Term 1, Week 9, 26th March
Upcoming Events
Week 10 | ||
Monday 29th March | Day 6 | Year 8 CSI Workshop 'A Case of Conspiracy', Lochinvar Hall Senior Campus Year 11 Learning Conversations, College Hall, 4:00pm - 7:30pm |
Tuesday 30th March | Day 7 | |
Wednesday 31st March | Day 8 | Years 7-12 Easter Liturgy, Period 4 Easter Egg Raffles |
Thursday 1st April | Day 9 | Staff Spirituality Day, Pupil Free |
Friday 2nd April | Day 10 | Good Friday |
Week 1, Term 2 | ||
Monday, 19th April | Day 1 | Staff Development Day - Pupil Free |
Tuesday, 20th April | Day 2 | |
Wednesday, 21st April | Day 3 | Year 10 PASS Refereeing Practical Assessment Day |
Thursday, 22nd April | Day 4 | Year 8 & 10 Poetry in Action Yr 8 & 9 Dance ' The Little Mermaid' Performance |
Friday, 23rd April | Day 5 |
Principal's Update
HOW CAN WE HELP?
As our College Patron Saint Mary MacKillop said “Never see a need without doing something about it”.
Once again, the MacKillop community has been wonderful in supporting those in need over the last week. I have heard many beautiful stories and received photos of staff and students helping out.
Sadly, we are aware of approximately ten staff and students' families who have had homes and cars flooded, others who have had to be evacuated and some still isolated. We are slowly working with these families, as they await permission to return home and then have insurance assessors evaluate. Once they have a clearer picture we will determine how we can best assist our own families.
In the interim, staff have been cooking meals and collecting toiletries for those in need. We are also aware that some of our students have lost uniforms in the floods. If you have spare items of uniform, or would like to make a donation for the purchase of new items, please contact Terrianne Ryan in the College Office.
St Agnes’ Parish will also work with the schools to provide further support. Please read below a letter from the Parish re ways in which we can help now.
Dear Parishioners,
As you know, many of our employees, businesses and members of our community are suffering under the current flood disaster. They are constantly in our prayers and thoughts. We are trying to ascertain the level of assistance currently required and are in regular contact with the NSW Disaster Relief Coordinator and the local Council.
Our generous and caring community are asking, “What can we do to help those in need at the moment?”
There is a short term and a long term answer to this:
Long term:
When this devastating weather event eases there will be a great need to support those who are trying to clean up the mess and devastation the flood waters have left. We would like to arrange teams to assist with these clean-up activities. A separate email will be sent to record your interest if available.
Short term:
We are supporting the NSW Disaster Relief coordination by accommodating, currently 70 (possibly more to come), elderly displaced residents from the Laurieton/Dunbogan region at The Francis Retreat. The Salvation Army will assist with the care of these people, however should any additional requirements be needed we will let you know.
We are supporting the local hospital by providing beds for the displaced unwell elderly, wherever we can in our aged care residential homes.
We are supporting the community by providing a place to have a shower, and wash clothes and a dry place to have a cup of tea or coffee. We are making available the showers under the Youth Hub Hall (Horton Street) and the showers near the Parish Hall (49 Hay Street). We expect that this will extend to those evacuated and volunteers from evacuation centres over the next 24 hours.
What can you do at this stage: Supplies of toothbrushes, toothpaste, towels, soap, shampoo, conditioner and deodorant would be sincerely appreciated (smaller/travel size packs would be ideal). Please drop any items to reception at the Parish Administration Centre or the Presbytery.
Another suggestion is to donate to our Parish Appeals by following the link below:
St Agnes' Catholic Parish Giving - Giving (stagnesparish.org.au)
Money raised will be used to assist those who need it now and when they return to their homes. Similar to the care packages we were able to provide to families during COVID and the bushfires, this fund is invaluable in helping those in need. We have already supported families with immediate needs using available funds.
You can contact us via email: communications@stagnesparish.org.au. Thank you for your ongoing generous support.
Sincerely,
Adam Spencer
Chief Executive Officer
St Agnes' Catholic Parish
Please if you know of MacKillop families in need please do not hesitate to contact me via email cath.eichmann@lism.catholic.edu.au
DISASTER ASSISTANCE
The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) provides one-off financial assistance to eligible Australians adversely affected by the storms and floods.
The rate of AGDRP is $1000 per eligible adult and $400 per eligible child. Claims for this payment can be lodged with Services Australia for a period up to 6 months.
AGDRP is available for people who have been seriously injured, have lost their homes or whose homes have been directly damaged, whose major assets have been directly damaged or are the immediate family members of a person who has died as a direct result of the storms and floods.
WEEK 10 TERM 1
Wow, hard to believe next week is our final week of school. Big thank you to all staff, students and parents for your hard work and support in Term 1. Just a reminder Week 10 is a three day week for students. Staff will be having a Spirituality Day on Thursday, 1st April. This day is an important day on the staff calendar as we take some time out to focus on our mission as educators of young people, through our own faith journey and a greater understanding of what it means to work in a Catholic school.
TERM 2 STAFF PROFESSIONAL LEARNING DAYS
Please note in your calendar Monday, 19th April and Wednesday, 5th May will be Professional Learning Days for staff and therefore Pupil Free Days.
YEAR 7 2022 ENROLMENT
The College is now enrolling for Year 7 2022. Any Year 6 students and families are invited, and are encouraged to collect an Enrolment Pack from the College Office or go to https://www.pmaclism.catholic.edu.au/how-to-enrol
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 Leader of Evangelisation Marg Gobius.
Name
Marg Gobius.
What subject(s) do you teach?
Religion and Studies of Religion.
What high school did you attend?
Mount Erin and Trinity Senior High School in Wagga Wagga.
What university did you attend and what course(s) did you do after finishing school?
I received my Bachelor of Education in Science and Theology through Catholic College of Education, Strathfield, which later became the Australian Catholic University. In 2015 I received my Master of Religious Education through the Australian Catholic University.
What or who inspired you to become a teacher?
My sister's Year 6 teacher, who shared his experience of being a Lay Missionary on Thursday Island.
What would be your proudest teaching moment in your career to date?
Working as a Lay Missionary in Samoa for 3 years, teaching Science and Maths in a school where the students owned very little, but had a deep love of learning.
What are you reading at the moment?
"No Friend but the Mountain" by Behrouz Boochani. This book was written by a Kurdish journalist who was illegally detained as a refugee on Manus Island from 2013 until 2020, when he was finally accepted to live in New Zealand. His story is haunting, especially since it was put together through tweets, texts, phone calls and emails sent from Manus Island to Australia, in order to report what was happening within the detention centre.
What quote best describes your approach to teaching?
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Philippians 4:6)
Favourite non-work related hobbie?
Walking, bike riding and gardening.
What do you love most about your work?
Giving students the opportunity to explore their faith and to support them on this journey.
CATH EICHMANN
PRINCIPAL
Evangelisation
PROJECT COMPASSION
For over half a century, generations of Australians have participated in Project Compassion. The initiative has raised more than $500 million since it began in 1965 – making it one of the nation’s longest running charity campaigns.
For many, Project Compassion’s iconic collection boxes have become a nostalgic part of their lives – a reminder around home, school, church and the community that it’s time to support Caritas Australia’s annual appeal.
Thanks so much to all those people who have donated to project compassion this year.
YEAR 9 MINISTRY CLASS VISITS ST PETER'S
Thankyou to Shayla Mitchell who has written an exerpt below of her experience visiting St Peter's Primary.
During week 8, the Year 9 Youth Ministry class went on a mini excursion to St. Peter’s Primary School. It was very enjoyable to share an experience with students from Years 4 and 5, who were preparing for the Sacrament of Penance.
Every student in the Youth Ministry class was put into small groups of around 4-6 young students and we openly shared things such as our favourite food, what we want to be when we get older, our favourite celebrity and what our connection is with God.
After the group discussions, every group collaborated to answer the question; ‘What do you do to fix a broken heart?’.
The Year 4 and 5 students explored what they do to say sorry to people they have wronged, such as writing a card for them, saying sorry, giving them hugs or being kind.
Once those pieces of papers were completed, a video was projected about the prodigal son, displaying what it means to show forgiveness. Teachers asked everyone to share what they thought the video was about and how they can show forgiveness to others.
I absolutely loved experiencing St. Peter’s Primary School as an ex student having developed my faith, catching up with my previous teachers, and expressing my faith with the younger students. We all had such a good time laughing, telling jokes and getting to know each other better.
MARG GOBIUS
LEADER OF EVANGELISATION
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
ANZAC ASSEMBLY
- Week 1 - Wednesday, 21st April Period 1, College Hall, College Choir.
ANZAC TOWN GREEN PERFORMANCE
- Week 2 - Wednesday, 28th April 3:30pm - 5:30pm, Town Green (Horton Street), 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
Parish News
Come and spend time with Jesus this Easter.
Watch the personal invitation from Fr Paul where he invites you to celebrate Easter with us at St Agnes’ Catholic Parish this year.
EASTER MASS TIMES
Times for Palm Sunday and Easter Mass times across the Parish have been released and can be viewed here.
Make sure you book into Mass and follow the COVID safe protocols.
You can book in a number of ways:
- Phone the Presbytery on 6583 1024 (Monday to Friday 8.30am - 4.30pm, except Public Holidays)
- Book online line via the Parish Website (go to Mass Times then follow the 'Book into Mass here' prompts
Please refer to the Parish website (www.stagnesparish.
Canteen
Monday, 29th March
Paul Atkins, and Patrick Corr
Tuesday, 30th March
Jane Keegan, Maggie Nash and HELP PLEASE
Wednesday, 31st March
Kaylene Monckton and Verena Grandy
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.
Homework Hubs
Homework Hub - Senior Campus
Maths Tutorials
Tuesday's and Thursday's
7:45am - 8:30am
Room 12 Main College with Mrs Elizabeth Robertson