From the Principal – Ms Gilda Pussich

Gospel Reading for Year 12 2022 Graduation Mass

“You are the light of the world.”

Jesus said to His disciples: “You are the salt of the earth;
but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored?
It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled underfoot.
“You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden.
No one after lighting a lamp puts it under a bushel basket,
but on the lamp stand, and it gives light to all in the house.
In the same way, let your light shine before others,
so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in Heaven.” 

Matt 5:13-14

HSC Examinations

The Higher School Certificate Examinations commence on Wednesday 12th October. Our Year 12 students have three weeks of intense preparation for the exams. As a school we assist our Year 12 students, by their teachers providing Holiday Masterclasses and continuing to provide feedback, by providing a respectful silence near the Hall and C14-18 exam rooms and by keeping our Year 12 students in our thoughts and prayers. We invite our College families and friends to keep our Year 12 students in your thoughts and prayers.

Good luck Year 12!

HSC 2022 Success

Congratulations to the following students on their NESA Nomination:

• Joanna Ghossain, Music 1 – HSC Showcase, Encore
• Janeleena Inthavong, Design & Technology – HSC Shape Exhibition

Thank you to their teachers, Mr Reutens and Mrs Ryan.

Year 12 Graduation

It has been a momentous last few weeks at Mary MacKillop Catholic College, with a mix of joy and sadness for our Graduating Class of 2022. During Week 9, our Year 12 students took part in Masterclasses led by their teachers and in Week 10 they enjoyed a number of Graduation activities:

• On Monday, the College Farewell to Year 12 Assembly, Year 12 Farewell Morning Tea with Staff, Graduation Mass with their parents and then the Guard of Honour from Year 11.
• On Tuesday, the Graduation Liturgy, Awards Ceremony and Supper with Year 12 family members recognising each graduate as well as First Place in each course and Student Leaders.

We are very appreciative of Fr Moses who presided over the Graduation Mass and provided some sound advice to our Year 12 students.

As her last official duty as College Captain, Niza De Araujo, on behalf of Year 12, proudly addressed the school at both the College Farewell Assembly and addressed Year 12 families at the Graduation Liturgy and Awards Ceremony. This was followed by an inspiring speech from their Coordinator of Learning – Year, Mrs Toohey and some magnificent performances by our HSC Music class and their teacher, Mr Reutens. I also spoke, using the analogy of roses, with our Year 12 students blossoming into beautiful, courageous, joyous MacKillop women. Together they have found harmony, unity and happiness, forged life-long friendships and are now ready for new beginnings whilst appreciative for the past at MMCC.

A special thank you goes to Mrs Davis, Mrs Donnelly and the Year 11 Hospitality class who hosted the Farewell Morning Tea and the Supper. This newsletter includes a snapshot of some of the delicious finger food served at the Supper.

A big thank you goes to our organiser, Mrs Harding, Mrs Flanagan, Mrs Toohey, Miss Krasic, Mrs Labbozetta, Mr Carosi, Mr Pattison, Mrs Mikhael, Mr Reutens, Mrs Lowe, Ms Varano, Mr Moore, Mr Andrejev and Mr Zammit.

Archbishop of Sydney’s Award for Student Excellence

On Friday 9th September, along with her parents and sister who read her citation, I had the pleasure of witnessing Bushra Alsamani of Year 12 receive the Archbishop of Sydney’s Award for Student Excellence. I hope you will enjoy the exclusive article written about Bushra in the Catholic Weekly.

Year 12 Class of 2022 Farewell

2023 Student Leadership Team

2023 Student Leaders Executive Team

2023 – Year 12 Portfolio Captains

2023 – Year 12 House Captains

 2023 – Year 11 Senior Leaders

Year 12 2022 Graduation Night Hospitality

Year 11 Hospitality catering, led by Mrs Donnelly and Mrs Davis for the Year 12 Graduation Ceremony. Thank you!

They did an awesome job!

Well done girls! – Ms Pussich

Solemn Pontifical Requiem Mass for Queen Elizabeth II

Year 7 2023 Orientation Day & Parent Information Evening

From the Assistant Principal – Mrs Christine Harding

As Term 3 comes to a close I would like to thank parents for their ongoing support of the College. Term 3 has been extremely busy with the students participating in a variety of learning activities and concluded with our Year 12 Graduation celebrations. Our staff continue to display commitment for academic achievement and excellence in all that they do.

Year 12 students in particular are asked to take up the challenge of continuing with their academic commitment throughout the holiday period and in the lead up to their HSC Examinations.

Information regarding the HSC Examinations can be found on the NESA website: HSC Written Timetable

Playgrounds in Term 4

The College is currently in the process of purchasing a shade cloth for the outside area near to the netball courts. Due to the lack of shade in this area, all students, Years 7-11, will be able to sit either in the Central Courtyard or netball court areas during recess and lunch.

For safety, students engaged in active play are the only students permitted on the netball courts, As always, to ensure sun safety, students are encouraged to wear a hat and sunscreen during recess and lunch.

Attendance

Student attendance rates are constantly being reviewed. The more often a student is in the classroom the more they will be learning. If a student is absent, a note needs to be communicated through Compass on the day of absence.

Additionally, some students have been arriving at school late (after Homeroom 8.45am). Students who arrive late to school are required to sign in at Student Services. The expectation is that if a student is late they bring a signed note from a parent / carer.

Compass Access

Compass provides parents/carers with information about their daughter’s progress and about the College. Compass includes many different features, including the ability for parents/carers to:

• consent to events and excursions
• explain their daughter’s absences
• monitor their daughter’s attendance
• receive College Newsletters and other letters from the Principal and Assistant Principal
• download their daughter’s College Reports
• view their daughter’s timetable and lessons
• communicate with teachers
• update family contact details
• book Parent-Student-Teacher Conferences (interviews)
• pay fees

It is essential that all parents/carers have access to Compass. Please contact the College or email Mrs Labbozzetta directly at grace.labbozzetta@syd.catholic.edu.au

Term 4 Reminders

Monday 10th October – Students in Years 7 to 11 return to the College and must come prepared for all Day 1 lessons. In addition, Year 7 to 9 students will have PAT Testing during the day.

The support of parents in guaranteeing that their daughter’s uniform is aligned with College expectations is essential.  Students return in Summer Uniform. Please assist us by ensuring your daughter meets our uniform expectations, in particular, the jumper is not permitted as it is not part of the Summer Uniform. 

Below are reminders regarding our College Summer Uniform and grooming regulations. 

• Regulation College white ankle socks are to be worn at all times
• College Skirts, which must cover the bottom of the knee-cap (ie covering the whole knee).  
• Pink/Blue Blouse
• Undershirts are to be neutral in colour and must not be showing otherwise these will have to be removed if they are worn to school
• The College Jumper is NOT to be worn during the Summer uniform period
• The College Blazer can be worn in cooler weather and can be worn as the outer garment when coming to and leaving the College

I wish all families a restful holiday and time to recharge so that students can return to school refreshed and ready to learn in Term 4.

I look forward to seeing all students resume on Monday 10^th October (Day 1) in full summer uniform.

Mrs Christine Harding

Coming Events @ MMCC

2023 Bell Times

Dedicated volunteer Kardina Batti recognised with NSW Youth Community Service Award

Congratulations Kardina! – Ms Pussich

Extending Mathematical Expertise and Excellence @ MMCC – Mr Moore

Throughout Term 3, our Mathematics staff have continued to engage in the Extending Mathematical Expertise and Excellence initiative of Sydney Catholic Schools.

This program is a significant part of our College’s commitment to enhancing both the teaching and learning of mathematics and numeracy. This term Years 7 and 8 (Stage 4) Mathematics staff have created a range of tasks designed to engage our students through problem based challenges, explicit and differentiated success criteria, and learning which occurs through inquiry, questioning and reasoning.

Staff at MMCC also continued their partnership with Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School at Cabramatta, engaging in the observation of a Launch Lesson which was modelled by the primary school staff. This practice is critical in strengthening the pedagogy of our staff and a positive way to share in meaningful dialogue to enhance staff knowledge and understanding of teaching mathematics.

This term, Mr Khem and Ms Hoang engaged in Proficient Workshop 3 of the Extending Mathematical Expertise and Excellence project. During this intensive workshop both teachers gained valuable knowledge and insights into the importance of balancing teaching for understanding with opportunities for students to practise, master and apply to their learning.

I would like to thank all members of the Mathematics Faculty for their continued commitment to enhancing mathematics and numeracy at the College.

Mr Anthony Moore, Instructional Specialist

Thank you Mr Moore, Mr O’Brien and our Mathematics Teachers!
A great opportunity to connect with our Horsley Network schools!
A great initiative from SCS!  – Ms Pussich

Year 12 VET Hospitality

Catering Event: Salad Boxes and Buddha Bowls

Year 12 VET Hospitality students completed their final practical task this week. In this task each brigade designed a salad box or contemporary Buddha Bowl for a minimum of six customers.

The 3 different types of Salad/Buddha Bowls produced were:

• Bibimbap Bowl (Beef)
• Falafel and Tabouli Box
• Teriyaki Chicken Buddha Bowl

A job well done!

Mrs Donnelly and Mrs Davis

.

IMC Update – Book Week, Poetry and Reading

Book Week 2022 in Review

Book Week has now concluded for another year and what an amazing week it was!

Our week of celebrating all things book related was kicked off with the Design Your Ideal Library competition.

Students were provided with a range of arts and crafts materials and instructed to create a diorama of their ideal library space. This activity was incredibly popular with students from all year groups continuing to work on their projects throughout the week.

So many creative ideas were brought to life which made it extremely difficult to choose our winner, so in the end, our judges decided to award two designs.

Congratulations to Samar S, Ashwini W, Adriana M, Rachel F, Tihana F-C, Chalea F-C, Rosemarry T.

Staff Shelfie Competition

Our next competition was the Staff Shelfie Competition. Yes, “Shelfie not Selfie”! This competition required students to match the teacher with their bookshelf.

It certainly created lots of discussion as our students played detective and tried to spot clues in the photographs. Once again two winners were awarded. Congratulations to Tara S and Sameer G.

Book Flag Competition

Our final competition was the Book Flag Competition. Students were provided with arts and crafts materials and challenged to recreate their favourite book cover in flag form.

Our students’ creativity shone through once again and many beautiful flags were created. These will now be used to decorate the Reading Room in our library.

Congratulations to Chloe U, Thuy N, and Sarah L.

A big thank you to all the staff and students who celebrated Book Week with us. It would not have been successful without the support of the wonderful MMCC community.

We look forward to doing it all again next year!

IMC Poetree

Year 7 English Wide Reading classes had fun experimenting with different forms and styles of poetry to help support the work they have been completing in class.

Students were introduced to Haiku, Spine Label Poetry and Paint Chip Poetry and enjoyed being able to use these different forms of poetry to create some wonderful writing. The students wrote their own poems on leaves which now form part of our ‘Poetree’ in the IMC.

Premier’s Reading Challenge

The Premier’s Reading Challenge has now concluded for 2022. Well done to all students who participated in the challenge.

Special congratulations to the following students who completed the challenge by reading 20 books or more. Your certificates will be issued at the end of year awards ceremony.

Year 7: Lilian E, Jennifer E, Rachel F, Lana G, Trina L, Rose L-C, Tiffany Q, Cecilia S, Margie T

Year 8: Onella. A, Lamees K, Alanah K, Jenny, Reeta M, Christina N

Year 9: Chantel B, Marielena H, Emily L, Angelina P

Study Skills Handbook – Dealing with Test & Examination Pressure

Enrolling Now

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Updated Uniform Price List & Washing Instructions

Social Justice Respect: Confronting Violence and Abuse

Loving God, you made each of us in your image and likeness.

Open our eyes to recognise one another as equals, replacing domination and control, violence, and abuse, with mutuality, reciprocity, respect, and freedom.

Jesus Christ, you rejected the use of religious traditions to justify violence.

Teach us to unmask manipulations of our faith used to justify violent, abusive, or coercive behaviour.

Teach us to be people who show tenderness, respect and care for others as you did.

Holy Spirit, you are with us always, showing us the way.

Move us to assist those who experience violence and abuse, and support their call for justice.

Empower us to hold perpetrators of violence and abuse responsible, encouraging them to change their behaviour.

Amen