From the Principal – Ms Gilda Pussich
Refugee Week
This week, 19 June – 25 June is Refugee Week.
The 2022 Theme is Healing.
During this week, we pray, and where possible take action, to heal the wounds of loss, displacement, war and separation that refugees endure. We hope that all Australians show them compassion, understanding and hospitality.
Almighty and merciful God,
whose Son became a refugee and had no place to call his own;
look with mercy on those who today are fleeing from danger, are homeless and hungry.
Bless those who work to bring them relief;
inspire generosity and compassion in all our hearts;
and guide the nations of the world towards that day when all will rejoice in your Kingdom of justice and of peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
National Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week
On 26 May, our school acknowledged National Sorry Day, which marks the beginning of Reconciliation Week. On this day we acknowledged the past wrongdoings inflicted on Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander people, including the Stolen Generation. We also apologised for the removal of indigenous children from their families and for the laws that caused the breaking up of families. As part of Sorry Day, we acknowledged a commitment to ensure these injustices are not repeated and the culture of our Indigenous people is celebrated and preserved. During Reconciliation Week, we began every morning with an Acknowledgement of Country, followed by prayer.
Mary MacKillop Catholic College, in keeping with the spirit and rich vision of the Sisters of St Joseph,
acknowledges the living culture of the Cabrogal-Gandangarran people,
the traditional custodians of this land on which this College stands.
Respect is also paid to the Elders both present and past of the Darug nation.
We also play tribute to the unique role all our cultures play in the life of this community.
The Order of Australia Association (NSW) Youth Community Service Award for 2022
We are extremely proud of Year 11 student, Kardina Batti who is a recipient of the Youth Community Service Award. The Youth Community Service Award is conducted annually by the NSW Branch of the Order of Australia Association and nominations for the Award are sought from 1,017 Secondary School Principals. Principals can only nominate one senior student (Year 11 or 12). Nominations are considered by a judging panel of three Order of Australia Award recipients to select the 25 Awardees for each year.
This Award recognises the significant service performed by students beyond their school boundaries in the wider community, which may be local, state, national or international. The Award was initiated in 1992 by Dr John Lincoln AM and has been offered every year since 1993 (except 2020).
We congratulate Kardina who has been selected for her outstanding demonstrated contribution and leadership in community service. Congratulations on your selfless service, which is recognised by this Award.
Kardina will receive her Award at a ceremony on Friday 2 September, 2022, at NSW Government House. The Award will be personally presented by the Lieutenant Governor of NSW, The Honourable Andrew Bell, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of NSW.
Outstanding Successes
We are so proud of the recent accomplishments of our students in a range of co-curricular areas:
Titration Competition
Congratulations to our Titration teams for gaining a 2nd and 5th Place in the Titration Competition. One team is likely to progress to the National Competition, two students achieved almost perfect scores and the MMCC teams scored the best overall results. Thank you to their Chemistry teacher, Mrs Wastie.
Sydney Catholic Schools’ Eisteddfod – 2nd Place
Congratulations to our Jazz Dancers and our Hip Hop Dancers who achieved second place in the Intermediate section of the Sydney Catholic Schools’ Eisteddfod on Friday 3 June. Thank you to their teachers, Mrs Jeffries and Ms Coluccio.
Dance Gala Day
- 1st in Cultural
- 3rd in Junior Jazz
- 3rd in Intermediate Jazz
- 4th in Hip Hop
CSDA Debating Competition
Congratulations to our six MMCC Debating Teams for sharing their skills in debating and achieving much success. Our Senior Team progressed to the Elimination Round where they were narrowly beaten by Loreto College, Normanhurst. Thank you to the MMCC Debating Coordinator, Miss Valdivia, Mrs Harding, our coaches, Mrs Arairo, Mrs Gomes, Miss Coluccio, and Miss C Ayoub, our adjudicators, Miss Phetrasi, Mr Kumar and Miss Summer Rosewell (ex-student) and our student timekeepers and supporters.
HSC Hospitality Assessment Task
Congratulations to our Year 12 Hospitality class for the fine dining experience that they provided for the College Leadership Team and some of their teachers. Thank you for the delicious lunch. I know I speak for all us diners when I say that the greeting at the door, the table setting, the food and the wait staff were all wonderful.
Upcoming Events
Stop Work Industrial Action
You may have heard in the media of the strike action on Thursday 30 June. We will inform you about the impact on MMCC families in a letter.
HSC Trial Examination Preparation
Year 12 students are encouraged to take up the many opportunities to support them with the upcoming HSC Trial Examinations. These include attending the MMCC Holiday Masterclasses, attending/viewing the SCS Masterclasses, joining with their parent(s) the Year 12 Term 3 Information Zoom scheduled for Tuesday 19 July and utilising the extended IMC twilight hours during Term 3 Weeks 1 and 2.
Our students should view these school holidays as a time for intense study and rest. Parents are asked to support their daughter by encouraging and motivating her to study, providing her with space appropriate for study and minimising any distractions so that she remains focused on her studies. There will be plenty of time for fun with friends and family after the HSC Examination Block which is less than 5 months away.
Year 7 – 10 Parent-Teacher-Student Interview
Year 7-10 College Semester 1 Reports will be distributed via Compass at the end of this term. We look forward to meeting with parents/carers at Parent-Teacher-Student Interviews to discuss your daughter’s progress and strategies for improvement. Interviews will be held in the College Hall on Thursday 21 July 3.30-7.30pm and Friday 22 July 8.45am-1.30pm. Students are expected to attend with their Parent(s) and in College Winter Uniform. To accommodate the interviews, classes will not be held on Friday 22 July.
Year 10 Senior Study Transition Interviews
Year 10 students are currently making significant decisions for their senior study years following extensive information sessions, course information and careers counselling. We hope students heed the advice which is based on substantial performance data as well as their attendance rate and their demonstrated attitude towards learning.
We look forward to meeting with parents/carers at the Senior Study Transition Interviews to be held at the College on Thursday 21 July 3.30-7.30pm and Friday 22 July 8.45am-1.30pm. Students are expected to attend with their Parent(s) and in College Winter Uniform.
As our Year 11 students become more accustomed to the rigours of study in Stage 6, it is important to assist them in developing the skills required to effectively research and evaluate sources of information. This is particularly vital for students studying Society and Culture, Ancient History, and Community and Family Studies as they undertake assessment tasks such as research projects or literature reviews. The IMC provides tutorials which are designed to assist students in refining their research skills so they can confidently navigate the overwhelming amount of information that can be found online. During the tutorial, students are also shown how to evaluate sources to ensure reliability and authenticity as well as being given the opportunity to join the State Library of NSW to enable them to broaden their search through accessing international databases.
New Books
