15 May 2020

From the Principal – Ms Pussich

May the Month of Mary

Paul Newton - Our Lady of the Southern Cross - Help of Christians ...

Hail Mary, full of grace.
The Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb,
Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death.

Amen

At Mary MacKillop College, we draw strength from the love, devotion and sacrifice of Mary the Mother of God and use the month of May as a time to focus our prayers and thoughts on Mary. We encourage all our families to say the Rosary throughout this month and our students have an  opportunity to pray the Rosary together every Friday morning before school.

 

Father Patrick McAuliffe

24 October 1930 –  24 April 2020

 

On the eve of ANZAC Day, 24 April 2020, we sadly lost a dear priest and friend, Fr Patrick McAuliffe AKA Fr Mac. Fr Mac loved the Rosary, especially the Hail Mary prayer. Included in this newsletter is an article I wrote about Fr Mac. Fr Patrick McAuliffe

When the time comes when we can gather together, we will pay tribute to Fr Mac with a special Mass in his honour

 

Enrolments 2021

We are currently enrolling for Years 7 and 11 for 2021. If you have a daughter or know of someone who wants to enrol into our College, please ask them to do so as a matter of urgency because final places are filling quickly. Limited places may be available for those interested in enrolling into Years 9 – 10 in 2021.

We have also commenced enrolment into Year 7 and 11 for 2022.

 

Remote Online Learning and Return to Onsite Learning

It has been a difficult for many of us over the past 2 months but we are extremely fortunate to have our families and one another in our lives. At Mary MacKillop Catholic College, the teachers have been dedicated to providing the same high quality of learning in both the remote and onsite learning environments. The feedback from both parents and students affirms this. Included in this newsletter as well as on our website is our  College Learning Plan which outlines our model for remote online learning.

Last week we welcomed back Year 12 students to full time onsite learning and this week Year 11 and our CIEC students returned. We are looking forward to the return of Year 7 and 10 students in Week 4 and Year 8 and 9 students in Week 5. If there is anything we can do to support you and your daughter in this transition period please let us know.

 

COVID-19 Update

As students return to school, Mr Grana and I are meeting with year groups (half a year group at a time) to refocus them on their learning, inform them of what is in place at school to improve hygiene and remind them to social distance. In the Assistant Principal’s section of this newsletter, Mr Grana has included our practices to minimise the spread of the coronavirus. Updates from Sydney Catholic Schools can be accessed from our website or from this link

If your daughter or a member of the family is being tested or tests positive for COVID-19, please support the community by contacting the College to inform me.

 

HSC Update

We have kept our Year 12 students informed of any changes to the HSC due to the interruption in face to face learning caused by the coronavirus outbreak. The HSC Written Examinations will commence 20 October 2020, 5 days later than originally planned, and the students will receive their HSC results and ATARs on 18 December 2020. The start of the HSC Trial Examinations have been delayed to 17 August and we have modified our internal assessment programme. NESA HSC updates can be found on their site and a copy of the HSC Written Examinations can be accessed from this link 2020 HSC Written Exam Timetable.

 

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From the Assistant Principal – Mr Grana

Welcome Back to Term 2

As we transition back from remote online learning to learning at school.  It is great to see students returning to school with smiles on their faces and happy to see their teachers and enthusiastically engage in learning back in the classroom.

 

Phased Return Reminder for Years 7, 8, 9 and 10

We already have Year 11, 12 and CIEC back for full time learning.  A reminder of the following phased return dates as per previous messages via Compass and email to learning at school for our remaining year groups that are still learning via remote online mode:

Monday 18th May – Years 7 and 10 (every day)

Monday 25th May – Years 8 and 9 (every day)

Therefore, by Monday 25th May, our whole College community will return back to learning at school.

 

Cleaning and Safety Around the College

To ensure the ongoing safety of everyone in the College, the following processes will continue or have been enhanced from last term:

  • The addition of a cleaner during the school day to ensure ongoing sanitation of surfaces such as doorknobs, table tops, canteen railings, stair railings, benches, toilets and other touch point surfaces
  • Continuing the employment of an extra cleaner after school to continue cleaning all table tops, doorknobs, benches, canteen railings, tops of chairs, and other touch point surfaces around the College
  • Continuing the deep cleaning and sanitisation of student services and sick bay
  • The addition of hand sanitiser stations particularly in the front reception office, front foyer, canteen and other key locations around the College.
  • The allocation of a hand sanitiser bottle for each teacher
  • Ensuring that the Water Bubblers are not operational at the moment to ensure ongoing safety and hygiene
  • Ensuring the Water Stations remain operational, however students are asked not to allow the lid of their bottle to make contact with the Water Station tap
  • Continuing to minimise visitors onsite including parents/carers where possible
  • Ensuring sporting activities, excursions, incursions, large group gatherings (assemblies) remain cancelled
  • Converting the College Hall to a Study Centre for students who attend school but are still learning via remote online mode

 

Importance of Social Distancing and Good Hygiene Practices by Students

We remind all members of our community, especially our students to continue to follow the social distancing requirements (1.5m), particularly before school, recess, lunch time and after school.

In regards to good hygiene practices we remind all students of the following:

  • Use the hand sanitiser station as you walk into the College before school and when you leave after school
  • Bring your own hand sanitiser if you wish to use it throughout the day
  • Continue to wash your hands before eating, after eating and after using the toilet at all times
  • Follow the correct hand washing procedures and advice from NSW Health (see below)
  • If students are felling unwell please follow these procedures:
    • Stay at home until you are better
    • Call the school to let us know
    • Seek medical attention if you’re feeling sick. 
    • If you or a member of your family is getting tested for COVID-19 OR tests positive for COVID-19, let us know by contacting the College office on 9725-4322 

 

COVID-19 Advice from NSW Health and Sydney Catholic Schools

NSW Health have produced a series of easy to understand posters/messages (click on the image to view a higher resolution version of the poster) that provide advice related to the following areas:

Hygiene

Source: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/covid-19/Pages/resources.aspx#hands

Source: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/covid-19/Pages/resources.aspx#hands

 

If You are Feeling Sick with the Following Symptoms:

Source: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Pages/default.aspx

 

Source: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/diseases/Documents/who-to-call.pdf

For more information, please visit:

 

Term 2 Uniform Reminders

As students phase back to learning at school, we remind our community of our College Winter Uniform and Grooming Regulations. These are highlighted to ensure that our high expectations continue to be made very clear to all members of our great College community.

The winter uniform has the following Expectations:

  • All students must own a College blazer and MUST wear it to and from the College
  • Regulation grey stockings are to be worn at all times.
  • Any clothing worn under the College shirt must not be visible. All undergarments should be neutral in colour.
  • High-collared skivvies, hoodies, beanies and other non-school attire must NOT be worn.
  • The College Jumper can only be worn in winter under the College Blazer when travelling to and from school.
  • College Scarves are optional. If a scarf is worn, it must be the College scarf or a plain maroon scarf. Scarves with extra fringing or of another colour will not be permitted.
  • College Skirts must cover the bottom of the knee-cap (ie covering the whole knee).
  • Year 12 will be permitted to wear their Graduation jackets during Week 2 and 3 of Term 2. 

We ask parents/carers to ensure that before your daughter(s) returns to learning at school that she has access to the correct uniform and she is groomed as per our College expectations. If any student is NOT in the correct winter uniform on the first return day for their year group, she will be sent home to have the problem rectified. Please ensure you refer to the College Dress Code in the College Diary.

A reminder regarding specific uniform regulations that all students must follow throughout the whole year:

What is allowed
What is NOT allowed
One (1) watch Bracelets or rings
One (1) Gold or silver necklace with a Christian symbol (not seen under the blouse) Anklets, chokers, leather bracelets, tribal or other types of necklaces
One pair of earrings in different lower earlobes only. Multiple Earrings (will be confiscated). Other piercings such as nose, tongue and students refusing to remove piercings. (will be sent home). Bandaids or plastic studs to cover piercings.
One (1) natural looking hair colour tied back, with a pink/light blue/maroon ribbon/headband Dyed, coloured, multi-coloured, bleached, streaked hair, including balayage and ombre styles (will be sent home)
Knee Length Skirt (bottom of the knee-cap, must cover the WHOLE knee) Skirts above the knee (must be taken down or purchase a longer one)
Black, leather, low heeled and lace up shoes on a 

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Friday

Open top (Mary Jane style) shoes that present a WHS risk.

Black leather converse shoes (these are sneakers not school shoes)

The jumper is an optional part of the winter uniform and must be worn under the blazer to and from the College. Coloured Nails (students will be asked to remove the nail polish)

Acrylic/Shellac Nails (students will be sent home)

Sports Jacket on a Thursday only Sports Jacket on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Friday.

 

 

Canteen has Re-opened with Modified Service and Enhanced COVID-19 Hygiene Practices

The College has been working with the canteen operator to deliver a limited and modified food service to students and staff.  The following safety measures have been put in place:

  • A Hand Sanitiser Station has been placed at the entrance to the canteen
  • Students must sanitise their hands before entering the Canteen
  • Only students who are purchasing an item from the canteen are permitted in the canteen area
  • Students must follow the markings on the ground to ensure a social distancing measures are observed at all times
  • Students are to avoid touching the canteen bench
  • Only one window will be used with limited staff serving in the canteen
  • Food hygiene and wrapping procedures have been enhanced
  • Hygiene procedures by canteen staff have been enhanced
  • Students are able to use hand sanitiser as they exit the canteen

 

Thursday Sport Arrangements

As per previous communication, during Thursday Sport time between 1.00pm to 3.00pm there will be no Sport program, due to ongoing Coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions in place, until further notice. This includes:

  • As per Sydney Catholic Colleges (SCC) Sports Association, all competition sports continue to be cancelled, until further notice
  • All externally conducted College based sports continue to be postponed until further notice
  • All internal sports continue to be postponed until further notice

During Thursday Sport time, students in Years 11 and 12 will have the following options:

  • Leave the school at 12.20 pm to go home (pick up arrangements must be organised by parents/carers as there will be no school buses available at this time)
  • Remain at school and partake in:
    • Individual Silent Study (Year 11 and 12) 
    • Collaborative Study (Year 12 only)
    • Ongoing engagement in HSC Major Works (Year 12 only)

Students in Year 11 and 12 will continue to inform the College on a weekly basis through the respective Year Coordinator of their intentions.

Students in Years 7 to 10 will remain at school and be involved in alternate activities during 1.00pm and 3.00pm every Thursday.

This is a temporary arrangement and is subject to change based on the latest advice received from Federal and State Governments and Sydney Catholic Schools.  We will continue to inform parents of any changes to this arrangement.

 

Online Safety Advice – Office of the eSafety Commissioner

As some of our students continue with remote online learning the following site has some expert advice for parents to keep students healthy and safe whilst online.  For further information, please visit the following link:

https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-issues/covid-19

 

 

Prayer from Pope Francis 

Below is a copy of the Pope Francis Prayer for Protection from Coronavirus

 

 

Let us all prayer together as one Holy and united Catholic community.

 

Enrolling Now Year 7 2021 & 2022

Due date for enrolment forms to be returned to the school

has been extended until 29 May 2020.

Enrolment packages are available from the College Reception

NCCD Fact Sheets

The Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD) takes place every year.

Please read full statement below:

Parent Fact Sheet – English

Parent Fact Sheet – Vietnamese

Parent Fact Sheet – Arabic

Premier’s Reading Challenge

What is it?

The Premier’s Reading Challenge aims to encourage a love of reading for leisure and pleasure in students, and to enable them to experience quality literature. It is not a competition but a challenge to each student to read, to read more and to read more widely.

The Premier’s Reading Challenge (PRC) is available for all NSW students in Kindergarten to Year 9, in government, independent, Catholic and home schools.

@MMCC…

It is the first year that we have joined in the challenge and this year we are asking all our students in the Year 7, 8 and 9 Newman English Classes and students in our Reader’s Club to get involved.

What do they have to do?

Students are required to read 20 or more books over the period from March 4 to August 28 2020. They must select at least 15 books from the PRC Booklists and can also read Personal Choice books. They must keep a Reading Log online, via the NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge Website which they need to regularly update during this period.

 

Why should students get involved?

Well…other than being the most effective way of improving their literacy skills, writing skills and general knowledge about the world and the people who inhabit it…

  • each student will receive a Certificate of Completion from the NSW Government to add to your Student Portfolio
  • all students who read 20 books or above will be invited to a special Pizza Lunch with the Principal in Term 4.
  • 3 students in each year group who make an outstanding effort in the challenge and complete 3 original book reviews will win a Book Voucher and have their Book Reviews published in the College Newsletter
  • all students who successfully complete the PRC will have their names published in the College Newsletter.
Mrs Maria Thomson, Premier’s Reading Challenge Coordinator