Next week is an incredibly important week for our College. It is the week we farewell our first year 12 cohort. Upper senior is challenging in any context. This group however have had to be trailblazers at a new school in a time of the most significant changes to education policy in Queensland since the 1970s. As if that context wasn’t enough, a global pandemic also intervened to colour the experience. 

That will be behind them come Friday. Between now and then though, we have some really important rites of passage. The College staff will have the chance to have breakfast with the group on Wednesday morning, followed by the College Awards Ceremony. On Thursday the students will have a Spiritual Retreat in the morning, and their College Formal that evening. Friday brings their graduation Mass, the Guard of Honour and Valedictory Lunch.
 
When the College leadership gathered to plan these events, we were very conscious that we had the responsibility and opportunity to create traditions. We wanted to establish for all of the students at Mary MacKillop a set of rituals that provide a mixture of reflection, celebration and belonging. I hope our inaugural year 12 cohort feel that we have been successful.
 
Within this group is one student who began her schooling at Mary MacKillop Catholic School in prep. She will be the first graduate to have completed her entire education at Mary MacKillop, and she has done extremely well. Congratulations, Holly. 

Chris Gabbett
College Principal

We hope that you and your family have been enjoying the new menu at our College Cafe!

A reminder as we approach the end of term, for senior students to use up any credit remaining on your Flexischools account as this will expire in December!

Wednesday of this week was Remembrance Day. 

Annually, on 11 November, Remembrance Day honours the sacrificial efforts made by members of our Defence services during the many military conflicts from the beginning of the 20th Century through to the current time. This day of commemoration evolved from the signing of the peace treaty, the Armistice, that officially ended the First World War at 11 am on 11 November 1918.

Throughout Australia on that day at 11am, it is customary to keep a minute’s silence to remember the efforts of so many during war, and to end that silence by stating The Ode: They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them.

The poppy that dotted so many of the European battlefields is the symbol most associated with this day, a stunning emblem of hope that blossomed amongst the horrors of the trenches. On this day, we honour those who suffered. Just like that poppy, though, we are also called by Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, to be people of hope, and to proclaim the sacred gift of peace that Jesus has modelled to the world.

At school on Wednesday, every class and PC group prayed together at the beginning of the day before gathering in Penola, Uluru and Billabong at first break for the laying of a wreath, standing for the Last Post, minute's silence then Reveille. This simple ritual is so powerful and a reminder that we are thankful for those who have gone before us.

Thank you to our College captains, Caitlin and Connor, and Mrs Rillie for representing our College at the Highfields community service at the Cultural Centre.

Also, a huge thank you to Jackie Koch's grandmother who crocheted the poppies used on our wreaths, that were laid in the three venues. Her grandmother served with the Australian Air Force.

And so I finish with this prayer,
Loving God, we honour the memory and lives of our sisters and brothers who have died in the wars of our nation. We thank the women and men who have served, and are serving in the military services of our country. We remember, too, all women and men who are peacemakers in our own lives and in the lives of others. We pray today for peace in our hearts and minds. Amen. 

Note: Information and prayer from Liturgyritualprayer.com

Lest we forget.

Paula O'Rourke
Assistant Principal Religious Education

St Vincent De Paul Christmas Gift Hampers 

We invite families to contribute a gift to support the St Vincent De Paul Christmas Gift Hamper appeal. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, Vinnies has asked that families do not contribute food items this year. Instead, we would like to support St Vincent De Paul by collecting gifts via your child/ren’s class (Junior) or PC group (Senior). Gifts must be wrapped and identify the age and gender of the child on the outside of the gift. Please see the attached flyer which includes suggested gift ideas.

Socking it to Poverty!

Week 4 marked the culmination of six weeks of Socktober curriculum, raffles, fundraising and Socktober Cup futsal games. Our senior section of Actioning Mary MacKillop Advocacy (AMMA) group, comprised of Elise Scrivens, Charlotte Voll, Charlotte Dobson, Ava Knihinicki, Hannah Rosenthal, Sarah Norton and Sophie Winter, were the driving force behind Socktober mission and fundraising throughout the College.

From Week 9, Term 3 through to Week 4 of this term, P-12 students—through their Religious Education classes—were introduced to Socktober curriculum, which included a focus on Catholic Social Teachings; scripture analysis and discussions; and raising awareness of children and families who, in developing countries, experience daily barriers regarding education, shelter and basic necessities.

AMMA also organised a Socktober raffle and sold tickets to Prep to Year 6 students at various lunchtimes during Term 3 and early Term 4. In the Senior College, AMMA sold squares on their Hundreds Board. These prizes were drawn on Friday, Week 4 at the Junior Assembly and during the Whole-College Picnic. Well done to all of the prize winners and thank you to families and students who supported AMMA’s fundraising efforts by purchasing tickets. The proceeds from these fundraisers will go to the AMMA group who will continue to seek ways of supporting the needs of our College community in 2021.

Additionally, throughout Week 3 and Week 4, Mr Albion’s Year 11 Sport and Recreation class assisted in the organisation and refereeing of futsal games for Socktober Cup. Seven teams of students from the Senior College, and four teams from the Junior College registered to play the week-long competition. The games were certainly exciting to watch and I was impressed by the sportsmanship and team spirit shown by members of the 11 teams, as well as those students who supported from the sidelines. In the end, after consecutive lunchtimes of gruelling competition, the Junior and Senior grand finals were played at first break on Wednesday, 28 October. Well done to No Sweat—a Year 6 team comprised of Tristan Smith, Lucas Ward, Max Doveton, Kai Randall and Nazareth Berry—who beat Maggie Pies by one point to claim victory! Congratulations also to the Senior Socktober Cup winners, Mai Connor, Jack Durrant, Fletcher Carlish, Riley Zanette and Bailey Skewes, who comprised the team MJFRB. This team defeated their opposition—Fat Pugs—in a nail-biting grand final which saw MJFRB win 1-0. Each team who played in the Socktober Cup paid a $15 team registration fee which will go to Catholic Missions.

Finally, on Thursday, 29 October, students and staff across the College brought in a gold coin donation and wore their bright, crazy or odd socks to support the message of Socktober Catholic Missions—Sock it to Poverty! At first break on this day, a staff team comprised of the College’s best players, competed in a staff versus student futsal game. It was an intense game and the students and staff supporting from the sidelines were treated to some brilliant skills and admirable teamwork from both teams. In the end, the staff team was victorious, defeating the students 3-0.

A special mention to Mr Griffiths and his PC group who spent the weeks leading up to Socktober creating soccer balls made from recyclable materials. One of these balls was used to commence the staff versus student match on Socktober Day and the remainder were used as part of a soccer skills juggling competition at the Whole-College Picnic.

Thank you again to families who supported Socktober, whether it was through purchasing raffle tickets, providing a registration fee for your children who played in Socktober Cup or dressing your child in bright socks and providing a gold coin donation, you have contributed to the mission of the College and have supported both the AMMA group and Socktober Catholic Missions through your generosity.

Year 11 Praxis Intensive Day #1

On Wednesday, 4 November, Mrs O’Rourke, Mrs Langerak and I, joined our Year 11 Religion and Ethics students St. Saviour’s College, Toowoomba for their first Praxis Intensive Day. During the day, Mary MacKillop Catholic College’s 15 students worked with a small cohort of Year 11 St. Saviour’s College students to prepare for service learning which will comprise 40 of the expected 110 hours accrued throughout 2021.

Well done to the Year 11 MMCC students who were actively involved in various sessions, including: Models of Service Learning, Scripture, Discipline and Virtues, Church Teachings and Preparing for Service Learning. These sessions were facilitated by staff from both St. Saviour’s College and Mary MacKillop Catholic College, as well as staff from Toowoomba Catholic Schools Office and St. Vincent de Paul.

From here, Year 11 Praxis students are able to commence their service-learning hours within the College community and in the Highfields and Toowoomba regions. We encourage students to aim to accrue these 40 hours by the end of Term 2, 2021. While service learning opportunities comprise a significant portion of the Praxis course, students will attend retreat twilights and work with their Praxis teacher and peers to organise liturgies, retreats, Masses, advocacy initiatives and various activities throughout the College community, making up the remaining 70 hours of the course.

Leisa Radley
Director of Formation

The Sacrament of Reconciliation was celebrated on Tuesday evening with our Parish community. Congratulations to the following students who received their first reconciliation:

Piper York, Thomas Williams, Nicholas Thurston, William Stoker, Madison Smith, Aidan Smith, Kate Scrivens, Imogen Petrie, Abi O'Dea, Zachary O'Connor, Riley Murphy, Cormac Maloney, Sam Haig, Ted Ford, Edward Ehrlich, Kade Dungey, Patrick Carr, Aly Butler, Nicholas Adams and Lillian Kruger.

Thank you to the families for preparing their child for this sacrament as well as the Parish Sacramental Team and Fr Brian. These children will commence preparation for Confirmation and First Eucharist next year.

Please continue to prayer for these children as they continue their faith journey.

A Prayer for our Reconciliation Candidates

Loving God,

Help us to teach our children that you love us totally and unconditionally. Help us to encourage our children to grow in love and to learn how to say sorry, knowing that you always forgive. Give us the courage to pray with our children and to share our faith with them as we journey together. 
We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen

At this time of year, people are thinking about what they are buying for Christmas presents, what to take to Christmas parties or organising to go away for holidays. But there are some people who will be worrying about where there next meal is going to come from and can't afford presents.

This year we have been unable to volunteer for outreach programs like Rosies due to Covid 19 but we have been able to generously support them through our amazing cooking. So before we finish this year we would like give one last generous donation of biscuits to Rosies so that their patrons can enjoy the simple delights of a sweet biscuit. 

If you are able to bake some biscuits could you please package them into snaplock bags of 3 or 4, depending in the size of each biscuit, with the name and ingredients clearly labelled on the outside. Some students will be cooking at school during Food tech as well.

We would appreciate all biscuits bought into school on Monday, 30 November. Thank you so kindly if you are able to contribute to this donation to a worthy service.

Thank you in anticipation of your generous donation.

As we approach the end of the year and the Christmas holidays, you may hear about someone in need because they have had a death in the family, have a family member in hospital or just someone sick. 

Our College offers support through Healing Hands. This group was set up by some parents volunteering to support those in need by cooking and providing meals for a family as they deal with the emotional and physical stress that worry brings. The College has meals and baking available for families ready to go when the need arises.

If you know of any families who are in need of support because of the reasons mentioned above, we encourage you to contact the school through your child's teacher or ringing the office so that meals can be provided. All information is kept confidential and private.

Mass is celebrated every Sunday at 8 am in the MacKillop Centre.  We would love for you to celebrate with our wider community.  Please use this link to register your attendance - Mass Registration 

Angela Duckworth is a professor of Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to her career in research, she was a maths and science teacher at public schools in New York City, San Francisco, and Philadelphia. She defined grit as, “passion and sustained persistence applied toward long-term achievement, with no particular concern for rewards or recognition along the way.”

As Year 7-11 students head into completing their final assignments and exams, a reminder of the importance of sustained persistence will be timely. In her research, Angela Duckworth concluded ‘grit’ as the main quality of whether someone will be successful in a particular field. She went to say that, "as much as talent counts, effort counts twice."

Over the last two weeks, I have had the opportunity to chat with students who are naturally bright but have been on ‘cruise mode’ in their learning. My message to them was that sooner or later work will become more challenging and your natural ability will not be good enough. You will need to apply yourself, study, revise, take notes, complete extra activities, and learn to overcome challenges. These habits you form can be a blueprint for life after school. Having potential is one thing. What students do with it is quite another.

If you have a spare 6 minutes, watch the clip of a TED Talk on Grit by Angela Duckworth.

Finally, congratulations to the Year 12 students for completing their final exams. Over the last three weeks, they have conducted themselves in a way that we all can be proud of them. During the exam, there were outside representatives coming to the College to observe the examination process. Many of these representatives commented on the positive behaviour and attitude of our Year 12 students.

Kris Naiker
Assistant Principal Teaching & Learning: Senior

The Reading Improvement Strategy is a Toowoomba Catholic Schools initiative, which was rolled out in 2016. Each year the TCSO sets a target for all Diocesan schools to reach. For the last 3 years the target has been:

1. 90- 95% of students will reach TCSO reading targets (MMCC target was 95% of students will reach reading targets)
2. All students will achieve a year’s growth for a year’s schooling

The second target is more important than the first. This is because without growth, no student will reach their full potential.

“Action without vision is only passing time, vision without action is merely day- dreaming, but vision with action can change the world”. ~ Nelson Mandela

The teachers have worked incredibly hard to ensure student growth is occurring within their class. It is with much excitement that I share with you the growth which has been accomplished in such a disruptive year of learning.

Prep: 92.5% of students reached year level reading target, with 26% achieving high growth

Year 1: 91% of students reached year level reading target, with 29% achieving high growth

Year 2: 87% of students reached year level reading target, with 33% achieving high growth

Year 3: 69.7% of students reached year level reading target, with 37% achieving high growth

Year 4: 79% of students reached year level reading target, with 55% achieving high growth

Year 5: 71% of students reached year level reading target, with 71% achieving high growth

Year 6: 83% of students reached year level reading target, with 69% achieving high growth

The accomplishment of such high growth is outstanding. It would be remise of me not to acknowledge the dedicated and persistent approach of students in achieving such high growth over the course of the year. Students’ positive mindset and perseverance to achieve success is commendable.

Natalie Adler
Assistant Principal Teaching & Learning: Junior

This week I'm handing over to Year 10 student Breanna Langley, who wrote the inaugural blog post of our new MMCC Writing Club. Breanna's blog explores Wellbeing Week at our College and the purpose and significance of promoting positive mental health in both our community, and our own lives.

“There is hope, even when your brain tells you there isn’t.” - John Green

Wellbeing Week at Mary MacKillop Catholic College was all about welfare, health and happiness. 

What is wellbeing? Our school explains that it is important and fundamental for life, so I asked some fellow peers what it was and what this week is about. 

Emma Brittain quoted, “Wellbeing means to look after yourself, not selfishly, but for your own best outcome and future in life. This week is meant to create a positive outlook on mental health and to improve it with simple activities.”

Wellbeing is simply being happy, healthy and comfortable. But as children, teenagers, or adults, how do we find these things? Luckily for the students, the school offered a variety of activities for us to participate in to spread awareness of positive mental health.

Before the week started, us students were set with a task: to go technology free. From Sunday the 25th to Thursday the 29th, we could not access any technology unless it was during school hours. It was extremely humorous to see some students try to wiggle their way out of schoolwork and homework by saying they were technology free!

For every night we went technology free, we were able to go into a draw to win prizes at the Friday picnic. There were many prizes students could grab and many did!

Ashlyn Martin—a year 10 student—said that she enjoyed the digital detox because it allowed her to disconnect from technology and connect with the real world. She also stated that it helped her realise that technology isn’t everything and there is more to life.

Wellbeing week was all about promoting positive mental health. On Wednesday, an organisation called Livin came to spread awareness about mental health.

Some issues they brought up were stigmas, depression, suicide, social understanding, and social acceptance. Isaac Williams explained that, “It was great to learn how to classify the levels of ‘unwell’ and get advice about where and how to find help when needed.”

The Livin discussion helped us look for the signs of those who may be feeling down, and to look for signs in ourselves. I believe this is a necessary skill for life as it helps develop empathy, compassion and most definitely improve relations.
To help deal with these problems, I asked our Principal, Mr Gabbett for his advice. He said the first step was “to forgive ourselves. If we have a cold or a cough, we don’t feel shame and we don’t get angry at ourselves, so why should we do the same when we aren’t feeling ok mentally?” 

The second step is to see someone. Whether it be friends, family, teachers or a specialist, the biggest step is getting help. Mr. Gabbett also continued, “as a Catholic school we believe that if one of us suffers then we all suffer.” He also recommends we all visit 5 Ways to Wellbeing if we need further advice.

Some of our Year 12 leaders elaborated that, “a problem shared is a problem halved,” and “being together is necessary for mental health.”

College Captain, Connor McKerrow, also explained what mental health is—which is a great explanation for all ages—that “mental health is like the engine of a car. No matter how fancy, expensive, broken or rusty your car may be, it cannot go its fastest if its engine is broken. The same applies to mental health, look after your mental health and you can achieve your best.”

We had a variety of activities offered; not just the picnic, digital detox and Livin. Our school also offered a mile run challenge, Just Dance, Pound, chalk drawing, Socktober cup and many, many more. All of these activites enabled us to get involved and act as a team. It helped boost our mental and physical health; which is essential for maintaining wellbeing. So overall, Wellbeing Week was a success and an absolute blast for everyone. We can all improve on different aspects when it comes to wellbeing but that takes time.

I'll conclude where I began with the great John Green. He has stressed the importance of empathy, and without it, we can't promote positive mental health.

"You can't ever know someone else's hurt, not really - just like touching someone else's body isn't the same as having someone else's body."

Breanna Langley
MMCC Writing Club

Next week is filled with celebrations for our outgoing Year 12 students, headlined by an opportunity for the whole College to farewell them at a graduation mass on Friday morning. This is an exciting time for everyone particularly our first ever group of Year 12 students to graduate from MMCC.

The schedule for Year 12 students:

This is an opportunity for our younger students and the wider community to celebrate the journey of these young adults. This week will be very busy and there will be many distractions for teachers and students. Please encourage your students to contribute positively to the celebrations while still remaining focussed on learning in the classroom. 

Last week I had the pleasure of meeting with all of the Year 11 students who nominated for 2021 leadership positions. Every student who was part of this process was able to reflect on their own contributions to the community and why they would be positive leaders at the College. A large portion of these conversations were about leading through actions and intentionally serving the younger students of our community. The appointments for 2021 have reminded me of the quality of the young people we have within our College. All of the students who have been selected for positions in 2021 will be announced to the community next Friday during the Graduation Mass. 

With the Year 12 students graduating next Friday, the final day of school in 3 weeks and the 2020 calendar almost complete, it feels like the end of the year is almost here. I look forward to our students giving their very best for the next few weeks. As always staff are keen to assist in ensuring that everyone finishes the academic year knowing they have given their best effort until the end.

Sean Albion
Assistant Principal Wellbeing: Senior

In the Junior School, we have a focus each week on learning behaviours that contribute to enhancing our skills as a learner. We call these 'Positive Learning Behaviours'. Students can receive Joey points and last week, many students had achieve 20 Joey points, leading to them receiving a Joey badge at the Junior assembly. Congratulations to the following students:

All students have the opportunity to receive either a certificate, ribbon or badge until the end of term.

Bridget Rillie
Assistant Principal Wellbeing: Junior

Girls Futsal and Boys Rugby 7s both finish this week. Both teams had successful seasons, finishing in the top 4 in their divisions. Monday Night Netball continues for another couple of weeks and Touch Football continues through until the week ending Friday, December 11, and resumes Wednesday 27 January. Please be aware of these dates. A reminder that Mary Mac will still have covid duties, but the previously published roster is now void. We are given notice only the day before the first games on Wednesday, so please be mindful that we will call for volunteers at short notice!

Last week a Year 7-9 Boys Football team and a Year 7-9 Girls Volleyball team travelled to Toowoomba Christian College for some friendly fixtures. The results were split between the two schools with Mary Mac winning the volleyball match. Students and staff reported that the afternoon was very enjoyable and we hope to explore this relationship further in 2021.

Brad Griffiths
Sports Coordinator

Congratulations to piano students Melanie Siokos (preliminary piano of leisure) AND Jessica George (year 1 piano of leisure) who both sat external Australian Music Examinations over the weekend. Fantastic achievements and qualifications! 

The first ever MMCC Drumline has continued to work hard to learn their rudiments in preparation for our first performances. The Trick flags have also been busy at lunchtimes rehearsing with Amity Boston (year 9) to perfect movements. Countdown is now on for our ensembles.

The Junior Library welcomed a very special Mystery Reader on Thursday, 12 November to help celebrate the Australian Reading Hour. Thank you Mrs Calvert for your wonderful storytelling.

Buddy Reading was another lively activity, with Year 5 students enjoying the opportunity to share stories with their Year 1 buddies.

The week ended with the presentation of the Premier's Reading Challenge certificates during Friday Assembly. To complete the Challenge, Prep - Year 4 students were required to read 20 books while Year 5 - 9 students were required to read 15. Congratulations to the students involved and thank you to parents who assisted in completing the necessary paperwork.

Happy Reading!

Angela Irvine
Teacher Librarian

Please click the below link to view the latest from Camp Australia.