Week 1, Term 3, 24th July
| Week 2 | ||
| Sunday 26th July | 17th Sunday of the Year | |
| Monday 27th July | Day 6 |
Year 7 catch up immunisation Year 10 immunisation |
| Tuesday 28th July | Day 7 | Newman Senior Technical College Year 11, 2021 Virtual Information Night, 6.00pm - 8.30pm |
| Wednesday 29th July | Day 8 | English Event: Steven Herrick Poetry Performances for Year 7 and 11 |
| Friday 31st July | Day 10 |
Kids Lit Quiz via ZOOM: Library 9.10am |
| Week 3 | ||
| Sunday 2nd August | 18th Sunday of the Year | |
| Monday 3rd August | Day 1 |
Year 11 Street Retreat ALL WEEK MacKillop College Students Year 11, 2021 Subject Information Day Current Year 11 working from home day |
| Wednesday 5th August | Day 3 | Year 11, 2021 Enrolment Interviews: John Mullin Centre, Senior Campus 3.00pm - 8.00pm |
| Thursday 6th August | Day 4 |
Year 11, 2021 Enrolment Interviews: John Mullin Centre, Senior Campus 3.00pm - 8.00pm |
Week 1 Term 3
Welcome to Term 3. On Monday, via a ZOOM assembly, as I welcomed students and staff back to school, I spoke about how, despite the uncertainty that still surrounds us, Term 3 marks an opportunity to re-set. Having received their Half-Yearly Learning Profile, a progress report on how students are going in their 2020 studies, I spoke to students about the opportunity it provides to set some new goals for Semester Two, areas they would like to improve and an opportunity to discuss with parents and teachers how they can best continue in their quest to strive for personal excellence and to achieve their best.
We also revisited the qualities that the student leaders had identified at the beginning of 2020. These were the qualities that they hoped all students would embrace in order to allow every member of the MacKillop community to achieve our mission of “every student achieving the fullness of life” or as we at MacKillop like to put it #weTHRIVE@MacKillop.
#wecare,
#weworkhard,
#weinspire,
#westandproud,
#wehelpothers,
#webuildspirit
#weacceptall.
This week I encourage all parents to have conversations with your young men and women about what they can do to enable themselves to THRIVE in Semester Two, and importantly, how they can assist those around them to thrive.
Meet the Experts
Given that there has been little opportunity for parents to meet the staff of MacKillop College in 2020, I thought throughout Semester Two I would introduce to you members of the MacKillop College staff. Each of them experts in their own field. We are extremely lucky here at MacKillop to have some exceptional teachers and support staff with many years of experience, and are highly regarded in the profession for their skill and dedication.
Adam Kelly
Assistant Principal Administration & Curriculum
Name: Adam kelly
What subject(s) do you teach?
PDHPE, PASS, RE (and once upon a time maths)
What high school did you attend?
St Joseph's Regional College
What university did you attend and what course(s) did you do after finishing school?
University of Newcastle - Double Degree Bachelor of Teaching and Bachelor of Physical Education and Health, Australian Catholic University- Masters of Educational Leadership, Graduate Diploma In Theology
What or who inspired you to become a teacher?
I had a number of awesome teachers at the Regional. I also valued the role teachers play in the lives of young people and felt I could do that.
What would be your proudest teaching moment in your career to date?
Seeing the Year group I had as a Pastoral Coordinator for 4 years complete their HSC so successfully while immersing themselves in all facets of school.
What are you reading at the moment?
The Resilience Project
What quote best describes your approach to teaching?
Hakuna Matata
Favourite non-work related hobbie?
Playing sport of any kind.
What do you love most about your work?
That everyday is a new day offering rewards and challenges.
Upcoming Parent Webinar
In promoting and continuing our ongoing partnership, helping our young men and women become the best version of themselves I have asked Mr Adam Voigt, our leadership partner from Real Schools, to share with parents the work he is doing with our MacKillop staff on restorative practices.
Many of his tips and skills are most certainly very useful at home as well as the classroom and playground. Better still you can join in from the comfort of home.
Please take a listen to Adam's introduction and see the flyer following for the link to register.
Principal
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all he has and buys that field.” (Matt 13:45-46)
As he told this parable, Jesus wanted us to realise that we are the treasure that God cares so much about. If the field represents our world, each one of us is the treasure buried within it. God considers each one of us as a very precious treasure; so much “that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) Jesus purchased the field, our world, through his life, death and resurrection, which is such a huge price to pay.
One of the challenges of this parable is to remind ourselves that we truly are precious. Many of us devalue ourselves and live with a sense that we are not that important, but Jesus’ message is that YOU are truly important and incredibly valuable. Maybe this weekend you could choose one thing to do that takes special care of God's precious treasure, who is you.
Jesus, I thank you for your ultimate faith in me. You love, respect and care for me, and so I ask you to help me to remember to treat myself with the gentleness and kindness that I aim to treat those whom I love.
I ask this in your precious name.
AMEN
Gospel, prayer and reflection for Sunday, 26th July, 2020.
MacKillop College Street Retreat in Daily Life (Year 11 students)
During Week 3, 13 Year 11 students have opted to participate in our “MacKillop College Street Retreat in Daily Life”. During the week, which is “National Homelessness Week”, the students will be gaining some experience as volunteers in various Social Justice Initiatives within the Port Macquarie area. The students will hear from Lifeline on the work that they do, serve the less fortunate through lunches and dinners alongside established care organisations and put together care packages to be shared amongst those who are struggling within our community.
Watch this space for updates on how this goes for our wonderful volunteers.
Leader of Evangelisation
Year 11 "Working from Home" day
Our blended learning experience has influenced this decision. We feel that rather than have a replacement teacher and classes on the main college campus, Year 11 students will work better, as independent learners from home.
In conjunction with our #weThrive program, student wellbeing is a high priority at MacKillop.
To assist with monitoring student wellbeing we are introducing a new initiative – PULSE.
PULSE operates as a real-time check-in for student wellbeing. It involves a weekly check-in where five questions are asked to enable us to build and maintain an up-to-date picture of wellbeing and engagement across the school.
Some of the benefits of using PULSE include:
- Ease of access
- Weekly check-in from anywhere (app based check-in)
- 60 second check-in
- Easy to reach out for help
- Plan action using real time data
- Help individuals at risk
- Plan early interventions
- Map impact of current events
- Provides a snapshot of school health
- Identify school trends
- Plan and improve
- Assess initiatives and progress
The questions asked revolve around our THRIVE pillars (Thoughts and mindset; Health; Relationships; Involvement; Voice; and Engagement and purpose) and thus will help in our planning and delivery of wellbeing activities.
Pastoral Care classes will begin the PULSE check-ins in the next few weeks.
Please talk with your child/ren about PULSE when they begin using it, and also about the importance of wellbeing and the need to reach out when support is needed.
To learn more about PULSE you may wish to view the following video:
If you have any questions, you are most welcome to contact and speak with me or one of our Leaders of Pastoral Care.
Assistant Principal Pastoral Care & Staff Support
Change of Store Hours
Our new trading hours will be;
Monday to Friday 12.00pm - 5.00pm
Saturday 9.00am - 12.00pm
SRC 2020
On the final day of Term 2, we announced the Student Representative Council members for Year 7, 2020. It is with pleasure that I congratulate Adam Bryant and Zake Morris.
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I have no doubt both Adam and Zake will do their best to uphold the responsibilities that come with this role. As a College we continue to provide leadership opportunities for all students in Year 7, assisting both Adam and Zake as they work as part of the Year 7-12 student leadership team, enhancing the College community through communication and the building of school spirit.
PC Competition Week 10, Term 2
During extended PC in the last week of Term 2, PCs enjoyed participating and competing in nine 5 minute fast and fun activities. The photos below capture some of the fun that was had and as a Year 7 group we look forward to many more activities of this nature.
Extended PC
This week in extended PC, students accepted the challenge to get to know the importance of actioning character strengths, collaborating with others to accomplish challenges and recognise challenges in working with others.
Students were asked to consider that it can be more effective to use strengths, rather than just knowing their strengths for their wellbeing and others. In this week’s challenge PCs were divided into five groups and asked to participate in four challenges:
- Decoding a mirror message.
- Completion of a jigsaw puzzle.
- Decoding a message and linking to a website to complete the quote.
- Final fury - group photo representing the theme with one team member not touching the ground and including the quote from the third challenge.
It was lots of fun and students took the time to recognise the strengths of others and affirm each other in terms of how they use these strengths during school activities.
Congratulations
Congratulations to the following students who have received a Silver Principal’s Award: Samantha Carlton, Ava Hughes, Emily Kirkpatrick and Erin Rapley.
Congratulations to the following students who have received a Pastoral Coordinator’s Award: Evie Barnaby, Levi Bell, Jackson Bucci, Falyn Carle, Samantha Carlton, Charlotte Carr, Makennah Collins, Ryan Cook, Matilda Creighton, Millie Dwyer, Annabelle Eakin (x2), Lucy Fitzgerald (x2), Braeden Fuller, Marley Glover, Darcy Hallen, Riley Hollis, Freycin Hostettler (x2), Natalie Howard, Ava Hughes (x2), Felix Hurdle, Jazz Jakeman, Riley Judd, Malachy Kelleher, Bonnie Keys, Emily Kirkpatrick (x3), Jarvis Lineham (x2), Cooper Lorger, Isabelle Lucey, Kimberley Manns, Imogen McNeil, Noa McNeil, Sienna Meani, Jamali Middlebrook (x2), Jake Morgan, William Oliver (x2), Erin Rapley, Kyla Roach, Emily Ryals, Sophia Speers, Layla Stewart, Sophie Taylor, Tobias Toohey, Stephen Walther, James Watts-Gray and George Worner.
Year 7 Leader of Pastoral Care
St. Veronica
“For I was hungry and you fed me… I was a prisoner and you visited me.” (Mt 25:35)
According to legend, Veronica was a woman who encountered Christ as he laboured under the weight of the cross on his way to Golgotha. Moved by compassion she wiped his face with her veil, which later, miraculously, bore the imprint of his features.
There is no scriptural basis for the story of Veronica and it is speculated that her name may have derived from the miracle itself: vera icon (true image). Over time interest settled on the miracle of the veil rather than on the act of charity that preceded it. At the height of the medieval obsession with relics there came to be many candidates for Veronica’s veil. One of these has resided in St. Peter’s for many centuries.
The church now omits St. Veronica from the calendar of saints, though she is incorporated into the Stations of the Cross. Veronica is the faithful disciple who ought to have been present in the gospel story. She performs the act of mercy that we ought to have performed, had we been there.
In fact, the story of Veronica contains no indication that she was a disciple of Jesus. She was simply a woman who responded compassionately to a man in pain and anguish, a convicted felon on his way to death. Veronica wiped his face with her veil. And in the miraculous image left behind he revealed his true identity.
The story of Veronica remains a true icon – an image of the divine mystery. We need not have lived two thousand years ago to replicate her act of devotion. Every man or woman, boy or girl in need on an occasion to discover the meaning of Christ’s words, “In as much as you did this to one of the least of my brothers or sisters, you did it to me.”
Adapted from All Saints, Robert Ellsberg
Semester One Learning Profiles
Semester one learning profiles were distributed on the last day of Term 2. It would be ideal if parents could revisit these with their son or daughter and together set some academic goals for the second half of the year. In goal setting, please try and limit the number of goals to a maximum of three. Goals should be written as SMART goals.
The "SMART" acronym stands for "specific," "measurable," "attainable," "relevant," and "time-bound." Each SMART goal you create should have these five characteristics to ensure the goal can be reached and has genuine benefits.
Congratulations
Congratulations to the following students who has received a Pastoral Coordinator’s Award: Jiya Jamu, Jonah Meertens, and Aden Toppanzini.
God bless.
Year 8 Leader of Pastoral Care
Welcome Back
A warm welcome back to all our students, parents and staff to the new term. It has been an interesting year to date with many challenges for all, and in some respects, the uncertainty and challenges are still with us as we continue with our academic year. Year 10 as a whole seem to have faced these challenges with maturity, positivity and acceptance; for which they should be acknowledged and congratulated. I would urge them to continue to apply themselves for the remainder of the year, remembering the importance of the foundations that they are making for their individual pathway into Year 11.
Newman Senior Technical College Visit
Yesterday Year 10 travelled to Newman Senior Technical College to have a first-hand look at and experience some of the wonderful facilities, atmosphere and staff on offer to them for enrolment consideration for 2021. It was a great morning with all students engaging in the tour and talks, with many students now keen and confident in their decision to embark on this pathway into a technical career. Many thanks go to the staff and students of Newman College for their time, input and hospitality in welcoming us to the college.
A virtual open night will be held for students and parents considering a 2021 Year 11 enrolment next Tuesday, 28 July at 6:00pm. Interested parties can register for the evening at newmancollege.live
Year 10 Meningococcal Immunisation
North Coast Area Health Service are holding an Immunisation Day at MacKillop College for Year 10 students on Monday, 27th July.
All Year 10 students will receive the following vaccine: Meningococcal ACWY
A Parent Information Kit was sent home this week with Year 10 students for this immunisation. This kit contains a Consent Form, information sheet and privacy statement that details how personal information will be collected, stored and utilised.
To consent to the immunisation of your child, parents/guardians are advised to:
- Read all the information provided;
- Complete the Consent Form and sign;
- Return the completed Consent Form to the Area Health Nurse on Vaccination Day; and
- Ensure that your child eats breakfast on the day of the school immunisation clinic.
Please return the signed consent form to the Area Health Nurse on Immunisation Day. Immunisation will not be administered to students without a signed Consent Form. Verbal consent is NOT SUFFICIENT.
A Record of Immunisation will be provided to each student immunised. Parents/guardians should ensure that this record is kept for further reference and should not assume that their child has been vaccinated if they do not receive this Record of Immunisation.
Please note that MacKillop College does not keep any records of these immunisations. If you have any questions or concerns please ring Lindsay Lucas (Public Health Unit) on 0429 046 229.
Students are asked to wear their sport uniform on Immunisation Day for ease of access of their immunisation.
Year 10 Leader of Pastoral Care
Last week Year 11 Hospitality students, Georgia Finch and Jasmine Sharp, began the work placement program in the St Agnes Food Services Production Kitchen. This is a mandatory part of the Hospitality course where students experience working in the Hospitality industry and are able to practice skills working alongside qualified chef’s.
Students assisted with the catering for the 260 plus meals a day for the Catholic Care of the Aged patrons.
Thank you to Chris Broad, Food Services Manager and the Production Kitchen Chefs for providing our students with such an opportunity. We are very lucky to have such a wonderful collaboration.
Hospitality Teacher and VET Co-ordinator
Happy Birthday!
At the end of Term 2 we celebrated as best we could, given the current circumstances, the birthdays of all those who had turned 18 this year so far. It was a great way to end the term. We hope to have another celebration before we all leave school at the end of this term.
As we enter the third and final term for Year 12, I would like to remind both students and parents of some of the important things to support you in your HSC journey.
Sleep is one of the most undervalued resources any teenager can have. In the HSC year it is often placed at the back of the priority list but it is in fact more important than ever. Here are a few reminders from the experts at the sleep connection.
Sleep Helps:
- Learning and academic performance: While you are sleeping the brain is busy sorting and consolidating all of the memories you have created during the day. Without adequate sleep much of what you have learned or studied will not get transferred into your long term memory. Sleep helps concentration and motivation, along with consolidation of new information and memories.
- Emotional and mental health: Studies show children who are sleep deprived are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety, negative body image and low self-esteem.
- Behaviour and decision making: Sleep deprivation affects decision making capacity, has a negative effect on behaviour and relationships, and increases risk of accidents.
- Body systems: Sleep deprivation affects children’s physical growth, brain development, immune system and plays a key role in weight gain.
What are some of the main reasons we don’t get enough sleep?
- irregular weekly bedtimes and weekend sleep ins;
- sensory overload and multi-tasking;
- electronic devices too close to bedtime;
- studying too late;
- exercise too close to bedtime;
- poor bed association;
- stimulant use;
- blue light from screens;
- FOMO (fear of missing out);
- electronic device addiction; and
- stress/anxiety/depression.
How can you improve your sleep patterns?
- have a regular bedtime and wake up time;
- improve your time management skills - it’s about doing the best you can in the time you have;
- have a one-hour break between study or electronic devices and sleep;
- make your bedroom an electronic free zone;
- make sure your bedroom has dim light at night and bright light in the morning;
- exercise regularly; and
- eat healthily.
Year 12 students should be getting a minimum of eight hours sleep and may need anywhere up to 10 hours.
For more information please visit https://thesleepconnection.com.au/
Year 12 Leader of Pastoral Care
“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 3 changes
Please note that there will be some changes to the ensemble rehearsal schedule in Term three as outlined in the table below. The Collective moves to Monday lunch. High Brass Tuition will take place during PC on Wednesday mornings. This is open to ALL trumpet players in the ensemble program. Low Brass Tuition will take place during PC on Thursday mornings. This is open to all trombone, euphonium and tuba players in the ensemble program. These tuition sessions will be directed by Mr Denham and will focus on developing technique on brass instruments whilst revising concert band and marching band repertoire. In addition, students will begin to prepare repertoire in preparation for the return of the college jazz band in Term four. Students who have not as yet expressed interest in participating in these tuition sessions are asked to inform Mr Denham as soon as possible.
Due to the continued COVID restrictions with regard to external audiences the focus for ensemble rehearsals during Term three will be on developing repertoire to audio and video record. These recordings will be shared with families later in the term.
SAPSS Marching Band
If you are interested in joining the Marching Band but were unable to attend the open rehearsal on Wednesday, 1st July, please contact Mr Denham as soon as possible.
Music Extension
Music Extension is designed for students in Years 7/8 and 9/10 Elective music who already have a strong music knowledge gained through private instrumental tuition. The aim of the course is to keep these students engaged in music making and connected to the path of study available at MacKillop College. Students will work on extension programs in their own time as well as during timetabled music class time with the approval from the class teacher. All work presented will be viewed by music staff and a prize for the best work from each Year group will be awarded. Where possible this work will be shared with the wider school community with permission from the students involved.
A number of students have signed up for extension music for Term three and will check in with music staff during Friday lunchtime to ensure they are meeting the goals they have set. We look forward to working with these students throughout the Term and reviewing the work they will create.
Rehearsal Schedule Term 3
Upcoming Events
Percussion Fever Lunch Concert
Week 4: Tuesday, 11th August, 1.10pm - 1.40pm, Senior & Junior Percussion Ensembles, main college campus outdoor amphitheatre
Strike a Chord (Musica Viva Ensemble Competition)
Week 6: Thursday, 27th August, Senior & Junior Percussion Ensembles
The Collective Lunch Concert
Week 6: Friday, 28th August, 1.00pm - 1.30pm, main college campus outdoor amphitheatre.
HSC Lunch Concert
Week 7: Friday, 4th September, 1.00pm - 1.30pm, senior campus, HSC soloists.
Junior Instrumental Lunch Concert
Week 8: Wednesday, 9th September, lunch, theatre, junior percussion ensemble, junior band, flute, clarinet, saxophone, brass, string ensembles and selected junior soloists.
Year 12 Graduation Mass
Week 10: Wednesday, 23rd September, 9.45am - 10.45am, St Agnes Parish Church, Collective Praise Band & Year 12 music students.
Year 12 Celebration of Excellence
Week 10: Wednesday, 23rd September, 11.45am - 1.15pm, College Hall, choir and concert band.
SAPSS Marching Band
At the end of Term 2, music students were invited to attend a Marching Band rehearsal and sign-up for the new season! This group included new wind players, percussionists and colour guard members who all arrived at the MPC on Wednesday afternoon to pick up their delicious mini pizzas and drinks. They were then gathered into the theatre to watch a short video featuring the Marching Band's trip to Darling Harbour earlier this year, before being separated into their respective groups to get to know one another and practice some music and moves. After a huge afternoon, they all came together to show off their talents and listen to the sound they can make as a team. We're hopeful the new students enjoyed their first experience with the Marching Band and will continue with it into this term and long after that!
Written by Alycia Lipovac (MacKillop College Music Trainee)
Please contact Mr Denham with any questions relating to the co-curricular music program at MacKillop College or visit the College website and click on the Creative Arts tab.
Leader of Co-Curricular Music
Term 3 Sport
Year 7
Tennis – Goodwin Tennis at School | Multi Sports – at School | Planet X – Off site
Year 8
Each class rotates to a different sport each week (approximately 25 students in each class).
Year 9
Year 10
Representative Sport
To stay up to date with the latest changes in the school representative sport pathway click on the following links.
Diocese of Lismore Sport https://sport.lism.catholic.edu.au/
Catholic Schools NSW Sport https://csnsw.sport/
Community Sport
Good News Story
Congratulations to Ryan Binskin in Year 10 who continues to set goals and achieve them. He recently ran in the NSW Short course Cross Country Championships where he automatically qualified for selection for the National Cross Country Championships to be held in South Australia in October.
This is extremely exciting for Ryan as it is a goal that he set several years ago and has been working so hard to qualify for this event. If you have ever had the opportunity to watch Ran run, it is something special. He makes it look so effortless but we know the reality is that Ryan works extremely hard to make it look that way.
This quote from Usain Bolt is very relevant. Ryan, we are in awe of your desire, talent, determination and skill and wish you every success at Nationals in October.
“You have to set yourself goals so you can push yourself harder. Desire is the key to success”.
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 by email at the College.
Remember to stay active and healthy.
Leader of Sport
National Disability Coordination Officer Program
School Leavers Fact Sheet
For more information about the NDCO please go to;
https://www.education.gov.
Please contact Leisa Fisher at the College if you require any assistance at this important transition point.
Inaugural 2020 Online Employment, Life Skills & Leisure Expo for senior school students with disability.
Students with disability and their parents/carers are invited to attend the Online Employment, Life Skills and Leisure Expo.
Some offerings will be geared to the Western Sydney area but most will be applicable to students in NSW.
For regular updates visit our Facebook page and don’t forget to ‘like’ and ‘share’.
https://www.facebook.com/Employment-Life-Skills-Leisure-Expo-106614141064705/?modal=admin_todo_tour
Maths Tutorials with Mrs Robertson
Tuesday - Friday
7.45am - 8.30am
Room 12 Main College
Our College offers two homework clubs for any extra time our students may need during the week.
Years 7 - 10 Homework Club is located in the Main College Library on Monday - Thursday: 3.15pm - 4.30pm
Years 11 - 12 Homework Club is located in the John Mullin Centre on Monday - Thursday: 3.15pm - 5.00pm
Canteen Helpers
In the current climate, Canteen volunteers will not be required until further notice.
Thank you for your understanding and take care.
Uniform Pool
Keeping with Covid regulations, if you wish to access the Uniform Pool, please phone the college canteen (via the college office) to check on the availability of the items you may require.
School ties
School ties are available for purchase at the Canteen for $20.00 each.