Mary MacKillop Catholic College | Mary MacKillop Catholic College

I have a fascination with religious buildings. Not just churches - any building, of any faith really, that people have erected as a sign of community, faith and worship. I think their design and use provides a really indelible snapshot into the priorities of the time, and the ways that our ancestors expressed a sense of grandeur, wonder and service.

I am equally interested in their repurpose! In modern times, all over the world, places of worship, convents and monasteries have become less utilised and less populated, as attendance at church and potentially religion itself has become much less important to societies. So, should you want to, you can pick up an early Tudor era church in the UK for about $400 000. People do this. Methodist chapels in Welsh mining villages and some grandiose 18th century designs that come with some nice acreage and about 100 graves that you have to commit to maintaining. In the town of Cricklade (the source of the Thames) the Catholic diocese purchased a 1000 year old medieval church that was declared redundant by the Anglican diocese - thus re-occupying a building that their faith initially used up to the 1530s.

The same occurs closer to home. Places of worship in Queensland are sold and repurposed as hotels, child care centres and family homes, to name just a few.

What we build and how we use those buildings is a reflection of what we see as important.

I was moved recently to read about the repurposing of a convent in Canberra by the Sisters of St Joseph. MacKillop House in the inner north of the City was built in the late 1960s as a place for Josephite sisters to study before commencing their ministry. In that way, it helped to support the mission established by St Mary of the Cross MacKillop.

The Josephite order has always operated in the margins. Today, Josephite sisters can be found supporting the homeless, the waged-poor, indigenous rights and the rights of women. So, it is no surprise that today that same convent has been repurposed to provide targeted support for women rendered homeless by the Covid-19 pandemic. Sr Noelene Quinane, who first entered the convent as a nun in 1969, now visits regularly to support the residents. She said,

"It's giving them their dignity, it's giving them hope, and that's what this place has been about for the whole 50 years. It's almost like a full circle."

The messages emerging from the Covid/post Covid world is that we are not through the woods yet. We are reminded consistently of the threat of a second outbreak, the latest prediction is that Australia is 100 days from 'falling off an economic cliff' and we already have the spectre of the financial support offered by the Government being withdrawn. When the time comes to support our neighbour, let's focus on the need for us all to give them full dignity, and full hope.

Chris Gabbett
College Principal
chris.gabbett@twb.catholic.edu.au

“Better is possible. It does not take genius. It takes diligence. It takes moral clarity. It takes ingenuity. And above all, it takes a willingness to try”. – Atul Gawande

My greatest fitness accomplishments have been competing in several local Crossfit Competitions. Whilst I haven’t won any, I have placed. I keep training 6 days a week. I’m often asked why I keep going at my age. The answer for me is quite simple: I want to be better, be fitter. I want to be a good role model for my own children. I think we are all hard wired to be doing just that – getting better.

Improvement doesn’t always mean doing more; it may involve cutting back, reducing the busyness of our lives for example. Striving to get better is inherent to our humanity. For our teachers, it may mean working smarter, not harder, trying one strategy or providing one additional visual for example.

In schools, every day is ‘game day’. Every day teachers need the best resources and the best forms of support because students deserve the best we can offer them. No single day is the same as the day before. Each day we need be better than the last.

It is for this reason, on the last day of the term, the teachers at MMCC are engaging in their own personal learning journey to be better– ‘The Coaching Light Model”. This model has been adapted from the work of Jim Knight and Lyn Sharratt. The teachers will engage the support of a colleague to support them to achieve a goal they set themselves, which will ultimately support student growth. The model challenges teachers to reflect on what is their current reality in their classroom. Often what we think is happening, isn’t really. This is also applicable to our everyday lives; for example, we may feel we spend quality time with our own children, but the reality is that we are on our phones the whole time, therefore the time is not quality.

When we stop learning, growing and improving, something inside us dies. Getting better in contrast, fills us with life, pride and a sense of accomplishment.

"The capacity to learn is a gift; the ability to learn is a skill; the willingness to learn is a choice" - Brian Herbert

What are you learning about in an effort to improve?

I am excited about this initiative within our College and thank our teachers for their willingness to partake in the journey.

Natalie Adler
Assistant Principal Teaching & Learning: Junior
natalie.adler@twb.catholic.edu.au

Loving Relationships

Last Sunday was the Feast of the Most Holy Trinity. As a child (and even for some adults still) it is very difficult to fully grasp or understand the concept of the Trinity - three persons (divine, human, spirit) in one, as one. As a teacher teaching about the Trinity, I always tried to use everyday objects that were three sided or had three parts to help students develop an understanding of the Trinity. Often they selected clover leaf or shamrock which has three distinct parts all joined to make the leaf. But it was never enough and we never fully understand the Trinity because as the more we learn the more mysterious it actual is.

We really need to consider it though as a 'loving relationship'. Richard Leonard SJ described it as this in last week's Parish bulletin. He describes the relationship as co equal, co substantial and co-eternal. It is a 'loving relationship'. He goes on to say "we believe that the God who creates, redeems and sustains the world seeks us out and invites us into a loving relationship...it is in this loving relationship that we have embraced the Trinity not as isolated believers or private disciples but as people who form new and good relationships, mend broken ones, help other relationships to be deeper and richer or just enjoy the ones we have."

As the title states, relationships are the key to change. So as we come out of Covid 19 restrictions and the social distancing is allowing more people to meet, I hope that we can use this church feast as a time to consider (or reconsider) our existing relationships but also challenge ourselves to look for ways that enable us to form the relationships that will enable change in our world.

Healing hands is a great example of how a relationship can create change. A care package delivered to a family in the time of need creates a chance to nurture that relationship with the family. Healing hands is starting up again from now so if you know of a family that is experiencing a serious illness, hospitalisation, nursing sick family members, or a death, just to name a few things, then please contact the school office or send a message through your child's teacher. The school will then organise for the package to be put together for you to deliver it.

So, in your weekly shop this weekend maybe you could add some additional items to the trolley - some lunch snacks or afternoon tea snacks, breakfast cereals, or even gift cards for grocery stores. These are a lovely touch when the recipients open the package. These can be dropped at junior or senior admin office at anytime.

Thank you to everyone who continues to support our families who experience difficulties at times. It is our way of building and supporting loving relationships - the true Trinity.

Classroom visits

This week I have been visiting junior classrooms during their religion lessons to see what is happening. The students have been very willing to share what they are learning and what they know as they continue with their unit of work. I have seen a culminating activity of making rosary beads, meditation and learning about being a 'Good Samaritan'. The enthusiasm of students is evident through their high level of engagement. Well done to everyone!

Mary MacKillop quote and thought for this week...(taken from 'The Little Brown Book 2")

Love is all...Mary's simple thoughtfulness was an expression of her love. She tried to never miss the 'little' things. She would often write a little 'thank you' letter. 'Find out if he received my letter thanking him for the bull and for procuring such a nice cow' (1900). She has a special eye for the ill and frail: 'Let the sick and inform, when there are such among the Sisters, be special objects of your loving care' (1905). Mary showed how, in ordinary ways, love could do amazing things. In her thoughtfulness and goodness, she moved towards others rather than away from them. Where do I direct my little acts of kindness?

In God's everlasting love

Paula O'Rourke
Assistant Principal: Religious Education
paula.orourke@twb.catholic.edu.au

Introducing the Living Water – Praxis Program

In Term 3, current Year 11 Religion and Ethics students and their parents will be introduced to the expectations and opportunities of Praxis. Underpinning the Living Water Praxis program is the notion of ‘service learning’. The course enables students to practically apply their faith, calling them to positive action in the community.

Praxis has been organised around four core elements of social justice:

charity (through action);
social justice and solidarity;
advocacy; and
awareness (immersion).

Some of the experiences that the students will participate in and facilitate include: preparing a prayer and liturgical activity, facilitating a retreat for primary school students, involvement in an advocacy activity, 40 hours of community service, reflections and involvement in school retreats.

To appropriately prepare the current Year 11 Religion and Ethics students and their families for the challenges and opportunities of Praxis, there will be an information session in Term 3. Necessary information for students and their families will be delivered through this session. There remains a possibility that the Year 11 Social Justice Placements which were unfortunately postponed in Term 1 due to COVID-19 restrictions, may be able to run later this year, enabling students an opportunity to experience service in the community.

Information regarding the information session, as well as Social Justice Placements will be further communicated in Term 3.

Baking for Rosies and Tony’s Kitchen

On June 8 this year, on the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart website, Denise Brosnan, RSJ, wrote: “… those inspired by the charism of Mary MacKillop, have ministered in a Josephite spirit since 1866. They have been inspired by the words of their Founder Rev Julian Tenison Woods: ‘Never see a need without doing something about it’. Each day at MMCC, we promote this belief with our students. At the core of our College’s mission, we aim to serve others. When Mary MacKillop passed away in August, 1909, the love she felt for others – particularly the vulnerable in the community – overflowed to those around her. In all that she did, she modelled Jesus who, in Matthew’s gospel, tells the crowds to “Love your neighbour as yourself” (Mt 22:38).

Last week (for the second time this term) our generous families and staff baked homemade biscuits for Rosies – Friends on the Street and also for Tony’s Kitchen (a relatively new initiative run by Toowoomba local, Tony Hurle). Thank you to these members of our Mary MacKillop community who have seen a need and used their hearts and hands to serve others.

As always, if students (in either the Junior and Senior Colleges) have any ideas for mission and social justice initiatives in our College community and in the local community, see Mrs Radley or Mrs O’Rourke.

Leisa Radley
Director of Formation
leisa.radley@twb.catholic.edu.au

Our children exist within a diverse world, enriched with both differences and similarities. Specific to the school context, children differ in their learning needs, physical appearance, sporting ability, family circumstances and cultural background, physical/mental health status, social and emotional wellbeing, and general interests. Children are naturally curious and open-minded, and they have the opportunity to learn about these differences, while celebrating diversity and also commonalities that contribute to each person’s unique influence in their life.

The Big Life Journal recently published their top tips for raising inclusive children and highlighted that as parents and caregivers, “we want to raise inclusive, accepting children who celebrate diversity, feeling comfortable in their own skin while appreciating that not everyone looks, talks, or thinks like them”. Individuals who demonstrate inclusive and accepting actions, acknowledge differences and the thoughts they may have around these. They think about their values, the kind of person they want to be, and the kind of world they want to live in, and then make prosocial decisions to act based on their values.

In order to foster this inclusive and accepting behaviour in children it is important that we model it ourselves. We need to be mindful of noticing our thoughts and beliefs and ensure we are acting in line with the values we want our children to have. Essentially, we want to treat all people with kindness, equity, and respect, and in line with the Charism of Mary MacKillop, never see a need without doing something about it – irrespective of difference or similarity. We can look to Mary MacKillop as a role model and example for how to demonstrate accepting and inclusive actions, just as our children look to us on how to treat others. Mary MacKillop had to accept a lot of imperfections and differences, in herself and in those around her, whilst continuing to live a meaningful life that was consistent with values of inclusivity, forgiveness, kindness, and fairness.

It is important to note that children need to trust that they can show their differences, and they don’t have to change who they are to belong and to be valued. In order to be accepting of others, we need to support our children to be accepting of themselves; all their strengths and imperfections. We can support this with opportunities to feel capable and competent, with words and actions that demonstrate they are loved and valued. Empathy is the ability to notice the feelings of others and to imagine what that is like for them in that moment – to see from their perspective. This is a skill that is developed during childhood as children themselves experience empathy from others. Alongside self-acceptance, empathy enables children to respond to others in an inclusive, supportive, and balanced way.

It is also important that we promote our children’s curiosity by being prepared to answer their questions and to talk openly about what they want to know. It’s important that our answers are honest and age appropriate, and if we don’t know the answer, it is important to say just that – acknowledge the need to think more about it, or to gather more information first. It is also helpful for our child’s development and capacity to be more accepting and inclusive of others, if they are afforded the opportunity to experience and value new and different situations and experiences. Even if these are uncomfortable!

Lastly, and most importantly, we need to emphasise similarities, despite differences. When we consider character and wellbeing, we are all more similar than we are different. Research has identified the universal expression of 24-character strengths that we all display to varying degrees. We have written about these previously and believe the unique expression of our strength profile and more importantly, when these are actioned, defines and builds our character and our ability to connect and engage with the world.

We all have a fundamental need to feel connected and to belong. Supporting our children to acknowledge their thoughts and values, and to choose accepting and inclusive actions is key. We do this first by modelling, and this is further developed with opportunities to experience diversity as healthy and valuable. Encourage respectful curiosity, and don’t forget that at the end of the day, we are all imperfect, wired for struggle, and worthy of love and belonging (Brene Brown).

Jasmin Slack-Smith & Khara Saunders
College Counsellors

We recently visited the Year 1 classrooms to practice a mindfulness meditation exercise that utilised imagery as a way of defusing (or unhooking) from unhelpful thoughts. During this practice, the experience of both pleasant/helpful and unpleasant/unhelpful thoughts was discussed, and the fact that at times thoughts can get bigger and bigger and feel more and more real, impacting our behaviour. Thoughts can get so big and distracting that at times we can feel consumed by these.

The students were able to wear the meditation eye masks they created themselves as they imagined themselves sweeping away their unhelpful thoughts with their very own mind broom! Although we can't control the thoughts our minds create, this strategy empowers students to choose which thoughts they focus on, and which they sweep away! This is a useful way of explaining how to adaptively cope with negative or unhelpful thoughts to our children.

Our mind is a thought-generating machine and it will produce 1000's of thoughts each day. We can't control what thoughts it produces but we can notice these, determine if these are helpful or unhelpful, and then choose how we respond - do we give them our attention and act on them? Or do we wait for a more helpful thought? We can also choose to think on purpose - purposely think about something that is helpful for us in that moment....e.g., "I can handle this"...."This will pass"...."Challenges make me stronger"....

We refer to this with the older students as the Catch Check Choose technique. Catch the thought (notice it), take time to Check if it is helpful or unhelpful, and then Choose what to do with it - if helpful you may choose to give it your time and attention, and if not, you may choose to let it pass, sweep it away, or choose to think a helpful thought on purpose!

These are helpful strategies that can assist older students as well as adults. Give it a go!

Jasmin Slack-Smith & Khara Saunders
College Counsellors

As the Queensland Government moves the State from Stage 2 to Stage 3 restrictions, opportunities will begin to arise for our students. School Sport restrictions largely mirror those of Community Sport. Stage 2 restrictions do allow students to train in small groups, provided appropriate social distance and hygiene practices are in place. MMCC senior students have been notified of forthcoming opportunities and planning is underway to join a number of Term 3 competitions that are finalising their offerings for our students. Most organisations have competitions in 'draft' form and will need to go through approval processes which in turn, has an impact on how we prepare our students.

The Queensland Government released their plan to Reboot School Sport this week and again, have released draft calendars for Queensland School Sport. Not all sports will be offered at an Inner Downs and Darling Downs level, again, none of this is confirmed, but it looks like Queensland School Sport Track & Field Athletics will be cancelled. Darling Downs is hopeful of holding some type of modified event during Term 3, however, with outdoor events still being limited to 100 people, this has not been confirmed. This will also have a direct impact on the MMCC Athletics Carnival. It is my commitment to hold an event for our students, however, this will need to be planned around return to sport guidelines and may not have the 'communal factor' you would expect from a College event. More information on this will follow in early Term 3.

Students already selected in DD representative teams (10-19 Golf, 11-19 Squash, 13-17 Water Polo, 13-15 & 16-19 Netball, 13-15 & 16-19 Volleyball, 13-19 G&B Hockey) will be contacted by their respective team manager to see if they are still available to attend the state championship.

I encourage all students to get involved with the Virtual House Cross Country Carnival (see article in this week's newsletter). The students were introduced to this event in the online assembly today.

I look forward to seeing MMCC students back on the sporting fields soon.

Brad Griffiths
Sports Coordinator
brad.griffiths@twb.catholic.edu.au

Choir

There will be no choir rehearsals this term at the college. I am hopeful that we will be able to resume next term.

Music Lessons in the Junior School

Why relative solfa?

“Solmenisation ensures singing in tune for a singer and playing in tune for one who plays an instrument with flexible intonation. But even pianists, although they cannot change the pitch, will touch a key differently if they know the significance of the note in a given tonality.” Zoltan Kodaly

Year Three Music

This year we have been learning By the Waters of Babylon. We learnt the song, read the rhythm, added a xylophone ostinato to it and now we are getting ready to sing it as a canon. The students are learning to alternate their beaters on the same bar of the xylophone so our ostinato (repeated pattern) has evolved to become BBBB AAAA GGGG F#F#B. They have also listened to different versions of this song one by Don MacLean (of American Pie fame) and one by a group called Sotto Voce who recorded their version in a cathedral.

“My child wants to quit music Lessons.” (this is the last instalment – if you want to view the other four tips please refer to previous newsletters)

5. Frame the ending positively

When a teenager wants to stop lessons but the parents are unsure of whether the desire is genuine or the time is right, it is sometimes possible to strike a deal.

You’ve come so far and done so well […] how about you keep going until after the concert in three months and if you still feel the same way, you can stop.

Most teenagers ultimately do stop and that’s OK. The best thing parents can do is help their child frame that ending positively.

Rather than seeing their child as “quitting” or “giving up”, parents should describe this transition as “moving on” or “graduating”.

Celebrate what they have accomplished and encourage them to keep playing for pleasure – their own, and that of others.

This last point might mean parents gradually let go of monitoring practice. An interim step is for a parent to offer to help keep the teenager accountable.

I know you often practise at 7pm […] would you like me to ask you how it’s going or remind you if it seems you’ve forgotten?

Competing interests represents a leading cause for stopping music tuition. The transition to high school is a pressure point in this regard.

Susan Fredline
Music Teacher
susan.fredline@twb.catholic.edu.au

Experience the magic of OSHC at home with a recipe the whole family can make!

In Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) we make sure that the children who attend our programs eat healthy and delicious snacks that are in line with the Australian Dietary Guidelines. Cooking is one of the favourites in our endless range of fun and enriching activities, and we’ve got heaps of recipes that are really yummy, and healthy too.

Continue the love of cooking and healthy eating at home by making one of our fun recipes, straight out of our Camp Australia Healthy Eating Cookbook.

Mexican Bean & Corn Dip

Ingredients:
2x 400g tins of beans (we recommend kidney beans)
1x 400g tin of corn • 1x jar of salsa
½ cup grated reduced fat cheese
5-6 medium cherry tomatoes (diced)

Method:

Pre-heat oven to 190°C (if serving warm)
Drain excess liquid from the tin of beans and corn (don’t rinse)
Mix salsa and beans together in a large bowl
Place grated cheese and tomatoes on top
Bake for 5-10 mins (if serving warm), otherwise serve cold with cut up vegetables and crackers. Yum!

Our OSHC service is open and operating for those that need our care. For families who require care, childcare will be provided free of charge until 28 June as per the Federal Government's announcement on 2 April. Whilst care is free, we still need to know if you are coming. We ask that you get your bookings in as soon as you can.

It’s FREE to Register (and if you want to use OSHC, you first need to register).
Register at pp.campaustralia.com.au/account/login. Once registered, it’s easy to make and manage your bookings online via our Parent Portal.

Visit our blog for helpful information and fun activities
New articles are added each week for parents and cover various topics to help families. This month we are focusing on all things COVID-19. We talk about how to adjust to the changes you’ve made in your household, including fun activity ideas to entertain your child at home. Visit the blog here: https://campaustralia.com.au/blog

Week 8, Term 2 - 2020

In This Newsletter

Whole College Announcements

From the Principal

Captain's Report

Virtual Cross Country

Scholarship & Bursary Opportunities

Notice of Intentions - Enrolment Cancellations

Teaching and Learning

Junior Teaching & Learning: The Coaching Light Model

Senior Teaching & Learning: The Path to Excellence

English & Literacy - Extension Opportunities

Independent Education Union Literary Competition

ABC Heywire Competition

Mission & Identity

From the APRE: Relationships are Key to Change

Loving Relationships

Classroom visits

Mary MacKillop quote and thought for this week...(taken from 'The Little Brown Book 2")

Formation News: Serving with Hearts and Hands

Introducing the Living Water – Praxis Program

Baking for Rosies and Tony’s Kitchen

Student Wellbeing

Junior Wellbeing: A Classroom Perspective

Cultivating Acceptance, Compassion and Inclusivity

Imagery in Action!

Extra-Curricular

Sport Update

Music News

Choir

Music Lessons in the Junior School

Year Three Music

5. Frame the ending positively

Joining your Local Library

Community Noticeboard

Camp Australia - Healthy Recipes

Mexican Bean & Corn Dip

Whole College Announcements

Teaching and Learning

Mission & Identity

Student Wellbeing

Extra-Curricular

Community Noticeboard

Whole College Announcements

Teaching and Learning

Mission & Identity

Student Wellbeing

Extra-Curricular

Community Noticeboard