It is wonderful to be back in the routine of things here at the College. I hope you are all settling into the routine of a new year too.
So many times since teachers returned to work I have been filled with gratitude for the spirit of unity, faith, service and excellence that defines our community. Students have been working consistently in classes from the very first bell, and there is a wonderful feeling of industry in classrooms. That sense of hard work and industry really matters - our students are forming the behaviours they will take to the next stage of their lives.
On Monday, we will open with 985 students across P-12. That is 485 students in Junior and 500 in Senior. Based on the experience of the past two years, we will click over 1000 students by about June. I am so proud of this growth. I am most proud of the fact that so many students new to our College have arrived and bought in to our Mary MacKillop culture. We do have a very kind, nurturing and aspirational student community, and they have set a great example to our newcomers. Thank you.
Maintaining culture is everybody's business. Since I commenced as Principal at Mary MacKillop I have spoken consistently of the potential impact of our growth. When this College was a single form primary school and the idea of a McDonald's across the road and Aldi on the back fence was impossible to fathom, community and culture came easily. As organisations get bigger though, you have to consciously build community and work hard to protect your culture. We are in that space, and I am so happy to see a lot of community members willing to do both.
I hope you have a lovely weekend planned. Thank you as ever for supporting our College.
Take care.
Mr Chris Gabbett College Principal
School Renewal and Improvement Process (SRIP)
I am indebted to the parents, staff and students who contributed to the SRIP in August of last year. Unfortunately, the review team were unable to complete the process in August so the final meeting was had in mid January. The report is now published and it can be accessed here.
The SRIP is a very affirming document, but it also identifies key areas for further improvement. As a College we have started the strategic planning process for the next phase of our growth, and this document will be a very important support.
The Parent Engagement Network will have a key role in developing our next Strategic Plan, and I welcome parents of our community who would like to contribute to that group.
Mr Chris Gabbett College Principal
Follow us on Social Media
For all our new families to the MMCC community, we encourage you to like and follow us on our social media pages. This is a wonderful way to view amazing stories and celebrations in our community.
College Facebook – Mary MacKillop Catholic College
College Instagram - @marymackillopcatholiccollege
Mary Mac Sport - @marymacsport
Cafe Menu
Volunteers Needed - The Cafe
Can you spare some time to help out in our Cafe?
We are in need of some volunteers to help out in The Cafe, even if it is just for a couple of hours it would be appreciated. There are spaces available Monday - Friday.
If you are interested in assisting throughout the College, please complete this form. You will need to complete the TCSO Volunteers and Visiting Service Providers induction using this link. Alternatively you can visit the College to pick up this documentation.
We look forward to seeing mums, dads, carers and grandparents soon helping out in The Cafe!
Mission & Identity
Together We
Together we will / can........ what can you add to the end of this sentence starter?
This year our College theme is 'Together We'. We are all on a journey together to prepare the students to live life to the full. You as parents and first educators, form a partnership with our College, to support the formal years of schooling. Everything that happens in our world, cannot occur on its own and children are the same. They cannot be formed into young people without a group of people guiding them.
Together we are passionate! Term 1 of this year is about being passionate - bringing passion to the College. We are all passionate about something and so are the students. We want to encourage and highlight this passion throughout the College and in doing so our College will be a better place for all. I encourage you to foster your child's passion and encourage them to share this at school getting involved in College life. We have already had many examples of this within our College - Isabelle Voll following her passion of music especially singing in winning a competition at the Australian Music Festival in Tamworth. Many students were able to follow their passion for swimming or teamwork or supporting their house at the Junior swimming carnival. The whole group benefitted from their passion in making the day a great day.
Being passionate is one of the 6P's that drives us to live out the Josephite Charism in our College. The others are Partnership, Possibilities, Perseverance, Practical Action and Prayer. You will hear and see more about these as the year goes on. I have included an image from the Strategic Plan that describes how we aim to address these P's for the students. Throughout this year we will be unpacking and highlighting these P's with the students as the students grow more aware of their presence around, within and throughout the College.
The staff gathered in Week 0 - the week before school starts - to encounter scripture and look at how as members of the College they can contribute to the culture of this significant place. A place of encounter is what we are asking staff to do - to really see the people around them and connect with them in some way. It is through this encounter that we are able to be present and acknowledge God's presence as well. It is through this encounter that all staff will get to know the students they teach entering into a dialogue with them and enabling the presence of God to be! Together we will encounter and be present!
Coming up soon will be Ash Wednesday and the liturgical season of Lent. Please be aware of many things that will happen around the College at various areas. We will be having a whole College mass at which students and staff will receive ashes on their forehead as a symbol of us wanting to be better people of God.
In finishing I wish everyone a great year and look forward to celebrating with you at various events.
For together we can!
In Mary MacKillop's words "Have courage and patience and God will help you in all things". MM 1899
Paula O'Rourke Assistant Principal Religious Education
Mask Up for Carnevale!
It is almost Shrove Tuesday, which at MMCC means it is time to mask up! For our new families to the College, firstly, welcome! Secondly, you may be wondering what masking up is all about. Don't worry–we're not returning to COVID masks!
In our Catholic tradition, the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday is known as Shrove Tuesday, otherwise named Pancake or 'Fat' Tuesday. This is a final opportunity for Catholics to use up their fatty ingredients such as butter, white flour, milk and cream by making pancakes. It is also when Catholics were 'shriven' and called to repent for their sins; hence the name 'Shrove' Tuesday. Notably, this day is a final chance to indulge before the strict observances of Lent are introduced on Ash Wednesday.
At Mary MacKillop Catholic College, not only do we like to observe Shrove Tuesday; on this day, our staff and all students from Prep to Year 12 are invited to participate in Carnevale. While this festival has its roots in European tradition, we like to bring a little bit of this culture of celebration to Highfields by wearing bright, feathery, glittery or House-coloured masks on Shrove Tuesday.
Further information will be sent to families within the coming week; however, in the meantime, your child/ren may like to dig out last year's mask or get creative at home and make their own mask. Local shops, including OMGosh at Highfields and Northpoint, have packs of cardboard or plastic masks that students can decorate. Some Pastoral Care or Junior classroom teachers may create masks with their classes; please ask your child/ren to confirm with their teacher.
Leisa Radley Director of Formation and College Culture (7-12)
All About Rosies
Many of you reading this already know what Rosies is, but there are a lot of parents new to our school this year who will receive an email once a month asking for donations who might be wondering what it’s all about!
Rosies Friends on the Street is an organisation that has been operating in Queensland for 35 years, and in Toowoomba for 10. With roots in the Catholic Church, the aim of Rosies is to provide support to vulnerable people in our community, in the form of ‘outreaches’, to which all are welcome, and where a warm meal, a friendly face, a listening ear, and various sundries, are made available to attendees. Our guiding saint, Mary MacKillop, famously said, “Never see a need without doing something about it”, and our college’s partnership with Rosies enables us to embody her spirit with compassion and practical action.
A number of schools across the Toowoomba region, including MMCC, provide both the basics of the meal served at outreach (hence the call for donations), and the volunteers to cook it (teachers and senior students). Many people from all different walks of life attend outreaches, including pensioners, refugees, those, down on their luck, and a lot of children and young people – there is regularly about a 50/50 split between adults and children at our monthly outreach in Harlaxton Park.
In addition to the items requested for the BBQ, other items can be donated, including packaged/canned foods, second hand clothing, and household items. All are gratefully received by attendees, and nothing goes to waste.
If you would like to know more about Rosies, you can visit their website at https://rosies.org.au/ . If you can help with the school’s contribution to our monthly outreach, please keep an eye on your emails – you’ll receive a call for food donations every month the week before the outreach is happening. Our next outreach is on Wednesday, 21 February.
Rebecca Manners Teacher
Teaching and Learning
Know Your Learner
Education Assessment: Sustain and widen long life learning gaps
The above image highlights the importance of teachers knowing their learners. We don’t all learn the same way, or at the same time. Every learner is on their own learning journey and has their own unique way of learning. A teacher’s job is to meet each student where they are at and provide ways for each student to access the curriculum.
During Week 0, teachers spent time ‘researching’ their students and exploring their data in preparation to meet their new students and make their transition to the new academic year as successful as possible.
“Personalised Learning is putting students at the heart of the education process so as to tailor teaching to individual need, interest and aptitude in order to fulfil every young person’s potential.” (Professor David Hopkins 2017)
Teachers provide students with access to the curriculum through a process called differentiation. It is a proactive response to learner needs and guided by the following principles:
An environment that encourages and supports learning
Quality curriculum based in the Australian curriculum
Feedback and assessment that informs teaching and learning
Instruction that responds to student variance
Leading students and managing routines
Teachers differentiate through content, process, product and environment according to the students’ readiness, interest and learning profile.
In approaching the planning process in this way teachers are creating possibilities for all students to succeed through practical action and partnership with home, the student and where appropriate external providers.
If you are curious to know more about how your child is accessing the curriculum, please get in touch with their classroom teacher.
Mrs. Natalie Adler Assistant Principal Teaching & Learning P-12 / Head of Phase P-2
Senior School
UQ ChangeMakers Progam 2023
Over the Christmas holidays Year 12 student Lucy Hutchison attended the UQ ChangeMakers Program. Below is her recount the event and why she would recommend 2024 Year 11 students apply for an opportunity to attend in November.
Day One - On arrival at the campus, ‘we met our mentors and split into our designated groups for the camp, where we met all other students from across Australia wanting to start a future at UQ or another university. To kick of the camp was a detailed tour of Cromwell College where we’d be staying, and a further tour of the St Lucia Campus.
This allowed us to see all sides of UQ, including tours within biotechnology labs, physics buildings, gene modification labs, the moot court, library and great court. The night ended with a lecture from famous Australian journalist Peter Greste about his story as a falsely convicted terrorist and the life lessons he learnt in Egyptian prison, resilience in the face of diversity.
Day Two - Day two started with a choice of sporting activities around Cromwell College before breakfast, leading into the Designing Solutions for Impact workshop. This workshop focused on using technological alternatives as solutions to the declining mental health in high school students. This was followed by an extremely useful and incredible lecture from two-time Business owner and UQ graduate Bree Williams (owner of Brighter and Fletcher and Co.) on the induction social enterprise and how to start your own business. That night, we were treated to the YCM movie night to end the day and helped build our expectations of social life and community within Cromwell.
Day Three - By far the biggest day, we began with a lecture from Dr Gurion Yang on the importance of science, and how it’s incorporated into every career. Then, we moved into our double workshop sessions, Psychology and Law. The Psychology workshop began with a tour through the prestigious Queensland Brain Institute, and we learnt about the increasing capabilities of 3D modelling to create working organs in small insects and the probability of human organs. Similarly, we watched the effects of dream sleep on humans compared to animals and were asked the big questions of psychology that kept us thinking for weeks. Session two gave me the chance to visit the UQ moot court, learning about humanitarian law, it’s implications in Australia and how the wider world is impacted by its presence. Using our renewed understanding of law, we applied it technologically simulated scenarios of war scenes to determine the applications of International Humanitarian Law. Following this was real world examples of current ongoing wars and UN court cases.
The night was far from over with the YCM Gala dinner. The Cromwell dining hall was transformed into a gala stage and dance floor, with a DJ, student performances and speeches on our success. We moved to the Cromwell deck for some great (and not so great) dancing, a photo booth, 360 cameras and a water gun assault from the mentors.
Day Four - In our final day, we had group photos, and moved into the employability workshop and employer’s panel. This panel offered chances to talk to the heads of all UQ learning departments and scholarships. After our closing ceremony, we reflected on our newfound knowledge and partnerships, and said farewell to what was, for many of us, a future campus.
I'd highly recommend this camp to other students. While it demonstrates an important spotlight on UQ life and programs, it provides key information that can be applied into non-university career paths, study and everyday life. Each workshop offers the ability to either educate yourself on a topic you're passionate about or take-home notes on how to make applications to your current work. In this year's Changemakers camp, a business lecture from Bree Williams provided detailed understanding of online business. And while many students weren't seeking a business study path at university, they now know the fundamentals to starting their own personal business from scratch; a handy tool to have for all aspects of life.
While education and information were the main show, we also walked away having made friends and connections with mentors, lecturers, employers and students. Regardless of whether university is your chosen after-school path or not, this camp has something for everyone.
It was wonderful to see all Junior students back in the library this week, excited to be borrowing books again and already requesting new titles for the library.
Our focus this week has been on choosing books that are 'just right for me'. Students should have an active choice in their book borrowing, choosing a book that meets their interest but also one that is neither too easy nor too difficult for them to read. A book should have a certain amount of challenge and give you something to talk and think about.
One of the ways that we encourage independent readers to decide if a book is 'just right for them' is using the 5 Finger Method, where they read a page from the middle of the book and hold up one finger for any word they do not know. Two or three fingers indicates the book may be a good choice, rather than too easy or difficult. If a book is too difficult for our younger readers, an adult may assist. However, we encourage students that as they progress in their reading, books which once were too difficult will eventually become 'just right'.
MMCC Library Staff
Student Wellbeing
P-12 Wellbeing
The buzz of a new school year is always exciting and 2024 has not disappointed. With the many new families and staff across the College, I am seeing a new face every day. This is obviously a new challenge for us as a community and it is important that we work hard to welcome everybody and maintain our inclusive culture.
Positive Learning Behaviours P-12
Once again across the College from Year 1-12 students are being encouraged to show positive learning behaviours to enhance their opportunities for success in the classroom. Prep students will begin this in Term 2. I encourage you to ask your child what the positive learning behaviors this week in the Junior school were to build on their understanding of how to display these across different contexts in their life. In the Senior school staff are looking for consistent application of all of the positive learning behaviours to foster a community of learners that are willing to challenge themselves and persevere when things are difficult.
Year 10 Camp
This week our Year 10's have attended a camp in the Currumbin Valley. From all reports there has been some great experiences and outcomes for this group. I would really like to acknowledge the staff that have spent time away from family to attend this camp so early in the year while still setting up routines in their classes. Sam Varley, Ryan Cavanough, Leah Moffett, Josh Richards, Charmaine Cridland, Jen Stevenson and Emma Farrow who took the lead role in organising this opportunity for our Year 10s. More information and photos of this experience will be shared with the community in coming weeks.
Thank you for the smiles and conversations as I see parents around the College. If you have any concerns regarding your child's start to the year, please reach out to your classroom teacher in Junior or their PC teacher in Senior to ensure we can work in partnership and put appropriate supports in place to begin the school year.
Sean Albion Assistant Principal Wellbeing
Extra-Curricular
Sport starts with an (electronic) bang!
Junior College Swimming Carnival
After the heavy rain earlier in the week, Junior College students were met with a glorious day for their annual carnival on Thursday. With house spirit at an all-time high, the passion of our students was evident!
It was lovely to see some of our Senior College Leaders assisting on the day with their encouragement in the novelty races being a highlight. Huge thanks to Mrs Campbell for her exceptional organisation of this event. Many hours go into these days and this carnival was particularly successful.
Congratulations to our Age Champions.
Age
Girls
Boys
9
Emily Cowie
Noah Wight
10
Liliana McCotter
Declan Stokes
11
Elliana Campbell
Alfie Lever
12
Amy Watt
Lachlan Ward
Cunningham House were the winners of the Junior leg of the carnival - we'll see if the Senior College swimmers can follow on from the great work of the Juniors.
Lastly, Mary Mac will be taking a team to the Catholic School Swimming Carnival next Friday at The Glennie School. Parents will receive information about this as soon as possible, however, please understand that these processes take time to organise.
Futsal trials
Junior College parents have received information about futsal trials which commence next week. Our Senior College students will trial in Week 4 and have been notified about these opportunities. We will compete in two futsal competitions this year - AFA (starting with South-West Queensland School titles) and QCIS.
QCIS
The College has joined QCIS, a sporting organisation comprising Downlands, Concordia, Scots (Warwick), Our Lady of the Southern Cross (Dalby), and TAS. Membership will offer students aged 10-19 additional sporting opportunities in Athletics, Swimming, Cross Country, Futsal, Rugby 7s, and Netball. In Term 1, we will contest the Swimming Champs in Dalby and the Futsal Champs in Toowoomba. Students will be selected for these teams based on results at swimming carnivals and sports trials. We are looking forward to this new phase of sport at the College and will strive for success in all events.
PART 1 ENTRIES ARE OPENAll individual and duet entries are to be lodged through Stardom Competition Management at the expense of families - Stardom: Sign In. We will nominate any ensemble/troupe or group entries from MMCC.
Dance Solos, Duos/Trios: Thursday 9th – Sunday 12th May Vocal: Friday 10th – Saturday 18th May Contemporary Vocal, including Jazz Saturday 11th May Choral: Thursday 16th - Sunday 19th May Open Choral Sunday evening 19th May Piano: Monday 13th May – Tuesday 14th May Speech and Drama Groups: Wednesday 15th – Friday 17th May.
Jessica Burke Middle Leader - The Arts
Peak to Park
The Peak to Park this year is on 3 March. We had a fantastic roll-up last year for this with a lot of parents, teachers and students. To join the MMCC Runners, please click here.
If this does not come up as ‘MMCC Runners’ please search for that team.
Remember that we train every Friday morning at 6:30am – leaving from the café.
Mr Chris Gabbett College Principal
Student Awards & Achievements
2024 Junior Golden Gig Winner!
The College is incredibly proud of Isabelle Voll (year 6). Isabelle spent the start of the academic year at the Tamworth Country Music Festival with her family. The Voll Sisters as a group had a very successful Tamworth! Over the 10 days of the Festival they had around 10 appearances; from busking on Peel Street to performing on a number of stages across the Festival program, and finishing off with a special invitation to perform at The Bushwackers 'Chardonnay Show' late on Sunday afternoon.
Additionally, Gabrielle (year 10) and Isabelle both threw their hats in the ring, and entered the Macca's Golden Gig Comp (as individuals) this year. It's for performers 17yrs and under. Entrants perform 2 songs (with a backing band) in a heat in front of a judging panel. Unfortunately, Gab did not make the Top 5 for the Senior Final, however, Isabelle received notification she had made the Top 5 for the Junior Final. Isabelle performed another 2 songs in front of judges and was announced as the 2024 Junior Golden Gig Winner!
This is an exceptional achievement. Tamworth Country Music Festival is a magnet for young country singers, and to be recognised even as a finalist in a competition like this speaks to considerable talent.
Congratulations Isabelle!
Community Noticeboard
Parish News
Weather Kid Wednesday
Triple M are currently running a promotion where they are inviting local school students into the studio to read the weather for us on a Wednesday morning. It’s a pre-recorded segment with the students and they’ll get a little tour of the station plus a prize and certificate for their participation.
Each child who participates also puts their school into the running for our monthly major prize; $1,000 to spend at Harvey Norman Computers to get something for the school. Here is the link where you can nominate your children: https://www.triplem.com.au/darlingdowns/win/weather-kid-2024-207918. Please keep the College updated if you are successful.
Highfields/ Kratzke/ O'Brien roads intersections - Service relocations
From early February 2024, Council will commence works to relocate major services as part of early works for the Central Highfields Intersections project. These works will continue into the second half of 2024.
Council advises during this time there will be temporary staged road closures at the intersections of:
Highfields Road and Kratzke Road Highfields Road and O’Brien Road A temporary connection road will be constructed on the northern side of Highfields Road to maintain local connections. This will be used in conjunction with temporary detours using two options:
Highgrove Drive Polzin Road As part of these works it is expected there will be short term changes to traffic conditions at the intersections of Highfields Road and Lauder Drive, and Highfields Road and Rogers Drive, such as temporary lane closures and detours. More details will be provided ahead of these possible changes.
Access to businesses and residential properties, Highfields Cultural Centre, Aquatic Centre, and Library/ Customer Service Centre will be maintained via O’Brien Road, Balmoral Road and Rogers Drive.
Other road works in the Highfields area
Council advises there are multiple road construction projects planned and currently under way in Highfields.
These works are vital to the Region and due to funding requirements must be completed by the end of the financial year. We are unable to avoid the timing overlaps.
We ask residents to be aware of the projects listed below, the road closure impacts and be prepared to plan their routes as these changes take place. We remind motorists to drive to conditions.
Council thanks businesses and the community for their patience and co-operation during these works and apologies for the inconvenience.
Kuhls Road Rehabilitation (stage B)
Works to repair and rehabilitate Kuhls Road are continuing. From mid-January until the end of March, a section of the road between Peacehaven Park and Kenwood Street will be closed. Access is being maintained for properties within the closure area.
The last stage of this project (from Peacehaven Park and Cawdor Road) will occur between April and June 2024.
Peacehaven Park will remain accessible via detours. Currently, access is from Cawdor Road.
During the last stage, access will be via Highfields Road.
Flood Recovery Program – Woolmer Road & Cawdor Drive
As part of the 2022 Flood Recovery Program, works are required to repair/replace culverts that were damaged in the 2021/22 flood event. Works began in late January on Woolmer Road, approximately 130m west of Parkway Drive. There will be a road closure in place at this culvert for three months and works are expected to start in early 2024.
Following this project, culvert works will be completed on Cawdor Drive, approximately 40m south of Franke Road. A road closure at this worksite is expected. Dates for these works are to be advised.
These works are an essential step towards the implementation of the Highfields / Kratzke / O’Brien Roads Intersection Upgrade Project. For background information on this project, please visit https://yoursay.tr.qld.gov.au and search “Highfields Road intersection upgrades”.
If you have any questions on this, please contact Lara Nunn of the Stakeholder Engagement team on 131 872 or yoursay@tr.qld.gov.au.
Christmas Vacation Care was an absolute blast!
All 5 weeks of our vacation care program have finally come to an end. We went to the Aged Care Facility to give back to the community, we took our Bikes and Scooters through the high school, we went to the Cinemas to watch Trolls: Band Together, we played Mario Kart, we made and ate lots of food, we had Nerf Gun Battles, we went to the City Golf Club to play Minigolf, we had an Inflatable Slide set up, and many Water Play days.
If you have any feedback about our vacation care program, please email us at: HIGcare@tckc.qld.edu.au
