Welcome back to all families and a huge welcome to new families. We have had strong growth over the year - we now have 876 students across P-12. That's 408 in Senior and 468 in Junior. The feeling across the College is positive and vibrant. It is wonderful to have everyone here.

I was living in the United Kingdom when Joe Strummer died. It was just before Christmas in 2002. Joe Strummer was singer/songwriter for punk band The Clash in the 70s and 80s, and he was finding real fame and relevance again as a solo artist. I had seen him perform in London that year which was a real bucket list moment for me.

Shortly after he died, it was announced through various networks that fans of Joe Strummer could have a tree planted in his memory on the Isle of Skye. For those less familiar with UK geography, you cannot get much further from west London where The Clash emerged in 1976 to the western Highlands of Scotland. That was the offer though and I jumped at the chance to invest in the planting of native trees in this remote Scottish glen.

The survival of those trees (they are still there) is really impressive. Skye experiences long winters with very little sunlight, so the growing season is truncated. 100 mile per hour winds can hit the island filled with misty salt water. Deer roam wild and eat saplings before they have a chance to lay roots. Now, twenty years later, 'Rebel's Wood' (as it is known) is spreading its own saplings, which are in turn being taken to other parts of Britain to celebrate Joe's life and legacy.

We focus on being good descendants. That is, how are we behaving NOW, how can we be rewarded NOW, what benefits we can receive NOW. The attention on the present is to the detriment of the future - are we being good ancestors? The principle of planting a tree that you will never see grow is so hard to conceptualize and even harder to celebrate - but thinking more about that could provide insights to greater self care, compassion for others, concern for our broader future and attention to the importance of community.

All education is about nurturing for the future despite obstacles and challenges, and authentically planting seeds that will be fruitful trees long after the soil is smoothed over. As a Catholic College, we must celebrate tradition and legacy as seriously as we anticipate and plan for a vibrant future. As we get older, bigger, and with a genuine P-12 culture and structure, this becomes ever more important.

Mr Chris Gabbett
College Principal

Term 1 Fees were sent electronically to all families this week. These are due on Tuesday, 21 February. We accept Cash, Direct Deposit, BPay, Direct Debit and Credit Card. Please see the College website if you would like to setup a Direct Debit payment arrangement.

To be eligible for the generous 5% prepayment discount, the full year fees are due by Wednesday, 15 February. The discount will be applied by our finance team and your accounts updated with March statements. If you would like this amount calculated for you please contact Accounts Department.

Most class-based excursions and incursions are included within the College fee. Please note, however, the College reserves the right to not offer these experiences to students whose families are in arrears in payments and don't have a College approved payment plan. This also applies to extra curricular activities such as instrumental music, and sporting opportunities.

All extra curricular activities will be charged using our new, payment portal School Easy Pay.  Camps will continue to be billed to family accounts. 

You will note when you receive a Permission Slip to participate in an activity, payment is processed at the time permission is granted. Simply follow the prompts in the Permission Slip to make your payment and grant permission.  School Easy Pay is a secure payment portal that provides an invoice on receipt of payment for your child's activity. 

If you are experiencing financial difficulties, please contact the Business Manager, Kirsty Gillett to arrange a plan that suits your current financial needs - Email - Kirsty Gillett. We encourage you to reach out so we can work with our community.

Kirsty Gillett
Business Manager

School Photos are being held on Monday, 13 February 2023!

Please place your order online before the day of photography

Go to advancedlife and enter this code - H87 86M XGQ

Payment can be made using Visa, Mastercard, Paypal or Latitude Pay

If you have any queries concerning school photographs and ordering , please contact advancedlife directly: advancedlife - contact

At the Welcome Barbecue this week I approached a number of parents about the Parent Engagement Network (PEN) that has its Annual General Meeting this Tuesday (7 February, 5:30-7:00pm).  This meeting is open to all parents across our College. 

The Network is a formal structure, approved by the Bishop, for parents/guardians to engage in the educational mission of our school. The role of the PEN is to support the Principal and staff in implementing a comprehensive and contemporary education program. Parents/guardians have an advisory role in decisions made in the development and implementation of the strategic plan and policies of the school as well as the provision of resources to support the educational programs of the school.  At Mary MacKillop, my personal vision is that parents have an ongoing opportunity to inform the strategic direction of the College, and that there is a space for a respectful, positive, and collegiate dialogue. 

What does this mean in practical terms?  Well, firstly, the PEN is not just about fundraising (although that is an important function).  As Principal, I seek the PEN’s insight and guidance into the priorities stated in the Annual Action Plan, and I report back to the PEN every term on how successfully we are hitting those priorities.  Parents also support me in monitoring the five-year strategic plan. 

Some of our broad priorities that we would welcome parent support and input into this year are:

• The trialling of Live Reporting for parents
•  How we use the Illuminate Religious Education project to make faith life/mission more relevant for our students
• Management of the next phases of building/remodelling of the College site
• Preparation for the next phase of bidding for Block Grant Authority (BGA) funds for our Master Plan
• Child and adolescent wellbeing support processes
• Careers and Pathways education
• Alumni engagement

This list is by no means exhaustive, but I hope gives a flavour of the complex conversations we have at PEN meetings.    We are always seeking more hands for the PEN – if this interests you and you would like to attend the meeting on Tuesday, please email the PEN email address HIGPEN@twb.catholic.edu.au so you can be sent meeting documents.  

Mr Chris Gabbett
Principal

The College will be entering a team for the 4km and 10km Peak2Park courses. We very much welcome parents being involved too – please let me know if you would like to join us. The event is on 5 March and the 10km race starts at 7:00am.

A number of students in Senior have already volunteered and I will be writing to parents regarding costs ($10) and arrangements for the day soon.

Mr Chris Gabbett
Principal

Wunya!

Wunya is welcome in the local indigenous language. Wunya to our school year and our College for those that are new.

Celebrating as a whole College family is important and a great way to welcome everyone back for the 2023 school year. We started with mass on Friday, 27 January in the MacKillop Centre. Our mass was lead by our 2023 College captains and leaders. During mass we were challenged to 'Rise up! Don't hold back' as the year begins and flows on.

What does this mean? We want our students to rise above what has been happening in our world past and present, to then give it their ALL. Don't hold back! Make the most of the opportunities that are given and present themselves unexpectedly at times so that we can reach our potential as a student and staff member of MMCC.

This year we welcomed over 160 students into our College. This welcome ritual begins with a guard of honour formed by our present students to lead the new students to the chapel in their house group. Going through the chapel the students ring the bell for the first time and receive their house badge from their house leaders. This year our prep students also received a joey mascot dressed in their house colour as a buddy who will stay with them throughout their educational journey at Mary MacKillop Catholic College. Accompanying the joey buddy was a card with a welcome message and information about the house the student will now belong to. This important ritual, as part of our College's religious life of the school, gives our new students the chance to identify with a house and have a sense of belonging while also experiencing welcome from our whole College community. The next time that students will ring the bell is when they graduate in Year 12 and ring it as part of their final day at MMCC.

The joey has a connection to St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, our patroness. Mary MacKillop was a Sister of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart and they were often referred to as Joeys. So being an Australian saint we have connected 'Joey' to our Australian wildlife of a baby kangaroo being called a joey. Mary MacKillop travelled far and wide in her mission to build schools and educate students in a Catholic tradition just like a kangaroo travels far and wide on the environment. When prep students returned to their classroom they then participated in a welcome circle with their joey beside them.

So guided by Mary MacKillop we are striving to fulfil the following a we journey together:

# bringing passion to learning and life at our College

# to continue to perseverance in all things especially in times of difficulties and stress

# make the most of all the possibilities that are presented throughout the year

# use practical action to serve others who are less fortunate

# create partnerships with others through friendships as well as working together to achieve goals

# and last be not least, prayer is a way to achieving all this and more because a relationship is formed with God through prayer.

So, Wunya to our College!

Paula O'Rourke
Assistant Principal Religious Education

Mary MacKillop Catholic Parish welcomes all families and visitors to celebrate with them on a Sunday. This Parish mass is held in the MacKillop Centre, starting at 8:00am.

Fr Brian Noonan is the Parish priest. For the next few months, a seminarian, BJ Perrett, will also be working the Fr Brian and our community. We look forward to getting to know BJ as he spends his time here.

Everyone is welcome!

'I will' is a definite response to an action. Could you be confident to answer this to an action that you are going to learn about and grow with?

On Friday, 27 January, Mr Gabbett asked the College leaders to commit to do the following throughout the year, during the Leadership Commissioning ceremony:

# Will you strive to be your greatest self and work toward reaching your potential academically, spiritually, culturally and physically in bringing your PASSION to each of your areas?   

# Will you be open to the POSSIBILITIES that this role will bring - new experiences, challenges and opportunities that lie before you?  

# Will you PERSEVERE courageously, to look for new ways of sharing the Gospel within and beyond this community? 

# Will you commit yourself to bringing PRACTICAL ACTION so that living sustainably as a steward of the created world God has blessed us with, is a priority?  

# Will you work in PARTNERSHIP with others, to ‘celebrate God in all things’, to ignite hearts, engage minds and serve others throughout the year? 

# Knowing that Mary MacKillop believed in the power of PRAYER, will you model prayer as a means of transformation and communion with self, others and God? 

I wonder it you could say 'I will'?

As part of the ritual for our leaders, parents or family members pinned their badge on to their uniform before proceeding to hold a light candle and making the commitment to lead the College. The partnership between families and our College is supported by simple actions like this.

On the day, the scripture reading that was read by Daniel Wittmaack, asked us to not put our shining light under a bowl so that others can't see. We light a candle to see so we ask students to allow their gifts and talents to shine, like a light, to help others and the College to be better for what they bring to their leadership. No doubt there will be bumps along the way and so we look to help support these students as they beginning their leadership year.

Congratulations to the following students who will be leading the College this year and their role...

We look forward to the leadership from these students as they grow and mature with their role.

In Religious Education, we often reflect on important saints, the miracles they enacted and the qualities of these saints which continue to guide us today. Of course, each February, Saint Valentine's significance is raised, as is the reason why we celebrate Valentine’s Day. No matter the year level, I am usually hit with a barrage of responses, including it’s when dad buys mum flowers, or mum gives us all some chocolates. Often, students will tell me that we celebrate Valentine's Day because it’s nice to give other people gifts.

This may be true; however, these aren’t really reasons why we celebrate it. It is rare then that a student ever tells me about the life of Saint Valentine, or that the 14th of February was the day when he died. Perhaps this is because little is actually known about Saint Valentine. There are many urban legends surrounding Valentine; most research suggests that there were actually three different Saint Valentines, all of whom share a February 14th feast day. Despite the limited details and the commercialisation of such a day, Valentine’s Day still holds a valid message for Christians.

The symbol of the heart is a reminder that we are called to pledge our affection to our loved ones and thank them for their love in return. In a Catholic context, Valentine’s Day calls for a timely reflection on Jesus’ commandment to “Love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12-13).

In 1907, our patron saint, Mary MacKillop wrote, "Live in perfect charity and love, aiding and mutually encouraging one another in the thorny yet strong sweet path marked out for each of us to follow". February, 14 falls during Week 4 of this term. Throughout this week in Pastoral Care classes, Junior classes and sometimes in Religious Education classes, students and staff are invited to write affirmations to other students, family members or staff members whom they respect, appreciate, wish to affirm or perhaps even to someone they have had a disagreement with. Some students may use this opportunity to mend broken bridges.

Affirmation Week is also an opportunity for students to reflect on their own gifts and strengths that they appreciate in themselves. Of course, honest self-reflection and promotion of our qualities which serve others is not always an easy task.

If your child come home during Week 4 with affirmation notes to themselves or notes from other students, I encourage you to take an opportunity to discuss the qualities others have seen in your child and ask them how they may have affirmed others throughout the week.

Leisa Radley
Director of Formation and College Culture (7-12)

This year, Shrove Tuesday will occur in Week 5, on Tuesday, 21 February. As has been the tradition for the past three years, we are again inviting all staff and students to participate in Carnevale and wear their brightest, most beautiful, fanciest or glittery masks and join in the fun!

For our families who are new to the College, in our Catholic tradition, Shrove Tuesday, also known as Fat or Pancake Tuesday, marks our final celebration prior to the more pious observances of Lent, which commences the following day with an Ash Wednesday liturgy. At MMCC, Pancake Tuesday often involves pancake sales, pancake tossing races (using fake pancakes to ensure we avoid wastage) and even pancake making in the Junior College. In the past couple of years, we have also introduced the celebrations of Carnevale, most notably through the wearing of colourful face masks, into our Shrove Tuesday celebrations.

Please note that while some classroom and Pastoral Care teachers do find time in class to create masks, it is not an expectation, so students are encouraged to wear a mask from home. It was wonderful last year to see students organising masks according to a theme or House colour and we like to encourage students to be creative!

If you need any help finding masks or the materials to make one, OMGosh at Highfields or Northpoint often have animal masks, blank face masks which students can paint or colour in, or ready-made masquerade style masks for sale.

More information will be forthcoming regarding pancake purchases on Shrove Tuesday; however, please be aware that all students from Prep to Year 12 will be required to order their pancakes through Flexischools via the "Lent" menu. Pancakes will be $2 each and will come with butter and jam. Pancake orders will be delivered to Prep, Year 1 and Year 2 students, and all Year 3 to 12 students will collect their orders from the Cafe.

We look forward to having some fun on Shrove Tuesday and cannot wait to see students in their bright, glittery, or feathery masks!

Leisa Radley
Director of Formation and College Culture (7-12)

A sincere and warm welcome back to 2023.

Over the last few years schools have been overloaded with directives of new initiatives. This has meant that teachers have been constantly learning and implementing something new, whilst trying to maintain existing strategies and pedagogy. This year is a farrow year for all schools in the diocese. What this means is, we as a College have the opportunity to move from consolidation to mastery in specific focus areas. It allows teachers to reflect, review and improve.

Our focus areas for 2023 are Reading, Inspire Maths and Write That Essay. Over the last 5-7 years, these initiatives have been rolled out. Professional Development offered for teachers and then they were left to their own devices, so to speak. Whilst these initiatives are still in place, teachers haven’t had the opportunity (or time) to revisit best practice, to reflect, review and refine their pedagogy. Underpinning this direction is the continual development of a Growth Mindset. To enable teachers to move from consolidation to mastery, they will engage in professional learning specific to these focus areas, applying knowledge and understanding of effective teaching strategies to support students’ literacy and numeracy achievement; establish challenging learning goals and provide students with purposeful feedback on their learning.

This is an exciting time for our College!

Talent, Effort, Skill, Achievement

I shared this story a few years ago, however I think it is just as relevant today and worthy or a reminder for all of us as we embark on a new year.

Warren MacKenzie aged 92 years has been at his craft almost his entire life. He is a celebrated potter. Earlier in his life he tried his hand at a variety of artistic ventures. However, it soon became clear that doing something better and better was more satisfying.

“…. A good potter can make forty or fifty pots in a day. Out of these some are good, some are mediocre and some are really bad. Only a few will be worth selling, and of those, even fewer will continue to engage the senses after daily use”. (Grit by Angela Duckworth)

Over time, with effort, resilience and passion, MacKenzie’s skill improved. In the beginning what he thought was good, was in reality really awful. The pots lacked quality and richness. Over time, it got easier. As things got easier, and as he improved, he produced more good pots a day:

Talent X Effort = Skill

At the same time, the number of good pots he produced increased:

Skill X Effort = Achievement

With effort, MacKenzie kept on improving. With continued effort, he became more accomplished.

Why do I share this story with you? The answer is very simple. If students can apply the same principles of MacKenzie’s to their learning, they too would be masters of their learning. With persistent effort students can become master learners. Even the most talented students are at risk of not reaching their potential. That is, the learning of new content comes readily to them, so they require very little effort to acquire the knowledge, (Talent X Effort = Skill) which results in minimal achievement. Both skill and effort are required to achieve.

Students need to show up every day and be prepared to do the work. To put in the effort, and not just for the short term, but for the long term. This type of stamina is known as ‘Grit’.

As the new year begins, I encourage you to discuss talent, effort, skill, achievement and grit with your chid/ren. What are their goals academically for the year? What grit is required to achieve them?

NAPLAN – Years 3, 5, 7 and 9

From 2023 NAPLAN is changing. Tests will be conducted in Term 1. This means results will be available earlier and can be used to inform teaching and learning. The testing window will be held from Wednesday 15 March to Monday 27 March.

Prior this, students will complete 2 practice tests. The testing window will be held from Monday 13 February to Friday 24 February.

Further information will be communicated in the upcoming weeks.

Mrs. Natalie Adler
Assistant Principal Teaching & Learning: Junior

Over the holidays, Elise Scrivens was selected to attend the Queensland Biology Summer School hosted by the University of Queensland. This was a fantastic opportunity for her to meet like-minded Year 12 students who are about to embark on their final year of Biology studies in high school as well as learn more about the topics she will learn about this year.

I have asked Elise to share her experiences:

On the 17th to 19th of January I attended the Queensland Biology Summer School hosted by the University of Queensland at the St Lucia Campus, Brisbane.

On the Tuesday we focused on the biodiversity of Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) ecosystems and how this varies across the island. The islands ecosystems we were focusing on included the sand dunes, the mangroves, the sclerophyll forest and tidal flats. These ecosystems all possessed different abiotic and biotic factors that we based our research question off which led our research for the second and third day.

Wednesday, we travelled from the St Lucia campus to Cleveland ferry terminal and then across to Minjerribah where we travelled to two of the ecosystems to record data to answer our research questions. I visited the tidal flats where we placed quadrats into the sand at low tide to identify the seaweed and organisms such as crabs or tube worms in the sand. Secondly, I visited the sclerophyll forest to measure abiotic factors such as foliage cover, soil pH and soil moisture. We then spent the rest of the afternoon swimming at cylinder beach and soaking up the beautiful landscape.

On Thursday we spent the day in the lab analysing the data collected creating graphs through a program called R-Studio. This experience allowed me to obtain skills that will help me with the upcoming assessments in Biology.

I was able to learn off Dr Gurion Ang and create connections to other students completing Year 12 biology. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience that allowed me to experience university while learning and meeting likeminded people that helped me excel in the course.

Elise Scrivens

Year 12 Biology Student

Monique Cotter
Teacher

As students return to the College they are met with many exciting and positive aspects of their schooling experience. They are also met with many unknowns as they change classes, transition to the Senior school, navigate different peer groups, or commence as a new student to the College. Given the stress associated with new challenges (even the enjoyable ones!) and uncertainty, we must anticipate and normalise a level of nervousness or anxiety. This is normal and whilst uncomfortable, we need to collaborate to empower our students to identify and accept this discomfort whilst demonstrating bravery and perseverance. We know that maintaining momentum with routine and persistence prevents the avoidant behaviour patterns that perpetuate the anxiety experience over time.

Our Understanding Anxiety tip sheet, along with others, is available under our Parent Resources section for further reference.

Sean Albion (Assistant Principal Wellbeing) 
Jasmin Slack-Smith (Guidance Counsellor)

This year at MMCC, we are beginning each school day with a class/PC welcome circle. This welcome circle is a positive and fun way to begin the school day, whilst at the same time building connections with our peers in a classroom setting that is safe, consistent and predictable every day. The welcome circle routine provides a nurturing classroom that supports student engagement, builds wellbeing, and creates positive classroom communities. It also primes students for open, flexible, and engaged thinking setting them up for a day of academic success.

For students who arrive after 8:30 am, they will miss out on this welcome circle, setting up the day up for a positive start including addressing our values, expectations, announcements as well as a fun and engaging activity.

Did you know?

• 15 minutes late per day equates to 8 days of absence in a school year

• 1 day off school each fortnight equates to 1 year of learning lost over 12 years of school

If you find the school mornings, rushed, busy or overwhelming (and you're not alone) the following tips may be of some help:

Prepare as much as you can the night before: this may include putting clothes out, preparing lunches and snacks, having bags packed, computers on charge and library books etc ready to go.

Identify and overcome distractions: children can become easily distracted of a morning so removing so distractors helps them to remain focused on getting ready. This may include television, digital devices and phones. A checklist of tasks to complete each morning can be very effective with young children- particularly if it comes with a reward at the end of the week.

Having a visual morning routine: have a visual displayed (photos of your child/ren work best) of the 4 or 5 main things they need to achieve in the morning. This also helps little minds that tend to wander from one thing to the next.

Be willing to take you child to school even if they aren't ready: it is the important job of a parent to ensure their child/ren attend school. Being prepared to 'drive out of the driveway' even if their not fully ready, places some responsibility onto the child.

Rise before your children to prepare for your own day: we all have to get ready in the morning- not just our children. Being organised and on top of your own priorities before your children need you, will reduce the stress associated with the morning rush.

I have included an image of a daily checklist that might be helpful!

Bridget Rillie
Assistant Principal Wellbeing: Junior

What a fantastic turn out with co-curricular involvement in the Arts Department!

Even with swimming carnival, we had 20 Junior students attend our first Choir rehearsal- with now 30 students registered.

If you missed out this week on attending, please make sure you come along to register so we can get events locked in.

Jess Burke
Middle Leader - The Arts

It has been a big start to 2023, with our first carnival already in the bank and Inner Downs trials, school sport team trials, and Friday Sport all currently kicking off!

Parents should have responded to the email regarding Representative Sport trials they received in Week 1. This allows us to send you information on the particular sport your child is interested in trialing for Inner Downs/Darling Downs representation. With students from 10-19 Years eligible for these trials, it is a massive undertaking, and parents need to ensure they have filled in the appropriate forms. A big change this year is that Inner Downs trials need to be paid for in advance (similar to recent changes to Darling Downs trials). Please refer to the emails you receive on how to do this.

The Junior College Swimming Carnival has been run and won (by Penola) in what was a day filled with House spirit and participation. The overall carnival result will be decided once the Senior College completes its event in March.

Age Champions were as follows:

9 Years - Emily Cowie and Mikah Kouokam

10 Years - Elliana Campbell and Alfie Lever

11 Years - Malika Stokes and Lachlan Ward

12 Years - Isabella Stanton and Lucas Cowie

Thank you to Mrs. Campbell for her leadership of the event in her new role as P-6 PE teacher at the College.

Brad Griffiths 
Middle Leader: Sport

When the majority of us were relaxing over the holidays, the Voll Sisters (Charlotte year 12, Gabrielle year 9 and Isabelle year 5) were playing, busking and gigging their way to the main stage in Tamworth at the Country Music Festival.

After initially going to entertain as part of the busking entertainment schedule at the festival, the girls were asked to enter the Golden Gig Talent Comp... to which they made the TOP 5 FINALIST of the 13-17 years age group!

This was a massive achievement already, and the girls were excited to be chosen to be in the Top 5 finalists in a competition that had been running all week with talented young musicians from all over Australia entering.

The girls did very well in the final performance.... and placed THIRD!

To be noticed by artists and directors of the calibre of Adam Brand, Lyn Bowtell and Roger Corbett is a credit to the girls, and their hard work to learn and perform has really paid off with achievements such as this.

Hello from the Parent Engagement Network! Welcome back to a brand-new year at Mary Mac! It is so wonderful to see all the familiar smiles around the College and to see so many new smiles as well! Welcome to all the new families who have joined the Mary MacKillop College community this year. We hope that everyone has had a great start to the school year. We also wish to welcome back Mr Chris Gabbett, our returning teaching staff, new teachers, College leadership, all administration and grounds staff. We wish everyone the very best for the year ahead. Let’s all make it a great one!

With this being a new year, we warmly welcome the College community to attend the upcoming Parent Engagement Network (PEN) Annual General Meeting which will be held next Tuesday evening, 7 February for a 5.30pm start in Penola 6/7.

Being part of the Parent Engagement Network allows you the opportunity to support the College in obtaining the best educational outcomes for all students here at Mary MacKillop Catholic College. We come together as College Leadership, teaching staff, and parents. We meet at least once a term to discuss educational requirements focused on student growth and results to best support the College and student needs.

Mary MacKillop Catholic College is committed to promoting and nurturing active partnerships with families and the wider community so that all have authentic opportunities to participate in the life and activities of the school. Student learning is enriched through positive and reciprocal partnerships with parents.

The Parent Engagement Network meets to enable a deeper and more meaningful engagement of parents in the College mission and to align with the Strategic plan. This will enable us all to be focused as a cohesive group.

Event updates for the Term 1:

Recent Welcome BBQ for existing and new families

This was an exciting night on Tuesday evening. It was so lovely to welcome new families and to see existing families back again. This year is going to be exciting for us all. There was an amazing atmosphere and to see so many families on site enjoying the evening, enjoying a BBQ sausage on bread and drink over some good conversations to start the year. Thank you to all who could attend. For those who could not make it, we look forward to other events like this throughout the year where we can have similar enjoyable times. Thank you also to all volunteers who helped throughout this evening.

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

To all College Parents, students and staff, please join us for a coffee and a casual chat with the ELT (Executive Leadership Team) on Tuesday mornings 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. This is a great opportunity for us all to meet. We always welcome existing and new families to attend. We’d love to see you there!

Mass Tuesday mornings with Father Brian 7.30-8am

To all College Parents, students and staff, everyone is invited and welcome to join us for Tuesday morning Mass with Father Brian, this is a good way to start the day and to reflect on your week ahead. You can also meet other members of the St Mary MacKillop Parish community and have some open conversations.

Fundraising – we need you!

Each year we run some smaller fundraisers to help with sourcing resources for our College. This year we are looking to continue on with the same fundraising events i.e. pie drive, mango drive and ham drive. If you are interested in assisting with any of these events, please reach out to the PEN, many hands make light work. Refer to our email address below for any feedback or areas which you feel may need attention throughout the College.

The College is also looking to run some larger fundraising events this year and we’d really appreciate your help. If this is an area of interest to you, please reach out to the PEN at higpen@twb.catholic.edu.au

College Oval – Now complete.

WOW!!! It is now complete, and the grass is looking amazing. We have had some great rain on the new grass surface. Its great to see students playing on this and enjoying the space. Well done to Mr Gabbett and his team for getting this delivered for the College and the students. What a great space for future sporting events. The Goals and additional sporting equipment are on their way.

New Building work/ Uluru expansion/ Arts and Music Precinct

It is exciting to hear this new work has started. This will be an exciting addition to the College once complete and give the Students more undercover room to play and enjoy being creative and providing new facilities for the music and Performing Arts departments.

Grant Writing to support of College –PEN Resources Team

Do you have an interest or any experience with grant writing? We are still in need of assistance in this area. If this is of an interest to you, please make contact via the below email. There are many grants available and we need your help!

We wish the College students the very best in the upcoming College Swimming Carnivals and to those students who are competing at the upcoming Darling Downs representative trials across many sporting codes. We have great representation across many sports from Mary MacKillop Catholic College. Let’s go Team Mary Mac!

We are looking forward to another successful year at the College jam-packed with success and growth across all academic, arts, cultural and sporting codes!

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

We will see you all in 2023. Take care.

Next Meeting for 2023:

1st Meeting for the year – AGM - 7 February 2023 (Tuesday evening)

Room: Penola 6/7. Time: 5.30pm start – 7pm conclude.

Sign on to play Hockey in 2023 with one of our 5 great Clubs!Come and enjoy our friendly, family atmosphere.* Activities and Games for all ages.* Free Sample Bags for new players.* Free Sausage Sizzle, Snow Cones and Fairy Floss.Come & Try Hockey sessions running throughout the day - come and give Hockey a go!Register for the THA Mini Sticks Junior program for kids and learn the basics of Hockey.Phone 4633 1229 for more information.

MMCC HOCKEY WILL COMMENCE LATER THIS TERM IN PREPARATION FOR 2023 DARLNG DOWNS SCHOOLS CUP HOCKEY.