MacKillop Chronicles Term 1, Week 3

Do you know anyone with children eager to join our wonderful College community? We're excited to invite them to our Open Day on Wednesday, 12 March. This is a fantastic opportunity to explore the College through the eyes of our enthusiastic students. They’ll guide you through our vibrant classrooms and the beautiful Parish Church and showcase our outstanding facilities. Enjoy inspiring performances from our talented students, spanning from Primary to Secondary. 

Our dedicated team, including Mrs Appleby, Mr Lynch, and Mrs Powers, will be there with valuable information about the enrolment process, our exciting building projects, and the various pathways available from Baptism to Post School Life.

Please share this invitation—MCC is genuinely the place to be! We can’t wait to welcome future students and families to our dynamic community!

Registrations are now open: CentralCoastOpenDays.com.au

Family is important to our MCC community, so if you have younger children ready to start their education at MCC, now is the time to get your applications in. We are accepting applications for all year groups and are filling up fast for 2026.

For more information about enrolments, please contact Mrs Farrell or Mrs Scarcella on 7256 2116 or via email smccwenrolments@dbb.org.au

SUNDAY  7th SUNDAY ORDINARY TIME

Gospel Acclamation: I give a new commandment; to love one another as I have loved you. 13:34

Dear Parents and Carers,

Head of Primary

This week, I have enjoyed catching up with parents and carers at the Student Goal Setting Interviews.  This opportunity to meet with your child’s teacher accentuates the shared role both teacher and parents play in the development of the whole child.  At MacKillop, we want to accompany you on the journey of learning and growth your child will undergo during their time in the College.  The goals discussed will form a plan for learning for the first Semester. This partnership is one that responds with shared listening and respectful dialogue.

Miss Amy Cunningham will join 2 Wattle with Mrs Kate Williams in 2025. Miss Cunningham worked with our teaching team in 2024, and we welcome her back to the MacKillop community.

This Friday we will begin our Friday Assemblies in the Steven Atkin Hall. Beginning at 1.20 pm.

This is an opportunity for our students to gather and recognise accomplishments and events from the fortnight.  Teachers will communicate with you if your child is receiving an Award of recognition. Students enjoy sharing this with their families if possible. During assembly, the Secondary classes are often involved in PE lessons.  We ask that parents or guests do not use the student bathrooms in the CA area.  There is one ‘all ability’ bathroom in the Hall that parents and guests are able to use if required. It is on the western side of the Hall, and we will provide some signage to assist you.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Student Leadership

Aspire Leadership House Leaders and Commissioning Mass

In 2024, the Student Leadership program was expanded to provide increased opportunities for students to achieve leadership representation.  The Senior Student Leaders were elected by their peers in August 2024, and their leadership tenure lasts until Term 3 2025, the conclusion of the HSC Year.

The Primary Student Leadership group is elected at the end of the year, and their tenure lasts until the conclusion of the traditional academic year in December.  Students in Year 5 nominated for Captain, Vice-Captain or a portfolio position and presented speeches to the Primary School students and staff.

The portfolio roles in the Primary school complement those in Secondary; there are 2 Captains, 2 Vice Captains, and 2 Leaders in Mission, Culture, Wellbeing and House.

Our leaders will receive their Leadership Badges at a special Commissioning Mass on Friday and then share Morning Tea with Mrs Appleby and myself.  We are very proud of these young people and their willingness to serve their community and represent the student body.

In the coming weeks, students in Year 6 and Year 5 will have an opportunity to vote for representatives to lead their Houses.  Each of the MacKillop Houses has a name and value that represents part of the life of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop.  House Leaders will lead the Houses at various sporting and cultural events that uphold the values of Faith, Discipleship, Hope, Compassion, Justice and Integrity.

Beginning of School Year Welcome Mass

You are invited to attend our Welcome Mass for 2024 this Sunday, 23 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 Leaders. College Parliament and Primary School Leaders are expected to be in attendance in school uniform and will have an active role in the Mass and community hospitality that follows. A sausage sizzle is available, as well as Hunter and Lake Mac ice creams and Baby Bean machine coffee van.  Please join us for this wonderful community event.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Blessings for the week ahead,

Kerry Power | Head of Primary

Congratulations to Ellis for her amazing performance at the Athletics Regionals! She achieved a personal best of 1.20 m in the high jump, earning her a spot to compete at the NSW State Athletics Championships in March at Homebush.

Last week, we also had a number of our MCC Primary students representing the College at the CCC swimming carnival. They all tried their best and represented us with great pride. In u12, Jett came 2nd overall in breaststroke, U10 Mila came 3rd in butterfly and U10 Brooklyn came 3rd overall in freestyle.

A Warm Welcome to All Our Families!

As we begin this exciting new term, I’d like to extend a heartfelt welcome to our returning families and a special greeting to the many wonderful new families who have joined our school community. It has truly been a joy to meet each of you, and we are genuinely excited to welcome you to MCC. 

The start of the year brings fresh opportunities for growth, connection, and involvement, and we encourage you to get involved in your child’s learning and school activities.  We’re always looking for ways to strengthen connections between our school and families.  If you are a Primary School parent, one way you can get involved is by becoming a ‘Grade Parent’. This role is a fantastic opportunity to support your child’s year cohort, build relationships with other parents, and help with other school activities such as Mother’s Day and Father’s Day stalls, BBQs, etc.

If you're interested in becoming a Grade Parent or would like more information, please get in touch with me at lucy.marien@dbb.catholic.edu.au.

I am looking forward to the fantastic year ahead!

Warm regards,

Lucy Marien | Parent Engagement Coordinator

Dear Families, 

Christ our Light Afternoon Tea
 
On Tuesday this week, we hosted our “Christ our Light” Afternoon Tea for our senior students. This is a wonderful opportunity for our seniors to attend Mass together before they make their way to the hall for some presentations, speeches and an afternoon tea.
 
One of the purposes of this afternoon is to recognise a number of students from our 2024 HSC graduates who achieved outstanding results. We honoured those students with the Top 5 ATAR’s, those who placed first in the Diocese and our overall Dux of the College.  It was great to see those students again, and it is always moving to hear about their chosen pathway after graduating from MacKillop.
 
Another big purpose of this afternoon is for our current Year 12s to listen and learn from those who have already walked the road they are embarking on as they head toward their own HSC.  We were so fortunate to hear inspiring stories from Ryan Jaison, our College Dux and two former students who now teach at MacKillop, Alex Langbridge and Michellie Beeson.
 
I sincerely hope our current Year 12s take on board the words of wisdom provided by Ryan, Mr Langbridge and Mrs Beeson.  They spoke of their own personal journeys, but common themes were the need for consistent commitment to study, clear goals, being organised, having a strong work ethic, making some short-term sacrifices, etc.  Perhaps, more meaningful than anything else should be the fact that these three highly successful graduates aren’t any different to those who are set to sit their HSC later this year.  With hard work and commitment to the task at hand, I have no doubt they can be just as successful if they truly want it.

God bless,

Paul Lynch | Head of Secondary

2025 is set to be a fantastic year for the MacKillop Science Department. We welcome two enthusiastic new teachers- Mrs Davison and Miss Sneddon. There are new initiatives from NESA, bringing in new syllabuses for year 7 and 9, with years 8 and 10 coming next year. This is a great opportunity for us to introduce our students to even more varied experiences. Highlights so far have been the bubble practical and mystery boxes for year 7, and model hydroelectric dams for year 9. Mrs Lees and Mrs Mylchreest are collaborating with Mrs Passafaro, Mrs Kenney and the year 5 and 6 teams from primary. The mentos and coke experiments will be remembered by all. Senior classes are forging ahead- biology have looked at microscopes, diffusion and osmosis. Chemistry have been making very colourful natural indicators. Investigating science have been experimenting with reaction rates and acids and bases. Marine Studies are heading out on a snorkelling excursion in the next couple of weeks. So, in summary, it's all action in Science.

Ryan Herbert | Leader of Learning and Teaching Science 

K-4: Exploring the World of Coding

Our youngest learners are diving into the world of computer science through Code.org. This interactive platform helps students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills while introducing them to the basics of coding in a fun and accessible way. Through games and challenges, students are building confidence in technology and computational thinking.

Year 5-6: Supporting Science Learning

For our Stage 3 Primary students, the library plays a key role in supporting their science curriculum. Lessons have been collaboratively planned with the class teachers and Secondary Science teachers to help develop students' understanding of key scientific concepts.

Year 7-9: Reading for Pleasure

Year 7-9 students have been visiting the library as part of their English classes to explore different book genres. These visits encourage reading for pleasure by introducing students to a wide range of books that match their interests.

Senior Students: Independent & Collaborative Study

Senior students are making great use of their senior study time in the library, balancing independent research with collaborative learning.

Jacqueline Crowe | Information Services K - 12 Teacher Librarian

We are dedicated to helping every student succeed in mathematics through some key initiatives. Weekly Maths Help sessions are a great addition to our support. Year 11 and 12 Advanced students are invited to attend on Tuesday mornings. On Wednesday mornings, students of all grades and abilities are welcome. These sessions offer valuable opportunities to build understanding and confidence in maths.
To enhance these sessions, we are seeking student volunteers to assist with peer support on Wednesdays. Volunteering is an excellent chance for students to build leadership skills, secure their mathematical understanding, and earn volunteering hours towards the JUMP program.
To best prepare for assessments, students should always practice their maths with the resources they will have with them in exams. For this reason, students should always have their own calculator for Maths lessons. Our suggested calculator is the CASIO fx-82 AU PLUS II Scientific Calculator. These can be purchased on the Qkr app or through the finance office directly for $35. 
In addition, we continue to personalise learning in Years 7 and 8 through the Maths Pathway program. For Years 9 and 10, we are honing our teaching practices to align with the updated NSW Stage 5 curriculum, ensuring our students are future-ready.

Thank you for your ongoing support, 

Mitchell MacLaren | Act. Leader of Learning and Teaching Mathematics

This term, there are various mission related opportunities for our students to participate in. This Sunday, 23 February, we have our first Welcome Mass at 5 pm with a light supper supplied afterwards. All families are welcome to attend, and it is a wonderful opportunity for our College community to share in our faith together.

Year 7 students will venture out to the Light of Christ Centre on 25 February. This event is run by Catholic Schools Broken Bay, and students will explore what it means to belong to a Catholic community that is part of a larger Diocese. Our senior Youth Ministry students will also attend this event and assist the Year 7 students in small group sessions that unpack key symbols and terms used in our Catholic tradition. 

On March 6 and 7, our Year 7 students will then travel to Kincumber or stay on-site to participate in the Year 7 Spirituality Days. These days are integral to our students' understanding of our charism of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop and our house system.

Chrystal Price | Deputy Head of Secondary Evangelisation and Catechesis

Catechists Volunteers Needed

You might ask what is a catechist? Catechists are people from all walks of life who teach Special Religious Education to Catholic kids in our State Schools. Catechists in our parish go to Warnervale and Woongarrah Schools to share our Catholic faith and the love of Jesus with the children using the Walking With Jesus programme.

The necessary training for authorisation to teach is provided free of charge. Teacher’s Manuals contain easy to follow lesson plans with Power points to support each lesson.

For more information, please contact Kerrie Dedera, Parish Catechists Coordinator on 0402815633 or email kerrie.dedera@bbcatholic.org.au

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 20.

Parent Information Session: Thursday, 20 February 7pm in the Parish Church. Please contact Kim in the Parish Office at 837 9170 [Tuesday-Friday] if you have further questions.

“I’ll see you later!”
“I promise I’ll be back!”
“You’ll have a great day!” 
“Everything will be okay!”

You might have said these things at the childcare or school drop-off while your little one clung to you tightly, begging you not to leave them. They may have tearfully asked you to stay, tugging at your legs and your emotional heartstrings as you tried to go. Let’s face it, goodbyes can be tough, both on our kids and us.

Some level of separation anxiety is developmentally normal for children during their early learning years of education and care. It often starts when children are around six to 12 months old, peaks when they are around 18 months and generally starts to ease off when they are between four and five years¹. It can happen when young children start care or school for the first time, change centre or school, or move up a level. Kids can even go through phases and may be happy to be dropped off one day, then find it harder the next.

Managing separation from parents or carers is a skill that children learn over time – and they need your support. It’s important for them to feel secure and safe in the moment, which is a step towards developing independence, trust and self-confidence.

You know your child best and what helps them with goodbyes. For inspiration, here are some additional ideas you could try to help them cope and settle well without you. Read the full story here

Registration for our Term 1 Parenting Courses are now open!

Our courses are free for eligible parents and carers on the Central Coast. To register for a Term 1 parenting course, please visit www.ccfss.org.au/course-work-programs/ or for more details call us on 4340 1585.

Upcoming Parenting Programs
Circle of Security
Triple P Parenting Program
CHIME Project | Triple P Parenting Program
123 Magic & Emotion Coaching

School Speak 101

A free online webinar for parents and carers
Presented by Mary Ryan, Head of Professional Learning, CSNSW

Learn the basic language of school so that you can better engage with your child’s school and learning:

• Learn the lingo so you can talk the talk – handy definitions
• Find out what’s new in the new curriculum K-12
• Ask questions and chat with Mary

Two sessions offered: 25 February, 12.30pm – 1pm

 CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Dream Big

A free online webinar for parents and carers of primary school-aged students
Presented by Beyond

Help your child find their passion and pathway:

• How to encourage curiosity, creativity and confidence in your child
• Practical tips on introducing the idea of careers early
• Helpful resources

Wednesday 5 March, 12:30pm – 1pm

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

The Wellbeing Barometer survey is an invaluable tool for schools, providing critical insights into the mental health and wellbeing of young people. This annual survey identifies areas of concern, highlights resilience and adaptability in students, and emphasises the importance of preventative strategies to promote positive outcomes.

Participation in this survey is strongly encouraged, as it offers a comprehensive view of students' experiences, challenges, and achievements. By capturing a detailed understanding of young people's experiences, the survey supports a tailored approach to enhancing their mental, emotional, and social wellbeing. It helps to identify strengths and areas for improvement, as well as pinpoint opportunities for early intervention.

The survey is part of an ongoing longitudinal study, and we encourage you to take a few moments to complete the survey for each of your children. Responses remain anonymous and should be based on your observations over the last 12 months. By working together, we can reduce the long-term impact of mental illness and make a meaningful difference to the lives of our young people for a brighter future.

Click the link to the Wellbeing Baromenter Special Report 

Friday 31 January  – Student Free Day/ Staff Development Day
Monday 3 February – Year 7 and Year 1-6 First Day back at school. New students Years 8-11 (morning session) Kindergarten Assessments
Tuesday 4 February – Year 8-12 First Day back at school.  Kindergarten Assessments
Wednesday 5 February – First Day Kindergarten
Friday 11 April – Last Day Term 1

For the most up to date information please refer to Compass