Term 3, Week 2, 1 August

Upcoming Events

Principal's Update

#WeAreMacKillop

What an amazing start to term three we have had as a college.

At the beginning of week one, our staff came together for some very worthwhile professional learning on engaging pedagogy and building positive relationships. The following day saw the running of our postponed athletics carnival. This was an opportunity for our college community to celebrate excellence in sport. I congratulate all those students in attendance, especially our elite athletes, who performed remarkably well on the day. I also thank Mrs Andrea Huxley, Mrs Anna Gleeson, and Mrs Lucy Sales for the huge amount of organisation that goes into putting such a phenomenal event together.

This week saw the beginning of an exciting journey for our year 10 students as they navigate the pathway into year 11. I would like to thank all of our wonderful Stage Six teachers and Mr. Andrew Evans for hosting our year 10 students and their families in what was a very informative and insightful evening. We are very fortunate to have two wonderful options for our year 10 students as a journey into the next phase of their academic lives.

This week culminated in a fantastic showcase of the musical talent within the college. Families were treated to a two-hour musical spectacular in the college theatre, with students in concert bands, brass, string and percussion ensembles as well as numerous vocal groups showcasing their amazing talents. Special thanks to Mr. Rob Denham, who coordinated the evening as well as our system leading music team of Mrs Sam Adams, Ms Cara Stewart, and Mr. Zach Horne. 

As the term continues, we will have many more opportunities to celebrate the amazing college that we are. I invite all families to come along to these opportunities and witness the vast array of talent that we have amongst our staff and student body.

Courses for Parents

Parents of students with ADHD and Autism are invited to participate in a number of free short courses through the OLT website. Links to the courses can be found here.

The ADHD short course was developed with the help of parents for ADHD advocacy Australia. This course is aimed at supporting the parents and carers of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. 

The Autism short course is designed for parents and caregivers of children with autism. This is a valuable resource where parents of children identified on the autism spectrum discuss concerns and explore strategies that can support their children.

NSW CCSP Parent Conference:

The New South Wales Council of Catholic School Parents is hosting a special 30-year anniversary parent conference in Sydney. Keynote speakers include Justin Coulson, Michelle Mitchell, and Danielle Principe. Conference tickets cost $30. Please note that all attendees are responsible for arranging their own travel and accommodation. For more information and to book, go to the following link.

Free Webinar: Strengthening Young People Against Anxiety

Catholic School Parents Australia is facilitating a free webinar for parents, 'Strengthening Young People Against Anxiety', with Karen Young, Australia's leading expert on child and adolescent anxiety. Register via the link on this flyer.

CONGRATULATIONS

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

Stage 4: Amelia Newman and Maidlyn Tinley.

Adam Kelly
Principal, MacKillop College

St. Agnes' Eagles: Head of House Report

In true St Agnes' spirit, our students proudly embodied the school values of community and excellence at the recent MacKillop Athletics Carnival. They showed up with heart—running, jumping, throwing, and giving their all in a vibrant display of camaraderie and determination. 

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who courageously tried it and dressed to the nines—you brought colour and character to the day! 

Congratulations to Airlie McAlary, whose outstanding javelin throw shattered the 2018 record by a remarkable 10.57metres.  Her record throw landed at 32.24m. Well done, Airlie—you’re a shining example of what it means to aim high and soar!

Sporting excellence continues to soar at MacKillop, and our dedicated St Agnes' students are leading the way. Not only have we achieved outstanding results on the athletics field, but two of our Eagles have proudly represented the NSW All Schools team at the School Sport Australia Championships. Congratulations to Ben Romer (9A3) in Netball and Oto Ryan (9A3) in AFL—your dedication and achievements are a true inspiration to our community. Well done!

Congratulations to the following students who are our top achievers with regard to Merits.

Special commendation goes to Tallin Morris (9A2), who has earned the highest number of merits since the start of Term 3, followed by Indy Lorger (9A3), Tameah Baird Moran (10A2), and Luke Westman (10A2). These students have consistently demonstrated excellence, ambition, and growth in all that they do. Merits are awarded to students who live out the College's Core Values: Faith, Community, Compassion, Excellence, Integrity, and Respect. Congratulations to these students for modelling a remarkable approach to life and learning.

House points are earned through active involvement in many areas of school life—including both extracurricular and co-curricular activities. One great opportunity for St Agnes' Students to gain points is by reading! We’ve made a strong comeback in the Reading Challenge and are now in the lead—so keep logging those books and keep the momentum going! Congratulations to Charlotte Fitzpatrick (10A2), who won first prize in the Literacy Reading House Challenge. Well done, Charlotte—keep up the reading and continue logging your books!

Jodie Rich
Assistant Principal - Mission

Head of House - Eagles

St. Joseph's Kangaroos: Head of House Report

An Incredible Honour to Lead St. Joseph's House!

Wow, what an absolute thrill it is to step into the role of Head of St. Joseph's House! As a foundation member of our fantastic new house, it's been exciting from the very beginning, but to now have the incredible honour of leading our "Joeys mob", it is truly amazing and deeply humbling. The energy and joy radiating from all of you over the past few weeks, as I've taken over from Mr. Kelly, has been infectious – thank you for that incredible welcome!

This term has kicked off with a bang, and our Joeys have truly been leading the charge! We bounded into the athletics carnival, and even though we're eagerly awaiting the final results, I have no doubt we performed with incredible success. There was certainly a magnificent sea of red out there, showing off our House pride! Beyond the track, it's been fantastic to see so much talent and effort poured into all the classroom, sporting and creative endeavours happening across the college.

Merits Galore and Outstanding Achievements

Speaking of effort, prepare to be amazed! So far this year, our incredible St. Joseph's students have earned a whopping 5,273 merits! That's an astonishing number and a true testament to all of you and the fantastic culture we've built in St. Joseph's House. It's clear that "turning up and having a go" is absolutely the norm for our students, and we couldn't be prouder!

A huge congratulations to the following students who are leading the merit counts in our house – what an outstanding achievement!

• Year 7 - Benjamin O’Brien
• Year 8 - Erika Collins-Jones
• Year 9 - Nikki Seears
• Year 10 - Isaac Woolfe
• Year 11 - Angus Saidey
• Year 12 - Bindi Zimmermann

Shout Out to Our Spirit Superstars

We can't forget to give a massive, special shout-out to these students who continue to embody the incredible St. Joseph's spirit, going above and beyond in their achievements:

• Luke Jones (11J1): Luke was part of the U18s NSW Barbarians AJRU team. What an incredible feat, Luke – well done!
• Hunter Davis (10J3): Hunter represented both our college and our country at the United Nations Youth New Zealand Conference – a remarkable accomplishment, as he was one of only 15 students selected nationwide! We are so proud of your global leadership, Hunter!
• Ava Baldock (7J1) and Sienna Close (7J2): These two fantastic students participated in the Inclusive Schools Futsal Titles, and both were exceptional representatives of our house and our college. Way to go, Ava and Sienna!
• Sienna Furney (8J1): Get ready for this – Sienna absolutely smashed the 13 Girls High Jump record! She cleared an incredible 1.50m, breaking Madison Johns' 2019 record of 1.44m. That is truly awesome jumping ability! Truly a Roo!!

It's clear that the St. Joseph's spirit is alive and thriving! Let's keep up this incredible energy and continue to shine brightly in everything we do!

Andrew Evans
Assistant Principal - Learning and Teaching

Head of House - Joeys

Curriculum Corner

Supporting Your Child to Catch Up After Absence

With the start of a new term upon us and a lot of illness in the broader community, student absences are sometimes unavoidable. Whether it's due to illness, family commitments, appointments, or planned events, there will be times when your child misses school. However, it's crucial for us to work together to ensure your child catches up on any missed work promptly. Falling behind can quickly create gaps in their learning, making it more challenging to grasp new concepts and perform well in class.

When a child misses school, they miss more than just a lesson. They miss:

• Crucial Learning: Every lesson builds on the last. Missing even one can create a domino effect, making subsequent topics difficult to understand.
• Active Participation: Class discussions, group activities, and teacher explanations are vital for a deeper understanding that textbooks alone can't provide.
• Direct Instruction: Teachers clarify complex ideas and offer tailored examples that are invaluable to a child's learning process.
• Preparation for Assessment: Falling behind can lead to missed deadlines and inadequate preparation for assessments, impacting their overall progress and confidence.

Ultimately, staying on top of their work reduces stress for your child (and for you!) and ensures they build a strong foundation for future learning.

Some effective strategies you can use at home include

• Communicate with the School: As soon as you know your child will be absent, particularly for extended periods and planned absences, please contact their teachers to ask what work will be missed or what has already been missed. Many teachers are happy to provide materials or a quick overview.
• Utilise Online Platforms and Emails: Teachers use a variety of online learning platforms to post presentations, notes, worksheets, and other resources. Encourage your child to check these regularly for updates, as well as checking their emails for communications from their teachers.
• Connect with Classmates: Encourage your child to get in touch with a responsible classmate to borrow or copy notes. This is a quick way to get the information covered in class.
• Dedicate Catch-Up Time: Set aside specific time each day or week for your child to focus solely on missed work. Treat this as dedicated study time, free from distractions.
• Encourage Questions: If your child is struggling with a concept, encourage them to ask their teacher for clarification. This can be done during break times, before or after school, or over email. 
• Break Down the Work: If there's a lot to catch up on, help your child break the work into smaller, manageable chunks. This makes the task less overwhelming and helps them see their progress, boosting their motivation.
• Review Regularly: Once they've caught up, encourage your child to review the material regularly to ensure the information sticks. This also helps them connect new learning with what they already know.

By proactively managing absences and using these strategies, you can significantly help your child stay engaged with their learning and achieve their academic potential. 

Michael Peck
Leader of Curriculum

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

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

Mixed Touch Football – Mid North Coast Champions!

The Year 11/12 Mixed Touch Football tournament was held in Port Macquarie on Monday, July 28. We welcomed some talented Year 10 players this year, adding great depth to our senior squad.

The team found their rhythm after a close first-round draw against St Clare's—highlighted by a crucial intercept from Lucas Scott. They secured a strong win over Taree in Round 2, but narrowly lost to Woolgoolga in Round 3 after a last-second try.

Undeterred, the team delivered their best performance in the semifinal to earn a rematch with Woolgoolga in the grand final. In a tense, high-stakes game, our players stayed composed and played with skill and teamwork to emerge as Mixed Challenge Mid North Coast all-school champions!

Congratulations to all players for their efforts, especially Year 12 students Lucas Scott, Jimmy Strahorn, and Fletch Irwin for their leadership during a busy school period. The team also included Milla Swain, Darcie Gleeson, Claire Morris, Matilda Medlin, Lane Jordan, Bailey Rowlatt, and Rafferty Gordon.

MVPs: Rafferty Gordon & Matilda Medlin
Coach: Jamie Cartwright

AFL Open Girls – NSW School Cup Runners-Up

The Open Girls AFL team travelled to Nambucca Heads in July to compete in the NSW School Cup. With only 12 players and no subs, the girls showed incredible determination, playing four tough matches back-to-back.

In Game 1, they went down 28–19 to Camden Haven but gained momentum late. They bounced back with a dominant 38–6 win over St Columba in Game 2. Just 30 minutes later, they faced St Columba again in the preliminary final, digging deep to secure another strong win and a spot in the grand final.

Despite a gruelling schedule and a 5-minute break before the final, the girls matched Camden Haven at halftime. However, with fresher legs, Camden pulled ahead in the second half to take the title.

A special mention to MVP Lenny Gosling for her outstanding defence and relentless tackling throughout the day.

Well done to all players for your resilience, teamwork, and outstanding sportsmanship!

MVP: Lenny Gosling
Coach: Andrea Huxley & Tracey Bewicke

Open Boys AFL – North Coast Champions

After several weather delays, the Open Boys AFL team finally competed in the North Coast final at Nambucca Heads.

In Game 1, MacKillop defeated a determined SCAS team 24-6 after a strong finish. They followed up with a dominant performance against Hastings Secondary College, controlling possession and defence for a comfortable win.

Game 3 was a clash with undefeated John Paul College (Coffs Harbour), last year’s champions. MacKillop’s strong defence and efficient forward line secured a 33-8 victory.

The final was a rematch against John Paul. Despite their opponent’s determination, MacKillop controlled every aspect of the game, winning contested possessions, dominating 50/50s, and kicking with precision to seal a resounding 54-6 win and claim the North Coast title.

Standouts:

• Cooper Sheldon and Cooper Lorger – outstanding goal kicking.
• Kale Haese and Freycin Hostettler – relentless midfield efforts.
• Alex Ball, Jack Ryan, and Harley Cottom – rock-solid in defence.

MVP: Cooper Sheldon
Coach: Adam Kelly

Bill Turner Soccer - Round 4

The Bill Turner side continued their impressive cup run with another strong display. We were knocked out in this round last year against our opponents and close rivals, Tuncurry, but this year, we were up against Great Lakes College—Forster Campus. 

The conditions were less than ideal, with expected rain and cyclonic wind gusts. Despite this, the boys approached their game, one and two-touch and along the ground. This was most effective as we started to dominate in midfield. We also looked strong and well-composed at the back. This allowed us to dictate play, and it wasn’t long before Tom Allen gave us a masterclass in front of goal. Whether it be a tap-in or a curler to the back post, Tom had it sorted and ended up with 5 for the day - a clinical display.  Seb De Somma also scored with a curling effort from the fringe of the area - a cracker! As the scoreline suggests, 6-0, we were fantastic on the day with a strong performance from everyone throughout. I would also like to acknowledge Will Ebbs, who was as safe as houses in goal and maintained a clean sheet with the support of our defence. Tom Robb also came into the side and grabbed a nice assist. 

Well done, boys! The MacKillop team is now on to the regional final against St. John Paul College of Coffs Harbour. 

MVP: Tom Allen - 5 goals
Coach: Tom Salter

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;

• 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.

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)

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.

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.

Need Some Study Help?

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