FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Dear Mary MacKillop Catholic College community

As usual at this time of year, there has been much happening at MMCC. The Year 12 students have finished their HSC exams and we are all eagerly awaiting the results of this hard working year group. In my next newsletter I will share those successes and I know you will congratulate our MMCC Year 12 girls for their achievements as well as the maturity with which they presented for their final exams.

Year 7 Orientation Day

And of course, as one year group leaves us we warmly welcome another. The Year 7 students for 2017 visited for their orientation day on Tuesday the 29^th of November and it was a delight to see so many excited and energized girls who joined in confidently with activities and stoically endured some diagnostic testing which will enable us to personalize the learning for them when they arrive next year. In discussion with their Coordinator of Learning; Year, Mrs Karen Henry, they appear to be a dedicated and friendly group. I look forward to working with them over the next few years.

A High School Student for a Day

Over the previous week we have also been energized by visits from the Year 4 and Year 5 girls from our feeder school for a day of experiencing being a high school students.On November the 7^th girls from Sacred Heart Villawood, Sacred Heart, Cabramatta and Mary Immaculate, Mt Pritchard joined us to enthusiastically participate in workshops with our teachers an students with the intriguing names such as “Express Yourself”, “Master Chef”, “Mathletics”, “Creative Designs”, “Writing Up a Storm”, “Dancing with the Stars”, “Argue the Toss” and soccer, netball and basketball clinics. After the excitement of this experience we enjoyed the company of over 300 young girls from St Gertrude’s, Smithfield, OLR, Fairfield and Our Lady of Mt Carmel , Mt Pritchard for a repeat performance.

Both times I met with some interested, yet calmly excited, girls at the beginning of the day who by the end of the day were cheering and very motivated when I told them they would be visiting again next year. (Particularly the Year 4 students who were told they would get to visit two more times.)I look forward to working with these young women in the future if they choose the path of an empowering and challenging girls’ education at MMCC.

As we enter this time of Advent I can feel the hope expressed in our community as we prepare to celebrate a special time with family and with Christ.

God Bless

Mrs Narelle Archer

Principal

FROM THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL

Be a High School Student for a Day

In a joint venture with Patrician Brothers College, we hosted our six feeder parish students from Years 4 and 5 over two days. Our second visit was on Friday 25^th November, years 4 and 5 students from Our Lady of the Rosary Fairfield, Our Lady of Mt Carmel Mt Pritchard and St Gertrude’s Smithfield came for a visit and spent a great day experiencing the sights and sounds of our great College.

The students experienced high school life and were given a timetable with three different classes to visit during the day. Congratulations goes out to Mrs Valeri who organised and coordinated the day. She was supported by our Leader of Learning Mrs Spaccavento. A huge thank you to our newly appointed Senior Leaders and also students from Years 9 and 10 who led classes and helped feed our visitors during the day.

Absences – Bring Your Notes In

Please ensure you bring any outstanding absence notes to school.  Failure to bring your notes means your permanent absence record shows an UNEXPLAINED/UNJUSTIFIED absence.  This has serious effects on future job prospects.

Mobile Phone Reminders – Don’t contact your daughters on their mobiles during school time

The majority of our students understand the distraction that mobile phones have on the learning environment. Since the introduction of our new College Policy, students have been less stressed and focused on their learning and engaged in meaningful conversations.

Unfortunately we have had a few incidents where students have contacted parents or vice versa, when they have been feeling unwell. The process is simple, if a student is unwell:

1. Student goes to student services to be triaged by our first aid officer
2. If the student needs to go home, the College contacts parents or emergency contacts
3. Parents or emergency contacts come and sign the student out and take the student to et medical care.

Students will have their mobiles confiscated if they use it during the day for any reason. We ask parents not to contact their daughter during the school day. If there is a message that needs to be given, please contact the College office on 9725- 4322.

Reminder: Nuts and Seeds Not Allowed on College Premises

As we have anaphylactic students at our College, it is important to ensure your daughters do not bring nuts or seeds on College premises. Eating in classrooms is also prohibited.

Term 4 2016 Dates to Remember

Dear Parents/Carers;

Please note these very important dates for your own calendars to ensure you are aware of what events are coming up, particularly ones which involve your participation.

Week 9

Monday 5th December – Friday 9th December 

Year 12 2017 HSC Assessment Block

Tuesday 6th December 

Year 10 RYDA Excursion

Friday 9th December 

Year 10 Reflection Day

Week 10

Monday 12 December & Tuesday 13th December 

Normal Classes for Years 7-11 including new HSC class content and HSC holiday work preparation for Year 12 2017 students.

Wednesday 14th December (NO CLASSES) 

Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews (By appointment only – contact Ms Labbozzetta 97254322 ext 1506) – 12:30pm – 3:15pm

Thursday 15th December (NO CLASSES) 

Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews (By appointment only – contact Ms Labbozzetta 97254322 ext 1506) – 9:00am – 11:45am

Thursday 15th December (NO CLASSES) 

Year 12 2016 HSC Results Luncheon – 12:00pm

Friday 16th December (NO CLASSES) 

Staff Development Day

As it can be seen above, the final day of classes for all students in Years 7 to 11 is Tuesday 13th December.  Teachers will continue to deliver vital curriculum content to ALL students, particularly to our Year 12 2017 classes who are already one term into their HSC courses.  Throughout these last two days, teachers will be delivering new HSC content and be preparing students for the required holiday work in preparation for them to start their second term of the HSC courses in February of 2017.  It is an expectation of the College that all students are present at school on these days.  No leave can be granted to any student on these two dates.   If you have any questions regarding these dates, please do not hesitate to contact the College and the relevant staff member will be able to assist you with your enquiry.

Outline of Week 9 Activities 2016 – for Year 10 Students

The following is an outline of the activities that Year 10 will be participating in Week 9 2016.

All students are reminded that attendance at all days and activities is COMPULSORY as they form part of completing your daughter’s studies in year 10.

MONDAY 5th December: Dee Why excursion- Geography

Students meet at the bus bays at 7.30am and will be back at the college by 3.15pm.

Dress Requirements: College Sports Uniform

TUESDAY 6th December: RYDA excursion- Penrith Regatta Centre

Meet at the college bus bay at 7.30am and return to the college by 3pm.

Dress Requirements: College Sports Uniform

WEDNESDAY 7th December: Periods 1, 2 and 3 -Survivor House Challenges

Students will participate in 5 challenges in their House groups. The aim of this is to increase teamwork within the cohort.

Students will come to school at normal time and when the bell goes for period 1 students will line up on the basketball courts in their house groups.

Periods 4 and 5-  Lenten Reflection, Card making and distribution of Christmas Hampers for our Christmas Appeal.

Dress Requirements: Mufti. Appropriate clothing must be worn, closed shoes, hair tied back, no jewellery.

THURSDAY 8th December: Periods 1, 2 and 3- ‘All My Own Work’- a mandatory requirement from BOSTES in readiness to start senior school

Periods 4 and 5- Sport as normal

Dress Requirements: College Sports Uniform

FRIDAY 9th December: Year 10 Reflection Day- College Hall

Dress Requirements: College Sports Uniform

All students are required to attend all excursions and activities. We trust that this will be an enjoyable week for your daughter and if you have any questions, I can be reached at the college on 9725-4322.

I leave you this week with another inspirational quote that relates to the Growth Mindset Approach that Mrs Archer introduced the College community to at the last College Assembly:

May we continue in our partnership of “Forming young women called to life to make a difference in the world.”

 Mr Pablo Grana, Assistant Principal

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT NEWS

Term 4 is surging ahead with a number of community events taking place simultaneously.

The Helping Hand- Homework support, sponsored by Cabra-Vale Diggers through the Fairfield City Clubgrants, has been meeting every Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon in the Peace Hub. It’s facilitator, Mrs Meslon Matti, has a teaching background and knows Arabic, Chaldean and some Assyrian which helps our newly arrived students complete their assessments and homework with clear explanations in their own language.

Mrs Vivian Matti and Mrs Vivienne Hayle have been running the Seasons for Growth program for our Arabic and Vietnamese speaking parents and Sister Dorothy has assisted by looking after the toddlers whilst their mothers take part in the workshop. Seasons for Growth helps people deal with loss and trauma in a supportive and caring environment enabling participants to share their stories and work towards emotional healing.

This week the Bridge parents and Basic English class parents will begin the four – week First Aid course, run by Core Community Services.

Our parents and students have learned about nutrition and mastered simple cooking skills at Jamie’s Ministry of Food through a most generous sponsorship by Community First Step. So many of our students have had a life-changing experience! They are now eager to cook at home and are making wise and healthy food choices.

Social workers from Strong Minds of Woodville Alliance have trained our 14 captains in Teen Mental Health First Aid. Our senior leaders will now have the necessary information and skills to understand the importance of resilience in mental health, as they take on new responsibilities and challenges of leading their peers next year.

Community First Step will offer our Year 9 students a Dealing with Stress and Anxiety workshop in December. This will be a worthwhile initiative for those who are experiencing high levels of stress as they look forward to their final year of RoSA as Year 10 students.

Mary MacKillop Catholic College acknowledges that adolescence can be a trying time for the girls and their parents these days. We need to work together to make sure that our girls are developing physically and emotionally. That is why we engage the support of experts from various external agencies to help them complete their journey to young adulthood.

Mrs Natalie Gesson, Leader of Learning – Community Engagement

ENGLISH NEWS

Oliver Phommavanh is an award winning author, comedian and teacher. He has written books such as Thai-riffic, Thai-no-mite and Con-nerd. We were fortunate enough to have Mr Phommavanh speak to the Year 7 students.

Oliver Phommavanh is a successful local author, living in Cabramatta West. Born in 1983, he has published seven books. Mr Phommavanh spoke to the students about his many different and extreme experiences. When Oliver was younger, he told us that he was always embarrassed by his own different culture and his parents. We were able to constantly relate back to his own personal experiences growing up as a child with a unique culture. Not only did Mr Phommavanh speak with us, but he also taught us a few basic words from his background. He brought many of his toys from his large collection and the many books that he enjoys reading.

The energy that he expressed through his presentation was mind blowing, Mr Phommavanh expressed a great interest in teaching us, making us laugh and inspiring us to read. Not only did he teach us these many different skills, he also introduced many authors and novels that we should read for inspiration and pure excitement. Amanda Cunningham from Year 7 stated, “It was very fun and enjoyable for me”. Many students enjoyed the presentation and stated that it was definitely something that they would remember.

From his talk, we were taught that we could do anything and aspire to write and read. He taught us that there can never be enough imagination and excitement in one’s brain. Oliver grew up like many students in our school, he felt different and left out in a way. We were taught that we can be unique and everything that we want to be. During question time, we were asked to not hold back and many questions were answered. He told us about his current works and that it took about one year to publish a book. Mr Phommavanh is a very successful and positive teacher, award winning author and a hysterical comedian.

In conclusion, Year 7 is very thankful for Mr Phommavanh who expressed an educational and entertaining talk with us. Mr Phommavanh constantly stated that he wanted to make us all laugh until we were forced to visit our good friend, the toilet.

 Diane Tran, Year 7

MATHEMATICS COMPETITION

In July, students from the top Mathematics classes at MMCC from years 7 to 11 were given the opportunity to participate in the Australian Mathematics Competition which runs every year throughout all schools. This competition provided us with the rich experience of developing our academic skills and challenged our mental capabilities with the differing questions ranging across numerous topics. Including measurement, geometry, algebra, statistics and probability as well as problem solving. Personally this experience enriched us. We’re looking forward to competing again in 2017!

Kiana Cherie and Sarah Pham, Year 9

This competition is one of the largest single education events on the Australian education calendar. Students from years 3 to 12 in Australia compete and are joined by students from the Pacific and South-East Asia. It tests everything from basic numeracy skills through to advanced problem solving. This year we had 150 students represent Mary MacKillop Catholic College. We gained 33 Credits, 6 Distinctions and 1 High Distinction.

Mrs Eljed, Coordinator of Learning – Mathematics

                                                             Award Recipients

NICHOLSON MUSEUM

On Friday 28th October, students from the Ancient History class attended the University of Sydney for a guided visit of the Nicholson Museum and a workshop with artefacts from the Ancient World, some of which were several thousands of years old. The Nicholson Museum houses the largest collection of antiquities in Australia.

The guided museum tour and workshop with the artefacts enhanced our understanding of the ancient world and how the physical remains from the past can teach us so much about past societies. The exhibits included artefacts from Pompeii, Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece and the Roman World. This was a highly rewarding and beneficial day for the 2017 HSC Ancient History class.

Jessica Huynh, Year 11

Is this the final photo of a group of students under the Jacaranda tree at in the main quadrangle at Sydney University? Just hours after this photo was taken the historic Jacaranda tree, which has stood for nearly 90 years, fell over and died.

READERS CLUB

On Thursday 24th November 2016 MMCC Readers Club attended the Sydney Writers Festival at the Whitlam Centre in Cabramatta. Mrs Thomson, Mrs Andrews and Mrs Wylie accompanied us on this insightful excursion. As we arrived at the library we were greeted by the organisers of the Festival and then seated with Patrician Brothers Catholic College, Fairfield.

We had talks and workshops from four different authors. The first author we were introduced to was Helen Chebatte. In her workshop we all had to create a character based on what we thought defined us as Australians. As Helen is an actress, she had different people act out their characters and improvise a storyline using their ideas and some key vocabulary that we brainstormed together.

The second author was Michael Adams who talked about his career as a professional writer working for magazines such as Empire, newspapers, interviewing celebrities, scriptwriting for reality shows and writing about movies. He also told us all that being an author is hard work and that it is important to have a day job to have a balance and receive a regular income! The third author we met was Sarah Ayoub who grew up in Western Sydney and comes from a non-English speaking background. She faced various challenges growing up and eventually became a journalist. Sarah based some of her stories on either real experiences or people she met in her work as a reporter. In Sarah’s workshop she began with a media story and then asked us ‘what if’, asking us to hypothesise about how the story could change direction. She showed us how to create a story based on a media item and our own stories.

Finally, we met Kate Forsyth who started her career writing for magazines such as Marie-Claire and being a journalist for newspapers such as The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. In her workshop she told us that we shouldn’t fear the blank page. She explained that we need to make our readers ‘feel’ and you can plan a story just by answering the 5Ws -who, what, where, when and why. We also learnt how to plan out a story and, as a group, came up with an idea using the narrative structure to create a group story.

Overall, the excursion was a real eye opener into the world of writing and what it takes to become an author. These accomplished authors shared the joy of writing and how the power of reading develops your imagination, knowledge and allow each of us to grow.

Emily Quinlan and Amy Cousins, Year 10

COMING EVENTS

MASS TIMES

Smithfield:

Saturday Vigil 6.00pm;

8.00 am (Italian); 10.30 am; 6.00pm

Fairfield West:

Saturday Vigil 5pm (Vietnamese); 7 pm (Spanish); 7.30am & 9.00am; 11am (Spanish); 6pm (Arabic)

Smithfield 9.15 am. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday;  6pm Wednesday 

Fairfield West Monday – Friday 7am Saturday 8am

Fr Jarek Zan, Fr Richard Green, Fr Josue Moran

Vigil: 6:00pm Sat   

Sunday 7.30am (Polish) 9.00am 10.30am 4.30pm (Vietnamese) 6pm

Fr Michael de Stoop, Fr Francisco Regala

Saturday Vigil English: 6pm Vietnamese: 7.30pm

Sunday English 8.30am, 10am & 6pm Vietnamese 6.30am, 4pm, 7.15pm Polish11.30am

Monday – Friday 7.00am, Wednesday 7.30pm Saturday 9.00am Vietnamese – Tuesday & Thursday 7pm

Fr Liem Duong, Fr Nen Dang

Monday 7.00am  Tuesday 8.00am Thursday & Friday 8.00am Wednesday 7.00pm Saturday 8.00am

Saturday Vigil 6.00pm Sunday 9:00am

Fr Jerry Prindiville

Monday-Friday:  8.30am Saturday Vigil: 5.30pm Sunday: First Mass 8.30am  

Solemn Mass 10.30am English Mass: 5.30pm

Monday-Friday: 5.30pm Saturday Vigil:    5.30pm Sunday: Solemn Mass 9.00am Arabic Mass: 5.30pm

Saturday English Mass: 5.30pm Sunday Mass: 9.00am