Term 4, Week 10, 10 December

College Holiday Times

The College Office is currently closed for renovations and will reopen on Monday, 31 January.

For enrolment enquiries, please click on the Enrolment tab where you will find information regarding enrolment, along with the link to our online enrolment application. 

Please note that the Schoolworx Parent Portal will be disabled from 16 January and access will resume from the 28 January 2022. 

Principal's Update

2021 Thank you and Merry Christmas

As this will be the last newsletter for 2021, I want to take the opportunity to sincerely thank you for your support. Through this tough year I have been very humbled by the support of so many MacKillop parents. Despite the challenges and inability of many of our school events being able to proceed, there have been many wonderful achievements and accomplishments by our students and staff. I am very aware of the significant role parents play in this success, and thank you for your ongoing partnership. May God bless you this Christmas and may you find the peace and joy of sharing the Christmas season with loved ones. 

End of Year Award Presentations 

As mentioned in previous newsletters, we have had to change the format of our Award Ceremonies this year. Year 7 and 8 ceremonies will be held next Tuesday and Years 9-11 on Wednesday. Wednesday we will also have a whole school Christmas Prayer Service and farewells to departing staff and students via Zoom. It is very disappointing parents can not join us for these awards, however year group families will be emailed the Major Award recipients following the presentations.

Thank you to the following families and businesses who generously sponsored awards, and to the sponsors who wished to remain anonymous. Your support is greatly appreciated. 

Australian Defence Forces, Bale Defence, Catholic Men’s Dinner Club, Cashion Family, Catholic Women’s League, Corr Family, Dare2Care, Eakin Family, HB Legal, Hertz Car Rental, Hopkins Consultants, Hungerford Family, Impact Environmental, Intersport, Adam & Emma Kelly, Michael & Wendy Kelly, Ken Little Fruit & Vegetables, Warren & Amanda Lorger, Morgans Financial, North Coast Fire & Security, Northcorp Management, Jim & Mary O’Brien, Port Bus, Charter, Tours and Rentals, Port Macquarie Hastings Council, Port Macquarie Triathlon Festival, Michael & Helen Prowse, Sisters of St Joseph, Stacks Law Firm, St Agnes’ Parish, Port Macquarie, Robmusic Studio of Piano & Voice, Robyn Ryan OAM, Romer Locks, Touchwood Flowers, Leslie Williams MP.

Student Learning Profiles

As we approach the end of the year, teachers have been very busy compiling Student Learning Profiles (Reports) for students in Years 7 -10. As of 1:30pm Wednesday, 15 December they will be available for parents to access via the Schoolworx Parent Portal. If you haven't accessed your student's profile before, please see below for instructions.

I would like to congratulate all students on their achievements this year, during what has been a challenging learning period, and I encourage you all to celebrate their successes and reflect on ways they can continue to improve and build their learning potential for the future.

If you have any questions regarding your child’s Learning Profile all teachers will be available via phone or email on Thursday, 16 December between 8:30am – 11:00am.

Departing staff and students

This year sees the retirement of a number of long-term MacKillop College staff members. In addition to the retirement of Judy Crick, Peter Farrugia, and Helen Gilbert at the end of Term 3, Term 4 sees Trevor Erga, Michael Kelly,  Wendy Kelly, and David Sinclair retire after a combined 75 plus years at the College. Below is just a small recognition of their outstanding service to the College.

Trevor moved from Alberta, Canada and joined the Port Macquarie community in 2006. He worked in the Maths and Science faculties as well as being a Pastoral Care teacher. Trevor’s passion for all things Science was always apparent to his students, with his deep knowledge of Astronmy inspiring both students and his fellow teachers. 

We wish Trevor all the very best in his retirement as he looks forward to spending more time with family here and in Canada.

Michael retires from MacKillop College as a much loved Careers Co-ordinator after many years of leadership in a number of positions. Michael’s knowledge and expertise in assisting our senior students transition to university and the workforce will be greatly missed by students, staff and families. Furthermore, his contribution to the MacKillop community in ‘seeing a need and doing something about it’ will be sorely missed. On any given day you could find Michael with a group of students doing some gardening, cooking a BBQ or sharing his great love and knowledge of Science. 

We wish Michael all the best as he spends more time with family and enjoying the outdoors.

Wendy leaves MacKillop College after 25 years of service. She has been an integral part of the Front Office staff and finishes her career here having led a large team in her role as Office Manager. Wendy was a wealth of knowledge in every aspect of the College and a great source of wisdom for both staff and parents. Beyond being an excellent administrator, Wendy will be fondly remembered for her amazing ability to co-ordinate major events, including Graduation Dinners, Major Award ceremonies and Christmas celebrations. 

We thank Wendy for her committed service to the College and wish her well as she embarks on new adventures and spending more time with family.

David started at MacKillop College (St Paul’s) in 1997. He has worked primarily in the English faculty and with our junior students for many years. Dave established wonderful rapport with students and shared a great deal of expertise across a number of sports. Besides sharing his great love of the South Sydney Rabbitohs, David made students feel valued and capable because of the belief he showed in them. 

We wish David all the very best in his well-earned retirement and look forward to seeing him at the College in a relieving capacity.

I would also like to take the opportunity to acknowledge the following staff who are departing MacKillop College at the end of the year and thank them for their service: Mandy Bennett, Sarah Clarke, Brooke Higham, Tom Hughes, Alycia Lipovac, Francesca Serafino, Caelan Walker and Stephanie Wong. A number of other staff are completing temporary contracts, however I am sure we will see them in 2022 in various casual and temporary roles. I thank all for their service and commitment to the students of the College. 

To our Year 10 students moving across to Newman Senior Technical College for the final two years of their secondary schooling, we wish you all the very best. We look forward to watching your journey into the work force and further study. 

HSC Practical selections

Congratulations  to Arwen Hoffman and Ella Page of Year 12, who have had their major works selected for exhibitions. Arwen’s "Codebreak Enigma", a comic book targeted at Cyberbullying she created for her Design and Technology major work, has been selected for NSW SHAPE exhibition. Ella's Textile creation, depecting the life of Henryka Shaw, a survivor of the holocaust, has been selected for exhibition at the Technology Educators Association 2022 Exhibition.

Hastings Education Fund

Last Monday evening, I had the pleasure of attending the very inspiring Hastings Education Fund presentation evening.

The Hastings Education Fund was initiated over ten years ago by local educators, businesses and community members. It’s purpose was to raise funds for students to support Year 12 students with the costs of further study. On Monday evening I was inspired by the generosity of the local community, who had donated over $10,0000 and the calibre of the young local graduating students from all local high schools. Sponsorship of the fund ranges from $1000 to $10,000. If you would like to be involved please contact me at the College and I can refer you to the chair of the committee, or email hastingseducationfund@gmail.com.

Special congratulations to retiring MacKillop College Careers Co-ordinator, Michael Kelly, who was recognised on Monday evening by the Fund for his wonderful contribution to the young people of the Hastings and in particular MacKillop College students. Congratulations also to MacKillop students Casey Biddle and Bethany Hoskings who were 2021 Hastings Education Fund recipients.

2022 Start Dates 

Cath Eichmann
Principal

Evangelisation

Third Week of Advent – JOY

This coming Sunday is called Gaudete Sunday, where we light the pink candle in our Advent Wreath,  representing the joy which Paul tells us about in 1 Thessalonians 5:16, when he says “Rejoice always”.

Jesus tells us "With God all things are possible." Mark 9:24. This combination of truth should help us be joyful each day.

Christmas Hampers

Over the last few weeks, the school has been buzzing in its preparation of our 24 Christmas Hampers. Each hamper was packed with some lovely goodies and lots of love.

Last Sunday, some of our staff and students where blessed to be able to deliver some of the hampers on behalf of the St Agnes' Parish.

Thanks so much for your support of this wonderful ministry.

Memoirs: Through Our Eyes

Earlier in the year, students from Years 10 – 12 worked in small groups on a beautiful project, where they spent 8 weeks visiting a resident in the St Agnes' Aged care facilities and then put down some of their memories and photos they shared into a memoir that will be preseted to them for Christmas.

19 books were created and most of the groups will present these to their friend on Thursday, 18 December.

A huge thanks to Karen Faichney and Justine Worner (Pastoral Care @ St Agnes Aged Care), who worked with the students to assist them to create these beautiful books.

Thanks also to the wonderful students who participated in this program in order to offer time to spend with the residents, and then the creation of the beautiful memoirs, which I am sure will be valued deeply by their friends and families.

Sunday Mass and Gospel Reflection

Please check the link for Mass times and COVID-19 precautions for Masses in the St Agnes' Parish.

You may also like to spend some time in reflection on the Gospel for this coming Sunday:

Reflection on the Sunday Gospel

Marg Gobius
Leader of Evangelisation 

Year 7

This year has been a roller coaster for students, staff and parents. So many students have shown amazing resilience, maturity and flexibility to adapt and thrive in what were extremely challenging situations, and in their first year of high school! Having only been a part of this amazing group for a short period of time, it is clear to see that as a group, you are kind and courageous.

Finish Strong

As I walked around the many classrooms last week, I was impressed to see how the Year 7 group were still working hard to finish their practical tasks. The things that stood out for me as I walked around were how students have embraced new skills and technologies, how new friendships have been formed, and the amount of fun that was happening!

This truly demonstrated the remarkable resilience shown this year by the Year 7 group. Here are a few snaps from the day with Year 7 students busily finishing off their projects for Engineered Systems, Metal and Textiles.

Congratulations

Congratulations to Summer Bink and Harley Cottom who have received a Silver Principal’s Award.

Congratulations to the following students who have received a Leader of Pastoral Care Award: Summer Bink (x2), Lilly Blundell, Cameron Bullock, Harley Cottom, Jasper Hall, Lane Jordan (x2) Marcellus Skea and Milla Swain.

Thank you

As this challenging year draws to a successful close, I offer my sincere thanks to our dedicated Pastoral Care teachers for their generosity and care in working with the students in Year 7 and their families: Stephanie Connor, Lisa Egan, Robert Geaney, Tom Hughes, Natasha Jones, David Kennedy, Richard May, David McMahon, Cara Stewart, and Tessa Stillman. On behalf of Year 7, I thank them for their wisdom and guidance, and wish them all a safe and relaxing holiday break.

Ellen and I would also like to wish all Year 7, their families and the wider MacKillop community a safe and restful Christmas and a Happy New Year. Let's return to 2022 fresh and looking to make the most out of every opportunity available at MacKillop College.

Greg Finney 
Year 7 Leader of Pastoral Care 

Year 8

Whilst 2020 and 2021 have no doubt been challenging, we must not forget to look to the future and what a fresh start can bring. 2022 could be the year you try out for that sporting team, put your name down for the percussion ensemble, read that book on the shelf or change someone’s life by volunteering or helping in the community. Make 2022 the year of positive change!

I would like to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of our Year 8 Pastoral Care Team: Col Coelho, Kate Cowan, Rochelle Fineanganofo, Greg Finney, Alexa Harvey, Phil Magick, Tess Minett, Danny Murphy, David Pugh, Amy Ryals, and James Way. Thanks for your hard work, patience and care of our Year 8 cohort.

It has been great to spend a considerable amount of time with Year 8, and getting to know them as individuals. I value the partnerships that I have created with the students and also with you, their parents and carers. I will continue as the Leader of Pastoral Care with Year 9 in 2022 and I look forward to strengthening those partnerships. Thank you for a memorable 2021.

Before we break for the year, I need to remind Year 8 about the importance of adhering to the school policies when they return in 2022. There will be checks from day one on uniform, haircuts, jewellery, make-up, shoes, use of the diary and punctuality to class. Be sure that everything is in order for the return to school.

Have a safe, happy and relaxing holiday break. I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a joyful New Year. God Bless.

Year 8 Science

Congratulations to students from 8 Science 8 on their success in the recent topic test.

Congratulations to the following students who have received a Leader of Pastoral Care Award: Alanah Logan-Pye and Tianah McKinnon.

Daniel O'Dell
Year 8 Leader of Pastoral Care 

Year 9

Congratulations to all Year 9 parents, carers and students on making it through another very challenging year! Despite a strong start to the year, unfortunately COVID-19 once again reared its head and has had a significant impact on the students, staff and day-to-day operations at MacKillop College in 2021. Here's hoping for a much more 'normal' 2022.

In review, I'd very much like to thank each of the Year 9 PC teachers for the amazing work they do with our students each and every day: Ryan Adams, Daniel Blackman Rachel Clark, Nichola Lutton, Kylie Ryan, Chantelle Seears, Edward Smallwood, Brad Vergano, Daniel Watts, Naomi White and Lisa Wilton.

I would also like to thank outgoing Leader of Pastoral Care, Peter Murphy, for all of his hard work and care during the last three years, and also wish him all the best in his new role as Assistant Principal Mission.

Lastly, I would like to thank the wonderful Year 9 students and their parents and carers for their ongoing commitment to their studies and support of the school.  

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

See you in 2022.

David Kennedy 
Year 9 Leader of Pastoral Care 

Year 10

Year 10 End of Year Community Day

A note regarding the Year 10 Community Day has been sent home to families, but here is a snippet for your information:

Excursion Information: This compulsory day is an opportunity for students to come together as a group, one last time, to enjoy activities run by Endless Summer Surf School which include zorb balls, learn to surf, ocean kayaking and beach activities.

Date: Monday, 13 December 2021.

Venue: Pilot Beach, Camden Head Road, Dunbogan.

Clothing: Students are required to wear their sports uniform to the excursion.

Items to bring: Students are required to bring a hat, sunscreen, appropriate swimwear and a towel for the water activities. As per the College Policy, all students must wear shorts when involved in water-based activities; board short, short bike pants or tights are acceptable. A high-vis rash shirt will be supplied by the school and must be worn by students. 

Meals: Students are required to bring their own recess and water bottle. A sausage sizzle BBQ lunch will be provided using Covid safe handling practices. Please refer to the permission form to advise of any special dietary requirements. 

Farewell

Another year has come to an end and unlike many other years, some of our Year 10 students will be moving on to apprenticeships, Newman College or other endeavours. We wish all the Year 10 students well and look forward to hearing about their successes.

From the first day when students walked through the front gates to the MPC, where they were full of anticipation and excitement until now, they have been a year group that excel in their chosen interests. 

I have been fortunate enough to witness or hear about many of these achievements. It has been a pleasure to be a part of this journey with the students. Some of this journey has been difficult for various reasons; drought, fire, COVID-19, floods, loss of loved ones. Through all of this, the students have shown an enormous amount of resilience and determination. These experiences, while at the time felt like the worst thing to happen, have shaped and formed who this year group in moving forward. It is a great year group, and all the people that have supported and guided them in their journey should be proud.

Some of the people to guide them through 2018 - 2021 have been their PC teachers:

10F1: Tracy Bewicke (2018-2021).

10F2: Peter Farrugia (2018-2019), Michelle Marino (2018 -2021) Amber Ford (2021).

10I1: Justine Malinowski (2018), Laura Cudmore (2019-2020), Jo Pilgrim (2019-2021) Stephanie Wong (2021).

10I2: Rob Geaney (2018-2019), Amy Ryals (2020), Tahnee Johnston (2020-2021), Courtney Charge (2021).

10I3: Nicole Thompson (2018-2020), Elizabeth Robertson (2021).

10M1: Emma Daley (2018-2019), Adam O’Brien (2020-2021).

10M2: Jodie Rich (2018), Brent Lowrey (2019-2021).

10O1: Megan Verdon (2018-2021) Pauline Cain (2020).

10O2: Craig Bushe/Lisa Egan (2018), Dave Sinclair (2019-2020) Tash Jones (2020) Susan Eichorn (2021), Abbie Moss (2021).

I feel that Year 10 has embodied the below quote:

I wish all of Year 10 the very best for the future and am extremely confident that if they set their minds to it they can achieve all of their dreams. Good luck. 

Glen Littler
Year 10 Leader of Pastoral Care 

Year 11

This will be the last newsletter item from me for 2021. It's been an exciting year with lots of challenges, fun times and new discoveries.

Congratulations to Year 11 who have completed their first lot of HSC assessments tasks for most of their subjects. They can now look forward to a well-earned break. However, it is worth noting that all students will have holiday homework to complete over the break. My advice on this homework is to dedicate a week where you will spend a few hours each day getting some work done. Hopefully most will be able to complete the work in this time, and students will not be left with an enormous amount to complete at the end of the holidays.

Monday through to Wednesday of Week 11 will be normal lessons for Year 11, where they may receive some assessment results and continue on with learning the HSC curriculum in each subject. The content will be essential learning, and as such it is vital that all students attend all lessons. In amongst the lessons we are planning some fun activities to get us into the festive spirit. The SRC will run some sporting activities at lunch on Tuesday, and we will have a Christmas party, sausage sizzle and hand out our Secret Santa gifts on Wednesday. Also on Wednesday in period 5 we will have our final awards assembly for the year, where the major awards will be given out. This does not include academic awards as these were given out earlier in the term.

I would like to say a huge thank you to the Year 12 pastoral team. I am always inspired by the genuine care and dedication these teachers have for their students. Year 12 are very lucky to have them and I am truly grateful for all that they do. 

Sadly, we have to say goodbye to Francesca Serafino, who will be leaving us at the end of the year to be the Leader of Science at St Columba Anglican School. I have worked closely in Pastoral Care with Francesca for the past five years. She has been an amazing PC teacher to her students, and a wonderful support to me. I have watched her classes thrive under her guidance and develop a special bond as they debate the laws of physics and the reasons we should follow the College uniform rules. Over the years her classes have been treated to many an Italian treat when she cooks up a storm for them, or they share morning tea. Francesca will be greatly missed by her teaching colleagues, myself, but especially by PC6 of 2021. 

We also take the opportunity to wish Madeline Philipson well as she leaves us to have her baby. We look forward to hearing of the safe arrival, and to a visit from her and her baby when they are ready. Nicole Bailey will be taking on new responsibilities in the HSIE department next year, so unfortunately will not be with her PC. Dino DiBona and Linda Frankham have also had changes to their roles and they too will no longer have their PC. Thankfully they will all remain with their senior classes, so Year 12 of 2022 will still benefit from their expertise in the classroom and their genuine pastoral care.

I would like to welcome Emma Daley, Natasha Jones, Jo Pilgrim and Ed Smallwood to the Year 12 pastoral team. They will join Phoebe Bayliss, Patrick Byrnes, Jamanda Eggert and myself as the supercharged Year 12 PC team. We look forward to working with all of the students and their families as we conquer whatever the HSC of 2022 throws our way.

Merry Christmas and may you all enjoy a wonderful break with your nearest and dearest.

Andrea Huxley 
Year 11 Leader of Pastoral Care 

Student Requisites for 2022

Please see below the documents for student requisites for 2022.

Wellbeing

The close of Term 4 marks the end of an incredibly challenging year for school communities. It’s been another challenging year for everyone but the resilience shown by staff, students and parents this year has been remarkable.

“Appreciation is a wonderful thing. It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.” – Voltaire

Studies suggest that when we are grateful we can be more optimistic, successful and healthier. Gratitude is regarded by some researchers as a “mega strategy for happiness” (Kern & McQuaid, 2017).

One of the best ways to cultivate more gratitude is to intentionally notice and appreciate what is working well in our lives.

Advent is the perfect time of year to stop and reflect on the year: what went well in the past week or month or year. These memories could be small matters but worthwhile; it might have been a yummy meal; time spent doing something we love, playing a game, having a joke with a friend, something we observed in nature.

I was recently reminded of the joy in simple things when speaking with junior students about what was going well “having a joke with my friend. My good friend and I have a similar sense of humour” and “last night’s dinner because my mum decided to cook my favourite pasta dish for me last night.” Perhaps a conversation shared at home about three things for which we are grateful can place the whole family in a good place, mindful of the successes and joys enjoyed by each other.

Lastly but not least, on behalf of the students, I would like to say 'thank you' to all Pastoral Care teachers for their efforts towards building community. I am truly grateful for the value they add to their PC group.

I wish all the families of our MacKillop community many blessings of peace, joy and love over the Christmas period and hope that you all can find some time to rest, relax and rejuvenate, because you cannot pour from an empty cup.

Take care and enjoy!

Nicole O'Connell
Leader of Wellbeing

Sport News

Sport Week 11: Year 9 & 10

Students are reminded that Elective Sport will now continue into Week 11 of the term.

Week 11: Monday, 13 December 12:00pm - 1:00pm

• HYDRO GOLF
• PLANET X 
• LEARN TO SURF

Representative Sport

The Lismore Diocese will be holding trials for 15 Boys, 15 Girls, Open Boys & Open Girls Touch teams on Thursday, 3 March 2022 in Coffs Harbour. Start time of these trials is 9:00am. To nominate for these teams, please fill out the form below. Students will then be selected to trial for each squad and a team will be chosen at the trials. Diocesan teams will compete at the NSWCCC Touch Football Selection Trials in Nelson's Bay on 29 March.

2021 Sport Awards

Please check back here after 1:30pm, Wednesday 15 December for this years Sport Award recipients. 

Community Sport

Congratulations to Ryan Binskin, who recently mixed it with the best of the best at the NSW state championships held in late November. Ryan finished the gruelling 25 laps running a PB of 32.40 minutes in the Open Division.

Ryan is such a talented and dedicated athlete with a mental toughness that allows him to continue to succeed. Ryan finished just behind 2018 World Half Marathon Championship runner Thomas do Canto who won the event.

Ryan along with fellow MacKillop College students Elliott Worner, Grace Kranitis and Dylan De Domizio, is racing at the NSW All Schools Championships this week in the 5000 metre event.

We look forward to hearing how our athletes go at this last event for the year, see here for an article covered by the Port News.

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.

2022 Term 1 Sport Programs

Erin Denham
Leader of Sport 

Canteen

No assistance required next week. Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. 

For more information and requirements on volunteering in the Canteen for 2022, or if you are able to volunteer, please follow this link. If you have scheduled rostered days and would like to change, please contact the canteen coordinator Maxine Stone, otherwise these will be remain the same for 2022. 

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. 

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

Parent News

Some regular route numbers and all school bus numbers in Port Macquarie, Laurieton, Wauchope & Kempsey regions have changed to become part of a state-wide standardised program.

There will be no changes to times or route paths operated.

This information is available on the Busways website:
https://www.busways.com.au/nsw/school-services/school-timetables

Please select the link adjacent to MacKillop College | New timetable | 30 November 2021. We have provided the Junior Campus timetable below as an example.

For any enquiries regarding these changes, please contact the Busways Customer Service Team via 1300 692 929 or Infoline@busways.com.au