Mary MacKillop Catholic College | Mary MacKillop Catholic College

Your official role at the College:

HPE and Science Teacher

What does a typical day really look like:

I always start my day in Pastoral Care with P7 playing games and getting to know students within the College. Afterwards you will find me running between classrooms, Ignatius and Fitzroy Oval teaching HPE. You might also occasionally see me up in the Science Labs.

Secondary School attended:

Bishop Druitt College, Coffs Harbour

What do you like about working at Mary MacKillop?

I like working at Mary MacKillop as with every day there is new challenges and opportunities to celebrate success of students in both academic and co-curricular areas. The passion of students to represent the College in various sports is exciting as a HPE teacher and I hope to nurture this in HPE classes.

Additionally, the staff have been extremely supportive in making my transition into the teaching profession as easy as possible. Answering my thousands of questions and checking in with me regularly.

What are your hobbies/Interests?

Watching and playing various sports as well as playing the piano.

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

I grew up on a small farm on the Mid North Coast of NSW and only moved to Toowoomba at the start of the year. I have also trained in karate since I was 8 years old and even travelled to Beijing to train and compete in tournaments.

What is the main thing you want your students to learn in the classroom:

Being a teacher of two very practical based subjects, I want my students to develop teamwork and communication skills that they can use throughout their life. I am also an advocate for all students trying everything and giving everything 100%.

How is your work related to the 6P’s:

I have a passion for teaching and learning, especially in my teaching areas of HPE and Science. One thing I enjoy about my job is the opportunity to build partnerships with students and share my passion for teaching and learning with them. I also look forward to witnessing and hearing of the possibilities that students have and watching their progression through life at the College and as enter the real world.

As our season changes visibly around us - leaves changing colour, cooler mornings and fires burning - we are reminded that this is also happening within the liturgical calendar of the church. Last Sunday we celebrated Pentecost, the birthday of the church. The story from the bible talks about the disciples being able to speak to everyone gathered in their own language. It was the start of the disciples fulfilling the mission that Jesus had asked them to do - 'Go out into the world and spread the Good News'.

We are also called to do this today as members of the church and of our College. Within our Strategic Plan, it states "We are a community that welcomes all in the name of Jesus Christ, strives to develop the potential of each individual, responds to the needs of others, has a simplicity of lifestyle and has a special concern for and response to those most in need." (pg 5) And so, we enliven this statement by looking to support all who we meet along our journey but especially those that are most vulnerable. This is really challenging for students and even adults to do.

Recently, four year 11 students went to Rosies Outreach at Harlaxton for the first time. They were truly challenged by the thought of going because they really didn't know what to expect or what would happen and who they would meet and under what circumstances. These four students still went though!!!! After the experience, these four students all identified it as being very life giving.

People were genuinely thankful for the meal and thankful to them for being there. This is our mission! To go out into society and meet people who are vulnerable, who are experiencing a hard time at the moment, who are struggling with life and what it throws at them. These are the people who we are called to meet and support. This is just one example of how we enact our Strategic Plan.

Keep the fire burning is also the theme for NAIDOC Week this year. The theme invites us to keep the fire burning but what does this mean? Fire is very important to the First Nations people. "The fire represents the enduring strength and vitality of Indigenous cultures, passed down through generations despite the challenges faced. It is a symbol of connection to the land, to each other, and to the rich tapestry of traditions that define Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. As we honour this flame, we kindle the sparks of pride and unity, igniting a renewed commitment to acknowledging, preserving, and sharing the cultural heritage that enriches our nation."

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Fire is a way for First Nations people to be connected to land and it is through this connection that their spirituality is enriched. The fire offers cleansing and healing of land and people. It is a sign of the time of the year like the church's liturgical calendar with its colours.

Fire allows traditional foods and animals to flourish in the area. At the end of this term we will celebrate NAIDOC Week as a College with activities and a liturgy and learn more about how this is an important part of life for First Nations people. Please watch this space and social media for updates about the week.

Fire is a symbol used in the Sacrament of Confirmation. A symbol of the Holy Spirit being present. Later this term, we will have students celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation where they receive the gift of the Holy Spirit and all its fruits.

These students have been preparing with their families throughout the term and so we continue to pray for them with this pray:

May God the Father watch over these children and their families.

May Christ Jesus walk beside them.

And may the Holy Spirit fill them with peace.

Amen

In God's love and care

Paula O'Rourke
Assistant Principal Religious Education

At the beginning of May, our Year 11 students Archer and Darby embarked on a remarkable three-day leadership camp at the Bunya Mountains, fully immersed in the rich cultural traditions of Australia's First Nations peoples. This immersive experience was designed to foster leadership skills, promote mindfulness, and deepen our students' understanding of First Australian’s history and culture.

The camp commenced with a traditional smoking ceremony, which welcomed students and set the stage for the following days of learning and reflection. The students participated in various activities, including a bush walk that introduced them to the diverse flora and fauna of the region while educating them on local bush foods and their significance in First Nations communities.

At the heart of the camp was the yarning circle, a sacred space where participants gathered to share stories, reflect, and connect with each other. This inclusive tradition allowed students to understand different perspectives, building mutual respect and empathy. The students also engaged in weaving and painting sessions, exploring traditional art forms and expressing their creativity through these culturally significant practices.

In addition to creative activities, the camp emphasised mindfulness and leadership skills. Students learned about the profound history of First Nations peoples through discussions, historical stories, and hands-on activities that enriched their understanding of Australia's heritage. Dance sessions provided further opportunities to connect with ancient traditions, as students learnt traditional dances that celebrate the land and its people.

Archer commented:

'The leadership camp was a great experience for both Darby and me, but also for everyone that came. We had the opportunity to learn about the history, culture and stories of the land, Darby and I have been fortunate enough to learn new skills, gain new friends, and develop a new insight into who we are. "I learnt that as a leader, listening is one of the most crucial aspects of guidance and understanding. As one of our camp leaders claimed, we all have two ears and one mouth. We should use them in the same proportion. By listening, we open up to the ideas and lives of others and gain insight to what we are expected to fulfill as leaders."

Darby said:

The camp was a very enlightening time for me, I learned skills such as what it is like to be a leader. The many activities that we did helped me improve my skills, and I recommend this to everyone. I learned how to be more open and make connections with other people, which I can now use to make more friends in the future.

Annabelle Cowen
Teacher

During Semester 1, students in Years 11 and 12 Legal Studies have been studying a unit of work titled “Beyond Reasonable Doubt”. Within this unit, students have explored the criminal investigation and trial processes as well as punishment and sentencing. As a culminating activity for our studies, students travelled to the Toowoomba Courthouse on Friday, 17 May to see the law in action.

They were fortunate to be able to visit the District Court while it was sitting and to have His Honour, Judge Horneman-Wren JDC address them. His Honour shared his experiences working in the justice system and provided valuable insight into the inner workings of the jury system – which was the focus topic for the IA2 and FA2 assessment tasks. The students then got to see Judge Horneman-Wren in action as they witnessed District Court sentencing. It was excellent to hear him refer to the theories of punishment that we had learnt in class as he handed down his sentences. Students found the rich experience very valuable and extremely insightful. Also, a big thank you to Mr Tom Quinlivan, Court Registrar, who assisted our students on the day.

Statement from Elsie Nothdurft (Year 11)

Overall, the experience was very valuable for gaining an insight into the justice system. It was wonderful to hear from Judge Horneman-Wren JDC as we were able to listen and learn more about the jury system and learn about the impact cases have on their personal lives. Relating to our topic of the Jury system and debating whether judge-alone or trial by jury is better. Judge Horneman-Wren JDC was able to give valuable reasoning and this was fantastic to hear.

Being able to watch sentencing take place shows how serious it really is and how hard Lawyers and Judges work to protect the community while also respecting the offender. The experience helped me gain a better understanding and very insightful to see this in real life.

Statement from Nicolene Snyman (Year 12)

The Courthouse experience was very interesting and educational. It helped to gain insight over our current assignment on the jury system. The talk with the Judge Horneman-Wren JDC and questions was extremely insightful and helped me to learn more about the jury/court system. Sitting in on sentencing was also very interesting and hearing how the sentences change depending on how long they have been in custody and the severity of the crime.