Last week marked the start of Lent. On Ash Wednesday, Fr Peter held a liturgy for each year group where they received the ashes. The Ash Wednesday Gospel reading focused us on the three aspects of Lenten Penance as expressed in Chapter 6 of the Gospel of Matthew – Almsgiving, Prayer and Fasting:

Concerning Almsgiving

“So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Concerning Prayer

“And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

“Pray then in this way:

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one.
For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Concerning Fasting

“And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Fr Peter encouraged us to get rid of those things in our lives that distract us from God, rather he suggested that we find opportunities, especially in the season of Lent, to fast, give and pray. He provided the students and staff with some simple ways to do this which connected the three aspects of Lenten Penance. For example, if we enjoy chocolate, we can fast from it during Lent, give to Project Compassion what we would have spent and pray for those who struggle to get a meal, OR if we enjoy a daily takeaway coffee, we can fast from it during Lent, give to Project Compassion what we would have spent and pray for those who struggle to get a fresh water to drink.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome

At the start of the school year, we welcomed Year 7, and few students from other groups, to Mary MacKillop Catholic College.

Year 7 seemed to have started their secondary schooling well. Their first day at MMCC, focused on them as they were the only students at school. They spent some quality induction time with their homeroom teachers and their homeroom student leader. They also met with their Year Coordinators, the Assistant Principal and me. As part of the Year 7 student welcome and induction, a special ceremony was held during our Opening Mass, a welcome evening was held for them and their parents, they attended a computer bootcamp and last week they attended their 3-day camp “Building Supportive Connections” at The Tops Conference Centre.

 

Staff 2020

We welcome new staff to MMCC:

• Anthony Moore – Leader of Teaching and Learning (Acting)
• Elaine Hornas – Coordinator of Learning: Science
• Belinda Malakovski – Coordinator of Learning: PDHPE
• Monica Herrera – Coordinator of Learning: Mathematics (Interim)
• Nicholas Carosi – Sports Coordinator (PDHPE/Mathematics Teacher)
• Dominic Fricot – House / Assistant Year Coordinator (PDHPE Teacher)
• Tiana Krasic – Visual Arts Teacher
• Joseph Zia – RE/HSIE Teacher
• Saly Zora – Science/EALD Teacher
• Daniel Sciberras – Science Teacher
• Anthony Shewan – HSIE/Music Teacher
• Maria Mezher – HSIE Teacher
• Christina Donnelly – TAS Teacher
• Ross Patterson – Maintenance/Groundsperson
• Cathy Cerovac – Teachers’ Aide
• Mary Ann Nesnas – Teachers’ Aide
• Fate Al-Faris – Teachers’ Aide

 

Communication Channels

Communication between home and school is vital for the success of our students. Parents are encouraged to contact their daughter’s homeroom teacher or subject teacher if they would like to discuss matters to do with their wellbeing or learning. I have included the list of 2020 Positions of Responsibility to assist you in locating the best person to assist you with your enquiries:

Leaders of Learning (College Leadership Team)

Principal	Ms Gilda Pussich
Assistant Principal	Mr Pablo Grana
Leader of Religious Education	Mrs Annette Flanagan
Leader of Administration	Mr David Thomas
Leader of Curriculum	Miss Michelle Israel
Leader of Teaching and Learning (until Term 1 Week 6)	Ms Jacqueline Genovese
Leader of Teaching and Learning (from Term 1 Week 7)	Mr Anthony Moore
Leader of Wellbeing	Mrs Jennifer Lowe

 

Coordinators of Learning (College Middle Leaders)

English	Mrs Alannah Wylie
Mathematics	Ms Monica Hererra
Science	Ms Elaine Hornas
Technological and Applied Studies	Mrs Rosellina Ryan
Human Society and its Environment	Mr James Rooney
Personal Development, Health and Physical Education	Mrs Belinda Malakovski
Creative and Performing Arts	Ms Bridget Tate
Languages	Miss Michelle Israel
Vocational Education and Training, Pathways and Partnership	Mrs Maria Pedavoli
Diverse Learning	Miss Leah Brown
Catholic Intensive English Centre (CIEC)	Mrs Flavia Arapi-Nuñez
Year 7	Ms Sonia Boustani
Year 8	Ms Pina Gagliano
Year 9	Mr Matthew Andrejev
Year 10	Mrs Lyne Toohey
Year 11	Ms Maria Messina
Year 12	Mrs Effie Orlando

 

Assistant Coordinators of Learning

Religious Education	Mr Nick Sacca
English	Mrs Katrina Gomes
Mathematics	Mrs Sara Waugh
Human Society and its Environment	Ms Natalie Pavisic
Year 7	Mr Robert Hennessey
Year 8	Mr Ian McLean
Year 9	Miss Jemma O’Reagan
Year 10	Mr Kevin Reutens
Year 11	Ms Kiera Crosariol
Year 12	Mr Dominic Fricot

 

House Coordinators

Arena House	Miss Jemma O’Reagan
Crosio House	Ms Kiera Crosariol
Goolagong House	Mr Dominic Fricot
Henderson House	Mr Ian McLean
McCormack House	Mr Robert Hennessey
O’Shane House	Mr Kevin Reutens

 

Other Positions of Responsibility

Youth Ministry Coordinator	Miss Josephine Ayoub
English as a Second Language or Dialect (EALD) Coordinator	Mrs Mariana Arapi
Gifted Education/Newman Coordinator	Miss Leah Brown
Information Literacy Teachers	Mrs Maria Thomson Mrs Regina Felipe
Literacy Coordinator	Ms Natalie Pavisic
Numeracy/STEM Coordinator	Mrs Sara Waugh
Sports Coordinator	Mr Nicholas Carosi
Arabic/Assyrian/Chaldean Liaison Officer	Ms Vivian Matti
Vietnamese Liaison Officer	Sr. Dorothy Hoang

 

Office/Support Staff:

Business Manager	Mr Winston Olegasegarem
Principal’s PA	Ms Pina Varano
Bursar	Mrs Linda Garreffa
Executive Support	Ms Grace Labbozzetta
Reception	Mrs Rosemary Gerardis
School Fees	Mrs Luisa Melacrinis
Student Services/ Attendance/ First Aid	Mrs Lauren Thompson
ICT Support Officer	Mr Sebastian Heubert
ICT Support Officer	Mr Joseph Figliano

 

Primary School Visits

Last week I had the pleasure of visiting four of our feeder primary schools: St Gertrudes Smithfield, Our Lady of the Rosary Fairfield, Sacred Heart Cabramatta and Sacred Heart Villawood. It was wonderful to meet the Principals, teachers and Year 4, 5 and 6 students and share with them the wonderful learning opportunities that MMCC has to offer. I was accompanied by ex-Students of the primary schools who are now students of MMCC. Thank you:

• Pamela Madoro Year 11
• Cecilia Le Year 11
• Ester Ghossian Year 11
• Emma Bonora Year 11
• Joanna Ghossian Year 10
• Mia Kassardjian Year 8
• Savrine Hakim year 8
• Kaitlin Ha Year 8
• Christine Doan Year 8
• Rachel Jacob Year 8

 

Open Day

We are currently enrolling for both 2021 and 2022. Enrolment packages were distributed during the Primary School Visits and can also be accessed by contacting MMCC or visiting on Open Day.

Open Day will be held on Wednesday, 11 March 9.30am to 12.30pm. The day is an opportunity for parents and prospective students to see the College in Action. The day will include school tours with classroom visits and an information session with speeches from students, a parent and the principal. We hope you can attend.

 

Parent Advisory Group

The first meeting of the Parent Advisory Group will be held at 6pm on Wednesday 18 March in the College Boardroom. We hold one meeting per term and parents who attend get the opportunity to hear about the latest happenings in the College and provide valuable input and feedback. We welcome existing and new members to join us.