Term 1, Week 1, 2 February

Upcoming Events

Principal's Update

Welcome to all students, staff and families for our 2024 school year.

The staff are excited to be working with you this year. As we celebrated Mass together on Tuesday, with all staff in St Agnes’ Parish schools, we renewed our commitment to the mission as a Catholic school to “enable every student to achieve the fullness of life;” to ensuring that every student in our care thrives, and grows in faith, learning and wellbeing. We know that students are most likely to achieve these outcomes through active participation across our faith, academic, pastoral, sporting, cultural and service opportunities and with the ongoing involvement and support of parents and staff. 

A very special welcome to our Year 7s, all new students, staff and families and to Assistant Principal: Learning and Teaching Mr Adam Kelly who returns to the College Leadership after secondment to the Catholic Schools Office. Several other staff have also returned after taking leave in 2023.

2024 will be an exciting year for the College. This year sees the implementation of our 2024 School Annual Improvement Plan (SAIP). This document, formed in consultation with students, staff and families over the past 12 months will direct and inform our focus and efforts. At the centre of all priorities, is that every action and decision is underpinned by our renewed College values. These values will be shared with students and parents in the coming week. 

I invite, and encourage, families to take some time to read the 2024 School Annual Improvement Plan (SAIP) to know, and support, the work of the College staff and students throughout the year. We hope to have parents and families active in the implementation of our 2024 endeavours, recognising that parent involvement in young people’s education is a critical element of success. I encourage all parents to be involved through conversation with your children, enabling Compass notifications, reading the College newsletter and contacting the College if you have any questions or concerns. 

Please click here to read the 2024 School Annual Improvement Plan. 

Finally, I wish you all the best for Term 1. As many of you know, I am heading off on some Long Service Leave (after 30 years of teaching I am taking my first full term off work). 

Mrs Christine Harmer is an exceptional educational leader and will be the Acting Principal until my return in Term 2. I know that Chris, the Assistant Principals, leaders and staff of MacKillop are working with a wonderful and supportive group of parents and look forward to hearing of the highlights of Term 1 on my return in Term 2. 

Welcome to the new staff for 2024:

We are delighted to welcome the following people to the MacKillop College staff team. I know students are looking forward to meeting our new teachers and support staff. We will introduce our new staff over the first two weeks’ newsletters. 

Traffic Management Plan

As students return to school, it is important to keep travel safety in mind. Take time to talk with your children about travelling to and from school safely.

Here are some safety tips:

Be alert and aware by travelling distraction-free. Ask children to take off their headphones when walking, exiting or entering the bus and crossing the road.

Choose a safe place to cross. The fastest way may not be the safest way. Walk the extra distance to use a pedestrian crossing or traffic island.

Keep safe getting in and out of the car. Always use the door closest to the kerb.

Keep safe getting on and off the bus. Wait at the bus stop and stand at least one step back from the edge of the road. Wait until the bus has gone, before you cross the road.

Bus/Bus Stops/Bus Interchange Areas. Model safe and respectful behaviour while waiting for and travelling on the bus. Remember that younger students look up to you, so please lead by example, so they learn to behave safely and act respectfully while waiting for and travelling on the bus.

Riding to school. Students are asked, once they have arrived on school property, to disembark from their bike and walk it to the storage racks. Students must walk their bike through the tunnel.

Wearing a helmet. Children must wear a helmet when riding a bike in any public place – it’s the law.

Student driver reminder. If your child will be driving to and from school, remind them that they are required to adhere to all road rules and drive in a safe and responsible manner. Inexperienced drivers commonly underestimate the risks associated with particular driving behaviours or situations and overestimate their capacity to deal with them. Have a caring conversation about road speeds on the route that they travel, where they will park and the importance of wearing a seatbelt. According to recent research 1 in 5 teens has been found to consistently not wear a seat belt.

Restricted licence holders including learner, P1 and P2 drivers are not permitted to use their phone at all while driving or riding.  This includes the use of hands-free and bluetooth functions. Ask them to keep their phone in their bag or glovebox.

You may choose to watch with them Understanding Casual Speeding Every K Counts  

Parents and carers, we thank you for being positive role models when you are a pedestrian, passenger and driver. Children learn from what they see, as well as what we say.

Please remember to never sacrifice safety for convenience.

Source: https://roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au/

To read the MacKillop College Road Safety Policy click here

Keeping our young people safe: 

As adults working with young people, all staff at MacKillop College undergo annual training in child protection. Every staff member is a Mandatory Reporter (see below) and is expected to follow the procedures as outlined in the Diocese of Lismore and MacKillop College - Child Protection Policy (click on policy)

Mandatory Reporting 

Mandatory Reporters NSW Mandatory Reporter Guide – is intended to assist mandatory reporters who have become concerned about possible abuse or neglect of a child/young person and must make a decision whether or not to report their concerns. The Mandatory Reporter Guide can be accessed at the following address: www.keepthemsafe.nsw.gov.au

Cath Eichmann
Principal

Events and Excursions - Important Information

It has been six months since the Compass platform processed our excursions and events.
To assist parents and carers with implementing the new system, we completed follow-up emails, SMS, and phone calls to ensure your child did not miss out.

However, now that everyone is familiar with the system, we will no longer be completing the length of follow-up that currently happens. There will be no follow-up phone calls; only a reminder email and text will be sent before the event's due date.

If consent and payment are not made before the consent due date, your child cannot attend.

Canteen Update

To all QKR users please be vigilant when ordering. Cut off time is 8am. Orders placed after 8am are processed for the following day. QKR app will be closed for ordering from 13 December 2023.
Many orders are placed for the wrong day ensuing valuable serving time is lost looking for the order.
If your child is not at school and has ordered online please contact the school to cancel the order.

A reminder that the Senior Canteen will remain closed over Term 4. 

Monday 5 February
Paul Atkins & Kate Perkins

Tuesday 6 February
Judy Ryan
Mayo Brumby (Lunch 2)
Wednesday 7 February
Peta Clancy

Thursday 8 February
Renae Maher

Friday 9 February
Leanne Hatherly, Caroline Horan & Lisa Hogan

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.

All orders are to be in by 8.00 am, please.

Please ensure when ordering online that your child year group is correct

There is hot food available over the counter to purchase, however, to avoid disappointment it is best to order.

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 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.

Canteen Help Needed

The canteen is desperately seeking volunteers for one hour per month. No cooking, cleaning or stocking is needed, just serving our lovely students. Even if you can only do one half-hour shift it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you to all of our current volunteers, we appreciate your help.

Sign up and receive a Welcome Pack (coffee voucher, chocolates, voucher for your child to use at the canteen).
Please contact Maxine at the College 6583 2632 or via email at maxine.stone@lism.catholic.edu.au 

Community Events