Vale Pat O’Neal (14 February 1950 – 15 August 2019)

College community was saddened by the passing of Ms Patricia O’Neal. Pat was a highly respected, much loved member of our library staff and College Community. Pat was a wonderful library assistant who always met the needs of students and staff at the College through her work in the Irene McCormack Centre (Library).  The College community extends its deepest condolences to Pat’s children; Alison, Julie and John and their families. As a strong and confident Mary MacKillop community we will continue to celebrate Pat’s life and legacy. 

For Pat, we pray
Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord
and let perpetual light shine upon her.
   May she rest in peace. Amen
 St Mary of the Cross … Pray for us
    St Joseph … Pray for us

 

 

Mary MacKillop Day

The Feast of Mary MacKillop is held on 8th August. This is the most special day in the life of Mary MacKillop Catholic College and, as this day always falls during the HSC Trial Examinations, we celebrate it later during JJAMM (Joseph Julian and Mary MacKillop) Week. Throughout JJAMM Week the students and staff enjoyed a range of lunch time activities, including Affirmations, Dynamic Duo Dress Up and Pie Face, and one full school day is deemed Mary MacKillop Day.

On Mary MacKillop Day, we remember, reflect and celebrate the life and legacy of the first Australian saint, a great Australian woman, our College Patron, St Mary of the Cross MacKillop. We began the day with a special College Mass, presided by Fr Peter Strohmayer from Smithfield Parish, followed by the Mary MacKillop Day Awards which recognise students whose actions reflect the motto of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop: “Never see a need without doing something about it” and staff for their years of service to the College, and ended the day with MacFactor, our annual College Talent Quest, a disco and food stalls.

 

Congratulations to our Mary MacKillop Day Award Recipients:

Students – Safren Adil; Mina Anor; Jane Awad; Theresa Bui; Noor Chirenian; Isabelle Del Rio; Dayna Giovinazzo; Lara Grande; Lauren Harrison; Damyana Moma; Lauren Sleiman; Maya Tvedsborg-Vega; Samantha Wilson 

Staff – 25 Year Service Award: Ms Liesa Rooney; 20 Year Service Award: Mr Frank Rakecki; Mrs Maria Pedavoli; Mr Ian McLean; 10 Year Service Award: Mrs Demetra Tripodi

We thank our special guests who joined us, Mrs Vicki Lavorato (SCS Director of Southern Region), Sr Jan Barnett (Sister of St Joseph), Sr Cecilia Hoang and Sr Catherine Hoang (Congregation of Mary Queen), Caroline Blinco (SCS Leader of Learning: Religious Education Secondary, Southern Region), Mr Daniel Karam (REC, Patrician Brothers College Fairfield), students of PBCF and parents of our students.

Father’s Day

We held our Father’s Day Mass and Breakfast on Wednesday 28 August, an annual tradition started last year. It was great to see the fathers and their daughters sharing this morning together. We thank Fr Pat McAuliffe for celebrating the Mass and our parent and staff helpers: Mrs Carniato, Mrs Bursic (Mother of Jeanette, Year 12), Mrs Yonan (mother of Isabella Omar, Year 7), Mrs Mikhael, Mr Rakecki, Mrs Flanagan and Mr Sacca.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Annual Report

The 2018 Annual School Report to the Community is now available on the school’s website and at the school administration office.

 

Eileen O’Connor Catholic College

Next year Sydney Catholic Schools will establish two primary classes (Years 3-5) at Good Shepherd Primary, Hoxton Park that will offer specialist programs for children with a moderate intellectual disability and who require modified or adapted programs to address their special learning needs.

If you are interested in finding out more about these classes, and whether they may be suitable for your child, please contact Dr Ian Jackson on either 9569 9155 or 0432 001 000 or email him on ian.jackson@syd.catholic.edu.au

 

Executive Director’s VET Awards for Sydney Catholic Schools

This year Mr Tony Farley presented the lucrative Executive Director’s VET Awards for Sydney Catholic Schools to students from Sydney Catholic Schools. Congratulations to Amy Jutharujiwet who received an award for her achievement in Hospitality (Kitchen Operations) in the Service Industries category.

 

Future of Female Leadership Lunch

I invite you to read an article in this newsletter from Year 10 students, Rose Al-Roomi, Trista Huynh and Shirley Nguyen who were invited to attend the Future of Female Leadership Lunch which focussed on the role and potential of women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).