From the Principal

Feast of Mary MacKillop

Our College proudly carries the name of a remarkable woman, Mary MacKillop, the first saint of Australia, who many would say is the most significant woman in Australia’s history. This week we celebrated her Feast Day 8 August with a special Eucharist and activities during morning CLC. Later in the term, when Year 12 have finished their HSC Trial exams, we will join as a community for a week of festivities.

Together we pray:

Provident God, 

With grateful hearts we remember the power for goodness that Mary MacKillop is in our world. 

As we celebrate her feast touch us anew with her spirit of prophetic charity and generous participation in mission. 

We ask this in the name of the Sacred Heart and the Advocate of Mission. 

Amen.

Feast of the Assumption

HSC Trials

We continue to keep our Year 12 students in our prayers during this significant examination period, the HSC Trial Examinations. We hope that they will have the clarity of mind to remember what they have studied and understand the questions asked, the ability to express their answers clearly and the confidence to know that their hard work will be rewarded.

Fairfield City Council Competition

Every year, Fairfield City Council invites youth of the local area to enter their Capture Fairfield Visual Arts & Photography Competition. This year, Lauren in Year 9 was a winner of the Youth 12-17 Years category with her artwork titled “We Celebrate Diversity”. Congratulations Lauren!

Step Up Into Teaching

Congratulations to Theresa and Isabella who have been offered a place at Australian Catholic University Strathfield, in the Step Up into Teaching (SUIT) program for 2019.

From the Assistant Principal

Mary MacKillop Day – Tuesday 20th August 2019 – Invitation to Parents

It is with great pleasure that we invite you to the 2019 celebrations of Mary MacKillop Day on Tuesday 20th August. As per our Catholic tradition, we begin the day with a celebration of our faith through Mass. In the afternoon our students and staff will showcase their talents in our annual talent quest and the day will conclude with a picnic lunch.

Below is an outline of the day:

9.30am – 11.30am:  Mary MacKillop Day Mass and Awards Ceremony (please arrive at the College by 9.15am)

12.00pm – 1.30pm:  Annual Mary MacKillop talent quest, MacFactor, showcasing junior, senior and staff talent to celebrate the diversity of gifts and talents of our community.

1.30pm – 2.45pm:  Picnic lunch, food stalls and music. 

To ensure the safety of all community members, as you enter the College you will be asked to sign in at the Front Office and wear a special tag. Parents and Year 12 2018 students are invited to spend the whole or part of the day with the community.

Please note that students will not be allowed to leave early unless they have provided a medical reason or an emergency has occurred.    

Due to limited space, there will be NO parking onsite, and we ask that you observe all road and parking rules and respect the local residents privacy and property at all times. In accordance with Sydney Catholic Schools privacy requirements, we also ask parents and Year 12 2018 students to abide by the College Mobile Phone Policy and not take any photos or videos during their attendance on Mary MacKillop Day,. 

To ensure we can sufficiently cater and prepare for the day, please RSVP your attendance at this year’s Mary MacKillop Day festivities by 9.00am Monday 12th August 2019.

Father’s Day Mass and Breakfast – Wednesday 28th August 2019

We are inviting all fathers and other significant men in the lives of our students (uncles, grandfathers, Godfathers) to join their daughter(s) at our special Father’s Day Mass and Breakfast to be held on Wednesday 28th August 2019.  We will commence with Mass at 7.15am in the College Chapel and at the conclusion of Mass we will be serving a hot breakfast of bacon and egg rolls with juice/tea/coffee.

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

RSVP Form – Father’s Day Mass 2019

Alternatively contact Mrs Grace Labbozzetta on 9725-4322.  Please RSVP by Monday 26th August 2019

We hope that this continues to 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 fathers and other significant men play in our lives.

eSafety Commissioner Advice – Time Online

Help your daughter achieve a healthy balance in their online and offline activities.  We encourage all parents and carers to read this page covering online time in general.

https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/big-issues/time-online

Important Dates for Term 3

Monday 19th August – Trial HSC Ends

Monday 19th August – Friday 23rd August – JJAMM Week

Tuesday 20th August – Mary MacKillop Day

Monday 26th August – Friday 30th August – Year 11 Work Placement Week

Wednesday 28th August – Fathers Day Mass and Breakfast

Monday 2nd September – Thursday 5th September – Year 11 Study Sessions – IMC – (3.30pm – 6.30pm)

Wednesday 4th September – Newman Symposium

Thursday 5th September and Friday 6th September – CAPA Showcase (Drama and Visual Arts)

Monday 9th September – Final Year 11 Exams Begin

Thursday 19th September – Last Day of Classes Year 12 and Graduation Mass Practice

Friday 20th September  – Year 12 Final Assembly (Day) and Graduation Mass (Evening), Year 11 Final Exams End

Monday 23rd September – Year 7 2020 Orientation Day 1

Monday 23rd September – Thursday 26th September – Year 12 HSC STUVAC Lessons

Thursday 26th September  – Last Day of Classes Years 7-11

Friday 27th September – Staff Spirituality Day (No Classes) 

Inspirational Quote from Pope Francis

YMCA Youth Parliamentarian Program

On 15th July, I took part in the YMCA Youth Parliamentarian Program. I was chosen from over one hundred thousand other students alongside 70 passionate young people from across NSW. This program allowed us to have our voices heard on bills and topics that affect us and the opportunity to debate on a range of issues. This program commenced in the chambers at State Parliament House in Sydney.

This program has offered me so many opportunities. I was privileged to meet the Governor of NSW, Margaret Beazley and to be sworn in as a Youth Parliamentarian for 2019. With my committee “Business and Employment”, I was able to present our bill in regards to the legislation surrounding the Buy Now Pay Later Scheme and create a new system surrounding consumers utilising these services.

The YMCA Youth Parliamentarian program by far has changed my life. I have been able to meet like-minded individuals over the past 12 weeks, as well as make new friendships with people from Tweed Heads to Cabramatta.

I believe that this program helps provide a voice to all the youth of NSW.

Anita Woodward

‘Make a Difference Day’

On Monday 29th July, Lemina and I were given the opportunity to attend the ‘Make a Difference Day’ at the NSW Parliament House.

Throughout the day, we were provided with the opportunity to listen to Professor Lilon Bandler, a General Practitioner, who works with the Indigenous Health Curriculum Framework and the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Ms Bandler spoke about  both her and her mother’s personal experiences towards making a difference in society, and how we, as young people, have the ability to better our communities through our actions. 

We were then split into small groups with students from different schools, and were encouraged to collaborate on solutions towards solving prevalent issues in our society, such as climate change and racism. Following the group discussion, we joined with the rest of the other schools and summarised our various concerns and solutions. 

Overall, we both left the ‘Make a Difference Day’ as better informed and inspired citizens, ready to make a difference in our communities. Thank you to our teachers for providing us with the opportunity to attend this wonderful and educational day!

Diane, Year 10 Student 

The Importance Of Quality Sleep For Students

Sleep is crucial not just for physical and mental well-being, but for the consolidation of learning, and to ensure you perform in all your endeavours in peak condition. The absolute last resort should be to sacrifice sleep time in order to get things done.

How much sleep is right for you? This is tricky as everyone is different. Some lucky people need only 6 hours a night, most people need about 8 hours and some people need 10 hours!

Two ways to tell if you are getting enough sleep:

 How quickly do you fall asleep at night? If you fall asleep instantly that can be a sign you are not getting enough sleep, it should take 10-15 minutes to fall asleep.

How do you feel when you wake up in the morning? If you feel tired and sluggish then that can also be a sign that you need to get to bed earlier.

Improving The Quality Of Your Sleep:

• Avoid caffeine (cola drinks, coffee, energy drinks, chocolate) after dinner or even better, no later than 4pm.
• Organise as much as you can at night to minimise what you have to do in the morning (e.g. organise your clothes for the next day, pack your bag).
• Try and have a half hour to an hour before you go to bed without computers, TV, phone or any electronic devices or homework or chatting to friends. If you can’t do that, at least put the devices on night mode or turn the brightness down.
• Set up a relaxing ‘wind-down’ routine for before you go to bed. Do this same routine every night (e.g. warm shower, reading, listening to quiet music) so your brain associates these activities with bed time and sleep.
• A drop in body temperature near bedtime triggers the sense that is time to go to sleep. So after a warm bath or hot shower, cool yourself down. It is also better at night to be cool rather than overheated.
• Keep your room as dark and as quiet as possible at night.
• When you lie in bed, start at your feet and mentally imagine relaxing each muscle as you slowly work your way up the body. Most people do not make it up to their head before they fall asleep!
• In the morning open the curtains wide or go out into the sun and get lots of light to help wake your brain. Being exposed to lots of natural light during the day will also help the body produce the melatonin at the right time for a good sleep cycle.
• A healthy breakfast will help to kick-start your body clock for the day.

Learn more about lifestyle habits of successful students at www.studyskillshandbook.com.au.

There is also a link on Connect@MMCC under the ‘Student’ tab.

Our school’s subscription details are –

Username: mmcwakeley

Password: 16success

Standard Collection Notice

Evening with John Doran at Patrician Brothers’ College Fairfield

BVB Coaching Clinic

St Benedict’s Youth Group needs your vote

My Community Project

St Benedict’s Youth Group recently applied for a grant from the government in order to renovate the parish demountable rooms which are being used for the church’s youth group, They would appreciate your support by voting online for this project. Please go to the following website mycommunityproject.service.nsw.gov.au to cast your vote.

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