afternoon, approximately 25 residents from Loreto Gardens Nursing Home visited MCC for a special afternoon tea as part of our JUMP Sport Intergenerational Program. Members of the staff, including Mrs Appleby, also came along to enjoy the sunshine, some beautiful conversations, and a little dancing in The Dreaming Cafe.

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Term 1 wrap-up from Mr Paul Lynch

Dear Community,

Thank You

As we come to the end of a productive term at MacKillop, I extend my thanks to the staff, the students, and the whole MacKillop community. The first term in any new school is a whirlwind as you try to wrap your head around new processes, new people, and a new role. That has certainly been my experience over the last ten or eleven weeks, but in that time, I've quickly come to realise what a great community exists within and around our College.

I am so grateful to be working in a school with such a proud history and one that is still willing to grow and improve. I am excited about the future of this great school and look forward to building programs, growing enrolments and the highest quality teaching and learning.

As we head into the school holidays, I wish all of our staff, students, and College families a restful break. I hope it provides time to pause and reflect, even for a brief moment. I hope you get an opportunity to spend quality time with friends and family and perhaps even soak up some of the last of the warmer weather before Winter is upon us.

Jason Evert Guest Speaker Presentation – May 2024

Catholic Schools Broken Bay has been fortunate to secure a booking for world-renowned speaker Jason Evert to speak at MacKillop in May.

Over the past 25 years, Jason Evert has travelled to six continents to bring his message to more than one million people, including World Youth Days in Australia, Spain, and Poland. Jason earned a master's degree in Theology and undergraduate degrees in Counselling and Theology, with a minor in Philosophy, at the Franciscan University of Steubenville.

He is a best-selling author of 15 books, including Saint John Paul the Great, How to Find Your Soulmate without Losing Your Soul, and the curriculum YOU: Life, Love, and the Theology of the Body. He and his wife, Crystalina, are frequent guests on radio programs throughout the United States. Together, they run the website www.chastity.com as well as the Chastity Project ministry and lead an international alliance of young people who promote chastity in more than 40 countries.

In this seminar, which has been delivered to more than two million teens on six continents, Jason Evert reveals the compelling vision of God's plan for human sexuality. He presents an uplifting case for practising the virtue of chastity by addressing the issues that teens struggle with most, such as sexual pressure, pornography, modesty, and starting over. Jason offers encouragement for teens to maintain their chastity or begin again if they've made mistakes in the past.

Jason has a rare skill of breaking down these difficult subjects into language that is native and accessible to our young people, as is evidenced by his substantial success across the world, not just in Catholic schools but in secular contexts as well. Jason's seminar content is completely aligned with Catholic Church teaching on sexuality and clearly with our CSBB Catholic Charter, which outlines the "school's mission to form students according to the Catholic worldview".

For any questions or concerns, please write to your College Principal.

God bless,

Paul Lynch 

Acting Principal Secondary

College Photo Days 2024

Central Coast Family Support Services Term 2 Parenting Courses

Go4Fun Term 2

April Vacation Care

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Mary's Faithful Wardrobe and Mary's Formal Closet

Term 2 Dates