From the Principal

Dear God,
During this season of Lent,
May we show comfort to those in need of our love;
May all learn the necessity of repentance;
May wounds among estranged family members heal;
May those who struggle financially find relief;
May the cross be a fruit of new life for the sick:
May those who have died enter eternal glory.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen

Lent

The season of Lent began at MMCC on Ash Wednesday with a College Mass. during the homily Fr Mac reflected on the Gospel reading reminding us how Jesus taught us to give alms, pray and fast, which are what is being asked of us especially during Lent. Jesus rather taught us not to be hypocrites rather our almsgiving must be in secret, pray our Father in our secret place and not to let others know that we are fasting. Fr Mac reminded us that “Our Father, who sees all that is done in secret, will reward us”

Thank you to Fr Mac, Mrs Flanagan and the RE and Choir staff and students for leading the Mass. A special thank you to the parents who joined our celebration.

High Achiever’s HSC 2018

To recognise our many high achievers in the 2018 Higher School Certificate we have once again prepared our annual newsletter.

A copy is included in this newsletter (MMCC HSC 2018 Newsletter)

In addition we have installed an honour board located in the front foyer of the school.

Executive Director’s Awards

On Wednesday 6 March I was honoured to attend the inaugural award’s ceremony to recognise students in Sydney Catholic Schools who achieved first place in an HSC course in 2018.

Congratulations to the five Mary MacKillop Catholic College students who received a “First in Course” award:

Duong Pham – Mathematics & Mathematics Extension

Lourd Balqa – English as a Second Language

Anya Yousif – English as a Second Language

Anthea Trusler – Japanese Beginners 

Angela Giuliano – Senior Science

Parent Advisory Group (PAG) Meeting

On Tuesday 5 March, we held our termly Parent Advisory Group meeting. It was great to see many of last year’s team return and some new members.

Thank you to our team:

Rania Bursic (Jeannette Bursic Year 12)

Diane Citroni (Madeleine Citroni Year 11)

Sherree Pomeroy (Isabella Adragna Year 11)

Chanpar Ly (Angela Ly Year 11)

Frances Dal Col (Michaela Dal Col Year 10)

Megan O’Grady (Erin O’Grady Year 10) 

Lyne Toohey (Samantha Toohey Year 10)

Molica Fuller (Olivia Fuller Year 7)

Sana Yonan (Isabella Omar Year 7)

Elina Fosita (Ilaise Fosita Year 7)

Mailan Hoang (Yasmine Nguyen Year 7)

Jenny Williams (Abigail Williams Year 7)

As always we provided the PAG with some current updates about the College and they in turn gave us some valuable feedback. At the meeting it was decided that we would proceed with a Mother’s Day Mass and Morning Tea. Please add the suggested date, 8 May, to your diary.

Open Day 2019

On Wednesday 13 March we held our annual Open Day. The many families who visited commended our student guides. The student escorted our visitors on a tour that provided an authentic experience of the College in action.

As well as seeing the College in action, our visitors listened to presentations in the hall. Thank you to Mrs Carniato (mother of ex-student, Natalie) and our students, Zafira Stellios, Abigail Ngo and Mitchell Mele who spoke eloquently about their experience of Mary MacKillop Catholic College. Thank you to all our staff, especially Mr Grana and Mrs Gerardis, and our students for their involvement in the day.

If you know of families who where unable to attend, please alert them to our School Tours being held on 27 March at 6pm.

A flyer is included in this newsletter School Tours

National Schools Constitutional Convention

Congratulations to Noor Chirenian of Year 12 who has been invited to attend the National Schools Constitutional Convention from Tuesday 19 March to Thursday 21 March.

Noor will be among 120 Year 11 and 12 students from around Australia attending the 24th National Schools Constitutional Convention being held at the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House, Canberra. The convention is supported by all state and territory Ministers and funded by the Australian Government Department of Education and Training.

The topic for the 2019 Convention is, ‘A new constitutional preamble for Australia?’ This topic will provide students with the opportunity to explore the present Constitution and if a preamble is required. A range of stimulus speakers will discuss the issues with students for them to debate with all delegates.

Outcomes from the Convention will be incorporated into a Communique that will be presented to the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Sue Lines, for tabling in Parliament and recorded in Hansard. As a national delegate, Noor will travel in a group of 30 students from New South Wales. Other elements of the program will include a meeting with the Speaker of House of Representatives.

The Hon Tony Smith MP at Parliament House and a dinner at the High Court of Australia. Ms Kiera Crosariol has the privilege of also attending this event.

We look forward to hearing about their experience.

Lenten Almsgiving – Second Hand Uniforms

We are constantly in need of second hand uniforms, as well as other items such as school bags, to give to our families experiencing financial hardship. During this season of Lent, any donations would be most appreciated.

Ms Gilda Pussich

Principal

From the Assistant Principal

Inspiration from Pope Francis regarding Lent

St Joseph’s Day Mass – Tuesday 19th March – 9.40am – 11.40am

We invite any parents who wish to attend our St Joseph’s Day Mass on Tuesday 19th March starting at 9.40am.  There will be a morning tea served after the Mass, to celebrate a very important day in our College’s tradition.

Important Road Safety Messages

School Road Safety Reminder

The speed limit inside the College is 10km/h. Please use the roundabout carefully and be considerate of others when deciding where to drop off students. Be mindful of students walking into the school and also those getting off buses or out of cars. Students should not be getting out of a car from the driver’s side of the vehicle as this means that they are stepping out onto the roadway. Students must always leave the car from the passenger side.  Drivers are reminded that before moving, please look over your shoulder for other cars driving past you. There is no excuse for anyone to be driving dangerously or speeding past 10 km/h within College grounds.

School 40 km per hour zones

In 2001 the NSW government introduced 40 km per hour zones around NSW schools.

Today the 40km/h school zones are still in place and are working towards their aim of a reduction in road trauma for school-aged children. The zones are applicable from 8.00am-9.30am and 2.30pm-4.00pm on school days and speeding penalties apply.

If you do speed you can expect a fine and the loss of demerit points. Please take care when driving around our school and observe the 40km/h limit for the safety of all children.

Double Parking

Double parking is, unfortunately, a problem that places the lives of our students at unnecessary risk. Double-parked vehicles are visual obstructions for young children trying to cross to the other side of the road. They also place children getting in or out of the car at risk, as they must venture to the middle of the road to do so. Please refrain from double parking around our school and use the other safer parking options available to you.

School Bus Service Update

Over the last few weeks I have been in constant contact with Transit Systems Bus Services.  Here are a few important updates regarding our school bus services:

• A number of services have been running late, particularly in the afternoon, these have slowly been improving.
• Some bus services in the morning are not picking up students as they are full. I have been advised that the NSW Government, no longer provides exclusive bus services for any school. This means that students from other schools are now permitted to catch buses that are designated for our school causing this overcrowding.  I have instructed the Bus Company to request to the NSW Government to look at this issue as we have a number of students who are affected by this. As a temporary measure, students who are left at the bus stop can catch the 804 service and use their student OPAL card to travel on the public bus run. This is a temporary measure until we can get a more definitive solution to this issue.
• It has been reported that some students are not allowing passengers to sit next to them or are blocking seats.  Members of the College Leadership team and myself have spoken to students and sent a clear message that all empty seats must be accessible for the use of other passengers.  We also reminded students of the importance of allowing adults to sit when they are catching a public bus.
• Please ensure your daughter is tapping on and off with her OPAL card. If she does not do this, we run the risk of losing bus services as the Government uses the tapping on and off statistics to determine school bus services. Low numbers of students tapping their OPAL cards can translate into services being cut.

I encourage parents to contact the College if they have any concerns regarding any of the school bus services provided by Transit Systems NSW and also calling them directly on 8118 7102.

Staff Professional Learning Day – Student Study Days  

There will be two Staff Professional Learning Days on the following dates:

Friday 29 March 2019 (Term 1 Week 9)

Monday 29 April 2019 (Term 2 Week 1)

As a result there will be NO formal classes on these days and students will NOT be required to attend school.

It is an expectation of the College that students use these days for study/assessment preparation.  The following are expectations for students in each year group:

• Year 12 – Ongoing revision and preparation for assessment tasks
• Year 11 – Working on assessment tasks, revising class notes.
• Years 7-10 – Students have several assessment tasks during Weeks 10 and 11 of Term 1 and Week 1 of Term 2. These days should be used to continue working on these tasks to ensure that all students submit tasks on time that are completed to their personal best.

We request parents/carers support the College in ensuring your daughters are meaningfully engaged in their learning at home during these days.

Please note that the first day of classes for Term 2 will be Tuesday 30 April (Day 2).

If you have any questions or concerns, or require supervision for your daughter, please contact the College on 9725-4322.

eSafety Tip

Screen Time for Your Daughters – Seven Tips (Adapted from: https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents)

There is a lot of conflicting advice and emerging research around screen time. But, the right amount of screen time can depend on a range of factors like your daughter’s age and maturity, the kind of content they are consuming, their learning needs and your family routine. It can be easy to focus only on the clock and how long your daughter is spending in front of the screen, but the quality and nature of what they are doing online, and your involvement are just as important.

1. Be involved Sharing screen time and online activities like gaming with your daughter helps you gauge the appropriateness of what they are doing and manage potential risks. It’s also a great way to start conversations with your child about their online experiences.

2. Work with your daughter to set boundaries for screen use If you decide that setting screen time limits is right for you and your daughter, discuss these new rules with your child. Older children are more likely to cooperate if they have been part of the decision making process. Colourful pictures or charts of daily limits and other important activities is a fun way to get younger children on board.

3. Be clear about the consequences of not switching off.  Part of our role as parents is to set clear limitations and boundaries. The same applies to technology limitations so, being clear and consistent about the consequences for your child if they do not stick to these rules is paramount. The Raising Children Network provides some useful tools and advice.

4. Set device-free zones and times at home Device-free zones can help you manage your family’s digital use. Here are some ideas for setting digital boundaries within your home:

• no devices in the bedroom
• all screens off at least one hour before planned bedtime
• all family members switch off at dinner time
• charge devices overnight in a place your daughter cannot access

5. Ask your daughter to explain their screen use.  Get your daughter in the habit of explaining why they want to be in front of a screen or online. It’s a great way to get them thinking about their own digital habits and balancing screen time with other activities.

6. Use tech tools to help manage access There are robust products and device functions which allow you to see which apps are being used in your home and for how long. But try not to use these tools to secretly monitor your daughter. Instead, be open about the process and check the whole family’s usage, including your own. Start with Google Family Link for Android devices or parental controls and Screen Time for iPhone/iPad.

7. Lead by example Your behaviour is one of the most effective ways to help your daughter develop a positive digital mindset. Show your child you can put down your device too.

Motivational Quote in the Spirit of our 2019 Theme – “She Can.  She Will.”

SCS State Election Newsletter

SCS letter to parents

School Tours with the Principal

Catholic Life @ MMCC

Crosio Fundraiser – Hearts for Vietnam

On February 13 & 14 Crosio House conducted its annual fundraiser in support of the Bong Hue Orphanage in Vietnam. The Crosio team sold lollipops and heart affirmation cards for students to share kindness with others. Congratulations to the Crosio team for their great fundraiser.

EastFest

Nearly 100 Mary MacKillop Catholic College students attended the annual EastFest at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College Kensington on the evening of Friday, 1st March. Over 600 young students and adults from across Sydney gathered to share in their faith as the future of the Church. The evening included adoration, reconciliation, a performance by Fr Rob Galea and talk from MMCC student, Sedra Wadeea on her experience at WYD 2019 and in meeting Pope Francis. The evening was a truly inspiring event for all who attended.

Lent

The forty days of Lent are a time of prayer, fasting and almsgiving for Catholics. During Lent, we prepare for Easter, and reflect on the new life that Christ has given us. With this new life comes the obligation to share our gifts with all members of our human family.

Through prayer we respond to God’s call to live justly as Jesus teaches us. We reflect on the gifts of the earth that we enjoy in abundance and give thanks. In our prayers we are reminded that we have an obligation to share the fruits of the earth with the poor, the marginalised and the disempowered.

By fasting we walk with the poor for whom the pangs of hunger are a normal part of daily life. In giving alms we take concrete and meaningful action to give of ourselves to the lives of others.

The ashes we received on Ash Wednesday remind us of our own mortality and call us to repentance, to turn away from selfishness to the promise of new life. We gather to ask forgiveness for our human weaknesses and to pray for the strength to become better and more compassionate people.

Lent in 3 Minutes

Celebrate a Catholic Lent

Lent by Fr Rob Galea

XT3 – Lenten Calendar 2019 http://www.sydneycatholic.org/xt3lent/

Project Compassion Launch

The Justice Vice Captain and members of the Justice committee gathered at St Ursula’s College Kingsgrove on Shrove Tuesday for the launch of Project Compassion 2019. Joined by students from Sydney Catholic Schools, our students took part in an interactive workshop with Caritas Australia, commissioning of leaders to lead Project Compassion initiatives in their schools and an address from Super Dube, the Caritas Hwange’s Diocesan Coordinator.

Super Dube spoke about the project Caritas supported in Hwange to bring fresh, clean water to the Simangani community and the long term improvement this community has experienced. Super Dube said the “The project brought the community together.

Project Compassion 

First Sunday of Lent 10^th March 2019

Thandolwayo, a 12-year-old girl in Zimbabwe, would walk seven kilometres each day to collect contaminated water for her family. She then went to school exhausted from hours fetching and carrying water. It looked like she would never realise her hope of finishing her education and becoming a nurse, until a Caritas Australia supported project created access to clean water helping Thandolwayo to stay at school and achieve a future full of hope.

https://lent.caritas.org.au/page/week-1#blank

Second Sunday of Lent 17^th March 2019

Tati lives in the remote forest of Indonesia with her husband and children. Earning an income working in a local rubber plantation, her Dayak culture has relied on the rainforest for generations. However, due to land clearing, many indigenous people are losing their land and livelihoods. Through eco-tourism training supported by Caritas Australia, Tati can now afford to send her children to school. With new hope and commitment Tati aspires to a future free from poverty for her family.

https://lent.caritas.org.au/page/week-2#blank

Third Sunday of Lent 24^th March 2019

Peter goes to a boarding school in the Solomon Islands which has experienced water shortages for 60 years. Previously, students would have to walk kilometres each day in search of clean water, which was particularly challenging for Peter who is living with a disability. With Caritas Australia’s support, the school has created a new reliable water system. With more free time and fewer illnesses caused by dirty water, Peter can fulfil his hope of focusing on his studies, providing him with brighter future.

https://lent.caritas.org.au/page/week-3

Mrs Annette Flanagan, Leader of Learning Religious Education 

Year 7 Camp

^{Year 7 attended a three day camp to The Tops Conference Centre, Stanwell Tops from Wednesday, 27 February to Friday, 1 March.  We participated in many activities such as Go Karting, High Ropes, the Giant Swing, the Beach Walk and Survivor. The camp was designed to connect with other students in Year 7, their House group and cabin groups. It was great to see that students were always keen to try something new as it boosted the girls’ courage, confidence and happiness, and they were always prepared to take a challenge. We made friends with girls that we had never spoken to, ours bonds with our  friends became stronger and we became more active. We always looked out for our peers and we never left anyone behind.}

^{Activities were always something we looked forward to other than the food times. Go Karting was fun even though it looked like a challenge at first. We eventually all got the hang of it. High Ropes was an obstacle course 5 metres up in the air. It wasn’t for everyone, though the girls still gave it a try. The Giant Swing was an amazing experience. Everyone gave it a try at their desired height of either green (lowest), blue (next highest), yellow (next highest) and red (the highest of all). The view was amazing and worth the trip. The beach and bush walk was the most tiring of all but the feeling of accomplishment felt amazing. Lastly, Survivor was a group effort of two teams battling it out on various challenges. At the end of the trip everyone had made new friends, had a wonderful experience and everyone had a big smile on their faces.} 

^{Rachel Jacob & Ashley Shlimon, Year 7}

Full Stem Ahead at MMCC

Earlier this term nearly one hundred trail blazing Year 6 students from St Gertrude’s, Smithfield  and Sacred Heart, Cabramatta primary schools ventured to Mary MacKillop Catholic College to explore the STEM possibilities offered at the College.

Spurred on by the energetic Year 10 students who were great mentors for the younger girls, the students delved into the Simmons STEM Challenge. Inspired by the quantum scientist, Michelle Simmons (Australian of the Year 2018) the students engaged in activities focussing on Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths. The principles of physics were examined as the students engineered a Newton’s Cradle; mathematical skills were employed to calculate the difference in the speed of cars using a variety of technologies to source energy, and chemistry concepts were combined to reveal a bath bomb. The day culminated in the great candy-pult (catapult) assault which proved to reveal the true competitive nature and technological skills of the visiting Year 6 students.

All students and staff involved in the day were amazed at the vigour with which the challenges were undertaken and the team efforts that demonstrated advanced problem solving skills. It is certainly full STEM ahead for girls in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths at MMCC.

Thank you to Miss Israel, Mrs Webster, Mr Rainert and Mr Nguyen for their leadership of the day.

Rosellina Ryan, TAS Coordinator

Sports Update

From MMCC to SCC

On Monday 25 February, fifteen students competed in the Sydney Combined Catholic Schools (SCC) Swimming Championships held at Sydney Aquatics Centre at Homebush.

Mary MacKillop Catholic College performed well on the night.

Danielle Heim was awarded Under 16 Age Champion and is through to the NSWCCC Swimming Carnival on the 6 April. 

Congratulations to our MMCC swim team.

Year 10 OnSTAGE excursion

Here ye, here ye, calling all who dare to listen! If you’ve been spending hours on end in a dreary daze, awaiting bright, bold colours to paint over your monotonous and boring days, then fear not, for I am here to provide a solution that’ll rid you of unexciting ways; the Year 10 excursion to the HSC drama performance exhibition, held by OnSTAGE!

I hope my excessive attempts at trying to sound moderately Shakespearean will compensate for my inability to bring you all with me to this wonderful excursion, but I’ll bring the excitement to you just for good measure.

After weeks of anticipation, the day arrived at last and was welcomed with eagerness and enthusiasm by the Drama students of Year 10. The students carried elevated spirits with them on the bus ride, all the way to the Seymour Centre at Chippendale as their studies of the fascinating art of drama would be exemplified before them by high achievers in the HSC; true inspirations for the girls’ senior drama studies.

The performances were held in two different parts, each just as thrilling as the other. Students were found laughing hysterically during some acts, while during others, silence consumed the room as the heart-rending performances had everyone on the verge of tears. My personal favourite was the very first performance, titled ‘The Accidental Artist’, in which four talented students portrayed three melodramatic art fanatics who introduce a bypassing stranger to a world of wild interpretations of renowned artworks in a museum; all while trying to convince him of the artistic depth of a cricket ball. The witty script, exaggerated execution and comedic plot of the performance had me howling with laughter the entire time (my sincerest apologies to those sitting near me).

Another act captured the hearts of the audience, as three extraordinary actresses told the sorrowful story of three wives who were, as they described it, “forever waiting” for their husbands to return from war. The lyrical and elegant movements of the performers enchanted the students, as their talent was hard to ignore. I must say, these performances have me hoping that I won’t be forever waiting to witness more of the performing arts! Props to all the seriously skilled performers and those who contributed to the exceptional show.

On behalf of the Year 10 Drama students, I’d also like to offer thanks to the awesome teachers of MMCC who made this excursion possible. All in all, if you’re a junior student pondering upon subject selections, or a senior student in search of a valuable use of your spare time, don’t spend hours contemplating whether it is to be or not to be; go ahead and dive headfirst into the captivating world of Drama! P.S: You can thank me later for curing your bleak and boring days forevermore.

Amily Aishia Year 10

HSC High Achievers Newsletter

Please click on link to view the newsletter:

MMCC HSC 2018 Newsletter

Lenten Penance

2019 Student Residential Address and Other Information Collection Notice

Please click on link to view information regarding the 2019 Residential Address and Other Information Collection Notice:

2019 Student Residential Address Collection notice

How Parents Can Help Their Children Make The Right Career Choice

Patrician Brothers’ College Fairfield

Coming Events

Mass Times