Principal's Update

THE PARENT-SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP

As you know, one of the keys for our young people’s success is the partnership between parents and the school. This week I would like to share with you a couple of pieces I have collected lately that I thought would be both helpful for parents and also great conversation starters for discussions with your young person.

The “4 Parenting Styles” diagram I found really relevant, helpful and also linked nicely with a diagram we use from one of our education partners, Adam Voigt, in our Restorative Practices approach.

I share both with you as a reflective opportunity to assist you in your parenting. I find it a really helpful tool at times, to remind myself to do my best to move myself back into the “WITH-Relational” domain.

The image below resonated with me as in recent weeks I, and our Pastoral Team, have had to address a number of incidents where students have been unkind. Particularly concerning is the increasing amount of nasty comments being sent via social media. My concern is that student’s do not see the human person on the other end of their typing. I also worry about the ‘ganging up’ to fight (verbally) another friend. I do ask that parents chat about this concern and the importance of our young people either not involving themselves, or even more desirable, is that they stand up to peers involved in these behaviours, or talk to parents or teachers, if they see this unkind behaviour occurring.

AWARD SPONSORSHIP

Planning is well underway for the Year 12 Celebration, on 27 October. This year due to COVID restrictions it will be a little different, however we will still be recognising the achievements of our Year 12 students on this special occasion. Students who have excelled in academic and cultural areas receive a trophy or gift voucher as a symbol of their involvement and achievement in a particular area. Each award sponsorship is $50.00.

Thank you to those families and businesses who have previously sponsored awards. Your ongoing support is invaluable to making the occasion memorable for all. 

Should any of our families or their business wish to sponsor an award this year, your support would be greatly appreciated. An invoice can be provided and sponsors are acknowledged on our official program and in the College newsletter. Kindly contact the College on 6583 2632 if are in a position to assist.

MEET THE EXPERT

Each week throughout the year I will introduce to you some of the expert staff we are so fortunate to have working with your children here at MacKillop College. This week I would like to introduce Megan Verdon. 

Name
Megan Verdon.

What subject(s) do you teach?
Food Technology, Food and Agriculture Digital Technology.

What high school did you attend?
Newcastle High School.

What university did you attend and what course(s) did you do after finishing school?
University of Newcastle Bachelor in Design and Technology/Food Technology.

What or who inspired you to become a teacher?
My year 9 Science teacher taught me a lot about how I learn.

What would be your proudest teaching moment in your career to date?
Taking one of my students through to win gold at the National World Skills cooking competition.

What are you reading at the moment?
A fictional novel mystery.

What quote best describes your approach to teaching?
Hands on practical and skills based.

Favourite non-work related hobbie?
Surfing.

What do you love most about your work?
The kids.

CATH EICHMANN
PRINCIPAL

Curriculum Update

Over the course of Term 4 there will be a range of school based assessments and external assessments taking place at the College. Please see below all information regarding internal and external assessments.

SCHOOL BASED ASSESSMENT 7-11

The Assessment Calendars for each Year group can be found on Moodle, which can be accessed via the the College website or this link: Assessment Information

If there are any foreseen or unforeseen circumstances that may affect your child completing a task the ‘Planned or Unplanned Absence’ forms can be found through the above link also.

YEAR 12, 2022

On Thursday, 14 October, Year 12 2022 received their HSC Assessment Handbooks that outline the timeframes and tasks for their courses. The Handbook also contains important information in relation to HSC policies and procedures.  We encourage students and parents to carefully read this section and if there are any questions please contact myself (sarah.warby@lism.catholic.edu.au) or Assistant Principal Learning and Teaching Christine Harmer (christine.harmer@lism.catholic.edu.au).

YEAR 10 MINIMUM STANDARDS TESTING

Students need to meet the HSC minimum standard to receive the HSC. To show they meet this standard, students need to achieve Level 3 by completing short online reading, writing and numeracy tests. Year 10 will be completing each Minimum Standards Test in their PC groups at the below times:

On the day of the tests students must:

• Ensure their devices are brought to school fully charged (or have a charger available in case).
• Have earphones available for sections that could require listening.
• Check which room their task is being sat for each period (this will be provided to students via email).

Further information in relation to the tests and demonstration tests can be found here. 

Students have four chances a year to sit each test, from Year 10 up to five years after starting their first HSC course. If any students require further support to complete these tests they will have further opportunities throughout Term 4. Additionally, if any students are absent on the day of the tests catch up opportunities will be provided and those students will be notified individually.

YEAR 7-10 PAT TESTING

Years 7-10 will participate in Progressive Achievement Tests (PAT testing) at the below times:

On the day of the tests students must:

• Ensure their devices are brought to school fully charged (or have a charger available in case).
• Have earphones available for sections that could require listening.

PAT Tests are online assessments which provide data on student performance. The data is used to provide additional understanding of our students’ current strengths and areas for improvement, and monitoring student progress over time.

If any students are absent on the day of the tests, catch up opportunities will be provided and those students will be notified individually.

If you wish to discuss any of the above further please feel free to contact me via email or by phoning the College.

SARAH WARBY
LEADER OF CURRICULUM

Evangelisation

CATCH THE WAVE

The Catch the Wave program is a taste test of what Youth Ministry classes may look like in Years 9 and 10. This year, due to COVID, we are running this program as a one lesson event, within each of the Year 8 RE classes.

Ella, our Youth Ministry Officer, has created a simple, engaging lesson that allows students to experience youth ministry. At the end of each of these sessions, the students will be asked to give an indication on whether they might be interested in being part of our 2022 Youth Ministry Class.

MACKILLOP COLLEGE YOUTH GROUPS

During Term 4 our Youth Groups will be held on Wednesday.

Lighthouse: Year 7 & 10  (Wednesday Lunch 2 – 1:35 pm)

Senior Youth Ministry  (Wednesday Lunch 1 – 11:00am)

Conor Hudson, YMO from Newman Senior Technical College has volunteered to be with us each Wednesday for our Youth Groups. Thankyou so much Conor for helping us out! 

YEAR 12 PRAYER SPONSORS

In his letter to the Philippians, Paul reminded us to “not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Phil 4:6), and from experience many of us know the power of prayer in our lives.  Knowing that someone is praying for you is a source of great strength and consolation, especially during a particularly challenging time as we have experienced this year.

We thank those people from our St Agnes' Parish community who have volunteered to pray for specific students in their extended preparation, and during their HSC exams.

If you would also like to volunteer for this, please contact the College Office on 6583 2632.

SUNDAY MASS AND GOSPEL REFLECTION

While our St Agnes' Parish Church is temporarily closed, there are still ways for everyone to access a Mass online or Gospel Reflections.

Bishop Greg continues to provide Sunday Mass online via the Diocese of Lismore YouTube channel.

Mass on Demand is accessible at CathNews – YouTube

Father Paul will continue to provide his reflections each day, Monday to Saturday, to help us through this time. To have the reflections arriving automatically in your inbox each day, please contact the parish office on the following email address: communications@stagnesparish.org.au

Or you can spend some time reflecting on the Sunday Gospel below.

MARG GOBIUS
LEADER OF EVANGELISATION

Year 7

CONGRATULATIONS

Congratulations to Alexandra Bransdon and Jarrod Dingle who have received a Silver Principal’s Award.

Congratulations to the following students who have received a Leader of Pastoral Care Award: Olivia Blake, Alexandra Bransdon, Jarrod Dingle, Ethan Kelly and Kiara Tattersall.

GREG FINNEY
ACTING YEAR 7 LEADER OF PASTORAL CARE

Year 9

Genius

A writer came to the monastery to write a book about the Master.

“People say you are a genius. Are you?” he asked.

“You might say so,” said the Master, none too modestly.

“And what makes you a genius?”

“The ability to recognise.””

“Recognise what?”

“The butterfly in a caterpillar: the eagle in an egg; the saint in a selfish human being.”

(One Minute Wisdom, Anthony De Mello)

I believe that, to be a good teacher, or parent, requires at least a spark of genius such as that described in the story above.

Week after week I am struck by the many successes of the young people in Year 9 (and throughout the College). Some of these successes come in the form of victories over an opponent or opposing team, others come in the form of setting goals and achieving personal bests.

Other less obvious, but no less important, successes are revealed when a young person becomes passionate about what they are learning; when a young person with a raging temper develops skills to manage their anger, or when a child who has been loose with the truth begins to practice honesty. Similar important successes appear when individual and group actions and thoughts are stretched past self and ego and reach out to others in service and compassion, and when those who have been wronged learn to forgive.

Over the past week I have been blessed to be able to engage in a number of situations where our Year 9 students demonstrated growth towards being a better version of self. These included students participating in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, Student Representative Council and planning meetings for students receiving learning support.

Who is responsible for this growth and these great achievements in our young people? Many have contributed, not least of all the young people themselves. In the teacher, however, can be recognised a person who has chosen, as a career or vocation, the task of nurturing, encouraging, and challenging young people to become a better self. They are aided in their efforts by the many support staff at the College. I am encouraged inspired by the care and efforts of the staff at MacKillop.

Allowing God’s work to be achieved in so many seemingly small, yet entirely significant ways is a touch of genius.

God bless.

PETER MURPHY
YEAR 9 LEADER OF PASTORAL CARE

Wellbeing

STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL

The elected Student Representative Council 2021-2022 attended a SRC Leadership Workshop, in which members considered deeply the role they have accepted and its responsibilities to lead, be the student voice and build the spirit of MacKillop College community. 

Their energy, ability to articulate student voice, and utilise their character strengths to work as a team was impressive!

Enthusiastic and determined, the SRC have a great plan for Term 4 and 2022 which centre on the core tenets: WE CARE and WE INSPIRE to develop our school culture whereby every student can thrive! 

We look forward to an exciting year led by this amazing student team. 

NICOLE O'CONNELL
LEADER OF WELLBEING 

Music

“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 UPDATE

Whilst Level 3 restrictions are in place, most music ensembles will be focusing on recording repertoire with assistance from their ensemble directors. These recordings will adhere to Level 3 health advice with regard to safe practices and distancing. The goal is to keep making music and hopefully put together something tangible before the end of the year.

All ensemble members are to contact their ensemble directors to confirm recording times and repertoire details. This can be done by checking the ensemble google classroom or emailing ensemble directors directly (details are provided below).

Please note that face to face full ensemble rehearsals cannot recommence until Level 3 restrictions are lifted.

Ensemble Director Emails

Saxophone Ensemble - cara.stewart@lism.catholic.edu.au

Choir - samantha.adams@lism.catholic.edu.au

Percussion Ensembles & Drumline - mark.spence@lism.catholic.edu.au

String Ensemble - lynda.young@lism.catholic.edu.au

Jnr Band, Snr Band, Collective & Snr Vocal - robert.denham@lism.catholic.edu.au

LINKS & FORMS

MacKillop College Music Tuition Request Form

Saxophone Ensemble Google Classroom

Choir Google Classroom

Junior Percussion Ensemble Google Classroom

Senior Percussion Ensemble Google Classroom

String Ensemble Google Classroom

Collective Pop & Praise Band Google Classroom

SAPSS Drumline Google Classroom

Senior Vocal Ensemble Google Classroom

Junior Band Google Classroom

Senior Band Google Classroom

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

ROBERT DENHAM
LEADER OF MUSIC

Parent News

FREE PAUL DILLON VAPING WEBINAR

Mid North Coast Health and Northern NSW Local Health districts are hosting another FREE online educator wellbeing webinar on vaping for school staff and parents. See below for details. 

From the Mathematics Vault

Welcome to our weekly Maths Vault! 

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