From the Principal – Ms Gilda Pussich

The Feast of the Assumption is one of the most important feast days of the year and this holy day is observed every 15th August. Mary was “assumed body and soul into heavenly glory” several years after her son, Jesus, ascended into heaven. The importance of this event in Mary’s life is only surpassed by her role in the virgin birth of Jesus Christ.

Prayer for the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Almighty and everlasting God,
You have taken up body and soul
into the heavenly glory the Immaculate Virgin Mary,
Mother of Your Son: Grant, we beseech You,
that, ever intent upon heavenly things,
we may be worthy to be partakers of her glory.
Through Jesus Christ Your Son, our Lord,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
One God, forever and ever.

Amen.

https://lourdesprayerrequest.com/prayer___assumption_of_the_blessed_virgin_mary

ACU Step Up Into Teaching Program 

Six of our students have been selected into the Step Up into Teaching (SUIT) program and received a scholarship:

Congratulations to our Year 11 students who received the ACU Equity Scholarship:

• Mirna Franso
• Karoleen Marqus
• Lorena Lapic

Congratulations to our Year 11 students who received the SCS Scholarship:

• Tina Nguyen
• Nariman Chirenian
• Daniella Franso

The Step Up into Teaching (SUIT) program offered by the Australian Catholic University (ACU) provides students considering a career in teaching the opportunity to study on campus during school holidays and gain entry into a teaching degree. This year there were 40 scholarships for students to participate in this program for free.

Secondary school students participating in SUIT have the opportunity to study one or two modules, HECS free, equivalent to university level units while completing their school studies. Students who pass the two SUIT subjects receive an unconditional offer to study a Bachelor of Education degree at ACU. Once enrolled in a teaching degree at ACU, students receive credit (recognition of prior learning) for the units completed in SUIT for  early childhood, primary and secondary teaching courses.

Father’s Day

Save the date: Father’s Day Mass and Breakfast at MMCC on Wednesday 31st August.

Parent Advisory Group Meeting

Our Term 3 Parent Advisory Group Meeting will be held on Wednesday, 31st August commencing at 6pm. We welcome our regular committee members and invite new members to join. We will hold this meeting via Zoom. Please send an email to info@mmcwakeley.catholic.edu.au to register your attendance.

Sophia Berqodian & Marie Karmazian – Prac Students

JJAMM Week 2022

Our staff and students celebrated JJAMM Week last week. It was a great success. Thank you to all who contributed to its success. More details and photos in our next newsletter.

School of Rock the Musical

Families are encouraged to attend the School of Rock, presented by students from Sydney Catholic Schools. Some of our students including all Year 7 will watch the performance on Wednesday 12th October.

University Admissions Advice for Parents with International Qualifications

Enrolling Now – Year 7 2024

Enrolling Now

   Please ensure you do not miss the opportunity

to secure your daughter’s enrolment for

Year 7 2024 

To apply online, click on Enrol Now

OR

Contact the College on 9725 4322 for an enrolment package

From the Assistant Principal – Mrs Christine Harding

JJAMM Week was a tremendous success last week and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff and students who involved themselves in the variety of College activities, celebrating the values of Mary MacKillop and highlighting community spirit and fellowship within our College community.

Mobile Phone Policy

I would like to take the opportunity to remind parents and carers of the College’s mobile phone policy. This policy has been carefully constructed and is based on contemporary and significant research about the disruption of mobile phones to student learning. Please take the time to read the following extract article taken from The Sydney Morning Herald newspaper dated 14 August, 2022, by Lucy Carroll.

High school phone ban ‘more urgent than ever’ amid pressure on teens

A blanket ban on mobile phone use in NSW high schools is “more urgent than ever” after years of academic disruption and soaring screen use during the COVID-19 pandemic, warns the psychologist who led the 2018 review into mobiles in schools. Child psychologist Michael Carr-Gregg told the Herald that restricting phones in secondary schools is critical to cut distraction, deal with rising cyberbullying and help students catch up academically after months of isolation.

His position on the issue had hardened since the 2018 independent review into phones in NSW schools, he said,  after seeing the “deleterious effects of children being immersed in social media and technology” during remote learning.

“Banning phones in high schools from first bell to last, including recess and lunch, would be an investment in students’ mental health,” he said. “Kids have been saturated in technology and psychological problems have accumulated.”

Mobile Phone Policy Reminder

The purpose of the Mobile Phone Policy is to ensure the safety of students, promote appropriate and safe use of mobile phones within College grounds, and encourage interaction and communication without distractions.

Below are the key elements of the policy:

• All mobile phones are to be out of sight (stored in the student’s locker), switched off or on silent (not vibrate) as soon as the student enters the College front doors of a morning.
• No phones (including in pockets) during exams.
• Mobile phones can only be used on College grounds once students have been dismissed out of their classroom by their teacher after the end-of–school-day bell rings.
• If a mobile phone is sighted on school grounds from the moment the student walks into the College front doors, for any reason, they will have it confiscated immediately by staff.
• Refusal to give a confiscated phone to a staff member will automatically result in a Thursday Afternoon RAP detention.
• Continued abuse of this policy may result in further consequences.
• The school accepts no responsibility for replacing mobile phones that are lost, stolen or damaged whilst on school premises.
• If students need to contact their parents/carers they are to go to Student Services and request to use a phone.
• If parents/carers need to contact their daughters they can call the College reception on 9725-4322 and a message will be passed on to their daughter.

Student learning is a three-way process which involves parents, students and teachers. It is vital that we support one another so that your daughter is learning and achieving her potential. We appreciate the support of parents in having their daughter’s adhere to this policy and ask that you please do not text or call your daughter throughout the day.

Thank you for your continued support. If you require any assistance please do not hesitate to contact the College.

Mrs Christine Harding

Around the Grounds @ MMCC

Coming Events @ MMCC

Solar Car Challenge – Mrs Ryan

Blue skies, sunshine and solar cars

Tuesday 2nd August was the perfect day for Mary MacKillop Catholic College STEM students. The skies were blue, the sun was shining and the solar cars were raring to go. The students from Mary MacKillop Catholic College were in their element as they had worked with the primary school students from Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Primary School, St Gertrude’s Catholic Primary School, Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School Villawood and Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School Cabramatta for the past eight weeks designing, testing and refining solar powered racing cars.

The students from MMCC have become masters of solar energy, the concepts that are involved in the best means of harnessing the energy and producing the fastest moving car. Our skilled and friendly mentors worked with the primary school students to race their cars in a number of rounds and a series of finals until the champion racer from the primary school competitors was announced. The sun shone brightly as the students organised a circular race chase for the primary school racers and enthusiastically created solar powered boats with the younger students, that leisurely floated across the mini pool.

There were smiles all around from the primary school students feeling very special with all the support they received and the girls from Mary MacKillop feeling elated with the contribution they had made.

Year 7 Science – Snake Tails Incursion – Mrs Hornas

On Tuesday 16th August Mr Bob Whitney from “Snake Tails” came to talk to Year 7 students about all things reptile. Snake Tails is an interactive learning experience  proudly featuring only Australian reptiles. It aims to deliver an insight into our Australian reptiles through a safe and fun performance that creates a greater understanding of the role of our reptiles in the environment today.

He had displays of various snakes and even introduced the girls to “George” an olive python. The girls were able to touch various lizards such as the Shingle back and Blue tongue lizard. Some girls needed to pretend to be a tree where by “Pikachu” a yellow bearded dragon sat while Bob explained the features of the lizard family.

The message that Bob promoted was that snakes and other reptiles are only a danger if we try to kill them and the way they protect themselves is to either run/slither away or attack because they think we are trying to do them harm. So remember, killing any reptile is against the law because they play a vital role in controlling the mice and insect populations.

Year 7 students thoroughly enjoyed their presentation during Science Week and the girls learnt a great deal about reptiles and various snake behaviours from this incursion and it will be a great support to their learning in the classroom regarding the features of living things.

Medieval Man

On Tuesday 26th July, Year 8 History students had an incursion for Medieval History, more specifically the Life of Knights. We learnt about all the different types of armour throughout the Middle Ages, and even got to try them on and to discover the purpose of different weapons, and had the opportunity to hold them. We weren’t allowed to fight with them, but our imagination made it just as fun!

We were also given the privilege of wearing different medieval clothes, learning about why they were worn and by who, down to functionality, to the ease of obtaining the materials and colours used. We got hands on (or rather, hands in) experience of how it felt to be in a pillory. Overall, Year 8 students had lots of fun as we discussed and listened to this very interesting topic!

By Odelia Salim, Year 8 History

Year 11 Hospitality Sandwich Brigade

Last week students in Year 11 Hospitality completed their Sandwich Brigade Competency Task. In this task the students needed to demonstrate competency in working effectively with others whilst preparing sandwiches in kitchen brigades  (2-3 students). Students produced a variety of sandwiches.

The sandwich varieties included Portuguese Chicken Wrap, Pork Gau Bao, Chicken and Avocado Toastie, Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese Bagel, Chicken Shawarma and Mini Italian Rolls.

Part of the task was to prepare the sandwiches in sufficient catering quantities (10-15 serves), which we made as lunch for our lucky staff members. During the task students needed to ensure both correct hygiene and food safety principles were enforced throughout preparation (adhering to the 2hr/4hr rule).

Mrs Davis and Mrs Donnelly

MMCC Gardening Club

  . .  

IMC Library

Book Week 2022

Book Week is just around the corner and the library staff are busy organising a range of fun activities for the students to enjoy. Each year since 1945 the CBCA has brought children and books together across Australia through CBCA Book Week. It is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate books and Australian children’s authors and illustrators. The theme this year is Dreaming With Eyes Open and this perfectly sums up what reading is all about.

Here are just a few of the activities that will be on offer:

*Design your own library

*Staff Shelfie – guessing competition

*Recreate a book cover

MMCC Chess Club

Each Wednesday at lunchtime, the MMCC Chess Club meets in the IMC Reading Room. This regular practice and friendly competition helps to develop and improve skills and strategies. All students are welcome to join. No previous chess experience is necessary as there are plenty of experienced players ready to impart their knowledge of the game.

Premier’s Reading Challenge

A reminder that the Premier’s Reading Challenge concludes this month.

Congratulations to the following students for completing their challenge:

Year 7:                    Year 8:

Cecilia S                      Alanah K

Lilian E                        Jenny M

Rachel F                     Christina N

New Books

We have some great new titles delivered to the IMC. Here is a snapshot of what is on offer:

A Little Spark by Barry Jonsberg

Cate gets to spend every second weekend with her dad, and everything is fine until Cate’s stepdad, Sam, gets offered his dream job in London and her mum decides they are going to move to England with him…Cate must decide what she wants for herself. She loves both her parents – but she must choose between them.

A warm and funny novel full of unexpected twists and turns, joy and heartbreak.

Wanderer by Victor Kelleher

In a dangerous world where predators roam both land and sea, an orphaned young boatman wanders alone. Faced with the terrors of the water and the ever-present threat of a warrior group called the Clan, he struggles to survive.

The first middle-grade novel in many years, by one of Australia’s greatest storytellers, Wanderer is an exciting adventure set in a brilliantly-imagined world. It is also a love song to the power of books and stories.

Study Skills Handbook – Managing Expectations

CAPA HSC Showcase