PRINCIPAL'S UPDATE

Celebrating student success - National Youth Science Forum

On Wednesday night two of our wonderful Year 12 students were invited to speak at the Rotary Club Dinner, supported by our Leader of Science Stewart Smith and Assistant Principal Learning and Teaching, Christine Harmer. Ruby Berryman and Mia Dawson were able to thank Rotary for sponsoring their participation in the National Youth Science Forum earlier this year. Both Ruby and Mia are to be congratulated on their presentations, outlining the highlights of the event, the connections they were able to make, and how the conference has expanded their view on the many different opportunities available when pursuing a career in STEM. Whilst both Ruby and Mia expressed how inspired they were by the scientists and other students they were able to meet, it was the older members of the audience who left inspired by their maturity, passion for science, and willingness to step outside their comfort zone and fully embrace this opportunity.

Flood Appeal

The Diocese has set up an appeal to support the families and schools of the Lismore Diocese impacted by the devastating floods. At MacKillop College we are combining our annual Lenten Appeal for Caritas Australia with the Lismore Flood Appeal. If you can donate please use this link below or send cash in with your child.

Parent Partnership - Traffic concerns near Hockey Fields

I have had a number of people ask me about the request for parents picking up of an afternoon near the Hockey Fields to delay pick up until 3:30pm. 

The amount of traffic at 3:10 - 3:30pm with students walking, students on bikes, parents arriving and senior students driving out of the College has led to some ‘near misses’ for our student safety, particularly those students walking and on bikes. Delaying traffic from Koala Street end will just allow for our student drivers to exit the College.

If parents must pick-up earlier, we would suggest entering the College via Lochinvar Place and exiting via the one-way road beside the Lochinvar Centre (Hall on the Senior site). 

Staff Professional Learning 

I encourage parents to have a read of our Leader of Wellbeing Behaviour Support, Warren Lorger's piece in this week's newsletter. 

Warren explains the learning that staff undertook and it's implementation of the College as well as benefits for parents. 

Change of details

Changed address? New email or phone number? It is very important that the College has up to date contact details for our students and their families.

Please click on this link to notify us of any changes to your family details. We will also notify the Parish of your updated details. The link can also be found on the College website and Schoolzine app.

Nurturing Excellence  -The upside to struggle

Whilst the heading above probably attracted my attention given our school motto of ‘Striving for excellence’, it was in fact the article itself that resonated so strongly. 

In a world which seems a little upside down and is throwing ‘one thing after another’ at us and our young people, it is important that we do not slip too far into ‘rescue and protect’ mode. As teachers and parents there is a natural tendency to do so, especially when times are tough. The article below is a great reminder of the importance of struggle. Only yesterday I spoke to a wonderful young man at our College about this very notion, and how we can build confidence best only when we attempt things that are challenging or that we are a little bit nervous about trying, and how often the thought of how difficult it is does not reflect the reality once we give it a go. 

The Upside to Struggle by Michael Herbert: 

Adults sometimes choose to shield teens and children from struggle. A noble idea! But, in the long term, not necessarily wise. Safe and developmentally appropriate struggle offers significant benefits and teaches tenacity. In fact, it may build skills in young people that helps them avoid the types of severe emotional distress that we see young people experiencing today. 

• Being allowed to struggle protects us from the ‘RoundUp’ effect; imagine if we only ever engaged in activities that were easy. Developing potential comes from stretching self beyond what is easy. Constantly shielding a young person from struggle-related growth opportunities is like pouring RoundUp on weeds - it destroys the life that gives growth and confidence to a young person as they embrace their world. Many classroom walls around Australia are adorned with the words - In this room, we don’t do easy. We make easy happen through hard work and learning.
• Asking for help during a struggle is a skill, not a sign of failure. 'I always have to do it by myself' is an unhelpful belief. Asking for help is an important life skill. The growth of the RUOK movement is a valuable reminder of why we should always encourage someone to ask for help.
• Problem-solving skills developed during times of struggle lead to a growth-mindset. The young person who develops problem-solving skills becomes less anxious and more creative. They approach the struggles of life with confidence and tenacity.  To be shielded from struggle gradually incapacitates a young person, taking away their ability to respond to challenges. It paints a picture of life being scattered with impenetrable obstacles.
• Struggle teaches emotion and self-regulation. Struggle can create powerful emotions in young people such as sadness, disappointment and frustration. Children and young people need help to deal with these feelings. We can teach them to regulate their responses so they remain calm, keeping focus on how they can best respond without embarrassing themselves or causing hurt to others.

Struggle is an unavoidable part of the journey. Embrace it.

The morning drive with Father Paul

I wanted to share with you my morning routine. In a world that seems somewhat chaotic at present and with a busy job, I often found my drive to work each morning was full of a thousand thoughts and ideas racing through my head and by the time I parked the car I felt like I had run to work.

But then I discovered our Parish Priest Father Paul’s Daily Reflections in my emails. Now my morning drive involves listening to Father Paul read a piece of Scripture, reflect on the daily reading or perhaps a Saint if it is a Feast Day. Always from Father Paul’s wonderful reflection, or the words of scripture is a really valuable little ‘take away’ peace that reminds of what is really important as I head into my day.

I encourage you to make listening to Father Paul’s Daily Reflection part of your day.

Watch and listen to Fr Paul's Daily Reflections.

CATH EICHMANN
PRINCIPAL

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL - MISSION

A Healed Femur…

A student once asked anthropologist Margaret Mead, “What is the earliest sign of civilization?” The student expected her to say a clay pot, a grinding stone, or maybe a weapon.

Margaret Mead thought for a moment, then she said, “A healed femur.”

A femur is the longest bone in the body, linking hip to knee. In societies without the benefits of modern medicine, it takes about six weeks of rest for a fractured femur to heal. A healed femur shows that someone cared for the injured person, did their hunting and gathering, stayed with them, and offered physical protection and human companionship until the injury could mend.

Mead explained that where the law of the jungle—the survival of the fittest—rules, no healed femurs are found. The first sign of civilization is compassion, seen in a healed femur.

By the same token, the first sign of an advanced civilization is not reading and writing, computer technology, robotics, nuclear weapons, music, or a high level of civil organisation. Rather, the first and last sign of civilisation is compassion.

How well we care for those who are wounded or injured, in body or soul; how well we rally around a person in their time of need, offering healing and comfort and protection and companionship until they are able to rise up and walk again, are the true signs of civilisation.

Learning to live a life of compassion towards the weak, the vulnerable and the disadvantaged is the most important part of our civilisation’s ‘coming of age’.

I encourage every one of us to make compassion our Lenten Discipline.

Community Service

Whatsoever you did for the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.

Matthew 25:40-41

Every student at the College is encouraged to participate in a minimum of three community service activities throughout the year. These are largely done in the student’s own time, although some may be coordinated at the College.

In order to gain a Community Service Award, a student is required to complete a minimum of ten hours of community service. Many students are already actively involved in the community through voluntary work with Surf Life Saving, Bush Fire Brigade, Parish Youth Ministry… In recent times a large number of our youth have given service to those affected by drought, fire, flood and currently, the pandemic. All of these students are eligible for the Community Service Award. Our Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme participants complete community service as one of the components towards gaining the Award. Their service for this award also qualifies them for a Community Service Award.

I encourage all students to complete and submit the Community Service Record found on page 21 of their diary. Their acts of generosity, if known and recognised, may just inspire others to do likewise. Like faith, voluntary service to the community is infectious when others see your spirit of living generosity.

God bless.

PETER MURPHY
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL MISSION

FORMATION

Congratulations

Each year, St Agnes' Catholic Parish engages in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), or Journey into the Catholic Faith as we call it in the Parish. This 'program' has four steps:

• Acceptance (into the Order of Catechumens).
• Election or Enrolment (of Names).
• Celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation.
• Period of Mystagogy (leading through the mysteries).

With three others, we have several staff members who are currently meeting each week in preparation to be received into the Catholic Church at Easter – Claire Goldie, Zackary Bennett, Rob Denham and Adele Graham. We congratulate these staff members and assure them of our prayers as they continue their journey. If any parents are interested in knowing more about the Catholic faith or becoming a member of the Catholic Church themselves through the RCIA, or have children (7-17 years of age) who have expressed an interest in being baptised or received into the Church, please contact the school or email the parish Pastoral and Liturgical Ministries Coordinator, Vanessa Denham vanessa.denham@stagnesparish.org.au for more information.

TONY WORNER
LEADER OF FORMATION
St Agnes' Catholic Parish

WELLBEING

Restorative Practices at MacKillop College

MacKillop College staff continue to embed a Restorative Practice approach to our learning and teaching in 2022. Restorative Practices focuses on developing Committed Teachers, Caring Students and Connected Communities. Staff had the opportunity to work with mentor and author Adam Voigt from Real Schools last Friday to further develop our implementation of Restorative Practices. Adam has presented through various media outlets to share his educational processes and practices. Feel free to take a look at Adam’s work in the links below:

https://adamvoigt.com.au/

https://realschools.com.au/

This approach calls on teachers, students and parents (the primary stakeholders of our MacKillop community) to develop a restorative culture to support our school vision “to nurture authentic, courageous, faith filled people with a passion for learning, respect for relationships and an ability to contribute to a global community”.

What do Restorative Practices look like?

Restorative Practices is a focus on developing strong positive relationships among the community and empowering our young people with responsibility, thus allowing personal growth. While restorative practices is a widely known process for managing conflict and poor behaviours, the cultural shift is that it is used as a proactive strategy to avoid disengagement.

Restorative Practices combines the use of: restorative language, affective language, affective questioning, small impromptu circles, learning circles, restorative conversations and the implementation of a fair/consistent process. 

What are the key outcomes of Restorative Practices?

• Positive relationships
• Emotional development (empathy)
• Respect
• Shared responsibility
• Personal growth
• Individual responsibility
• Honesty
• Repair

WARREN LORGER
LEADER OF WELLBEING BEHAVIOUR SUPPORT

NAPLAN

Naplan Online 2022

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is a point in time assessment of literacy and numeracy skills that are essential for every child to progress through school and life. Students in Years 7 and 9 participate in the annual NAPLAN tests in writing, reading, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy.

Our school will be participating in NAPLAN Online between the 10 and 13 May 2022, Week 3 Term 2, with catch up sessions taking place in Week 4. A more specific schedule will be provided to parents in the lead up to NAPLAN.

In preparation for NAPLAN Online, our school will also be participating in practice tests during Week 8:

• Year 7 Thursday, 24 March Period 1 and 2
• Year 9 Wednesday, 23 March Period 1 and 2

The practice tests are a trial-run and key preparation activity for NAPLAN Online in May. It is not an assessment of student ability and the tests will not be marked, it is just a great opportunity for students to become familiar with the online platform and understand the expectations and process for undertaking the tests. An email with further information specifically for Year 7 and 9 parents to help their children prepare will be sent next week.

Excessive preparation for NAPLAN Online is not recommended. Students can use the public demonstration site (https://www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment/public-demonstration-site) to familiarise themselves with the types of questions and tools available in the NAPLAN Online tests. If you have any questions about NAPLAN Online, please contact Sarah Warby via email sarah.warby@lism.catholic.edu.au or by phoning the college.

SARAH WARBY
LEADER OF CURRICULUM

PARENT WEBINAR

YEAR 7

Year 7 Ash Wednesday Liturgy

Year 7 came together for the first time as a faith community in the middle of another busy week to observe Ash Wednesday, which begins our journey through Lent, Holy Week and Easter.

Ash Wednesday is about braving the unknown; carrying nothing but the mark of God’s love and also more - love, hope, respect, generosity, openness and hospitality in our hearts. 

Year 9 students from the Youth Ministry class led our liturgy. They taught us about “Ubuntu” - an African word meaning ‘human kindness’ and embodies the idea that we are defined by the way in which we treat others – that means that people will decide what type of person we are, by how we treat others. This is something we want all Year 7 to concentrate on this Lent: How do you treat others? What will others decide about you because of the way you treat people around you? We need to realise that we need each other, family and friends to become the best person we can be.

All students and staff were blessed with ashes reminding us that we are part of a much bigger community, in Port Macquarie and beyond, and we are not perfect and we all sin, but that we belong to God and he forgives us. 

During Lent, we will remember the need for prayer, fasting and almsgiving.

Prayer helps us to be grateful for the blessings we receive and prompts us to give to those less fortunate than us. Fasting can involve giving up something we hold dear for the period of Lent, or it can also be taking up something, such as simply choosing to say positive things when we are tempted to say something mean. Almsgiving is a work of charity and the promotion of justice, integral elements of the Christian way of life.

One real way in which everyone can participate in almsgiving during Lent is through Project Compassion. Our school has chosen to make this one of our major fundraisers for the year. Each Year 7 PC is encouraged to contribute to their Project Compassion box as their act of almsgiving.

Transitus

Students from Year 7 have the opportunity to attend the CSO Transitus Retreat:

• When: Thursday 31 March - Friday 1 April
• Where: Yarrahapinni Youth Centre, Grassy Head
• Cost: $20.00 - a contribution towards the cost of the event - the CSO pays for the rest.
  

Last year, twelve Year 7 MacKillop students travelled to Yarrahapinni for the CSO Transitus retreat. They joined with other schools from the southern schools of the Lismore Diocese including St Joseph’s Regional College, St Paul’s Kempsey, McAuley College Grafton and St John Paul College Coffs Harbour.

The overnight retreat involved a variety of faith-based activities including times for prayer and reflection, small groups and games. The theme of the retreat ‘Take Heart, it is I. Do not be afraid’ invited the Year 7 students to reflect on their recent transition into high school and how Jesus is present for them in the midst of these difficulties.

The retreat was a success, complete with campfire songs and plenty of laughter!

If Year 7 individuals are interested in finding out more about Transitus or attending, they can talk with your Religion teacher, ask to see Mrs Gobius in the staff room or email marg.gobius@lism.catholic.edu.au.

Community Service

At the start of the year, students were encouraged to record any community service they complete in 2022. Page 20 of the College diary notes a range of home, school, neighbourhood, community and wider community-based activities that many students will engage in. Your child may record their community service activities on page 21 of the diary. We honour and recognise students who complete at least 10 hours of community service in three different ways at our end of Semester One Award ceremony.

School Diary Use

I feel we need to explicitly teach such organisational skills until they become work habits. Effective use of the diary sets students up to support their children to be organised, informed and prepared. Yet, this is not a habit for many Year 7 students, they need the support of their parents and carers to check and sign the diary weekly, and write notes as a quick means of communication to teachers.

We have told all students in Year 7 they must record school events and assessment tasks on the left side of their diary and homework tasks on the right. Students should ensure they record HW or no HW in their diary for each lesson daily to inform parents of the frequency and nature of home tasks. They should tick off finished work in the diary.

Every student and parent must have signed the agreement on page 19 of the school diary as consent to the MacKillop College Codes of Behaviour Expectations, Presentation and Use of Digital Technologies. Individuals who have had discipline incidents often claim they ‘did not know the rule’ but is not an excuse for poor choices. All MacKillop students are expected to meet our College expectations and work in harmony with their parents, teachers, friends and peers.

Homework Hub

Homework Hub is available in the junior library from 3:15pm to 4:30pm, Monday to Thursday.  Homework Hub provides a great opportunity for students to have a quiet place to work or to get some help from staff with homework or assessment tasks. There is no need to book in – students can just turn up.

Using Devices at Home

At school, Year 7 have clear codes of the use of digital technologies; are these behaviours the same at home?

Leader of Learning Technology, Rhys Jones prepared sage advice for parents and carers around their use of devices at home

Congratulations

Congratulations to the following students who have received a Leader of Pastoral Care Award:  Blaze Colthorpe and Jack Shuttleworth.

NICOLE O'CONNELL
YEAR 7 LEADER OF PASTORAL CARE

YEAR 8

Our College is very proud of the standard of behaviour that we model and teach. This week our Year 8 students got an opportunity to meet and have Adam Voigt from Real Schools in some of their classes. The message for students was that we want to teach and guide our students to develop emotional intelligence and empathy, to be used in the classroom, on the playground and in life. It is clear that many students are already on this path and, as a PC Team, we strive to continue this journey with them. 

Pulse

MacKillop is presently using a platform by Educator Impact called Pulse. Each week students are asked to “check in” in terms of how they are feeling. They are prompted to respond in a number of areas of wellbeing and their responses are shared with their PC teacher and Pastoral Care Team. To date this has been useful as we are prompted, in a very confidential manner, to “check in” with students and work together to achieve a healthy outcome. Depending on the student’s concern, parents may be contacted to inform you of your child’s concerns. 

Homework Hub

A reminder that the Homework Hub is available in the Junior Library from 3:15pm to 4:30pm, Monday to Thursday. Homework Hub provides a great opportunity for students to have a quiet place to work or to get some help with homework or assessment tasks. No need to book in – students can just turn up.

Year 8 Hard at Work

Year 8 have been hard at work over the past couple of weeks. Below are photos from the Technology mandatory units including Timber Tech 'Clock Maker', Food Tech 'Paddock to Plate' and Digital Tech 'MicroBit Mayhem'.  Lots of fun and learning was on show during these lessons. Well done Year 8.

GREG FINNEY
YEAR 8 LEADER OF PASTORAL CARE

YEAR 9

It often takes a few weeks for students to settle into new classes, makes new friends, learn how their new teachers operate and develop new learning routines. Week 6 is a good opportunity to sit down with your young ones and talk about how the start to 2022 is going for them. I asked Year 9 in our last Year meeting, “Have you made a decision to turn a new leaf? Are you making good choices that will set you up for success?” I will continue to remind Year 9 that they are in Year 9! We should all be witnessing more responsibility, maturity and respect.

Homework Hub

Homework Hub is available in the Junior Library from 3:15pm to 4:30pm, Monday to Thursday. 

Homework Hub provides a great opportunity for students to have a quiet place to work or to get some help with homework or assessment tasks. No need to book in – students can just turn up.

Maths Tutorial 2022

Do you need help with Maths? Catch up on some homework before school? Extra time on your assessment?

Tuesday and Friday, 7:45am – 8:30am, Room 12. Just turn up!

DANIEL O'DELL
YEAR 9 LEADER OF PASTORAL CARE

YEAR 10

Last week Year 10 had the pleasure of Christine Harmer and Sarah Warby explaining the NESA expectations to them. This was very valuable for our students as it allowed them to gain clarity around what is expected from them academically in 2022 and beyond. This information, and some of the data gathered from the Year 10 Wellbeing Survey, has been emailed to parents in our Year 10 Parent Information presentation. I would strongly encourage you to take the time to watch the presentation and have a conversation with your young person about the information and findings.

I’d also like to remind parents and carers that Retreat is coming up in Week 8. Students attend the Retreat venue on their two scheduled days (to be advised shortly) and school on Friday for the final celebration as a Year group.  

As always, if you have any questions please feel free to contact me.

Best wishes.

DAVID KENNEDY
YEAR 10 LEADER OF PASTORAL CARE

YEAR 11

Year 11 are well and truly in study mode with almost six weeks under their belts in their new subjects and senior life. At times it can feel overwhelming for students with day to day homework, dot points and working on or studying for upcoming assessments. The juggle can be real. There are many study tools available which can assist students in getting organised and feel more in control. 

The JMC is a wonderful place for our students to not only get school work completed during their study periods, but to ask for guidance from our experienced staff who are well equipped to assist them in a variety of ways. Kim Porter, classroom learning support, recently shared an organisational tool with me which can help students.

It's called a KanBan Board, and can be used on a whiteboard, wall or any flat surface. It can be customized, and even colour coded.

Students move the sticky notes along as they progress through the tasks, and then get great satisfaction seeing the "done" column grow.

I encourage our Year 11 students to drop in and speak to our staff in the JMC for some assistance in a variety of organisational tools which will no doubt make their life easier. 

Good luck organising. 

TRACEY BEWICKE
YEAR 11 LEADER OF PASTORAL CARE

YEAR 12

Retreat

What an amazing few days we had. We were so thankful to be heading out of the school on an overnight trip that we didn’t dare let the weather dampen our spirits. I have such praise for the way these students conducted themselves over the course of the retreat. At both venues the reports were that the students were excellent, stepped out of their comfort zone and got involved in every activity. The reports from the students themselves were also excellent, with incredibly positive feedback from both venues. Here are some of the comments that the students made in their evaluations…

“Retreat was one of the most rewarding experiences of my time at MacKillop! My year group is so fun, friendly and connected after our shared happiness and activities.” 

“The Year 12 retreat was amazing. Great time to build and create connections with people you knew as well as those you may not have normally spoken to. Bonding with teachers and mates made this a very special retreat. 100% would recommend.” 

“In a world that's constantly focussing on what we need to be in the future, this was a chance to be in the moment. A moment where you are already enough.” 

I’d like to thank the staff who attended retreat and who helped to make the time so special for the students. It is an exhausting time away from our families but it is also a special time that we get to share with the students. Every teacher loved the experience and were extremely positive about their time away - which is a true reflection of the genuine interest and care they have for their students.

Elevate

Elevate Education presented two seminars to Year 12 last week. I always come away from these seminars with reminders and extra bits of information to help me help my students in their study practices. The students’ evaluations of the seminars were extremely positive and feedback ranged from feeling reassured that they were on the right track to completely enlightened about new strategies to try and a new level of motivation that they can both manage the workloads and succeed!

Some important tips that the session suggested and parents may be interested in include:

• Review study notes immediately after you have written them. This will increase retention by 80%. Then review them again 24 hours later and then again once a month.
• Use trigger words. Most people need to reduce the amount of words they use in their notes by 80%.
• You NEED three weeks to study for an exam.
• Practice questions are the most beneficial form of study - they will translate to better marks. Keep study notes regularly so that you have time for practice questions prior to exams.
• Always redo the exams after, as review (only need to redo the areas where you made mistakes).
• Share the workload; study in groups and share the load.

The students now have premium access to the Elevate Education website which gives them information and guides on endless amounts of study skills but also subject specific advice in preparing for exams and assessments. The password is rondo.

Flip the Study Style

After our learning conversations I have suggested a new time management and study routine for all of Year 12 to try. Many students are using their study lessons at school to complete homework and sometimes study notes. This often means that they are not doing a lot of work at home because if homework is done then study notes and practice questions that are the 'extras' are easier to put off. Elevate Education supported the notion of practice questions being the main key to student growth. Practice questions are where students can apply their knowledge, receive feedback and essentially improve and grow. So if every student was to flip their routine and instead of doing homework in study lessons they were to do a practice question or two depending on the subject and size of the question, that would equate to somewhere between 8 - 10 extra practice questions a week, on which they would receive feedback, which = growth! Then students do the homework at night, we all know that students are less likely to put off their homework for Netflix or TikTok because they will be made accountable for the homework the next day at school.

ANDREA HUXLEY
YEAR 12 LEADER OF PASTORAL CARE

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

Ensemble Rehearsals

All ensemble rehearsals are up and running as of Week 5 (we hope to have the string ensemble operating soon - watch this space). Please check in with your ensemble director for details.

• Musical Theatre Company (vocal solos and choruses) - samantha.adams@lism.catholic.edu.au
• Percussion Ensembles, Drumline and Colour Guard - mark.specnce@lism.catholic.edu.au
• Saxophone Ensemble - cara.stewart@lism.catholic.edu.au
• Junior Band, Senior Band, Collective - robert.denham@lism.catholic.edu.au

Music Tuition

Students who have indicated interest in receiving instrument tuition (with the exception of strings) should have been contacted by a tutor to organise availability. Timetables will be finalised over the coming week. When lessons are scheduled during class time, tutors will create a rotating schedule to ensure that students are not missing the same classes each week. Fees are set buy each individual tutor and may vary.

Please contact the Leader of Co-curricular Music with any questions or concerns with regard to tuition.

Attendance

Ensemble members are expected to attend all rehearsals, performances, workshops and special events throughout the year. As a courtesy students are required to inform their Ensemble Director of any planned absences prior to a rehearsal or event. Rolls are taken at all rehearsals, performances and workshops. Students with unexplained absences will be required to provide written explanations signed by a parent to the Leader of Co-curricular music. It is important that students arrive to rehearsal five minutes before the scheduled start time to ensure that time is not lost to setting up instruments. Students are to move as quickly as possible to lunch rehearsals from class.

Understandably there will be times when students are late to rehearsals or performances for a wide range of valid reasons. Ensemble Directors and the Leader of Co-curricular Music will always keep this in mind when discussing absence with students and parents.

Uniform

Details related to uniform at performances, workshops and special events will always be outlined to students in written excursion information notes and provided verbally in rehearsal. All students participating in MacKillop College Ensembles are required to purchase a shirt to wear at performances. This shirt will be worn with black trousers, white socks and white shoes at all performance events, on request from the Ensemble Director.

Students are to see the Music Trainee at rehearsal or in break times in the rehearsal rooms or staff workroom to order a size. Sample shirts will be available. I encourage students to order a slightly larger shirt if in lower year groups. This performance shirt will be able to be worn across all MacKillop College and SAPSS Ensembles into the foreseeable future.

Rehearsals

Rehearsal times for all ensembles are set out in the MacKillop College Rehearsal Schedule, which is made available to students through the Co-curricular Music google classroom page and is printed in the newsletter. Rehearsal schedules and other information is also posted on the music notice boards outside music classrooms and rehearsal spaces.

As a courtesy, students are required to inform their Ensemble Director and the Leader of Co-curricular Music in writing if they are no longer able to commit to membership of an ensemble. This information will assist with future planning.

The ensemble timetable for Term 1, 2022 is included below to assist with organisation. Please read over this information and take note of times and venues.

Co-curricular Music Google Classroom

All members of the Co-curricular Music Ensemble program are required to sign up to the Google Classroom that will provide important information throughout the year. It is also possible for parents to sign up to this classroom providing you have a google account. If you would like access to this classroom please follow the link below to sign up.

Links & Forms

Music Ensemble Sign Up Form

Music Tuition Request Form

Co curricular Music Google Classroom

Senior Band STILE PAGE CLASS CODE X3JF9Y

Junior Band STILE PAGE CLASS CODE JSV9C8

The Collective Pop & Rock Praise Band STILE PAGE CLASS CODE G8V8S6

Saxophone Ensemble Google Classroom

Musical Theatre Company Google Classroom

Upcoming Events 

Whole School Assembly 

• Week 7: Wednesday 16 March, Period 1, College Hall, Senior Percussion Ensemble.

Carias Lunch Concert

• Week 7: Friday 18 March, Lunch 1, Junior COLA, Senior Percussion Ensemble, Junior Soloists.
• Week 7: Friday 18 March, Lunch 2, Senior Canteen, Year 11 Class Ensemble, Senior Soloists.

Youth Mass

• Week 7: Sunday 20 March, 4:00pm - 6:00pm, St Agnes' Parish Church, The Collective and singers from the vocal program.
• Week 8: Sunday 27 March, 4:00pm - 6:00pm, St Agnes' Parish Church, The Collective and singers from the vocal program.

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

ROBERT DENHAM
LEADER OF CO-CURRICULAR MUSIC

SPORT NEWS

MacKillop College Cross Country

The decision was made this week to move the Cross Country into Term 2 to avoid all the clashes with other sports that have been postponed due to the floods. More information regarding our Cross Country will be in the following newsletter.

Representative Sport, Upcoming events, MacKillop College Events and Registration

All registrations for MacKillop College sport teams will be completed by students via logging into the school Moodle page. Go to the Student Links tab on the left hand side and click on the Representative Sports Registrations link. Click on the relevant sport and fill out the google form.

Students will be notified through the morning notices of when to sign up, and when trials will occur.

Click on this link to register.

Lismore Diocesan Events and Registration

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

Please click on this link  to register for the sports.

NSWCCC Events and Registration

Students MUST be registered for the event with parent and Principal approval (or Principal delegate).

Registration is through the CSNSW Sport portal. Follow this link on how to register.

Registrations are via the CSNSW.sport portal.

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

Please note that the NSWCCC Sport registrations for individual nominations for 2022 selections are open for the following trials:

Swimming and Touch Football registrations are through the Diocesan/Association pathways.

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

NSW All Schools – Events

The selection for these events are a result of the NSWCCC events.

Community Sport

Junior Athletic Sponsorship Program (JASP) 2022 

Applications are now open for you to be our next sponsored athlete in 2022. The team at Mid North Coast Allied Health are looking for 3 - 6 talented young athletes in Port Macquarie, Laurieton and Wauchope regions to sponsor in 2022.  

We want to help you set your goals and teach you about various aspects of athletic performance so that you can have an awesome year in your sport.  We will also be here for you in times of injury and help guide you back to performing at your best. 

To be eligible you must:  

• Be 12-17 years of age;  
• Be enthusiastic and passionate about your sport;  
• Have a support person who can bring you to sessions and take photos of you achieving your goals.  

If this sounds like you, please follow this link to complete your application before 18 March, 2022. 

Shortlisted applicants will be contacted to have an interview with two therapists and your support person at your closest Mid North Coast Allied Health practice so that we can get to know you a little more. 

If you have any questions, please contact our 2022 JASP coordinators Fiona Bagley and Alex Gillman  

• fiona.bagley@mncalliedhealth.com
• alex.gillman@mncalliedhealth.com

Rugby League Representation

The following Year 10 students have been selected, and are currently playing for, the North Coast Bulldogs Under 16’s Rugby League team in the Andrew Johns state competition; Zeb Hogan was selected in the Newcastle Knights Harold Matts team.

North Coast Bulldogs

• Ethan Clarke
• Brayden Laing
• Will Rosenbaum
• Ethan Tombs

Newcastle Knights Harold Matts

• Zeb Hogan

Rugby Union Representation

Congratulations to Tess McWilliams and Darcy Hickey who has been selected to play in the inaugural U16 girls Port Macquarie Junior Rugby Union Manta Rays. They will be heading off to the TAS Carnival in April.

North Coast AFL Academy

Mitchell White, Jack Ryan and Jude Male are currently in the North Coast AFL Academy.

Congratulations to all of the students listed above. It is great to see so many of you excelling in your chosen sport.

If your child has achieved outstanding sporting results in their community sport, we would love to hear about it. Please email myself erin.denham@lism.catholic.edu.au 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

DANCE NEWS

Co-curricular Dance 2022 

We have kicked off the MacKillop Co-curricular Dance program 2022 and students have started preparations for performance routines for the Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie Eisteddfod. This program is run by an external tutor from Port Macquarie Performing Arts.

Want to join? It’s not too late! Please email jamanda.eggert@lism.catholic.edu.au

Students participating in the program need to ensure they have signed up to the co-curricular dance google classroom and received and returned the permission form. 

Rehearsal Schedule: 

• Tuesday Ensemble: 7:45am in the dance studio. 
• Thursday Ensemble: 7:45am in the dance studio.
• Friday Ensemble: 7:45am in the junior MPC (hall).

This year MacKillop College will participate in Wakakirri Live! We want dancers, actors, singers, backstage crew, and lighting designers. If you have a story you want to tell, let us know. 

Come and join the MacKillop Wakakirri Team and register you interest by completing this form.

Check out the clip below, for a snapshot of what Wakakirri is all about. 

Please feel free to email me on jamanda.eggert@lism.catholic.edu.au for more information.

JAMANDA EGGERT
CO-CURRICULAR DANCE TEACHER

CANTEEN UPDATE

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. 

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

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

Monday 14 March
Vanessa Aird, Jenny Murray and Nicole Galea

Tuesday 15 March
Vanessa Wilson, Sandy Green and Louise Moore

Wednesday 16 March
Bec Eakin, Sarah Dahalenberg, HELP PLEASE

Thursday 17 March
Jaci Zimmerman, Hannah Temple and Amelia Brown

Friday 18 March
Jane Keegan, Kristine Fallon and Sam Harrison

Monday 21 March
Jackie Jovanic and Amanda Lorger

Tuesday 22 March
Katrina Bates, Anthea Romer and Elisabeth Jardine

Wednesday 23 March
Verena Grandy and Kaylene Monckton

Thursday 24 March
Jason Garland and Tracey Reddie

Friday 25 March
Mel Collins, Priscilla Turnbull and Jen Wickham

CANTEEN HELP NEEDED

We are in need of some parent assistance for canteen. For more information and requirements on volunteering in the Canteen, or if you are able to volunteer, please follow this link. 

Homework Hubs

Maths Tutorials

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

Room 12 Main College with Elizabeth Robertson