From the Principal

This week, Holy Week, marks the most significant time of the liturgical year. Throughout Lent and especially Holy Week the students have been encouraged to reflect on their past actions, open their hearts to God’s mercy and use the time for prayer, helping others and to do penance.

Our students have had opportunities to attend Mass, Adoration and Reconciliation and complete a Lenten Faith Formation program. Year 7 and 8 have also visited Mary MacKillop Place. They have been actively fundraising for Project Compassion and Queen Mary Orphanage in Vietnam.

At today’s Holy Week liturgy, I encouraged the girls to take time over this long weekend to attend one of the Holy Week services as well as Easter Sunday Mass. This experience is even more special when they do this with their family.

Feeder School Visits

During the first two weeks of March, I had the pleasure of visiting the Year 4 to 6 girls from our feeder schools. I thank the Principals and staff of these schools for making us feel most welcome.

The following students accompanied me to share their experience of Mary MacKillop Catholic College.

College Open Evening

On 14 March, we opened our doors to the community through our Open Evening. Those who came along had an opportunity to hear about the College’s faith life, learning, 2017 HSC results and extra curricular activities offered. They heard how we specialise in girls’ learning and support their diverse needs through programs such as the Newman Gifted Selective Program.

Our student “Tour Guides” accompanied parents and students on a tour of our College where they were able to see the College in action and speak with teachers.

Enrolment packs are available from the College front office during school hours. Completed enrolment forms for Year 7 2019 and 2020 are due back at the College by Friday 13th April, 2018.

Parents Advisory Group (P.A.G) Meeting

All parents and guardians are invited to attend the P.A.G meeting on Thursday 5 April from 6.00pm. If you are attending, can you please email Ms Pina Varano at pina.varano@syd.catholic.edu.au to confirm your attendance.

Wishing you and your families a Holy Easter.

Ms Gilda Pussich

Principal

From the Assistant Principal

Contacting your Daughters Whilst at School

A reminder to parents that if you need to contact your daughters for any reason whilst they are at school, please phone the College office on 97254322. The message will be passed on as soon as possible. Please do not contact them on their mobile phone. As per our College policy, their phone will be confiscated if they are using it during school time.

College Dress Code Reminders – Jumpers

We have had a few enquiries from parents regarding our College policy regarding jumpers.

Below is our policy:

The College jumper is NOT part of our summer uniform and therefore is NOT to be worn at any time in Terms 1 or 4. During times of cool weather, students can wear their College blazer. Students are permitted to wear undershirts of a neutral colour underneath their blouse/shirt. Students who bring their jumper to school will be given a Matter of Concern and asked to remove the jumper.  I ask all parents to ensure their daughters are correctly dressed and groomed each morning to ensure they avoid any uniform or grooming Matters of Concern.

Sleep Hygiene for Teenagers (Adapted from Dr Sarah Blunden’s Adolescent Sleep Facts) 

Sleep is important as it plays a role in the proper functioning of ALL body systems. Although we don’t really know exactly the reason, we know that we must sleep or we can become very ill. Sleep is important for physical and mental health and without it, all body systems that are involved in either physical or mental health, do not function well.

Sleep is important for the body to rest and repair its systems. During Non REM Sleep, a growing hormone is produced, which causes children to grow and develop. During REM Sleep, studies have shown that dreaming allows us to learn. We find that people who don’t dream or get REM Sleep, will not learn as efficiently.

Some important Questions and Answers

What are the effects of getting a bad night’s sleep?

A bad night’s sleep can impact on 4 main areas:

1. Physiological (body systems, like cardiovascular and endocrine systems and physical health)
2. Psychological (emotional and mental health)
3. Psychosocial (behaviour, peer relations, family relationships)
4. Cognitive (learning, attention, problem solving)

Is sleep just as important for teenagers as it is during other stages of life?

Short answer absolutely. In fact more important because of the pressure of schooling. Research says that teenagers actually need MORE sleep than younger and older people. But they usually don’t get it.

How many hours of sleep per night should teenagers by getting?

The current thoughts are that teenagers need about 9 hours per night. Most teenagers across the world get between 7-8 so they are in ‘sleep debt’.

For more information, visit: http://www.sleepeducation.net.au/Docs/Adolescent’s Sleep Facts Sheet.pdf

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

Religious Education Update

Lent

During Lent – Catholics are called to repentance, reconciliation, fasting, prayer and almsgiving through the Gospel of Matthew. This call takes us to the heart of the penitential season of Lent: a conversion of heart that comes from a renewed and revitalised relationship with our God who is gracious and merciful and bestows abundant life on all.

As Catholics we know that we are called to live life to the full. During Lent, this ‘joyful season’, we are called to give expression to the ‘greatest commandment of the law’, the love of God and the love of one’s neighbour which is at the heart of Project Compassion.

“Cultivate with love the seeds of goodness, beauty and truth that God sows in every new generation.” Pope Francis

You shall love your neighbour as yourself. – Matt 22:39

Project Compassion 2018 – “a Just Future”

During Lent the College community supported the works of Caritas through making donations to Project Compassion, during CLC, in order to show love to one’s neighbour, both near and far. Throughout Lent Catholics are challenged to give up a luxury item and donate the money usually spent in buying this item to the poor. Students were encouraged to not buy drinks, chocolates, chips or cakes once a week and donate this money to Project Compassion. Working together as a community a donation of as little as $1 per week can collectively make a big difference in the lives of those less fortunate.

The Theme for Project Compassion 2018 was “A Just Future”. Australian communities for over 50 years have been helping the most vulnerable throughout the world to have “A Just Future”. Caritas works with local agencies to combat poverty, promote justice and uphold the dignity of every person.

Throughout Project Compassion 2018 inspiring stories from Nepal, Cambodia, Jordan, Australia, Mozambique and the Philippians were shared to highlight the importance of the work done by caritas agencies to bring about “A Just Future”. These stories are evidence of the difference being made by our community through their donations to caritas through Project Compassion.

Project Compassion http://www.caritas.org.au/projectcompassion

Lenten Reflection

FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT

Janaki is a young entrepreneur from Nepal, who has turned her life around. Growing up in a world of poverty and disadvantage, coupled with a forced marriage at the age of twelve, she was in a very vulnerable position. Even more so when her husband died just two years into their marriage. With the help of a Caritas Australia supported program she is now running her own successful sewing business and has become an inspirational community leader

SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT

Rattanak is a skilled young barber, living an independent life in rural Cambodia. But it wasn’t always that way. As a child he contracted polio and also became deaf. Like many people who are deaf or hard of hearing, Rattanak faced isolation, with a lack of opportunity to escape poverty. After joining the Deaf Development Program run by Caritas Australia’s partner, Maryknoll Cambodia, his life was transformed and he is now supporting himself, his wife and baby.

THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT

Bayan is a 12 year old Syrian girl, living with her family in Jordan. An ambitious student, Bayan has her sights set on a career as an ophthalmologist. As a quiet, young refugee she struggled to overcome the trauma of growing up in a conflict zone and faced the prospect of missing out on schooling. With Caritas Australia’s support, Bayan is an academic high-achiever who is flourishing in a stable school environment.

 FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT

Evangeline is strengthening Aboriginal culture while making a living and creating opportunities for her community. Featured in Project Compassion 2016, Evangeline went from seeking employment to being a Senior Artsworker and an inspirational leader for youth. Her work at the non-profit Djilpin Arts Aboriginal Corporation has supported the organisation’s growth and it is now a major employer for young people in the remote Northern Territory community.

FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT

Ditosa, a young girl from Mozambique, is cared for by her grandmother after her parents died of AIDS-related illnesses. Featured in Project Compassion 2013, Ditosa faced a challenging future with food scarcity, little education and few job prospects. In 2018, thanks to Caritas Australia’s support Ditosa has graduated from school and hopes to go to university and secure an even brighter future.

SIXTH SUNDAY OF LENT

When Psyche Mae featured in Project Compassion 2008, she was living in a squatter settlement, on the edge of a giant rubbish dump outside Manila in the Philippines. Her family was forced to pick through the rubbish to sell what they could to survive. Thanks to the support of individuals and Caritas Australia, in 2018, Psyche Mae is now a young social worker, achieving her dream of helping others struggling to leave poverty behind them, with plans to study a Master’s degree.

Year 7 Camp

On the 28 February, Year 7 had the opportunity to travel to The Tops Conference Centre at Stanwell Tops for three days. We were all so excited on the bus trip and couldn’t wait to get there. As we exited the bus we entered the main hall and were politely greeted by the staff and had a group talk about our group names and activities.

These types of activities got our adrenaline running. We enjoyed many of the adventurous activities such as the leap of faith, where we climbed up a narrow pole and leaped off onto a metal ring and the giant swing where we were raised and swung over a cliff then returning to safety. We also went for a bush walk where we climbed down a mountain leading to the beach below.

When we returned to our cabin at the end of the day we were very excited to have time to ourselves and to get to know some other campmates that we may have not of known from our previous schools. On the second evening we were fortunate to have Fr Mac join us and lead us in the Eucharist.

Our overall experience at camp was very delightful and we were all excited to return to our families but at the same time wanting to stay longer. All the activities challenged us and made us step out of our comfort zone and made us wanting to do it again.

We want to thank all our teachers, especially Mr Andrejev & Ms Jennings who accompanied us to camp and also thank the staff and instructors from The Tops Conference Centre who made sure we were safe during our stay.

Sara Quagliata & Miriam Zora

SCC Swimming Championships

On Monday 26 February 16 students competed in the Sydney Catholic Schools (SCC) Swimming Championships held at Sydney Aquatics Centre at Homebush. MMCC placed 5th on the night and 3rd in the Intermediate division.

Danielle Heim was awarded U15 Age Champion and is through to the NSWCCC Swimming Carnival on the 6 April. Congratulations to our MMCC swim team who represented the College proudly and swam their best!

Thank you  to our SCC Swim Coaches/Managers: Mrs Cox, Mr Whiley, Mrs Jeffrey, Miss Miljak, Miss Jennings.

Rebecca Brown, Sports Coordinator

Parents ‘Bridge’ Meeting talk on Cyberbullying

In partnership with CORE Community Services-Multicultural Communities, Constable Hap, School Liaison Officer was invited to the ‘Bridge’ class for parents to speak about Cyberbulling. Many parents attended the session and asked many questions.

Mrs Matti, Arabic Liaison Officer

C.I.E.C Student Represents MMCC

On Friday,  23 February Sydney Catholic Schools brought together about 400  Central and Regional office staff for a “Big Day Out.” Sedra Wadeea from the Mary MacKillop Catholic Colleges’ Catholic Intensive English Centre (CIEC), was invited to speak about her experience as a refugee and her life in Australia.

It was an unforgettable moment for Sedra to be able to speak for the first time in front of such a large audience but also to see the emotional impact on the staff as she shared her journey as a refugee student. At the end of her speech, the audience was able to ask questions or pass on a message. One staff member stood up and said “You are a role model”.

Sedra arrived in Australia nine months ago and she should be proud of herself as not only she has she been able to learn a new language but she has committed 100% to her studies and settling into a new country.

Thank you Sedra for representing Mary Mackillop Catholic College’s Intensive English Centre and continue working hard in order to achieve your dreams.

Ms F. Arapi-Nunez, CIEC Coordinator

Year 7 Creative Designers

Year 7 Technology classes put their designing skills into action during class. The design brief required them to work in groups to create a tower that could hold the weight of the mars bar for 1 minute. The materials they were issued included 1 mars bar, 1 metre of adhesive tape, 1 pair of scissors and 20 straws. The constraints included, students had 10 minutes to design, they could only use what materials they were provided with and the Mars bar had to be held by the tower for 1 minute and was timed by their teacher.

There were some very interesting designs and most groups solved the design brief successfully, the students had lots of fun in the process. Well done Year 7!

Mrs Rakecki, TAS Teacher

Trivia Night

Patrician Brothers’ College Fairfield Invitation

Mass Times

Coming Events