From the Principal

As I sit to write this newsletter I am struck by how quickly this term is passing by. The teachers are busily marking end of semester exams and assignments whilst still organising rich experiences for the students through sporting, debating, mock trial and camps. Year 12 students are diligently taking forward the feedback from their recent exams and working towards their Trials early next term and the Executive team are planning prayer, pastoral, learning and extra curricular activities with their teams for next term.

As usual, the school is a busy and rich environment. This is evident in the many celebrations that Mr Grana mentions in this newsletter.

As I go on leave to take some time to recharge my batteries and be with my family, I reflect on my experiences throughout this term:

• The challenges of starting the Catholic Intensive English Centre (CIEC) where we have welcomed some wonderful families into the MMCC community and girls who are so determined to make a new life for themselves and a future in this country. This determination is evident when I go to visit them in class. They look up and smile but they are too intent on their work to stop writing. These young women are so dedicated to their studies that they will surely be a blessing to the College and the country as they forge a new life away from the trauma of their previous lives from which they were fleeing. We have also welcomed some wonderful new staff who work with these girls before they enter our mainstream classes.
• The acceptance and smiling faces of all our students as I travel around the College on a daily basis, their willingness to ask questions and to try to hard in all aspects of their development. Their willingness to “have a go” and to grow from their mistakes as well as their successes.
• The dedication of the teachers and the tiredness I sometimes see as they rise above their daily struggles to be the best they can be for their students.
• The laughter and hard work of the support staff who are so much the face of our College
• The joyful and challenging unpredictability that is a school environment.

I am blessed to have been chosen to lead this College. Last week, the ABC Compass program completed its filming of some of our teachers in action as they sought to show the world the reality of working in schools. The production team frequently commented on the warmth and true mission of all in the College and of this I was proud. We are after all, first and foremost a school of the Sisters of St Joseph.

The special nature of this was brought home by the passing this week of Sister Patricia Rentoule, a beautiful and graceful woman who was at one time the principal of Our Lady of the Rosary, Fairfield and was always supportive and present at our College events. We will miss her quiet wisdom and work to carry it forward in our daily practice within MMCC.

I know that the College will be in good hands over the next three weeks, led by Mr Pablo Grana as acting Principal and Ms Clair-Marie Simpson as acting Assistant Principal. Several other executive and staff members are stepping up in various respects to ensure the continued smooth functioning of the College and I thank them for this.

As I go to wander the hills of Scotland and seek the birthplace of St Mary of the Cross, I will also be seeking the solitude of the Abbey on the island of Iona to reflect on my role as leader.

I wish you all a wonderful long weekend and a successful end of term and look forward to my return where I can share stories and hear of the adventure that is MMCC.

“Remember, we are but travellers here.”

Mary MacKillop

God Bless

Narelle Archer

Principal

From the Assistant Principal

Ongoing Participation in Extra-Curricular Opportunities

At Mary MacKillop Catholic College we strive to ensure we develop strong and confident Mary MacKillop women both through learning, faith and extra –curricular opportunities. This term continues to showcase great talent amongst our girls. I congratulate all of our students who have participated in the following events:

JJAMM Reunion, Vinnies Van, Mock Trial, Youth Mental Health Conference, SCC Cross Country, Archbishops Meeting with Senior Leaders, Handball Gala Day, CaSPA Creative Dance, SCC dance, Futsal Indoor Soccer, SCC Sport, House Cheerleading, Fundraising and Charity Events

These are some of the many events and opportunities that we have been able to provide your daughters this term thus far. We encourage all of our girls to continue to embrace the opportunities given to them.

Learning Focus – Year 11 Exam Study Nights

Congratulations to Year 11 students for your wonderful turnout at the recent Year 11 Study Twilight sessions in the IMC, just before your recent examinations.

Below are some great examples of our learning culture based on growing together through high expectations and a growth mindset approach in action.

In all of the above pictures, you see teachers and students and students and students working together supporting their learning growth.

Parking and Road Safety      

It has come to the College’s attention in recent weeks that there have been some unsafe situations that have been reported regarding parents dropping off or picking up students on nearby streets around the College.

As a result please read below some very important reminders regarding traffic safety to ensure your daughter and all members of our community are kept safe:                     

  SPEED LIMIT

A reminder that during the times listed on the school zone signs, 40km/h speed limits apply.  We ask all parents to ensure you are vigilant with your speed and stick to the speed limit within our school zone all times.

   SAFE DROP OFF

Please observe the road and parking rules to ensure you are dropping off or picking up your daughter in the correctly marked zones. Parents are not permitted to park or stop at any time in a No Stopping Zone. Particularly in Carnarvon Street as this blocks buses from entering of an afternoon preventing our students from getting home at a reasonable time.

 PICK UP AND DROP OFF ZONES

A reminder that these zones can only be used for a quick pick up or drop off only. The following applies:

• maximum stop time is two (2) minutes
• driver must remain in or within a vehicle
• vehicle must not be left unattended
• zone applies only during hours of operation

Morning Drop Off inside the College – We ask parents to move their car to the furthest point of the drop off zone to ensure as many cars as possible can come into the College ensuring traffic flow is not stopped or interrupted. When parents park their cars nearest the gates this causes traffic jams on Hamilton and Bulls roads. Please also check your mirrors when leaving to prevent any collisions and stick to the 10km/h speed limit within College grounds.

Police and Council Rangers regularly patrol the area around our College. Please ensure you observe all road and parking rules. These reminders are in place to ensure the safety of all members of our College community. We thank all parents for your continued support and care of our students. Please contact the College if you have any questions or concerns.

Recent Cold Weather and Uniform 

As the weather gets colder, sometimes additions or variations of the uniform begin to creep in.  We have great facilities that provide heating for our students whilst in class. When the weather is extreme we ensure your daughters are kept safe and warm in our corridors.

Therefore, I remind parents of our policy with our Winter Uniform:

• Blazers must be worn to and from the College everyday (except Thursdays)
• Jumpers are an optional item and encouraged to be worn on cold days.
• Stockings/tights – Must be grey and worn everyday.
• Sports Jacket must be worn over the top of the jumper on a Thursday.
• The sport jacket is only for Thursday Sport or a PDHPE lesson

If students are still cold, we encourage as per our policy for them to wear neutral/white undergarments such as a spencer.

A few students have decided to wear extra jumpers and jackets under their uniform. These are not permitted and unnecessary and therefore will be removed and confiscated.

Blankets are also a trip hazard and therefore not allowed at the College.

I thank you for your continued support in ensuring your daughters are dressed and groomed to our College’s high standards 

Years 7-10 Parent-Teacher-Student Interviews

The Importance of Feedback for Growing Together

The upcoming Years 7-10 Parent-Teacher-Student interviews are a compulsory event for all parents and students, the questions is why?

The answer is simple. The research is very clear regarding the importance of feedback for your daughters to continue growing as learners and also as confident and strong Mary MacKillop Women.

Below are some important reasons for this:

• The interview is focused on your daughter’s strengths and learning areas that need to be improved up
• student improvement in learning requires parents as partners. Without this partnership, the time spent at home may not necessarily be productive if parents are not aware of their daughters learning needs.
• Extra support may be identified through a conversation with teachers and the College. Parents know their daughters best and your input is vital to this.

I thank Miss Israel for her work in preparing our College Community for this very important partnership event. Please refer to the Newsletter article, Skoolbag announcement and Google Classroom announcements that detail the dates and access procedures for our Parent-Teacher-Student interview booking portal.

Bus Timetable Changes – Effective Tuesday 13^th June 2017

Please note that we have sent the new Bus Timetable changes effective Tuesday 13^th June through SkoolBag and Google Classroom, paper copies are also available from Student Services.

I leave you with my inspirational quote that focuses on parent involvement in supporting the College’s theme of Growing Together through a Growth Mindset Approach.

Thank you for your continued partnership in Forming Young Women Called to Life to Make a Difference in the World.

Pablo Grana, Assistant Principal

Community Engagement

On Tuesday 6^th of June the entire college community watched this year’s Motivational Media presentation, “Take the Shot”.Through this film we were all encouraged to be bold and brave, to be open and welcoming to others, to create passion and do what we love. The themes in this year’s production mirror our College theme: ‘Growing Together’. As a learning community we are experiencing new changes and challenges.

Our newly arrived CIEC students are quickly finding their feet and are acclimatising to a new school, a new country and a new culture. Their transition into a new school has been made easy with the understanding and support of our generous students and staff.

One of the messages from the film was ‘nothing worth having in life comes easy’. As an old migrant myself, I can certainly relate to that statement and empathise with all who have had to adjust to a new way of life. Australia is a country of immigrants. Only our indigenous brothers and sisters are its first inhabitants and we should always acknowledge this.The city of Fairfield has welcomed newcomers since the first wave of migrants landed in Australia and this is continuing today. We are very lucky to have so many service providers like STARTTS, Core Community, Community First Step, Mission Australia and Woodville Alliance to mention a few, who are willing to support our students and families in the area.

HSC Lectures for Year 11 and 12 Student

During June and July Fairfield City Open Libraries are holding HSC lectures for Year 11 and 12 students. These lectures are free but registration is required. Please follow the links to book.

These Lectures are free & open to all Year 11 and 12 Students, they are run by experienced HSC Markers.

Business Studies – Wetherill Park Library Tuesday 13^th June 5.30-8.30pm

https://fairfieldcityopenlibraries.spydus.com/Events/Events/EventDetail?PgmId=4940

Mathematics General – Whitlam Library Cabramatta 14^th June 5pm-8pm

https://fairfieldcityopenlibraries.spydus.com/Events/Events/EventDetail?PgmId=4930

English  – Whitlam Library Cabramatta 17^th  June 12.30pm-3.30pm

 https://fairfieldcityopenlibraries.spydus.com/Events/Events/EventDetail?PgmId=4929

Essay Writing Workshop for Year 11 & 12  – Whitlam Library 10^th July 11.00am-12pm

https://fairfieldcityopenlibraries.spydus.com/Events/Events/EventDetail?PgmId=5001

Refugee Employment Support Program

Below is a link to a brochure on the Refugee Employment Support Program which may be useful for our newly arrived parents and their older children.

Training Services NSW RESP Brochure FINAL

They have taken risks to leave their home and to start anew. Let us support them by being welcoming and understanding as they begin their assimilation into the Australian society. ‘Persistence and resilience in the face of obstacles builds character and opportunity’. This is the message that resonated with me from “Take the Shot”.

Mrs Natalie Gesson, Leader of Learning, Community Engagement

Years 7-10 Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews

In 2017, we are using a new way of booking Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews. Please read and follow the instructions below. We look forward to hearing your feedback on this process as we try to streamline the event. Bookings open MONDAY 5th June.

Stage 4 and 5 (Year 7, 8, 9 and 10) interviews are;

• Thursday 29th June 2017
  • Block 1   4:00pm – 6:00pm
  • Block 2   6:40pm – 8:30pm

• Friday 30th June 2017
  • Block 3   8:30am – 10:00am
  • Block 4  10:30am – 12:00pm
  • Block 5  12:30pm – 2:00pm

To make it easier for you on the evening you may wish to make adjoining appointments with staff located in the same area;

IMC – Mathematics, Science, PDHPE, CaPA, LOTE and TAS

Music Atrium – Religion, English, HSIE and VET

If circumstances arise that will prevent you from attending, please notify your daughter’s Coordinator of Learning (Year) as early as possible via phone, letter or email.

You can adjust your selections once entered. If any teacher is unavailable on the night, it will be indicated on the booking sheet. Any teacher who is a late withdrawal will result in an email being sent to you notifying you of the change to your bookings.

We look forward to seeing you on the 29th or 30th June to discuss your daughter (s) progress in 2017.

Miss Michelle Israel, Leader of Learning – Student Learning

Year 11 Retail Work Placement

For the first time in their course Certificate III students in Retail are experiencing Work Placement. All the managers of the local retail outlets could not praise Mary MacKillop Catholic College students enough for their positive attitude and excellent customer service approach. All Year 11 students are to be commended on there efforts ! Well done girls.

Ms Messina, Work Placement Teacher

Handball Gala Day

On Tuesday the 16th of May, 14 students from Mary MacKillop Catholic College travelled to Sydney Olympic Park to compete in the ‘NSW Handball Girls Schools’ Championships.

The day was very competitive as we competed against some of the best teams in the state. The team went down in the three games played, although the margins were very close. Our goalkeeper, Caitlin Pelecanos was nominated as one of the ‘Keepers of the day’.

Congratulations to the team for their efforts and thank you for representing the College with sportsmanship and pride. As a community, we are very proud of you!

Rebecca Brown, Acting Sports Coordinator

Futsal Gala Day

On Friday the 2nd of June, 10 students from Years 10, 11 and 12 competed in the Opens Futsal Championships at Bankstown Basketball Stadium. It was a hard competition as all teams travelled from all over Sydney to compete on the day. Our students played incredibly hard and although many of them were carrying injuries, they were still determined to play throughout the day.

Our first game we lost to NBSC Freshwater 5-2, second was Hoxton Hornets which we drew 2-2, third was lost 2-1 to St Euphemia College and lastly we lost against JEHS Open Girls 6-3. Even though we had three losses and one draw, we had a great day! We also developed our skills and learned much about effective team work.

A big congratulations to our Futsal team (see below) for their efforts and a big thank you to Mr Grana who came out to support the girls.

Coach: Miss Rebecca Brown

Team (from left to right): Angela Scarf, Jessica Gendy, Caitlin Pelecanos (GK), Katarina Ferkula- Cohen, Rozeen Haddid, Serena Sartoretto, Christina Backo, Jessica Shabo, Stephanie Knafelc, Sophia Maia (absent in photo)

McCormack Fundraiser

On Friday the 19th of May, McCormack House had a fundraiser selling Krispy Kreme’s to raise money for the Sisters of St Joseph.

It is an understatement to say that this was a success! We sold out during recess selling 840 doughnuts and made over $1,330.00. We couldn’t have done this without the senior girls and teachers who helped out as well as everyone who bought the doughnuts.

A big thank you to everyone involved, especially Krispy Kreme for helping us support the Sisters!

Michelle Faga, College House Captain

MMCC Fitness #squad

Join the #squad

Every Tuesday afternoon

3:30pm – 4:30pm

All fitness levels welcome!

*Bring your sports uniform and meet at the change rooms after school.

If you are interested in joining our growing fitness community please see Miss Jennings for more information.

Study Tips for June

Making the most of feedback

Throughout the year you will have been receiving feedback from your teachers about your assessments. But are you making the most of this feedback? Many students are too focused on what mark they received and neglect to make the most of the feedback they are given.

It’s not just about what you did wrong either! The feedback is a chance to celebrate what you did right, what you understood and the skills and learning you demonstrated.

However it is also a chance to address areas you found difficult or did not perform as well in.

Below are some questions you can ask yourself when an assessment is returned to make the most of the feedback you are given.

When a test or exam is returned:

• What specific feedback did your teacher give you and how should you use that feedback?
• Will you be tested on these topics again or are they important for overall understanding in this subject?
• Which areas do you need to ask for help on as you still don’t understand?
• Which questions from your test paper should you re-do? Re-do them!
• Should you re-write any questions or essays and re-submit?
• Was there any revision work you did not complete before the test?
• What topic areas do you need to review and revise and what should you do to address these?
• Are there topics you still need to finalise study notes on?
• Are there sections of your study notes that you need to re-do?
• Did you plan ahead to give yourself enough time to revise?
• What changes do you need to make in the way you study for that subject next time?
• Are there students who did really well who you can talk with to find what they did differently?

For other types of assessments:

• What parts of the assessment did you do really well?
• What did you enjoy about the assessment?
• What can you learn from the feedback you were given?
• Is there any part of the feedback you don’t understand that you need to discuss with your teacher?
• Can you ask a student who did really well if you can look at their assessment so you can see what is needed to get top marks?
• What could you have done differently?
• Do you understand what you need to do to improve or do you need to ask your teacher for more guidance?

You can learn more about how to make the most of feedback at www.studyskillshandbook.com.au by logging in with the details below and working through some of the units, particularly the units on ASSIGNMENT SKILLS and AFTER TESTS AND EXAMS.

Username: mmcwakeley

Password: 16success

Maria Thomson, Coordinator of Learning – Information Literacy

Careers Information

Information Evenings in June for Parents and Students in Year 10-12

At Macquarie, we inspire and develop the future leaders of tomorrow. Our award winning Global Leadership Program (GLP) allows students to develop their capability in leadership, cross-cultural understanding and international awareness.

If your students are driven, well-rounded, service orientated leaders who are achieving good results at school, the Global Leadership Entry Program (GLEP) is the perfect entry pathway to Macquarie University and the GLP.

If selected for the program, students will:

• be offered a place with Macquarie before finishing Year 12;
• get an early start on the Global Leadership Program with invitations to events and workshops,
• build networks that will last a lifetime and;
• have access to Macquarie University’s state-of-the-art facilities including the library.

Applications for our 2018 GLEP intake are now open with a variety of new courses, including Engineering (Honours) and Psychology (Honours) double degrees.

There are a few things your students will need to get ready for their application, including seeking endorsement from your principal or their nominee in the Supporting Information Form. To assist your students, we will be hosting our Make your GLEP App Shine webinar on Thursday 13 July at 11am.

If your students have any questions about the program or webinar, they can contact Student Connect via our online enquiry form, call (02) 9850 6410 or chat with us live online.

If you have any questions, please contact:

Tristan Tulloch Recruitment Coordinator (Undergraduate) T: (02) 9850 1890   E: tristan.tulloch@mq.edu.au

The Footnotes

http://mailchi.mp/thefootnotes/xynh5suqm1-2405705?e=b66bce2a27

Price Waterhouse Coopers

Price Waterhouse Coopers Higher Apprenticeship program has just opened applications. PwC has created an alternative pathway to the traditional graduate route, offering the opportunity to earn a competitive salary while studying towards a Diploma of Business through TAFE NSW.

The link to apply can be found here: http://www.pwc.com.au/student-careers/higher-apprenticeship-program.html

This is a great avenue for those who have recently finished Year 12, and may have thoughts about joining the workforce.

MSH Careers

NSWACT 170605 (1)

Fr Rob Galea Concert @ Patrician Brothers’

Our Lady of the Rosary Parish Sacrament of Confirmation 2017

Candidates for Confirmation from Our Lady of the Rosary Parish who are in Year 7 and older can begin the process for Confirmation.

Confirmation will take place on Sunday 3 September 2017 at 2:00pm at St Mary’s Cathedral in the city.  Applications are available through Our Lady of the Rosary School, Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, or the catechists.

Application forms can be found in the back of the church near the Church bulletins.   All applications are due into the Parish office by 30 June 2017.  A Parent Information evening will be held on Thursday 27 July 2017 at 7:00pm in Our Lady of the Rosary Church.  Candidates for confirmation and at least one parent will be required to attend this meeting.  Attendance will be taken.  Important dates and information is attached to the application form.

If you have any questions please call Sister Valerie (0414-638-884) before 9^th June or after that please call Rosa on 9724 5997.

Coming Events

Mass Times