Thank you so much to the father and father figures who joined us for breakfast and liturgy on Thursday. A lot of dads approached me and told me how much they look forward to the morning - I do too. I also enjoyed the reflection this morning on St Joseph. St Joseph is voiceless in the Bible, but we can intuit a lot from his example, his kindness and his protectiveness. I hope all dads have a great Father's Day on Sunday.

I had a birthday this week, and my daughter was excited to give me 'a toy to hang on my school bag'. So, she waited pretty impatiently whilst I unwrapped Cakey from Gabby's Dollhouse. I am the first to admit that I don't have a lot of flair and panache in my wardrobe or other apparel, and as you can see from the photo, Cakey has definitely added a bit of both. I am not sure how I will explain Cakey when I go to my next formal meeting, but I think it is important that Cakey stays there.

We only have our own memory of our childhoods to get a picture of how our children view us - and of course that memory is also through the lens of our teen years, early adulthood, middle age (if we are there!). My daughter has recently discovered Gabby's Dollhouse and she will promote it to anyone she can. She is nearly 4, and I am sure that in giving me Cakey 'to hang on my school bag', she feels she has given her dad an absolute treasure that other dads will no doubt be jealous of. What an honour for us as dads that we can stand among the first heroes our children have, walk alongside them as they navigate the world, and show-off our own 'Cakey' to the world in loving affinity with our sons and daughters.

Happy Father's Day!

Mr Chris Gabbett
College Principal

The week started with Junior Library hosting its first ever Larrikin House Book Fair with a wide variety of books on sale to cater for engaged readers, reluctant readers and everyone in between. Students were enthusiastic to view what was on offer and the online option with Click and Collect also proved popular with parents.

Thanks to your generous support of Book Fair, the Library will receive $1700 worth of new titles to add to the collection. Students have already been involved in selecting some of these new titles from the Book Fair Display. Final Click & Collect orders should arrive by week 9 and these will be delivered to students once they arrive.

In another first, the College hosted its first outdoor Book Character Dress-Up Parade. This was a smart option as the MacKillop Centre would have been bursting at the seams with the many magical characters and colourful costumes present on the day. Students were very excited to see staff enthusiastically participating in the parade and it was also fantastic to see many of the Senior students dressed in character groups.

As always, the Readers Cup Kahoot competitions saw teams valiantly working to prove their book knowledge in order to win their round. As the Kahoot app displays an updated Leaderboard after each question, students were excited to see how teams were progressing in real time and motivated to work in their team to finish strong. Congratulations to all winning teams and classes.

Book Week celebrates the importance and joy of reading and sparks students' curiosity about the wonderful world of books. It is only successful due to the support of parents, staff and students and your enthusiasm is greatly appreciated. Special thanks to our magical Library Officers for their creativity and passion for promoting reading.

MMCC Library Staff

On Thursday, 15 August, students from Years 5, 6, 7, and 8 participated in the annual Queensland Association of Mathematics Teachers (QAMT) Maths Competition held at St Ursula's College.

This quiz is an opportunity to engage enthusiastic mathematics students and allow them to experience a fun and challenging team activity. Their passion for mathematics was on display as they had to persevere through often challenging mathematical questions with limited time to respond. They worked in partnership to solve each question.

Well done to all the students who participated. We are extremely proud of your efforts and achievements. Congratulations to Year 7 and 8 students, Ashley, Aidan, and Shivangi, who placed third and will compete in the regional finals next term.

Mr Malcolm Langerak
Middle Leader Mathematics

UniSQ rolled out the red carpet for Year 7 & 8 students across the Darling Downs, inviting them to a one-of-a-kind campus adventure to dip their toes into various fields of study and live that UniSQ student life for a day.

It was a chance for students to unleash their inner talents and passions through fun, hands-on activities, paving the way to exciting future career paths.

Our Year 8 squad dived into three action-packed 30-minute sessions, from theater antics to UV painting and even exploring the thrilling world of plasma balls! They also got a taste of aviation, agriculture tech, Lego Mindstorm, and more.

Between mingling with students from other schools and rubbing elbows with university brains, they even squeezed in a library tour and a crash course in 3D printing and robotics at the Maker Space. A round of applause to our stellar Year 8 students for their top-notch behavior! We are looking forward to taking our students on more epic days like this as they journey through Senior School.

Your Pathway Team
Jennifer Stevenson and Christie Richardson

During Week 7, our Year 12 students were given the opportunity to complete their First Aid and CPR course. This is the second year that we have offered this course to Year 12 students as another employability skill they can add to their resume. 

We had 19 students attend the course at the College and they have added 2 additional QCE points towards their required 20. Excellent work Year 12!

Your Pathway Team
Jennifer Stevenson and Christie Richardson

During Week 7 our Year 1 students visited Amaroo Environmental Education Centre at Kleinton to experience a nature play progrom with ‘Garbarlah the Greater Glider’. 

The students were introduced to Gabarlah and heard about where she lives and how she likes to play. Students explored Gabarlah’s home through nature play and engaged in activities such as, mud, sand and rock play; construction; a dinosaur fossil dig; traditional Murri games; bushwalking and sensory activities. 

Our Year 1 students enjoyed every minute of their time at Amaroo!

Year 1 Teachers
Michelle Lever, Beth Eldridge and Kara Sheather

The MMCC Rock Band ‘Killing Time’ has made it to the big time! Out of 64 schools, our students have made it to the top 30 Qld bands. 

Do you want to come and rock out?

‘KILLING TIME’ will be representing the Darling Downs at this event on Thursday, 3 October. Tickets are on sale from Sunday, 1 September.

Tickets can be purchased below:

Jessica Burke
Middle Leader the Arts and Student Engagement

Weeks 7 and 8 have been full of events where Mary Mac students have stood tall and achieved some amazing results.

Football - during this brief period alone we have had teams competing in the SEQ Primary Schools Football Championships, Red Lions Cup Final (Girls), Red Lions Plate Final (Boys), and the semi-finals of the Toowoomba Schoolgirls Football competition.

Whilst going down narrowly to Stanthorpe in the Red Lions Final, both of our Schoolgirls (Junior and Senior) teams have progressed through to the Grand Final which will be played on Monday night at Clive Berghofer Stadium. The Juniors are due to kick off at 4:00pm with the Seniors at 5:30pm. Feel free to come along and support our girls.

Our boys contested a great game of Football against HSSC in the final of the Red Lions Plate on Tuesday. Played in unseasonal warm weather, the boys fought their way to a 1-1 draw before ultimately going down in a penalty shoot-out. This will be the last game of football a number of our Year 12s will play for the College and we thank them for their efforts over the years. Some of them have played since they were in Year 7 and have been on the wrong end of some hidings! The boys can be proud of being pioneers of football in the Senior School and can leave with their heads held high.

DD Super Schools Cup Rugby - this season has proven to be the most successful in our short history as a Secondary College. Both the 13s and Opens contested the Grand Final on Wednesday night at Highfields. Despite going through the season undefeated, both teams stumbled at the final hurdle but can be proud of what they have achieved this season. It sets us up well for South West 7s in Term 4. New for this year, the competition has named an Honorary Opens team in recognition of consistently high performance in the Open Age group. Congratulations to Oscar Spies, Will Steer, and Martin Logan for being recognised by opposition coaches as being among the competition's elite players.

DD Track & Field Trials - students from Years 4-12 competed at the annual Darling Downs Track & Field Championships this week. There were some memorable performances from our students. Perhaps the highlight was Yr 12 student Isaac who won the Men's 18-19 Years Discus with a new DD record of just under 50m. He broke the previous record by 9m! Huge congrats to Adabelle (Year 8), Isaac (Year 12), Nicolene (Year 12), Georgie (Year 5), and Calan (Year 6) on gaining selection to represent DD at the Queensland School Sports Championships next term. Although injured, Year 10 student Dom has also been selected in recognition of his rapid improvement and high performance in recent High Jump events.

Brad Griffiths
Middle Leader Sport

Rachel Williams produces compelling artworks. Her work this year has been extraordinary. Each year all our students produce work of an incredible standard yet this year Rachel’s work has been of an astonishingly highly complex standard. Her work ‘Imposter’ earned the ‘Runner Up’ prize in the Canvas Art Competition 2024 which is an incredible achievement. Furthermore, her most significant work ‘Bergen’ has been entered into Creative Generation 2024. What will happen at Creative Generation is currently unknown, but we hope for greatness.

‘Bergen’ warrants a deeper discussion because of what it has rewarded Rachel with. 'Bergen' resulted from 100 hours of intensely focused work with graphite pencil. In her artist statement she describes the work but doesn’t mention the time, effort, commitment and dedication to her craft. Generally in art, the audience only gets to see a finished product, if they choose to look at it all, they make an assessment, maybe say something complimentary and move on. Some though choose to stay with the art awhile and truly appreciate it for what it is, they linger because they want to be there, to be part of the work. It draws them in.

In the art department we get to see the work from the moment it begins, we get to travel along with the process, to engage with the artist while she works. We get to share in the frustrations and success and we are privileged to travel with the work to its final stage. I would suggest every student in the art department engaged with ‘Bergen’ at some point. ‘Bergen’ became that one artwork that couldn’t be ignored in the space. Once finished it was too valuable personally to even consider selling it. Too much time, too much in the way of personal investment, the work belongs to the family.

Photographs of 'Bergen' had been seen though, and offers to purchase the work existed. Prints were manufactured as a solution and Rachel then entered the world of the true artist. One who’s work is inherently saleable and desirable. The prints will be publicly displayed in certain locations around Toowoomba.

Rachel's artist statement follows and perhaps gives some insight into why the work exists, it is written to QCAA criteria.

‘Bergen’ is normally a bustling up market restaurant, in this case, devoid of people. Literally a study of a blend of old and new architecture, a construction of inanimate glass, brick, and timber. Beautiful in the simplicity of the stillness and the space in which it exists, a single captured moment in time. Existing in this moment for a prolonged period however, I have amplified time, amplified the ‘moment’. Created in the contemporary context the space itself is personal now also. Non-literally this is a place of hopes and dreams, of memories, of celebrations and commemorations. The entire range of human experience infuses the walls. The audience is invited into this empty space, to exist with it, perhaps recognise it. I encourage them to be still with it, to appreciate it for what it is, a memory of a moment that represents some of the most important rituals and social behaviours of the human condition.

Matthew Chivers
Senior Art Teacher

Congratulations to all students who competed in the Queensland Catholic Schools and Colleges Music Festival (QCMF) at Villanova College. 

We are proud to announce that our Rock Band received a gold award and our Drumline received a silver award. It was the first year that the MMCC Drumline has competed at QCMF and we are thrilled with the results.   

Well done to all involved!

Jessica Burke
Middle Leader the Arts & Student Engagement

On Thursday, 15 August, the MMCC Drumline delivered an electrifying performance at the Ekka! Their vibrant energy and powerful beats had everyone moving and grooving. A huge thank you to everyone who came out to support us and made the event unforgettable. Your enthusiasm and presence truly made a difference!

Jessica Burke
Middle Leader the Arts & Student Engagement

The MMCC Senior Choir is thrilled to announce their participation in the 2024 Paul Morton Choral Music Festival, which took place at the Empire Theatre on Monday, 26 August. This prestigious event continues to celebrate the rich tradition and spirit of choral music, and our choir was honoured to be part of it.

Students performed two individual items and then performed with 500 other students across 13 schools in the mass choir finale.

A special thanks to Miss Chalmers for her efforts in making this participation possible. Their dedication ensures that our choir continues to thrive and shine on such esteemed platforms.

Jessica Burke
Middle Leader the Arts and Student Engagement

The Mary MacKillop Catholic College ‘Hike for Homeless’ team would like to invite you to join us on Saturday, October 19, to participate in the Hike for Homeless charity event.

We invite all students, parents, family members and friends to join our College team as we walk/run in solidarity to support those in need by raising awareness and funds for the homeless of Toowoomba. Please note, students will need to be accompanied by a parent/guardian as this is not a College facilitated event.

‘Hike for Homeless’ is aimed at raising awareness of homelessness in Toowoomba and much-needed funds to ensure the Basement Soup Kitchen can continue to provide lunchtime meals, blankets, clothing, and essential services. As a Catholic College in the Josephite tradition, we are passionate about outreach and aim to work in partnership to advocate for people who are homeless or at high risk of homelessness in Toowoomba.

Where: Jubilee Park, Bridge Street (opposite Dudley Street), Toowoomba

When: Saturday 19th October; staggered starts between 5:45am – 6:45am 5km

Types of Registration: Individual, Family and Team

Registration Fees:

5 km $25 for adults, $10 for children under 17, and $60 for family

10 km $35 for adults, $20 for children under 17, and $90 for families

20 km $60 for adults, $30 for children under 17

Sign up (or donate) using this link.

If you are registering to participate, ensure you join the Mary MacKillop Catholic College team. Further information can be found at Hike for Homeless.

If you have any questions, please contact Leisa Radley or Carmen Campbell.

Carmen Campbell
Junior PE Teacher

Our Spring Vacation Care Program has now been released! There are so many exciting activities planned these school holidays such as two excursions: one to The Strand to Watch the new movie Harold and the Purple Crayon, and the other to a Petting Zoo to experience a variety of animals.

Wheels day, which continues to be our biggest hit each vacation care, where children are provided an opportunity to bring their bikes/scooters/rollerblades from home and ride around Ignatius and other parts of the school.

There are many flower and plant themed activities such as growing flowers, flower science experiments, and creating flowers out of craft.

We ask families bring in any spare cardboard boxes they have lying around for the children to create fortresses. These cardboard fortresses will then be used for the Nerf Gun battles.

Email us at TCKC - OSHC to secure your spot now so you don't miss out!

Garth Rochford
Coordinator

Every Sunday, St Mary MacKillop Catholic Parish gathers in the MacKillop Centre to celebrate together.

You are invited to be part of this celebration. Sunday Mass starts at 8:00am (unless otherwise advised) and is led by Fr Brian Noonan.

Parish Council News:

• We will be organising our Trivia Night and begin planning for our Christmas Raffle next month. Keep your eye out for further information soon.
• New Eucharistic Ministers will be blessed at mass this Sunday. We are so lucky to have the wonderful people in our parish who volunteer this ministry for our roster and for ministry of the sick.

First Reconciliation Information Session:

An Invitation is extended to any Highfields district children in Year 3 or older, who wish to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Please leave your name with: -

Fr. Brian on 46 967 094 or Nadine Dolan on 0425 10 444

A parent information session will be held on 9th September at 5.30pm at Mary MacKillop Catholic Primary School Library.  Please bring a copy of the child’s Baptismal Certificate as well.

Cherie Healing (Education Liaison Officer Department of Defence) has emailed to our college the attached Defence Member and Family Support newsletter. Cherie sends this newsletter to schools and colleges within south Queensland, if she feels they may have defence families enrolled.

If you have any questions, please contact Kelli Pacey (Secondary Learning Support Teacher) kelli.pacey@twb.catholic.edu.au

Bricks in Bloom is a LEGO® Fan expo being held on Saturday, 28 September, 9:00am to 4:30pm at Glenvale State School, Glenvale Road, Glenvale. 

LEGO® creators will display their works for the enjoyment of all LEGO® lovers, with an exhibition of captivating builds and creative colour.

On display will be a number of Iconic Toowoomba locations, Flowers/Flower arrangements, and botanical MOC’s. There will also be a number of non-botanical creations, including trucks, technic cars, a medieval scene, trains, Anzac forces on exercise, and Monkjago City!

Brickresales will have three tables of LEGO for sale, there will be a minifigure lucky dip, and children under 18 will be able to make a Mosaic to display at the show.

The cost of entry is: Adults $5, Children (5-17 years) $2, Children under 5 are free. Any funds raised will be donated to Tearfund.

For more details please visit: Bricks in Bloom: A Floral LEGO Fan Expo | Facebook