Term 1, Week 6, 5 March

Upcoming Events

The Front Office currently have a range of items in our lost property. If your child has misplaced items such as jumpers, hats, or towels please notify them they can look for these items at the office. 

Principal's Update

STUDENT SUCCESS AND STUDENTS MAKING A DIFFERENCE

This week, a number of our students have participated in faith formation days. Both Year 7 and Year 11 celebrated together and had the opportunity to reflect on their own faith as well as share and build positive relationships with others.  On Tuesday, a number of our Year 10 students assisted in the running of the Incitare Day for Year 6 students. This day is an important day in the calendar whereby the older students lead discussions and activities which enable the younger students to grow in their faith and their confidence to share with others. 
It was a lovely surprise on Tuesday evening to receive the beautiful email below from one of our Year 6 primary teachers acknowledging the contribution of our Year 10 students. 

Dear Cath
I just wanted to give a big wrap to your Year 10 CSYMA class who helped coordinate Incitare for our Year 6 students today. They were great with our kids, managed the day so well, and shared really deep faith development stories. I taught a few of them at St Agnes' in Year 3, it was really nice to see their development.

I continue to be so impressed by the kind hearts, maturity, organisational and leadership ability of the great majority of students and congratulate parents on continually working with your young people and the school to develop these skills. 

PARENT PARTNERSHIP

Unfortunately as I acknowledge the great work, hearts and minds of the great majority of our students I also feel this week it is important to mention to parents a couple of incidents which highlight our continual need to be reminding our young people of what is right and just. 

Where is your young person on a weekend evening? 

With great admiration from me, one of our MacKillop parents has allowed me to share their experience last weekend. A student, unbeknownst to the parent but well-known amongst many MacKillop and other local school students, had organised a ‘gathering’ (today’s word to sound less like a party) whilst the parents were not home. What happened next was the all too familiar story of the address being shared via social media and what was to be a small gathering turned into a ‘wild party’ with over 100 gate-crashers. Property was damaged, young men and women were injured and police were involved. 
Please continue to have discussions with your young men and women about the risks of partying, ensure they have a ‘get-out’ plan and be sure to check with the parents of where they say they are going that all is legit. Even the so-called perfect children (not that I believe there is such a thing) will make mistakes and poor decisions. Encourage them to always be honest about where they are going and who they are with and to give you the contact details. 
I always have found the ‘unconditional get-out plan’ provides an excellent safety-net for when things go wrong. Both with my own family and their friends, there was always the parting words of "be good, don’t be THAT kid and remember no matter what time it is, where you are or what state you might get yourself into CALL ME!" 

Accepting all - particularly those with a disability

At our assembly last week the student leaders spoke about the three focus areas and hopes for their MacKillop peers in 2021. The Leadership group had chosen to focus on; 

#we accept all
#we build spirit
#we stand proud

I then spoke particularly to the ‘we accept all’ focus and how important it was that all students felt safe, cared for and not judged. I also spoke of anti-bullying policy where we will not tolerate harassment or intimidation of others, and that all these expectations were simple examples of living out our College value of RESPECT. 
I found it extremely disappointing during the week when we had to address an incident whereby a student with a disability was teased, intimidated and harassed by older boys. While there was one main offender, what disappointed me greatly was that there were a number of bystanders who a) did not stop the offender and b) did not report the incident to a teacher. 

Teaching our young men and women not to be BYSTANDERS.

In both situations above I believe that the incidents could have been prevented by peers. And yes I acknowledge that can be a tough thing to do, but I think it is our responsibility as teachers and parents to continually teach our young people to do what is right, not what is easy.
I ask parents to please continually be having these important conversations, and even discuss scenarios of ‘what would you do if….’ so as to ensure our young people are learning the lessons of life from those best positioned to teach them; parents and teachers. Our young people are exposed to too much anti-social behaviour and it needs to be deliberate and intentional in the parent-school partnership to ensure they get the right messages.

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 Natasha Jones. 

Name

Natasha Jones

What subject(s) do you teach?

English

What high school did you attend?

Lincoln High School (Tallahassee, Florida)

What university did you attend and what course(s) did you do after finishing school?

University of Florida - Bachelor of Science in Psychology & Criminology

University of New England - Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Teaching

What or who inspired you to become a teacher?

The students! My first job in Australia was working with students at Singleton High School. I discovered how much I enjoyed being part of students' educational journey. I decided to 'retrain' and become a teacher.

What would be your proudest teaching moment in your career to date?

I have proud moments every day. Finding joy in the 'little things' is the best part about teaching. For example, a quiet student taking part in a class discussion, a lightbulb moment, a student writing a beautiful poem, someone eager to read out loud to the rest of the class and watching students give their best even when they find the subject challenging. Moments like these all make me proud!

What are you reading at the moment?

Midnight Sun by Stephanie Meyer. Don't judge, I love teen fiction!

Favourite non-work related hobbie?

Waterskiing/Wakeboarding

What do you love most about your work?

The happiness it brings to students when they succeed and achieve beyond their individual expectations.

CATH EICHMANN
PRINCIPAL

Parent News

Assistant Principal

TECHNOLOGY 
Forming habits and finding the apps that help rather than hinder children.

A few weeks ago I shared a link to a great resource to support families with time management. The video and other resources came from a school partner, Elevate Education. The next webinar and suite of resources focuses on the use of technology and how it can help rather than hinder our children's growth.
The link to the webinar can be found here.
The webinar will be shown live on Wednesday, 10th March from 6:00pm - 7:00pm and I encourage all who can to sit with their children and engage with the content to do so.

ADAM KELLY
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL CURRICULUM 

Evangelisation

YEAR 11 PRAYER SERVICE

On Monday, 1st March our Year 11 students began their day with a beautiful prayer service, led by some wonderful student volunteers and our Youth Ministry Officer's. The focus of the prayer was on the Year 11 Theme: “Never see a need without doing something about it” and the students explored how some people do this in their service of others.
The YMO’s encouraged them to commit to suggesting ways they can bless others in their kindness and to carry out a “Random Act of Kindness” to a student within their Year group and reminded them of the importance of supporting our Project Compassion initiative as a very important way of reaching out beyond our local area. Thanks to our generous volunteers and the YMO’s for the effort they put into this event.

INCITARE 

On Tuesday, 2nd March, the Year 10 Youth Ministry class joined a number of Year 6 students at an opt-in Lismore Diocese retreat day called Incitare. The attending Year 6 students came from a number of primary schools within the Lismore Diocese including St Agnes' and St Joseph’s Primary Schools from Port Macquarie and other primary schools from the surrounding areas.
Incitare means to stir up, incite, urge, spur, egg on. It is what God the Holy Spirit does when He comes into our lives; we are incited to spread the good news to all we encounter. Certainly the Holy Spirit was present and active on Tuesday. The Year 10 students began the day praying for one another and supporting one another to be instruments of love for God to speak to the hearts of the Year 6’s. Throughout the day the Year 10’s lead the Year 6’s through a variety of activities including small groups, games, prayerful reflections and building friendships and connections with the Year 6’s along the way. 

Three Year 10 students, Johnathon Cains, Ellie Fallon and Cady Frost also courageously shared their personal testimonies before the group. Their personal stories of faith were inspiring and uplifting, calling all participants to seriously consider the call to a personal relationship with Jesus as a true disciple. Here is a small snippet of the testimony shared by one Year 10 student, Ellie Fallon:

“...the turning point in my faith journey… was a “leap of faith”. At the time I was about your age, in Year 6 at St Peters. This was the point in my life where I publicly and individually said “yes” to a relationship with Jesus. At the time I was really nervous and I had no idea what was going to happen, but Jesus gave me the courage I needed to go through with it.
Since this happened I have grown, not only in faith, but as a person too. I have a better attitude, I'm more empathetic, I'm more confident in myself. I know how to say no and I can stand up for what I believe in and uphold my values. I used to get angry very easily but through prayer, God has brought more peace into my life… I’m far from perfect and am constantly making mistakes, but I know that this is okay. Everyone makes mistakes and I know that whenever I do, I can turn back to Jesus and through his grace, be forgiven and put my wrongs right.”

The testimonies on the day were so inspiring that one Year 6 student herself was spurred on to publically share her own testimony with the entire group. The students were all fixed in awe as this young girl in Year 6 bravely shared her own struggles, her personal experience of God supporting her in this, and how her life has been changed by her encounter with Christ.
The day was one filled with blessings, only possible by the willingness of Year 10 to allow God to work through them. Congratulations Year 10 Youth Ministry Class, through you, Incitare has occurred by the power of the Holy Spirit!

PROJECT COMPASSION

Each Year during LENT MacKillop College commits to supporting the incredible work done by Caritas, through Project Compassion. Caritas have programs within Australia and throughout the world supporting the poor and marginalised. Each week during LENT Project Compassion focuses on the life changes offered to one person through the funds raised. We ask our students to put money into the Project Compassion boxes in their PC rooms during this Lenten Season.

This week Oliva from Tanzania's story is featured by Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion.
Olivia, 22 lives in Tanzania with her farmer husband, two young sons and an adopted niece and nephew. She didn’t have the opportunity to go to school growing up - and was embarrassed that she couldn’t read, write or count.
Then Oliva enrolled in Caritas Australia-supported literacy and numeracy classes. She also set up a classroom at home to teach her neighbours, for free, because they were too shy to attend larger classes.
Oliva has now graduated, as have some of her students. Attendance at her classes is growing, her kiosk is thriving and she can help her children with their homework.  Oliva aspires to be more and wants to help her community to achieve its vision of a better life for all.

 “I am proud to be a teacher who helps others to achieve their dream,” Oliva says.

KAIROS RETREAT 2021 

Monday, 29^th March – Thursday, 1^st April at Francis Retreat, Bonny Hills for selected Year 11 and 12 students.
St Agnes' Parish Secondary Schools have embarked on an exciting initiative in the delivery of senior student retreats by offering Kairos Retreats in our area. 2021 will be the sixth year that we have been able to offer this opportunity to our senior students.
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. It is smaller, consisting of 20 participants, 5 YMO leaders, 4 staff leaders and a priest. It is unique in that the retreat is led by youth themselves. These youth leaders have previously participated in a Kairos Retreat, and then take on the challenge and privilege of leading a retreat for their peers. This year’s Kairos Retreat will be led by Youth Leaders who completed their first Kairos Retreat in 2020. Student leaders invest a great deal of time in preparing to lead the retreat, and are supported and accompanied by staff for the entire process.
Any student who has an interest in being part of these experience should contact Mrs Gobius via email;  marg.gobius@lism.catholic.edu.au
Please follow the below link for a reflection on the reading from Mass this Sunday.

MARG GOBIUS
LEADER OF EVANGELISATION

Year 7

EASTER RAFFLE FOR CARITAS

Lent is the most important liturgical time of the year for Christians. In order to celebrate the sacrifice that Jesus made for us, we mark our journey by giving something up or perhaps doing something special for others. It is tradition at MacKillop College that we try to do both!
We ask all students, staff and families to think of others during Lent and offer help to those who may need it more than we do. At MacKillop College we mark this by sending donations to others via Project Compassion to Caritas - who in turn will help many others as students witnessed during our Ash Wednesday services. Our main fundraiser at the college is our Easter Raffle which raises lots of funds each year to help others in need through Caritas.
Year 7 are asked to donate chocolate Easter eggs, or bunnies (to a minimum value of $5) per family. With 225 students each making generous donations, that ends up being a whole lot of chocolate! Chocolates are bundled into lots of different prizes and are raffled during the last day of term. Other year groups assist by selling raffle tickets to students during the lead up to Easter. With everyone's help, we hope to raise a lot of money for those who need it again this year.
Year 7 are encouraged to raid their piggy banks, use their pocket money, or do extra chores to earn some funds to purchase their eggs and raffle tickets. We encourage students to start bringing your Easter eggs and bunnies into PC from next week. With 225 donations, we should have lots of yummy baskets to raffle - which means lots of money for Caritas! Tickets will go on sale around the campus from Week 7.
Thank you to all families for your support in helping us to raise lots of needed funds during this important Lenten season. Your donations will help make positive changes in the lives of many others and are greatly appreciated.

YEAR 7 MASS AND BELONGING DAY

On Thursday students travelled to St. Agnes’ church to celebrate a narrated mass together as a community. Students themselves played a big part in the successful running of the mass and it was a great opportunity for all to gain a greater understanding of the process of this sacred Catholic celebration. During the day, students were also able to go on a discovery tour of the church, hear Father Peter be interviewed about his role as a priest, undertake some kindness and youth ministry activities, and they also enjoyed some team building games. It was great to see all students being engaged and active participants on the day!

ELLEN McKELL
YEAR 7 LEADER OF PASTROAL CARE

Year 8

STONEY AQUA PARK

Congratulations to 8M2 who were the fastest PC on the obstacle course! It was a big blow to 8M1 who believed they had won, to find out they were knocked off the top perch by a mere second of time! The winning time of 21 minutes and 35 seconds saw students scrambling, sliding and swimming to the end. The fastest student was William Oliver with an impressive time of 4 minutes and 28 seconds! He was flying with a heap of students egging him on from behind. 

REMINDER

Have you had your diary signed for the week? This is a vital way teachers communicate with home. Please put a reminder in your phone, or on the calendar to assist your child as they find a rhythm in their school year. 

BRONWYN AVERY
YEAR 8 LEADER OF PASTORAL CARE 

Year 9

ANXIETY

Over the last decade, I have noticed a major increase in the number of students experiencing anxiety. This observation is confirmed by national data. If not recognised and managed, anxiety can compound into depression, isolation, school refusal, and many more difficulties. It is always wise to seek professional help when you recognise the signs of an anxious child.

The article below, written by Michael Grose, addresses many of the things a parent of an anxious child needs to know and do.

While parenting an anxious child is an emotional rollercoaster, try to see each day as an opportunity to build greater awareness and resilience in your child.

Each day is peppered with pockets of time in which you can extend your child’s understanding of anxiety, where it comes from and why, as well as guiding them to practise the skills that show their amygdala they’re safe, calm their nervous system and restore their thinking brain back into action.

God bless

PETER MURPHY
YEAR 9 LEADER OF PASTORAL CARE 

Year 10

RETREAT

Year 10 Retreat Week will be held from Monday, 22nd March to Friday, 26th March (Term 1, Week 9). Retreat is one of the most important compulsory events in the Year 10 calendar, and is always a highlight for the cohort; where friendships are strengthened, reflection and growth occur and positive memories are made. 
Students will be split into four groups of approximately 55 students, allowing for a more personal two day retreat experience, and will either attend the Francis Retreat or Stuarts Point Convention Centre on Monday and Tuesday OR Wednesday and Thursday during this week.
To complete the week, on Friday there will be a Mass and Community Day for Year 10.
Organisation for retreat is well under way, with students starting to pick their retreat groups on Wednesday.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask your child's PC teacher, Marg Gobius or myself.
All students and parents/caregivers would have received notes regarding camp. Next week students will find out what days they will be attending. 

STONEY AQUA PARK

Students were fantastic at Stoney Aqua Park. There was time for them to be in PC groups and time for them to mix with the entire year group. Congratulations to Benjamin Hamel who was the fastest student around the course with a time of 4 minutes and 45 seconds and special mention to Wil Edmonds who came a close second. The fastest PC around the course was Mr Lowrey’s 10M2 with a time of 16 minutes 15 seconds.

GLEN LITTLER
YEAR 10 LEADER OF PASTORAL CARE 

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!

Music

“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

UPCOMING EVENTS

CARITAS LUNCH CONCERT (Junior)

• Thursday, 18th March, COLA: Lunch 1 Percussion Ensembles, Street Band and Saxophone Ensemble

CARITAS LUNCH CONCERT (Senior)

• Friday, 19th March, Lochinvar Centre outdoor stage: Lunch 1, HSC Music soloists

COLLEGE ASSEMBLY

• Wednesday, 24th March, College Hall: Period 1, Junior Band

ANZAC ASSEMBLY

• Wednesday, 21st April, College Hall: Period 1, Brass Ensemble

ANZAC DAY MARCH

• Sunday, 25th April, Town Green (Horton Street): time TBC, SAPSS Marching Band

Please contact Mr Denham with any questions relating to the co-curricular music program at MacKillop College.

Rob Denham

Leader of Music 

Sport News

YEAR 9

Year 9 students continue to impress at the beach each week as they learn important surf awareness skills. This week we moved onto board rescues – the swell was probably the biggest it has been all term and the students coped with the conditions extremely well.

YEAR 10

Congratulations to Kai Fuller and Jackson Willis who had some success at Hydro golf this week. Nice work, let’s see what target you can hit next week!

MACKILLOP COLLEGE CROSS COUNTRY

The MacKillop College Cross Country is not a compulsory event and is for students that want to run competitively. This means that you must be at the very least attempting to run the entire distance.
Students MUST have nominated on the registration form located on the School Moodle page no later than Friday, 12^th March. The Cross County will take place on Tuesday, 16^th March at MacKillop College during PC and periods 1-3 for all students in Years 7-12 that have nominated. 
Students that are running are to wear their sport uniform on Tuesday. Students are permitted to change into appropriate running attire prior to their race. It is recommended that you bring a change of clothes and towel as the track is still quite muddy.

Unfortunately, due to COVID restrictions parents cannot provide assistance this year. We will miss your valuable help.

SCHEDULE

Students are to meet Mrs Denham at the JUNIOR BASKETBALL COURT according to the schedule below.

REPRESENTATIVE SPORT

EXCITING NEWS – NSWCCC Open Boys Cricket
Congratulations to Jared Humphreys who travelled to Sydney last week to trial for the NSWCCC Open Boys Cricket team. Jared has been named in the team which is an outstanding achievement and deserves to be recognised. Jared is an exceptional cricketer and fantastic ambassador for our School, Diocese and NSWCCC. We wish you all the best Jared as you represent the NSWCCC Open Boys Cricket team. We are very proud of you.

HOW TO REGISTER FOR A MACKILLOP COLLEGE SPORT TEAM
In the past students have signed up to trial for a sport by writing their name on a paper list at the sports notice board. As of now all Registrations for MacKillop College sport teams will be completed by students by logging into the school Moodle page. Go to the student links tab on the left hand side and click on the Representative Sports registrations link. Click on the relevant sport and fill out the google form.
Students will be notified through the morning notices of when to sign up and when trials will occur.
Sports currently open for registration/trials are:

• Bill Turner Boys and Girls Soccer
• Open Boys and Girls Soccer

Click on this link to register  http://moodle.pmaclism.catholic.edu.au/course/view.php?id=650

LISMORE DIOCESAN REGISTRATIONS
Please note that the following sports are currently open for students to be able to sign up to or register their interest to trial. These sports have been advertised to students through morning notices over the past week;

http://sport.lism.catholic.edu.au/registration

NSWCCC Sport Registrations 2021 for pathway sports open on 1 February.

Registrations are via the CSNSW.sport portal. For instructions on how to register go to;

Guide For Parents – Sport Registrations >>

Term One Individual Nominations Sport Registrations

• Water Polo – Boys & Girls – 15th March – Close 11th March
• Hockey – Open Boys & Girls, 16s Girls – 22nd March – Close 15th March
• Diving – Boys & Girls – 29th March – Close 19th March
• Triathlon - Closing date 15th March Selections 30th March at Penrith

Swimming and Touch Football registrations are through the Diocesan/Association pathways.
For further information, go to the CSNSW Sport Website Sport pages https://csnsw.sport/

COMMUNITY SPORT

Congratulations to Cooper Lorger who was recently recognised for his skill and commitment to Surf Life Saving. Cooper was announced as the 2020-2021 Surf Life Saving Mid North Coast Junior Lifesaver of the Year. Cooper was recognised for the passion he has for surf lifesaving and the knowledge he has gained throughout the years of training to be a young lifesaver.
Cooper will be attending a three-day program at Collaroy in April 2021. The main focus of the program is on recognition and learning through experience and fun. He will be involved in physical challenges, presentations, discussions, activities and scenarios that require leadership and communication.
Each finalist will take part in an interview. This interview, in conjunction with participation during the program, will ultimately result in one male and one female finalist being named as the New South Wales Junior Lifesaver of the Year. 
This is a fantastic achievement and a great experience to be a part of. Well done Cooper.

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, 22nd  March
Paul Atkins and Patrick Corr

Tuesday, 23rd March
Jane Keegan, Kristine Fallon and Elizabeth Jardine

Wednesday, 23rd March
Kaylene Monckton and Verena Grandy

Thursday, 24th March
Stuart Ward, HELP PLEASE

Friday, 25th March
Bec Eakin, Sam Harrison, Priscilla Turnbull, and Tracey Reddie

The canteen always welcomes volunteers. Please ensure if you are volunteering you have supplied your volunteer Working With Children Check to the front office. 

If you would like to help please follow the link below or ring 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 9:00AM 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. 

Maths Tutorials

Tuesday's and Thursday's

7:45am - 8:30am 

Room 12 Main College with Mrs Elizabeth Robertson