From the Acting Principal

Year 12 Farewell Assembly

Our Year 12 2019 cohort had a great day last Friday being farewelled by the College community of students and staff.  Our Years 7 to 11 students spoke highly of the great leadership and support the Year 12 students have provided them over the years.  Our Year 12 students then responded with great passion by singing the College song with great spirit and pride before being provided with a guard of honour by our Year 11 students as they left the College to prepare for their HSC exams.

We take this opportunity to congratulate our Year 12 students for their contribution to the College community over these last six years.

Year 12 2019 Graduation Mass and Ceremony

Our Year 12 students and their families were treated to a Mass that was celebrated by Father Peter Stohmayer and concelebrated by Father Mac.  We are always eternally grateful for the support of both St Benedict’s Parish, Smithfield and Father Mac, who has not missed a Year 12 Graduation Mass since the College first opened in 1991.  Father Stohmayer and Fr Mac provided our College with another uplifting and empowering celebration of the Eucharist.

At the conclusion of the Mass, our parents were given the opportunity to celebrate both the awarding of the top students in each HSC course and also their daughters individual graduation.

We thank the many staff members for their work in ensuring that this was a special night for our Year 12’s and their families, especially Mrs Flanagan and the RE Team, Mr Thomas, Mrs Boustani, Mr Henessy and the Year 12 team, and the many other teachers, support staff and students who contributed to this great evening. We especially thank Mr Reutens and the choir who sang each hymn with such passion and grace. Mr Reutens was also supported by Mr Harski & Miss El-Azzi.

Congratulations to all of our Year 12 graduates and their families for their hard work and support over the last six years.

Senior Student Leadership Team 2020

During the Year 12 Farewell assembly, Ms Pussich announced the 2020 Senior Student Leadership team.  We congratulate all of the students who were nominated for leadership and the successful students below.

College Leadership Executive Team

College Captain Summer Rosewall      Vice Captain Jane Awad

College House Captain Mary Tamar-Agha         College House Vice- Captain Amelia All

College Portfolio Captain Adriana Ferkula Cohen     College Portfolio Vice-Captain Mariam Elisha

The 2020 Senior Student Leaders Executive Team

We will be celebrating the commissioning of our new Senior Student Leaders on Tuesday 15th October at 10.00am.  If parents/carers or family wish to attend, please contact Mrs Grace Labbozzetta on 9725-4322 to RSVP your attendance.

Keep our Year 12 2019 Students in our Prayers during the HSC Examinations

Our Year 12 students begin their HSC Exams on Thursday 17th October and they conclude on Friday 8th November.  Our Year 12’s will be demonstrating their “She Can. She Will” attitude with every examination.  We ask every member of our College community to continue to keep our Year 12 students in their prayers during this study/preparation time and their HSC examination period.

Our HSC students are right now working very hard, coming in to school each day for their extra lessons and also during the holidays as well, with our final HSC holiday classes across a range of subject areas.  We thank each and every HSC teacher who is committed to ensuring each of their students can achieve their personal best in their upcoming HSC examinations.

Ms Pussich on Leave 

Ms Pussich will be on leave between Week 10 Term 3 and Week 1 Term 4.  She will return to the College at the beginning of Week 2 Term 4.  We wish Ms Pussich the very best as she takes some well deserved professional leave for an educational leaders conference in Glasgow, Scotland.

From the Acting Assistant Principal

First Day Back of Term 4

We begin Term 4 on Monday 14th October 2019 with normal classes and the beginning of our Summer Uniform expectations.  In particular, the jumper is not permitted during the summer uniform terms.  

Term 4 Summer Uniform Reminder

The summer uniform has the following Expectations:

• Regulation College white ankle socks are to be worn at all times.
• College Skirts, which must cover the bottom of the knee-cap (ie covering the whole knee).  We ask parents to ensure that over the holidays this is rectified before coming back on the first day of Term 4.
• Pink/Blue Blouse.
• Undershirts are to be neutral in colour and must not be showing otherwise these will have to be removed if they are brought to school.
• The College Jumper is NOT to be worn during the summer uniform period
• The College Blazer can be worn in cooler weather and CAN be worn as the outer garment when coming to and leaving the College.

If any student is NOT in the correct summer uniform or incorrectly groomed on the first day of Term 4, she will be sent home to have the problem rectified.  Please ensure you refer to the College Dress Code in the College Diary or the summary table below.

We thank all parents for your support of our College uniform regulations and welcome you to call us if you are having any difficulties with ensuring your daughter is in the correct uniform. We will also be happy to assist you with any difficulties where possible.

Connect with Compass to Keep in Touch

Please ensure you have download the updated COMPASS app.  

• The app store: goo.gl/9FHGg6
• Google play: goo.gl/iSmC64

You can also access the full functionality of Compass via your internet browser through: https://mmcwakeley-nsw.compass.education/  Please do not give your daughter access to the parent portal. If you are having issues with your username or password please contact one of our IT Support Officers on 9725-4322.

Internet Safety over the Holidays

We ask parents/carers to keep a close eye on their daughters to ensure they are safely using the internet.  For more information, please visit the eSafety Commissioners Website: https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents

When you are online:

• respect the rights of others
• ask before posting any material (eg: photos or videos)
• report offensive or illegal content – speak to your parents
• don’t respond to hurtful or nasty comments – block and report cyberbullying, speak to your parents
• speak to your parents or trusted adult about upsetting online experiences
• report threats of violence to the police (collect the evidence to show them) this is done through a parent

School Holidays

The holidays are a great time for rest and relaxation, taking a mental break from daily learning. It is also a time to reconnect with family and friends, while engaging in activities that bring you together. These holidays are also an opportunity to prepare oneself for Term 4, with assessments for Year 7 to 10 students and for our Year 11 students as they transition into Year 12 and begin the HSC. Please enjoy the next two weeks so all are ready to  finish the 2019 well with a great term 4.  

The Catholic weekly has provided “20 fun family ideas for the school holidays” I invite you to consider some of these activities when planning your rest and relaxation. Please also refer to the Fairfield City Council School Holiday Events http://www.fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au/news/article/449/hello_school_holidays

Important Dates for Term 4

Monday 14th October  –  First Day of Classes for Term 4

Monday 14th – Wed 16th October  –  HSC STUVAC Lessons

Tuesday 15th October  –  2020 Senior Leaders Commissioning Liturgy and Assembly 10.00am

Tuesday 15th October  –  Year 12 2020 Information Evening – 7.00pm

Thursday 17th October  –  HSC Examinations Begin

Thursday 17th October  –  St Mary of the Cross MacKillop Canonisation Anniversary 2010

Friday 18th October  –  2020 Senior Leadership Team Induction and Planning Day

Wednesday 23rd  –  Friday 25th October – Year 12 2020 Senior Retreat

Friday 25th October  –  World Teachers Day

Monday 28th October – Friday 1st November  –  Year 12 2020 Work Placement Week

Wednesday 30th October  –  Year 8 VALID Science Testing

Wednesday 30th October  –  Parent Advisory Group Meeting – 6.00pm

Friday 8th November  –  HSC Exams End

Monday 11th November  –  Year 10 2020 CLC Leaders Speeches and Voting

Monday 11th November  –  Remembrance Day

Monday 11th – 15th November  –  Year 12 2020 Work Placement Week

Monday 11th – 15th November  –  National Recycling Week

Thursday 14th November  –  Parent Advisory Group Dinner – 6.00pm

Monday 18th November – Year 5 Feeder Schools – “To Be a High School Student”

Tuesday 19th November  –  PAT Testing – Years 7 and 10

Wed 20th November –   PAT Testing – Years 8 and 9

Wed 20th November  –  Year 7 2020 Information Evening – 7.00pm

Friday 22nd November  –  Year 12 Formal – Oatlands House – 6.30pm – 11.30pm

Monday 25th November  –  Year 4 Feeder Schools – “To Be a High School Student”

Thursday 28th November – Year 8 and 9 Advent Program

Friday 29th November  –  Year 7 2020 Orientation Day 2

Monday 2nd December –  Year 10 2020 CLC Leaders Induction and Planning Day 

Tuesday 3rd December  –  International Day of People with a Disability

Thursday 5th-12th December  –  Year 10 Activities Week

Tuesday 10th December  –  Year 10 CLC Leaders Commissioning Liturgy and Assembly

Wednesday 11th December  –  Awards Night 

Thursday 12th December  –  Last Day of Classes and Christmas Mass

Friday 13th December  –  Christmas Carnival 9.45am-2.45pm

Monday 16th December  – Semester 2 Years 7-11 Parent-Teacher-Student Interviews

Tuesday 17th December  –  HSC Results Released (6.00am), ATAR Released (1.00pm)

Wednesday 18th December  –  HSC Luncheon

Inspirational Quote

Wish all a happy and safe holiday

God Bless

Annette Flanagan, Acting Assistant Principal

Catholic Life @ MMCC

She Can She Will

In the spirit of this year’s motto ‘She Can She Will’, Years 7 to 11 students have written messages of support and encouragement to Year 12 to inspire them to do their best as they prepare for their HSC exams.

Josephite Got Talent Showcase

On Friday 30th August the winners of the MMCC Mac-factor talent quest from Mary MacKillop Day were invited to take part in the Inaugural Josephite’s Got Talent at Holy Spirit, Lakemba. The Josephites Got Talent Showcase was an opportunity to gather for a night of entertainment as a Josephite community. The night also acknowledge the work of students who lead social justice initiatives in our schools. Congratulations to our Assyrian and Samoan students who performed cultural dances on the night.

JJAMM Week 2019

Each year, at Mary MacKillop Catholic College, we celebrate our Josephite charism and the legacy of Mary MacKillop through JJAMM week. During this week we learn more about what it means to be a Josephite community through understanding the works of the patron, St Joseph and the founders of the Sisters of St Joseph, Fr Tenison Woods and Mary MacKillop. JJAMM is an acronym for St Joseph, Julian Tenison Woods and Mary MacKillop. This year we celebrated JJAMM Week with Affirmation Cards to make others happy; Photo Booth; Game Day with a student Newcombe Ball game, chalk drawings and other games; Dynamic Duo Mufti Day and with our Feast Day. 

Year 12 Prayer Packs

Primary school students and staff from St Gertrude’s, Our Lady of the Rosary, Sacred Heart Cabramatta and Villawood visited our Yr 12 students on Wednesday the 4th of September to wish them all the best for their HSC. Each Year 12 student was given out Prayer cards and goody bags to use as they prepare for their HSC.

Father’s Day Mass

On Wednesday the 28th of August the MMCC community gathered to celebrate Father’s Day. Thank you to Fr Mac for celebrating mass and to our PAG parents who cooked a delicious breakfast, making it a lovely morning, celebrating the integral role dad’s play in the life of each of our students.

Term 3 Adoration

During Term 3 partook in Adoration and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Adoration is a sign of devotion to and worship of Jesus Christ. Jesus is present in Adoration through the blessed sacrament of the Eucharist. Students listen to the word of God and spend time contemplating this with relation to their own lives.  During term 3 students were asked to write affirmations for other students as messages of encouragement and support. These affirmations have been posted around the school and students have taken affirmations on a daily basis.

Global Rosary Day

All families are invited to take part in Global Rosary Day on 13th October 2019 by praying the Rosary with their family, community group or parish. Australia will join in prayer with thousands across the globe, from 56 countries on six continents for the specific intentions of world peace, reparation and penance.

All students were provided with a set of Rosary Beads on the last day of term so they may take part during the holidays in the Global Rosary Day.

Newman Symposium – Gifted and Talented

On Wednesday 4th September 2019, Mary MacKillop Catholic College held its annual Newman Symposium in the College Hall. This event was facilitated by our Newman students who aimed to celebrate the successes, achievements and growth in learning for all Years 7-10 gifted and talented students who participate in the Sydney Catholic Schools Newman Selective Gifted Education Program. We also had our former Newman students in Year 11 and 12 lead the evening.

During the Newman Symposium many of our Year 7-10 Newman students showcased and celebrated with our school community their experience as students in a Newman class, along with many other learning experiences they have engaged in as part of this Newman Program at our College. Families and friends of our community who attended this evening had the opportunity to speak to our Newman students and staff to discover more about the Newman program and to see first hand what our students are learning in class. Students exhibited highly engaging presentations to the school community that were representative of all subject areas.

This year we endeavoured to present the work of our Newman students in the domains of giftedness, namely, the intellectual domain, physical domain, social and creative domains. This exhibited the gifts and talents of our gifted students based on the areas they excel in.

In true Mary MacKillop style, students at our College are encouraged to challenge themselves daily and to take academic risks. Our Newman classes foster an environment for energised learners in order to build their confidence in asking questions, making connections and to be resilient, independent and motivated learners. Through the College’s learning and teaching program we strive to strengthen our students’ love for lifelong learning. The showcase encompassed student work that demonstrated 21st century skills of communication, creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, design and innovation. 

I would like to thank our College student body for their enthusiasm on the night and in the lead up to this event, our parent community for their continued support, colleagues from Sydney Catholic Schools and dedicated staff for their support and attendance to this evening that helped celebrate our student successes. Lastly, I would also like to thank Mr Craig Moss, our College Newman Facilitator for his organisation of the evening and dedication towards continually extending our Newman students. We look forward to another successful Symposium in 2020.

Ms Jacqueline Genovese, Leader of Teaching and Learning

Careers Update

UTS On-Campus Experience

Western Sydney University PATHE Scholarship

https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/informationabout/scholarships_home/all_uws_scholarships/PATHE

Slow Down to 40 When the Bus Lights Flash

PCYC School Holidays Program

MMCC Open Day 2020

Coming Events

Mass Times