From the Principal

Vale Pat O’Neal (14 February 1950 – 15 August 2019)

College community was saddened by the passing of Ms Patricia O’Neal. Pat was a highly respected, much loved member of our library staff and College Community. Pat was a wonderful library assistant who always met the needs of students and staff at the College through her work in the Irene McCormack Centre (Library).  The College community extends its deepest condolences to Pat’s children; Alison, Julie and John and their families. As a strong and confident Mary MacKillop community we will continue to celebrate Pat’s life and legacy. 

For Pat, we pray
Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord
and let perpetual light shine upon her.
   May she rest in peace. Amen
 St Mary of the Cross … Pray for us
    St Joseph … Pray for us

Mary MacKillop Day

The Feast of Mary MacKillop is held on 8th August. This is the most special day in the life of Mary MacKillop Catholic College and, as this day always falls during the HSC Trial Examinations, we celebrate it later during JJAMM (Joseph Julian and Mary MacKillop) Week. Throughout JJAMM Week the students and staff enjoyed a range of lunch time activities, including Affirmations, Dynamic Duo Dress Up and Pie Face, and one full school day is deemed Mary MacKillop Day.

On Mary MacKillop Day, we remember, reflect and celebrate the life and legacy of the first Australian saint, a great Australian woman, our College Patron, St Mary of the Cross MacKillop. We began the day with a special College Mass, presided by Fr Peter Strohmayer from Smithfield Parish, followed by the Mary MacKillop Day Awards which recognise students whose actions reflect the motto of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop: “Never see a need without doing something about it” and staff for their years of service to the College, and ended the day with MacFactor, our annual College Talent Quest, a disco and food stalls.

Congratulations to our Mary MacKillop Day Award Recipients:

Students – Safren Adil; Mina Anor; Jane Awad; Theresa Bui; Noor Chirenian; Isabelle Del Rio; Dayna Giovinazzo; Lara Grande; Lauren Harrison; Damyana Moma; Lauren Sleiman; Maya Tvedsborg-Vega; Samantha Wilson 

Staff – 25 Year Service Award: Ms Liesa Rooney; 20 Year Service Award: Mr Frank Rakecki; Mrs Maria Pedavoli; Mr Ian McLean; 10 Year Service Award: Mrs Demetra Tripodi

We thank our special guests who joined us, Mrs Vicki Lavorato (SCS Director of Southern Region), Sr Jan Barnett (Sister of St Joseph), Sr Cecilia Hoang and Sr Catherine Hoang (Congregation of Mary Queen), Caroline Blinco (SCS Leader of Learning: Religious Education Secondary, Southern Region), Mr Daniel Karam (REC, Patrician Brothers College Fairfield), students of PBCF and parents of our students.

Father’s Day

We held our Father’s Day Mass and Breakfast on Wednesday 28 August, an annual tradition started last year. It was great to see the fathers and their daughters sharing this morning together. We thank Fr Pat McAuliffe for celebrating the Mass and our parent and staff helpers: Mrs Carniato, Mrs Bursic (Mother of Jeanette, Year 12), Mrs Yonan (mother of Isabella Omar, Year 7), Mrs Mikhael, Mr Rakecki, Mrs Flanagan and Mr Sacca.

Annual Report

The 2018 Annual School Report to the Community is now available on the school’s website and at the school administration office.

Eileen O’Connor Catholic College

Next year Sydney Catholic Schools will establish two primary classes (Years 3-5) at Good Shepherd Primary, Hoxton Park that will offer specialist programs for children with a moderate intellectual disability and who require modified or adapted programs to address their special learning needs.

If you are interested in finding out more about these classes, and whether they may be suitable for your child, please contact Dr Ian Jackson on either 9569 9155 or 0432 001 000 or email him on ian.jackson@syd.catholic.edu.au

Executive Director’s VET Awards for Sydney Catholic Schools

This year Mr Tony Farley presented the lucrative Executive Director’s VET Awards for Sydney Catholic Schools to students from Sydney Catholic Schools. Congratulations to Amy Jutharujiwet who received an award for her achievement in Hospitality (Kitchen Operations) in the Service Industries category.

Future of Female Leadership Lunch

I invite you to read an article in this newsletter from Year 10 students, Rose Al-Roomi, Trista Huynh and Shirley Nguyen who were invited to attend the Future of Female Leadership Lunch which focussed on the role and potential of women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

From the Assistant Principal

Staff Spirituality Day – Friday 27th September 2019

As per the College calendar, that there will be a Staff Professional Learning Day (Spirituality), on Friday 27 September 2019 (Term 3 Week 10)

As this day is designated for staff spiritual development, it requires all staff to be out of school premises participating in this day and as such, there will be no supervision available for students.

If you have any questions or concerns please contact the College on 9725-4322.

Food Safety Reminder to Parents/Carers and Students

A reminder to parents that the delivery of food items, cakes, fast food and other non essential items are not permitted as per food safety guidelines aimed at ensuring the safety of all members of the College community, especially those that have serious allergies.  We continue to allow parents to drop off individual packed meals or vital learning equipment that their daughter’s may have forgotten to bring to school.

The Importance of Sleep for your Daughter

This video comes from the Doctors TV network – Tonic on Demand.  Please take some time to watch this very important video that highlights the importance of sleep hygiene to support your daughter’s learning and wellbeing.

Sleepy Teenagers

Important Dates for Term 3

Mon 16th September – World Food Day

Thurs 19th September – Final Day of Classes for Year 12

Fri 20th September – Year 12 Final Assembly (Day) and Year 12 Grad Mass (Evening 6pm)

Mon 23rd – Thurs 26th September – Year 12 STUVAC Lessons

Thurs 26th September – Last Day of Classes for Term 3 and End of Term Assembly

Inspirational Quote – Pope Francis

R U OK? DAY

For further information, click on link below:

R U OK Day Website

Executive Director’s VET Awards for SCS

On Wednesday 28th August the inaugural Executive Director’s VET Awards for Sydney Catholic Schools was held at Southern Cross Catholic Vocational College, Burwood. Congratulations to Amy Jutharujiwet who received an award for her achievement in Hospitality (Kitchen Operations) in the Service Industries category. Amy has achieved all units of competency in order to receive her Certificate II qualification and demonstrated industry excellence whilst on work placement and through her contribution to catering for school events.

Future of Female Leadership Lunch

On 30 July, Rose, Trista, Jenny and myself were fortunate enough to attend an event created by the Orbispace Initiative called the, “Future of Female Leadership Lunch”. It was an event that provided 50 girls from various high schools with the opportunity to meet women dominating the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)  industries. With gender discrimination becoming normalised in the workforce, this conference was an eye-opener as it exemplified that women were just as capable and talented as men. 

The day began with a tour of the Sydney Start-up Hub, a place where aspiring business creators could pitch their ideas and seek help from mentors. Following this we viewed interactive presentations and were led through a mindfulness coaching session. We focused on the importance of having a good and healthy mentality in order to achieve goals. The highlight of the day was undoubtedly the “speed dating” style lunch with 50 female innovators from a range of different STEM start-up companies. This opportunity enabled us to be mentored and motivated by women who have faced the struggles of being a woman in the workforce and thus emphasised the significance of remaining persistent and hopeful. 

Overall, this experience was incredibly fun and unforgettable. It was motivating to hear that women are taking a stance against discrimination and that we have a chance to achieve our dreams.

by Shirley Nguyen

The Future of Female Leadership Lunch was a great opportunity which we were fortunate to be invited to attend. From the STEM program, I have learnt a lot about how to start and develop a business and how business industry actually works. I met great students from different schools around Sydney who were also interested in the business industry. The messages I received from their program were very motivational, such as, being told that my ideas and thoughts can be developed just like men, we have the same opportunities as men, and our ideas can be developed by working and believing in ourselves. I was advised to work on my ideas from now and continue developing them even after I reach my goal. Some quotes that resonated with me are:

• ‘’By thinking of doing something nothing is going to change, you have to act to make sure you reach your goal’’
• ‘’You don’t succeed straight away, you have to fight for it to get it, but when you give up you will never get anything in life’’

by Rose Al-Roomi

Participating in STEM has not only informed me on the innovative ideas within the development of technology but it has changed my perspectives and beliefs on the role of women within the industry. Despite the early success of male innovators, women were pushed out of the industry and their roles were given to men for higher pay. Women weren’t trusted with the technical work. After centuries, women had to push through these bias times and fight for their rights. Slowly society came to realise the importance of women within the industry and their significant role.

Future of Female Leadership Lunch has allowed me to develop an idea of how I can start my own business by becoming an entrepreneur with the help of many successful innovators and CEOs. I was inspired by significant women that we encountered and spoke with throughout the day. This program has allowed me to get out of my comfort zone and realise that it’s not only men who can be in the STEM work force, rather it could be me.  It was a great experience which had sparked the creative side of me.

by Trista Huynh

Our tour around the Sydney Startup Hub introduced us to people with various startups and product concepts and despite their differing ideas, they all work in an environment which only promotes creative thinking and expansion on their ideas.

To meet with women who have dealt with the successes and failures of their decisions, whether it be to start a business or pitching an idea to their company’s leaders was an experience that certainly gave me motivation and the confidence that I needed to get through the year. This conference has shown us that men aren’t the only individuals capable of leading companies and creating life-changing products and that everyone has a chance to change their world if they chose to do so. What was common amongst all the women, who are CEOs or managers, I talked with was that they had made to their position today by remaining persistent and determined to reach their dreams/desires. 

by Jenny Leav

Year 7 Readers Club Author Visit

On Wednesday 4th September 2019, Year 7 were privileged to be visited by acclaimed children’s book author, Rachel A. Spratt. Ms Spratt entertained us with her incredible imagination and shared insights into the writing process. She showed us how she was able to interweave funny and interesting events in her own life into her charming and funny novels. R A Spratt has written the hilarious Nanny Piggins series, a series of mystery novels with girl detective Friday Barnes, and the very funny The Peski Kids series.

She also hosted a Writing Workshop for our Readers Club students. We learnt about crafting a strong narrative structure based on Joseph Campbell’s ideas about ‘the hero’s journey’. 

Mrs Maria Thomson, Teacher/Librarian

Legal Studies Excursion to Canberra

On Monday, 15 July, students in Years 10, 11 and 12 from Legal Studies and the Mock Trial Team travelled to Canberra to learn more about how government and the law works.

First stop was the High Court where students learned about the role and operation of the High Court as a branch of government under the Australian Constitution. They were able to apply what they already know about how Australia was federated and how the courts work with each other and Parliament to administer law and justice in Australia.

The afternoon focused on how Parliament works. Students first visited the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House where they retraced the steps and events of Gough Whitlam’s dismissal as Australian Prime Minister in 1975.

Following that, they visited Parliament House where they were given a tour of the building, including the House of Representatives and the Senate. They were then given the opportunity to role play how legislation is introduced, debated and passed in Parliament to become Australian law.

The students gained a lot of insight into legal structures and processes that they have been studying in class and also gained an appreciation of their role as citizens in the political process. Most importantly, they got to visit the actual sites where government works and experience the beauty of the buildings that have seen so many historical milestones in Australia’s legal and political history.

Year 8 Languages Activity Day

Bonjour! Nous nous appelons Annie et Ella,

Recently, Year 8 had a French Activity day that involved us in four activities which explored the lifestyle and aspects of the French culture. 

First, there was a Mauritian cultural dance (sega) class, in which we watched and interacted with the performers, honouring the Mauritian culture and traditions. The dance class was exhilarating and fun, and Year 8 all enjoyed interacting in the activity. We also had the great opportunity to wear and dance in traditional costume. Year 8 also got to play traditional Mauritius instruments such as the ravann.

Next, we had the opportunity to order a crêpe in French, with a variety of authentic French flavours. They tasted délicieux and Year 8 all challenged themselves in trying to perfect the request for a crêpe in French.

After, we participated in Loto (French bingo) games where all numbers were called out in French. There was tension in the air as everyone competed to win the prize.

Last of all, we played French Trivia, where we learnt about French food, monuments and pop culture. Year 8 were surprised to discover that some of their favourite musicians, actors and cartoons were French.

All in all, the day was a wonderful experience that enriched all of Year 8 in the French culture. 

Au Revoir!! ( Goodbye )

Ella et Annie

Australia Day Community Awards

Indigenous Electrical Apprenticeship Readiness Program

Coming Events

Mass Times