Did you see the double eclipse on Wednesday night? There was both a super moon – when a full moon reaches the closest point to Earth in its orbit – and a blood moon, which is caused by a total lunar eclipse. I find events like these that capture the awe and wonder of nature really humbling. We get so few chances in the modern world to look away from a screen or a Netflix series to feel small, and to be overcome.
I have had the joy this week of scholarship interviews. Being a Principal offers a varied week at the best of times - and it is not very often that you get a whole day of the top students meeting one to one with you outlining what they have done really well. It's a great experience.
In one conversation with a year 6 boy, we discussed attending Mass. I can remember when I was 11 it was certainly filed in the 'things I am made to do' folder and we discussed how that has changed as I got older. For as long as I can remember in my adult life, I have enjoyed attending Mass. For me, it has become the place where I not only get a sense of awe and wonder, but also a chance to shut out the noise of the world. As I said to the student this week, there is a fantastic sense of welcome invitation - a place to simply 'be' and very little expectation to 'do'. No one checks your homework.
We have been very privileged this term to have Fr Brian saying a regular weekday Mass in Penola 7 for us every Tuesday at 7:30 am. All members of the College are welcome.
I want to thank you all very much for your ongoing support. Have a lovely weekend.
Chris Gabbett College Principal
PPF Report
The PPF Team recently met on Tuesday, 18 May. We welcomed guest speaker Bernadette Kay from Catholic Schools Parent QLD. Bernadette delivered a presentation on Parent Engagement and provided learning tools for all attendees on more opportunities to know more about school parent engagement.
Councillor Megan O’Hara Sullivan recently visited with College Leadership Staff and PPF Co-Chair to discuss Traffic Management around our College. The College Master Plan was also discussed in relation to any future development relating to the Highfields new town centre in the vicinity of our College. Feedback and future meetings will be discussed and we anticipate consultation will occur to involve the Highfields Community.
The Term 2 Twilight Tour for current and prospective families was another great success. Well done to all involved in this evening.
The PPF Groups have had meetings over the past month to discuss College activities to best support our student outcomes. The College is doing very well in addressing all 5 Pillar areas of the Strategic Plan.
The PPF sends their condolences to founding Principal Donaugh Shirley, after hearing of the recent passing of her mother. Our prayers and thoughts are with her family at this difficult time.
PPF Lawn Bowls
The newly formed PPF group had a lovely afternoon on Sunday, 23 May where members of the PPF and Leadership Team met to enjoy a BBQ lunch and some lawn bowls at North Toowoomba Bowls Club. It was a great afternoon which encouraged conversation and laughter while playing lawn bowls and getting to know each other more. Thank you to all PPF attendees. We all look forward to future events like this to promote better community engagement.
Later in the year the PPF Team intend to have a Community Event to invite all College families, staff and students to continue this community engagement and growth within our College Community.
Mission & Identity
In the Mission and Identity space we are excited to announce a new look Youth Mass will be held next term in place of the College supported Parish Mass, as well we are looking to re-launch the Healing Hands Group with a partnership with our Parish Community.
These actions link to sections 1.4 and 1.5 of the College Strategic Plan.
Wellbeing
The team focussing on wellbeing are working alongside Mr Albion and Ms Rillie to better correlate student academic attainment with wellbeing. Of equal importance in this area is the focus on staff wellbeing, and results from a staff questionnaire will be analysed to ensure that our staff are supported as well as our students.
These actions link to sections 3.1 and 3.2 of the College Strategic Plan.
Resources
The focus of the Resources Sub-committee group (7 parents from across the College) is focussed on supporting the College’s functional approach to the ‘bricks and mortar’ growth that will enable our high standard of teaching, academic excellence, sport and creativity.
We have been set our first task to review of the College’s current fee structure for consultation and implementation in 2022. Mr Chris Gabbett has asked us to present three options to the PPF that gives the College the ability to maintain all these functions and grow as a College.
As a committee we are critically analysing our current system as well as investing significant time in looking at many models from all Diocesan schools state-wide. We have found several options that are significantly different to our current structure and many that are similar, either in part or almost a mirror image. During the next few weeks, we will bring our options to the PPF for conversation and deliberation. Following our College Master Plan we will look at opportunities to gain appropriate teaching aids/materials and structures that support staff and students, enhance our grounds for the increase in student numbers and seek ways to assist with funding via grants from all appropriate sources.
These actions link to sections 4.1 and 4.4 of the College Strategic Plan.
Teaching, Learning & Curriculum
The team supporting Teaching, Learning & Curriculum have looked at the opportunities for high potential learners to collaborate on critical thinking/open ended tasks to ensure they are consistently challenged in class. They have also looked at ways that the College can better communicate ways that work is differentiated by teachers and methods to better communicate the new reporting frameworks.
These actions link to sections 2.1 and 2.2 of the College Strategic Plan.
Relationships
This team has workshopped ideas for both creating industry links and partnerships (for example, TAFE, Chamber of Commerce, USQ) and engaging the parent body in supporting careers guidance and provision.
Please be on the lookout for a skills database developed via a parent survey. The team wants to identify skills and special interest areas that teachers will be able to draw on to enhance teaching and learning.
These actions link to sections 5.2 and 5.3 of the College Strategic Plan.
Mary MacKillop Community Group
MM Community Committee has met, formed and is off & running! The first Community Event we are organising is a Family Dinner (many thanks to Theresa Sheath & Brooke Garrels for organising this!) at the Highfields Tavern this Friday, 28 May to coincide with the Senior School Disco. Please RSVP to timford@feedcentral.com.au. You simply order and pay for your meal/s at the Tavern on the night. There is no formal program - simply a great opportunity to socialise and enjoy the evening while our teenagers are dancing.
We are very excited to be organising Parent Social Groups within the College. The MM Community Committee have decided to organise the Social Groups as follows:
Years P-2 - each grade will have their own social groups
Years 3-6 - will have a combined social group
Years 7-12 - will have a combined social group
This can change as time goes on. We are in need of Social Group Co-ordinators, these co-ordinators will be supported Sarah Ward. If you can help please contact Sarah (saresmobile@gmail.com)
We have many ideas on improving the community spirit at Mary MacKillop Catholic College, so watch this space! Thank you to Chris Gabbett for his unwavering commitment and support as we get our little sub-committee up and running.
Upcoming PPF Meeting Dates
Our PPF Meetings welcome all parents and community members, please see below next meeting dates. All meetings are to be held in Penola 6 in the Senior School, unless otherwise stated.
Tuesday, 15 June 5:30pm – 7:00pm
Tuesday, 20 July 5:30pm – 7:00pm
We always welcome parent and community communications, as we value your input. If there is anything you would like to share with us, or give feedback on, please feel free to send through an email to higppf@twb.catholic.edu.au
Take care from the PPF
Shayne Cleary & Rowena Voll Co-Chairs - PPF
Term 2 College Fees
Term 2 College fees are now due. If you are struggling to meet the payment deadline please contact the office as soon as possible. Reminders will be sent and follow up requests for payment made over the phone in the next fortnight.
Please note any prepayment of annual fees, or setup of direct debits do not take into account extra curricular activities including sport or the new instrumental music program. These are to be paid using the remittance details on the individual invoices sent to families.
A reminder, your children may only participate in these programs, sporting activities, excursions and upcoming camps if you have a current payment plan approved by the Business Manager.
‘Arts in the Park’ is a combined College Arts event with displays, performances and entertainment for the College and community - perfect for the whole family. ‘Arts in the Park’ is an Arts based initiative, taking place on the greens at the College. Everyone is welcome!
Friday, 18 June (Week 9)
From 5:00pm
At Mary MacKillop Catholic College
The following food vendors will be available while you are being entertained...
Dippin' Dots Ice Cream
Hot Chips
Pizza
Spiral Spuds
The Wiener Wagon
Sushi to the Max
To view more information about this event, please click on the below link:
We are excited to be launching Mary Mac Meals - freshly prepared meals from our College Chef, perfect to take home and feed the family after a long day at work!
HOW IT WORKS:
Mary Mac Meals can be purchased online via the link below by anyone from within or outside the College community. Orders can be collected from Monday to Friday, 8am - 4pm. Orders for same day collection must be made prior to 2pm.
Serving size guide:
Small = 1 serving
Medium = 2 servings
Large = 6 servings
*Gluten friendly items: all care is taken in preparing these items, however we are not a gluten free kitchen and can not guarantee traces of gluten are not present in these items.
Firstly, I would like to say thank you to the families who attended McCormack House's College supported Parish mass last Sunday. It was lovely to have all children involved in the mass as we celebrated the Feast of Pentecost. A special mention must go to Anabel and Quincy Austin for their help in setting up and packing away as well.
This weekend changes the church's liturgical season from Easter to Ordinary Time.
At our College the prayer tables in each classroom also reflect the change of season as they have added the colour red to indicate that there is a change to the liturgical year from Easter to Pentecost then Trinity Sunday and then Body and Blood of Christ, before we begin a period of time in our church's year called Ordinary Time. This is indicated by the colour green. Just as the seasons of our year change from Autumn to Winter to Spring then Summer, so too, does the church's year.
200 Years of Catholic Education in Australia
This week, Catholic schools across Australia have simultaneously celebrated 200 years of Catholic Education in our country on the Feast of Our Lady of the Southern Cross. Mary MacKillop was certainly a pioneer in building schools to provide Catholic education for the poorer families in the rural areas as part of that history and for this we are grateful for her insight and forethought. Here are some facts:
Oldest school in Australia – Parramatta Marist High School – 1820
Oldest School in Queensland – All Hallows School, Fortitude Valley, 1861
Oldest School in Toowoomba Diocese – St Saviour’s Primary school – 1863
Schools that have closed in this time in Toowoomba Diocese – Miles, Taroom, Texas. St Columbus and St Mary’s in Dalby were closed to form a new Prep to year 12 school – Our Lady of the Southern Cross Catholic School.
Mary MacKillop Catholic College is the newest school in the Toowoomba Diocese.
Josephite Colloquium
This week two staff members have had the opportunity to attend a Josephite Colloquium in Sydney. "It provides an opportunity for individuals to explore the stirrings and challenges of their own hearts and lives, as they respond to the call of Mary and Julian in a new age. The challenges facing Mary and Julian in 1866 are as relevant today as they were in their time. Their deep concern for those on the margins, their belief in the empowerment of each person, their hope in a world in which justice, peace and equality are worth struggling for, and their commitment to a God who is bigger than all of us, are increasingly real for us who reside here and now in this century. Like Mary and Julian, we too are called to constant conversation and transformation in our living of the gospel and all that is best in the human story."
Upon their return we will share some of their learnings with you.
This week is also "Laudato Si" week. This is an encyclical letter written by Pope Francis in 2015 that is calling us to action. "'Laudato Si’ has enlivened Catholic communities across the globe to work against the ecological crisis and climate emergency. But, as evident in the rapid pace of species extinction and climate change, more urgent action is needed to create a more just and sustainable future."
Pope Francis is challenging us to "care for our common home" so that our children's children's children will be able to enjoy the change of seasons in a safe and beautiful way - the way nature was intended to be enjoyed.
How do you care for your environment that surrounds you?
What is it that challenges you about the environment?
The co-founder of the Josephites, Fr Julian Tenison-Woods, was an avid scientist and geologist who spent many hours in the environment. He had an appreciation for what God had created and he wanted to learn about it through exploring. Why not explore nature this weekend!
So as we reflect on the season as it changes, from autumn to winter, from Easter to Ordinary Time, from the past to the future, let us remember the words of Mary MacKillop "we are but travellers here". (1866)
Yours in God's love
Paula O'Rourke Assistant Principal Religious Education
Senior School McCormack House Colour Run!
In the senior school, as a part of service and formation, our intention is to allocate a term to each House group. Term 2 is McCormack House's term: last Sunday was the McCormack House College supported Mass, on Friday, 21 May it was the 30th anniversary of Sister Irene McCormack's death and the McCormack PCs have been working hard on their House service initiative.
In Week 8, on Friday, 11 June, during Senior sport time, McCormack House is facilitating a Colour Run for Year 7 to 12 students.
This event, co-ordinated by McCormack House PC teachers and their students, will raise money for Motor Neurone Disease, with proceeds donated to the MND and Me Foundation.
Here are the details:
When: Friday, 11 May during Senior sport time (period 5).
Why: to raise money for Motor Neurone Disease (MND and Me Foundation).
Who: Year 7 to 12 students.
What to bring/wear: students are asked to bring white clothes which they will change into at 2nd break, as well as safety glasses or old sunglasses.
Cost: each student who registers for the event will need to donate $2.00.
The students of McCormack House aim to espouse the values of Sister Irene McCormack, who was energetic, determined, but also humble in her mission. The colour yellow, worn by McCormack students, symbolises energy! We hope to see some of this energy and determination from all senior students during the Colour Run.
Leisa Radley Director of Formation and College Culture
Vinnies Youth Leadership Program Retreat
Last weekend, Year 11 students, Abigail Brooks and Isabelle Preston attended an Emu Gully retreat, as part of the Vinnies Ozanam Youth Leadership program.
There were 32 student participants in total, with both Toowoomba and Brisbane leadership groups in attendance.
Included below are some insights from Abigail and Isabelle about their experience:
The purpose of this camp was essentially to learn more about ourselves and the other participants, as well as to have fun and get to know our group.
The leadership experience was difficult, because everyone was a leader, we had to learn to adapt and to listen to others more, as well as trying to be efficient in the activities.
The best activity we participated in was the muddy activity on the second day. Our team had to crawl through mud and under cargo nets without getting spotted by the ‘guard’. It was proven to be very difficult as we had to carry somebody on a stretcher and guide ‘blind’ people under the nets and through the mud.
Over time, our group was becoming more frustrated as we kept failing. In the end, we mustered up the courage and our team made it through on the 16th attempt. We learnt more about our team throughout this process and more about ourselves.
Both Isabelle and Abigail provided some insights into what they learned during this retreat:
Abi's experience:
I learned that leaders can lead from behind, just like how in wolf packs alpha’s will be at the back when travelling.
Communication is essential in planning; not all received what the plan was and many were confused.
It was important to make sure others were okay and to encourage them to keep going.
Isabelle's experience:
I learned that leaders don’t always lead from the front, but that they pick up people and lead from the middle and even the back of the group.
Communication is a key aspect when learning to lead others.
The Ozanam Leadership Program is a values and skills based initiative of the St Vincent de Paul Society, designed to equip participants to become compassionate servant leaders within the community.
We are really proud of Abigail and Isabelle for being accepted into this program!
Leisa Radley Director of Formation and College Culture
Sacrament of Confirmation & Eucharist
Confirmation
The Sacrament of Confirmation will be held on Thursday, 10 June, 2021 at 7:00pm in the MacKillop Centre. Bishop Robert McGuckin and Fr Brian Noonan will be presiding at the ceremony.
Practice for the sacrament will be on Monday, 7 June at 3:15pm in the MacKillop Centre. Children are asked to bring their passports and booklets to the practice to hand in.
We ask our College families to pray for the following children and their families:
Nicholas Adams
Aly Butler
Patrick Carr
Kade Dungey
Ed Ehrlich
Ted Ford
Sam Haig
Cormac Maloney
Riley Murphy
Zac O'Connor
Abi O'Dea
Imogen Petrie
Kate Scrivens
Aidan Smith
Nicholas Thurston
Thomas Williams
Piper York
Charlotte Oosthuizen
I will meet with the group again on Wednesday, 2 June at first break in the junior library.
Eucharist
A parent meeting for 2021 cohort of candidates will be held on Monday, 14 June at 5:30pm in the Junior Library.
In God's Holy Spirit
Paula O'Rourke Assistant Principal Religious Education
Mary of the Southern Cross Parish
Masses will continue to be celebrated in the MacKillop Centre every Sunday at 8:00am.
At the College, we use the Academic Referral process to support our students to complete assessment tasks to the best of their ability.
As students go through the process of completing their assignments, teachers monitor their progress. If a teacher notices that a student is falling behind, needs extra support or is not understanding the task requirements, they are referred to the Academic Support team. This occurs during second break every day.
The referral process provides the student with an opportunity to seek clarification on the task and spend the time working on their assignment. This process in not punitive, rather, this is additional support provided to ensure that assignments are completed to a reasonable standard. Students are also provided time to reflect on their own work ethic and develop some strategies to assist them in their learning.
Some students may also be referred for not submitting their assignment on time. Equity of assessment conditions is significant. We need to ensure that set conditions are followed by all students. In referral, students reflect on the importance of meeting deadlines and have a better understanding of academic guidelines.
Being sent to the referral room is a preventative measure. It is used so that all students can meet the set standards when they submit their assignment. Teachers use the referral process to track student learning growth and to ensure that all our students experience success.
Kris Naiker Assistant Principal Teaching & Learning: Senior
Reporting - Understanding the A-E Definitions
Formal reporting of student progress and achievement occurs twice a year: at the end of Semester 1 and Semester 2. Students will receive their Semester 1 report in week 10 of Term 2.
Schools within the Toowoomba diocese are mandated to report on student progress using a 5-point A-E scale for all students in Prep-Year 10.
Grade
Meaning
A
Evidence in the student's work typically demonstrates that the student has the targeted knowledge and a sophistication of conceptual understanding, an excellent application of skills and the ability to transfer the above to new situations.
B
Evidence in the student's work typically demonstrates that the student has the targeted knowledge and a developing sophistication of conceptual understanding, a strong application of skills and they are beginning to transfer the above to new situations.
C
Evidence in the student's work typically demonstrates that the student has the targeted knowledge and expected conceptual understanding, expected application of skills and they are able to transfer the above to familiar situations.
D
Evidence in the student's work typically demonstrates that the student is developing the targeted knowledge and conceptual understanding, the application of skills and beginning to transfer the above to familiar situations.
E
Evidence in the student's work typically demonstrates that the student has an emerging knowledge and conceptual understanding, application of skills and can apply the above in scaffolded situations
What does all this mean? (lets break down this even further)
evidence - a range of information including data, work samples, digital media, anecdotal notes, formal assessment tasks.
typically - allows for those students who may not have displayed this during a particular assessment task, but it is evident in their work with the frequency required within the level.
conceptual understanding - connected web of knowledge, rich in relationships and understanding, it must be learned by thoughtful, reflective mental activity.
sophistication - employing advanced or refined concepts, so as to be precise, exact or subtle.
transfer - the ability of a student to take their current knowledge, skills understandings and apply this into a new scenario and/or different context; ability to think about their thinking (metacognition) and reflect on their learning and understanding.
What does it mean if my child receives a ‘C’?
Students are assessed against the Australian Curriculum Achievement Standard. If your child receives a C grade, then this means they are achieving at the expected level or are achieving the Australian Achievement Standard. This is a great thing!
What does my child need to do to achieve a ‘B’ or ‘A’ grade?
Once a student has demonstrated knowledge of the Achievement Standard (‘C’) they then are required to demonstrate higher order thinking skills such as critical thinking and analysis. Their learning must move from surface – deep – transfer. High Potential Learners (HPL) fit into this category.
At a surface level a student can: -
Leverage prior knowledge, Note take, Summarise, Visualise, Use Graphic outlines, and use Spaced practice.
At the Transfer level of a learning a student can: -
Synthesising information across texts, use transfer strategies.
At the Deep learning Level of learning a student can: -
Use Critical thinking, Questioning, use Concept mapping, elaborate and organise, participate in class discussion and reciprocal teaching, use close reading, self-regulation, self-questioning, self- explanation, self-verbalising and metacognition.
What are Course Descriptors?
Each Learning Area is accompanied by a course descriptor. The descriptor is an overview of the content the student has learned over the semester.
Social Learnings
The social learnings have been deliberately chosen to coincide with the Positive Learning Behaviours addressed throughout the semester.
Natalie Adler Assistant Principal Teaching & Learning: Junior
Year 5 & 6 Transition Program
The Year 5 and 6 students are entering the mid-point of their transition programs for Term 2. These programs, set up between our Junior School and Senior School teachers, allow the Year 5 and 6 students to experience a wide range of learning activities they may not be able to have in their usual classes.
The students are loving the lessons and so are the teachers! If you are a parent or guardian of any Year 5 or 6 students then be sure to ask them how they are enjoying the chance to come across to the Senior School.
Jared Nielsen Middle Leader - Science and Technologies
English is Full Steam Ahead!
Famous texts, online writing platforms and competitive written expression are all prominent aspects of student engagement, in English and Literacy, this term.
Famous and highly acclaimed texts are plentiful.
8 English is currently reading The Boy in Striped Pyjamas, a highly acclaimed and much-loved story about the power of friendship and joy, during times of great hardship.
10 English students are examining themes and ideas about coming-of-age, acceptance and alienation, in rural Australia, in Jasper Jones.
11 English is currently absorbed in the famous novel: The Great Gatsby.
11 English Literature will explore the world of crime and mystery in the novel Moriarty and the best-selling play: The Mousetrap.
12 English students are currently engaged in the study of war, displacement and inescapable truths, in the highly acclaimed collection of short stories: The Boat, by Nam Le.
12 Essential English is analysing and enjoying the well-known contemporary film: The Black Panther.
Students in Year 7 are investigating all things magical, in their study of fractured fairy tales and in year 9 English, students are thoroughly engrossed in the universe of speculative fiction.
Write That Essay has continued to aid in the progression of writing skills in all year groups. Preposition start and -ing start sentences have been focal targets, during this term. This online platform is offering students the opportunity to enhance writing skills through options such as The Daily Challenge and weekly consolidation tasks. Students who have been utilising the benefits of Write That Essay have quickly recognised the additional advantages enabled within all assessment tasks.
IEU Literary Competition
An opportunity currently exists for all accomplished and enthusiastic writers to display their skills via the IEU Literary competition.
This competition has been publicised to students for several weeks.
Categories: poetry, short-story or non-fiction prose.
Opportunities abound for all students in senior English, this term. We look forward to enjoying the fruits of their labours very soon!
Tim Connolly Middle Leader: Senior English
Write That Essay Update 8
In the P-3 area of the school, students have commenced focused Demand or Stamina Writing, (also known as a Quick Write). Demand writing is timed writing sessions where students are required to produce a written response to a question, probe, or stimulus. Effective daily writes involve the students having time to think and discuss a question or probe, write without disruption, read back their work, identify errors, and set goals.
Each fortnight the students will have an area to focus on when Demand Writing. See the table below to see what has been taking place thus far.
Year Level
Prep
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Weeks 4/5
Sight word use
Use capital letters and full stops
Use capital letters and full stops
Use question marks
Daily writes are a powerful technique to build writing fluency. Fluency is the ability to perform the act of writing quickly. Just as we need to practice the act of reading to become better readers, we also need to practise the act of writing to become better writers. Daily writes are proven to build fluency as they can eliminate the frustration that frequently accompanies traditional writing tasks or assessment methods by providing students more flexibility of response.
The students in the P-3 area of the school will work towards writing for the following time limits for the remainder of the term.
30 minutes writing, including editing and illustration time
Natalie Adler Assistant Principal Teaching & Learning: Junior
Inspire Maths Update 8
Thinking Routines
When teachers use thinking routines, they help students develop their ability to think, building up a repertoire of thinking moves. When students come to value their thinking, they become more inclined toward thinking as an important part of their learning.
Thinking routines operate as tools to prompt and promote thinking as structures that reveal and scaffold thinking, and through their use over time routines become patterns of behaviour.
Developing understanding leads to deep learning and the thinking that will lead to understanding is relevant. There are eight thinking moves which build understanding.
Observing closely and describing what is there. What do you see and notice?
Wondering and asking questions. What’s puzzling about this?
Making connections. How does this fit with what you already know?
Considering different viewpoints and perspectives. What’s another angle on this?
Building explanations and interpretations. What’s really going on here?
Reasoning with evidence. What are you basing that on?
Uncovering complexity and going below the surface of things. What lies beneath the surface?
Capturing the heart and forming conclusions. What’s at the core or centre?
“Making Thinking Visible”by Ron Ritchhart
Teachers use a Thinking Prompt in Mathematics to stimulate thinking.
I Think...
I think this picture was taken at an Amazon storage warehouse.
I think there are many more boxes behind the ones that I can see.
I think the boxes are probably pretty heavy.
I Notice...
I notice that most of the boxes are the same size (but some look smaller)
I notice that the boxes are made of recycled material.
I notice that the boxes are piled too high for a person to have stacked them that way, so a forklift must have been used
I Wonder...
I wonder what is inside of the boxes (maybe sneakers?)
I wonder why the boxes are stacked liked that
I wonder if there is a limit to how high the boxes can be stacked (will they fall like Jenga blocks?)
Try this one at home, using I think, I notice, I wonder using the pumpkin as an example.
Natalie Adler Assistant Principal Teaching & Learning: Junior
Senior School
Senior Subject Showcase
Parents and students are invited to a Senior Subject Showcase evening on Wednesday, 2 June 2021. Now in its third year, this event brings you the best of our 2019 Subject Showcase with the advancement of the interactive handbooks from the 2020 Virtual Event. We look forward to again being able to welcome families onsite to learn more about the opportunities on offer from Years 7-12.
This as a great opportunity for Senior College teachers to speak to you about the way we can support you and your child.
The event is open to all families, however we are holding two separate information sessions targeted at different year levels. This event will be held in our MacKillop Centre.
6:00 - 6:30pm Information session for current Years 4-7 families.
6:30 - 6:45pm Interval; a chance for Years 4-7 families to ask questions of individual teachers and Leadership members.
6:45 - 7:30pm Information session for current Years 8-11 families.
7:30 - 8:00pm Subject Showcase ; teachers will be available to discuss subject offerings, as well as information on future pathway options.
CURRENT FAMILIES - please ensure you register your attendance, via the email sent to you on Wednesday, 26 May.
NEW FAMILIES - please click on the below link to register your attendance.
Our students' writing, and standard of assessment pieces, are continuing to evolve in the Senior School as Write That Essay continues to roll-out.
This term, and next, WTE is being implemented in the following ways:
Students exposed to new sentence types in PC.
Students consolidate previous learning through completion of consolidation activities in PC.
Each department allocated a paragraph type to teach and model.
Incorporation of WTE paragraph types onto task sheets.
Modelling of paragraph types, and sentence types, by a WTE employee in classes.
Continued Professional Development for all staff.
I've been collating data on students use of WTE and the development of their writing as a result. In the past two weeks, every PC has had an improvement in their Writing Strength, which is mapped by the WTE Online Tool. Their Writing Strength is based upon the following criteria:
Average sentence length
Sentence styles
Paragraph length
Precision
Our current PC leaders are M2, with an impressive 78% Writing Strength. They improved 4% in two weeks. Our target, for each PC is to reach 90%.
Our two highest performing students are Seana Biju and Connor Clatworthy who both hit 90%. Congratulations Seana and Connor!
My challenge for this week is:
Which PC can reach 90% Writing Strength first?
Who can catch M2?
Who will be the first student to crack 95%?
Chris Bracken Dean of Senior Studies and eLearning
Aspire 2 Health Workshop
Aspire 2 Health is a collaboration between the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training – Darling Downs South West region, Griffith University, The University of Queensland Rural Clinical School, University of Southern Queensland, Southern Queensland Rural Health and the Queensland Ambulance Service. The program gives students the opportunity to meet and talk with local health care students and professionals.
During week 6 our year 10 students were offered the opportunity to participate in this program. Students were given the chance to take part in an emergency simulation with paramedics, doctors and nurses.
At Mary MacKillop Catholic College we embrace all opportunities for our students to participate in these experience programs to assist in broadening their knowledge in career opportunities available to them.
Your Pathway Team Jen Stevenson & Christie Richardson
USQ Discover Biomechanics
The USQ Discover Biomechanics day was designed to celebrate globally National Biomechanics Day - The Breakthrough Science of the 21st Century. This is a worldwide celebration of biomechanics in its many forms for high school students and teachers.
The students participated in three sessions throughout the day. Our first session was a presentation by Dr Danny Wells from Logemas, who discussed the many applications of biomechanics through sports, clinical, engineering, animal and animation/VR.
Students then moved to the more hands on and practical aspect of the day. Their first activity was experimenting with a force plate to measure the forces experienced by the body as we perform a jump. Using Newton’s second law of motion, students were able to calculate the peak force value of the jumper during landing. Students then experimented with the different ways they could increase and decrease the peak force. They then tested their theories.
Students were then connected up to EMG Sensor, also known as electromyography sensor, which measures small electrical signals generated by your muscles when you move them. Students were able to see how different movements affected different muscles. After applying sensors to different muscles of the body, students were asked to identify an exercise that would achieve the highest electrical signals in the muscle.
The final rotation was in the motion capture unit. Students created a 3D version of themselves walking and jumping . Students had markers placed on their bodies and cameras captured the 3D coordinates of the markers during the performance of each movement. This motion capture technology is used in video games and movie makers when digitally recreating human movement. This technology is also a vital tool for reconstructive surgeons.
The USQ Discover Biomechanics day was a sensational opportunity for some of our high potential learners to investigate the specific field of biomechanics and provided greater understanding of the diverse pathways it has to offer.
University Open Days
Universities are once again opening their doors and holding open days. Below is a list, some are virtual however most are inviting students and their families onsite to view what they have to offer.
Aviation Australia, Boronia Road, Eagle Farm QLD, Australia
USQ Student Advisors Information Day
Recently, the Your Pathway Team from Mary MacKillop attended the Student Advisors Information Day at the University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba Campus.
USQ provides this opportunity to school-based career advisors to promote the fantastic courses and facilities on offer for our students right here in Toowoomba.
We had the opportunity to hear from current uni students undertaking courses in psychology, aviation, anthropology and microbiology. Each student provided us an invaluable insight into their pathway journey, each taking a unique entry into their chosen field of study. The anthropology student didn't achieve the initial ATAR requirement and had to find an alternate path to her entry, while the aviation student did not attend mainstream senior schooling but found her calling after meeting female pilots at a careers day! These and other stories from current university students, offered valuable insight into the numerous pathways any student can take to pursue their dream career!
The day concluded with a campus tour of the Nursing Labs, Flight Simulator and Creative Arts precinct - all areas we highly recommend visiting! If you would like the opportunity to see, hear and learn more, USQ Toowoomba, Springfield and Ipswich campus' are hosting a variety of Experience Days exclusively to Year 9, 10 and 11 students over the coming months. There is limited availability for these events and we recommend trying at least one or all days on offer over a variety of fields. You may just discover a hidden passion you didn't know you had!
Each Tuesday during first break primary school students are invited to join Mrs Samin and Mrs Ruge to maintain our veggie garden. Students are required to weed, water, transfer plants, plant new seedlings and pick the produce. Students share their knowledge about gardening and what they grow in their own gardens at home. During this time it is a great way to build new relationships and find common interests with peers. Earlier in the term students picked all of the fruit and vegetables that were ripe and sold them to teachers to raise money for resources to be used in the garden.
Mac Mates, Smart Devices and AEDC
Mac Mates
This term we have begun Mac Mates in the Junior School. Mac Mates is a college-wide initiative where volunteers from the Senior School and Year 6 (Penola and Tenison house this term) join the playground once a week to connect with the younger students and facilitate peer led play-based engagement activities. This in turn, supports social skill development, positive relationships, physical activity, the bi-directional sense of belonging and connection to community along with positive emotion.
On a Wednesday, the P-2 playground has come alive with music and dancing, obstacles courses, quoits, games and bubbles! On a Thursday, the 3-6 playground has involved obstacle courses, chalk drawing, organised games, elastics and umpiring of ball games.
The students have enjoyed the positive role modelling provided by the older students in the college. This initiative is fully supported by our College Counsellors.
Smart Devices/Watches
The MMCC Smart Devices Policy, outlines the use of mobile phones and smart technology at the College. Please note that students should not be accessing mobile phones or smart watches during the school day. If for the purposes of safety and/or communication before and after school your child has a device, please ensure this is handed into Junior Reception for safe keeping during the day.
You can find the Smart Devices Policy via the below link:
This fortnight, the prep teachers have been participating in the Australian Early Development Census. The Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) is a nationwide data collection of early childhood development at the time children commence their first year of full-time school. The AEDC highlights what is working well and what needs to be improved or developed to support children and their families by providing evidence to support health, education and community policy and planning.
The teachers collect data on the following areas for each student
physical health and wellbeing
social competence
emotional maturity
language and cognitive skills
communication skills and general knowledge
Both Mrs Skewes and Mrs Carter have spent time completing this information for each prep student. They have been supported by Mrs McCosker, the College Indigenous consultant, bringing unique cultural knowledge to the collection. Prep parents have received communication regarding this census via an email.
Bridget Rillie Assistant Principal Wellbeing: Junior
Extra-Curricular
The weather is cooling down but the action is heating up!
Last Friday at the P-12 Assembly, we recognised our Cross Country Age Champions and crowned our winning House for 2021. Despite high levels of self-belief from the Senior Penola students, McCormack was crowned the MMCC Cross Country Champion for 2021. Penola has already plotted their revenge, starting with our Athletics Carnivals which are scheduled for Week 10 this term. We look forward to seeing some fierce competition at these events. Congratulations to all of the following students on their achievements.
Fun Run Winners
Age group
Name
Prep Boys
Joe Wells
Prep Girls
Zoe Schmaling
Year 1 Boys
Austin Griffiths
Year 1 Girls
Quinn Ryan
Year 2 Boys
Mikey Herbener
Year 2 Girls
Elliana Campbell
Year 3 Boys
Calan Griffiths
Year 3 Girls
Isabelle Voll
Year 4-6 Boys
Stetson Schutt
Year 4-6 Girls
Piper York
Age Champions & Runners-Up
Age Group
Position
Name
10 Year Boys
1st
Harry Williams
2nd
Campbell Barnes
10 Year Girls
1st
Ariah Manz
2nd
Susie Bullock
11 Year Boys
1st
Logan Haslem
2nd
Tyler Stead
11 Year Girls
1st
Alara Williams
2nd
Jessica George
12 Year Boys
1st
Jaiden O'Donohue
2nd
Max Doveton
12 Year Girls
1st
Hayley Cuthbert
2nd
Chloe Ormiston
13 Year Boys
1st
Noah Burke
2nd
Tristan Smith
13 Year Girls
1st
Gabby Voll
2nd
Bella Scrivens
14 Year Boys
1st
Ryley Schmaling
2nd
Noah Gunders
14 Year Girls
1st
Charli Botham
2nd
Brianna Kowitz
15 Year Boys
1st
Jack Franzmann
2nd
Oscar Root
15 Year Girls
1st
Dayna Bailey
2nd
Chelsea Brunner
16 Year Boys
1st
Brendan Williams
2nd
Caleb Mifsud
16 Year Girls
1st
Emma Brittain
2nd
Paige Hahn
17 Year Boys
1st
Dylan Schmaling
17 Year Girls
1st
Jaymee Suliman
2nd
Gemma Tancred
18 Year Boys
1st
Elijah Logan
2nd
Raph Badman
18 Year Girls
1st
Nicole Van Rhijn
Upcoming Events Include:
Intermediate Schools Cup Volleyball (Year 9/10), ISSA Cup Football for Boys and Girls (Years 7-9), and SEQ Football Titles (Boys and Girls Years 3-6).
Brad Griffiths Middle Leader: Sport & Student Engagement
What's New in the Senior Library
Senior Library has recently been a hive of activity with students participating in a variety of clubs and committees. Competition has been focussed and fierce during the Senior Chess Challenge with both competitors and spectators eager to view the action. The Grand Final will be held in Week 7 and the MMCC Senior Chess Champion will be announced in the next newsletter.
The Mac Press student newsletter committee have been industriously working to create and publish their first newsletter this term. The idea of a student newsletter was first suggested by students who attend the Senior Library weekly writing group and it has been wonderful to witness the collaboration and energy within the group. Students have been involved in all facets of the newsletter production, including planning, conducting interviews, researching, photography, design (thanks to Mrs Tate for teaching us about Canva software) and editing. Look out, the first edition is coming soon.
Senior Library has recently received many new books and magazines for student borrowing - these are selected based on student interest, individual requests, recommended lists and curriculum topics. Students are actively encouraged to suggest titles and authors for the library collection, and can make these suggestions via the online form on the Library webpage.
Angela Irvine Teacher Librarian
Arch your back!
I was struggling for a heading this week, as I don't know a lot about our featured athlete's chosen sport! Archer Turner (Year 8) has recently taken up weightlifting! This story is an example of why I love sport. Having taught Archer, I never would have thought he would participate in an activity such as this. This is the beauty of sport. You can choose to compete in almost anything and through dedication and effort, you can achieve your goals.
As a result of his efforts in his first competition, Archer has qualified into the Queensland Under 15 and Youth (Under 17) Championships in Brisbane. An amazing achievement! We look forward to tracking your progress Archer.
Brad Griffiths Middle Leader: Sport & Student Engagement
Esteddfod Dancing
Eliza Skewes recently competed at both the Toowoomba and Kingaroy eisteddfods for dancing. She placed Highly Commended for her ballet solo and first place for her contemporary duet at the Toowoomba eisteddfod!
She also placed second for her lyrical duet and third for her classical duet at the Kingaroy eisteddfod. She was very happy with her results in what was a very tough competition with fulltime dance students from Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast coming over to compete. We are very proud of you Eliza!
State Honours Ensemble Program - Shining Stars
We would like to congratulate our two outstanding young musicians who participated in the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University State Honours Ensemble Program (SHEP) Darling Downs last weekend.
Bianca Philp represented on Violin and Lucas Ward on Trombone.
Community Noticeboard
Fun at Outside School Hours Care
The children at our outside school hours care program have been having a blast this term! It has been a challenging yet rewarding six weeks as we have gotten to know the kids and set our rules and expectations for the service. The kids have engaged in many different activities including planned and spontaneous indoor and outdoor activities. The children are improving their skills in resilience, cooperation, respect, creativity, collaboration, persistence and much more.
Check out our pictures to see what has been going on this term. Please contact us on 0408 160 891 or at higcare@tckc.qld.edu.au if you would like to know more about our service.
Non State School Transport Assistance Scheme
QCEC have produced an introductory video for school communities to assist with understanding the NSSTAS and how eligible families can apply. Click here to view the video
Applications close on Monday, 31 May. To find out if you are eligible, or to apply, please use the below link:
