Term 1, Week 2, 14 February

Upcoming Events

Principal's Update

Week 2 saw the College come together for a beautiful celebration of our Beginning of Year Mass. In his homily, Father Prodencio spoke about how each of us can be the light to others, making everyone’s days brighter throughout 2025. Father also spoke to us about trying to make our own light burn a little brighter every day, each day trying to be a little better than we were yesterday. 

The Jubilee Year of Hope

The Bishop of Lismore, Greg Homing, will be offering talks on the ‘Year of Hope’ in the coming weeks. The bishop is a fantastic speaker and always offers wonderful insights. I encourage all those inspired by hope to tune in.

• Monday, 10 March, 6pm

• Monday, 17 March, 6pm

• Monday, 24 March, 6pm

It will be available to view on the YouTube channel—https://www.youtube.com/c/LismoreDioceseAU.

Parent Partnership

In 2025, we are hoping to increase the number of opportunities for parents to partner with and engage in school activities. Further information will be forthcoming, but below are just some opportunities for parents that are coming up over the next few weeks. Please note that attendance at information evenings provides essential understanding of your child’s learning journey, well-being support and assessment requirements.

Week 3: 

• Mon 17 Feb - Year 11 2025 Information Evening 5.30pm: important for all parents and students

• Tues 18 Feb -Year 7-10 Swimming Carnival

• Wed 19 Feb - Year 11-12 Swimming Carnival

Week 4:

• Tues 25 Feb - Year 10 2025 Information Evening 5.30pm: important for all parents. Students are not required to attend.

Week 5: 

• Wed 5 March - Ash Wednesday Prayer Service 9.15am

• Fri 7 Feb - Year 7 Mass 9.15am (St Agnes’ Catholic Parish Church)

• Fri 7 Feb - Year 7 2025 Family BBQ 5-7pm

International Day of Women and Girls in Science

Students from MacKillop College explored career development opportunities through a visit to Essential Energy’s Port Macquarie depot on 11 February. The visit coincides with the International Day of Women and Girls in Science and provided a unique opportunity for the group of 14–16-year-old girls to explore the world of energy while fostering their interest in potential careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).

A big thank you to Mrs Clark and Mrs Connor for making this opportunity possible for our girls. Click here to watch the 7news report. 

Black Converse School Shoes

A number of students have incorrectly purchased the Converse leather school shoe that has the rubber toe region (not all leather upper). These school shoes do not meet the College Code of Presentation—“all leather upper plain black lace-ups.”. A review of WHS in the classroom has also highlighted that they do not meet the safety requirements in many of our practical subjects where sharp equipment (metal, timber, textiles, food technologies, as well as science, art, etc.) and high temperatures (food tech, metal, science labs, hospitality, etc.) are concerned. Similarly, Mary Jane (buckled) shoes are not permitted as they are open and do not meet safety standards.

Students with the incorrect shoes are required to have these corrected by Monday, 3 March (Week 5). If families need support in acquiring the correct shoes, please contact your child’s Leader of Wellbeing. 

NOT PERMITTED

As you know, we launched our new houses this year at the college. Below are the three new House Crests designed by a team of staff and students. Each crest represents the House Patron Saint, mascot and colour. For more information on our house names and mascots, click here. In our newsletter today, you will also find articles from each of our Heads of House.

Cath Eichmann
Principal

Assistant Principal - St Joseph's Kangaroos

What's news with the Roos?

This year marks the start of a new era at MacKillop College. From this year on, we see the birth of three exciting houses, and I have the honour of leading the mighty St Joseph's Kangaroos. 

Early last week our Year 7 students were presented with our Kangaroos house card, which outlines not only our College values but also how our house can model these values in all we encounter. Our house crest was also revealed to students.

We also had the pleasure of presenting our first ever House Captain, Charlee Bailey, with a red kangaroo jersey and Samrina Adhikari, the first (and rare) golden kangaroo, for a student in our house who has displayed excellence in any endeavour. Samrina was the leading merit and house points accumulator across the entire College in 2024. 

As the first leader of this mighty house, Charlee features in our first “Who’s Who in the Roos” interview.

1. What do you hope to do when you finish school? I haven't figured out what career path to choose; however, I really want to travel. 
2. What do you enjoy doing in your free time? I love going camping with friends and going to the beach.
3. What are your favourite sports to play and watch? I love to play league tag, oztag and touch, and I sometimes watch the NRL.
4. Do you have a favourite sporting team that you support? Who are they? I support the Bulldogs in the NRL.
5. As our first-ever house captain, what words of encouragement would you give to all of our kangaroo community? I would love to encourage every roo to have a go in all aspects of school and try new things. 
6. What is your favourite food? Sushi and grapes.
7. If you could travel to one place in the world, where would it be? Greece because it looks gorgeous.
8. If going out for dinner with three people, who would you invite? Herbie Farnworth, SZA, and Paul Walker
9. What is your go-to song or playlist on Spotify? It's hard to choose, but you can’t go wrong with Beautiful Crazy - Luke Combs
10. Where will Charlee Bailey be in 10 years from now? Hopefully, I have travelled all around the world and started to settle down with a family and good job.

You will also hear you kangaroos chanting our team song around home and at next week's swimming carnival. To sing along with them I have provided the words below.

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Oh when the Roos, go bounding in, Oh when the Roos go bounding in.

I love to be in the Red House, Oh when the Roos go bounding in, 

Oh when the Roos (Oh when the Roos)

Go bounding in (go bounding in).

Oh when the Roos go bounding in.

I love to be in the Red House, Oh when the Roos go bounding in, 

Roooooooooooooooooooooooooooos

Adam Kelly
Assistant Principal Learning & Teaching
St Joseph's Kangaroo's Head of House

Assistant Principal - St Paul's Stingrays

Head of House (Stingray)

It is such an honour and privilege to become the Assistant Principal - Pastoral Care of this wonderful College. I would like to acknowledge the work and efforts of Mrs Jennifer Campbell during her time in the role. She will be dearly missed by the MacKillop community. Mrs Campbell set the bar high as an Assistant Principal - Pastoral Care, and it is my hope and goal to provide the same high standard of care to the students, and work with parents and families in supporting our young people.

It is the young men and women who are the main priority of MacKillop, and in order for them to flourish, it requires the support and partnership of the school and home. The synergy between these two entities is crucial in developing students to their fullest potential. Our objective at MacKillop College is “to nurture authentic, courageous, faith-filled people with a passion for learning, respect for relationships, and an ability to develop people with strong Catholic values, lifelong learners, and people that radiate respect. I will do my very best in the privileged position I have been granted to play my part in ensuring we achieve this objective.

Everyday Is A Great Day To Be A Ray

There has been a bit of buzz around the College—our new House structure is officially taking shape! Students have eagerly embraced this new chapter, diving into house meetings and forging friendships with their fellow house members. It's been fantastic to witness the connections and the beginnings of friendly rivalries as students embrace this new structure.

A key focus of these initial meetings has been the introduction of our core values. Students explored how these values align with the spirit of the St Paul Stingrays, understanding how they will guide our actions and create a positive and supportive environment for everyone. These values will be the cornerstone of our House—the mighty Stingrays, shaping our interactions and inspiring us to achieve our best.

The first opportunity to compete together as a House is the College swimming carnivals. These are just around the corner (Junior Carnival—18 February and Senior Carnival—19 February), providing the perfect platform for us to demonstrate our athletic prowess and cheer on our housemates. Our chants will be heard across Port Macquarie as we show everyone what Stingray spirit is all about!

Headspace

In other news, Headspace is putting on webinars to support the community through engaging, evidence-based workshops. These are free online webinars, and the details are listed below:

Online Webinars

Understanding Sleep

Find out more about the science of sleep, what impacts our sleep, and strategies for better sleep.

• When: Tuesday, 18 February, 12pm-1pm
• Where: Online 
• Register here.
• Who: Staff and Parents and Carers

Good Grief

At some stage we will all experience grief, and yet it can feel like an extremely isolating experience. Find out what simple and practical things you can do to support yourself and others through grief.

• When: Monday, 24 February – 4pm-5pm
• Where: Online
• Register here.
• Who: Staff and Parents and Carers

Stephen Roberts
Assistant Principal Pastoral Care
St Paul's Stingray's Head of House

Assistant Principal - St Agnes' Eagles

As our College establishes a new House Structure  for 2025, I have the privilege of being the inaugural Head of House for the St Agnes’ Golden Eagles. 

For many, little is known of St Agnes other than the fact that our Catholic Parish of Port Macquarie is named after her. Here is a brief biography of St Agnes:

St Agnes of Rome (c. 291–c. 304) is one of the most venerated early Christian martyrs, celebrated for her purity and steadfast faith. Born into a noble Roman family, Agnes was raised as a Christian during the time of intense persecution under Emperor Diocletian.  Her martyrdom quickly became a powerful symbol of innocence, courage and faithfulness to Christ. She was buried in the Catacombs of Rome, and her relics are housed in the church of Sant'Agnese fuori le Mura. Her feast day is celebrated on January 21.

St Agnes’ model for us

• You can do something inspirational and great

St Agnes was a 12-13 year old kid. Her unwavering commitment and courage in the face of death provided both inspiration and example to all Christians, young and old.

Lesson - you don’t have to be old to do something important / great / lead with example.

• Be Resolute

St Agnes knew what she had to do - Be faithful to God. She had great resolve to be unwavering in this choice. 

Lesson - Choose what is right, in full knowledge of likely opposition and difficulties. Our greatest strength comes from a life centred in God.

• Popular vs Right

What is popular is not always right and what is right is not always popular. St Agnes could distinguish between what was popular and right and chose what was right. 

Lesson - What you know to be right is always right. Even if others object / disagree. Right should win over popular every time.

• Beatitude

St Agnes lived fully the beatitude, ‘Blessed are they who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.’

Lesson - Trust in God’s promises. Face the opposition for doing what is right (upholding your faith). Win the grand prize - kingdom of heaven. 

• Integrity

St Agnes’ words and actions were aligned. Do as you say. Say as you do.

Lesson -  Hold yourself accountable for doing what is right.

How, then do we focus on St Agnes, the image of an eagle and gold to inspire and motivate our students in the St Agnes’ House? This is being driven through the College Core Values. Each Core Value below has been addressed through the life and example of St Agnes, along with the properties most often attributed to the eagle and colour gold.

We're the Eagles
St Agnes' Eagles
We soar high in the sky
Aggies' Eagles

We're the Eagles
St Agnes' Eagles
We're bold. Bring home the gold.
Aggies' Eagles

We're the Eagles
St Agnes' Eagles
Always best in the test
Aggies' Eagles

We're the Eagles
St Agnes' Eagles
We lead. Always succeed
Aggies' Eagles

CaCaaw! Cacaaw! Cacaaw!

Peter Murphy
Assistant Principal Mission
St Agnes' Head of House

International Day of Girls and Women in Science

Tuesday, 11 February was International Day of Women and Girls in Science, and to mark the occasion, Mrs Connor and Ms Clark accompanied 20 enthusiastic Year 10 girls on an excursion to meet the multitude of female scientists living and working in the Port Macquarie area.

We first attended Charles Sturt University and visited the Diagnostic Radiography unit. Caroline Nabasenja spoke with the girls about her pathway to becoming a diagnostic radiographer, followed by students being able to manipulate the x-ray machinery, use the models and take some images. This was an absolute highlight for students. The university also provided us with a fantastic student ambassador, Amelia, who was able to talk to the students about living on campus and the very "fun" side of university life!

This was followed by a visit to the Port Macquarie Hastings Council Environmental Testing Laboratory, also located on campus at CSU.  Jenni Sewell and her colleagues showed the girls throughout the facility, and they were fortunate enough to visit the chemistry, microbiology and phycology labs and witness some of the tests involved in keeping our drinking and recreational waterways safe and clean. The girls were able to speak to some female scientists extremely passionate and skilled in their field, with a wealth of prior experiences leading them to this career.

After lunch, we were hosted by a welcoming team at Essential Energy. Students donned their hard hats and high-vis vests to enter and tour the high-voltage substation as well as an Innovation Hub, dedicated to groundbreaking energy-saving and cost-saving measures that can be implemented around the home. Students were privileged to hear from the female electrical engineers Jay and Sam, who talked to the girls about incredible opportunities and pathways into the engineering fields.

Our final stop was at the impressive facilities of Sovereign Vet Hospital. Vet Kirrily and Head Nurse Erin were generous enough to provide full access to the hospital, including a tour of their hospital, patients, laboratory and imaging room, and the girls were able to watch Dr Kirrily perform a surgery (a female cat de-sexing), supported by their knowledgeable team of nurses.

Overall, it was such a fun and educational experience for girls to not only experience the vast array of career pathways that STEM has to offer female students but also to connect with highly accomplished female scientists of the region. We would like to thank all of these places for accommodating us and for being so very generous with their time, experience, expertise and knowledge.

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 15

Next

Music News

“Music, great music, relaxes the mind, awakens profound sentiments and is, as it were, a natural invitation to raise one’s mind and heart to God in every situation of human existence, both joyful and sad. Music can become prayer.” Pope Benedict XVI

The role of the Co-curricular Music Program at MacKillop College is not only to provide musical enrichment to students but to provide a service to the parish and to the community. Ensembles participate in local festivals and events, provide music for Mass, attend workshops, perform at College assemblies and participate in band tours and competitions both nationally and internationally. Through these experiences, we hope to nurture a sense of camaraderie, teamwork, community, cultural and spiritual service and a pure love of making and sharing music with others. 

The music staff at MacKillop are excited to offer an extensive ensemble program. There are many proven benefits of learning a musical instrument relating to brain development. Playing music within an ensemble setting builds upon such benefits and reinforces social interaction, teamwork, discipline and goal setting.  Furthermore, it is imperative that students understand the importance of their ensemble membership. Ensemble members are expected to regularly and punctually attend rehearsals, participate positively and respectfully, understand their role as part of a team and participate to the best of their ability in performances. In order to maintain the positive growth of the music ensemble program at MacKillop College, students are asked to adhere to the expectations provided below.

Sign Up!

Students interested in participating in the co-curricular music ensemble program in 2025 are to ensure that they have completed the google form linked here. ALL students from years 7 - 12 are to complete the form regardless of previous involvement in the program.

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 at 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.

Rehearsals

Rehearsal times for all ensembles are set out below (please read over this information and take note of times and venues) and included in compass for students enrolled in specific ensembles. 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.

Tuition

Many aspiring music students of today often find “DIY” musical instrument teaching resources through online courses, apps and youtube courses. Whilst such technology is a good aid for learning, research states that the best way to learn a musical instrument is through individual tuition from an expert teacher. Furthermore, the stage 6 music curriculum requires students to perform for assessment on an instrument of their choice. It is, therefore, necessary for schools with an interest in music excellence to provide opportunities for students to learn an instrument. As part of the MacKillop College Co-curricular Music Program, students are provided with the opportunity to arrange private instrumental tuition directly with tutors at their homes or studios or at school during breaks or during class time.

Students [parents] wishing to join the Music Tuition program are invited to complete the form linked here. The Co-curricular Music Coordinator will then provide you with the contact details of a suitable tutor. It is then the responsibility of families to arrange an appropriate lesson time with that tutor either at school or at their own private studio. If opting for lessons during school hours, tutors will set an alternating timetable to ensure that students are not missing the same lessons each week (lessons cannot be organised during timetabled sport).

Currently, drum kit, percussion, woodwind, brass, piano, strings (cello), and guitar tuition takes place on campus at the college. Other instrumental tutors will be invited to operate from the college when the demand is there.

Generally, the best time to contact tutors to arrange lesson times is during terms 4 (as HSC students move on) and term 1. It is more likely that tutors will have available time-slots during these terms.

Concert Band & Choir Parent Helpers

We are currently looking for parent/grandparent volunteers to provide support to the ensemble program. It might be that you currently play or sing in a local ensemble or have had previous experience at any level. Help is needed within the ensemble rehearsal to play/sing alongside other students and assist with note reading.

If you are interested and available could I please ask that you contact Robert Denham (Leader of Co-curricular music) for more information.

Ensemble Rehearsals

• Concert Band (directed by Ms Stewart) Monday - 7:45am - 8:30am, J16 Music Room *First Rehearsal, Monday 17th February (week 3).
• Pop Choir (directed by Mrs Adams) Tuesday - 7:45am - 8:30am, Theatre *First Rehearsal, Tuesday 18th February (week 3).
• SAPSS Junior Drumline (directed by Mark Spence) Tuesday 3:30pm - 5:30pm, College Hall *First Rehearsal, please contact Mark directly for confirmation.
• Praise Band & Singers (directed by Mr Denham) Wednesday - 7:45am - 8:30am, Chapel *First Rehearsal, Wednesday 13th February (week 2).
• Junior Percussion Ensemble (directed by Mark Spence) Wednesday - 7:45am - 8:30am, J16 Music Room *First Rehearsal, please contact Mark directly for confirmation.
• SAPSS Senior Drumline (directed by Mark Spence) Wednesday 3:30pm - 5:30pm, College Hall *First Rehearsal, please contact Mark directly for confirmation.
• Senior Percussion Ensemble (directed by Mark Spence) Thursday - 7:45am - 8:30am, J16 Music Room *First Rehearsal, please contact Mark directly for confirmation.
• String Ensemble (directed by Michaeli Witney) Friday - 7:45am - 8:30am, J16 Music Room *First Rehearsal, Friday 21st February (week 3).
• Stage Band (directed by Mr Denham) Friday - 7:45am - 8:30am, Theatre *First Rehearsal, Friday 21st February (week 3)
  

LINKS & FORMS

Music Ensemble Sign Up Form 2025

Music Tuition Request Form 2025

Instrument Rental Agreement 2025

UPCOMING EVENTS

• MacKillop College Ash Wednesday Liturgy (College Hall + Lochinvar Centre) Week 5 - Wednesday March 5, period 1, Collective Praise Band & Singers.
• Year 7 Mass (St Agnes Church) Week 5  - Friday March 7, Period 1 +2, Collective Praise Band & Singers.
• Youth & Family Mass (St Agnes Church) Week 5  - Sunday March 9, 5:00pm, Collective Praise Band & Singers.
• Caritas (St Patrick’s Day) Lunch Concert (COLA) Week 8  - Monday March 17, lunch 1, selected students and ensembles.
• MacKillop College Assembly Performance (College Hall) Week 7 - Wednesday March 19, period 1, Concert Band.
• Year 10 Mass (Middle Brother Mountain) Week 7  - Friday March 28, Period 1 +2, Yr10 Music Class and invited students.
• MacKillop College Easter Service (College Hall) Week 10 - Thursday April 10, period 1, Collective Praise Band & Singers.

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

Robert Denham
Leader of Co-Curricular Music

Sport News

Swimming Carnivals

The annual MacKillop College Swimming Carnivals are being held during Week 3. The Junior Carnival is on Tuesday, 18, and the Senior Carnival is on Wednesday, 19 February. Students and families are reminded that the carnival is a compulsory school day, and if your child is unable to swim due to injury or illness, they are to see Mrs Johnston with a note explaining why they cannot participate. Students can cheer on their house or be helpers at the carnival if unable to participate.

• Students are allowed to wear their House colours to and from school and are reminded to wear enclosed footwear and to bring their swimmers, rash shirt, hat, towel and sunscreen.

• Students are to come to school and will be transported by bus to and from the pool. If students wish to be picked up from the pool, a signed and dated note from their parent/guardian needs to be provided to their PC teacher in the morning.

• The 100m freestyle is swum during the senior carnival, however, for the junior carnival, the 100m freestyle will start prior to the carnival. Students need to be at the pool at 7.45am, ready for an 8.00am start. If your child wishes to participate in this event, they need to register online via Compass.

Students who wish to be considered to swim the 400m freestyle at the Diocesan Swimming Championships are to submit times through the Lismore Diocese Sport website—click on the registration link.

Online registration for Freestyle 400m: https://sport.lism.catholic.edu.au/registration_ Submit the application to the Lismore Diocese. Successful applicants will be notified by the diocese.

• Appropriate swimwear: The school has a policy on appropriate swimwear for any water activities. All students are requested to wear a rash shirt to protect them from the sun. Girls are ONLY permitted to wear full-piece swimmers or two-piece sports swimwear. Triangle bikinis are NOT permitted—if these are the only swimmers that your child has, they will be required to wear a rash shirt or t-shirt over their swimmers on the day.

• Spectators—we welcome spectators and parent helpers at our carnivals.

Finally, the swimming carnivals are a highlight on our school sports calendar. This is a day where students can embrace our House spirit and get involved. We ask that students get involved in competitive or novelty events and support the House Leaders to make our carnivals fun and enjoyable.

Year 7 Term 1 2025

Year 7 students will participate in their sport double once a fortnight.  Students need to come to school in their sport uniform when their timetable indicates a double sport lesson. 

From Week 3 onwards students will need to bring to school with them their swimmers, towel, rash shirt and shorts (bike pants are acceptable) to participate in the Swim & Survive course at either the Wauchope or Port Macquarie pool.

Year 8 Term 1 2025

Year 8 students will participate in a wide range of sports throughout the year. During Term 1 students will participate in various sports including AFL, Volleyball and Basketball, Soccer Netball, Endzone, Cricket, Tennis and Lacrosse.

Year 9 Sport Term 1 2025

Your son/daughter will participate in the Surf Survival Certificate during sport for Term 1, 2025.  This is an extension from the Swim and Survive Certificate that students completed in Year 7 Sport. Aquatics is a compulsory component of the PDHPE syllabus for all Year 9 Students. No students will be permitted to do Contract Sport in Terms 1 and 2.

This course will be run in conjunction with Surf Life Saving NSW and the Australian Lifeguard Service who will provide specialised instructors to assist our PDHPE/Sport staff. All appropriate water safety measures will be in place to ensure the safety of our students in an open water environment. This course caters for students of all swimming abilities and aims to improve the safety of individuals in an aquatic environment.

The Surf Survival Certificate is a national swimming and water safety program that aims to provide participants with the skills and knowledge of basic patrolling and surf awareness in order to be able to participate in lifesaving operations.

Students will travel by bus to the beach to complete the modules with their sport teacher.

Please ensure your child has a towel, hat, rash shirt or singlet, swimmers and shorts (bike pants are acceptable) for their swimming lessons. If your child has a wetsuit it is recommended that the students bring this each week. 

If your child has already completed the Surf Survival Certificate with a Surf Life Saving Club at a community level, please provide Mrs Johnston with a copy of this Certificate. These students will assist with water safety each week.

If a student is unable to participate due to injury, illness or a medical condition, appropriate documentation is to be provided to Mrs Johnston.

Parents should have returned the digital permission form this week via Compass.  This is a legal requirement to take your child off site for Sport

• Week 2: Girls round robin at school. Boys CPR in the Lochinvar.
• Week 3: Jnr Swimming Carnival.
• Week 4: Girls CPR in the Lochinvar. Boys round robin at school.
• Week 5 -10: Girls are at Town Beach. Boys are at Flynn’s Beach.

Year 10 Sport Term 1 2025

Year 10 students will participate in seven weeks of sport for Term 1, 2025 beginning Week 2, (11 February) to Week 10 (8 April). Parents and students are reminded that it is a legal requirement that the digital permission form is completed before the student can participate in sport, even if choosing school sport.

Both parents and students are reminded that there will be NO changes to any sports for any reason. Businesses rely on the student numbers we provide them and therefore we ask that you respect this commitment by not asking for your child to change sports during the Term.

Representative Sport 2025

Welcome to the 2025 school year. 

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself as the College’s Leader of Representative Sport. Within this role, I oversee the organisation of extra curricular representative sports. 

MacKillop College Representative Sport

In regards to extra curricular representative sports, MacKillop College provides a range of sporting opportunities for students to participate in organised team and individual competitions within the school, locally and at diocesan and state levels. 

All representative opportunities are communicated through the MacKillop College newsletter and morning notices. Students express their interest to trial for a team through Compass by clicking on the star menu and scrolling down to Sport - Representative. Here, students will find the registration forms for all school-based teams. 

Once students have registered their interest, the coaches will run trial/training sessions to allow them to select a team, and then the team/s will be announced. Once selected for a college representative sports team, students will be required to attend training sessions prior to the day of competition. Trials usually take place during lunch times, with training taking place either during lunch times or before and after school. 

Parents/guardians will receive permission notes for representative sports events via Compass, where parents provide permission and pay for the event online by the due date. 

NSWCCC Sporting Representation

NSWCCC State Cricket Team

Congratulations to Lane Jordan in Year 11, who travelled to Sydney last week to trial for the NSWCCC U18 Girls Cricket team. Lane is a very talented cricket player and is to be congratulated on her persistence in a sport that is not overly 'available' at a local level for young women. Lane will represent NSWCCC later in the year at the NSW All Schools Cricket Championships. Well done, Lane, and enjoy the experience.

Families with students who wish to nominate for trialling in a sport at the NSW Combined Catholic Colleges (NSWCCC) level should make themselves familiar with the Catholic Schools NSW (CSNSW) Sport website https://csnsw.sport/. Parents/carers will need to create an account to be able to register their child. Once a parent registers their child to attend an event on the CSNSW Sport portal, it will send the registration to me for College approval to attend the event. 

Some sports allow students to register directly through the CSNSW Sport portal without having to go through the Diocesan Pathway. E.g., individual triathlon. In other instances, students will be required to travel to a Diocesan trial and, if selected, continue to the NSWCCC selection trials, and communications for these teams will be sent through our Sports Desk. Please be prepared to travel if your child is accepted. Parents have the responsibility to register their child on the NSWCCC portal; please make note of the registration closing dates based on the calendar on the CSNSW Sport website. 

Representative Sport, Upcoming Events and Registration 2025

All registrations for MacKillop College Representative Sport teams are completed by;

1. Logging into COMPASS (Chrome browser).
2. Click on the Star button 
3. Click on the Sport - Representative link
4. Click on the relevant sport and fill out the google form.

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

Sports currently open for registration are;

• Surfing
• Triathlon
• Diocesan Rugby League Trials u15 Boys, U16 Girls, U18 Boys & Girls
• Diocesan Touch Football Trials U15 Boys & Girls, Open Boys & Girls
• Diocesan Netball Trials U15 & U18 Girls
• Diocesan Soccer Trials U15 & U18 Boys & Girls
• Diocesan Swimming Championships 400m Freestyle
• Diocesan Lismore AFL Trials U15 Boys

NOTE: To register for the Diocesan Trials students need to complete the forms that can be found on the Lismore Diocesan Sport page. Click on the REGISTRATION tab.

 Upcoming MacKillop College Events 2025

Lismore Diocesan Events and Registration - 2025

Northern Country AFL Trials 2025

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

Attached is the 'How to Nominate' doc (INSERT FROM DRIVE). Nominations are due by the 19 of February 2025. 

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

2025 Diocesan Individual Touch Football   Selection Trials- Nomination Form

2025 Diocesan Individual Touch Football   Selection Trials- Nomination Form

The Lismore Diocese will be holding trials for 15 Boys, 15 Girls, Open Boys & Open Girls Touch Teams on Tuesday 4 March in Toormina. The 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. NOT ALL STUDENTS WHO NOMINATE WILL BE SELECTED TO TRIAL. 

Link to register 

Diocesan teams will compete at the NSWCCC Touch Football Selection Trials at Tuggerah, Central Coast, on the Tuesday 29 and Wednesday 30 April (tournament also doubles as the NSWCCC Diocesan Championships).  

Closing date for nominations is Friday 21 February 2025.  Students selected to trial will be published on the Lismore Diocesan Sport Website and Sport Coordinators will be informed.

*The cost of the trial will be $12 plus any applicable travel costs to be paid to your school's coordinator upon selection to trial. Your school's sports coordinator will provide information to you regarding the total cost of the excursion if you are selected to trial.

** PLEASE NOTE: IN NOMINATING FOR THESE TRIALS, YOU ARE COMMITTING TO TRAVEL TO THE TUGGERAH, CENTRAL COAST IF SELECTED. THIS WILL REQUIRE PRIVATE TRANSPORT TO THE VENUE AT THE ATHLETE'S EXPENSE. 

NSWCCC & NSW All Schools Events and Registration

NSWCCC CALENDAR 2025

All individual sports registrations are completed on the CSNSW.SPORT website. The parent must have an account and add their child to have access. (Sport Registration HELP available on sport info page) SEE BELOW sports open for registration.

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

Students MUST be registered for the event with parent and Principal or Leader of Sport approval.

Registration is through the CSNSW.sport portal.

Details on how to register – Guide For Parents – Sport Registrations >>. 

Please note all close dates are firm dates. No registrations will be permitted after the close dates.

2025 NSW ALL SCHOOLS TRIATHLON & PARA-TRIATHLON – individuals

Entries are now open for the 2025 NSW All Schools Triathlon for 26 February at Penrith.

Individual entries are through the Sports Unit DASH system (not the CSNSW Sport portal)

Entry is $60 per participant.

For more information>> To REGISTER>>

 2025 NSW ALL SCHOOLS TRIATHLON - School Teams

27 February 2025 at Penrith – teams of 3 – 3 age groups – Junior, Intermediate & Senior.

$75 per team. Entry by school sports coordinator – through log in on CSNSW.sport portal. For more information  - https://csnsw.sport/sports/nswccc-secondary/triathlon

TERM ONE SPORTS - 2025

Individual nominated sports for Term One – Expression of Interest registrations will open by the end of November – including softball, baseball, tennis, volleyball – 15s & 18s, cricket – 19s.

Related Link

https://csnsw.atlassian.net/servicedesk/customer/portal/2/article/198901765?src=584134009

Community Sport

Erin Denham (Leader of Representative Sport)
Tahnee Johnston (Leader of School Sport)

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 online.

Attention all QKR users!

Cut-off time is 8.00 am.

Any orders placed after 8.00 am default to the following day. It is very time-consuming for canteen staff to have to check all late orders every day and then contact parents about their order. 

If you make a mistake, please call the office or send your child to the canteen.

There have also been new gluten-free items added to the menu.

Need Some Study Help?

Community News

Information Links for School Bus Services 2025

1. Timetable information - busways.com.au or transportnsw.info
2. School bus travel pass - School Student Travel Scheme