Term 3, Week 4, 6 August

Principal

Announcement - Assistant Principal: Mission

Congratulations to Peter Murphy who has been appointed Assistant Principal - Mission at MacKillop College, commencing 2022. Peter is currently  Leader of Pastoral Care - Year 9 at the College. Peter is a man of great faith and an authentic witness within the school and parish community. He brings to the position a wealth of school leadership experience. Through his more recent roles as Leader of Pastoral Care, and class teacher, Peter has a renewed understanding of the needs of our young people. We wish Peter all the best in this new role. 

Music Teacher Sam Adams and her student choir have worked with the UK Music Academy to create this great piece together. Enjoy!

UNIFORMS 2022 onwards

As mentioned in a previous email there will be some changes to the College uniform from 2022 onwards. 

Please see below the StoryBoard for the reviewed College uniform items from 2022.

A reminder all current uniform items will be able to be worn until worn out or outgrown. 

Congratulations to Phoebe Baylis

Congratulations to Phoebe who has won an award from National Parks Australia for wildlife work she did during the Australian Bushfires. Phoebe has now been invited to attend the 2021 National Wildlife Conference.

Mask Wearing

Given the current local situation, can I ask parents to encourage students to wear masks and to remind them whilst ‘recommended’ at school, the wearing of masks is compulsory on bus travel. Some students are putting a mask on to get on the bus but then not only taking them off, but also littering by leaving them on the bus as they leave. 

CATH EICHMANN
PRINCIPAL

Evangelisation

Vinnies Winter Appeal

As our Vinnies Winter Appeal continues we have been collecting clothes and on Friday I dropped a large collection of these clothes to the very grateful Vinnies workers. THANK YOU.

This ministry is a really important one and so we ask everyone to carefully think how YOU can make a difference. 

Last week we had a very successful morning Sausage Sizzle. Thanks to our wonderful volunteers who cooked up a storm on Friday morning, and to all those hungry students who helped out others who may not have as much access to food as we take for granted.

This ministry is a really important one and so we ask everyone to carefully think how YOU can make a difference. 

Homelessness Week & St Agnes' Parish Street Retreat

The National Homelessness Week is from 1–7 August. With this in mind, an enthusiastic group of Year 11 students began their 'St Agnes' Parish Street Retreat' with a launch night on Thursday night, hearing from LIFELINE how they support those who are struggling. Another group assisted  at the Port Outreach BBQ on Friday evening. 

During Week 4, the students have worked in groups to assist at both the Port Outreach events and the Hastings Homelessness Committee 'Travelling Road Shows', which have served the marginalised in Port Macquarie, Wauchope, Lake Cathie and Laurieton. 

On Wednesday morning the whole group came together in the MacKillop Chapel to pray for those people who we are serving, and to ask God to bless each one of us as we work in this ministry.

Everyone is invited to donate a COLES gift card to be given to those who are being supported during this time and beyond. These can be dropped into the school  via the College offices or through your child to their PC teacher. 

FEAST DAY OF ST MARY MACKILLOP of the CROSS

On Sunday, 8 August we will celebrate the Feast Day of St Mary MacKillop, the Patron Saint of our College.

The Gospel on Sunday invites us, like St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, to orientate our whole lives, to set our whole heart on God’s Kingdom. Like Mary, let our guiding light be God’s justice and let us “Never see a need without doing something about it.”

On Tuesday, 10 August, we will celebrate the life of Mary MacKillop with our Feast Day Mass. Mary was a wise woman, who imitated Jesus in everything she did. During the Mass students from each Year group will carry up a poster that reminds them of the Mary MacKillop quote that they have been focusing on this year

Year 7: “Be kind; be very kind”

Year 8: “Find happiness in making others happy”

Year 9: “We have much for which to be thankful”

Year 10: “How truly wonderful are God’s ways”

Year 11: “Never see a need without doing something about it”

Year 12: “Be calm and full of hope”

MARG GOBIUS
LEADER OF EVANGELISATION

Year 7

CONGRATULATIONS

Congratulations to the following students who have received a Leader of Pastoral Care Award: Chelsea Arnold, Lenni Gosling, Lucy Hope, Cruz Lewis, Blake Liddle, Zeilei Lynn, Margaret McKenzie, Charlotte Memmott, Tully Paterson, Madeline Poulton, Lucy Robinson, Briella Sutherland and Darwin Tink.

ELLEN MCKELL
YEAR 7 LEADER OF PASTORAL CARE

Year 8

ANTI-BULLYING SURVEY  

Last Term the students at MacKillop College completed the annual Anti-Bullying Survey. I briefly spoke with Year 8 about the results during our meeting last week. I focused on one particular statistic that came out of Question 2: Have you ever been bullied at school this year? The result: 91% of Year 8 answered No. At first glance, that result is almost a success. It is well over the majority and a very high percentage. Initially it made me feel that Year 8 are doing a good job looking after each other, and we have conquered bullying at MacKillop College.

But, is that okay? That result of 91% answering No, means that 9% answered Yes. 9% of our Year 8 cohort openly say that they have been bullied at our school. Are we happy with that? I put this to Year 8 during the assembly and pointed out the fact that the person that said ‘yes’ to the survey could be their best friends sitting next to them. Or imagine if it was your sister or brother, Mum or Dad that said YES, they were bullied when they were at school. Is THAT okay?

I again encourage you to have a conversation with your child this weekend and ask them if they are okay with 9%?

CONGRATULATIONS

Congratulations to the following students who have received a Leader of Pastoral Care Award:  Emma Galvin, Darcy Hallen, Cooper Lorger and Madeline Strong.

DANIEL O'DELL
YEAR 8 LEADER OF PASTORAL CARE

Year 9

We held an impromptu assembly for Year 9 on Monday this week. The prime reason for the assembly was to deliver the message that the Canberra Excursion has been cancelled due to COVID restrictions. Whilst not an unexpected message, it was nonetheless unwelcome news.

Last Saturday celebrated the feast of St Ignatius of Loyola (founder of the Society of Jesus). This is a special Ignatian Year, as we celebrate the 500th anniversary of the battle of Pamplona, in which Ignatius was hit by a cannonball, shattering his leg and ending his dreams of a career in the military. He convalesced for over a year in Loyola – his own experience of lockdown. During this period of mostly confinement to bed, Ignatius had only two books to read – The Life of Christ and Lives of the Saints. This would lead to his conversion experience, the formation of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits), and the writing of the Spiritual Exercises.

Ignatius' story reminded me of a simple lesson that is equally valid 500 years later. We cannot control what happens to us. We can however control both our attitude and how we choose to respond to the circumstances in which we find ourselves. I encourage each of the students in Year 9 and their families to genuinely seek to create good out of this time of pandemic and indeed in whatever circumstances life delivers.

By the way, St Ignatius is the Patron Saint of retreats.

PETER MURPHY
YEAR 9 LEADER OF PASTORAL CARE

Year 11

SRC 2021-2022

A huge Congratulations to the following nine people who were elected by their peers and staff to be on Student Representative Council for 2021-2022.

This is a huge honour and responsibility, and I was overwhelmed by the number of Year 11 students who displayed the desire and willingness to be a part of this group. 

As we head toward our final year of school, Year 11 students were reminded that you do not need a badge to be a leader, and that as senior students of the College, they are all expected to be leaders and role models for their younger peers.

This group now has the choice as to whether they would like to run for College Captain and Vice Captain, they will go through an interview process with Principal Cath Eichmann, and then students and staff will vote. Following this the House Captains will also be elected, adding another four students to the leadership team.

JERSEYS FOR THE GRADUATING CLASS OF 2022

Year 11 have selected a jersey design for their Year 12 jersey. The design was created by a committee of students representing all PC groups. A huge thank you to Kim Porter who organised and facilitated this process. Students then voted on the design they preferred. The process of ordering jerseys will begin in the next few weeks. All the orders are done and paid for through the company website where students purchase the jersey online. 

GOOD LUCK TO YEAR 12 IN THEIR TRIALS

The Year 12 Trials have an impact on Year 11, in that they witness the process and procedures to do with a two week exam block containing three hour exams. In other words, it's a preview for them of what's to come. It also affects where and how they can move around the school. Courtesy and respect are key and Year 11 have been asked to respect the new boundaries around the playground and changes to some of the classroom situations.

ANDREA HUXLEY
YEAR 11 LEADER OF PASTORAL CARE

Year 12

Trials!  They are happening, only one weekend away. 

My tips for surviving:

• make sure you know your timetable, misreading the timetable is not an accepted reason for missing an exam or being late;
• morning exams start at 9.10am and afternoon exams at 1.10pm, arrive at school at least a half an hour before your exam start time;
• the trials are run as an exam block; you only have to be at school in your school uniform for your allocated exam. The JMC will be open the entire time for those who wish to study outside of their exam time;
• set allocated time aside to study away from all distractions. Don't, however, sit down for hours at a time, you will become inefficient, get up at intervals, walk around, grab something to eat whatever, but have regular breaks;
• vary your study techniques. Try flash cards, timed responses, verbally explaining a concept to someone, mindmaps, exercising while reciting information - mix it up;
• go to bed at a time which will enable you to get a reasonable amount of sleep, you will be no good if you stay up for the majority of the night, or worse still, all night cramming;
• if you are ill on the day of the exam or something happens preventing you from making it, ring the school the morning of the exam before school starts and speak to me. If I am unavailable leave a message for me or send an email directly to me at  lisa. kable@lism.catholic.edu.au;
• be kind to yourself. The whole point of trials is to identify the gaps in your knowledge and pinpoint the skills that need further developing - you will not know everything; and
• lastly, change your perspective and view this, not as an arduous task, but as a wonderful opportunity to show the marker what you have learned (okay, this one might be pushing it - but try!!).

Not going to bother wishing you good luck - you won't need it but I will leave you with the words of Mary MacKillop, "Be calm, and full of hope".

All the best for the weekend.

LISA KABLE
YEAR 12 LEADER OF PASTORAL CARE

Wellbeing

Mental Health Challenge: Week TWO - MINDFULNESS

Mindfulness can help your mind slow down and focus. Mindfulness can also increase positive emotions, improve physical health, lower levels of depression and anxiety, and help you manage stress. View Benefits of Mindfulness 

A recent study compared a group of people who did 8 weeks of mindfulness training with a group of people who didn’t. The group that practiced mindfulness experienced greater activity in the part of the brain that helps you feel good, and reduced activation in the areas associated with stress and worry.

How can parents/carers help?

Mindfulness can help young people to handle the stress of study, work and play as they get older. Here are two great ways to build a life that includes mindfulness that you can do with your young person:

1. Just breathe - take a couple of minutes and focus on your breathing. Like meditation. If you get distracted or your mind wanders off, that’s ok, it happens to all of us. Just bring your attention back to your breath.

1. Savour the moment – stop. Look around. Take time to savour the moment and appreciate everything around you. It might be the great meal you’re having or the beautiful scenery.

I invite all families to know about The BITE BACK MENTAL HEALTH FITNESS CHALLENGE which your young person can access online for free. It operates on the premise; we need to build up our mental health fitness as we do our physical fitness. 

BITE BACK is an online resource for educators created by the Black Dog Institute to engage students in activities that build their mental health fitness. The activities can be completed online or downloaded. These activities are designed to be fun, but they are also research-driven, evidence-based activities to help young people feel better about themselves, build resilience and wellbeing.

Take Care

NICOLE O'CONNELL
LEADER OF WELLBEING

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

SAPSS Drumline and Colorguard at the National Percussion Eisteddfod

This year, due to many schools still being unable to travel because of school regulations caused by Covid restrictions, the Drumline section of the national percussion eisteddfod staged in Brisbane has taken place as a combined Live/Video Competition. As such, the SAPSS Drumline & Colourguard have made a video recording and submitted it as part of the competition. We eagerly await the results of the competition. Watch this space!

All members of these ensembles are to be commended on their commitment to rehearsal and to the goal set by ensemble director Mark Spence to defend the title of National Drumline Champions. It has been a difficult 12 months to navigate for all concerned with many restrictions in place and with gigs and events regularly cancelled or rescheduled at the last minute.

Members of the SAPSS Marching Band, Drumline and Colourguard have been give a break from rehearsal for the remainder of Term 3. The ensembles will reconvene in Term 4 with new goals and a new direction for 2022.

Choir News

The MacKillop College Choir have collaborated with Music Academy for Schools (MAS) from Burton-upon-Trent, in the UK  to create a combined virtual performance. The project commenced in term 2 with students learning and rehearsing two pieces; Coldplay's Skyfull of Stars and John Farnham's You're the Voice. Robert Murray, the Music Director for MAS and MacKillop College Choir director, Samantha Adams, selected the pieces for performance to reflect the different nations. Over the course of the term, we recorded each student singing individually and filmed some typical Aussie and British scenes to accompany the music recordings.

We are incredibly proud of the talents and determination of our young people - on both sides of this global performance. We look forward to future collaboration opportunities with MAS and thank them for this wonderful virtual opportunity.

The MacKillop College Choir is open to all students and staff at MacKillop College, rehearsals take place Tuesday mornings.

MacKillop College Instrumental Ensembles

Our MacKillop College instrumental ensembles continue to rehearse with the hope of performing to an audience jam packed with supportive families in Term 4.

The saxophone ensemble under the expert direction of Cara Stewart are sounding great with some challenging repertoire undertaken. The Collective group continue to provide a music ministry role within our college and at Youth Mass whilst the senior and junior bands are working on improvisation in the form of small jazz ensembles. Lynda Young has the string ensemble working towards a potential lunch concert at the end of Term 3 and Mark Spence has our senior and junior percussion ensembles ‘chomping at the bit’ for a performance opportunity.

Thank you to all students, families and ensemble directors for your continued support of all things music and MacKillop College during what has been a difficult 18 months of COVID related disruptions and restrictions.

ENSEMBLE REHEARSAL SCHEDULE WEEK 3

UPCOMING EVENTS

YOUTH MASS

• Sunday 8th August: 4:30pm-6:00pm, St Agnes' Catholic Church, The Collective

MACKILLOP COLLEGE FEAST DAY MASS

• Tuesday 10th August: 8:30am-10:00am, College Hall, The Collective

MACKILLOP COLLEGE FEAST DAY LUNCH CONCERT

• Tuesday 10th August: Lunch 2, COLA, Saxophone Ensemble, Junior Band and Senior Band

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

ROBERT DENHAM
LEADER OF MUSIC 

Sport News

TERM 3 SPORT PROGRAMS

Please refer to the College website for the sport Programs for Year 7-10 Term 3 Sport.

YEAR 7

Students continue their intensive Tennis Program this week at Westport Tennis Club under the expert guidance of Goodwin Tennis.

Students in Year 7 have sport every even week (Weeks 4, 6, 8 and 10).

YEAR 8

Year 8 students have started the term extremely well at Sport. Most classes have now engaged in an Indoor games lesson and Touch Football this week.  

Students in Year 8 have Sport every odd week (Weeks 5, 7 and 9).

YEAR 9 and 10 TERM 3 SPORT

Year 9 and 10 continue to have fun at elective sport on Tuesdays.

Please note that  due to the recent cancellation of the Year 9 Canberra excursion and the Year 10 Retreat, students will now attend sport Week 7 for Year 10 and Week 8 for Year 9 in place of these excursions.  Families will be billed for the cost of this extra week of elective sport.

Mrs Stewart has been enjoying learning the ‘ropes’ of Aerial Acro with Year 9 Sport at Coastal Dance Performing Arts Studio. Here are some great photos of all the action.

ATHLETICS CARNIVAL PRESENTATION

Congratulations to the Age Champions and Runner’s Up for our 2021 Athletics Carnival who were presented with their medallions at our recent assembly. We are certainly privileged to see so many talented men and women showcase their skills on the day and leading up to the carnival in the pre events.

Congratulations to Flinders who were crowned the Champion House in 2021. Vaughan Lickley and Lennox Jensen lead their team to a convincing victory and denying Oxley a clean sweep of all three carnivals this year.

COVID RESTRICTIONS – SPORT

Unfortunately, the following Representative Sports habve been CANCELLED for the year:

Lismore Diocese

• Lismore Diocesan Touch Football
• Lismore Diocesan Athletics
• Lismore Diocesan Netball

NSW CSNSW

• NSWCCC Hockey Championships
• NSWCCC Football (Soccer) Knockout
• NSWCCC Athletics
• All Schools Water Polo
• All Schools Open Touch

The following events have been RESCHEDULED for Term 4

• NSW All Schools Cross Country (18th Oct)
• NSW All Schools U16 Hockey Tri Series (21 October)
• NSW All Schools Triathlon Individual ONLY (25th October)

No official announcements have been made yet on the following events.

• Katrina Fanning Cup (Girls Rugby League)
• Cochrane Cup
• Diocesan Basketball

UPCOMING EVENTS: CANCELLED/POSTPONED

NSWCCC Sport Registrations 2021 for Pathway Sports

Registrations are via the CSNSW.sport portal.

For instructions on how to register go to – Guide For Parents – Sport Registrations >>

For further information, go to the CSNSW Sport Website Sport pages.

https://csnsw.sport/

MACKILLOP COLLEGE REPRESENTATIVE SPORT

If your child registers for a Representative Sport at any level (School, Diocesan, NSWCCC) and can no longer attend can you please notify the relevant person so our attendance records are accurate.

• MacKillop College – Erin Denham (Leader of Sport) erin.denham@lism.catholic.edu.au
• Diocesan Team - John Coociola (Leader of Sport Lismore Diocese john.cocciola@lism.catholic.edu.au
• NSWCCC Trial or Team – Robert Rush or Ann-Marie Miranda (CSNSW Sport) Robert.rush@csnsw.catholic.edu.au

HOW TO REGISTER FOR A MACKILLOP COLLEGE SPORT TEAM

To register to trial for a MacKillop College sport team follow the steps below.

1. Log into the school Moodle page.
2. Click on the Student Links tab on the left hand side.
3. Click on the Representative Sports Registrations link.
4. Click on the relevant sport and fill out the google form.
5. Listen to notices and check your emails for relevant trial information.

Click on this link to register for current sport programs available.

COMMUNITY SPORT

NORTHERN NSW FOOTBALL SUCCESS 

Below is a fantastic write up on Liam Mercer in Year 9. A very humble young man achieving excellent results with his Football (Soccer). Certainly looks like a promising future for Liam as he pursues his Sporting goals. 

Those who have seen teenager Liam Mercer run around a football field know he's quite talented.

Mercer, along with Campbell Page, Nate Boyan and Ty McGibbon will head to Coffs Harbour in October after being selected in the Northern NSW U14 and U15 national boys football squads.

Nate played with Camden Haven Redbacks, Liam and Campbell played with Port Saints and Ty was with Port FC.

Englishman Danny Barratt was also selected although he won't make the trip.

Football Mid North Coast technical director Larry Budgen said it was "very strange" for the region to have such a high representation in the squads.

"It's a combination of a lot of things; that group were our U13s in the NPL (National Premier League) that won clearly last year so it's a really good group," he said.

"But midfielder Liam Mercer is a standout, he's some player."

Budgen said the selection in the squads was largely a result of the teenager's willingness to learn and improve.

"It's a credit to their work; they all have a great attitude and work really hard," he said.

"They're doing additional sessions on top of squad training so they can be at that level. They do individual work just to keep them up to speed. The attitude is right for all the boys ... they are great kids."

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

Monday 9 August 
Robyn Hunt, Vanessa Aird and Nicole Galea

Tuesday 10 August 
Deborah Hallan and Roz Brockhurst

Wednesday 11 August 
Chris Pees and Hahn Le

Thursday 12 August 
Jo Sexton, Chris Jourdant and Mel Scriven

Friday 13 August
Allie Tamanti and Caroline Horam

PLEASE HELP

If you can spare one hour once a month to help at the canteen it would be greatly appreciated, please follow the link below, or ring Canteen Coordinator Maxine on 0432 179 365. 

Help is needed for service from 11:00am till 11:30am or 1:35pm until 2:00pm.

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 on line.

ALL ORDERS TO BE IN BY 8:30AM PLEASE

Please remind your child/children if you have ordered for them, and what their order is. We are currently having our volunteers spend quite a bit of time searching for students who have not collected their lunch orders.
If your child is sick and you have ordered, please phone the canteen (6583 2632) to arrange a credit. 

School ties are available to purchase from the canteen for $20.00

Community News

Lost Property

There are currently a number of unlabelled items in our College lost property including two College jumpers, three College caps, one College jacket and the items pictured below. Please claim from the main College office.

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Homework Hubs

Homework Hub - Senior Campus

From the Mathematics Vault

Welcome to our weekly Maths Vault! 

We will provide a mathematics problem for solving, with the answer published the week after underneath a new problem. Good luck!

Maths Tutorials

Tuesday's and Thursday's

7:45am - 8:30am 

Room 12 Main College with Mrs Elizabeth Robertson