Today is the Feast Day of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

In old detective, noir films, if there was a need for the director to indicate that a scene was taking place in a Catholic Church, a statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus would be shown. Even if you are not of the Catholic tradition, there is no doubt you will have seen it. A flaming, stylized heart, often with flames coming out of it, pierced by a lance and surrounded by thorns.

The Sacred Heart imagery is itself quite affronting and almost violent - thorns, nails, a lance, a sword - all paint a picture of suffering and pain. The actual theology though is that the Sacred Heart is a symbol of God's boundless love and compassion for all of humanity. A priest once explained it to me as a heart that loves infinitely, but is not loved infinitely in return.

The night before he dies, Jesus calls his disciples “friends” (John 15:13–15). Jesus has already made himself known to his followers as teacher, healer, master, Saviour. Why now, in the fateful moment of the Last Supper, identify himself as a friend?

Because friendship is what we crave as human beings. We need Jesus to say to us “I call you friends” because we are hard-wired for a God who loves us as his intimate companion. 

I think the Sacred Heart today should encourage us to look for and celebrate the heart that loves us. It could be a sibling, a spouse, a parent or a friend - but we should look for the sacred and the divine in our relationships today.

Careers Week

We have had careers focus this week and I want to thank the parents and students who have attended these. We had a fantastic attendance at the two sessions on Monday night looking at subject pathways. The year 11 and 12 students who attended USQ on Tuesday took great value from it, and the year 10 students (and parents) who attended the Careers Retreat on Tuesday and Wednesday received really positive and useful messages. A huge thanks to Mrs Stevenson and Mrs Richardson who organised these events.

Dr. Seuss Day

At the other end of the curriculum, I want to thank the teachers, students and parents who attended Dr Seuss Day on Tuesday. It is really fantastic that so many parents want to get into Dr Seuss outfits and celebrate literacy with our year 1 group. It is a real highlight of my year and I was very sorry to miss it. Thank you Mrs Jones, Ms Cowen and Mrs Lever for this.

Volunteer Induction

Thank you so much to the parents who attended the Volunteer Induction on Wednesday. I have been really overwhelmed by the generous offers of support for different College priorities. Please remember that volunteers must complete the volunteer pack before they can support. Please also see the PPF report for the link to the parent volunteers' register.

Hampton Festival

Please remember that our College musicians and artists are showcased at this vibrant local festival. It would be lovely if College families could attend and see the high-quality work. Many thanks to Mrs Burke, Ms Puhakka and Mr Chivers for their leadership of this.

Finally, thank you all very much for your support this Semester. I hope you all stay safe over the break. If you are getting away, please travel safely!

Take care

Chris Gabbett
College Principal

With school holidays just around the corner, please be aware that the Senior Administration will be open from 9am to 2pm Monday to Friday. If you need to contact the office during the holidays, please phone 4698 7777 and leave a message or alternatively email highfields@twb.catholic.edu.au and we will respond over the break.

Kirsty Gillett
Business Manager 

Primary School attended: St Patrick's School St George

Secondary School attended: St Ursula's College Toowoomba

What do you like about working at Mary MacKillop? 

I am really enjoying working as the Science Lab Tech as I learn something new everyday! The exciting and fun experiments I get to prepare make every day interesting.

Another thing I like about working at Mary MacKillop is how welcoming the community is here, making it easy to come to work everyday. I am looking forward to getting to know everyone better.

What are your hobbies/Interests?

I enjoy reading, the beach, music, camping (especially on the beach) and spending time with my family. My family lives in St George so I am looking forward to being able to travel to see them during the holidays.

Other interesting facts about yourself or anything else you would like to share with the MM community: 

Before starting at Mary MacKillop I worked in Childcare for 6 years, one of these years I was a Kindy Teacher. I am also currently studying my Bachelor of Primary Education at USQ.

Brigit Harrison
Science Laboratory Technician

Our Scholarship Program is back and we are now accepting applications for 2023. We are excited to also extend an invitation to all eligible current families of the College to apply for the new MacKillop Scholarship.  The MacKillop Scholarship aims to encourage applicants from Year 4-12 who go the extra mile for others in their community. This scholarship offers a discount on the total school fees for a set scholarship term. 

We are interested in hearing from students who would like to apply for a scholarship to attend Mary MacKillop Catholic College. We are particularly interested in recruiting young men and women with strength of character and a positive outlook.

Mary Mac Meals are freshly prepared meals from our College Chef, perfect to take home and feed the family after a long day at work!

Please click on the below link to see our menu, and place your order!

Thank you to those families who have donated to the AMMA and Mini Vinnies' Blanket and Jacket Drive this term. Our classroom and Pastoral Care baskets are beginning to fill up.

This has become an annual event across the College and one which our students have supported wonderfully. Over the past two years, we have been able to donate mountains of warm blankets, doonas, jackets and coats to the patrons of Tony's Community Kitchen and St Vincent de Paul, who–on these chilly Toowoomba winter nights–are grateful for our College's donations.

Each year, MMCC receives heartfelt letters of thanks from St Vincent de Paul and Tony's Community Kitchen. It's important that our students know that even just one jacket can make a difference in the lives of those who are vulnerable in our community. In my own Religion classes, I ask the students to imagine spending a winter evening on the streets of Toowoomba. Most refer quickly to how much they would miss the warmth of their fireplace or the convenience of their ducted air conditioning, not to mention the comfort of their Oodies and slippers!

So, if you haven't yet had a chance to donate, AMMA's and Mini Vinnies' Blanket and Jacket Drive will continue until Week 3 of Term 3. Over the school holidays, if the cupboards are getting a winter clean out, please consider keeping some used, but good condition jackets aside or purchasing a new blanket for your chilldren to donate next term.

Again, a huge thank you to our families who have already donated this term.

Leisa Radley (on behalf of Mini Vinnies and AMMA)
Director of Formation and College Culture (7-12)

We’ve put together some useful resources to help with your chilled with Year 10 subject selection options for Senior, first of all we recommend you read Alan Finkel’s (Australian Chief Scientist) advice to Julie in Year 10. It could put you in the right mind set and help you prioritise better.

The basics about subject selection

Confused about subject selection? Then read this short blog with 5 tips for Year 10 subject selection, it could help.

Need some extra help?

There are lots of experts (aside from your qualified and experience teachers and parents) out publishing information and tools that could help you make decisions; so you’ll end up studying the subjects that are right for you.

Tertiary Admission Centres (TACs)

• QTAC’s My Path – Year 10 Guides (you’ll need to scroll down to find the link to download the entire document – or you can read it online).
• UAC’s Steps to Uni Guide includes Subject Compass, their subject selection tool, as well as their Steps to Study For Year 10 Students Guide and top tips for choosing HSC courses.
• VTAC’s Year 10 Guide and prerequisites for 2024 study are available.
• SATAC’s page for Students in Years 10 and 11.

Universities

Lots of universities provide information about Year 10 subject selection and pathways to uni; here’s a few that we’ve found.

• The University of Queensland’s Year 10 Subject Selection Guide
• The University of Sydney’s Year 10 Guide
• Deakin’s Guide to University for Year 10 Students
• ACU’s Year 10 Study Guide
• Charles Sturt Uni’s Year 10 Guide

Bear in mind most of this information may be geared towards getting you into a course at that particular uni, so it’s probably worth checking prerequisites and advice available for specific courses and institutions you have in mind.

In term 3 Year 10 students will take part in the SET Plan process which will pathway plan whether it's into a trade, vocation, university or employment.

Education Departments

All education departments provide resources for Year 10 subject selection.

• QCAA’s planning your pathway page has loads of information about the Senior Education and Training (SET) Plan, including their myQCE guide.

Our MMCC Careers Portal is another excellent resource to help when Pathway Planning. MMCC Careers Portal

Jennifer Stevenson & Christie Mastin-Richardson
Your Pathways Team

Over the past two days, the Year 10 cohort attended the 2022 careers retreat, held at the Micah Centre; a facility owned by the Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba.  

Students participated in various activities that sparked their creativity, lighting their pathway to future careers after graduating.  

Everyone enjoyed the two-day event and had plenty of positive things to say. 

“We are given the opportunity to explore different paths, knowing we can change career; we may take a turn left, and then take a turn right, but wherever we turn, there will always be a path to take!” - Katelyn Burton  

During this retreat, we explored many different pathways leading to long term job opportunities. These include university, Tafe, Head start courses, and SBA’s (School Based Apprenticeship). 

“This retreat opened my eyes to the numerous ways of studying a degree, which helps me to be less stressed about my future.” - Sky Warry 

The teachers and a few alumni students gave some amazing advice for finishing school and starting to transition into the workforce.  Advice included; 

• Keep opportunities/ choices open 
• Focus on task  
• Organisation  
• Take care of yourself  
• Trust yourself 
• Don’t have to stay in the same career  
• Live while you’re young  

Written by Molly Haig, Olivia Horrex, Sky Warry, Amelie 

Ashlyn Martin, one of our fantastic Year 12 students, posed a question to me last Monday at our Subject Showcase event.

"What would you tell your 15 year old self?"

As I pondered a response, I became sidetracked by the event and didn't actually answer the question, However, it has stuck with me ever since.

My gut instinct is to tell myself to get a haircut. I was in my emo phase and it was horrific. I was a pasty white Irishman with a big afro.

In all reality, looking back now, I wouldn't change a thing. I've two degrees, during which time I made some life long friends, ended up working in some great places in the UK and Australia, and without my pathway in life, I wouldn't have met my wife and had two amazing children. So the advice I would tell my 15 year old self is to enjoy the present, choose subjects you enjoy, and don't give in to peer pressure. Be yourself, and have faith in your own decisions.

"Follow your own path," young Bracken.

Saying all this, the one area I wished I knew more about was the American University system. Coming towards the end of schooling, I had become quite a decent national level runner in Ireland. A pathway worn by many athletes in Ireland and Australia, is the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) within the University American system. I didn't have the knowhow on how to apply and I didn't have the required guidance to lead me down this path.

Here at the College, we have an amazing Careers Team. Earlier this term, we met with with every Year 12 student and had some amazing, and sometimes honest, conversations about chosen pathways and how they're currently tracking. There are a myriad of avenues for students to get where they need to and our Career team will leave no stone unturned to make this happen.

Following the Subject Showcase event on Monday, Year 10 students engaged in a two day Careers Retreat. Early next term, each student will have a Senior education and training (SET) Plan meeting with a member of the Careers team. In this meeting between the student, parent/guardian and Career Team staff member, we will discuss future career pathways and options, interests and hobbies, subject selection for Year 11 and 12 and anything else that arises!!

Semester 1 Report Cards will be distributed at the end of this week on Sentral. Please use information in this report to decipher if you would like to book a Parent Teacher Interview for early in Term 3.

Chris Bracken
Dean of Senior Studies 

Last Friday, the college Barista's where treated to an afternoon excursion to Crows Nest as a thank you for all their hard work and dedication throughout the year so far. This small group of students supply the college with warm drinks of a morning before school. According to the regulars at the café, the quality is 'top notch,' therefore providing much needed caffeine hits to teachers in need of a refreshment in the mornings, along with warm hot chocolates to those students visiting the café before school for breakfasts.

The students got to explore a bit of what Crows Nest has to offer with a quick visit to the local soft drink factory. Here the owner gave us informative demonstration of the bottling process and a little of the history of the company.

Then afternoon tea was enjoyed at the recently opened Myrtille Bistro located at in the old Salt's Antique Building. The students were treated to a platter of beautiful pastries and drinks in their stylish newly refurbished venue. It was a chance to sit down and enjoy being on the other side of service.

Thank you to all the College Barista's every morning. The staff and students thank you for always being there for them. You are all appreciated.

Kate Vanderplas 
Senior Teacher

Mary MacKillop Catholic College is proud to once again partner with local company IntegratedSTEM to continue hosting after-school STEM workshops in Term 3!

Developed by IntegratedSTEM’s resident robotics engineer, the Term 3 after-school workshops will investigate modern-day security systems. Students will get a hands-on look at how real security systems work and will develop their own intruder detection system using IntegratedSTEM’s resources and programs.

Key Details: 

• When: Mondays in Term 3, starting in Week 3 (3:15pm - 4:15pm) 
• Dates: 25th July (Week 3) - 12th September (Week 10). 
• Where: Mary MacKillop Catholic College - Junior Library 
• Age: Grade 4 - 6
• Cost: $180 (early-bird price, ends 26th June) / $240 (full price)
• Number Restrictions: Max of 20 students.

Please note: Registrations will close at the end of Week 2 in Term 3.

All enrolments and payments will be handled by IntegratedSTEM. They are the primary provider of the workshops. Mary MacKillop is acting as the host school. A staff member from Mary MacKillop will be present at the workshops.

Jared Nielson 
Middle Leader Science and Technologies

Reading your Childs report card

Receiving report cards can be an anxious time for children. Will my parents be proud or my results? Will they be disappointed? Research tells us, that this is the main concern for most children when reports cards arrive home. Children of all ages take their cues from you, their parents. So your reaction to the school report can impact the way they see themselves not only as learners, but as people. As parents, you may have mixed feelings around the report card. You will feel proud if they have performed well but experience some angst if your children aren't progressing as you had hoped. With the added impact of Covid-19 absences, brings greater uncertainty for both children and parents.

Before reading your child's report card, the following questions may help you to best support your child.

•  Are your expectations for your children realistic and inline with their ability? If they are set too high, it may deter a child from seeing themselves as a learner. If they are set too low, children have nothing to strive for.

• Do you believe that children learn at different rates? Not all children develop and learn at the same pace, so avoid comparing your child to their siblings, relatives or friends' children, or even yourself when you were a child. Instead, look for the progress and growth your child has made.

• Are you willing to safeguard your child's self-esteem? Self confidence is a pre-requisite for learning. When reflecting upon report card grades and comments, remember the impact your words and actions can have.

Report card tips!

• Focus on your child's strengths as a first point of reference. Then move into areas for improvement and ask their opinion on how they feel they learnt throughout the Semester. Their voice as learners matters.

• Take into account your child's effort and attitude to learning. Our report cards at MMCC provide feedback around the positive learning behaviors at our College. Ask your child if they received a certificate or ribbon this term? This is another indicator of success your child has had.

• Focus on both academic success/growth and the broader picture of your child's progress as a member of a social setting. How your child interacts with others will influence their happiness and well-being. Skills of independence and co-operation are highly valued in our society.

Bridget Rillie
Assistant Principal Wellbeing Junior 

The past two weeks, students who received 15 Joey points in class for growth in demonstrating the MMCC Positive Learning Behaviors, received their ribbon. Students in Prep received ribbons for the first time this year with Term 1 being a time to adjust to school life! Congratulations to the students in our College who received a certificate or a ribbon. Joey Badges will be presented to students at the first assembly of Term 3.

Take care of yourselves and your family over this holiday period.

Bridget Rillie 
Assistant Principal Wellbeing Junior

Winter may seem like a time to stay indoors and keep warm, but for our keen group of regular gardening students, it has been a busy time transforming a garden bed into a succulent garden complete with its own hotel. Hotel? Yes, that’s correct! It’s no ordinary hotel but a frog hotel. We noticed whilst transforming the garden that we kept finding green tree frogs enjoying the damp conditions near the tap. To keep the frogs happy, we have made a luxurious hotel complete with lily pads to encourage more frogs to visit our garden and provide them with a safe place to live. This has been a fun project and we are always rewarded to find our croaky little guests checking in.

Did you know that Scientists think the decline and disappearance of some frog species in Australia may be partly due to a disease caused by a chytrid fungus. The fungus attacks the parts of a frog's skin that have keratin in them. Since frogs use their skin for respiration, it is difficult for them to breathe.

Frogs shed skin to rid disease - School of Biological Sciences - University of Queensland (uq.edu.au)

If you’re looking for a simple holiday project that is something fun and affordable, you could make your own frog hotel. It doesn’t have to be the Hilton Hotel. Keep it simple and use a bowl or some PVC downpipes dug into the ground in different lengths. You may be rewarded with a croaky choir and become knee-deep in frogs. No Kermit (permit) required.

Trudi Samin
School Officer Assisting Student Learning

From the beginnings of a poem for a Year 8 English assignment to a touching and well composed work ready for stage performances. Adele Adams scripted a poem about her Great- Grandparents' farm at Crow's Nest which she recently performed at the Crow's Nest Country Music Festival.

Click this link to view her performance. 

Jessica Burke
Middle Leader The Arts and Student Engagement 

Melanie started piano in Year 2 at the College. Fast forward to Year 6 and Melanie is still performing within the program now sitting Australian Music Examination Board qualifications on the piano. Congratulations Melanie on your commitment to the Arts through your piano performance.

Jessica Burke
Middle Leader The Arts and Student Engagement

Hello to all Mary Mac families, students, Parish and Community members.

Week 10! We've all made it! It's been a long term, and everyone certainly deserves a good break!

This past fortnight we have seen lots of exciting events across many areas of the College. Congratulations to all involved in organising the Senior and Junior Discos. It was so wonderful to see students enjoying themselves in a fun and social setting at the College. Thank you to the College staff, students and our wonderful parent volunteers who made themselves available to enable these functions to occur. We look forward to more of these events in the near future to help raise funds for College resources. 

Congratulations to all Mary Mac students who have been trialing or competing in local, zone or state level sporting competitions, and also to those students who are presenting or performing in the Arts sector. We have so many talented children at Mary Mac! Congratulations to Mr. Griffiths and College staff for the fantastic Junior Athletics Carnival last Monday. It was a day with beautiful weather and the children had a fabulous day competing in all the events for their house teams! Congratulations to all the children for trying their best!

CSPQ Update – Parent Engagement Day

What an amazing day for those who attended last Saturday. There were many schools from the Diocese in attendance. We listened to Dr. Andrew Fuller and his incredible insight into parenting, teaching, neurons, and the CPR of wellbeing…Connect, Protect, Respect!

We encourage all parents to review his website https://andrewfuller.com.au/ and any videos online to learn more.

We also heard from John Rutter from the Fathering Project. This is an exciting new way to engage our fathers in the community. Please all fathers and father figures check this out. Watch this space for future events to engage our Fathers. https://www.thefatheringproject.org/

It was also good to hear from members of the CSPQ who organised this event which was cancelled last year due to Covid restrictions. We look forward to more events like these and ongoing support for the TCSO and CSPQ.

Future Fundraising Possibilities

The PPF alongside the College are looking to run some more fundraiser events soon for resources for students at the College. Please reach out if you have any ideas. Refer to our email address below for any feedback or areas which you feel may need attention.

Coffee Catchup at The Café – Every Tuesday morning 8am till 8.30am.

To all College Parents, students and staff. Please don’t forget to join us for a chat with the ELT (Executive Leadership Team) to discuss any College matters or general questions which you may have, or just a check-in with each other on how everyone is doing. With our lives being so busy, Tuesday mornings can be a great opportunity for us all to catch up over a coffee. Everyone is invited to attend. We’d love to see you there!

Careers Week

Monday night was another great event by the College showcasing what is on offer for our Senior Career Pathways. There are many amazing subjects on offer for our students. Congratulations to our Careers Pathways Team, College Middle Leaders, teachers and students for showcasing the point of difference we have here at Mary Mac. If you have any questions in regards to senior subjects, please reach out to Mrs. Stevenson and Mrs. Richardson.

This week has been filled with many Career Pathway opportunities and upskilling. On Monday the Years 11 & 12 students had opportunity to complete their RSA and RSG qualifications.

The Year 10’s have also been on a two-day retreat to explore their Career Pathways. The Pathway Showcase enabled students and their families to engage with industry, training organisations and Universities to explore the vast opportunities available to them.

On Tuesday Year 11 & 12 students had opportunity to attend the USQ Discovery Day. Well done to students across the Senior College for attending the USQ visits throughout the term. It is exciting to know what is on offer right on our doorstep and the possibilities for our students wishing to study locally.

Volunteers Register

Volunteers are an essential part of our school community and we value your contribution to strengthening communities ties.

If you are someone who would like to help out, we invite you to please express your interest via the Volunteers Register link. By filling in this online form, we are able to contact those who are interested in particular areas and available to help when there is an event on. There is opportunity on the form for you to tell us a bit about yourself and your areas of interest or expertise and the days/times you are available to assist.

Thank you to the parents and volunteers who attended the Volunteer Induction on Wednesday morning. If you missed it, please contact the College to collect a Volunteer Induction pack.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and put your hand up to help. Our volunteers are greatly appreciated, and we can’t wait to do many amazing things with your invaluable help!

Lastly to Mr. Chris Gabbett and the leadership team, our amazing teachers and staff at Mary Mac. Thank you as always for a great term. This term again has come with challenges with students away sick and staff shortages because of ongoing Covid and flu symptoms. We pray for all those presently sick for a speedy recovery. Thank you to all who gave their very best throughout the term!

Please have a safe and restful holiday to all staff and students. We will welcome everyone back for Term 3 on Tuesday, 12 July.

If you have a topic or matters for discussions, please send through to the PPF email higppf@twb.catholic.edu.au and we can add it to our next PPF Meeting Agenda.

Take care.

Next PPF Meeting

• When: Tuesday 2 August 2022
• Room: Penola 6/7
• Time: 5:30pm start - 7pm conclude

Shayne Cleary & Rowena Voll
Co-Chairs PPF

Our vacation care program has just been released and we are so excited for 2 weeks packed full of fun and engaging activities! We still have places left, so if you want your children to attend some vacation care days, please contact our service on 0408 160 891 or HIGcare@tckc.qld.edu.au.

We would love to meet some new faces these school holidays!

The Mary MacKillop OSHC Team

This Saturday (25 June) our College musicians will be opening the event commencing at 3pm. We would love to see our community come together to celebrate our part of the Downs.

Jessica Burke 
Middle Leader The Arts and Student Engagement