Principal's Update
INAUGURAL MASS
On Wednesday, we celebrated our Beginning of Year Mass. The Mass is a significant event on our College calendar and one which has a sacred place in our schools traditions and rituals. Mass is, in our Catholic faith and in the true meaning of Church, about community. We pride ourselves here at MacKillop College for the caring, nurturing and embracing community to which we belong and value the opportunity to come together to celebrate the Eucharist. As I said to our Year 7 parents and carers as they commenced with us on January 31st, we are unapologetically Catholic, and place great importance on the celebration of the Mass and prayer services such as Ash Wednesday, as well as daily prayer in our classrooms. It is these celebrations which truly demonstrate our sense of community and remind us of the great role-models we had in the person of Jesus and our College patron Saint Mary MacKillop of the Cross.
As always Father Paul did a remarkable job of making our faith real to the students and staff. He spoke about our theme of commitment and encouraged students and staff to consider how we can allow Jesus to journey with us as we strive to commit to what we value in 2021. Father Paul asked, how can we ask Jesus for support and guidance throughout the year?
INDUCTION OF 2021 COLLEGE LEADERS
It is also the tradition that at our Beginning of Year Mass we induct our College Leaders for the year. Congratulations to the students who have been elected by their peers and teachers to be the student voice in important matters and decisions throughout 2021. I am confident they will be ably led by our College Captains Kashia and Jack and our SRC Coordinator Mrs Nicole O’Connell.
2021 THEME - COMMITMENT
Each year the secondary colleges in our parish share a common theme to unite us in our work to help the young people in our care to thrive and become the best version of themselves. In 2021 the theme is Commitment. As mentioned in last week’s newsletter students have been encouraged to consider commitment in the following three areas and we invite parents to enter into discussions with their sons and daughters as to what it is they would like to commit to in 2021 and what that might look like in their daily behaviours and actions to ensure success.
- To doing my best and allowing others to learn and do their best
- To show care and kindness to myself and others
- To try new things, new ways of doing and new challenges
SWIMMING CARNIVAL
I am looking forward to our College Swimming Carnivals on Wednesday and Thursday next week. These days are favourites in my calendar as they really demonstrate the wonderful school spirit of our students and staff, and the sense of fun that is innate in all of us. I remind parents and students that the day is compulsory and the expectation is all students attend. Any student who is unable to swim will be able to assist with the running of the carnival. Unfortunately due to COVID restrictions we are unable to have parent helpers or spectators this year. More information on the swimming carnival can be found in the Sports section of the newsletter.
PARENT PARTNERSHIP
As we work in partnership with parents to assist our young men and women to become the best people they can be, our pastoral and wellbeing team, as well as our Diocese parent body and Catholic Schools NSW, often have wonderful opportunities for parents to access free and current research based support, through guest speakers and webinars. I encourage you to check each week what opportunities exist which will support you in your parenting journey. You will find these under Parent News.
Cath Eichmann
Principal