Student Success - TAFE 'YES' Program

The Youth Engagement Strategy program runs in conjunction with local high schools and TAFE NSW.  The YES program is an early intervention program for young people aged between 15 and 17. It gives students an opportunity to gain pre-vocational and foundation skills in an alternative environment.  

A small number of Year 10 students were fortunate to attend some of the programs. Here are some student accounts of how the programs operated:

Get the Look Program: In my TAFE experience, during the first three weeks I  learnt how to properly treat hair, how to do different hairstyles, and how to make hair masks. I also learnt how to dye hair properly and put foils in hair. The last three weeks consisted of beauty therapy, eyelashes, makeup, colour matching your skin tone and applying products on your skin in the correct order and properly. We also learned how to do eyebrows and fake eyelashes.  I was treated well and the people were nice. The food at the canteen was the best part.

Build It Program: In the building course you have 3 different projects. The first 2 are just learning how to use the tools. The third project was building a toolbox. I liked the ‘hands on’ aspect of it, and in my opinion its much better and more enjoyable than sitting in a classroom all day. The course is very enjoyable and you learn new skills that can be put towards your future after school.

Build It Program: The first project was basic joint work and the second project was framework. The course covers woodwork and carpentry and we were treated as apprentices. I liked that there weren’t many students in the class, so it wasn’t overwhelming. 

Tanya Poppleton, Student Services Supervisor
Jo Pilgrim, Leader of Career Transitions and Pathways

St Paul's Stingrays - Head of House Report

St Paul’s Stingrays Celebrate St Paul's Feast Day!

What a fantastic day it was for the St Paul Stingray House as we came together to celebrate the Feast Day of St Paul on Friday, June 27! It was wonderful to see so many students and staff embrace the spirit of the day and show their Stingray pride.

The day began with a special prayer service in the chapel, where students and staff gathered for a moment of reflection and gratitude, honouring St Paul's life and legacy. It was a peaceful and meaningful start to our celebrations. Later in the day, the school grounds were a vibrant sea of green as St Paul Stingray House students enthusiastically participated in our "green out of uniform" day. Your house spirit was truly on display, and it was great to see everyone rocking their house colour with such enthusiasm!

Lunchtime brought even more excitement with a delicious sausage sizzle for all St Paul Stingray House members. The aroma filled the air, and it was a perfect opportunity for students to gather, socialise and enjoy a well-deserved treat. A big thank you to all the staff and student volunteers who helped make the sausage sizzle a resounding success!

The Feast Day of St Paul was a wonderful occasion for Stingray House to unite as a community, celebrate our patron saint and demonstrate our strong house spirit. We are incredibly proud of the participation and enthusiasm shown by all our Stingray students.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to making this day so special! Go Stingrays!

Say G’day To A Ray: Milly McGrath

As a key leader of the St Paul Stingray’s, Milly McGrath of Year 12 is our next “Say G'day to A Ray” interview.

1. 
   What do you hope to do when you finish school? I’m not 100% sure what I want to do, but at the moment I’m considering taking a break and spending a year in France as an au pair. After that I can sort out the rest of my life!
2. 
   What do you enjoy doing in your free time? I love spending time with my family and friends, but if I have some time to myself I enjoy reading and drawing. 
3. 
   What is your favourite subject?  Probably either English or French - I love learning languages and I have really enjoyed all my English and French classes, especially throughout Years 11 and 12. 
4. 
   What is your favourite food?  I would have to say mangoes, they are definitely the best fruit and I think they are my favourite food overall too. 
5. 
   If you could travel to one place in the world, where would it be?  I have always wanted to go to Switzerland . Beautiful mountains, snow, good chocolate - what’s not to like?
6. 
   If going out for dinner with three people, who would you invite? That’s a tough one! With no particular reasoning, just because they sound like interesting people, I think I would choose Cleopatra, Marie Skłodowska-Curie and Enid Blyton. 
7. 
   What is your go-to song or playlist on Spotify?  At the moment I really like Spacey Jane so anything by them is my go-to especially when I’m studying. 
8. 
   As a key leader, what words of encouragement would you give to all of our Stingray ‘Biluun’ community?  I would say first of all that the Stingrays are all doing amazing things at the moment, so keep up the great work! I also think that school is a great place to try new things and make new friends, so try to get out of your comfort zone in the upcoming terms because you will have lots of opportunities to be your best self.

Get Ready, Get Set, GO! Athletics Carnival 2025!

Mark your calendars, because this year's carnival will be held on Tuesday, 22 July. This will be the first school day back for Term 3. What a way to kick off the new term!

This year's Athletics Carnival promises to be an electrifying showdown, especially as the St Joseph Kangaroos are hot on the heels of achieving a remarkable "triple crown". Having already claimed victory in the Swimming Carnival and the Cross Country event, the Kangaroos aim to dominate the Athletics Carnival and secure an unprecedented clean sweep.

However, they won't have it easy! Both the St Paul Stingrays and the St Agnes’ Eagles are determined to stop the Kangaroos in their tracks. Expect fierce competition, incredible displays of athleticism and unwavering house spirit from all contenders.

The stakes are particularly high this year, as the results of the Athletics Carnival will have a massive impact on the final standings for the inaugural House Cup! Every jump, every throw and every stride will count towards securing bragging rights for your house.

Students are reminded to wear their full sports uniform in their house colours, bring plenty of water, and prepare to cheer on their teammates. Let's make this year's Athletics Carnival memorable with outstanding performances and incredible sportsmanship. May the best house win - and the Stingrays intend to do this!

Go the Rays!

Stephen Roberts
Assistant Principal - Pastoral Care
Head of House - Stingrays

Community News

Information Links for School Bus Services 2025

1. Timetable information - busways.com.au or transportnsw.info
2. School bus travel pass - School Student Travel Scheme

Need Some Study Help?

Canteen

ATTENTION ALL QKR USERS

The cut-off time is 8.00am SHARP. Any orders placed after 8.00am will default to the next day.

If you miss the cut-off or make a mistake with your order, you MUST call the school immediately or have your child go directly to see the canteen managers.

Athletics Carnival Menu:  
Sausage Sandwich -  $2.50
Drinks - $2.50
Other treats from $1

To order from the canteen:

1. Orders can be written out at the canteen (bags supplied free of charge).

2. Orders can be written out at home and handed in at the canteen.

3. Download the Qkr! app and order online.

Attention all QKR users!

Cut-off time is 8.00 am.

Any orders placed after 8.00 am default to the following day. It is very time-consuming for canteen staff to have to check all late orders every day and then contact parents about their order. 

If you make a mistake, please call the office or send your child to the canteen.

There have also been new gluten-free items added to the menu.

Representative Sport

Representative Reports

NSW All Schools Golf Championships 

Congratulations to Eddie Coombes, who last week represented NSWCCC at the NSW All Schools Golf Championships, held in Dubbo in less-than-favourable conditions for Golf. 

An account from Eddie…

The first day was long, the wind persisted throughout the whole day, as it did for the whole week, battling nerves and expectations. I did not play amazing on the first day shooting an 83(+12). Settling in on the 2nd round with rain delays and cold winds I played stronger but a few tough holes changed the round of 79(+8). The last day, the goal was to get into the top 30, rolling along around 2-3 over the whole day. The goal was in reach, but the last 4-5 holes became tough, going straight into the wind and large clouds beginning to roll in. In the end I had a 79(+8) again on the last day. 

It was a great experience to finish off my competitive school golf career, playing with the states best. Abit unhappy that I did not make this last tournament a good one but a lot to take away for the future. 

As Eddie signs off on his last school Golf Championship, we wish him all the very best on his Golfing journey beyond school. 

Eddie, you are such a talented athlete and Golfer. Your maturity is beyond your years, and the humble manner in which you compete is admirable. 

We know you have a bright future ahead of you and wish you every success as you chase your Golfing dreams in 2026. 

NSW All Schools Netball Selections - Ben Romer 

Congratulations to Ben Romer, who trialled at the inaugural NSW All Schools U15 Netball Trials. Ben had a massive week in Sydney representing NSWCCC Basketball and our MacKillop Open Boys team at the NSWCCC State Finals and at the Netball trial. 

Congratulations to Ben on making the NSW All Schools U15 Boys Netball team. Ben will now play at the School Sport Australia tournament in Brendale from Saturday, July 26, to Friday, August 1, against teams from Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, and the ACT. 

This certainly is a first for MacKillop, and hopefully, many more will follow over the years. Enjoy pioneering this pathway for others.

NSW All Schools Basketball Selection Trials 

Ben Romer (U16 Boys) and Blake Collins (U18 Boys)  recently represented NSWCCC at the NSW All Schools Basketball Championships and selection trials. The quality of Basketball played at the championships is always exceptional. 

Unfortunately, Ben and Blake’s teams had two losses - they can hold their heads high as they were up against the best players in the state.

Special congratulations to Blake, who has made the NSW All Schools merit team. It is an outstanding achievement to be recognised as one of the best Basketball players in NSW. We are extremely proud of both Ben and Blake.

NSWCCC Hockey- Tobias Toohey

Tobias Toohey recently became Captain of the NSWCCC U18 Boys Hockey Team. He has been a key member of this team over the years, and it was fitting that he was named Captain in his final year with the team. 

The team finished the competition in second place, losing to the NSW CHS team. The CCC boys were very brave and were unlucky not to get a win, but they were never out of the game, and led by Tobias, they kept up the pressure the entire time.

Tobias also made the NSW All Schools Team, which was a great way to finish his school hockey pathway. 

The citation below is from Tobias's Coach and a testament to his integral part in this team over the years. 

Tobias was appointed the team captain and did an excellent job, as anticipated. He also surpassed the role by co-coaching for the day.

His inclusion in the All Schools team was not just for his grit and determination but also for his game sense, stick skills, leadership on and off the field and for playing with poise and calmness showing a maturity well beyond his very young 18 years. 

MacKillop College is so very proud of you, Tobias. This is the end of an era with the Toohey family and the positive contribution you and your sisters have made to our Hockey teams over many years. We will miss you. 

NSWCCC Basketball State Finalists

Open Boys Silver Medalists

The Open Boys Basketball team recently competed in the NSW CCC Basketball Championships in Penrith. The team started the competition strongly, defeating McCarthy College Tamworth (49-39), O’Connor College Armidale (54-19) and St John Paul College Coffs Harbour (58-41) on the first day of competition. The team started the second day as they finished the first, defeating St Francis Xavier Hamilton (46-31) and St Dominic’s College, Kingswood (51-49). This placed us in the final against St Gregory’s Campbelltown.

The MacKillop boys went down in a challenging and extremely tight game (53-44). Congratulations to the MacKillop boys on winning the silver medal for the NSWCCC Championships. The team included Blake Collins, Lucas Scott, Kaden Lawler, Blake Romer, Lucas Scott, Felix Hurdle, Kaeleb Morris, Zake Morris, Fletch Irwin and Ben Romer.

A big thank you to Michael Reid for driving the bus and Gav Romer for helping us do our bench duties.

MVP: Blake Collins

COACH: Ryan Adams

Girls Country Cup Rugby League

U16 Girls

On Wednesday, 18th June, MacKillop competed in the NRL Schoolgirls Country Cup. This is a 13-a-side competition where the games are 25 minutes in duration with no half-time. The winner progresses to the next level of the competition. Unfortunately, a few players from the squad and their successful nine-a-side team were unavailable, which meant a few last-minute positional changes and two U14 players playing up. Despite this, the ladies demonstrated grit, determination and sportsmanship throughout the day.

The first game was against Great Lakes College. The MacKillop team was the first to score from Arliah’s speed breaking through their defensive line; however, we missed the conversion. Great Lakes followed soon after with a successful conversion kick. Their lead was short-lived, with Arliah, Frankie, and Ella all scoring during the game and converting 2 of the goal kicks. They won the game 20-6.

The second game was against Wingham High School. The MacKillop team didn’t see much of the ball in the first ten minutes and demonstrated strong line defence. A decisive win with tries scored by Ellah, Arliah x2, and Frankie. Finishing the game 20-4.

The third game was against Camden Haven High School. They scored three tries with no successful conversion, reducing us to 12 players. Ella scored first to make it 12-4. With a penalty on the buzzer, Darcie kicked the ball over Camden Haven’s defensive line, and Arliah ran through, picking up the rebounding kick and scoring under the posts, ending the game down 12-10.

Team consisted of Darcie Gleeson ©, Arliah Morris, London Curtis ©, Ella Oliver, Grace Byrne, Millie Byrne, Isabella Hawkins, Ellah Armitage, Evie Evans, Riley Daley, Sophia Wilmot, Charlotte Fitzpatrick, Lainey Fenton (U14s) and Frankie Healy (U14s).

MVP: Darcie Gleeson

COACHES: Kate Cowan and Erin Denham

Girls U14  Rugby League Country Cup

Last Wednesday, the Under 14s MacKillop girls competed in the Country Cup Rugby League gala day. The girls began the day with a close win over Wauchope High, 16-10. In our second game, we faced cross-town rivals St Joseph’s Regional. We knew this was going to be a tough game, but the girls showed some real grit and determination and came out on top 8-4. 

The girls won the third game comfortably, beating Great Lakes College High 20-0. The day's final match was against a much larger St Paul’s Kempsey, and the girls won in a nail-biting finish, 10-8.

The team is to be congratulated on how they conducted themselves on and off the field. MVP of the day went to Lainey Fenton, who played outstandingly despite being new to the sport. This win means the girls have now progressed through to the Northern final.

MVP: Lainey Fenton

COACH: Laura Cudmore

Boys U14 Cochrane Cup – Rugby League

On a perfect winter’s day for Rugby League, with dry fields and clear blue skies, the MacKillop College U14 Boys Rugby League team competed fiercely in the U14 Cochrane Cup held in Port Macquarie.

MacKillop started the day strong against a physically imposing St Paul’s Kempsey side. The team executed some well-rehearsed backline set plays, taking an early lead into halftime. However, the size and strength of St Paul’s proved challenging in the second half, and MacKillop went down 24-10. Standout performers included Flynn Cloake, Sonny Shipway, and Archie McKeough, who all showed great skill and determination.

The second game was a tough battle against SJPC Coffs Harbour. Injuries to key players impacted MacKillop’s ability to maintain consistent pressure and complete sets. Despite this, Liam Holding delivered an outstanding performance, scoring two brilliant tries, highlighting his speed and power. Unfortunately, the team narrowly missed out, losing 24-16.

The final match was a thrilling local derby against St Joseph’s Regional. MacKillop fired with strong forward runs from Knox Blake, Jacob Lane-Rowsthorne, and Cooper Perry. Flynn Cloake and Kyan Von Bun controlled the play expertly, guiding the team across the advantage line and helping MacKillop lead 12-0 at halftime. However, fatigue and injuries took their toll in the second half, and the game ended in a dramatic 24-24 draw after St Joseph’s nailed a sideline conversion.

The MacKillop U14 boys displayed excellent sportsmanship, resilience, and team spirit throughout the day. Despite the challenges, the players represented the school with pride and determination, laying a solid foundation for future success.

MVP: Flynn Cloake

COACH: Mr McRae

Netball All Schools Cup - MacKillop wiped the field

BOYS 7 & 8  Gold Netball Team

We had a fantastic day with so much to learn in just one short day.

Our super organised team have been training hard and learning the ways and rules of this game. We came second on the day, losing a close match by 1 point to SCAS. Fortunately, we have made it through to the next round in August, so we have lots to learn!

A wonderful, positive group of young men, I loved the day!

Team: Judd Charet, Sonny Cowan, Jacob Lane-Rowsthorne, Riley Batman, Max Schneider, Francis Borja, Xavier Mat, Felix Plowright.

MVP: Felix Plowright

COACH: Mrs Amy Ryals

Congratulations to the Boys 7/8 Black Team!

Congratulations to all the boys who played for the 7/8 Boys Black team. Despite no players having prior experience, they performed fantastically and should be proud of their efforts. While the team didn’t progress to the next round, they showed remarkable improvement with each game, playing with great sportsmanship, determination, and true team spirit.

The team included: Steele Cottom, James Wehlow, and Sebastian De Somma, shooters; Patrick Blackman, Declan Jones, and Liam Holding on centre court; and Sonny Shipway, Sam Dicker, and Isaac Kelly in defence. 

It’s been great to watch these boys develop their skills and confidence over the season, and we hope their enthusiasm for the game continues.

MVP: Patrick Blackman 

COACH: Mrs Johnston 

Girls 7 & 8 Gold Netball Team

Congratulations to all the team's players who played exemplary Netball all day, winning each and every game by very large margins. We are lucky to have strength all the way down the court. A big thank you to Sienna Furney, who was unfortunately injured but supported and scored all day. Also, a big shout-out to Grace Halverson, who could not play in the final game due to injury. 

The good news is we will have a full contingent when we play again in August.

MVP: Chelsea Hodges and Sophie Donohue

COACH: Nicole Thompson

Girls 7 & 8 Black Netball Team 

Thank you to all the girls who trialled for the 7/8 girls' team this year. About 60 students made it very hard to select only 18 players. We are very lucky to have a great depth of talent for this sport at our college. The girls responded very well to the coaching and feedback given to them in their games, and as a result, they were undefeated on this local day. 

We were quite relieved that we did not have to play our other MacKillop team at this carnival. We both came first in our respective pools, so we avoided meeting each other in the crossover final. This means that both our teams will now progress to the North Coast Regional Finals, to be held in Term 3.  

All girls were fine ambassadors for MacKillop, playing with determination and displaying good teamwork and sportsmanship. 

The players in the 7/8 team at this local carnival were Amelia Williams (C), Havarna Stone (VC), Amaya Davis, Maya Griffiths, Chloe Moye, Isla Garel, Amaya Colthorpe, Tahney Cross, Madilyn Tinley, Sienna Harrison.

A special thank you to Ruby Ford, who did a fantastic job as our umpire all day. Without our umpires, we cannot attend these events. Finally, thank you to Kasey Garel, who scored for the day, and to our parents, who came down to support the team.

MVP: Amelia Williams

Coach:  Mrs Marino

Girls 9/10 Netball Team

The MacKillop Netball team had a highly successful day of competition, showcasing skill, determination, and teamwork across a series of impressive matches. The day began with a challenging game against Hastings Secondary College, where MacKillop started slow but found momentum in the second half. Intense defensive pressure from Bianca and Milla led to several crucial turnovers, which the team could convert into goals. The final score reflected their persistence, with MacKillop securing a 14-10 win.

In another close contest against Regional, MacKillop edged out a 10-9 victory. The game demanded resilience, and the girls dug deep in the second half to hold firm defensively. Charlotte and Abby scored key goals in the shooting circle, while Indie stood out with some sharp and effective passing during transition play. MacKillop also recorded three dominant wins during the day, defeating Kempsey 20-0, Heritage 26-0, and Wauchope 24-0. 

These matches highlighted the team’s full-court defensive pressure, with Olivia, Milla, and Lucia working seamlessly to shut down opposition play, force turnovers, and create scoring opportunities. The match against SCAS proved to be another nail-biter. Trailing by two goals at halftime, a quick tactical change saw Mia brought into Goal Defence. Her immediate impact was taking key rebounds and helping transition the ball into attack. MacKillop managed to turn the game around and win 10-9.

Overall, it was a fantastic day for the MacKillop girls. They showed tremendous grit, focus, and sportsmanship throughout the competition. They proved they could stay composed under pressure and play for each other when it mattered most.

MVP: Zoe Townsend, whose accurate passing and strong leadership set the tone for the team’s success. Well done to all players on a great day of netball!

COACH: Tiffany Edwards

Boys 9/10 Netball Team

The 9/10 boys' Netball team finished 2nd on a countback in a fiercely contested local competition. Made up of highly athletic and skilled players, these boys were impressive with their speed, teamwork, and strong game sense. They were a pleasure to coach, showing great sportsmanship and dedication throughout. This was a fantastic effort from a talented group of boys, and I look forward to coaching them at the next level.

Coach: Amber Mann

Fast Five Netball

Netball Fast 5 - Year 11 and 12

On Friday last week, we took three teams from Years 11 and 12 away from their studies to have a fun day in the sun and play together in the local Fast 5 Netball NSW Schools Cup.

The Year 12 team was undefeated all day, winning their final friendly match against the SCAS Year 12 team.

The two Year 11 teams gave their all, putting in strong performances with smiles. So many played their first Fast Five competition and did a fantastic job!

All teams showed excellent team spirit and enjoyed the experience.

COACHES: Mrs Amy Ryals, Mrs Amber Mann and Mrs Lisa Kable

Hockey NSWCCC Championships- Bathurst

Junior Boys Team

Our Junior Boys Hockey team travelled to Bathurst to compete in the NSW CCC Hockey Championships. The boys bravely battled harsh conditions over two intense and competitive days, facing strong winds, heavy rain, and freezing temperatures. Throughout the tournament, they demonstrated exceptional teamwork, resilience, and heart.

On the final day, the team raised their game once again, narrowly missing out on the championship with a 1-0 loss in the final seconds of the Grand Final. Despite the tough defeat, they should be incredibly proud of their efforts. Securing the silver medal is a tremendous achievement and a testament to their dedication and skill.

MVP: Luca Young

Coach's Award: Xavier Mat

COACH: Mr Pascoe

Open Boys Team

MacKillop College Open Boys Hockey – 2025 NSWCCC Hockey Championships

The MacKillop College Open Boys Hockey team showcased remarkable grit and determination at the 2025 NSW Combined Catholic Colleges Hockey Championships, held in Bathurst. Competing over two days in frigid, windy, and sleety conditions, the team faced formidable challenges on and off the field. Despite battling quality opponents and relentless winds, the boys displayed unwavering perseverance. 

The competition was fierce, with several matches resulting in very narrow losses that tested the team’s resolve. Each player rose to the occasion, demonstrating exceptional teamwork and resilience in adversity.

The Championships were a true testament to the spirit of MacKillop College’s Hockey program. The team’s commitment to pushing through harsh conditions and high-calibre opposition left a lasting impression. Their performance in Bathurst is a source of pride for the school, and the boys’ determination will undoubtedly inspire future teams.

Well done to the Open Boys Hockey team for their heart and hustle at the 2025 NSWCCC Championships!

MVP: Xavier Dunn

COACH: Rhys Jones

NSWCCC Hockey Championships

Junior Girls

The CCC Hockey Championships pushed our girls to the limit this year, with severe weather, tough competition, and a team short on players. However, our girls rose to the challenge with strength, determination, and incredible resilience.

It was a challenging game to start the tournament on grass against Trinity- Goulburn (who went on to win), the temperature was minus 6, and we felt every bit of it. Grass is such a different game and calls on a different set of skills. Our girls were beaten and left the field feeling slightly dejected and frozen. They gathered themselves, however, and went on to draw their next game against McCarthy-Tamworth. At the end of the day, when we didn’t think it could get any colder, the rain set in, and against all odds, the girls pulled out a win against Schools-Glebe on grass.

On day 2, the sun was shining, the skies were blue, but the temperature was still only 3 degrees. With three games on turf, the girls fought their way into a spot in the finals. Chloe Chilko was faultless in defence and led the girls from the back. She was ably assisted by a very talented Emily Clemec, and on her hockey debut, Mikayla Adams was outstanding. 

We were lucky to have Tiah Allen playing as our goalkeeper, who had lightning reflexes and amazing flexibility. Sophia Wilmott was incredibly reliable and teamed up with Lalita San Gupta to create some excellent attacks. Alannah Walker had the skills and adaptability to play any position and was an integral player in our attacking and defending corners. Mackenzie Trimmer and Evelyn were excellent strikers, and Bailey Taylor also showed her strength in the circle. The standout was Chloe Chilko, whose strength and knowledge as a defender kept the shots on our goal to a minimum.

I was very proud to coach the junior girls and was incredibly impressed at their resilience in regard to both the weather and the standard of the competition. Playing short a player and no subs, they didn’t give up and showed the depth of their skill to make the finals after a tough competition.

MVP: Chloe Chilko

Coach: Andrea Huxley

Open Girls

Bathurst hosted the NSWCCC Hockey Championships for the fourth year in a row.  The Open girls' team comprised a mix of students from all three SAPSS schools and St. John Paul College, Coffs Harbour. The lead-up to the competition was hampered by weather this year, but the girls have all been playing club hockey, so we just needed some game time to form as a team. 

There were 13 teams in the Open Girls Pools this year. MacKillop finished 6th. We were again in a strong pool and started the tournament with two losses. Then a 0 - 0 draw and three wins to complete the pool games. 

Highlights of the tour included playing games on the coldest day of the year in Bathurst, Lily R and Haidyn T sharing the leadership roles of the team, some of our Junior girls taking the field to experience the faster pace of the Open competition and Ruby M scoring a goal in perfect striker position. 

Thanks so much to all the girls for participating. See you next year.

PLAYERS PLAYER: Lily Rowlatt

COACHES AWARD: Daisy Pees (Newman)

COACH: Ali  Montgomery

Bill Turner Boys Soccer Round 3

After progressing in the competition under less-than-ideal circumstances against St Paul’s College, Kempsey, it was nice to have solid preparation and be back on a regulation pitch.

SCAS is traditionally a powerful opponent, so we intended to use our strength in midfield to get on top early. After a bright start, with plenty of possession and doing the simple things effectively, we started to mount some promising attacks through our wide forwards, Locke Williamson and Tyler Smyth. After some nice footwork from Thomas Allen, who played Seb de Somma through on goal, Seb made no mistake, and we were happy to go 1-0 up. 

Our defence with Mitchell Hagenbach and Kavi Mohanaranjan was particularly on song, ensuring any warning signs were dealt with. Their reading of the game was particularly impressive. However, one shot required Nikita Poltorasky to stretch at full length to parry a goal-bound shot over the bar, who did a fantastic job commanding the 18-yard box all day.

The second half was much like the first. However, some clumsiness in the box gave away a penalty. Nikita stood tall and made the all-important save to maintain our 1-0 lead. 

As time progressed, we continued to play some great football, and Thomas Allen popped up when it counted to bag himself a brace and an assist in the first half. Lucas Merrick and Oto Ryan also had impressive performances and were our engine in central midfield. They were integral in ensuring that we bossed the game in this department. 

Each team member contributed fantastically well, and their work ethic throughout led to a great team performance, ultimately leading to a 3-1 victory. 

We are delighted to have made it to the next round and await either Great Lakes College Forster or Great Lakes College Tuncurry in the next fixture. 

Thank you to Patrick and Harrison Blackman for your assistance on the lines. 

Player of the Match: Thomas Allen - 2 goals and one assist.

COACH: Tom Salter

Soccer 7-10 Boys North vs South

Game 1: MacKillop vs Xavier Ballina

In this North vs. South battle in the Lismore Diocese, the match showcased high technical quality. Both teams created strong scoring opportunities, keeping spectators engaged throughout. The moment of the game came in the first half when our captain, Lucas Merrick, produced an absolute wonder goal, rocketing a volley from a corner into the bottom corner to give us a deserved 1-0 lead.

Our goalkeeper, Noah Pociask, was called into action soon after, making an excellent low save to his right to preserve our advantage. Xavier pushed hard for an equaliser as the match progressed, but our defensive unit stood tall, showing composure and discipline under pressure. The boys dug deep, maintaining focus and working hard for each other to hold on to our slim lead and secure a well-earned victory.

The game demonstrated the team’s technical ability, resilience, and commitment to playing for one another.

MVP: Lucas Merrick

COACH: Tom Salter

Game 2: MacKillop vs McCarthy College Tamworth (Armidale Diocese)

With a game already in the legs, we started slowly in our second match and struggled to find the intensity and work ethic we know we are capable of. Technically, we were solid enough in patches but couldn’t quite find our rhythm early on.

Against the run of play, we went 1-0 up midway through the first half after a great run from Seb de Somma resulted in a deflected cross that ended up in the back of the net as an own goal. A key turning point came when an opposing defender deliberately handballed a chipped cross, denying a clear goal-scoring chance with two of our players ready to pounce. The player was sent off, and with a one-man advantage, we were hopeful of taking control, but we went into the halftime break level at 1-1.

Early in the second half, a fantastic strike from Seb, curling a shot from the edge of the box, put us 2-1 up, and it felt like the moment to build momentum. However, just two minutes later, the McCarthy College equalised again, making it 2-2. Despite the numerical advantage, we found it challenging to settle fully, but the boys showed character, and midway through the half, Tom Allen prodded home from inside the box to regain the lead at 3-2.

From there, we managed the game well, using our heads to control possession and see the match out. James Owen was particularly good at maintaining possession. While not our sharpest performance, it was a reminder of the importance of work ethic alongside technical ability, and it was pleasing to see the group find a way to get the job done.

This marks an impressive campaign from our 7-10 team, who have not only won their Gala Day but have also gone on to win the Lismore Diocese before beating the Armidale Diocese. We await an exciting fixture from a southern metropolitan Diocese early in the new term. 

Representative Sport, Upcoming Events and Registration 2025

All registrations for MacKillop College Representative Sport teams are completed by;

1. Logging into COMPASS (Chrome browser).
2. Click on the Star button 
3. Click on the Sport - Representative link
4. Click on the relevant sport and fill out the google form.

 Students will be notified through the morning notices of when to sign up and when trials will occur.

Sports currently open for registration are;

• Junior & Intermediate Basketball teams (Boys & Girls)
• Rugby 7s - Girls & Boys

** NOTE: To register for the Diocesan Trials students need to complete the forms that can be found on the Lismore Diocesan Sport page. Click on the REGISTRATION tab.

 Upcoming MacKillop College Events 2025

Lismore Diocesan Events and Registration - 2025

NSWCCC & NSW All Schools Sporting Representation

Families with students who wish to nominate for trialling in a sport at the NSW Combined Catholic Colleges (NSWCCC) level should make themselves familiar with the Catholic Schools NSW (CSNSW) Sport website https://csnsw.sport/.  Parents/carers will need to create an account to be able to register their child.  Once a parent registers their child to attend an event on the CSNSW Sport portal it will send the registration to me for College approval to attend the event. 

Some sports allow students to register directly through the CSNSW Sport portal without having to go through the Diocesan Pathway. E.g. Individual Triathlon. In other instances, students will be required to travel to a Diocesan trial and if selected continue to the NSWCCC selection trials and communications for these teams will be sent through our Sports Desk.  

Please be prepared to travel if your child is accepted.  Parents have the responsibility to register their child on the NSWCCC portal, please make note of the registration closing dates based on the calendar on the CSNSW Sport website.

NSWCCC CALENDAR 2025

All individual sports registrations are completed on the CSNSW.SPORT website. The parent must have an account and add their child to have access. (Sport Registration HELP available on sport info page) SEE BELOW sports open for registration.

For further information, go to the CSNSW Sport website Sport pages. https://csnsw.sport

Students MUST be registered for the event with parent and Principal or Leader of Sport approval.

Registration is through the CSNSW.sport portal.

Details on how to register – Guide For Parents – Sport Registrations >>. 

Please note all close dates are firm dates. No registrations will be permitted after the close dates.

Community Sport

If your child has achieved outstanding sporting results in their community sport, we would love to hear about it. Please email myself, or your child’s respective Leader of Pastoral Care, so we can acknowledge these achievements.  

If you have any questions regarding sport at MacKillop College, please do not hesitate to contact me either by email or phone at the College.

Erin Denham (Leader of Representative Sport)

School Sport

Week 10

Our Annual College Athletics Carnival is on Tuesday, 22nd July. This carnival is a compulsory day for all Years 7-12 students and is a real highlight of our sporting calendar. It is an opportunity for students to embrace their House spirit by dressing up in house colours and getting involved in all events, whether competitive or novelty. 

If students cannot participate due to injury or illness, a note outlining this needs to be handed to Mrs Huxley. These students can still positively enjoy the carnival by offering assistance at the events.

We welcome all parents and guardians of our students to come along and support their children at this event, and also welcome any parents who can give any assistance on the day. Please email Andrea Huxley if you are able to assist andrea.huxley@lism.catholic.edu.au

Canteen

Athletics carnival BBQ will be available:

• $2.50 Sausage sandwich 
• $2.50 Soft drinks
• Other treats from 50c
  

Andrea Huxley
Leader of School Sport

Music News

“Music, great music, relaxes the mind, awakens profound sentiments and is, as it were, a natural invitation to raise one’s mind and heart to God in every situation of human existence, both joyful and sad. Music can become prayer.” Pope Benedict XVI

Rehearsal Attendance

The music ensemble at MacKillop College is currently working hard in rehearsal to put together a repertoire for the annual showcase concert taking place in week 2 of term 3.

With this in mind, it is essential that students and families inform ensemble directors of attendance in rehearsal (in advance if possible). It is difficult for rehearsals to be successful when directors have planned for a certain number of students only to discover on the day of the rehearsal that key members are absent. We understand that there will always be circumstances when notifying ensemble directors early is not possible. 

Thank you for your support and understanding.

Ensemble Rehearsals

• Concert Band (directed by Ms Stewart) Monday - 7:45am - 8:30am, J16 Music Room 
• Pop Choir (directed by Mrs Adams) Tuesday - 7:45am - 8:30am, Theatre 
• Senior Vocal Ensemble (directed by Mr Josh Salter) Monday - 3:15pm - 4:00pm, Theatre
  
• SAPSS Jazz Workshop (directed by Mr Horne) Tuesday - 7:45am - 8:30am, Theatre
  
• SAPSS Junior Drumline (directed by Mark Spence) Tuesday 3:30pm - 5:30pm, College Hall 
• Collective Praise Band & Singers (directed by Mr Denham) Wednesday - 7:45am - 8:30am, Chapel 
• Junior Percussion Ensemble (directed by Mark Spence) Wednesday - 7:45am - 8:30am, J16 Music Room 
• SAPSS Senior Drumline (directed by Mark Spence) Wednesday 3:30pm - 5:30pm, College Hall 
• Senior Percussion Ensemble (directed by Mark Spence) Thursday - 7:45am - 8:30am, J16 Music Room 
• String Ensemble (directed by Michaeli Witney) Friday - 7:45am - 8:30am, J16 Music Room 
• Stage Band (directed by Mr Denham) Friday - 7:45am - 8:30am, Theatre 
  

Links & Forms

Music Ensemble Sign Up Form 2025

Music Tuition Request Form 2025

Instrument Rental Agreement 2025

Upcoming Events

• Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service Gala Ball - (Panthers Auditorium) Week 1, Term 3 - Friday July 25th, 5:30pm - 7:00pm Senior Drumline
• Co-Curricular Music Showcase - (THEATRE) Week 2, Term 3 - Thursday July 31, Matinee Performance, L1 - P4, ALL MACKILLOP ENSEMBLES (Excluding year 12 students)(THEATRE) Week 2, Term 3 - Thursday July 31, Evening Performance, 5:30pm - 7:30pm, ALL

Please contact Mr Denham with any questions relating to the co-curricular music program at MacKillop College.

Robert Denham
Leader of Co-Curricular Music

Principal's Update

I would like to wish all students a very restful and relaxing holiday period. It has been a very busy term, and I hope all students have a chance to recharge and recalibrate as we head into the second semester of 2025. 

I have had the pleasure of reading numerous academic reports that celebrate student success and achievement. While I encourage students to reflect on these achievements, it is also essential to look for areas of growth and refinement as we move into the second half of the year. This refinement may take the form of developing more effective study habits, building stronger and more positive relationships, responding to feedback, and focusing on those learning habits that will foster success.

Maggie Dent-  Help Me, Help My Teen

As I mentioned last week, our school community group had the pleasure of reviewing some key information from Maggie Dent’s recent book. Last week, I emphasised the importance of sleep for the teen brain and used the analogy that the teenage brain is like renovating a house. The teen brain has missing walls, exposed wires, and dust everywhere. 

We also need to remember that the teenage brain undergoes significant development. Logic and decision-making areas are still being developed and will continue until a teenager reaches their early 20s; however, the emotional part of the brain is operating at full speed. As parents, we need to take this into account when trying to have logic-based discussions with our children and consider how their emotional state is impacting that. 

We also need to consider that at this time, the teenage brain is particularly well-suited for learning. Each day, it’s making billions of neural connections, and it has enormous potential for both growth and possible dangers. It is during this age that the teenage brain is more susceptible to addictions. These addictions can be positive ones in the forming of very healthy habits, or negative when it comes to the overexposure to social media, drug use, or inappropriate sexualised content. 

So, how do we avoid this addiction risk? Firstly, we need to have vigilant protection. This means monitoring any potentially addictive activities and guiding our young people towards healthier alternatives. Many of the addictions that young people form do so very quickly and are then deeply ingrained. For these reasons, the addictions that occur are often much more complex to overcome and may take years of healing. Lastly is the “wet cement” analogy. Teenage habits can help shape their brains for life, so we must monitor those things that may lead to addiction, both positive and negative, and guide our teenagers to make better choices.

NAIDOC Week

Throughout this week, our college has had several opportunities to celebrate NAIDOC Week. I thank our college's Aboriginal Education Workers, Monique McKean and Sarina Hickson-Flissinger, and the ministry team for organising these events. A highlight was welcoming Birpai Elder Uncle Bill O’Brien, who led the college through a Welcome to Country and a traditional smoking ceremony.

Student Success

Several students have excelled in our college over the past few weeks, and some of their achievements are outlined below.

Lily Moseley and Arliah Morris successfully represented New South Wales Combined Catholic Colleges at the Australian Schools Titles in Townsville last week, finishing as semi-finalists in a highly competitive group.

Milla Swain has been accepted into the elite sporting program for the Newcastle Knights rugby league program. Millie begins training with the Knights every week next term.

Hunter Davis is one of 15 Australian students selected to represent our country at a United Nations Youth gathering in New Zealand in the coming months.

Numerous students have also signed up for the upcoming Tournament of the Minds competition. We have traditionally performed exceptionally well in this competition, and I thank Miss Abi Ross for supporting students throughout term three.

Congratulations to the following students who recently received a Bronze Award for receiving 30 Merits this year.

Stage 4:

Stephanie Banham, Eden Barnes, Elodie Briggs, Xavier Cleary, Amaya Davis, Mason Embling, Asha Maher, Elliot Gardoll-Marjoribanks, Joseph Gornall, Lucy Hazell, Jemma Kowalewski, Emily Lonergan, Beth Lucas, Archie Mallam, Solana Materyn Bonney, Abigail Montgomery, Ivy O’Bryan, Amelie Oliver, Ranuki Ranasinghe, Zack Rutishauser, Hannah Ryan, Isla Scaysbrook, Seungbin Shin, Charli Smith, Nathaniel Sun Zhong, Emma Townsend, Hailey Venter, Felicity Wallace, James Wehlow, Elka Williamson and Violet Wilton.

Stage 5:

Grace Ashton, Sarah Chamberlin and Tianah Wehlow.

Adam Kelly
Principal, MacKillop College

Upcoming Events

House Reading Challenge

Curriculum Corner

The importance of oral language to student reading and writing

Last year I was shared a fantastic podcast entitled "A speech pathologist's view on oral language, phonological awareness, and phonics" from the NSW Department of Education's Literacy and Numeracy resources, and it's something that has stuck with me when I'm planning lessons for my students. The implications it has for learning from an educator's perspective and for assisting with study from a parent's are extremely valuable, making it well worth the listen if you have a chance.

My key learnings from the podcast are;

• Oral language—the ability to use spoken words to communicate ideas, knowledge, and emotions—is essential for effective reading and writing.
• Manipulating sounds and connecting them to written letters (phonological awareness and phonics, respectively) are important in helping students decode words for meaning and support their reading fluency and written expression.
• Activities in the classroom should have a significant speaking component, with students talking about a topic area (with the use of specific vocabulary in context) before moving to written tasks (where the explicit links between what students say and what they write are made).

These key learnings have implications for not just classroom practice but also student study at home. If you ask any senior student, writing summary notes would be very high on their list of important study techniques, as would the completion of examination-style questions to identify their areas of strength and those that require additional attention. But I wonder, how many are verbalising their understanding to a peer, a family member, or even themselves? 

Students sharing their knowledge orally requires them to have a strong understanding of a topic area and the clarity of thought to express their ideas in a way that can be understood. By verbalising their knowledge to a peer or family member, who can check against the student's notes or flashcards (as per the previous Curriculum Corner), students can identify where they have gaps and clarify their understanding when questioned. They could even record themselves talking about a topic area and listen back to themselves while they travel to school or get outdoors. In the process, the ability to communicate clearly is transferred across into their writing. In addition to improving their writing, research studies also suggest that verbalisation has the added benefit of strengthening student memory and retention of their work.

Specific to education, John Hattie's research into the effect sizes of various factors, interventions, and educational approaches (where the average effect has the score of 0.40) states that students articulating their own thinking and reasoning (self-verbalisation) has an effect size of 0.76, and classroom discussion has one of 0.82. It's clear that the use of oral language has a strong positive effect on learning gain. 

So my key parent takeaway is this: anything we can do to develop the oral language skills of students at home (and in the classroom) is worthwhile for their learning. It's also another potential avenue for connection with your child if they are open to it and might even expand their typical teenager mode of communication to you beyond grunts, silence, or emoji-laden texts!

Michael Peck
Leader of Curriculum

Upcoming Events

School Sport

We will be running our pre-events for our athletics carnival at the senior oval on the following dates:

• Week 9: Monday, 23 June—400m
• Week 10: Monday, 30 June—800m & Tuesday, 1 July—1500m

All students who have registered have been sent the amended event schedule and should check it carefully to ensure they turn up to their event at the right time.

Sport Selections Year 10

Term 3 sport selections will take place next week.

Year 10 selections will be open to the students on Monday morning, June 23rd, during PC and will close Wednesday, June 25th, at 3pm. Students will receive a web code in order to make their choices. Students and parents are asked to look through the options and discuss the costs before the student selects their sport. Once selections have been made and a sport is allocated, a Compass event requiring consent and payment will be sent to parents. All sports have a payment plan; please consent ASAP so that numbers and bookings can be finalised with our external providers.

Sport Selections Year 9

Term 3 sport selections will take place next week. All parents/guardians will receive an email on Monday, alerting them of the process. Please chat with your children about the options outlined below. Students and parents should decide on a number of preferences; however, they should ONLY SELECT 1. 

The selection process works in the following way.

On Tuesday, 24th June, at 7.40am the events will be published. This happens in a rolling fashion, so it is best to have your Compass event open in the “Opt In” tab. It will be a matter of first in, best dressed for the available spaces.

Once a selection has been made, you are expected to pay and consent that night. All events have a payment plan available. If consent and payment are not received, the spot will be made available to other students.

Andrea Huxley (Leader of School Sport)

Principal's Update

I would like to begin my first newsletter article by extending a big thank you to the entire MacKillop College community for their well wishes as I embark on the next exciting part of my professional journey. Having been an educator in Saint Agnes’ Parish schools for the past 25 years, I believe that the role of acting principal is a real privilege and honour. I look forward to working closely with our fantastic team of staff, students, and parents as we continue to shape and develop our college into the exceptional educational facility that it is. I have had the pleasure of working with and alongside some outstanding leaders in my career.

I look forward to implementing many of the values and qualities these people have instilled in me as a guide for our college moving forward.

School Community Group Gathering

Last Monday, we welcomed Mrs. Janita Thompson to our college for our first-ever school community group gathering. Our school community group replaces old models, such as P&F forums, which required formal positions and membership. The idea is for any group of parents and staff to meet once a term and discuss key educational issues, receive feedback, and collaborate on how we can continue to make our college a safe and supportive educational facility. 

Research indicates that family-school partnerships are crucial, and where this is evident in schools across the country, those schools have higher academic outcomes, a greater sense of student well-being, and fewer behaviour issues. Research also suggests that the more involved parents are in their child’s education, the more likely the child is to succeed. Parents who show a genuine interest and support learning have a greater impact on outcomes than a child’s IQ, economic status, or school setting. I encourage all parents to attend our next school community group gathering and engage in meaningful conversations about your child and how we can support their growth and success.

Maggie Dent—Help Me, Help My Teen.

Over the last few weeks, I’ve had the pleasure of reading a fantastic book on how to support teenagers in the world that they’re living in today, written by Maggie Dent. This book is divided into two case sections. Firstly, what is happening to our teens today, and secondly, how can we help them with a wide range of issues? For each newsletter, I will aim to unpack some key messages from the book that will help our families support and guide their children in a complicated stage of their lives.

This week's focus is on the team brain. I want you to imagine your teenager's brain as a house under construction. The team brain has walls missing, wires exposed, and dust everywhere. Logic and decision-making areas are still in the process of development, while the emotional regulator in the brain is operating at full speed. Having logical discussions is quite tricky, and poor decision-making is common. However, at this stage of a child’s life, their brain is primed for learning. Each day, they make billions of connections and opportunities for learning, and the growth potential is endless. The learning potential becomes more apparent with the onset of adequate sleep. The recommendation is that students should get 8 to 9 hours of sleep each night. This sleep allows for their brain to be pruned, new information to be retained and processed, creating room for learning the following day. Without this rest and pruning process, the brain does not retain or use information at the same rate. 

The biggest inhibitor to sleep, as we all know, is the use of technology. The smaller the screen, the larger the exposure to blue light, which triggers different components of the brain to increase our alertness. If students use their phones whilst lying in bed, their ability to relax and fall into a deep sleep is highly inhibited. Research on positive parenting suggests having a shared space in the household where all devices are placed at an agreed-upon and negotiated time before children go to bed. Not only does the increased use of technology before sleep decrease a student's sleep quality, but we are finding that this is where the highest incidence of social media problems exists. When left alone and in an unsupervised space, students are making increasingly poor choices regarding their engagement with social media and communication with their peers (remember, their brains are still under construction). For this reason, as well as the benefits of adequate sleep on learning, I encourage all families to have a discussion with their child regarding how a simple change in routine can have a positive influence on all.

Congratulations

Congratulations to Andrew Evans, who has been appointed Acting Assistant Principal—Learning and Teaching, and to Jodie Rich, who has been appointed Acting Assistant Principal—Mission; both positions will remain in place until the end of 2025. 

Both Andrew and Jodie have been integral parts of the college leadership for many years, having held a variety of diverse roles.

Both highly respected and calm leaders, Andrew and Jodie are highly valued members of the College Leadership Team. 

ArtWalk 2025 

This year, St. Agnes’ Catholic Parish is participating in ArtWalk, with light installations on the outside of the church as well as projecting historical images from around the parish. More photos from the archives will also be displayed around and inside the church. This is sure to be a fantastic event, so make sure you stop by the parish to see their involvement.

Adam Kelly
Principal, MacKillop College

Leaders of Wellbeing: Stage 5

There have been/will continue to be various opportunities for Stage 5 to REFLECT ON and CHOOSE TO ACT on working together.

The analogy below:

When we see geese in a V formation, we might consider what science has discovered as to why they fly that way. As each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird immediately following. By flying in V formation, the whole flock has at least 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own.

• People who share a common direction and sense of purpose can get where they are going quickly and easily because they are travelling on the thrust of one another.

When a goose flies out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to go it alone and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird in front.

• It is much harder to do something alone. We miss out on the unity, friendship, and humour, as well as the personal and professional creativity of our colleagues.

When the lead goose gets tired, it rotates back into the formation, and another goose flies point at the head.

• It is a sign of leadership to be able to delegate tasks and responsibilities. Shared leadership and interdependence give us a chance to lead as well as opportunities to rest.

The geese in formation honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.

• What do we say when we honk from behind? Every time we honk, we send a message. We need to make sure our honking is encouraging and not discouraging.

Finally, and importantly, when a goose gets sick or wounded and falls out of formation, two other geese will fall out with that goose and follow it down to lend help and protection. They stay with the fallen goose until it is able to fly or it dies, and only then do they launch out on their own or with another formation to catch up with their flock.

• A genuine community will stand by each other in difficult times as well as when things are going well.

“Teamwork is the secret that makes common people achieve uncommon results.”

- Ifeanyi Enoch Onuoha, Nigerian author

Year 9 Mass

Last Thursday, we shared in a beautiful celebration of Mass in which Year 9 students truly demonstrated, “We have much for which to be thankful.” It was wonderful to witness so many in Year 9 volunteer in ministry roles to lead us in communal prayer. 

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Congratulations

Congratulations to the following students who have received a Bronze Award for receiving 30 Merits:

Ellah Armitage and Lucy Ford.

Glen Littler – Stage 5 Leader of Wellbeing at Joseph’s House
Nicole O’Connell – Stage 5 Leader of Wellbeing, St. Agnes House
Tom Salter – Stage 5 Leader of Wellbeing, St. Paul’s House

Leaders of Wellbeing: Stage 4

Year 7 Mass and Belonging Day

The Year 7 Mass and Belonging Day was a great success, with students, their families, and staff coming together to ensure everyone in the cohort recognised and valued every person’s need to belong. Students participated in a narrated Mass at St. Agnes’ Parish Church before exploring the grounds, where they spent some time in their PC, immersed in various activities focusing on belonging. Year 7 students are to be congratulated on their participation on the day. It was great to see everyone getting involved.

Year 8 Connect and Belong Day

Year 8 students recently participated in The Character Project's 'Connect & Belong' retreat. This experience is designed to deepen their understanding of themselves, others, and their spirituality. The retreat featured a dynamic blend of activities, reflections, and discussions all grounded in the principles of character development and faith.

The focus of the day was on three key sessions:

• connecting with self and others;
• connecting to the bigger picture;
• Finding belonging in contribution.

This was a wonderful opportunity to come together as a cohort and engage in these life lessons, and it was fantastic to see students connecting in such a positive way. As the term begins to wind down and assessment schedules ease, we hope Year 8 will take these lessons and continue to build on positive connections with each other and staff in the classroom and playground.

CONGRATULATIONS

Congratulations to the following students who have received a Bronze Award for receiving 30 merits:

Harvey Austen, Alexa Bayer, Hannah Bijoy, Harrison Blake, Scarlett Brook, Aryana Chege, Salvador Fairley, Brody Galvin, Madeline Goldie, Maddox Hamlin, Connor Magill, Evie Pattinson, Emma Pelley, Harry Stephens, Norah Thomson, Cohen Tudhope, and Jessie Winter.

Jason McRae – Stage 4 Leader of Wellbeing at St. Agnes House
Adam O’Brien – Stage 4 Leader of Wellbeing at St. Joseph’s House
Tracey Bewicke – Stage 4 Leader of Wellbeing at St. Paul’s House

Music News

“Music, great music, relaxes the mind, awakens profound sentiments and is, as it were, a natural invitation to raise one’s mind and heart to God in every situation of human existence, both joyful and sad. Music can become prayer.” Pope Benedict XVI

Rehearsal Attendance

The music ensemble at MacKillop College is currently working hard in rehearsal to put together a repertoire for the annual showcase concert taking place in week 2 of term 3.

With this in mind, it is essential that students and families inform ensemble directors of attendance in rehearsal (in advance if possible). It is difficult for rehearsals to be successful when directors have planned for a certain number of students only to discover on the day of the rehearsal that key members are absent. We understand that there will always be circumstances when notifying ensemble directors early is not possible. 

Thank you for your support and understanding.

Ensemble Rehearsals

• Concert Band (directed by Ms Stewart) Monday - 7:45am - 8:30am, J16 Music Room 
• Pop Choir (directed by Mrs Adams) Tuesday - 7:45am - 8:30am, Theatre 
• Senior Vocal Ensemble (directed by Mr Josh Salter) Monday - 3:15pm - 4:00pm, Theatre
  
• SAPSS Jazz Workshop (directed by Mr Horne) Tuesday - 7:45am - 8:30am, Theatre
  
• SAPSS Junior Drumline (directed by Mark Spence) Tuesday 3:30pm - 5:30pm, College Hall 
• Collective Praise Band & Singers (directed by Mr Denham) Wednesday - 7:45am - 8:30am, Chapel 
• Junior Percussion Ensemble (directed by Mark Spence) Wednesday - 7:45am - 8:30am, J16 Music Room 
• SAPSS Senior Drumline (directed by Mark Spence) Wednesday 3:30pm - 5:30pm, College Hall 
• Senior Percussion Ensemble (directed by Mark Spence) Thursday - 7:45am - 8:30am, J16 Music Room 
• String Ensemble (directed by Michaeli Witney) Friday - 7:45am - 8:30am, J16 Music Room 
• Stage Band (directed by Mr Denham) Friday - 7:45am - 8:30am, Theatre 
  

Links & Forms

Music Ensemble Sign Up Form 2025

Music Tuition Request Form 2025

Instrument Rental Agreement 2025

Upcoming Events

• Pirates Gala Day - (Stuart Park, Port Macquarie) Week 8, Term 2 - Saturday June 21, times TBC, SAPSS Senior & Junior Drumlines.
• Assembly Performance - (College Hall) Week 9, Term 2 - Wednesday June 25, period 1, Senior Percussion Ensemble
• Elective Music Lunch Concert - (COLA) Week 9, Term 2 - Thursday June 26, Lunch 2, 8 9 10 Elective Music
• Artwalk Performance - (Town Green) Week 10, Term 2 - Friday July 4th, time TBC, Senior & Junior Drumline
• Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service Gala Ball - (Panthers Auditorium) Week 1, Term 3 - Friday July 25th, 5:30pm - 7:00pm Senior Drumline
• Co-Curricular Music Showcase - (THEATRE) Week 2, Term 3 - Thursday July 31, Matinee Performance, L1 - P4, ALL MACKILLOP ENSEMBLES (Excluding year 12 students)(THEATRE) Week 2, Term 3 - Thursday July 31, Evening Performance, 5:30pm - 7:30pm, ALL

Please contact Mr Denham with any questions relating to the co-curricular music program at MacKillop College.

Robert Denham
Leader of Co-Curricular Music

Representative Sport

Representative Reports

NSW All Schools Australian Football—NSWCCC Representatives

After two tough days of competition in Albury at the NSW All Schools 15 Years & Under Australian Football Championships, Oto Ryan was selected for the NSW All Schools team to compete at the School Sport Australia Australian Football Championships in Moreton Bay, Queensland, from 26 July to 2 August.

This is a first for MacKillop College, with Oto being the first student to ever make it through to this level in AFL. Oto, this is a great reflection of your skill and tenacity—we wish you all the best as you proudly represent the NSW All Schools team. Congratulations.

Diocesan Junior Soccer Championships—Winners are grinners!

Junior Boys 

The boys travelled to Coffs Harbour for the South Football Gala Day. Our first game was against St. John Paul College, and we knew it would be our biggest test. The boys came out firing on all cylinders and dominated possession, playing nice triangles around the opposition. We had several early chances but couldn't capitalise on them. The deadlock was broken in the second half when Will Clark scored a worldly goal from outside the box. Thomas Allen (the one in year 8) then put his head where it hurts and won a penalty after the keeper caught him. He dusted himself off to take the penalty but tamely hit it, and the keeper saved it. SJPC tried for an equaliser and nearly got one when a long shot cannoned off the bar. Noah Posciak in the goals said he had it covered, but we weren’t sure from the sidelines.

Our second game was against St. Joseph’s Regional, and bragging rights were on the line, especially as we were sharing the bus on the way home. We started well and were on the front foot from the first whistle. After a few chances, Will Clark scored the opening goal with a good finish. Regional tried to force an equaliser, but our defence was very strong, and they could not find a way through. Charlie Cameron arrowed a shot into the top corner, and it proved too much for Regional to get back into the game.

Our last game was against St. Paul’s Kempsey, and the plan of attack was another clean sheet. Again, we started well, and the pressure paid off with two quick goals from Jack Robb and Thomas Allen. Unfortunately, our defence was breached by a fantastic run from their forward, and they scored a good goal. Will Clark put the game beyond doubt with another classy finish for us to run out 3-1 winners. The boys will go on to play the winners of the Northern Gala Day in the next round. MVP: Thomas Allen.  

Dave Pugh (Coach)

Junior Girls

The junior girls' soccer team travelled to Coffs Harbour to participate in the Diocesan Football Southern Gala Day, with the winner advancing to play the winner from the North. After a rushed start on arrival, the girls had 5 minutes to get changed and take the field, not the ideal start to our campaign. Game one was against St. John Paul College, Coffs. They are always a formidable team, and we knew that we had our work cut out for us. The first half saw us down 5-0, making the second half an uphill battle. To the girls' credit, we only conceded two goals in the second half. 

• 3- Hannah Ryan, 2- Kaylie Dawson, 1- Kayla Button. We decided in game two that the only way was up. We played cross-town rivals St. Joseph’s College, which had many attacking options early on. We scored late in the second half but could not keep Regional out in the second half, with them levelling the score 1 all 5 minutes before full time. 
• 3 - Siena Button, 2 - Olive Tait, 1 - Ingrid Maher. Going with our goal of improving in each game, we finished the day with a 3-nil win against St. Paul’s Kempsey. The girls found their passing game and were very dominant in attack, scoring three unanswered goals. 
• 3 - Jagga Smith, 2 - Kayla Button, 1 - Hannah Ryan. We always knew this year would be a rebuilding phase.

I was extremely proud of our new Year 7 students (Daisy, Jagga, Grace, and Elodie), who held their own against predominantly Year 9 girls. To our older newcomers to the team, Evie, Indy, and Tahlia, you made a positive impact. To our team leaders, Kayla, Amelia, Sienna, Kaylie, Frankie, Ingrid, and Hannah, you led the team admirably throughout the day. A special mention to our goalkeeper, Olive Tait. You had an extremely tough task at the start of the day but put that behind you for the other games that followed. Thank you to Lucy Sales for your assistance on the day. MVP: Kayla Button.

Erin Denham (Coach)

Diocesan Senior Soccer Championships—Runners Up!

Senior Boys

The boys travelled to Coffs Harbour to play in the South Gala Day. The first game was against St. John Paul College, and we started well, passing the ball around nicely. However, SJPC scored a good goal from the edge of the box and then dominated possession. A highly dubious penalty was then awarded to SJPC, and they had a 2-0 lead at halftime. Our boys fought hard in the second half, and a through ball from Tyler Morris set Max Robb up to smash the ball into the top corner. Despite pressing for an equaliser, SJPC held out and won 2-1.

Our second game was against St. Paul’s Kempsey, and we had an early setback when we conceded another penalty. Despite this, we went on the offensive and scored several goals. Jarvis Lineham made amends for the two penalties and scored from outside the box, Dan Mercer put a banger in the top corner, Will Clark poached a goal, and Ethan Hatch miskicked a ball into the back of the net for a 4-1 victory.

Our third game was against Newman College, and the plan was an all-out attack to try to increase our goal difference. This paid off with goals from Caleb Sajko, who went on a fantastic run and finished from outside the area, and a thunderbolt from Scott Qurusa.

Newman gave us a warning with a well-taken goal, but it wasn’t enough as we ran out convincing winners after goals from Will Clark and Dan Mercer.

Our final game against St. Joseph’s Regional was for the silver medal, as SJPC went unbeaten. It was an open game with both sides going for the win. In a tight game, it looked like it was going to come down to a mistake. We threw everything at Regional in the last five, but despite chance after chance, numerous corners, fantastic saves, and pinball in the area, we just could not get the ball over the line. The game ended in a 0-0 draw, and we came second for the day. MVP: James Owen.

Dave Pugh (Coach)

Senior Girls

After arriving late at the stadium, the girls had only 5 minutes to get into the change rooms and onto the fields—it was déjà vu, as they had faced the same issue the week prior with the junior competition. 

The conditions were favourable for a great day of soccer. We encountered St. John Paul College, Coffs, again in game one. We expected them to be a strong outfit based on our battle with them last year. Coffs posted two early goals, putting us on the back foot quickly. 

The girls rallied, but unfortunately, another goal against the run of play sent us into halftime 3-0 down. The girls were determined to start fresh in the second half, with Charlotte finding the back of the net 10 minutes into the second half. Unfortunately, Coffs scored two more goals in quick succession and truly put the game out of reach. 

• 3 - Hannah Gresswell, 2 - Ziva Balkin, 1 - Abby Buttsworth. Determined not to have another defeat, the girls bounced back, posting a 5-2 win against St. Paul’s Kempsey. Amarlie, Abby, Frieda, and Hannah(2) all scored goals in a dominating performance. 
• 3 - Hannah Gresswell, 2 - Charlotte Taylor, 1 - Frieda Dudfield. The girls put on an absolute performance in the third game against Newman College, winning 10-0. Admittedly, the opposition were not throwing much at us—it was nice to see the girls relax and have some fun. This gave us the flexibility to adjust our positions, with our backline moving to the front. The goal scores were Abby (2), Freya (2), and Ziva (2). Special mention to Hannah, who bagged a hat trick, and to Kyla Roach, who scored a goal in her final high school soccer outing. 
• 3 - Freya Briggs, 2 - Kyla Roach, 1 - Abby Buttsworth. Our final game was against St. Joseph’s Regional College. The girls wanted to finish the day on a high and set themselves the task of a win. It was a tight tussle early on, with neither score breaking the scoreline until 15 minutes into the first half. Claire put us in the lead going into halftime.
• Our back line is to be commended for their scrambling defence. At times, our line was threatened; however, the girls often relinquished possession. Hannah scored a goal early in the second half to put us two ahead. Regional struck back within a matter of minutes, scoring against the run of play. This rattled the girls momentarily, but not enough to regain their composure, with Gracie tapping a goal in to take the pressure off. The goal of the day went to Abby Buttsworth with an absolute screamer off her left boot 30 metres out and 20 metres to the left of the goal. Once the ball left the boot, it was never missing, with the ball sailing past the face of the goalie and punching into the top right-hand corner. 
• 3 - Abby Buttsworth, 2 - Claire Morris, 1 - Jasmine Lacey. Three wins from four games had the girls finish the day as diocesan runners-up (south). As always, I was super proud of the girls and their willingness to play as a team, demonstrate exceptional skill, and, most importantly, have fun.

A special shout-out to Kyla Roach and Jasmine Lacey—the girls are in Year 12 and have represented MacKillop College since Year 8. Both ladies have always represented MacKillop with pride, have always been super reliable, and have always respected their fellow players and opposition. It has been a pleasure coaching you over the years, girls. 

Thank you to Anna Gleeson for your assistance on the day. MVP: Hannah Gresswell.

Erin Denham (Coach)

NSW AFL Schools Cup - U15 Girls

The junior girls outdid themselves on the gala day on Friday. For many, it was their first taste of AFL, but you wouldn’t know it. Their natural athletic skills were evident from the start, and with every halftime chat and new game plan, they applied their new knowledge to the game. There wasn’t a single instruction given that the girls didn’t take and immediately implement into their play. The way they worked as a team and moved the ball around the field improved significantly as the day progressed. Their sportsmanship was outstanding, and they remained calm under pressure at all times. 

The girls were great fun and excellent representatives of MacKillop College and should be extremely proud of their runners-up title. They lost the final to Camden Haven, a tight-knit unit with considerable experience among their team. Our team was ably led by our captain, Momiji Ryan, and she was well supported by the only other regular AFL player, Amelia Williams. Both girls gave strong direction in each game and utilised their experience to have an impact on the opposition. 

The Players' Player award went to Momiji Ryan, and the Most Improved awards went to Mikayla Adams and Bianca Harrison, who both stood out with their skills and confidence. Sophie Donohue played her first game and should seriously consider leaving the netball courts for a career in AFL. MVP: Momiji Ryan.

Andrea Huxley (Coach)

U15 Boys

With the rains finally cleared and the ground finally dry enough to play, the U15 Boys stepped onto the grass of Wayne Richards Park full of enthusiasm and hunger. Having trained exclusively in the college halls before competition day, it took the first few minutes to settle into a rhythm and burst out into open space, but their class soon showed through. 

The boys were dominant throughout the day, winning all their matches, including the grand final, by over fifty points and only conceding one goal and two behinds all day. Admirably led by their captain, Manni McGrath, in the ruck, the boys played with heart and finesse, showcasing their skills and sportsmanship. Rocky Mann was indomitable at full forward, bagging a handful of goals each game, and was ably supported by his other forwards. 

Oto Ryan was pure silk in midfield, able to find the ball at will, thanks to the tough tackling of Tom Spencer. However, one of the highlights of the day was the inspirational half-field chase down by Jameson Smith, who saved a specific goal. A big thank you, too, to Riley Garel, who was injured, for running the waters for the team. Our very own Big O. A great day in the sun for all involved. Bring on the next round!!! MVP: Rocky Mann. PLAYER’S PLAYER: Oto Ryan.

Angus Crowley (Coach)

Diocesan Cross Country

On Thursday, June 5th, students from MacKillop College travelled to Woolgoolga to compete in the Diocesan Cross Country. After so much wet weather, students were eager to get out and run on the new course. The course consisted of 4+ laps of a concrete loop, depending on age group distance, challenging not only their physical endurance but also their mental endurance. The top 6 athletes were offered the opportunity to compete at the NSW CCC Cross Country. We had many successful athletes reach the top 6, as well as some awesome personal bests. The students loved being able to stand on the side of the course, cheering on their friends, creating an energetic and positive atmosphere. MVP: Indigo Duncan—1st place in the 14s girls and Johnny Davidson—2nd place in the 14s boys. 

Erinn Smith, Stewart Smith, Michelle Marino (Coaches)

NSWCCC Cross Country

Our successful Diocesan Cross Country runners competed at the NSWCCC Cross Country event on Wednesday. With such a short turnaround between the two events, the students were given limited time to prepare. The Equestrian Centre in Sydney is a challenging track, dodging gates, barrels, and muddy holes. There are some brutal hills to test the athletes' endurance, and a fantastic finish line up the centre of the arena. Each of our MacKillop athletes came away from the experience with fast times. Congratulations and best of luck to Indigo Duncan, who placed 8th in the under-14 girls category and has progressed to the NSW All Schools Cross Country. 

Special mention to Johnny Davidson and Amaya Davis for placing 14th in their race. Congratulations to the following athletes for their incredible run against some tough competition—Cadence Foley, Tori McGrath, Diarmuid Baltrop, Preston Davis, Myles Esson, Matthew Mizzi, Felix Plowright, and Noah Pociask. MVP: Indigo Duncan.

Erinn Smith (Diocesan Manager)

Country Cup Rugby League 13’s Boys

The MacKillop College Under 13 Boys Rugby League team gave a commendable effort, showing determination and resilience, and developed as a cohesive team unit in the Country Cup gala day. The boys came away with two solid wins against Regional and St. Paul’s. Kempsey. We lost a close match against Hastings Secondary in the semifinals; it was a fascinating game to watch and could have gone either way. 

Did I mention that we beat the Regional Team? Regional ultimately won the final against Hastings Secondary, which is a real credit to MacKillop, considering we were in intense competition. Overall, the team played well together for their first time, and it was great to see their progression over the day. The boys showed great sportsmanship and should be very proud of their efforts and of representing our school in such a positive way.

MVP: Tom Spencer—Tom showed true strength in his attacking and defending ability, scoring multiple tries on the day, one being a 70+ metre breakaway, which was a highlight. Tom’s versatility and adaptability in various positions made him a valuable asset to our team.

Sam Carney, Geoff Leary & Macca Murray (Coaches)

Country Cup Rugby League Boys U15’s

The sun was shining over the beautiful Woods Street fields, setting the scene for a great day of rugby league. Our team competed in four matches throughout the day, displaying skill, determination, and teamwork.

We started strong with two round games, securing dominant wins: 8–0 In our first match, we were 30–0 in the second. These results propelled us into the semi-final, where we faced Wauchope High School. In a tough contest, the team demonstrated great grit and determination to secure a well-deserved 22–8 victory. 

Our final game was the grand final against St. Joseph’s Regional College. With several players sidelined due to injury, the team was down in numbers but continued to show incredible heart. We opened the scoring with the first try, but fatigue set in, and, despite a valiant effort, we narrowly went down in the end.

Standout players across the day included Rocky Mann, Jack Lacey, and Tobias Rowlatt, who all made significant contributions to the team’s success. Congratulations to all players on a fantastic effort and a great day of rugby league. MVP: Rocky Mann.

Glen Littler (Coach)

Representative Sport, Upcoming Events and Registration 2025

All registrations for MacKillop College Representative Sport teams are completed by;

1. Logging into COMPASS (Chrome browser).
2. Click on the Star button 
3. Click on the Sport - Representative link
4. Click on the relevant sport and fill out the google form.

 Students will be notified through the morning notices of when to sign up and when trials will occur.

Sports currently open for registration are;

• Junior & Intermediate Basketball teams (Boys & Girls)

** NOTE: To register for the Diocesan Trials students need to complete the forms that can be found on the Lismore Diocesan Sport page. Click on the REGISTRATION tab.

 Upcoming MacKillop College Events 2025

Lismore Diocesan Events and Registration - 2025

NSWCCC & NSW All Schools Sporting Representation

Families with students who wish to nominate for trialling in a sport at the NSW Combined Catholic Colleges (NSWCCC) level should make themselves familiar with the Catholic Schools NSW (CSNSW) Sport website https://csnsw.sport/.  Parents/carers will need to create an account to be able to register their child.  Once a parent registers their child to attend an event on the CSNSW Sport portal it will send the registration to me for College approval to attend the event. 

Some sports allow students to register directly through the CSNSW Sport portal without having to go through the Diocesan Pathway. E.g. Individual Triathlon. In other instances, students will be required to travel to a Diocesan trial and if selected continue to the NSWCCC selection trials and communications for these teams will be sent through our Sports Desk.  

Please be prepared to travel if your child is accepted.  Parents have the responsibility to register their child on the NSWCCC portal, please make note of the registration closing dates based on the calendar on the CSNSW Sport website.

NSWCCC CALENDAR 2025

All individual sports registrations are completed on the CSNSW.SPORT website. The parent must have an account and add their child to have access. (Sport Registration HELP available on sport info page) SEE BELOW sports open for registration.

For further information, go to the CSNSW Sport website Sport pages. https://csnsw.sport

Students MUST be registered for the event with parent and Principal or Leader of Sport approval.

Registration is through the CSNSW.sport portal.

Details on how to register – Guide For Parents – Sport Registrations >>. 

Please note all close dates are firm dates. No registrations will be permitted after the close dates.

NSW All Schools - Events

The selection for these events are a result of the NSWCCC events.

Community Sport

If your child has achieved outstanding sporting results in their community sport, we would love to hear about it. Please email myself, or your child’s respective Leader of Pastoral Care, so we can acknowledge these achievements.  

If you have any questions regarding sport at MacKillop College, please do not hesitate to contact me either by email or phone at the College.

Erin Denham (Leader of Representative Sport)

Community News

Information Links for School Bus Services 2025

1. Timetable information - busways.com.au or transportnsw.info
2. School bus travel pass - School Student Travel Scheme

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