From the Principal

Feast of St Joseph

Term 1 always provides us with an opportunity to reflect on the qualities of St Joseph. At our St Joseph’s Day Mass, Fr Wojtek described St Joseph as a man of honour, a just, wise, decent, righteous and ethical man. He told us that St Joseph recognised God’s voice in his dream because he was open to God’s voice. St Joseph obeyed and followed God. Fr Wojtek challenged our students to stay on God’s side, be open and ready to hear his call and to take the opportunities given to them, just as St Joseph did when he was young.

Hospitality Lunch

Congratulations to our Year 12 Hospitality students for hosting a magnificent lunch at The Grounds of Penola Hills – MMCC Cafe. This lunch was part of their assessment and showed the many competencies that they had achieved. The staff present enjoyed the alternate servings of scrumptious entrees, mains and desserts. Thank you to their teacher Mrs Webster and to Mrs Falzon and Mrs Morris who assisted.

Farewell to Director of Sydney Catholic Schools

MMCC student leaders joined students from 151 other schools to farewell and celebrate the 10 years of service of the Director of Sydney Catholic Schools, Dr Daniel White. As a school community we thank Dr White for the many ways that he has supported our school. Throughout his leadership, Dr White was guided by Catholic Social Teaching, especially the respect for human dignity. With this came his desire to provide education to refugees. He leaves his legacy as our school with the founding of the Catholic Intensive English Centre. We wish him well in his retirement.

Peter Porter Poetry Prize

Mr Andrew Kissane was named the joint winner of the Peter Porter Poetry Prize. Mr Kissane is a passionate English teacher and a published writer. We congratulate him for achieving this award.

I hope you had a holy and restful Easter break.

From the Assistant Principal

Student Expectations at Local Shops/Businesses

We have recently received some reports regarding the behaviour of our students in local shops and businesses, particularly at the Wakeley Shopping Centre.

Many schools do not permit their students to enter local shops/businesses whilst in their school uniform. We have not introduced this rule as we want to ensure our students are given access to purchase items before and after school and as such we want to treat all of them as adults. For us to continue allowing this privilege to our students the following expectations need to be met by all students at our College:

• Bags are not to be brought into the shop/business. At the IGA Supermarket, students are to leave their bags at the Service Desk Counter.
• Large groups of students can send the wrong message when they are in a shop. If students are in groups, only a pair, (two) students, are to enter the shop/business, the remaining students are to stay with the other student’s bags.  Bags left unsupervised are at left so at the risk of each individual student. The shop or school are not responsible for loss, theft or damage.
• Items are to be purchased before they are eaten, open or used.
• Students are to always be polite and respectful at all times with business/shop owners, employees and members of the public.

All local businesses/shops have access to my phone number and email address and will contact me if any student’s behaviour is contrary to this letter.  We are confident that all of our students will respond in the ‘MacKillop Way’ with respect and kindness.

Preparing for Term 2

FIRST DAY BACK FOR TERM 2 – TUESDAY 30 APRIL 2019

As per a previous letter sent to families, there are no classes on Monday 29th April 2019 due to a Staff Professional Learning Day. Please contact the College if you require supervision of your daughter on this day.  

TERM 2 WINTER UNIFORM REMINDER

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 is not part of the Sports Uniform and can only be worn in Winter under the College Blazer when arriving to school or leaving school at the end of the day.

–   Scarves – 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).  

We ask parents to ensure that over the holidays you check your daughter’s uniform and rectify any problems before coming back on the first day of Term 2. If any student is NOT in the correct winter uniform on the first day of Term 2, 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:

Don’t forget to connect to Compass

Please ensure you have download the COMPASS app.  

• The app store: goo.gl/9FHGg6
• Google play: goo.gl/iSmC64

You can also access the full functionality of Compass via your internet browser through: https://mmcwakeley-nsw.compass.education/

Compass is your one and only site to:

• Book upcoming Parent-Teacher-Student Interviews
• View, download and print your daughters academic reports
• Notify/provide reasons for absences
• Update your contact details
• Access other important information regarding your daughter

If you are having issues with your username or password please contact one of our IT Support Officers on 9725-4322.

Important Dates for Term 2 2019

Monday 29th April – Staff Professional Learning Day

Tuesday 30th April – First Day of Classes for Term 2 – Years 7-12

Wednesday 1st May – Parent Advisory Group Meeting – 6.00pm

Wednesday 8th May – Mother’s Day Mass and Morning Tea

Tuesday 14th to Friday 17th May – NAPLAN Years 7 and 9

Tuesday 28th May – Years 11 and 12 Parent-Teacher-Student Interviews

Monday 10th June – Queen’s Birthday Holiday

Friday 21st June – College Athletics Carnival

Wednesday 26th June – Year 11 2020 HSC Subject Selection Evening

Thursday 4th July – Final Day of Classes and Years 7-10 Parent-Teacher-Student Interviews (Evening)

Friday 5th July –  Years 7-10 Parent-Teacher-Student Interviews (Day)

Important eSafety Holiday Advice

At the beginning of every term, the College spends time dealing with serious online issues that have occurred over the holidays, and that eventually are passed back on to parents as they are not a school matter.  It is very important that each parent/carer is well informed on their responsibilities in ensuring that their daughter is eSafe. The Australian Government provides a great website prepared by the Office of the eSafety Commissioner that supports parents in ensuring that their daughter’s practice eSafe behaviour whilst online.  Below is a link to a very helpful document titled Online Safety: A Guide for Parents and Carers.  

https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/online-safety-guide

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

A Word from Pope Francis as we continue through Lent and prepare for the resurrection of our Lord

Catholic Life @ MMCC

Project Compassion Fundraisers

The Justice leaders have been selling lollipops and ice-blocks throughout Lent to raise funds for Project Compassion.

In Week 10 they held a Bake Sale selling brownies, hot-cross buns and cupcakes to raise nearly $400 in one day for Project Compassion. Students have also been taking part in voting for teachers to be slimed on the last day of Term 1. Thank you to the teachers who have volunteered to be slimed to support charity.

All proceeds will contribute to the daily donations students make in CLC during Lent to the Project Compassion appeal for Caritas.

Project Compassion Activities

Ice Bucket Challenge

Lenten Reflection – MMCC & Patrician Brothers

“The Journey Home – Rags to Riches”

Year 7 & CIEC excursion to Mary MacKillop Place 

During Term 1 Year 7 and CIEC students visited Mary MacKillop Place and Museum in North Sydney. The day was a great opportunity to learn about our College patron St Mary of the Cross MacKillop.

The students enjoyed the interactive museum and visiting Alma Cottage. The time spent in the chapel visiting the tomb of Mary MacKillop was a very moving experience for our students.

Project Compassion

Fourth Sunday of Lent – 31^st March 2019

Michaela is a 21-year-old trainee at Purple House, a dialysis center in the Central Desert for people suffering from kidney disease. The Aboriginal-controlled service gives patients the opportunity to stay connected with their culture. They do this through traditional healing practices and income-generating activities, such as making bush balms and soaps. With the support of Caritas partners, Michaela is helping to build a social enterprise, a connection to culture and a new outlook for the chronically ill.

Fifth Sunday of Lent – 7^th April 2019

Salma was just 18 years old, pregnant and fearful for her life and that of her unborn child, when she featured in Project Compassion 2013. In Bangladesh, maternal and infant mortality rates are tragically high. During her first pregnancy, Salma was very sick and in distress, she sought the help of a midwife trained by Caritas’ Safe Motherhood Program. Six years on, she’s now a healthy mother of two strong, happy children. Salma is committed to giving her children the education they need to provide them with the future she hoped for.

Sixth Sunday of Lent – 14^th April 2019

Nguyet is a teenager living with a disability in a small town in Vietnam. Living with a disability was challenging, her early years were subdued and solitary. Since featuring in Project Compassion 2017 Nguyet has successfully built her own business, a dream that has become a reality with the support of Caritas Australia. Connected to the world in new ways, Nguyet has become independent, an important member of her community and has great hope for her future.

Year 8 Geography Excursion to Warragamba Dam

Warragamba Dam was truly an experience the Year 8 geographers enjoyed. Year 8 classes 8M, 8K and 8NA got to do many activities throughout the day. Each year 8 class had a rotation of 3 activities. Field sketch, water testing and the Exhibition. Through these activities year 8 was provided with many interesting Warragamba Dam and Water facts. These facts included help from WaterNSW. The name Warragamba originally comes from the Aboriginal words “Warra” and “Gamber” which means “water running over rocks.” Warragamba Dam was first beginning to construct in 1948 and after many years of hard work, it finished in 1960. Unfortunately 15 men lost their lives while building the Dam, due to all the dangerous equipment. Warragamba Dam wasn’t an easy job though, it took about 1800 workers to build the dam. Although there were some downsides in regards to Warragamba Dam, there are many astounding facts that live up to today.

Warragamba Dam is approximately 4 times the size of Sydney Harbour. Warragamba Dam is Sydney’s largest water supply Dam. The information that Year 8 learnt was really educational and beneficial for them to know since there topic is “Water in the World”.

Overall, the teachers and students really loved the trip to Warragamba Dam. Not only was it educational but we had a fun time with friends. Warragamba Dam was very worthwhile and hope to go again!

A few ways to save water would be: taking shorter showers, turning the tap off when not in use, heading to the car wash rather than wasting a whole lot of water from the hose, using the low flush for the toilet and much more. We feel extremely lucky to be living in a country that provides water for us.

But please SAVE and RESPECT WATER!!! A precious resource

Tahlia B & Ceina

Mothers Day Mass and Morning Tea – Wednesday 8 May

We are inviting all mothers and other significant women in the lives of our students (aunts, grandmothers, godmothers) to join their daughter(s) at our special Mother’s Day Mass and Morning Tea to be held on Wednesday 8th May 2019.

We will commence with Mass at 9.45am in the College Chapel and at the conclusion of the Mass we will be serving a special morning tea in the Staff Lunchroom.

If you would like to attend the Mass and Morning Tea, we ask that you please fill in the form, through the link below, to assist us with catering and parking arrangements:

RSVP Form – Mothers Day Mass 2019

Alternatively contact Mrs Grace Labbozzetta on 9725-4322.  Please RSVP by Wednesday 1st May 2019

We hope that this may become a special annual event, much like the ones held in primary schools and some secondary schools. We look forward to celebrating the special role that our mothers and other significant women play in our lives.

Dr Chris Seton – Sleep Problems in Teens and Tweens…and how to fix them !

We have a great opportunity for parents/carers, thanks to Sydney Catholic Schools, who are offering a parent information evening led by Dr Chris Seton regarding Sleep Problems in Teens and Tweens…and how to fix them. 

It is being offered at two different school sites that are in the local area of our College.  We encourage our parents/carers to attend one of these free workshops.

Please note that this workshop is only for parents/carers and not students.  Please also note that this is the same workshop being offered at two different venues close to our College.

Please refer to the flyer links below for the two venues that this workshop is being offered.

Dr_Chris_Seton_Flyer_Smithfield

Dr_Chris_Seton_Flyer_Hinchinbrook

Flower Arrangement Course for Parents & Carers @ Patrician Brothers’ Catholic College Fairfield

Guide Dogs Home Boarding Program

Coming Events

Mass Times