Term 1, Week 1, 4 February

PRINCIPAL'S UPDATE

WELCOME TO 2022

I’d like to take this opportunity to welcome you all to the 2022 school year. MacKillop College is a thriving community of 1168 students, 154 staff, over 2000 parents and carers. Special welcome to our 225 Year 7 students and our new students joining us in Years 8-11, as well as families who have joined the MacKillop family for the first time. 

On Thursday, I welcomed the students and staff back during a whole school Zoom assembly. Our College Captains Hugh and Dominica led the community in prayer with the words of our College prayer, reminding us of what is important, our values and our purpose. 

During the assembly, I spoke to students about the mission of our catholic school “to enable EVERY student to achieve the fullness of life.” I spoke of each of us working hard to thrive and be the best version of ourselves, to live out our College motto ‘Summa Tentabo’ of striving for personal excellence and of our College (team) goals for 2022.

We also welcomed a number of new staff to the College. Below is a brief introduction. I am very excited by the talent and calibre of our new staff and look forward to them making a significant contribution to our College community. 

NEW STAFF INTRODUCTIONS

Candice Pankhurst

Candice was welcome as a School Counsellor last year after moving from Lismore.  Candice works at MacKillop and St Joseph’s Regional Colleges.

Lillian Snellenburg

Congratulations to Lillian who was married in the holiday break.  Lillian has been working in a part time capacity at MacKillop, supporting students in a Counsellor role.  

James Way

James commenced last year in Term 3.  James completed his Bachelor of Teaching and Design and Technology through the University of Newcastle.  James has a broad experience in secondary teaching from Obihiro - Japan, Red Hill - ACT, Hervey Bay, Stanthorpe and Beaudesert - QLD.  He has been sharing his expertise in the TAS department.

Trainees

Gretel Worner - Trainee Sport; Arwen Hoffman - Trainee Creative Arts; Thomas Steele - Trainee Co Curricular Music; Gianluca Polacci Byrnes - Youth Ministry Officer and Ella Ippaviz - Youth Ministry Officer (returning).

HSC SUCCESS

During the January break, our 2021 HSC students received outstanding results. Ranking 88 of all schools in NSW and 8th of all schools in Regional NSW, our Year 12 2021 cohort excelled. In next week's newsletter I will include some of the outstanding results and some words of wisdom from these students at the HSC High Achiever Assembly held yesterday. 

DIARY

All students have received a College Diary this week. The diary is an excellent source of information for parents and carers as well as a means of communication between home and school.

I encourage parents to have a read of the beginning section of the diary (Pages 1-27). 

Parents and students are asked to read the College Codes of Expectations for Behaviour, Presentation, Digital Technologies and Assessment and sign the diary on page 19 to acknowledge your understanding and support of our College Codes. 

PULSE WELLBEING APP

Students will receive their login to PULSE next week. PULSE is an online student wellbeing platform which allows students to check-in, weekly, on their health as well as their engagement at school. Check-in will take place during PC once a week. 

This data provides real time information for us to monitor and support individuals at risk; see trends in class engagement and respond to these; and note the effect of current conditions on our student population. PULSE also allows students to express their gratitude to a peer or staff member each week. 

Family accounts for Term 1 will reflect a cost for the College diaries and PULSE. These College initiatives are valuable resources and I encourage you and your child to use them effectively throughout the upcoming year.

COVID-19 UPDATE

Parents have been sent an email with a COVID-19 update.

UNIFORM 

Thankyou to parents for ensuring students have returned to school looking very smart in the College uniforms, ensuring students are following our College Code of Presentation. Over the next two weeks we will be meeting with students who are not meeting the Code of Presentation. I particularly request over the weekend, parents address the skirt length and the length and fit of old sport shorts.

NEWSLETTER 2022 - FORTNIGHTLY

In response to parent feedback in 2021 a decision has been made to trial our weekly Newsletter to fortnightly in 2022. A newsletter will be sent on the even weeks of each term. 

You can also stay up-to-date with what’s happening at the College via email, the College website and the MacKillop College Facebook page. 

CATH EICHMANN
PRINCIPAL

ST AGNES' UNIFORM SHOP

We have been notified by St Agnes' Uniform shop that the following items for our College are currently out of stock or not available. They have all been ordered but will take some time to come in. 

• Junior skirts in size 4, 6, 8 and 10.
• New style Boys shirts and all Boys shirts in sizes 12, 14 and size 22 up.
• Sports polo in large size.

YEAR 7 FIRST DAY

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2022 VOUCHERS

NSW GOVERNMENT VOUCHERS AVAILABLE

Parents and careers are now able to access vouchers for the Active Kids and Creative Kids Programs. Participating in sports, active recreation, and cultural activities allows teenagers to pursue their passions, try something new, stay active and engage with others – all factors that will assist them to thrive.

Use the following links to access your $100 vouchers.

ACTIVE KIDS VOUCHER

The NSW Government is helping kids get active with the Active Kids program.

The Active Kids program provides two $100 vouchers for parents, guardians and carers of school-enrolled children to use towards sport and active recreation costs each year.

Voucher 1 is valid January to December and Voucher 2 is valid July to December.

https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply-active-kids-voucher

CREATIVE KIDS VOUCHER

The NSW Government is helping kids get creative with the new Creative Kids program.

Parents, guardians and carers can apply for a voucher with a value of up to $100 per calendar year for each student aged 4.5 to 18 years, enrolled in school.

The voucher may be used with a registered activity provider for registration, participation and tuition costs for a range of creative activities, including arts, drama, dance, digital design, coding, and music lessons. 

The voucher can be used at any time during the calendar year it was issued.

https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply-creative-kids-voucher

SPORT NEWS

SWIMMING CARNIVALS

The annual MacKillop College Swimming Carnivals are being held during Week 3. The junior carnival is on Tuesday, 15 February and the senior carnival is on Wednesday, 16 February. Students and families are reminded that the carnival is a compulsory school day, and if your child is unable to swim due to injury or illness, they are to see Mrs Denham with a note explaining why they cannot participate.

• Students are allowed to wear their House colours to and from school, and are reminded to wear enclosed footwear and to bring their swimmers, rash shirt, hat, towel and sunscreen.

• Students are to come to school and will be transported by bus to and from the pool. If students wish to be picked up from the pool, a signed and dated note from their parent needs to be provided to their PC teacher in the morning.

• The 100m freestyle is swam during the senior carnival, however for the junior carnival the 100m freestyle will start prior to the Carnival. Students need to be at the pool at 7:45am ready for an 8:00am start. If your child wishes to participate in this event, they need to register online through the school Moodle site, Student Links, Representative Sport Registrations.

• Appropriate swim wear: The school has a policy on appropriate swimwear for any water activity. All students are requested to wear a rash shirt to protect them from the sun. Girls are ONLY permitted to wear full piece swimmers or two piece sports swimmers. Triangle bikinis are NOT permitted – if these are the only swimmers that your child has they will be required to wear a rash shirt or t-shirt over their swimmers on the day.

• Unfortunately due to COVID-19 restrictions we cannot have parents spectators at the carnival.

Finally, the swimming carnivals are a highlight on our school sport calendar. This is a day where students can embrace our House spirit and get involved. All that we ask is that students get involved in either the competitive or novelty events, and support the House Leaders to make our carnivals fun and enjoyable.

TERM 1 SPORT PROGRAMS

REPRESENTATIVE SPORT, UPCOMING EVENTS, MACKILLOP COLLEGE EVENTS AND REGISTRATION

All registrations for MacKillop College sport teams will be completed by students via 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.

Click on this link to register.

LISMORE DIOCESAN EVENTS AND REGISTRATION

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.

Please click on this link below to register for the sports.

Below is information for students who wish to nominate for the 400m freestyle at the Lismore Diocesan Swimming Carnival at Lismore on Thursday, 10 March 2022.

NSWCCC EVENTS AND REGISTRATION

NSWCCC 2022 Sport Registrations for pathway sports open on 1 February.

* Schools will be asked to nominate teams for the Triathlon Teams event - further communication to come.

Students MUST be registered for the event with parent and Principal approval (or Principal delegate).

Registration is through the CSNSW Sport portal. Details on how to register:   csnsw.atlassian.net/servicedesk/customer/portal/2/article/198901765?src=584134009

Registrations are via the CSNSW.sport portal. For instructions on how to register go to:  Guide For Parents – Sport Registrations >>

Please note that the NSWCCC Sport registrations for individual nominations for 2022 selections are open for the following trials:

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

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 UPDATE

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 handed 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. 

If your child is sick and you have ordered, please phone the canteen (6583 2632) to arrange a credit. 

PLEASE NOTE TO CHANGE YOUR CHILD'S YEAR GROUP WHEN USING THE QKR! APP TO ORDER LUNCH FOR 2022.

Monday 7 February
Sue Moore Jones, Mayo Brumby and Jodie Burge

Tuesday 8 February
Debs Hallan and Chris Pees

Wednesday 9 February
Danielle San Gupta and Roz Brockhurst

Thursday 10 February
Heather Sheers and Chris Jourdant

Friday 11 February
Allie Tamanti and Caroline Horam

CANTEEN HELP NEEDED

We are in need of some parent assistance for canteen. For more information and requirements on volunteering in the Canteen, or if you are able to volunteer, please follow this link.