I had the exceptional fortune on ANZAC Day of joining with our marching band in the Brisbane ANZAC Parade. What an honour! The heavy rain did keep many away but there was still a generous crowd applauding Mrs Burke and our fantastic students. I know that many in our community will have seen the footage from the official coverage. They did more than hold their own alongside some of the much more established Brisbane schools. It was magnificent.
I want to thank all community members who contributed, in whatever form, to my Principal Review in early March. Thank you also to the parents who made a point of emailing or calling with positive wishes. I see this review as essential to the ongoing success of our College. Leadership of a College is a big responsibility and transparent accountability to the community of students, staff and parents is a non-negotiable. I have now received the full report, but in the interests of brevity I have placed on the College website the commendations and recommendations. It is here.
The recommendations are very timely as they align to many emerging priorities and we have started as a College to look into many of these. We will discuss these in greater depth at the Parent Partnership Forum on 10 May.
Please be aware that week beginning 9 May is NAPLAN for our years 3, 5, 7 and 9. Parents will have received correspondence from Mrs Adler and Mr Bracken about the importance of devices being charged and students being rested. Please remember that this is just another week of school! Some children will be anxious and we try to not amplify these feelings through encouraging a normal routine.
I hope you are all adjusting to the cooler weather and feel rested after the break. We have a busy term ahead of us. Please take care and stay safe.
Mr Chris Gabbett College Principal
Staff Profile featuring Mrs Lara Wolff
This fortnight, we have chosen maths marvel, Mrs Lara Wolff for our staff profile.
Here is what Lara had to say...
Primary School attended: Arbor Primary, Benoni, Gauteng, South Africa
Secondary School attended: Capricorn High School, Polokwane, Limpopo, South Africa
What do you like about working at Mary MacKillop? I have been at Mary MacKillop since 2019. I appreciate being able to work in a community focused environment with amazing students and colleagues. I am grateful that we are able to work in such beautiful surroundings with open spaces. I thoroughly enjoyed being given the opportunity to attend the Year 7 camp in the last week of the first term. It was great to get to know students in an environment outside of the classroom and enjoyed participating in the awesome activities with them.
What are your hobbies/Interests? I enjoy crafting, sewing, knitting and crocheting as well as quilting.
Other interesting facts about yourself or anything else you would like to share with the MM community:
My first teaching job was in a remote area in South Africa in a school that had over a thousand students and only eight classrooms. My classroom was under a tree as not very many students chose Maths, Chemistry and Physics as senior subjects. It was quite challenging at times, especially when the weather wasn't conducive to outdoor teaching. Suffice to say, I appreciate being able to teach in a class with electricity and enjoy the privilege of having so many incredible opportunities to work with the students at Mary MacKillop.
College Fees
Term 2 College Fees were sent Thursday of Week 2. These will be due on 12 May 2022, unless you have a direct debit, payment plan or have paid upfront. Please refer to your College Statement which was also emailed on Thursday for your current balance.
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.
Next Friday, 6 May , we look forward to celebrating Mother's Day with our mums, grandmothers, aunties and all those who are mum figures in our lives. Don't forget to order your delicious breakfast box from the Cafe via the link below before Tuesday, 3 May, at 8:30am.
"We Are But Travellers Here": Year 12 Retreat 2022
Last Wednesday, 20 April, our Year 12 cohort, accompanied by Mrs O'Rourke, Mr Albion and I, set off on Senior Retreat–a pilgrimage through parts of Brisbane which allowed us to find our Josephite roots, by following in the footsteps of Mary MacKillop.
As suggested by Sister of St Joseph, Anne Canon, "A pilgrimage is a journey of the heart. Just as our feet can take us to different times and places, so our heart can take us into sacred times and places, open to encountering the God within ourselves, within creation and within others."
In 1867, Mary MacKillop penned the statement "We are but travellers here". This was an apt title for our Retreat, which enabled the Year 12s to reflect on their journey at MMCC thus far, the remaining journey of Senior year and their possible pathways in the future. As a symbol of their pilgrimage, students were given a scallop shell–the grooves in the shell, which come together at a single point, represent the various routes pilgrims travel, eventually arriving at a single destination.
Our journey began at All Hallows' School, where we were taken on a guided tour, specifically spending time in the chapel and outside the All Hallows' Convent, where Mary MacKillop spent two weeks with the Mercy Sisters when she first arrived in Queensland in December, 1869.
From here, our group walked to the City Botanic Gardens, stopping briefly at Customs House to acknowledge that it was most likely along this stretch of the Brisbane River, where Mary and her Josephite sisters would have disembarked, having taken twenty-four days to travel from Adelaide. As we had just minutes prior, they would have walked to All Hallows' Convent.
A pilgrimage is a sacred time, not a physical endurance feat. This first day in Brisbane was a warm one too, so we allowed time for prayer, reflection, relaxation and refreshment. Amongst the beauty and serenity of the Gardens, students reflected on what Mary MacKillop's quote “With God’s aid we shall get on and gain fresh strength and energy for the work" means for them, particularly when they are faced with challenges which test their resilience and perseverance.
From here, our journey took us by foot over the Goodwill Bridge to Southbank, where we enjoyed lunch together, before our pilgrimage took us to the intersection of Tribune and Vulture Streets–the supposed location of the First Convent. Here, two Victorian-era houses still stand, amongst the modern buildings of Brisbane's CBD. These residences, fit the description of the First Convent of the Sisters of St Joseph in Queensland.
The final destination for day one of our Retreat pilgrimage was the site of one of the oldest Catholic primary schools in Brisbane–St Joseph's School at Kangaroo Point–which was founded by Mary MacKillop in 1870. Sisters Josephine Carolan and Teresa Maginnis were the teachers here. In here memoirs, Sister Josephine wrote: ‘Sister Mary went out the first day, and then we two were to go on and we did. We were teaching in a cottage." Here, our Year 12s reflected on the links between Josephite values and mission evident at a school which is over 150 years old and those espoused at MMCC, a place many of them have been since Prep. We reflected on how we cope in difficult situations and what makes us truly happy.
Day 2 of our Retreat began at St Stephen's Chapel and Cathedral. Mary MacKillop prayed in both the original Saint Stephen’s Cathedral and in the present Cathedral of Saint Stephen, opened in 1874. On some Saturday mornings, Mary MacKillop would attend Mass in what is now known as Saint Stephen’s Chapel, which houses the Shrine of Mary MacKillop. "There, where you are, you will find God" (1874), one of the many writings of Mary MacKillop, is engraved in one of the stepping stones which pave a historical path from Penola Place to the side door of the Chapel. Truly, it isn't hard to find God here, in the serenity of the grounds which are ironically quiet amidst the hustle and bustle of Brisbane city.
While 10am Mass was conducted in the Cathedral, our Year 12s gathered in the Chapel, where they considered their own values and who and what is important to them. At the front of the Chapel sits a beautiful statue of Mary MacKillop carved from camphor laurel by artist John Elliott. His panels beside the statue, pay tribute to Mary’s religious life as Mother Mary of the Cross and her work encouraging the sisters in their ministry - especially by her letter writing. Students were encouraged to reflect on Mary MacKillop's quote: “Believe in the whisperings of God in your own heart” (1868).
As we journeyed to Roma Street Parklands, we stopped in King George Square where a modern artwork pays homage to Emma Miller, known as Emma Calderwood when she arrived in Brisbane in 1879. She was a seamstress and activist for women’s rights who surely would have championed Mary MacKillop's stand against Bishop Quinn. From here, Roma Street Parklands was an opportunity to rest, meditate and “see the beauty of God” (MM, 1872) while the Year 12s wrote a letter to themselves.
Our pilgrimage ended at Southbank Parklands, where students participated in a fun Amazing Race-style activity, giving them a chance to explore Southbank while using teamwork to find landmarks in the area. Despite tired legs, there were plenty of smiles at the end of our pilgrimage together.
Retreat gave our Year 12s an opportunity to connect with their Josephite roots, the story of Mary Mackillop in Brisbane and consider how history informs their own pathways. At times, it can seem a little secluded in Highfields; it is easy to forget that the Josephite narrative is bigger than us, but that we are an important part of it nonetheless. If nothing else–though I am certain they gained plenty from this experience–our Year 12s now have a better understanding of Mary MacKillop's assertion: "we are but travellers here" (1867).
Leisa Radley
Director of Formation and College Culture (Year 7-12)
Mass Times
Our Parish celebrates mass every Sunday at 8:00am in the MacKillop Centre.
You are welcome to join the community in celebrating our faith.
As yet, no decision has been made about the next Youth Gathering. Information will be shared once a decision has been made.
Sacrament of Confirmation
Thank you to everyone who has completed the online payment form and information. If you haven't done so yet, please complete at your earliest convenience.
We are still looking for some photos as well. Can you please drop them into the office as soon as you can so they can be laminated and put up on our display.
I will be having a short meeting at school soon with the students to see how they are going and give out the sash that will need to have their confirmation name added to it.
If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact one of the team via email or phone me at the College.
Paula O'Rourke APRE
Jesus is Alive! Alleluia! Alleluia!
The Resurrection of Jesus is what is celebrated every Easter Sunday over and over again each year. This year the staff celebrated the beginning of the term with a liturgy entitled 'Hoping for New Life' where we are asked to 'Let us rise up as a symbol of this new life and join our voices in gladness'. Christ is risen: So how do we live?
After 40 days during Lent where we spent time reflecting about our choices and decisions and how we can be a better person, we now look to be that better person. When I say this I am really asking each one of us to consider how we can live a life that shows that Christ is alive in each of us. We will never get another chance to live our lives on earth like Jesus did so we need to make the most of this one while we can.
What is it that you can do that will bring Jesus in the lives of those around you?
PROJECT COMPASSION BOXES
Thank you so much to those families who have returned these boxes to the College. I will be organising a receipt to be sent to you.
If you have any money in your project compassion boxes please return them to the College Admin offices by Friday, 6 May, so that we can collate everything and finalise our total fundraising amount.
I finish with a quote from Mary MacKillop after our Year 12 Retreat last week in Brisbane - "We are but travellers here" (1866)
Yours in God's love, Alleluia, Alleluia!
Paula O'Rourk APRE
Penola and McCormack House Term 2 Mission Events
In the Senior College this term, Penola and McCormack House staff and students will be working hard to promote their mission initiatives.
Due to COVID restrictions in early Term 1, Penola's World's Greatest Shave was postponed and is now scheduled for Friday, 3 June during the Senior College assembly time. We currently have approximately 10 students, ranging from Years 7 to 12, participating in the event, which raises money and awareness for the Leukemia Foundation. Last year, the staff and students who participated raised an impressive $7000! We would love to top this in 2022, so please support the College by either donating to our MMCC team page, or donating to an individual student or staff member who is participating.
McCormack House hosted a Colour Run for Motor Neurone Disease last year; this event is being held on Friday, 10 June in Week 8, during Senior College sport time. More details will be released closer to the date. Again, please support McCormack House students who will be working hard to promote this mission event in the coming weeks.
Leisa Radley Director of Formation and College Culture (Years 7-12)
Teaching and Learning
NAPLAN - Go for Gold
Year 7 Students preparing for NAPLAN.
Last week, students in years 3, 5, 7 and 9 took part in NAPLAN preparatory workshops. The beauty of these workshops was that it not only assists students for NAPLAN, but it provided them with valuable skills and strategies that will improve their writing in general.
The workshops were run by Write That Essay, and students focused on both narrative and persuasive writing over the course of the day. Students revised the Write That Essay sentence types and paragraph styles and wrote in response to a variety of stimulus material before sharing their work and receiving feedback.
Over the coming weeks, students will put what they have learnt into action across their subjects to consolidate their skills and continue to improve their writing. Of course, students have access to all these materials on the Write That Essay Online Tool which they can access at any time.
Additionally, the Online Tool has a range of modules that students could complete and a Daily Challenge that you could encourage your child to complete to receive instant feedback on their writing!
Christopher Bracken Dean of Senior Studies
Battle Bots 3D Design Challenge (Year 4-6 after-school STEM workshops in Term 2)
Today is the final day to enrol students in the Term 2 Battle Bots 3D Design Challenge (Year 4-6 after-school STEM workshops)
The workshops are run by local company integratedSTEM. Their new 'Battle Bots - 3D Design Challenge' program will inspire your child to discover the science behind robotics and modern-day design processes.
Key Details:
When: Mondays in Term 2, starting in Week 3 (3:15pm - 4:15pm)
Dates: 4th May* (Week 3) - 20th June (Week 10). 8 sessions total
Where: Mary MacKillop Catholic College
Age: Grade 4 - 6 students
Restrictions: Max of 20 students (be quick or miss out!)
Cost: $20 per session (Total: $160)
Registrations will close at the end of Week 2 in Term 2.
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.
*The Monday of Week 3 is Labour Day. The workshop for this week will take place on Wednesday 4th May. All other sessions will run on Mondays 3:15pm - 4:15pm.
Jared Nielsen Middle Leader - Science & Technologies
The Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD) is an annual collection of information about Australian school students who are receiving adjustments due to disability. Please find attached a fact sheet for parents, guardians, and carers.
The Toowoomba Eisteddfod is approaching us quickly! From the 6th- 15 May, we have a record number of students performing in dance, vocal and piano items including solos, duets and trios in each section!
We wish them the very best in the lead up to this competition.
Runners Up in Polocrosse!
Congratulations to Year 7 student Riana Wallace who recently traveled to Ballarat to contest the 2022 Australian Polocrosse Nationals. Riana was part of the Queensland Sub-Junior team that finished as runners-up in the tournament.
This is a great achievement and a huge commitment from Riana and her support crew to make the long trip to Victoria. Riana is a talented young sportswoman and we wish her well as she strives to achieve her best in all that she does.
Brad Griffiths Middle Leader Sport And Student Engagement
Hockey Hijinks and Futsal Fun!
The Mary Mac Senior College Hockey teams recently represented at the Darling Downs Gala Cup under the guidance of Mrs. Burke and coaches- Mai Connor (alumni) and Mr. Greg Pember.
It is the first time in College history to have a boy’s hockey team… and they scored goals and won a game! This was the 2nd year for the girls and they also scored a goal and represented strongly. The boys ended up 6th overall and the girls 8th. The competition director congratulated Mary MacKillop on celebrating the little things to the max! They were the most celebrated teams because of their persistence and perseverance. A special mention to Noah Burke and Harry Pember who umpired over the two days as representatives of MMCC. Noah umpired the 3/4th final and Harry umpired an exciting game resulting in a penalty shootout and cards!
This week has seen more than 70 Mary Mac students compete in the South West Futsal Titles at USQ. This is a huge achievement in itself! To date, only the 15 and 16 Boys have played. Both teams were impacted by some illness and injury, however, both had some pleasing results. The 16s qualified for the finals but were eliminated by a strong Harristown outfit in a quality game. Thanks to Mrs. Frame, Mrs. Radley, and Mr. Inskip who assisted with the teams this week. Keep following our sports instagram @marymacsport for updates!
Jessica Burke Middle Leader The Arts And Student Engagement
ANZAC DAY QLD MEMOMORIAL MARCH
The Mary MacKillop Marching Band and Colourguard travelled to Brisbane for this first time this year to support in the 2022 Anzac Day Parade in the Brisbane CBD. It was well received by attendees and appreciated by the organising committee and participants and we featured on the telecast as well as the local news.
32 students aged from prep to grade 11 participated in the rain to represent the College and community proudly. We experienced the Anzac spirit with the jetfighter flyover and had fun being transported in the buggies!
Thank you to the many volunteer parents who accompanied the ensemble, took photos and help in the running of the day.
Jessica Burke Middle Leader The Arts And Student Engagement
Joey Awards for Term 1 were given out at assembly today. See the full gallery below.
Community Noticeboard
13YARN - National crisis support line for mob
13YARN [Thirteen YARN / 139276] is the a national crisis support line for mob who are feeling overwhelmed or having difficulty coping. We offer a confidential one-on-one yarning opportunity with a Lifeline-trained Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter who can provide crisis support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 13YARN empowers our community with the opportunity to yarn without judgement and provide a culturally safe space to speak about their needs, worries or concerns.If you, or someone you know, are feeling worried or no good, we encourage you to connect with 13YARN on 13 92 76 (24 hours/7 days) and talk with an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter.This is your story; your journey and we will take the time to listen. No shame, no judgement, safe place to yarn. We’re here for you.
About 13YARN
13YARN is an Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander crisis support line funded by the Australian Government with the support of Lifeline and developed in collaboration with Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia. It is run by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.We have co-designed this line using Lifeline expertise with several Aboriginal mental health professionals including NACCHO, Black Dog Institute Aboriginal Lived Experience team and the Centre for Excellence in Suicide Prevention along with input from Torres Strait Islander, remote, regional, and urban peoples with lived experience. We work to explore options for ongoing support and community members will always be reassured they will be connected to another Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person who will understand where they are coming from and value knowing HOW to listen, without judgement or shame.
13YARN’S key attributes
Our service is designed, led and delivered by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across varying demographics including age, family status, urban, rural and remote locations that have high rates of suicide and self-harm.
13YARN reflects the cultural and historical factors that had contributed to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' understanding and experience of mental wellbeing and suicide.
The 13YARN crisis helpline will not only build capacity and resilience for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, it will also create and enhance opportunities in communities.
This service will be monitored and led by an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee closely engaged with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander led service management team.
Key Points about 13YARN
First national support line for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people in crisis.
We listen without judgement
Confidential and anonymous
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporters
Available 24/7 across the country and accessible by any phone in Australia
Culturally Safe Space
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander led service management team
Our Easter vacation care program was fun for all! The children loved the Egg STEM day, with some interesting egg experiments occurring. The kids also enjoyed our excursion to Mini Golf, where each of the children made their way through the mini golf course. Everyone also engaged in our favourite games day, when many children and staff brought in some of their favourite games to teach everyone else (including Pie Face!). Of course the kids loved the Easter egg hunt and our air-dry clay was also a hit!
The Mary MacKillop OSHC Team
From the PPF
Hello to all students, parents and the College community. We hope everyone has enjoyed their Term 1 holidays and Easter break. Welcome back to Term 2. We welcome all students, staff and parents.
This term has started on a good note.
The first week back saw the College students, staff and parents honour and pay respect to our Anzacs. This was a very special morning last Friday at the front of Junior where the whole College participated in a beautiful Anzac Day Ceremony and paid respect to those who died for our country. Lest we forget. It was great to see all year levels pay respect and honour those on this very special day. This ceremony was very well organised and delivered by the students of the College.
Another great achievement for the College was the MMCC Honour Guard, Marching Band and Drum Line who were invited and participated in the Brisbane Anzac Day Parade on 25 April 2022. The students got to play their musical instruments and enjoy this very special day in memory of the fallen and pay respect to the Anzacs. Their legacy will never be forgotten. You can watch the entire footage below. If you tune in from 1:18:18 you will hear and see the MMCC students in action.
The weather was not the best, but the students were so excited to be involved, they did not once mention anything about the rainy weather. They were all in awe of the event and were very happy and full of joy to be involved. Well done to Mrs Jessica Burke, Mr Chris Gabbett, College staff and volunteering parents who attended and the College for their involvement and making us all very proud to be involved in such a great occasion and ceremony. Well done MMCC.
Our most recent event was the Welcome Gathering on Tuesday evening. This event was supported by the PPF. Classrooms across the College were open for Junior families to meet their teachers, and specialist teaching areas were also open in Senior School. Thank you for those who attended and made this evening special. Thank you to all teachers for opening their classrooms and welcoming parents and students back on site. This was a great opportunity to welcome new families and students to the College as we did not get this opportunity in Term 1. The PPF are hoping to have more of these events now that we can have more families on site. Please watch this space for future events which will be discussed in the upcoming PPF meeting on the 10th May 2022.
Year 10 students undertook their work experience in the last week of Term 1 and over the school holidays. We have heard very good reports from the Careers Department that all students thoroughly enjoyed their week/s of Work Experience and undertook many tasks in varying job industries. We look forward to hearing more from the Year 10s and what they have learned and possible future job prospects for their chosen future careers. This is such a great way to experience real life jobs and to confirm your focus for future studies or trade skills of where your passion may be directed.
In the coming weeks, we understand many students are representing the College across many sporting events. We wish all students the very best. Good luck and make MMCC very proud!
We also wish those College students who are participating in the Toowoomba Eisteddfod the very best for their upcoming performances.
Lastly, we invite all parents to attend the Parent Partnership Forum Annual General Meeting to be held on 10 May. Parents are always welcome to attend meetings or become involved to focus on developing the best educational outcomes for all students.
The PPF hopes Term 2 brings much enjoyment, celebrations and achievements for all.
Take care and stay safe.
All the best from the PPF
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 Meeting Agenda after our AGM.
Take care.
Shayne Cleary and Rowena Voll Co-Chairs PPF
Next meeting 10th May 2022 AGM followed by General Meeting
