Term 2, Week 5, 21 May
Upcoming Events
Week 6, Term 2 | ||
Monday 24 May | Day 6 | |
Tuesday 25 May | Day 7 | |
Wednesday 26 May | Day 8 | National Sorry Day University of Newcastle Senior Schools Day, Newcastle Year 10 Big Science Competition |
Thursday 27 May | Day 9 | National Reconciliation Week Reconciliation Mass, College Hall 9:00am Year 12 Biology Infectious Diseases Presentation, UNSW Port Macquarie Campus SAPSS Drumline Performance, Cassegrain Winery, 6:15pm |
Friday 28 May | Day 10 | Year 12 Excellence & Application Awards, Lochivar Hall 2:10pm |
Week 7, Term 2 | ||
Monday 31 May | Day 1 | Kids Lit Quiz, College Library 9:30am - 2:00pm Year 8 Liberty Incursion, Day 1 |
Tuesday 1 June | Day 2 | Years 10 & 11 Drama Workshop, Glasshouse Port Macquarie 12:30pm - 2:30pm Year 8 Liberty Incursion, Day 2 |
Wednesday 2 June | Day 3 | Years 9 - 12 Drama Performance, Glasshouse Port Macquarie, 10:00am - 1:00pm |
Thursday 3 June | Day 4 | |
Friday 4 June | Day 5 |
Principal's Update
STUDENT SUCCESS
Wow another awesome week of MacKillop students doing amazing things in our community. Below are just three great stories of our students being wonderful examples of becoming the best version of themselves, and also having admirable stewardship of their current and future world.
Legal Justice Wear White Day to fight against domestic violence
Last Friday the Year 11 and 12 Legal Studies classes joined forces, led by Mrs Nicole Bailey, to facilitate the day which raised awareness of domestic violence as well as over $4000.00 to donate to local charities to support those impacted by domestic violence in our local community.
Georgia Ryan
Year 10 student Georgia Ryan, Ambassador for Dyslexia has had her story published. Georgia has done outstanding work to raise awareness and better support for students with dyslexia.
Marine Studies
Year 10 Marine Studies students, under the guidance of Mr Rob Irving, have undertaken a project to assess and clean-up the microplastics on local beaches. As we know plastic presents a significant danger to local marine life.
PARENT PARTNERSHIP
Thank you to those parents who were able to make the Information Evening hosted by Safe on Social facilitator Kirra Pendergast last Wednesday evening. Next week’s newsletter will share some of the important information shared by Kirra.
YEAR 12 FORMAL 2021
Due to COVID restrictions being eased a decision has been made that all SAPSS Year 12 Graduation Dinners will return to Panthers in 2021. The MacKillop Dinner will be held on Saturday, 13 November.
MEET THE EXPERTS
Each week throughout the Year I will introduce to you some of the expert staff we are so fortunate to have working for your children here at MacKillop College. This week I would like to introduce Adam O'Brien.
Name
Adam O'Brien
What subject(s) do you teach?
Science - Biology and Chemistry
What high school did you attend?
This one!
What university did you attend and what course(s) did you do after finishing school?
I attended The University of Newcastle were I studied a Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science - Diagnostic Radiography (taking x-rays). I realised I wasn't passionate about taking pictures of anatomy so I went back to the University of Newcastle, were I completed a Masters of Secondary Teaching.
What or who inspired you to become a teacher?
I have always thought that the best way to make positive change in the world is to give young people the skills they need to make a difference. That, and I have a history of Teachers in my family with my Dad being a professor and my Mum being a Head Teacher at Tafe.
What would be your proudest teaching moment in your career to date?
I can't pin point one exact moment, however, it is always nice to see any student reach a goal they have set themselves whatever that may be.
What are you reading at the moment?
Rhythm of war by Brandon Sanderson, but I am mostly reading Chemistry and Biology Textbooks at the moment.
What quote best describes your approach to teaching?
You cannot teach a man anything; you can only help him discover it in himself. -Galileo
Favourite non-work related hobbie?
I love Surfing and playing video games with my friends.
What do you love most about your work?
It changes everyday, you never know what to expect.
Evangelisation
ST AGNES' PARISH SECONDARY SCHOOLS KAIROS RETREAT 2021
The 2021 SAPSS KAIROS was held at Scotts Head from Tuesday, 11 – Friday, 14 May and was an amazing experience for all those who attended, both as leaders and participants.
A Kairos Retreat is a faith based retreat, which invites the participants to explore their own spirituality and is significantly different from other school retreat experiences. This year it consisted of fourteen participants, four YMO’s, and two staff leaders. These YMO leaders have participated in a Kairos Retreat themselves, and took on the challenge and privilege of leading this retreat.
The participants enjoyed the experience and I think everyone found it difficult to say good-bye and head back into the real world, after three days of focus on spiritual growth, building friendships and community.
PENTECOST THIS SUNDAY
This Sunday, 23 May the Church celebrates PENTECOST, one of the most important feast days of the year, which concludes the Easter season and celebrates the beginning of the Church.
Pentecost occurs 50 days after the death and resurrection of Jesus, and ten days after his ascension into heaven.
In the Christian tradition, Pentecost is the celebration of the Holy Spirit coming upon the Apostles, Mary, and the first followers of Jesus, who were gathered together in the Upper Room.
This exciting conference is back again in September, starting on the first Wednesday of the school holidays. The CSO will be organising a trip which is open to students from MacKillop College in Years 10, 11 & 12. The trip will be subsidised by the CSO to make it more affordable and accessible. Student participants will be asked to make a co-contribution of $245.00. This cost will contribute to travel, accommodation, registration and most meals and is the equivalent of the registration fee alone.
Registration as a group will be completed once an idea of numbers is known, all interested students please add your name to our sign up sheet located in both the main college, and senior offices.
Once we have our list, in order to secure your registration for Ignite, parents will need to complete the permission note online, and provide payment of $245.00 (non-refundable) by Friday, 11 June.
Further details on the conference are below.
MARG GOBIUS
LEADER OF EVANGELISATION
Year 7
CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to the following students who have received a Leader of Pastoral Care Award: Lilly Blundell, Max Clifton, Megan Goldie, Jasper Hall and Jorja Smith.
ELLEN MCKELL
YEAR 7 LEADER OF PASTORAL CARE
Year 8
CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to the following students who have received a Leader of Pastoral Care Award: Fleur Jardine (x2), Byron Preston and Sophia Speers.
DANIEL O'DELL
YEAR 8 ACTING LEADER OF PASTORAL CARE
Year 9
CRAZY CHEMISTRY
Year 9 Science classes are having a great time studying Chemistry at the moment and in particular the Acid Base reactions. Mrs Pilgrims classes were given the challenge of making the colour range of the pH scale using Acid, Base and Universal indicator which requires excellent practical skills, patience and problem solving.
Well done to Olivia Harper, Isabella Magnus, Kobi Hale, Jonah Meertens, Will Heeney, Jarrod Hargreaves and Toby Harper who succeeded in creating the pH colour range.
JO PILGRIM
SCIENCE TEACHER
Year 10
MARINE STUDIES
Our Year 10 Marine students once again represented our school well. They went to Miners Beach to collect micro plastics. The reason we did this is that the beach doesn’t get groomed by machines and the Coastal Warriors did a clean-up there two weeks ago.
We wanted the students to see the real killers in our ocean, rather than see it on a computer.
DUKE OF EDINBURGH SILVER PRACTISE EXPEDITION
After having their award disrupted by COVID in 2020, a group of Year 10 students embarked on their very first Duke of Edinburgh expedition on Wednesday, 12 May to Friday, 14 May. What they lacked in experience they made up for with enthusiasm, over three days of near perfect weather.
After warming up with a lap of Grant’s Head track, they slugged their way up the west side of North Brother, followed by a much quicker decent down the eastern track. Then it was off to Kylies Beach campground in Crowdy Bay National Park (Diamond Head) to set up camp, cook and gather around the bush TV (campfire).
The next two days involved exploring beaches, headlands and walking trails in multiple parks and reserves. Add to this the development of skills in camp-craft, planning, teamwork and navigation. There were also some novelty experiences such as discovering fluorescent fungi, guided star gazing, bioluminescence on the beach, developing trust in our night vision and yoga on the beach at sunrise.
Well done to this group who embraced every challenge with a smile and a positive attitude. I am looking forward to the test expedition in Semester 2.
ROBERT MAHON
SCIENCE TEACHER
GLEN LITTLER
YEAR 10 LEADER OF PASTORAL CARE
Year 11
YEAR 11 FUN
Year 11 have been having loads of fun over the past few weeks. A PC Just Dance challenge resulted in even those who don’t like dancing having fun! It’s amazing what a bit of competition can do to the atmosphere. Mr Smith was our celebrity judge and he gave awards for best costume and enthusiasm to PC19, but the overall winners were PC10 for their enthusiasm in EVERY dance.
They were ably led by the Year 11 dance class but had a number of, let’s say less qualified dancers, who made up for what they lacked in rhythm with tenacity, enthusiasm and enjoyment. Congratulations to all of Year 11 for stepping outside your comfort zone, loosening up for a little bit and most of all having fun and making great memories with your class of 2022! The smiles on their faces say it all...
Year 11 PDHPE
Year 11 managed to get out and about this week to learn about and experience some health and fitness options in Port Macquarie. Some talents from primary school were dragged out of the cupboard with the students flipping, bouncing and running for 50 minutes flat out. Thanks to proprietors of Springloaded Port Macquarie for having us and sharing their story with us.
Amazing what they can still do when they have the opportunity! Still little kids at heart!
PARK RUN
Year 11 were also invited to join me on Saturday morning to participate in the Park Run. A community Run event that starts at 7:00am every Saturday morning at Town Beach and involves a 5km run.
A 7:00am start on a Saturday morning is not a desirable challenge for a 16-17 year old and many had other commitments with work and weekend sport. However, a few joined me and we watched in awe as Ryan Binskin steamed through to finish first against another local man who really pushed him most of the way. Jack Page also ran an amazing time and Kiana Osmond-Dreyer did a PB! Dominica Toohey was kind and ran with me, chatting the whole way so I didn’t feel the pain quite as much and surprisingly I ran much faster than my usual pace. Charlee Bailey and Lily Fox were amazing, running much faster and more comfortably than either of them expected to, especially after admitting to hitting snooze a few times and having to literally force themselves out of bed to meet us.
Awesome effort to all of the students and thanks for meeting me and sharing in the beautiful Saturday morning!
ANDREA HUXLEY
YEAR 11 LEADER OF PASTORAL CARE
Year 12
We were lucky this week to have an extended PC period. Given that our young men and women are requiring different things at the moment, there was a choice of activities which were narrowed down to a sporting activity, an additional study/guided planning time, or the opportunity to play around with Minecraft. Students signed up for their preference and a fun, productive and intense period was had (depending on what activity was selected).
Mr Michael Kelly spoke to the year group first about some important due dates for Early Entry University Schemes before we broke off into our groups. His visit to our meeting was perfectly timed as those who selected to go to an additional study were able to chat with him further and he was very busy fielding questions from students. The period was spent very productively and was a welcomed gift of time.
The Minecrafters once they got going, had a good time in the Realm of Mr Westman, building and destroying for the period.
Those who wanted to be active split into teams and participated in a couple rounds of basketball and physical challenges (Bear Crawl Relay, shoot-out, 150 Push ups, Tunnel ball and Captain ball). A really enjoyable period with some intense competition and laughs especially during the bear crawl challenge - Jesse Hiatt winning best individual in this challenge for his speedy and entertaining technique.
For your information the students have been asked to complete a couple of things:
- Bring in a baby photo and give to Mrs Kim Porter;
- Complete the Yearbook form sent by Mrs Karen Faichney; and
- Fill out the google form if they woul dlike a Principal’s Reference sent by Mrs Kylie Smith.
If you can remind or encourage your child to get this done that would be wonderful.
As always all the best for the weekend.
LISA KABLE
YEAR 12 LEADER OF PASTORAL CARE
Wellbeing
We monitor student attendance and contact parents and carers of students with less than 85% attendance, knowing attendance is integral to school achievement. Parenting expert, Michael Grose explores this link further:
On time, every day by Michael Grose:
During the current COVID-19 pandemic parents are rightfully urged to take a cautious approach and keep children and young people at home if they show symptoms of the virus.
It’s a balancing act if you’re a parent as one the most important things you can do to ensure your child has a bright future is to make sure he or she goes to school every day - and gets there on time. It sounds simple, but it’s true.
The correlation between school attendance and children’s achievement levels is well established. The more time kids spend at school, the more likely they are to experience school success. Of course, most people know this intuitively, yet school absenteeism can be a problem for some students.
According to a report by the Australian Curriculum and Assessment Authority nearly 13% of Australian students are missing at least one year of schooling by the time they reach Year 10. In today’s highly competitive world, this rate of absenteeism is alarming, putting our kids at a distinct disadvantage.
Current research shows that mornings for most children are the most productive time of the day, with 10:00am the peak period for productivity. When children arrive late and take time to settle as they inevitably do, valuable learning time is lost.
It’s reassuring to know that you can maximise their chances of future success just by making sure they turn up to school every day. And, of course, regular school attendance also helps kids prepare for the workforce, where it will be expected that they turn up each day work-ready. The real world is unforgiving of those who stay away with no excuse.
As a parent:
- commit to sending kids to school every day;
- make sure kids arrive at school on time;
- inform the school when they are away, sending medical certificates and other evidence of genuine absence;
- follow current COVID-19 health guidelines and recommendations;
- support them in catching-up on missed work; and
- prioritise rest and recovery for kids who are unwell. Devices, gaming and social media do not allow the brain and body to recuperate.
NICOLE O'CONNELL
LEADER OF WELLBEING
Music News
“Beautiful music is the art of the prophets that can calm the agitations of the soul; it is one of the most magnificent and delightful presents God has given us.”- Martin Luther
MUSIC AND DANCE SHOWCASE
The Music and Dance Showcase is scheduled for Thursday, 15 July (Week 1 Term 3). This is the major performance event for the year. All ensembles will be working hard in Term 2 to prepare repertoire for this concert. It is therefore important for students to commit to rehearsal, practice and attendance throughout Term 2.
RIDE THE WAVE FESTIVAL - Battle of the Bands Competition
There is a wonderful opportunity for local amatuer bands to enter the Ride the Wave Festival Battle of the Bands competition. Prize packs from local music stores, and the opportunity to perform a set live at the event, are available to winners. If you are a solo acoustic musician, DJ or member of a rock band follow the details below to enter the competition. Don’t miss out!
UPCOMING EVENTS
RECONCILIATION MASS
- Week 6: Thursday, 27 May, Period 1 Main College Hall, Collective & Choir.
LGNSW Conference - Cassegrain Winery
- Week 6: Thursday, 27 May, 6:00pm - 7:15pm Cassegrain Winery, SAPSS Drumline
COLA CONCERT
- Week 7: Wednesday, 2 June, Lunch 2 COLA (Junior Campus), auditioned and invited ensembles and soloists.
HSC LUNCH CONCERT
- Week 8: Thursday, 10 June, Lunch 2 Lochinvar Courtyard (Senior Campus), HSC music students.
Please contact Mr Denham with any questions relating to the Co-curricular Music program at MacKillop College.
ROBERT DENHAM
LEADER OF MUSIC
Sport News
TERM 2 SPORT 2021
To view the Sport Programs for Year 7-10 Term 2 Sport, please visit the link below located on our website.
MACKILLOP COLLEGE ATHLETICS CARNIVAL
Our Annual College Athletics Carnival is on Friday, 11 June. This carnival is a compulsory day for all students in Years 7-12 and is a real highlight of our sporting calendar. It is an opportunity for students to embrace their House spirit by dressing up in house colours and getting involved in all events whether it be the competitive or novelty events.
If students are unable to participate due to injury or illness a note outlining this needs to be handed to Mrs Erin Denham. Often these students can still positively enjoy the carnival by offering assistance at the events.
We welcome all parents and guardians of our students to come along and support their children at this event and also welcome any parents that can give any assistance on the day. Please email Mrs Erin Denham erin.denham@lism.catholic.edu.au if you are able to assist us.
PRE-EVENTS MACKILLOP COLLEGE ATHLETICS CARNIVAL
The schedule for the pre-events leading into the Athletics Carnival is below, pre – events will take place Lunch 2.
WEEK 6
MONDAY 24 May | TUESDAY 25 May | WEDNESDAY 26 May | THURSDAY 27 May | FRIDAY 28 May |
High Jump U14-15 BOYS College MPC | Country Cup Rugby League | High Jump U14-15 GIRLS College MPC | High Jump U16-18 GIRLS College MPC | High Jump U16-18 BOYS College MPC |
WEEK 7
MONDAY 31 May | TUESDAY 1 June | WEDNESDAY 2 June | THURSDAY 3 June | FRIDAY 4 June |
High Jump U12-13 GIRLS College MPC | 7/8 All Schools Touch Football 7-10 Soccer | 9/10 All Schools Touch Football | 400m Catch up Senior Oval |
WEEK 8
MONDAY 7 June | TUESDAY 8 June | WEDNESDAY 9 June | THURSDAY 10 June | FRIDAY 11 June |
800m Catch up Senior Oval | SPORT ATHLETICS PRACTICE Year 9 and 10 | 1500m Catch up Senior Oval | ATHLETICS CARNIVAL |
HIGH JUMP
- If students wish to do the fosbury flop in the HIGH JUMP parents MUST fill out the parental permission form (found at the Sports notice boards) and hand it back to Mrs Erin Denham.
MacKillop College Representative Sport - LINKS & REGISTRATIONS
NSWCCC RUGBY UNION SELECTIONS
Cayden Briscoe who recently travelled to Sydney to trial at the NSWCCC Open Boys Rugby Union selection Trials. Cayden is a talented athlete across several sports with a real passion for Rugby Union. Congratulations Cayden on making the NSWCCC Rugby Union team – your many years of training and playing at a representative level has paid off. We wish you every success as you represent NSWCCC against NSWCHS and NSWCIS.
NSWCCC HOCKEY SELECTIONS
The following students travelled to Sydney recently to trial at the NSWCCC Hockey selections: Tobias Toohey, James Ferguson, Dominica Toohey and Sienna Toohey. Clearly there is a love of Hockey in the Toohey household, following in the steps of their bigger sister, and amazing hockey player Annika.
It was great to hear that James, Sienna and Dominica have been named in the NSWCCC Boys and Girls Hockey teams. We are very proud of you and cannot wait to hear how you go at the next level. Well done.
COMMUNITY SPORT
If your child has achieved outstanding sporting results in their community sport, we would love to hear about it. Please email myself, or your child’s respective Leader of Pastoral Care, so we can acknowledge these achievements.
If you have any questions regarding sport at MacKillop College, please do not hesitate to contact me either by email or phone at the College.
ERIN DENHAM
LEADER OF SPORT
Canteen
Monday, 24 May
Patrick Corr & Paul Atkins
Tuesday, 25 May
Jane Keegan, Elizabeth Jardine & Katrina Bates
Wednesday, 26 May
Kaylene Monckton & Verena Gandy
Thursday, 27 May
Stuart Ward & Jason Garland
Friday, 28 May
Bec Eakin, Sam Harrison, Priscilla Turnbull & Tracey Reddie
PLEASE HELP
If you can spare one hour once a month to help at the canteen it would be greatly appreciated, please follow the link below, or ring Canteen Coordinator Maxine on 0432 179 365.
Help is needed from 11:00am to 2:00pm or for service from 11:00am till 11:30am or 1:35pm until 2:00pm.
To order from the canteen:
1. Orders can be written out at the canteen (bags supplied free of charge)
2. Orders can be written out at home and put in at the canteen
3. Download the QKR! app and order on line.
ALL ORDERS TO BE IN BY 8:30AM PLEASE
Please remind your child/children if you have ordered for them, and what their order is. We are currently having our volunteers spend quite a bit of time searching for students who have not collected their lunch orders.
If your child is sick and you have ordered, please phone the canteen (6583 2632) to arrange a credit.
School ties are available to purchase from the canteen for $20.00
Homework Hubs
Homework Hub - Senior Campus
From the Mathematics Vault
Welcome to our weekly Maths Vault!
We will provide a mathematics problem for solving, with the answer published the week after underneath a new problem. Good luck!
Maths Tutorials
Tuesday's and Thursday's
7:45am - 8:30am
Room 12 Main College with Mrs Elizabeth Robertson