From the Principal

Dear members of the Mary MacKillop Catholic College community,

There has been much excitement at MMCC at present as we look to ways to assist our newly arrived families into the Fairfield and celebrate the special school that is Mary MacKillop Catholic College. I share this news with you today.

Opening of two new Catholic Intensive English Centres (CIEC)

In recent weeks Sydney Catholic Schools has been looking towards ways of meeting the needs of families who have newly arrived to our country in the Fairfield area. It has been decided that a Catholic Intensive English Centre will open at both MMCC and Patrician Brothers’ College Fairfield at the beginning of Term 2 this year.

At MMCC the centre will cater for girls of secondary school age who need intensive instruction and practice in English prior to being integrated into the mainstream classes. Specialist teachers are being employed at this time to commence immediately.

Refugee families will be able to apply for Refugee Bursaries through Sydney Catholic Schools and support will be given for some other establishment costs such as technology and uniform. It is hoped that this will assist Catholic families who have been forced to leave everything to come to a new life in Australia as they settle into their parishes and schools.

If you know of recently arrived families who have children who are in need of this support, please direct them towards MMCC or Patrician Brothers College in order to collect enrolment packages for the CIEC program.

We are committed to giving these young people the start they deserve in their new country.

Compass Program

Compass is Australia’s only religion, ethics and social values TV program which airs on the ABC on Saturday Nights at 6pm and is repeated on Sundays at 11am, with a third screening on the following Friday at 10.30 am.

MMCC has been selected to be part of a Compass series called “The Staff Room” which focuses on the life and work of teachers from three schools in NSW. Two of our teachers will be the focus, with smaller contributions by staff members, giving a picture of the work our teachers do and of the dedication of the staff to the MMCC community.

“The Staff Room” will be hosted by media commentator and education advocate Jane Caro. Jane visited our school today and interviewed some teachers. There was also some filming of events such as Adoration in the St Joseph’s Chapel and teachers in action in their classes.

If your daughter is part of a scene where the teacher is interacting directly, she will receive a form for parents to sign giving permission to use footage from that scene. If your daughter has been filmed in group shots, she will be given a form to sign once the decision has been made which footage to use.

Please be assured that if you have any concerns about your daughter being in the show, arrangements will be made to ensure your request is honoured.

I am looking forward to the series which will be shown later in the year. We have a wonderful staff whose dedication deserves to be recognised. Find out more about Compass from the link below.

http://www.abc.net.au/compass

Parent Group Meeting

When: Wednesday 5^th of April at 6.00pm

Where: MMCC Video Conference Room

On Wednesday night the 5^th of April, the first Parent Advisory Group (PAG) meeting will take place for the year. Members of the PAG assist the college in many ways such as advising and evaluating and supporting processes and structures within the College, assisting with organization of whole school celebratory events and also play an important role in gathering parent and community suggestions for further improvement.

Our PAG consists of vibrant members who are keen to make a difference. If you are new to the College community (or have newly developed an interest in joining our growing PAG community), please come along. Looking forward to seeing you there.

God bless

Mrs Narelle Archer

Principal

From the Assistant Principal

Perfect Attendance Term 4 2016

Congratulations to all students for the great start with attendance. In particular we are seeing less students coming in late.

Below are the students that had Perfect Attendance in Term 4 of 2016. Your certificates will be coming soon and handed out at your Year Meetings.

Perfect Attendance 2016 School Year

Congratulations to the following students who had Perfect Attendance for the 2016 school year. A certificate will be presented at a future College assembly.

Attendance Reminders

Students must ensure they supply a note or doctor certificate within seven days of their absence otherwise it will automatically be recorded as an unexplained absence.

Considering taking Leave

A reminder to parents in regards to the legal requirements when it comes to taking leave during school/term time and the importance of appropriate amounts of sleep time.

Meningococcal Vaccinations for Years 11 and 12 Students

NSW will be implementing a meningococcal ACWY school-based vaccination program targeting Year 11 and 12 students in secondary schools from Term 2 2017 that will provide protection against meningococcal serogroups A, C and Y as well as W. This is in response to the emergence of meningococcal W as a significant cause of invasive meningococcal disease in Australia in 2016. Evidence suggests that this strain of the disease is more severe than other types.

Further information regarding the date(s) of the vaccinations at our College will be released as soon as it becomes available.

Parenting Tips – Teenagers and mobile phones

Adapted from: https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/apologies-freud/201201/why-adolescents-overuse-technology-and-what-we-can-do-about-it Stephanie Newman Ph.D

• Even well-intentioned parents can find it difficult to figure out if an adolescent’s mobile phone use spells trouble

• Consider the warning signs:
  • a closed bedroom door
  • a reduction in hours spent socialising or engaging in sports or hobbies
  • a decline in school results are all indicators that a teenager might be overusing technology

• Serious risks to health can also occur when texting goes unregulated day after day. “Problems with posture, potential for eye strain and obesity, as well as the possibility of serious social problems can result,” says Dr. Alicia Rieger, a pediatrician “If it is always machine-to- machine, adolescents may lose the ability to have a conversation, interact in traditional ways, or maintain eye contact.”

What can parents do? 

Talk to your teen: if you notice changes in mood, school performance, differences in time spent socialising, or problems with friendships, or if you see anything else that is of concern, step in and have a conversation with them.

• Constant texting can be a way of avoiding real life interactions.
• Sometimes an adolescent who is anxious or uncomfortable in certain situations will hide behind a hand-held to avoid someone or to put off having to face a group or circumstance that engenders negative feelings.
• Pay attention to when the texting occurs (is it constant? Does it usually happen during a family dinner?)
• Sometimes e-talk can be used to avoid a tense or uncomfortable situation, and the feelings that arise in connection with it.
• If you do notice texting going on at a particular time of day or in a particular type of situation, talk about it.
• Does your teen feel angry at a family member or is she having difficulty with a friend? Is there a subject in school that he or she is avoiding?
• Overuse of screen time can be a cover-up for an underlying emotional problem. Once the dialogue has been started, listen. Your adolescent’s answers might well offer a key to what is going on emotionally–and might even surprise you.
• parents should not be shy about setting limits, particularly at nighttime.
• If your daughter break the rules, take away the phone.
• If chatting is interfering with homework, remove the mobile from the bedroom.
• As a general rule, adolescents should not be allowed to keep phones on during the night.
• Many have reported waking up to check the imessages; and then being unable to fall back to sleep after reading upsetting messages.
• Best to find a neutral storage location like the dining room table–or anywhere that is not the bedroom during late night hours.

This week I leave you with two things to consider.

1. A reminder of the Growth Mindset approach at our College and what parents can do to assist this mindset in their daughters:

2. Being the liturgical season of Lent:

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

Community Engagement News

A number of our Year 10 students had completed the Connectedness workshop, facilitated by Matthew Russell from Core Community Services, over the past three weeks. The students enjoyed the program and eagerly participated in the activities each session. The feedback from some was very positive. “The course helped me build up my confidence in connecting with others”, said Jenny Sonn.

My thanks go to Mary Kewarkez and Matilda Mansour for not only welcoming Matthew to the College every week, but for expressing the group’s and the school’s gratitude to Matthew in a vote of thanks.

Well done, girls, and thank you to Ms Boustani, the Year 10 Coordinator, who supervised the workshop.

On Friday 17^th of March, the students from the Wellbeing Portfolio led by Valentina Yousif and Alyssa Alzamora, spread some St Patrick’s Day cheer by offering students free hugs and promoting the Caritas theme of “Love your neighbour”. Elize Sevim and Edvina Tomazadeh made the poster and initiated the idea. Keep up the great work, the Wellbeing team. Your Monday morning inspirational quotes and fun puns put a smile on our face and are food for thought.

Mrs Gesson, Leader of Learning, Community Engagement

Enrolling Now

Careers News

The University of Sydney – Year 10 Students Information Evenings

Year 10 Information Evenings are designed to help Year 10 students (and their parents) choose subjects for their HSC, understand the maths prerequisites and learn about the transition from high school to university. Register now – further venue details will be provided via email closer to the event.

On-Campus

• Dates: Thursday 30 March, Wednesday 3 May and Tuesday 23 May
• Time: 6.00pm – 8.00pm
• Location: Camperdown campus
• Registration:​ sydney.edu.au/yr10-info-evening

Off-Campus

• Date: Thursday 11 May
• Time: 6.00pm – 8.00pm
• Location: James Ruse Agricultural High School, Carlingford
• Registration: sydney.edu.au/yr10-info-evening

For any information about these events or about the University of Sydney in general please do not hesitate to contact me.

Kind regards,

Fabi Fugazza
Alternative Pathways Manager
Global Student Recruitment & Mobility
P +61 2 8627 0123
M +61 402 971 821
E fabi.fugazza@sydney.edu.au

Get Into VET 2017

We are pleased to announce that Get Into VET is again scheduled in 2017 for Terms 2 and 3.

Sydney TAFE is excited to offer a diverse range of free short courses to assist students in Year 10 & 11 evaluate their future options including TVET, TAFE studies, apprenticeships and employment possibilities.

We are expecting to offer Get Into VET courses in industries including:

• Animal Studies
• Automotive Mechanical, Spray Painting and Panel Repairs
• Building Trades including Carpentry, Plumbing, Tiling and Electrical Trades
• Hair, Beauty and Makeup
• Early Childhood Education and Care
• Hospitality including Barista Skills and Cooking up a Career
• Fitness Training
• Business Skills
• Event Management and Travel and Tourism
• Digital Art and Animation
• Photography
• Website Design and Development
• Music Career Pathways

An Expression of Interest Form (EOI) for courses available at Sydney TAFE during Term 2 and again in Term 3 will be emailed out in the coming weeks.  In the meantime please share this information with students, Year Coordinators, School Counsellors, Support Staff and parents.

Certificate III in Accounts Administration

Spirit of Anzac – Centenary Experience

Holroyd Outreach Music Program

Holroyd Outreach is running a new Music Program called L.Y.R.I.K.A.L

This program will run over 10 weeks and involves Song writing, sound production, recording and Performance skills. Young people aged between 14 – 21yrs old are encouraged to register.

Date: Tuesday Weekly starting from 14^th March 2017

Time: 4.30pm-6pm

Location: Wentworthville Youth Centre (Carpark behind Wenty Pools)

This program is for anyone regardless of level of skill. If you have any young people who you believe could benefit or may be interested please get in touch with either myself or alternatively

Stephen Kovacs 0477389171 stephenk@youthoffthestreets.com.au

Coming Events

Mass Times

Smithfield:

Saturday Vigil 6.00pm;

8.00 am (Italian); 10.30 am; 6.00pm

Fairfield West:

Saturday Vigil 5pm (Vietnamese); 7 pm (Spanish); 7.30am & 9.00am; 11am (Spanish); 6pm (Arabic)

Smithfield 9.15 am. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday;  6pm Wednesday 

Fairfield West Monday – Friday 7am Saturday 8am

Fr Jarek Zan

Vigil: 6:00pm Sat   

Sunday 7.30am (Polish) 9.00am 10.30am 4.30pm (Vietnamese) 6pm

Fr Michael de Stoop, Fr Francisco Regala

Saturday Vigil English: 6pm Vietnamese: 7.30pm

Sunday English 8.30am, 10am & 6pm Vietnamese 6.30am, 4pm, 7.15pm Polish11.30am

Monday – Friday 7.00am, Wednesday 7.30pm Saturday 9.00am Vietnamese – Tuesday & Thursday 7pm

Fr Liem Duong, Fr Nen Dang

Monday 7.00am  Tuesday 8.00am Thursday & Friday 8.00am Wednesday 7.00pm Saturday 8.00am

Saturday Vigil 6.00pm Sunday 9:00am

Fr Jerry Prindiville

Monday-Friday:  8.30am Saturday Vigil: 5.30pm Sunday: First Mass 8.30am  

Solemn Mass 10.30am English Mass: 5.30pm

Monday-Friday: 5.30pm Saturday Vigil: 5.30pm Sunday: Solemn Mass 9.00am Arabic Mass: 5.30pm

Saturday English Mass: 5.30pm Sunday Mass: 9.00am