Term 4, Week 4, 3 November

Upcoming Events

Principal's Update

Sunday 5pm Youth Mass

Last Sunday evening MacKillop College hosted the St Agnes’ Parish 5pm Youth Mass. A beautiful Mass led by our students in which Father Roland gave a powerful homily on worship and prayer, allowing us to be open to God’s love, so that in turn we may share that unconditional love with all we encounter. Following Mass students hosted a light supper with parishioners. 

Thank you to all students and Mrs Gobius, Mr Denham, Mr Murphy and Mrs Hadfield for supporting the students. 

TEACHER GEMs - World Teachers’ Day

Last Friday was World Teachers’ Day where teachers (and support staff) were recognised for the wonderful work they do in educating and nurturing young people. At MacKillop College, we are exceptionally lucky to have such a dedicated team of staff who go above and beyond. Just this week we have over 60 staff taking students on overnight camps, excursions, sporting events and retreats.

Most rewarding for all staff is when students and parents say, or send, their thanks for the difference we make in the lives of our young people. Over 100 students took the time for World Teachers’ Day to write to staff a note of gratitude on the NSW Education Teacher Gem pages. Below are just a couple of heartfelt messages from students to staff. To read more of these beautiful messages click here

Mr McMahon inspires me, supports me, helps me, and guides me. Mr McMahon is the best PC teacher ever. He always makes sure we're all ok (and in the right uniform). He is such a kind man who actually cares for his students wellbeing. thank you for being such a great teacher.    

Mr Matt King inspires me, supports me, helps me, and guides me. Matt King is the best teachers aid ever. Matt has helped me with work, and taught me to be a better person. Matt always makes me and my friends laugh in marine and he always cares about us, like putting us before himself ALWAYS. matt always makes the effort to go up to me and my friends at lunch and ask how we are despite if we accidentally give him attitude, thanks Matt King. 

Miss Rainnie inspires me, supports me, helps me, and guides me. you're a lovely teacher and very kind.  

Mrs Avery inspires me. Miss Avery was kind and compassionate the second I walked into her room for the first time. Starting a new school was hard for me but with Miss Avery's support, I've felt confident in my lessons, even though I was a bit behind.

Tournament of Minds (TOM) International Finals

Congratulations to our Tournament of Minds STEM team who took out second place in the International TOM FInals in Melbourne on 21 October. This is a remarkable achievement from a regional school, up against the best schools from around the country and the world. 

Congratulations to all team members and to the College Leader of Enrichment, Mrs Mandy Palin, who does an amazing job in providing academic enrichment opportunities and preparing students to be so competitive.

Child Safeguarding Website

The Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools Limited (DLCSL) has launched a Child Safeguarding website as part of our commitment to implementing the Child Safe Standards. It contains information on Child Safe Standards, our Commitment Statement, a contact form for concerns or inquiries, and other useful links and resources.

The website can also be accessed through the “Parent Information” tab on our school website. We encourage you to visit the website to understand our commitment to building a school where every child feels valued, heard and protected.

All staff regularly undergo training on Child Safeguarding. 

Departures 2023

If your family will be leaving Port Macquarie or MacKillop College at the end of 2023 please contact the College as soon as possible to allow us to offer other families a place for 2024. 

eSafety parent webinar

Cath Eichmann
Principal

Assistant Principal - Mission

Youth Mass

MacKillop College hosted last Sunday’s 5:00pm Youth Mass, which takes the responsibility for music ministry, reading, commentary, special Eucharistic ministers and a hospitality supper at the conclusion of the celebration. Many students and staff members volunteered their time and talent to ensure that all was done to a high standard. Their efforts are greatly appreciated by St Agnes’ Catholic Parish. The occasion serves as a reminder of our school’s essential connection to the Catholic Church and specifically as an endeavour of St Agnes’ Catholic Parish Port Macquarie.

The Parish youth group meets each Sunday immediately after the Youth Mass.  All students at MacKillop are welcome to attend, regardless of their religious denomination.

Student Representative Council Training Day

The 2023-24 Student Representative Council (SRC) came together last Friday for a whole day of planning priorities and actions for the next twelve months. The students from Year 7 through to Year 11 worked collaboratively and with great enthusiasm. Their peers have clearly selected strong leaders.

Amongst the decisions made was the choice of a focus theme for the group and for our College. The students also spent time and effort creating a video to officially introduce themselves to the College community. Both the focus theme and the introductory video will be presented at our week 5 assembly.

Peter Murphy
Assistant Principal - Mission

Assistant Principal - Pastoral

Parents and carers are well-placed to observe suicide warning signs, encourage alternative coping
strategies and help young people and adults access support. Empower yourself to have effective
conversations with others by registering for this FREE 90-minute online training via the link on this
flyer.

Jennifer Campbell
Assistant Principal - Pastoral

St Agnes Parish

Parenting Webinar

Parking Reminder

A reminder to parents and carers that when picking up students after school, please do not park in the Greenmeadows Medical Centre carpark as their patients are having trouble attending appointments.

2024 School Travel Applications

Students who need a travel pass for 2024 can apply here. A new application will need to be submitted if they are applying for the first time, or if they are requesting additional travel entitlement because of a new shared parental arrangement (e.g. joint custody).

Students who change address, school, or campus location, have repeated a year or received an expiry notification from Transport for NSW for their school travel entitlement should renew or update their details before the end of Term 4. This will ensure that schools can endorse applications, and that entitlements remain valid for the start of the 2024 school year.

If a student’s distance eligibility has changed based on their grade (i.e. grade two to grade three), the system will automatically update their entitlement if they meet the new criteria. If they do not meet the new eligibility criteria, we will send them an expiry notification via email.

Students who have an entitlement approved under a medical condition that is due to expire will receive a notification advising them to re-apply.

Students living in rural and regional (R&R) areas should receive their travel pass at the start of the new school year from their nominated transport operator.

Year 7

CONGRATULATIONS

Congratulations to the following students who have received a Silver Principal Award: Darcy Bird, Charlie Bryant, Alyra Buckley, Javier Carle, Callum Clancy, Ryder Colthorpe, Emily Cook, Talani Fuller, Riley Garel, Leela Hill, Nicholas Maetzig, Tallin Morris, Lucy Pratt, Rocco Robinson, Jakob Schmidt, Aleisha Van Lint and Nickson Vatalidis.

Congratulations to the following students who have received a Leader of Pastoral Care Award: Charlton Arrighi, Annabelle Ashton, Grace Ashton, Jonah Barnes, Jacob Bell, Darcy Bird, Knox Blake, Piper Brennan-Riley, Charlie Bryant, Millie Byrne, Alyra Buckley, Javier Carle, Lily Castiglioni, Sarah Chamberlin, Callum Clancy, Ryder Colthorpe, Emily Cook, Noah Dowd, Talani Fuller, Riley Garel, Sienna Goldie, Evie Hall, Leela Hill, Talia Kapila, Jack Lacey, Oliver Laundry, Indy Lorger, Nicholas Maetzig, Manni McGrath, Grace Morris, Tallin Morris, Taylor Munday, Lucy Pratt, Rocco Robinson, Benjamin Romer, Jaye Rutishauser, Jakob Schmidt, Madison Sivell, Andrew Slavin, Mackenzie Trimmer, Aleisha Van Lint, Nickson Vatalidis, Locke Williamson.

Adam O’Brien
Year 7 Leader of Pastoral Care

Year 7 Science

7 Science 9 - Changing Views of the Solar System Podcast

Recently, our Year 7 science classes have been discovering elements of Space, particularly, the Solar System. We know more about our place in space today than ever before. We have telescopes to look up at the stars and spacecraft that travel to distant planets. But what would you have thought about our place in space before all of this amazing technology? What is the only thing you had to understand about space was what you could see with your naked eyes?

7 Science 9 ventured back in time to interview early astronomers to discover how our understanding of the Solar System has changed over time. Below is a link to several outstanding podcasts created by the students that explore these changing views. I invite you to listen. 

LINK

Erinn Smith
Science Teacher

Year 8

CONGRATULATIONS

Congratulations to the following students who have received a Silver Principal Award: Zeke Anderson, James Bugler, Joe Caruso, Max Choi, Rhys Evans, Joshua Freeman, Paige Goldie, Patrick Green, Anna Harmer, Rhys Kendal, Lucas Maher, Sviatoslav Mashliatin, Charley McGuigan, Alyssa McNamara, Neha Philip, Noah Pociask, Isabelle Reed, Ashleigh Strong and Marley Thick.

Congratulations to the following students who have received a Leader of Pastoral Care Award:  Zeke Anderson, Oliver Bishell, Freya Briggs, Annabelle Broderick, Samuel Browne, James Bugler, Joe Caruso, Max Choi, Ivy Collins, Hunter Davis, Georgia Dunn, Philippa Eakin, Natalie Ertl, Rhys Evans, Joshua Freeman, Bryson Galleghan, Jesse Gluyas, Paige Goldie, Patrick Green, Hannah Gresswell, Anna Harmer, Jack Hartley, Jackson Hollis, Logan Howard, Caitlyn Inman, Rhys Kendal, Annabelle Kerr, Seth Maggs, Lucas Maher, Sviatoslav Mashliatin, Patrick McDonald, Charley McGuigan, Amber McIlroy, Alyssa McNamara, Darcy Middleton, Zoe Mizzi, Caitlin Nottle, Eli O'Bryan, Maici O'Keefe, Neha Philip, Vilius Philp, Milla Pieren, Noah Pociask, Isabelle Reed, Hayley Rickard, Benjamin Spencer, Julia Helena Streegan, Ashleigh Strong, Marley Thick, Joey Thompson, Olivia Thompson, Summer Waite and Sierra Westbrook.

Nicole O’Connell
Year 8 Leader of Pastoral Care

Year 9

Congratulations

Congratulations to Connor Van Der Merwe who has received a Silver Principal’s Award.

Congratulations to the following students who have received a Leader of Pastoral Care Award:  Bridie Baird, Abby Buttsworth, Bree Cunliffe, Lachlan Ford, Inala Gibbs, Mikayla Haste, Lucy Hope, Spencer Lee, Zeilei Lynn, Sienna Mathieson, Hudson McNeil, Charlotte Memmott, Levi Noonan, Xanthia Petrou, Lily Preston, Lucy Randall, Kiara Tattersall, Connor Van Der Merwe, Gilbert White, Maddison Whitton-Howell and Pippa Wilson.

Tom Salter
Year 9 Leader of Pastoral Care

Year 10

COUNTRY TO CANBERRA – LEADERSHIP COMPETITION

Country to Canberra is an Australian not-for-profit that is empowering young rural women to reach their leadership potential. Founded in 2014, they run national initiatives that provide leadership opportunities, inspire self-belief, and uniquely, connect young rural women with motivational mentors to break down gender and geographical barriers to success.

Mission: To empower young rural women to reach their leadership potential.

Congratulations to Milly McGrath on winning the 2023 Country to Canberra Leadership Competition!

Special mention also goes to Miya Freeman for placing in the top 40!

Please visit this link to access their submissions in which they responded to the question:

Strong communities, stronger futures:
How do diverse young leaders strengthen rural communities?

CONGRATULATIONS

Congratulations to the following students who have received a Leader of Pastoral Care Award: William Abell, Xavier Allison, Evie Barnaby, Angelina Cherbatiuk, Edward Coombes, Keira Crinion, Braeden Fuller, Emma Galvin, Darcy Hallen, Cooper Hodge, Ashleigh Hunt, Malachy Kelleher, Heath Kilpatrick, Emily Kirkpatrick, Christopher Konstantas, Kaden Lawler, Noa McNeill, Lourdes Obeid, Eva Philip, Claire Pieren, Jacob Queripel, Emily Ryals, Cooper Sheldon and Cory Thiele.

Daniel O’Dell
Year 10 Leader of Pastoral Care

Creative Arts News

Music News

MacKillop College Music News

“Beautiful music is the art of the prophets that can calm the agitations of the soul; it is one of the most magnificent and delightful presents God has given us.”- Martin Luther

Advent Lo-Fi Hip-Hop Competition

Do you like to create music? Do you want to contribute to our college CHRISTMAS HAMPER program? Are interested in entering this competition?

To ENTER YOU MUST 

1.) Use Soundtrap (or any other music sequencing program) to create a Lo-Fi Hip-Hop inspired track (between 2 - 3mins) titled ADVENT LO-FI

2.) Provide a $5 entry fee to the college office. This entry fee is donated to the college CHRISTMAS HAMPER program. (Please note that entries will not be considered without the entry fee).

3.) Complete the linked entry form

The WINNER (as judged by music staff) will receive...

• A voucher prize
• A recording of The winning composition to be played on the college phone service as 'waiting' music during Advent 2023 (December 3 - 24).
• A recording of the winning composition used for prayer across the college during Advent and as the college community enters the hall for Christmas Mass.
• NOTE: There will be a STUDENT & STAFF winner awarded!
• Entries close Friday, November 24 at 2pm! (This includes the MP3 recording to be uploaded below AND the $5 entry fee to the office)

THE VOICE MACKILLOP: A Musical Theatre Song Contest

The Voice returns in 2023! The Voice MacKillop 2023 will take place on Thursday, 23 November in the college theatre. In this concert, the college choir will perform musical theatre repertoire from stage and film musicals. In addition, five competition finalists will sing their winning entries to a backing track in front of a live audience who will vote for a winner on the night! 

The audience will be invited to vote during the interval by placing a gold coin and/or cash into boxes allocated to each finalist. The box with the most votes (money) wins! There will be no float/change provided on the night, please ensure you plan ahead and bring along some cash.

All proceeds raised from entries and from the concert will be contributed to the college Mary MacKillop Fund.

Students interested in taking part in the competition are to complete the linked entry form, submit their video performance and provide a $10 entry fee to the office by Friday, 10 November. All details are provided on the linked entry form.

PC groups can enter the PC VIDEO competition by completing the linked entry form. This competition is separate from the main vocal competition with finalist videos being screened and voted for on the night.

If you have any further questions or concerns please contact Mr Denham.

LINKS & FORMS

Music Ensemble Sign Up Form 2023

Music Ensemble Shirt Order Form 2023

Music Tuition Request Form 2023

Instrument Rental Agreement 2023

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

Upcoming Events

ASSEMBLY PERFORMANCE

• (College Theatre) Week 5 - Wednesday, November 8, period 1, Pop Choir - The Voice Preview

THE VOICE - SONG CONTEST

• (College Theatre) Week 7 - Wednesday, November 22 (Tech Rehearsal - periods 3 and 4), Thursday, November 23 (6:00pm - 8:00pm)  Pop Choir and auditioned soloists.

SUMMER SESSIONS LUNCH CONCERTS

• (Junior Campus COLA & Senior Campus Lochinvar Courtyard) Week 8 - Friday, December 1, selected ensembles and HSC soloists.

Youth and Family Mass

• (St Agnes Church) Week 8 - Sunday, December 3, 5:00pm, Collective Praise Band & Singers

Co-curricular Awards Ceremony (music, dance, drama)

• (College Hall) Week 9 - Wednesday, December 6, period 1, performing ensembles TBC.

MacKillop College Christmas Mass

• (College Hall) Week 10 - Wednesday, December 13, period 1, Collective Praise Band & Singers

Christmas Eve Family Mass

• (College Hall) Sunday, December 24, 6:00pm, Collective Praise Band & Singers

Robert Denham
Leader of Co-Curricular Music

Sport Update

Year 7 Term 4

Year 8 Term 4

Year 9 Sport Term 4

Year 10 Sport Term 4

Sport Reports

Catholic Girls Cup Cricket

Earlier this term I had the pleasure of taking our very first MacKillop girls cricket team down to Newcastle for a competition. The girls had a massive 9-wicket win in their first game against St Pauls, Booragul which set the tone for the rest of the day. In their second game, they won by 53 runs against St Clemente, Mayfield with Amber McIlroy, Charlee Bailey and Tori McGrath all taking two wickets each. For their final game, they came up against a strong St Pius outfit, with multiple cricket players. It came down to the final over of the game and after a massive effort from our girls, we fell just short by 8 runs. Lane Jordan and Lani Warren both had an outstanding game with the bat. Players Player of the Day was jointly won by Tori McGrath and Lani Warren (Year 8). A special thank you to Mr Germon and Mr McMahon who also trained and coached the girls, sharing their love and knowledge of the game and Mr Farrugia who drove the bus and helped score on the day. The girls were a pleasure to coach and take away and the future of girls cricket at MacKillop is certainly looking bright!

Laura Cudmore (Coach)

NSWCCC Basketball 

7-8 Boys Team

The MacKillop 7-8 boys recently competed at the NSWCCC Basketball competition in Bankstown. The competition was tightly contested between all schools with some close games decided in the final seconds the boys had two draws and two 1-point losses. The MacKillop 7-8 boys played well but unfortunately didn't have the results go their way on the day. The boys got a taste of state competition and will be all the better for it next year. MVP: Maddyx Gray 

Adam O'Brien (Coach)

9-10 Boys Team

The 9/10 Boys Basketball team recently competed in the NSWCCC Basketball Championships in Bankstown. The team started the competition strongly, defeating O’Connor College Armidale, before going down to St Gregory’s Campbelltown. The team bounced back with wins against St John’s College Dubbo and Xavier Albury to finish the first day.

The team started the second day with a narrow loss to Corpus Christi College, Maroubra. This placed the team third in pool A and into the quarter-finals against John Therry College. Another solid performance saw the boys win convincingly. This placed us into a semi-final rematch against St Gregory's Campbelltown. In an extremely tight game, the team from Campbelltown took the win by 4 points.

Congratulations to the MacKillop boys on the top 4 for the NSWCCC Championships. The team now looks to focus on the Under 17 Australian Schools Championships. The team is Blake Collins, Kaden Lawler, Blake Romer, Lucas Scott, Malachy Kelleher, Kaeleb Morris, Felix Hurdle, Izaiah Galea, Cooper Hodge, Brayden Champion. MVP: Blake Collins

Ryan Adams (Coach)

Representative Sport, Upcoming Events and Registration

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

1. Logging into the school Moodle page (Chrome browser).
2. Click on the Student Links tab on the left-hand side
3. Click on the Representative Sports registration 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.

 Click on this link to register.  Sports currently open for registration are;

MacKillop College Events

Lismore Diocesan Events

The following sports are currently open for students to be able to sign up to or register their interest to trial. These sports have been advertised to students through morning notices over the past week. 

Please click on this link to register for individual sports. The sports below are trialled for at a school level.

NSWCCC & NSW All Schools Events and Registration

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 that the NSWCCC Sport registrations for individual nominations for 2023 selections are open for the following trials.

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

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 Sport

Canteen Update

To all QKR users please be vigilant when ordering. Cut off time is 8am. Orders placed after 8am are processed for the following day.
Many orders are placed for the wrong day ensuing valuable serving time is lost looking for the order.
If your child is not at school and has ordered online please contact the school to cancel the order.

A reminder that the Senior Canteen will remain closed over Term 4. 

Monday 6 November
Paul Atkins

Tuesday 7 November
Jodie Buttsworth

Wednesday 8 November
Danielle Sen Gupta & Roz Brockhurst

Thursday 9 November
Chris Jourdant

Friday 10 November
Allie Tamanti, Caroline Horam & Leanne Hatherly

Monday 13 November
Vanessa Aird & Trish Carr (Lunch 1)
Kim Goldie (Lunch 2)

Tuesday 14 November
Jenny Murray, Julie Tipper & Chris Pees

Wednesday 15 November
Bec Eakin & Sarah Dahalenberg

Thursday 16 November
Amanda Ayres

Friday 17 November
Jane Keegan, Christine Brumby, Hannah Temple & Sam Harrison

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.

All orders are to be in by 8.00 am, please.

Please ensure when ordering online that your child year group is correct

There is hot food available over the counter to purchase, however, to avoid disappointment it is best to order.

Please remind your child/children if you have ordered for them, and what their order is. 

If your child is sick and you have ordered, please phone the canteen (6583 2632) to arrange credit. 

Please note to change your child's year group when using the QKR! app to order lunch for 2022.

Now available: Gluten-free pies $5.00 and gluten-free sausage rolls $4.00; these items must be ordered.

Canteen Help Needed

The canteen is desperately seeking volunteers for one hour per month. No cooking, cleaning or stocking is needed, just serving our lovely students. Even if you can only do one half-hour shift it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you to all of our current volunteers, we appreciate your help.

Sign up and receive a Welcome Pack (coffee voucher, chocolates, voucher for your child to use at the canteen).
Please contact Maxine at the College 6583 2632 or via email at maxine.stone@lism.catholic.edu.au 

Maths Tutorials

Tuesday 7.45am-8.30am and  Friday 7.45am-8.30am

Room 12 Main College with Elizabeth Robertson

Community Events