Term 2, Week 1, 23rd April
Upcoming Events
Week 2, Term 2 | ||
Monday, 26th April | Day 6 | Catholic Schools Week Years 9, 10 & 11 Mid North Coast Da Vinci Decathlon, St Columba Anglican School |
Tuesday, 27th April | Day 7 | Years 7 & 8 Mid North Coast Da Vinci Decathlon, St Columba Anglican School Years 11 & 12 Textiles & Design Workshop Year 7, 2022 Information & Open Evening, College Hall. Please arrive at 5:30pm for a 6:00pm start |
Wednesday, 28th April | Day 8 | |
Thursday, 29th April | Day 9 | Transitus Retreat, Yarrahapinni Adventist Youth Centre |
Friday, 30th April | Day 10 | Years 7-10 College Photos, College Hall Transitus Retreat, Yarrahapinni Adventist Youth Centre |
Week 3, Term 2 | ||
Monday, 3rd May | Day 1 | Literacy Enrichment Excursion, Sydney Years 7 - 10 Learning Conversations, College Hall, 4:00pm - 7:30pm |
Tuesday, 4th May | Day 2 | Literacy Enrichment Excursion, Sydney |
Wednesday, 5th May | Day 3 | Proclaim Lismore, Pupil Free Day |
Thursday, 6th May | Day 4 | |
Friday, 7th May | Day 5 | Years 11 & 12 College Photos, Lochinvar Centre |
Principal's Update
WELCOME TO TERM 2
I would like to welcome back all families to Term 2. Special welcome to new students and families who have joined the MacKillop family this term.
Term 2 is always one of our busiest terms. One highlight is the opportunity to showcase our wonderful College to prospective parents and Year 6 students in Week 2. I know many current students have volunteered to assist on the evening and I appreciate their pride in their school and desire to ‘show it off’ to future students.
The other key Parent Partnership events on our Term 2 calendar are our Learning Conversations (formerly Parent-Teacher interviews) coming up in Weeks 3 and 4. I encourage all parents to book in to meet and speak with your child’s teachers. These evenings are crucial three-way partnerships to ensure every student can achieve their potential.
Please see the Assistant Principal Learning and Teaching article of this newsletter for instructions on how to book.
ANZAC DAY 2021
As you are aware, to protect the veterans, there are restricted numbers for the 2021 ANZAC Marches. Unfortunately this means our students will not be able to march to show their respect as we have traditionally done. We did however, speak at assembly on Wednesday about the opportunity to participate in the 6:00am Driveway ‘Light Up the Dawn’ service on National radio stations. MacKillop students will have the opportunity to hold up a sign to show their pride in the ANZACs, take a photo, which we will publish for the veterans to see.
STUDENT SUCCESS
Congratulations to Year 11 student Tom Moreton, who has been invited to perform in the NSW Air Force Cadet Marching Band that will be leading out the ANZAC parade in Sydney this Sunday.
Also to Year 9 student Sam Blain who has been selected in the NSW Country Basketball Team. Well done Sam and Tom.
THANK YOU FROM ST AGNES’ CATHOLIC PARISH
On behalf of Fr Paul and St Agnes’ Catholic Parish, I would like to sincerely thank the school community for the incredibly generous donations to the Parish Pop Up Pantry. The Parish is liaising with over 60 local families affected by the floods, as well as many others from the wider community who drop into the Pop-up Pantry, to support their recovery.
Many who have lost some, or all, of their possessions, cars, homes, treasured mementoes are unable to return to work until the clean-up is complete and their homes are liveable again. The assistance given ranges from providing shopping vouchers, shoes, hampers, groceries, cleaning supplies to school fees assistance, transport, and accommodation. The Parish is also providing practical support to the affected residents of Riverside Village, Edgewater Caravan Park and Brigadoon Caravan Park.
The Pop Up Pantry would not exist without the generous donations from our schools and parishioners. This all happened in the last week of term, so it was amazing to see the tremendous support we were given.
Great work staff, students, and families. THANK YOU
Anne O’Brien
Director of Mission Integration
St Agnes’ Catholic Parish
CONSENT EDUCATION
As you would be aware there has been significant publicity in the media recently about ‘consent’. Education departments, the Catholic Schools Office Lismore and schools have been working together and would like to share the following with you.
STATEMENT OF INTENT: OUR SHARED COMMITMENT
The role of schools in strengthening children and young people’s understanding of consent, and preventing and responding to sexual assault and sexual violence among young people.
A Statement of Intent was signed on Friday, 26 March 2021 by the Government, Catholic and Independent Schools to strengthen school-aged children and young people’s ability to form healthy relationships, understanding of consent and harm prevention. The Statement acknowledges the key role of school staff, in partnership with families, in supporting change.
This Statement is our system commitment, which recognises the innate dignity of the child and young person and their inherent goodness, ‘to enable each to achieve the fullness of life’. The Statement acknowledges the key role of school staff, in partnership with families, in supporting children and young people to reach their full potential by strengthening their ability to form healthy relationships, understand consent and harm prevention.
As a system of Catholic schools, we recognise our duties and responsibilities as educators and the growing concerns in the community in this area. We believe that each person is made in the image and likeness of God and deserves to be treated with dignity and respect regardless of race, gender, religion or ethnicity.
At MacKillop College we believe in delivering a robust curriculum across stages. Healthy relationships, understanding of consent and harm prevention is in the following PDHPE units:
Stage 4 (Years 7 & 8)
7.1 Change
7.5 Like for a like
7.8 Me, You Us
8.3 Supporting myself & others
8.5 Keep me safe
8.8 Everyone ISN'T doing it
Stage 5 (Years 9 & 10)
9.2 Better Safe than Sorry
9.5 Me, You, World
10.3 My Life, My Choice
10.6 Balance
Social and Emotional Learning is embedded in all units delivered by our PDHPE faculty.
We will supplement the curriculum by engaging the services of appropriate community-based organisations. In 2021 the following co-curricular day or part-day programs will take place:
Brainstorm Productions - Year 7, 8 & 9
Safe on Social with Kiera Pendergast - Year 7, 8, 9 & 10
RESPECT - Year 10
Your Choicez with David & Katie Kobler - Year 11
Furthermore, our College Religious Education program and all school Policies, Codes, and expectations reflect valuing respect for self and others, and the human dignity of all.
The voice of parents/carers is valuable as the first and continuing educators of their children. We encourage families to complete a survey to support our future direction in driving cultural change around respectful relationships.
The survey is open until Friday, 7 May.
If you have any questions please email the college at pmac@lism.catholic.edu.au and a school leadership member will contact you.
CATH EICHMANN
PRINCIPAL
Assistant Principal Learning and Teaching
YEAR 7 -10 LEARNING CONVERSATIONS
This term for families with children in Years 7-10 we are holding two Learning Conversation Evenings (formerly known as Parent/Teacher Interviews) in the College Hall from 4:00-7:30pm.
As a guide, we are asking for families with surnames from A-L to please book on Monday, 3rd May and families with surnames from M-Z to please book on Monday, 10th May.
If these dates do not suit, I encourage you to make contact (phone or email) with your child’s teachers.
As per all conversations in relation to our students’ learning, we encourage your child to also attend the evening. These interviews are one part of the very important process of our students gaining the most from their schooling and provide an opportunity for parents and teachers to meet to ensure open and collaborative communication which assists students not only in their learning but in their growth as young men and women.
You can now book interviews at times that suit at www.schoolinterviews.com.au and follow these simple instructions.
Surnames from A-L: Monday, 3rd May (bookings will close 8.00am on Friday, 30th April)
Surnames from M-Z: Monday, 10th May (bookings will close 8.00am on Friday, 7th May)
When you click finish, your interview timetable will be emailed to you automatically - check your junk mail folder if you do not receive your email immediately.
Interviews are strictly 5 minutes and spaces are limited. If you require more time, please contact teachers directly to make alternative arrangements.
Parents can change their interview bookings, any time prior to the closing date, by re-visiting the www.schoolinterviews.com.au website, and using the event code. Remember to use the same name and email address you used when you made your original booking.
ADAM KELLY
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL LEARNING AND TEACHING
Parish News
Year 7
WELCOME BACK
Hopefully students and staff have returned restful and ready for a new term. A reminder that students should be wearing their full winter uniform on formal uniform days; this includes a tie (with top button done up) and our College jumper. A reminder too that students will be required to wear formal uniform for their College photos which will be taken next Friday.
NAPLAN
Students undertook a practice for NAPLAN yesterday, in preparation for these upcoming examinations. NAPLAN Online will take place between the 10th May and 21st May, 2021 (Weeks 4 and 5, Term 2). The specific schedule will be available shortly.
CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to the following students who have received a Leader of Pastoral Care Award: Mia Bailey, Ruby Menin, Amelia Southwell and Lucy Strahorn.
ELLEN MCKELL
YEAR 7 LEADER OF PASTORAL CARE
Year 8
Welcome back to Term 2. It is great to be working with Year 8 again this term, and I look forward to a productive and smooth Term. I hope all those affected by the floods have recovered and were able to make the most of the sunshine over the holidays.
I anticipate that you had the chance to sit with your child over the holidays and reflect on their Term 1 Student Learning Profiles. Receiving a Term 1 Student Learning Profile allows you to see how they are travelling and put in place some goals and strategies that may assist them in improving during Term 2. I encourage you to contact class teachers if you are concerned about a particular subject, or if you would like more information on that subject. Years 7 – 10 Learning Conversations take place on Monday, 3rd May and Monday, 10th May. This may be the first face to face meeting you have with the class teacher, therefore I encourage you to take full advantage of this opportunity.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of any assistance this Term.
DANIEL O'DELL
ACTING YEAR 8 LEADER OF PASTORAL CARE
Year 9
This weekend Australians celebrate ANZAC Day. Whilst this celebration has many dimensions of meaning, a common understanding is one of service. This particular service to the Australian community may have been given at the cost of someone’s life.
Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. (Jn 15:13)
My thoughts for this week started with the ANZAC celebration, but focus much more on the meaning and importance of Christian service.
“When you have done all you have been commanded, say, “We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.” (Lk 17:10b)
This is a hard phrase to say and it is even harder to truly mean when said.
Imagine the context in which this attitude toward Christian service must be spoken and lived. For example, imagine a mother who spends the day cleaning and then preparing the family meal. At the end of the day, it is certainly nice to be recognised for her hard work and to be thanked for it. Of course, when the family is grateful and acknowledges this loving service, this gratitude is healthy and is nothing other than an act of love. It is good to be grateful and to express it. But this passage is not so much about the fact that we must strive to be grateful for the love and service of others, rather, it’s about our own motivation for service. Do you serve so as to be thanked? Or do you provide service because it is good and right to serve?
Jesus makes it clear that our Christian service to others, be it in the family or in some other context, must be primarily motivated by a certain duty of service. We must serve out of love regardless of the receptivity or acknowledgment of others.
Imagine, then, if you spent your day in some service and that service was done out of your love of others. Then imagine that no one expressed gratitude for your work. Should that change your commitment to service? Should the reaction, or lack of reaction, of others deter you from serving as God wants you to serve? Certainly not. We must serve and fulfil our Christian duty simply because it is the right thing to do and because it is what God wants of us.
Reflect, today, upon your motivation for loving service to others. Try to speak these words of the Gospel within the context of your life. It may be hard at first, but if you can serve with the mind that you are an “unprofitable servant” and that you have done nothing more than what you were “obliged to do,” then you will find that your charity takes on a whole new depth.
Lord, help me to serve freely and wholeheartedly out of love for You and others. Help me to give of myself regardless of the reaction of others and to find satisfaction in this act of love alone. Jesus, I trust in You.
Adapted from Catholic Daily Reflections, November 10 2020
Congratulations to Sam Blain who has been selected for the 16 Years Country NSW Representative Basketball Team. This is quite an achievement, as Sam is currently 14. He will play in the Australian championships in Perth in July.
Year 9 Students hard at work!
God bless.
PETER MURPHY
YEAR 9 LEADER OF PASTORAL CARE
Year 10
Welcome back to Term 2. I hope everyone had an opportunity to have a break over the Easter long weekend, and for students over the two weeks. I realise for some the holidays would have involved cleaning up after the floods and hopefully the worst of this is behind you.
Last term students received their Student Learning Profiles for Term 1. This is a good opportunity for students to evaluate their attitude and application in Term 1 and make adjustments so that they can move forward and start improving on specific areas that may need it.
I encourage parents/carers to have some honest conversations with their child about what the Term 1 Student Learning Profile states and assist them in realising what their strengths are and how they can continue to build on and use these strengths to improve areas of weakness.
GLEN LITTLER
YEAR 10 LEADER OF PASTORAL CARE
Careers
UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE DEPARTMENT OF RURAL HEALTH VISIT
On Tuesday, the University of Newcastle Department of Rural Health visited MacKillop College and provided an opportunity for interested Year 11 students to attend 6 different allied health workshops. The workshops were presented by 2nd year students of the various allied health faculties (Midwifery, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Nutrition & Dietetics, Pharmacy and Speech Pathology) at the University. In addition to these workshops, 2nd year medicine students conducted a presentation for Year 12 students considering applying for entry into medicine in 2022. Students from St Joseph’s Regional College joined us to share in the experience. We appreciate the time and knowledge afforded us by these students, who participated on a voluntary basis, with the desire to help others. The university students were all part of BREAATHHE a group with Newcastle University.
MICHAEL KELLY
CAREERS ADVISER
Textiles Fun!
This term, students in Textiles and Design will have the opportunity to work with the recently acquired Cricut machine! A Cricut is a cutting machine that can cut several different materials for project like fabric, leather, iron-on vinyl and cardstock. Students in Year 12 have already thought of ways to include the cutting technology in their Major Textiles Projects, and both Years 11 and 12 will explore the machine during their upcoming incursion in Week 2. We can’t wait to see what they create!
TESSA STILLMAN
TEXTILES & TECHNOLOGY TEACHER
Wellbeing
MacKillop College utilises a strengths-based approach; seeing the strengths and capacities of each person and looking for opportunities to support and use the person’s existing strengths to help them develop and learn.
We use the common language of character strengths in our discourse when helping students learn about themselves, others and their subject areas.
In Term 2 our focus is on the character strength: Self-regulation
What is the nature of this character strength?
Self-regulation is the ability to monitor and manage your energy states, emotions, thoughts, and behaviours in ways that are acceptable and produce positive results.
Those high in self-regulation have a good level of confidence in their belief that they can be effective in what they pursue and are likely to achieve their goals. They are admired for their ability to control their reactions to disappointment and insecurities. Self-regulation helps keep a sense of balance, order and progress in life. Self-regulation can be strengthened through regular practice.
Why focus on self-regulation?
- We want our students to proactively evaluate and improve upon their own learning. When facing a difficult learning challenge, children without self-regulation can get easily discouraged and give up. Their minds and attention wander to other things. Self-regulation is a set of underlying abilities that allow children to be successful in social interactions and learning.
- We want our young people to learn to regulate their behaviour and emotions. Teens are faced with experiences that test and refine their ability to gain a sense of control over difficult situations. When self-regulation skills are working, they are practising self-control; having the ability to put their brakes on or shifting gears to stay on course, whatever the situation.
- We want our students to maintain a balanced emotional state so they don’t react too strongly or not enough in more challenging situations. Developing self-regulation sees a child is calmer and reacts less strongly to demands and stressors.
Research findings on the benefits of self-regulation found it is a crucial element in thriving as a person and as a learner at school. Thus students will be offered varied opportunities to develop self-regulation skills in their classes and whole-school events this term.
NICOLE O'CONNELL
LEADER OF WELLBEING
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
TERM 2 ENSEMBLE CHANGES
Please note that the ensemble rehearsal schedule will change in Term 2 and 3 starting Week 2, Term 2. This change is to accommodate the College Concert Band rehearsal to take place on Friday mornings, enabling senior students to be present.
Monday Mornings - Saxophone Ensemble
Wednesday Afternoon - Street Band
Friday Mornings - College Concert Band (years 8 - 12)
MUSIC AND DANCE SHOWCASE
The Music and Dance Showcase concert is scheduled for Thursday, 15th 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.
SHIRT ORDERS
All students in the ensemble program are required to order a performing ensemble shirt. This will be worn in performance at the Showcase concert. Students are to contact our music trainee Alycia Lipovac to order a shirt as soon as possible. Term 2 order will be made in Week 3.
UPCOMING EVENTS
YEAR 7, 2022 INFORMATION NIGHT
- Week 2 - Tuesday 27th April, 5:15pm - 6:15pm, College Hall, Junior Band and Street Band.
ANZAC TOWN GREEN PERFORMANCE
- Week 2 - Wednesday 28th April, 3:30pm - 5:30pm, Town Green (Horton Street), SAPSS Marching Band.
RECONCILIATION MASS
- Week 6 - Thursday 27th May, Period 1, MPC, Collective & Choir.
COLA CONCERT (Junior)
- Week 7 - Wednesday 2nd June, Lunch 2, COLA - Junior Campus, auditioned and invited ensembles and soloists.
HSC LUNCH CONCERT
- Week 7 - Friday 4th 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
MACKILLOP COLLEGE REPRESENTATIVE SPORT
NSWCCC WATER POLO
Congratulations to Zachary Frankham who recently made the NSWCCC Open Boys’ Water Polo team. This is a fantastic achievement and we wish Zachary all the best as he represents NSW next month.
NSWCCC SWIMMING
Congratulations to Ben Hamel and Maeve Kinchington who represented the Lismore Diocesan Swimming Team at the NSWCCC Swimming Championships last term.
Maeve
50m Breaststroke 9th
100m breaststroke 6th
200 Individual Medley 14th
Ben
50m Freestyle 12th
50m Fly 5th
For all Registration Links, Term 2 Sport and Upcoming Events information, please follow the link to our College website https://www.pmaclism.catholic.edu.au/sport
COMMUNITY SPORT
BASKETBALL
Congratulations to Sam Blain who has made the Country NSW Basketball Under 16 State Team. This is a massive achievement for Sam, we wish him all the best as he travels to Perth in the July school holidays to compete at the Australian Championships.
NSWCCC TOUCH FOOTBALL
Congratulations to all of our students that represented the Lismore Diocese at the NSWCCC Touch Football Championships. Special congratulations to Tallara Duck, who was named Player's Player for the Under 15 Girls Team, to Petrea Spencer, who was named as a shadow for the Open Girls NSWCCC Team and to Ethan Tombs, who was selected in the Under 15 NSWCCC Team. Ethan played exceptionally well on the day and was rewarded accordingly with his selection.
Well done to all payers.
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
Community News
Canteen
Monday 26th April
Paul Atkin and Patrick Corr
Tuesday 27th April
Jane Keegan, Kristine Fallon and Elizabeth Jardine
Wednesday 28th April
Verana Gandy and Kaylene Monckton
Thursday 29th April
Chris Jourdant, HELP PLEASE
Friday 30th April
Priscilla Turnbull, HELP PLEASE
PLEASE HELP
If you can spare one hour once a month to help at the canteen it would be greatly appreciated, please ring Canteen Co-ordinator Maxine on 0432 179 365. 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 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
Maths Tutorials
Tuesday's and Thursday's
7:45am - 8:30am
Room 12 Main College with Mrs Elizabeth Robertson