Term 4, Week 8, 6 December

Upcoming Events

Principal's Update

Last Sunday marked the start of a special season in the Christian calendar—Advent.

The term Advent comes from the Latin word "arrival." The holiday's purpose and meaning are to look ahead to the birth of Jesus. This is really what the Christmas season is all about. Through prayers for Advent, we can connect with God’s grace and love in asking Him to ready our hearts to receive the gift of His Son. Below are some Advent prayers for each week that families might like to use for each week of Advent as we prepare and look forward to the celebration of Christmas:

• 1st Week of Advent - Prayer for Hope: Almighty God, grant us the grace to hope in you with unwavering trust. As we begin this season of Advent, may our hearts be filled with the hope that comes from knowing your promises are true. Amen.
• 2nd Week of Advent - Prayer for Peace: Prince of Peace, in a world filled with turmoil, grant us the tranquilly that only your peace can bring. Help us to be instruments of reconciliation and harmony in our relationships and communities. Amen.
• 3rd Week of Advent - Prayer for Joy: Heavenly Father, fill our hearts with the joy that comes from knowing your love. May we rejoice in the good news of salvation and share that joy with others during this season of Advent. Amen.
• 4th Week of Advent - Prayer for Love: God of love, as we approach the celebration of the birth of your Son, help us to embody the love that He brought into the world. Teach us to love one another as you have loved us. Amen.

Here you can also find the Catholic School Parent Assembly Advent Guide. A beautiful, simple prayer and activity for each Sunday of Advent to help you and your family to prepare for Christmas. 

Advent Resources.pdf

Departing Staff

In Week 10 we will formally farewell a number of staff from the College. Included in those finishing their time here are a number of long-term staff members, sharing between them over 100 years of service to the College. 

While we will be farewelling them at our upcoming Christmas Mass and Awards Ceremony, I wanted to let parents and students know this week, as I know many people will want to wish these ladies well. 

• Jennifer Campbell - Jennifer has been an extremely dedicated teacher and leader of Catholic education in St. Agnes’ Parish since 1997. Beginning at MacKillop Senior College as a drama and English teacher, she soon took on the role of Leader of Learning: Creative Arts across all St Agnes’ Parish Secondary Schools. Throughout her career, Jennifer has been an outstanding leader, filling the roles of Leader of Pastoral Care and Leader of Administration and Staff Support, before taking on the role of Assistant Principal Pastoral Care in 2018. Despite the demands of this role, Jennifer remained highly committed to supporting the Creative Arts students and staff, attending every showcase and performance and assisting with HSC marking. Jennifer’s example of genuine love and commitment to the students and staff will forever leave a footprint of authentic Catholic education and pastoral care at MacKillop College. We sincerely thank Jennifer for her service and wish her all the best as she explores new interests and spends precious time with her family. 
• Christine Harmer - Chris commenced her time in St Agnes’ Parish in 1997, teaching mathematics and RE at St Paul’s High School. Throughout her 27-year career, Chris has demonstrated excellence as an educator and leader. In the early stages of her career, Christine took on the roles of Student Representative Council Coordinator and Numeracy Coordinator at St Paul’s and MacKillop Senior College. In 2017 she moved to St. Joseph’s Regional College, where she took on roles of leader of mathematics and leader of pedagogy. It was in these two roles that Chris’s outstanding leadership qualities became evident. In August 2021, she returned to MacKillop College as Acting Assistant Principal of Learning and Teaching and Leader of Curriculum. Having filled the role of Acting Principal at the beginning of 2024, Chris was appointed the Principal of St Clare's Taree, commencing in this role in January 2025. We thank Chris for her years of service to St. Agnes’ Catholic Parish education and wish her all the best at St. Clare’s. 
• Robyn Cornale - Robyn began teaching at St. Paul’s High School in 1995 and 1993 at MacKillop Senior College as a founding teacher in the visual arts department. She taught textiles and religious education during her time there; however, she was always drawn back to visual arts as her key learning area. She particularly enjoyed working with and educating the senior students of our college. Robyn hopes to travel, paint, and ultimately relax after her time at MacKillop and wishes to do some volunteer work in her spare time. She has always valued her friendships and the connections they bring, so she will look forward to having more time to catch up with loved ones in the near future. We wish her a peaceful and happy retirement.
• Donna Magnussen - Donna started at MacKillop Senior College in 2006 after starting her career in Port Macquarie at St. Joseph's Regional High School. She has been a wonderful addition to the English, HSIE, CA, and RE faculties throughout her teaching career in the parish. Even when only working part-time, Donna has been a wonderful supporter of the creative and performing arts students, assisting with HSC marking, supervision, and always attending showcase evenings. Donna plans to spend her retirement by relaxing and travelling. She will be missed by her students and staff alike, and we wish her a happy and peaceful retirement.

Co-Curricular Awards

Last Wednesday, we had a great opportunity to celebrate students who have been actively involved and excelled in our co-curricular programmes throughout 2024. One parent said, “This assembly lets all students know how they can be involved and participate and excel in many different ways at MacKillop.” The award ceremony was a wonderful showcase of the fantastic opportunities students have here at MacKillop College and the many ways of the amazingly dedicated staff we have, who provide these opportunities above and beyond their teaching roles. I think there would be few schools where so many opportunities exist for students where the staff do not get paid any extra to coach, direct, manage, or even drive the bus so students can participate. 

Congratulations to the many students who work so hard in their co-curricular activities, and special congratulations to our award recipients.

Important Health Alert: Whooping Cough Outbreak

NSW Health has notified schools of a recent outbreak of Whooping Cough (Pertussis) in the community, including within schools. This highly contagious respiratory infection can affect people of all ages, but it poses the greatest risk to young children and infants.

We urge all parents and caregivers to remain vigilant. Below, you’ll find important resources to help you:

• Learn how to recognize the symptoms of Whooping Cough
• Understand preventive measures and treatment options
• Know what steps to take if your child shows signs of the virus

Please take the time to review these materials and contact your healthcare provider if you have any concerns. Early detection and prevention are key to limiting the spread of this illness.

Click here for more information from NSW Health

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Finish Strong

At the last assembly, I spoke to all students and staff about finishing the year strong. This is a reminder to all parents and students that as we head into the final two weeks of school, attendance is compulsory. It is expected that all students have 90% or higher attendance throughout these three weeks and all year. 

Most important is attendance at our College Christmas Mass and Awards Ceremony, as these occasions represent our Catholic tradition, our culture, and the recognition of others. We are also trialling and finishing the year with a college picnic this year. All students are expected and encouraged to attend and enjoy some Christmas celebrations with friends. I thank parents and students for ensuring attendance over the next two weeks.

End-of-Year Celebrations - Please Join Us

As mentioned above, our End-of-Year Celebrations are a highlight for our community. As valued members of our MacKillop family and partners in ensuring the best education for our young people, parents are invited and encouraged to attend our end-of-year events.

Cath Eichmann
Principal

Year 7

Dates for the diary

We have several major events coming up in Week 10 of this term. On Monday, 16 December, we have our Year 7-11 Academic and Service Awards ceremony from 9.15 am to 11.00 am. This is where our major award winners for the year will be recognised and presented with awards.

The next day, Tuesday, 17 December, we have our Christmas Mass from 9:15 am to 10:15 am. Parents are very welcome on both of these occasions.

Students are expected to wear formal uniforms for both of these events. If a student has a PDHPE or sports practical after these, they should bring their sports uniform to change into afterwards.

On Wednesday, 18 December, we have our last day of the year. This year, we are having a picnic day at Lake Cathie. This will be a great way to end the year, winding down after what has been a big year.

Christmas Hamper Appeal 2024

Thank you to the students and families who have donated gifts for our Christmas Hamper Appeal. These gifts are given to families who have experienced difficulties over the past year. This may be due to poor health, a death in the family, financial hardship, or another stressful circumstance. It is great to see such a wonderful effort from our Year 7 students and families.

Science Medallists

Congratulations to the following science medallists for their outstanding work.

Congratulations

Congratulations to the following students who have received a Gold Principals Award: Harrison Bemmann, Paige Causley, Bronte Cross, Lilly Fraser & Brady Keane.

Congratulations to the following students who have received a Silver Principals Award: Joseph Blundell, Grace Campbell, Xavier Cleary, Lachlan Forbes, Grace Gallery, Hamish Guihot, Liam Holding, Asha Maher & Gracie Moore.

Congratulations to the following students who have received an LoPC Award: Millie Andrew, Harry Attwells, Victoria Awad, Esther Ballard, Harrison Bemmann, Joseph Blundell, Grace Campbell, Paige Causley, Stella Clark, Xavier Cleary, Flynn Cloake, Sonny Cowan, Bronte Cross, Tahney Cross, Indigo Duncan, Lainey Fenton, Lachlan Forbes, Lilly Fraser, Callum Galleghan, Grace Gallery, Lachlan George, Xander Godfrey, Maya Griffiths, Hamish Guihot, Maddox Hamlin, Zy Hogan, Liam Holding, Brady Keane, Samuel King, Jacob Lane-Rowsthorne, Sebastien Ledbrook, Asha Maher, Maria Mariott Mariucci, Gracie Moore, Keira Moore, Billy Nelson, Natasha Pirnie, Ranuki Ranasinghe, Thomas Robb, Sonny Shipway, Hudson Sprague, Zachary Thomas, Ethan Thompson, Summer Waller. Lincoln Wells, Cody Winter & Luca Young.

Ryan Adams
Year 7 Leader of Pastoral Care

Year 8

As Year 8 continues to complete their Stage 4 courses, it is important that students continue to maximise the learning opportunities offered during the school day, apply themselves in the classroom, complete evidence of learning to the best of their ability, and maintain positive relationships with staff and peers founded on respect. 

It is always a welcome sight in my email inbox when teachers share the amazing work Year 8 is engaging with in class at the end of the year.

Year 8 in PDHPE: Students have been engaged in project-based learning on ‘Road Safety’; here, Evie Evans and Maya Perry are playing the board game they created as part of their project.

A big congratulations to the students in 8 Science 2 who are being recognised for the fantastic results or showing improvement in their rank from the last task.

As the term winds down, I call on parents and carers to reinforce to their son or daughter the importance of maintaining high standards of presentation, preparation for class, and behaviour. We want Year 8 to ‘finish strong” and be the best version of themselves.

Congratulations

Congratulations to the following students who have received a Gold Principals Award: Tom Sharman.

Congratulations to the following students who have received a Silver Principals Award: Grace Byrne, Tyler Dickson, Evie Evans, Joshua Gray, Talia Kapila, Iluka Kincaid, Dominic Mamo, Jakob Pol,  Jaye Rutishauser & Liliana Vaquerisaz Canivilo.

Congratulations to the following students who have received an LoPC Award: Jayden Atkins, Jonah Barnes, Grace Byrne, Patrick Byrne, William Coombes, Tyler Dickson, Aidan Esson, Evie Evans, Joshua Gray, Lachlan Guy, Bailey Haste, Wilson Huang, Tia Judge, Talia Kapila, Iluka Kincaid, Elijah Kyan, Jack Lacey, Astrid Livingston, Indy Lorger, Eunan Magill, Dominic Mamo, Oliver Parker, Amelia Pettitt, Nathaniel Pohlmann, Jakob Pol, Xavier Pye, Jake Riches, Benjamin Romer, Jaye Rutishauser, Tom Sharman, Tahlia Sutherland & Liliana Vaquerisaz Canivilo.

Adam O’Brien
Year 8 Leader of Pastoral Care

Year 9

Christmas Hampers

Thank you to all our Year 9 families for supporting your young person’s donation to their PC Christmas hamper as part of the St Agnes' Christmas Hamper Collection. These hampers are distributed to families of St. Agnes' Parish who have experienced difficulties over the past year, such as poor health, a death in the family, financial hardship, or other stressful circumstances. 

Donations for the Christmas hampers are wrapped and ready for delivery to the parish community. 

In English, Year 9 students are studying Naomi Shihab Nye’s poetry, which espouses the power of simple acts of kindness, and the students’ contribution to the Christmas Hamper actualizes this concept in practice in their everyday world. 

To give freely and generously to others is truly one of the greatest virtues we can teach our young people; as we know, a sign of good character is not what we have but what we give away.

Nurturing Excellence in the Home Stretch

As we approach the final stretch of this academic year, please encourage your young person to keep the momentum going. The last weeks are not a wind-down but an opportunity to enrich our academic journey.

While the hustle of completed assessments is settling, teachers work to continue to offer engaging lessons to the classroom. Year 9 subject courses provided foundations in the knowledge, understanding, and skills required for continued study of Stage 5 in Year 10. Thus, it is important students continue to maximise the learning opportunities offered during the school day, apply themselves in the classroom so that they complete evidence of learning to the best of their ability, and maintain positive relationships with staff and peers founded on respect. 

I call on carers to reinforce to their son or daughter the importance of maintaining high standards of presentation, preparation for class, and behaviour. We want them to ‘finish strong and be the best version of themselves. 

Year 9 Textiles Showcase: Creative Excellence in Action

This term, our Year 9 Textiles students have truly outdone themselves, producing a stunning array of textile artworks inspired by the theme "Mosaic in Textiles." These impressive pieces began with a hands-on incursion day, where students explored a variety of surface decoration techniques, including stencilling, gelli printing, mono-printing, tie-dyeing, and more. Each method provided a unique opportunity to experiment with textures and prints, laying the foundation for their final creations.

Armed with their custom-designed fabrics, students embarked on the next phase: developing their own mosaic-inspired designs. The journey didn’t stop there; they skillfully brought their visions to life through intricate techniques such as applique, hand embroidery, and free-motion machine embroidery. The results speak for themselves—beautifully refined works that showcase both exceptional technical ability and boundless creativity.

A huge congratulations to Year 9 for their dedication and artistic flair. Your hard work and innovation shine through in every piece.

Tessa Stillman
TAS Teacher

Upcoming Events

Week 9

• Wednesday, December 11, Period 1 Extended PC 9.00am - 10.00 am (Students may wear sport uniforms).

Week 10

• Monday, December 16, 7-11 Academic and Service Awards 9.15am - 11.00 am (Students must wear formal full white uniforms; they may change into sports uniforms for scheduled PDHPE practical lessons).
• Tuesday, December 17, Whole School Christmas Mass 9.15 am - 10.00 am. Students must wear formal white uniform; they should bring their sport uniform to change into for Periods 3 & 4. 
• Wednesday, December 18, Whole School End of Year Picnic 9.00am - 3.10pm.

Congratulations

Congratulations to the following students who have received a Silver Principals Award: Tameah Baird Moran, James Cockshutt, Dasha Cressida Bayot, Frieda Dudfield, Archie Hawken, Logan Howard, Maici O'Keefe, Jack Robb, Bailey Rowlatt & Lacey Ryan. 

Congratulations to the following students who have received an LoPC Award:

Nicole O'Connell
Year 9 Leader of Pastoral Care

Year 10

As we near the school year's conclusion, I’d like to share some updates and reminders to ensure a smooth and successful finish for our students.

Maintaining High Expectations

High-quality learning experiences continue every day, and therefore, students are expected to maintain high standards in all aspects of student life, even as the holidays approach. These final weeks are crucial for consolidating learning and continuing to foster positive behaviours.

We encourage all students to:

• complete all tasks with diligence and pride;
• actively participate in lessons and extracurricular opportunities, and
• uphold the school’s behaviour expectations.

Your ongoing support in reinforcing these expectations at home is invaluable and strongly contributes to ensuring that students approach each day with the right mindset and finish the year strong.

Year 10 End-of-Year Community Day

The excitement is building towards the Year 10 Community Day, a celebration of connection and relaxation to mark the end of a memorable school year.

When: Friday, 13 December

Where: Pilot Beach

What’s Happening: The day will be facilitated by The Endless Summer Surf School and will include aquatic activities and a BBQ lunch. It promises to be a fun-filled event that fosters camaraderie and creates lasting memories.

Please consent via Compass at your nearest convenience to aid in event coordination. This is a fantastic opportunity for our Year 10 students to celebrate their achievements together before the holidays.

As we approach the final weeks, thank you for supporting and encouraging your child’s efforts. Let’s strive towards having a positive and productive finish to the year. If you have any questions regarding the Community Day or anything else, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Congratulations

Congratulations to the following students who have received a Silver Principals Award: Jessica Fraser, Isobel Galvin, Lenni Gosling, Harrison Gray, Mikayla Haste, Willis Jensen, Lane Jordan, Daniel Mercer, Max Moseley, Levi Noonan, Tyler Page, Austin Pettitt, Amelia Queripel, Alex Slavin & Darwin Tink.

Congratulations to the following students who have received an LoPC Award: Daniel Allen, Sean Anderson, Darryl Bijoy, Audrey Blake, Zora Boskovski, Alexandra Bransdon, Lachlan Brazel, Flynn Burrage, Alexander Clapoudis, Jarrod Dingle, Cooper Evans, Matthew Firkin, Jessica Fraser, Isobel Galvin, Megan Goldie, Lenni Gosling, Harrison Gray, Kale Haese, Jasper Hall, Mikayla Haste, Willis Jensen, Lane Jordan, Zachary Madeley, Anna Martin, Margaret McKenzie, Leandre Menelet, Daniel Mercer, Jack Merrick, Jessica Miles, Max Moseley, Sienna Neumann, Levi Noonan, Tyler Page, Austin Pettitt, Amelia Queripel, Samuel Ramke, Lucy Randall, Bella Riches, Lucy Ryan, Caleb Sajko, Ajay Sen Gupta, Janaye Singh, Alex Slavin, Sienna Spicer, Darwin Tink, Catalina Toth, Hannah Vinter-Forth, Maddison Whitton-Howell, Elliot Williams, Pippa Wilson & Mitchell Yates.

Tom Salter
Year 10 Leader of Pastoral Care

Year 11

RYDA Driving Course

Earlier this week, Year 12 students participated in the RYDA Driver Safety Program hosted by St Joseph’s Regional College. RYDA, developed by Road Safety Education Limited (RSE), is a comprehensive program designed to complement the high school curriculum. The program features an engaging, one-day workshop that aims to equip students with essential knowledge about road safety.

Throughout the day, students heard from expert guest speakers and took part in hands-on activities that deepened their understanding of the risks associated with road use and the importance of staying safe on the roads. The program not only provided valuable insights but also helped reinforce key safety messages that are crucial as students transition into young drivers.

RYDA has asked for any feedback from a parent/career point of view about the day. If you could please take the time and complete the following evaluation, that would be much appreciated.

RYDA WORKSHOP - PARENT SURVEY - 2024

Minors in Licenced Premises

Last week, Billy, a guest speaker from Flower Hotels and Tacking Point Tavern, gave a presentation on liquor licencing, with a particular focus on the issues surrounding minors in licenced premises and the use of fake IDs.

Students learned about the role of the Hastings Liquor Accord, its partnership with local NSW Police and venues, and initiatives such as the Not Until 19 Scheme and multi-venue barring. These discussions highlighted the importance of understanding the risks of entering licenced venues underage, as well as the broader goal of keeping both our community and young people safe.

If you would like to find out more, here are the contact details for the above.

Billy | Flower Hotels Area Manager Southern/Licensee Taking Point

Flower Hotels Group - alistair@flowerhotels.com.au

Tavern - enquiries@tackingpointtavern.com.au

Hastings Liquor Accord - president@hastingsliquoraccord.com.au

Movember Wrap-Up

Movember wrapped up last week (thankfully!), and I want to take a moment to thank everyone who participated and showed their support. A huge shout-out to the boys who grew out their moustaches and the girls who took on the challenge of moving 60 km throughout the month. Your efforts not only raised awareness for men’s health but also contributed to much-needed funds for vital research and support services.

Raising awareness and funds for men’s health is an incredibly worthwhile cause, and the commitment and energy everyone put into this initiative were truly inspiring. Whether you donated, participated, or helped spread the word, you played an important role in making a difference. Thanks to all of you, we’ve taken another step towards breaking the stigma around men’s health and supporting those who need it most. Let’s keep the momentum going and continue to prioritise our health and well-being all year round!

Mobile Phone Policy Changes

Your child has undoubtedly informed you that the mobile phone policy is changing for senior students in 2025.

It's important for students to put down their phones and engage in face-to-face conversations because it helps build stronger social skills and fosters deeper connections. In-person interactions encourage active listening, empathy, and better communication, which are all essential for personal and academic growth. Taking a break from screens also allows students to be more present in the moment, improving their focus and mental well-being.

In 2025, the same policy will apply across the College from Years 7-12. This means that senior students will no longer be permitted to use their phones during lunch breaks and must not have them on their person. The same consequences will also apply to Years 11 and 12. Please assist us in having a conversation with your young person about the changes to the policy.

Dan O’Dell
Year 11 Leader of Pastoral Care

Wellbeing

Supporting Mental Health During the Christmas Holidays

The holiday season is fastly approaching, and whilst it is often associated with joy and celebration, it can also be a challenging time for many young people. The change in routine, high expectations, and family dynamics can exacerbate feelings of anxiety, stress, or loneliness. Recognising these challenges is the first step towards offering meaningful support to your young person during this time.

Why the Holidays Can Be Challenging

1. Loss of Routine: The absence of regular school routines can leave some students feeling unstructured and unsettled.
2. Pressure to Feel Happy: The emphasis on joy and celebration can make those struggling with mental health feel out of place or isolated.
3. Family Stress: Large gatherings or strained family relationships can increase feelings of tension or overwhelm.
4. Financial or Social Expectations: The commercialisation of the season can amplify pressures to give, receive, or participate in social events.

How You Can Help

• Encourage Open Conversations: Create a safe space for your child to share how they’re feeling. Ask open-ended questions like, “How are you finding the holidays so far?” or “Is there anything you’re worried about?”
• Maintain Some Routine: While it’s a break from school, try to keep some daily structure, like consistent meal times, regular sleep, and moments for relaxation.
• Set Realistic Expectations: Remind your young person that it’s okay to not feel festive all the time and that their feelings are valid.
• Foster Connections: If they’re feeling isolated, encourage low-pressure social interactions with friends or relatives they trust. Even a quick chat or shared activity can make a big difference.
• Promote Self-Care: Encourage activities like reading, journaling, exercising, or spending time on hobbies. A quiet walk or some creative time can help regulate emotions.
• Monitor Screen Time: The holidays often come with increased screen time, which can impact mental health. Set boundaries while allowing for relaxation.

When to Seek Help

If you notice signs of ongoing distress—such as withdrawal, persistent sadness, changes in appetite, or disrupted sleep—don’t hesitate to reach out for professional support; services such as Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800) and Beyond Blue (1300 22 4636) are available over the holidays. Here is a list of contacts for more local and national support services who can also help, and here is further reading on how you can support your young person during the holidays from Headspace.

The holiday season can be a wonderful time to recharge and connect, but it’s also a chance to show understanding and empathy for the challenges some young people face. With thoughtful support, we can help ensure that this time of year becomes a period of comfort and care for everyone.

I know we are not quite there yet, but it will be here before we know it; best to be prepared!

All the best for the weekend (and the holidays when they arrive).

Lisa Kable
Leader of Wellbeing - Social and Emotional Support

Music News

“To sing is to pray twice.” St Augustine

The Voice MacKillop - Musical Theatre Song Contest

Congratulations to Olivia Blake, Megan Goldie, Alexandra Bransdon, and Amarni Francis, who received the POPULAR VOTE award at The Voice Musical Theatre Song Contest on Wednesday, 21 November.

Also, well done to Ranuki Ranasinghe and Ella King, who also participated in the event to rapturous applause.

Recent Music Events

As always, the college co-curricular music programme is quite busy in term 4, providing a service to our college, parish, and wider community through performance.

We would like to acknowledge the efforts of students and thank families for their support of the events outlined below. We have a few more major events on the horizon leading into Christmas, and thank you in advance.

Junior Percussion Ensemble

• College Assembly (Wednesday, November 20th)

Senior Percussion Ensemble

• Co-Curricular Awards Ceremony (Wednesday, November 27th)

SAPSS Drumlines

• (Senior & Junior) St. Agnes' Parish Christ the King community celebration (Sunday, 24th November)
• (Senior) Port Macquarie Hastings Council Christmas Celebration (Friday, November 29th)

Concert Band

• Year 7 2025 Orientation Assembly Performance (Friday, November 22nd)
• St. Peters End of Year Band Concert (Thursday, November 28th)
• MacKillop College Christmas Mass (Tuesday, December 17th)

Praise Band & Stage Band

• Charles Sturt University Christmas Markets (Friday, November 22nd)
• St. Agnes' Parish Christ the King community celebration (Sunday, 24th November)
• Summer Sessions Lunch Concert (Friday, December 6th)
• Youth & Family Mass (Sunday, December 15th)
• MacKillop College Christmas Mass (Tuesday, December 17th)

Choir & Praise Band Singers

• Parish Advent Prayer Service (Wednesday, December 4th)
• MacKillop College Christmas Mass (Tuesday, December 17th)

In addition, I would like to thank the time, energy, and expertise that our ensemble directions and music staff provide to the co-curricular programme and to our students.

• Cara Stewart - Concert Band
• Zach Horne - Concert Band, Praise Band
• Sam Adams - Choir
• Angus Crowley - Praise Band
• Mark Spence - SAPSS Drunlines, Senior & Junior Percussion Ensembles
• Michaeli Witney - String Ensemble

The Friday Sing

Sing with a mate, sing with your class, sing with your PC, sing at home, sing with family, sing to God, sing to relax, sing for fun, sing as prayer, or just listen for a little inspiration. Enjoy!

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing - Lincoln Brewster

Ensemble Rehearsals and Instrument Tuition - Weeks 9 & 10

Please note that rehearsals and instrument tuition lessons are quite disrupted due to end-of-year activities across weeks 9 and 10. It is best to check in with the ensemble director as to when the last rehearsal for the year will be.

Uniform Expectations

Please note that all student performers at MacKillop, either soloists or ensembles, are no longer required to purchase a performing ensemble shirt. Students are to adhere to the uniform expectations outlined in the document attached below.

Music Performance Uniform Expectations Information Letter

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Rob Denham (leader of co-curricular music).

Links & Forms

• Music Ensemble Sign Up Form 2024
• Music Tuition Request Form 2024
• Instrument Rental Agreement 2024

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

Upcoming Events

• Youth & Family Mass
  (St Agnes Church) Sunday December 15, 4.15pm - 6.15pm, Collective Praise Band & Singers.

• MacKillop College Christmas Mass 
  (MacKillop College, Hall) Tuesday December 17, Period 1, Collective Praise Band & Singers.

• St. Agnes' Parish Christmas Eve Mass (Family)
  (MacKillop College, Hall) Tuesday December 24, 6.00pm, all staff and student musicians invited.

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

Robert Denham
Leader of Co-Curricular Music

Sport News

Year 9 Sport 2025

Any students in Year 8 who have completed their Surf Rescue Certificate or Bronze Medallion in Year 8, please provide a copy to Mrs. Johnston, as you will be assisting with Water Safety in Term 1, 2025.

Representative Sport Reports

Diocesan Netball Championships

7/8 Girls Team

On Tuesday, 19 November, the Year 7/8 Girls Netball team travelled to Grafton to participate in the Lismore Diocesan Netball carnival. Our first game against St. Paul’s Kempsey was wet and cold, with both sides adjusting to the conditions. The games against St. Mary’s Casino and Mt. St. Patrick allowed our strong defence and midcourt to gain multiple turnovers for our attack to convert. The fourth game against Trinity was close, with neither team up by more than 1 goal, testing the girls' grit and determination to stay in the grind. Our final round game against McAuley allowed our shooters to shine, putting up a decent margin. As a result of their success in the round games, the girls came second in their pool and progressed to the semi-final playoffs against St John Paul College. Again, the girls displayed determination and integrity, but St. John Paul was too strong.

The results of the day were:

• Won v St Paul’s Kempsey 10-5
• Won vs. St Mary’s Casino 14-2
• Won vs. Mt. St. Patrick 11-3
• Draw v Trinity 9-9
• Won v McAuley 22-1
• Lost to St John Paul 8-15

The girls displayed sportsmanship, friendship, integrity, and respect throughout the day. The team consisted of Tilly Sinclair (co-captain), Zoe Townsend (co-captain), Chelsea Hodges, Ruby Winter, Indie Gardoll-Marjoribanks, Ruby Williams, Olivia Edmund, Madison Flowers, Bianca Harrison, and Madilyn Tinley. MVP: Tilly Sinclair.

Tiffany Edwards (Coach)

9/10 Girls Team

After a long drive to Grafton, the girls were geared up and ready to go. We started the day with a very wet court and light rain, and the girls adapted to these conditions well. We ended up coming third overall, with a win against Regional to decide between 3rd and 4th position! We tied with McAuley and had wins over St. Paul Kempsey, Mt. St. Patricks, and Trinity. The girls enjoyed a few games playing out of position and enjoying a few laughs along the way. I loved witnessing the team spirit of our MacKillop girls, and when we had to go back into position and fight, the girls took this on and rose to the challenge. It was a delightful day for our last netball day of the year. Team: Micaela Mitchell, Lucy Geary, Charlotte McEntyre, Gabriella Horan-Juzenas, Lane Jordan, Lani Warren, Hailie Attwells, Mia Zvirdinas, Milla Pieren. MVP: Lani Warren.

Amy Ryals (Coach)

Diocesan Junior Water Polo Championships

Junior Girls

The junior girls' water polo team had an excellent day at Alstonville Aquatic Centre on Thursday, 21/11/24. The girls finished undefeated after playing three pool games. The first game was a quick refresh on the game of water polo for our returning girls, Bianca, Lily, Mackenzie, Tori, and Charlotte, and a whiz-bam welcome to water polo for our new girls, Torie, Madilyn, Mia, and Tilly. The girls beat Xavier Catholic College one-nil. For our second game, we faced Trinity Catholic College, winning 4-nil with a hat trick by Charlotte. Our third game saw the first goals scored against us by St. John Paul College, winning 4-2, making us first in our pool. We faced Mount St Patrick College in our semi-final with a comfortable win of 4-0. The grand final was against St John Paul College again and was an absolute nail-biter. At the end of normal time, the score was 2-all. Five minutes of extra time saw a goal each to take us to a shoot-out to decide the winner. This was a steep learning curve for a team that only started playing last year. Charlotte McEntyre dominated in the goals, and our shooters Bianca, Mia, Tilly, Torie, and Madilyn survived a double shootout (10 attempts each) to win the shootout 5-4. Well done, girls, for a thrilling finish to our day, taking home the glory of the gold medal. MVP: Charlotte McEntyre. Coach’s Award: Torie Mathieson 

Rachel Clark (Coach)

Junior Boys

Having learned the lessons of last year, the junior boys returned to Alstonville to put in an impressive display at the 2024 championships. The boys started with a dominant 7-0 performance against St Joseph’s Banora Point, with captain Xavier ‘Getting it Done’ Dunn leading the way with four goals. The second match saw a real arm wrestle against StJPC, with both teams having opportunities to win the game. Rocky ‘Wall’ Mann was solid in goals, allowing the team the opportunity for a last-gasp winner that unfortunately hit the post, with the game finishing 1-1. The last pool game against Trinity saw the MacKillop boys needing a six-goal margin to claim the top spot. The team pushed hard, confident to get forward from the defensive efforts of Billy ‘Lock it Down’ Brockhouse, but were only able to win 5-0, which left them equal on points and goals with StJPC and triggered an extra game with a golden goal to decide seeding for the semis. Unfortunately, the boys could not take their opportunities, losing in golden goal extra time, resulting in them having to play favourites St. John’s College, Woodlawn, to make the final. In the semi, Woodlawn got the early jump on MacKillop with a flurry of early goals before the boys fought back but fell agonisingly close, 3-2. The boys played with determination, skill, and a spirit of sportsmanship that gave me immense pride as their coach. Although they were disappointed not to make the final, they still gave their best in lending support to the girls in the final and cheering them on to victory (as they raced to each end of the grandstand to encourage our girls during the shootout). MVP: Xavier ‘Getting it Done’ Dunn. COACH Award: Billy ‘Lock it Down’ Brockhouse.

Angus Crowley (Coach)

Basketball

9/10 Girls Team

9/10 Girls’ Basketball Teams showed stamina, sportswomanship, teamwork, and enthusiasm in the 3 v 3 Basketball Competition held in Port Macquarie on Wednesday, 20 November. The games were fast-paced and more physical than regular basketball games, and all girls rose to the added challenge. All participants had a lot of fun, and some serious basketball moves were on show. One of the teams was the runner-up to a skilled St Clare’s Taree side, and the other team ran 4th. Thank you to Evie Bullen, Amber McIlroy, Mia Zvirzdinas, Charlotte McEntyre, Lara Woolfe, Lacey Urquhart, and Lane Jordan. Coaching both teams was a pleasure and special thanks to Anna Gleeson for her help and assistance on the day.

Stephanie Connor (Coach)

7/8 Girls Team - Koalas

7/8 Girls MacKillop College Koalas Basketball team recently showcased their talent at the 3x3 Basketball tournament held at the Port Macquarie Basketball Stadium. The team delivered an impressive performance, securing victories against Camden Haven High School, Westport High School, and St. Clares High School in the final to take the win. Congratulations to the girls for their outstanding achievements. The team included Grace Collins, Mikayla Adams, Milly Osbourne, & Ruby Winters. MVP: Grace Collins.

Ryan Adams (Coach)

7/8 Girls Team - Kookaburras

The girls, who had never played basketball, competed the whole day. They improved every game, even taking out their last game by 2 points. Credit to the girls for sticking with it after a tough first game; they all got on the scoreboard, getting their first basketball buckets. Their positive attitude and coachability were commendable! MVP: Abbey Maloney.

Adam O’Brien (Coach)

 7/8 Boys Team - Possums

7/8 Boys MacKillop College Possums Basketball team recently competed at the 3x3 Basketball tournament held at the Port Macquarie Basketball Stadium. The team delivered an impressive performance, securing victories against St Clare's High Green, Hastings Secondary Westport Mavericks, Hastings Secondary College Port, and Camden Haven HS, Hastings Secondary College Port Warriors, whilst having tight losses against St Clare’s Gold and MacKillop Kookaburras. This meant that the team finished in a 3-way tie for second, which meant that the boys were able to play in one of the two finals against Hastings Secondary College Port Warriors. The boys went down to the Warriors in the final game in a tight game. Congratulations to the boys for their great achievements. The team included Xavier Mat, Felix Plowright, and Elijah Kyan. MVP: Xavier Mat.

Ryan Adams (Coach)

7/8 Boys Team - Kookaburras

The boys played exceptionally well all day, comfortably winning all but one of their round games. Their toughest game came against St. Clare’s High School, where the boys took a 1-point win. The boys met St Clare’s in the final and played a nail-biter with both teams, swapping the lead multiple times. Unfortunately for the boys, the other team hit a late 2-pointer to take the lead in the final seconds, and they went down in the final. MVP: Boys: Ben Romer.

Adam O’Brien (Coach)

9/10 Boys Team - Wombats

The Wombats 9/10 boys basketball team represented MacKillop excellently; they showed tremendous effort in a tough day of games, coming out on top of almost all of their regular pool games, only losing one. Their defence is to be most commended as they kept several teams under 10 points during their games, with Sam leading the team in steals and Riley in blocks, backed up by Mason and Harley providing their consistent offensive presence. These young men showed excellence and patience in their unfortunate loss of two points due to a clerical error that incorrectly kept them out of the finals. These two ladder points meant they missed out on having a second shot at beating the only team that they’d lost to by just a single point earlier that day and would have safely secured them second place. Despite this, they shrugged it off and let it be something to be immensely proud of. MVP: Riley Bates

Ethan Houldsworth (Coach)

9/10 Boys Team - Dingos

The boys were very competitive throughout the day at the recent 3x3 basketball competition.They displayed both great gamesmanship and strong skills around the court. Jude Vasilescu was dangerous at the 3-point line, supported by Zakkiah Galea and Nate Sheldon, who executed some great attacks. Vilius Philp was strong on the boards, regaining possessions in defense. The Dingos came away with mixed results after completing their round games, unfortunately not making it through to the finals. MVP: Nate Sheldon.

MacKillop College Events and Registration

All registrations for MacKillop College sports teams are completed by students by logging into Compass - Favourites (Star icon) - Sport - representative. 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. 

The following sports are open to all Boys and Girls in each sport to register to trial;

• 2025 Triathlon team

There are no more trials for Representative Sport teams this year. 

Login to Moodle. Scroll to the Student links on the left hand side. Click on the Representative Sport link to register. Please read the Daily Notices over the next week for Trial dates and times.

If you have any questions, please see Mrs. Denham. 

Click on this link to register: MacKillop College Representative Sport Registration Link. 

Lismore Diocesan Events and Registration - 2025

Northern Country AFL Trials 2025

Here is the link for students to nominate for Northern Country AFL trials. This link is also on our Dio Sport website. 

Outlined below is information on how to nominate. Nominations are due by February 19, 2025. 

Parents of successful students will be notified if they have been selected by the afternoon of Friday, February 21. Whilst we understand this is a tight turnaround for making travel arrangements, this is the expectation from NSWCCC.

NSWCCC & NSW All Schools Events and Registration

NSWCCC CALENDAR 2024

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.

• 2025 NSW All Schools Triathalon & Para-Triathalon – Individuals: Entries are now open for the 2025 NSW All Schools Triathlon on 26 February at Penrith. Individual entries are through the Sports Unit DASH system (not the CSNSW Sport portal). Entry is $60 per participant. For more information >> To REGISTER >>
• 2025 NSW All Schools Triathlon - School Teams: 27 February 2025 Penrith—teams of 3—3 age groups—Junior, Intermediate & Senior. $75 per team. Entry by school sports coordinator—through log in on CSNSW.sport portal. For more information, visit https://csnsw.sport/sports/nswccc-secondary/triathlon.

Community Sport

Over the weekend, four students from MacKillop College had the privilege of representing their sport and diverse culture by playing rugby union at the NSW Pacifika Youth Cup in Sydney. The competition included teams from Samoa, Tonga, the Cook Islands, Fiji, Koori, and Maori heritage. 

Congratulations to Sam Young, who was the starting 9 and represented Samoa in the finals. While Sam Ayton, Luke Jones, and Darwin Tink played for Fiji and participated in the Noqu Masu pregame prayer and Fijian haka. All 4 students played brilliantly and were a credit to their school and the Hastings Valley Vikings Rugby Union Club.

Congratulations, boys—it is great to see you enjoying your rugby together outside of school and representing at such a great event.

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

A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Canteen Volunteers

As the year comes to a close, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to all our wonderful MacKillop canteen volunteers. Your time, dedication, and hard work have been invaluable in supporting our school community. Whether it’s preparing meals, serving students with a smile, or keeping the canteen running smoothly, your efforts have not gone unnoticed.

On behalf of the entire school, thank you for everything you’ve done this year.

Wishing you and your families a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. May your holiday season be filled with joy, relaxation, and all the things that make this time of year special.

We look forward to seeing you again in the new year!
Maxine Stone

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.

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 

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