MacKillop Chronicles Term 2, Week 10

14^th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Gospel Acclamation: 

“May the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, and the fullness of his message live with you. Col 3:15, 16

Dear Parents and Carers,

Message from the Head of Primary

This Sunday marks Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sunday. This special day is a time to honour the rich cultural heritage and contributions of our First Nations Peoples to the Australian Catholic Church. It also marks the beginning of NAIDOC Week, which runs from July 6 - 13. 

As we enter 2025, NAIDOC Week marks a powerful milestone: 50 years of honouring and elevating Indigenous voices, culture, and resilience. The 2025 theme, "The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy," celebrates not only the achievements of the past but the bright future ahead, empowered by the strength of our young leaders, the vision of our communities, and the legacy of our ancestors. 

The NAIDOC journey began as a movement for recognition and rights, sparked by Indigenous communities who saw a future built on justice and equality. Over the decades, it has grown into a powerful national celebration, a testament to the enduring strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. As we commemorate this 50-year legacy, we also look forward, honouring the next generation who will carry the torch, shaping the future with courage, insight, and deep respect for our roots. Guided by the wisdom of our Elders and the groundwork laid by our forebears, each NAIDOC Week reinforces our vision for an Australia where Indigenous voices are not only heard but lead the way. 

This year, the National NAIDOC Committee takes an important step toward independence, embracing self-determination as a model for the next generation. With every story shared, every act of resilience remembered, and every cultural practice celebrated, we honour a legacy that reaches far into the past and extends into the future. As we celebrate this milestone, we look toward the next 50 years with excitement and confidence, while everyday ensuring that NAIDOC remains a movement grounded in community-led vision and integrity.

From this solid foundation, the next generation will rise—grounded in the strength of our Elders, history, inspired by a shared vision, and committed to building a legacy of unity, respect, and self-determination for all. This NAIDOC Week, we celebrate not just a milestone but a movement that endures, grows, and evolves—driven by the unwavering strength of our communities, the shared vision of our people, and the enduring legacy we pass on to those who will shape our future. Together, we walk forward, honouring where we've come from and looking boldly to the next generation who will carry NAIDOC and their communities into the future.

Gates and Fences

In the early weeks of Term 3, fences and gates will be installed, making our College perimeter fully enclosed.  This will enhance the security and safety of our campus, providing increased control over access to the site. Access to the College will be restricted to designated areas.  Kiss and Drop will continue to be the primary point of drop off and dismissal.  Parents will need to drop off their children at the school gate in the morning and will not be permitted to enter the school grounds during this time.  In the afternoon, parents will wait for their child/ren outside the pedestrian gates for them to be delivered by staff.  More information will be provided in Term 3 as the logistics of this new practice emerge.  Please discuss these changes with your children in preparation for this different way of arrival and dismissal. 

Grandparents Day

On Friday, 25 July, the first week of Term 3, we will celebrate Grandparents' Day.  This is the day before the Feast of Sts. Joachim & Anne, the grandparents of Jesus, on 26 July 26.  We invite all grandparents to attend Open Classrooms from 9 am to 9.45 am. Then to pray at a Liturgy at 10.15 am in our Church, followed by Morning Tea with their grandchildren. The Morning Tea will be held in the COLA; with the Year 6 cake stall open for purchases.  Classes will be brought up by their teachers to the COLA area to purchase cakes. This cake stall is presented by the Year 6 Classes (with support from Year 5) who are raising money for their Graduation Celebration at the end of the year. Year 6 will also display their Portrait Artwork called ‘Inspiring Elders’ in the Library. Please ask your grandparents and significant elders to make themselves available to celebrate this special day in our calendar.

Kindergarten will also celebrate 100 Days of Kindergarten on this day.

100 is such a big number for Kindergarten, and I know they have been so excited to count toward this significant day in their school journey. Congratulations! Happy 100 Days, Kinder 2025!

Happy Winter break

Our first Semester of 2025 has passed by so quickly, and your children have grown in so many ways, sharing their successes and challenges along the way. The frosty winter weather has brought some sickness and fatigue, and I hope that the winter break will provide time for you to rejoice in the company of family and friends and an opportunity to breathe and be well.

Please remember Day 1 of Term 3, Monday 21 July, is a Staff Development Day for Primary ONLY, focusing on Professional Learning for teachers in the curriculum of Religious Education. OSHC is open. Primary return on Tuesday, 22 July.

See you in Term 3

Kerry Power | Head of Primary

At MacKillop Catholic College, our mission is to nurture students in their faith journey, encouraging them to live out the Gospel values in their everyday lives. As we enter Ordinary Time in our liturgical calendar, we are reminded that this is a season where we grow in our understanding of Jesus’ teachings and seek to live as His disciples in the ordinary moments of life. For Catholics, Ordinary Time is a call to deepen our faith through prayer, service, and love for others, even when there are no major feast days or celebrations.

This is also a significant time for our Year 3 students, who have recently begun their Sacramental preparation program. As they continue to grow in their relationship with God, they are preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation next term. This special sacrament will be celebrated with Bishop Anthony and marks an important step in their faith journey as they receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit. As a school community, we pray for our Year 3 students and their families as they walk this sacred path. May this time of preparation and Ordinary Time inspire all of us to live with faith, courage, and kindness in all we do.

Tim Snelling | Religious Education Coordinator K - 6

Every Minute Matters: The Importance of Attendance and Punctuality in Primary School

At MacKillop, we know that every single day – and every minute – counts. Regular attendance and punctuality are vital for your child’s academic, social, spiritual and emotional development. When students arrive on time, they are set up for success and ready to engage in a full day of learning.

The start of each school day is a critical time for learning. It includes explicit teaching of key concepts, direct literacy instruction and key learning across other areas. This is when new content is introduced, routines are modelled, classroom expectations are reinforced, and the tone for the day is set.

During this time, students learn what is expected of them—academically and behaviourally—through consistent, structured routines. Any changes to the day, such as timetable adjustments, special events, or groupings, are also shared at this point.

Students who arrive late often miss these essential moments. This can lead to confusion about the day’s learning tasks, a lack of clarity around expectations, and feelings of disconnection. Missing even the first 30 minutes can impact a student’s readiness to learn and make it harder to settle into the rhythm of the day.

Being late by just 30 minutes each day has a significant cumulative impact:

• Over one week, that’s 5 hours of lost learning.
• Over one term, that’s 25 hours – the equivalent of five full school days.
• Over a school year, that adds up to 100 hours, or more than two full weeks of learning

These lost hours are not just minutes off the clock—they are missed opportunities for explanation, discussion, group work, and practice. They can affect your child’s learning readiness, their confidence, and their ability to participate fully.

We are committed to providing the best possible education for every student, every day. By ensuring your child is at school on time, you are helping them build strong habits, stay connected to their peers, and make the most of every learning opportunity.

Every minute matters!

Sherylyn Kenney | Deputy Head of Primary

Dear Community,

Thank you to all our staff, students, and families for participating in our Parent-Teacher Interviews, which were held last Thursday, 26 June, and Friday, 27 June. The interviews are such an important part of working in partnership to ensure the best possible learning outcomes for all students. We hope students take on board the feedback provided to ensure they maximise all possible learning opportunities to achieve their personal best.

This time of year also marks the end of our current 2024/2025 student leadership positions. The College Leadership Team would like to congratulate our current Year 12 Cabinet leaders and all the students who represent the various portfolios. As a school community, we are so proud of their contributions. We acknowledge the dedication and service that those in student leadership have made to our College in leading various events and initiatives throughout the year, and extend our gratitude to the staff who have accompanied them on this journey.

This week, we have appointed new student leaders who have undergone specific training and formation. We would like to particularly thank Mrs Rachael Elcoate, members of the Wellbeing Team and College Leadership Team who have worked together to ensure our Aspire leadership program runs smoothly. The College will formally acknowledge the new leaders at the commissioning ceremony on Friday, 25 July, Week 1 Term 3.

We wish all our staff and students a safe and restful break.

Blessings,

Chrystal Price | Acting Head of Secondary

Year 11 “Levelling Up” Workshops with Matt Cogin – Tuesday, 23 July

On Wednesday, 23 July, our Year 11 students will take part in Matt Cogin’s Levelling Up Workshops—an inspiring and interactive experience designed to support their personal and academic development. Through hands-on sessions, Matt shares his tips on building confidence, resilience, and leading with a growth mindset. Through engaging activities, our students will strengthen their communication skills and explore the key qualities of effective leadership. These workshops are a fantastic opportunity for students to gain practical tools and motivation as they prepare for their senior years.

Warm regards,

Luke Barry-Donnellan | Director of Wellbeing K - 12

As Term 2 comes to an end, it is important to reflect back over the term and see how Youth Ministry has had an impact on the College. Term 2 has been action-packed with faith-centred experiences, from students participating in the following events: Youth in Action conference; Year 10 Youth Ministry students helping at the St Mary’s Feast Day; Pharus leaders leading two family Masses; the Shine conference at St Peter’s; Connecting Catholic Coasties at St Patrick’s East Gosford for worship of the relics of Pope John Paul II; the Venio retreat; and the celebration of the NAIDOC Liturgy.

These events, along with regular meetings and events in the Ryan Centre, deepen the faith experience of students within the College. My focus for Term 3 will be on the Ryan Centre itself. The Ryan Centre acts as a sacred space within the College for students, with a strong prayer corner. However, it also offers an informal atmosphere, where students can openly discuss their faith without feeling that they are breaking dogma or causing offence. Term 3 will explore this further by being open more often and offering specific styles of faith involvement, such as quiet personal prayer time, chill-out journaling, and faith courses, like Alpha.

But before we get there, our faith doesn’t take a break during the holidays. 10 MacKillop students are heading off to the Ignite conference during the holidays. The Ignite Youth Conference, held in Sydney from Thursday, 10 to Sunday, 13 July, is an annual gathering of Catholic young people from various dioceses in NSW. It exists to provide young people with opportunities to explore their faith and be empowered to be disciples in the world today, encountering and celebrating the vitality of the Church in Australia. There will be various workshops and plenary events that include wonderful speakers, musicians and performers who will assist students in learning about their faith in contemporary Australia. For further information about Ignite, please feel free to visit https://igniteconference.com.au

The Ignite Conference will set the scene for faith experiences in Term 3, but will quickly be followed by a Praise and Worship evening on Friday, 1 August, in Week 2. Any student wishing to attend the event, can they please fill in this form - https://forms.office.com/r/tqp0aYHGRx?origin=lprLink

I hope all have an enjoyable break and come back ready to explore your faith further throughout Term 3.

Ashley Sadler | Youth Ministry Coordinator

Next Term, our Year 8 students will begin preparing for Stage 5 by selecting their elective subjects for Years 9 and 10. This is a significant step in each student’s educational journey, as they begin to personalise their learning and explore areas of interest that may shape their future pathways. 

Electives in Stage 5 not only enhance the learning experience but can also influence subject selections in senior years and beyond. To support this process, we will hold an information session in Term 3, Week 1 on Thursday.  

Students will receive the course handbook prior to the evening. During the session, families and students will have the opportunity to speak with teachers about the courses on offer, what is involved, and the expectations. This evening is designed to help students make confident and well-informed decisions. Please make sure you save Thursday, 24 July, Week 1, in your calendar. 

Alexandra Walters | Deputy Head of Secondary, Student Achievement

At the heart of our commitment to continuous improvement in teaching and learning lies a powerful tool: educational learning walks. For the remainder of the term, our focus will be centred around how prayer is experienced and expressed in the Religious Education (RE) classroom and the transformative power prayer can have.

Why Learning Walks Matter?

Learning walks are structured opportunities for staff to observe classroom practice, reflect on pedagogy, and celebrate effective teaching. In RE, they offer a unique lens into how students engage with spiritual development, particularly through prayer. Key benefits include:

• Professional growth through shared best practices.
• Reflective teaching, as educators consider new approaches to prayer and spirituality.
• Consistency in how prayer is integrated across year levels.
• Enhanced student engagement with spiritual practices.
• Support for SMSC development (Spiritual, Moral, Social, and Cultural), a cornerstone of holistic education.

What We Observed

During recent learning walks, several powerful examples stood out:

• Prayer spaces in classrooms and shared areas invite students to reflect, write prayers, or engage in quiet contemplation, which is a necessary part of the RE classroom.
• Routine classroom prayer can be an opportunity for students to contribute and lead moments of stillness and gratitude.
• There are many creative expressions of prayer, such as art, music, and movement, linked to RE themes like justice, compassion, and stewardship.

These practices not only deepen students’ understanding of faith but also foster a sense of belonging and reverence.

Key Findings and Language of Learning

Our observations highlighted the importance of:

• Prayer as pedagogy: More than a ritual, prayer becomes a teaching tool that nurtures empathy, reflection, and spiritual literacy.
• Sacred space: Classrooms that intentionally create calm, respectful environments see deeper student engagement in prayer.
• Student voice: When students are invited to shape or lead prayer, their sense of ownership and connection to RE grows significantly.
• Curriculum integration: Linking prayer to RE topics, such as forgiveness, hope, or sacred texts, makes it more meaningful and relevant.

Moving Forward

As we continue to nurture faith and learning, we encourage all staff to:

• Reflect on how prayer is embedded in their RE lessons and further into other KLA areas.
• Explore new ways to make prayer inclusive and student-led.
• Share successful strategies with colleagues to build a rich, school-wide culture of prayer.

Observing the Diocesan Common Assessment

During recent classroom walks, the Diocesan Common Assessment was observed in action, showcasing the dedication and expertise of our Year 8 teaching staff. This assessment, a standardised tool used across the diocese, ensures consistency and quality in evaluating student performance. It was a great opportunity to witness how different staff members deliver this assessment, adapting their approaches to meet the diverse needs of their students.

The Diocesan Common Assessment is a key component of our educational framework, designed to provide a comprehensive evaluation of student learning. It includes various subject-specific terminologies that are crucial for both teachers and students to understand. These terminologies help in accurately assessing student knowledge and skills in specific subject areas, ensuring that the assessment is both rigorous and relevant.

In addition to observing the assessment in action, students were given the opportunity to complete a reflection. This reflection process is invaluable as it provides 'student voice', a critical aspect of our continuous improvement efforts. By incorporating student feedback, we can better understand their experiences and perspectives, allowing us to refine our teaching methods and assessment processes.

Overall, the classroom walks and the subsequent reflections have provided us with rich insights into the effectiveness of the Diocesan Common Assessment. We are committed to using this information to further enhance our educational practices, ensuring that our students receive the highest quality education.

Michelle Baxter | Religious Education Coordinator 7 - 12

Our Term 3 Parenting Course program has been released with a great variety of courses available for local parents / carers including;

• Circle of Security
• CHIME Project - Circle of Security
• Bringing Up Great Kids
• Fear-Less Triple P Positive Parenting Program
• Stepping Stones Triple P Positive Parenting Program
  

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

Please be advised that enrolments are now open for CatholicCare’s July Vacation Care Program.

Families are able to register here: www.catholiccaredbb.org.au/vacation-care

CatholicCares Vacation Care programs offer a wide range of activities catering to children of different ages, interests and needs. We also head out and about on a range of local excursions.

The environment that they provide is stimulating and enjoyable, with activities that harness the children’s interests and strengths, while respecting their need for leisure.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to respond to this email or speak to the OSHC Coordinator at your school.

Camps are an integral part of school life. Away from the daily classroom, teachers and students have an opportunity to engage in new experiences and master new skills.

Listed below are tentative camp dates for 2025. Please consider these dates when booking holidays or other leave requests to take your child/ren out of school. As camps are compulsory school events, we are unable to credit or refund camp costs for non-attendance.

Year 5                 29 October to 31 October 2025

Year 9                 15 - 17 September 2025 // New date

Year 10              28 July to 29 July 2025

Year 11              3 November to 5 November 2025

Fri 4 July - K-12 Pupil Free Day and Year 7-11 Report Released

For the most up to date information please refer to Compass