Please let me thank you all for a very successful term. It has been action-packed at pretty much every level, and I know that all staff are very ready for a break. I am positive that students and families are too. School communities only work successfully when parents, children and teachers foster enthusiasm and commitment, and I am sure we have all done that thus far in 2023.
Next week is Holy Week, and all students at the College have been journeying the Stations of the Cross at different times this week. The focus of this passage though is the Last Supper, and what it tells us about Jesus' ministry and the message He left his disciples.
At the Last Supper, Jesus knew that He was going to die very soon, and His death would be excruciating. I sometimes think about what would have gone through His head as he sat down on the floor to eat, or how He resisted a very understandable need to offload to His disciples, who were His closest friends, the fears He undoubtedly felt.
We know that He chose to wash their feet before the meal. This is rich in symbolism, and I think He did this to model for them the humility needed to lead with compassion and love. He only had a very small amount of time left with them, and He needed to give them a message that they would remember.
In the Gospel of John, after the departure of Judas from the Last Supper, Jesus tells his remaining disciples that he will be with them for only a short time, then gives them a New Commandment, stating: "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. Over the next two weeks, with the rushing to holidays and the giving of eggs, please remember the simplicity and beauty of that compelling message.
Please stay safe over the next two weeks. It is a genuine joy to be Principal of Mary MacKillop Catholic College and I look forward to continuing our success next term.
Take care
Mr Chris Gabbett College Principal
College Admin Office Hours over Easter Break
The College administration will be open over the Easter school holidays at the Senior Admin Building at the Kratkze Road entry. It will be open from 9:00am to 3:00pm Tuesday, 4 April through Thursday, 6 April, and then Tuesday, 11 April through Thursday, 13 April. As always, please call 07 4698 7777 or email highfields@twb.catholic.edu.au and one of our helpful admin team will get back to you.
Camp Assistance
As we approach School Camp season, please reach out to accounts@highfields.catholic.edu.au if you are experiencing financial difficulty. The College has facility to support families who are unable to contribute fully to the camp expense.
In addition, we may be able to access funding from the Apex Foundation on your behalf.
The Apex Foundation is made up of 10 different Trust funds which all have a chairman and all work in their way.
The Civilian Widows Trust is able to help students who are in financial hardship, being where the family simply can't afford to send their children or child to:
school camps
sporting representative carnivals
school excursions
The Civilian Widows Trust can also assist with tangible products, such as items needed for a child's education such as uniforms or school fees.
If a child is suffering from medical conditions or an accident the trust fund is also able to help with tangible items also.
There is no deadline, this is not a grant program, we are simply a trust fund who is able to help children and families in need. All that is required is to gather letters of support on letterheads where possible, these can include the teachers, school principal, sporting clubs, doctors, nurses, occupational therapists, other community groups and members of the family.
This year, McCormack House's Senior College Colour Run is being held on Cross Country day–Tuesday, 18 April. For the past two years, McCormack House has hosted Colour Run in support of the MND and Me Foundation. The non-profit MND and Me Foundation supports people and their families living with Motor Neurone Disease in Queensland. As there has been no cure found yet for this disease, the funds collected from this event not only raise awareness of MND but also assist patients and families to be able to maintain their independence and quality of life.
At our Week 7 Assembly, McCormack House Captain, Bella Stenzel, reminded the Senior College community that McCormack's patron saint, Sister Irene McCormack endeavoured to support the vulnerable in her community and that Colour Run is an opportunity for Senior students to do this as well, while also having a bit of fun with colour!
To participate in the Colour Run on Cross Country day, students will need to:
bring a white shirt, or a white outfit (they are encouraged to organise a theme with their friends);
bring a pair of sunglasses or safety goggles (these are compulsory, to protect students' eyes)
donate to our McCormack House team page on MND and Me Foundation's website (see below for details).
HOW TO DONATE:
There are two ways that Senior students can donate. Please note, McCormack House is encouraging a $5 minimum per student:
If students wish to join the team and raise more money by obtaining donations from family/friends, they should contact the following people via email and ask to be invited to join the team.
Thank you, on behalf of McCormack House, for your anticipated support of the Senior College Colour Run and MND and Me Foundation.
Leisa Radley (on behalf of McCormack House) Director of Formation and College Culture (7-12)
St Mary MacKillop Catholic Parish
Next week is a very important week in our traditional Catholic faith where we remember the celebrate (commemorate) the events that lead to Jesus dying on the cross and rising three days later. You are most welcome to join the community here in Highfields at the following celebration times and places:
Palm Sunday - 2nd April
Mass at MacKillop Centre at 8am
Reconciliation - 5th April
Combined Lenten Reconciliation Liturgy: St. Theresa’s Parish Centre - 6pm
Holy Thursday - 6th April
MacKillop Centre - 5.30pm
St. Theresa’s Parish Centre - 7.00pm
Good Friday - 7th April
Ecumenical Stations of the Cross - Peacehaven Park, Highfields - 10am
Passion of our Lord : MacKillop Centre - 3pm
Holy Saturday vigil - 8th April
MacKillop Centre - 6pm
Easter Sunday Mass - 9th April
(The Resurrection of the Lord) MacKillop Centre - 8am
Sacramental Program - Parent Meeting
We held the parent meeting on Monday evening (27 March) for the Sacrament of Confirmation and First Eucharist. If you missed the meeting and would still like to be part of the program (and you didn't contact me before the meeting) please contact me so that we can ensure that you and your child have all the information. My email is Paula.Orourke@twb.catholic.edu.au
Sacrament of Confirmation is Thursday, 15 June at 7:00pm with Bishop Robert McGuckin.
Sacrament of First Eucharist is Sunday, 13 August at 9:00am with St Mary MacKillop Catholic Parish community.
If you have any questions at all please contact any of the people below:
Name
Contact Number
Fr Brian Noonan
0458 967 094
Marita Tuite
0477 925 252
Beth McCormack
0412 018 177
Nadine Dolan
0425 210 444
Trish Gall
0418 356 181
Liz Eilers
0439 777 121
Paula O'Rourke
07 4698 7777 (College number)
Paula O'Rourke APRE
Is your Easter egg slavery-free?
In 2015, Pope Francis said that “every person ought to have the awareness that purchasing is alwaysa moral – and not simply an economic – act.”
Thousands of children in West Africa pick cocoa beans that are used in chocolate production. Most of the children don’t know what the cocoa beans are used for, and many will never taste chocolate. But we will.
This Easter we will spend millions of dollars on chocolate. We will buy chocolate as gifts and we will buy some to add to hampers for raffles and fundraising campaigns, such as CARITAS’ wonderful Project Compassion appeal. This year buy only slavery-free chocolate that features one of the three logos on the wrapper.
Ten years ago there was almost no slavery-free chocolate in our supermarkets in Australia. Now, because of public pressure and consumer demands, most supermarkets will sell some. Thank you for contributing to the demand for slavery-free chocolate, but we have a long way to go.
Slavery-free chocolate is delicious and is no more expensive than other chocolate. Try ALDI, Haighs, and leading supermarkets.
This information has been sourced from an organisation called ACRATH so for information on Slavery-free Easter chocolate and resources, click here.
Have a safe and holy Easter.
Paula O'Rourke APRE
Bread Bags Needed!
The MMCC Environment Club is back with a new initiative!
We have signed up to the Wonder White Recycling program, where schools collect bread bags to exchange for sports equipment. Wonder White gives these bread bags to a recycling company to turn into new products - win-win!
Any bread bag is eligible - it just needs to have the crumbs shaken out of it! Please save your bread bags and send them into school with your child - there will be a collection point in both Junior and Senior admin.
Let's work together to reduce landfill, and maybe earn some new sports equipment along the way!
Rebecca Manners Teacher
Senior School
Annual Brisbane University Tour
Last Friday we took a large group of Year 11 and a handful of Year 12 students on our annual Brisbane University Tour. Throughout the day we visited Griffith University - Nathan Campus, University of Queensland - St Lucia Campus and Queensland University of Technology - Gardens Point Campus. The aim of the tour was to give students a snapshot of each university, it's location, courses, and facilities. We encourage students who are interested in exploring specific courses or areas of interest further to register for upcoming University Open Days.
Our day began early as we arrived at Griffith University amongst the leafy trees and koalas at their beautiful Nathan campus just before 9 am. Our hosts presented lots of information about Griffiths courses and research facilities. Students were quite interested in the number of adjustments factors that Griffith University accepted for certain degrees (excluding Medicine or Dentistry). We visited the simulated nursing facilities and the state-of-the-art Engineering building and workshops.
Next stop was the grand and majestic grounds of UQ St Lucia. Students were amazed just on entry how large this campus was, it does have its own post code. On arrival we were taken past the beautiful sandstone buildings and plethora of history and architecture to a huge air conditioned (it was very hot) lecture theatre. Here we learnt of the breakthroughs in science that have been achieved by UQ’s academia, the opportunities students can have to work along side their professors and the large number of clubs and societies students can belong too. Whilst at UQ we had lunch and were visited by several Mary Mac alumni who came to say hello and share their experiences.
Catching the City Cat from UQ to QUT was definitely a highlight for many. It really is such a wonderful way to view the city. We passed Griffiths Conservatorium which was a great point of reference for our arts students. Once at the QUT we made our way through it’s grid like campus to meet our student ambassadors. Here we were told that many of the newer buildings were designed by QUT students but more impressively that Merlo Coffee was the creation of two QUT students. After making our way through to another air conditioned very modern lecture theatre we listened to all things QUT and what their different campuses offered and some of their popular courses. It was interesting that all universities were promoting dual degrees especially QUT. We were taken on a tour and again ran into another past student outside the library. Possibly the most impressive building for its sustainability and structure at QUT was ‘The Cube’ the Science, Engineering and Technology building, it was incredibly interactive. Right next to this building was the Esports center, everyone was intrigued by the Bachelor and Diploma of Esports there was lots of discussion around this.
The purpose of these days is to open students’ minds, eyes and aspirations, our aim is by providing opportunities for students to explore their options they can make an informed decision regarding their desired pathway post school, whether it is university, apprenticeship or traineeship or employment.
Your Pathway Team Jennifer Stevenson and Christie Richardson
Our Year 11 students have been busy experiencing tastes of university life in Brisbane and now in Toowoomba. On Tuesday we took 38 Year 11 students to the Toowoomba UniSQ Experience Day which offers school students an opportunity to take an in-depth look at study areas that interest them, explore the campus and get a feel for uni life. Students participated in two sessions led by UniSQ’s very own Academic professionals, providing an opportunity for students to meet the people who may be their future university lecturers.
Some of the sessions our students engaged in were Creative Writing, Wildlife Management, Animal/AG Science, Visual Art, Film & Screen Production, Theatre, Engineering, Surveying, Law, Criminology, Psychology, Biomed & Med Laboratory Science, Education and Nursing.
We were also lucky enough to run into Jess and Ashlyn 2022 Alumni who were in between lectures whilst we were having lunch in the Quad. The campus was buzzing with schools from all over the region attending. It was so wonderful to chat to the students after each session and hear their genuine enthusiasm for learning and experiencing new things.
Below is the new UniSQ Course Guide. The collaboration with UQ medical has provided many new course opportunities locally e.g., Speech Pathology, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Medicine.
Looking to get a taste of what it’s like working in a medical research laboratory? QIMR Berghofer host a one day science experience program during the school holidays each year. Students can undertake a day of training in practical skills related to genetics, infectious disease or blood biology in our purpose built education laboratory facilities.
The program is open to Queensland high school students in years 10, 11 or 12 and is free to attend.
Are you a year 10, 11 or 12 student interested in a career in the dynamic and fast-paced world of healthcare? Mater Education’s High School Health Adventure program is for you!
High School Health Adventure is a program that has been designed to create a realistic experience of ‘a day in the life’ of a health professional. The utilization of simulation with manikins, skills stations, digital technology and case-based scenarios help to create this real-world learning in a unique environment for high school students.
This hands on, immersive experience will cover basic health professional understanding of anatomy and physiology, give students hands on experience of managing patients requiring basic life support and emergency response, supporting patients and their family through medical procedures such as surgery and childbirth.
Designed for those thinking of a creative career, the Creative Arts Open Day is best way to discover the variety of degree options from design, visual and creative arts, music and performing arts, film and animation, industrial design and architecture.
Venue: Queensland College of Art, South Bank campus, 226 Grey Street, South Brisbane
Cost: $95
The workshop is tailored to those in Year 10 and above.
Go to the website to register to attending, select your choice of the Visual Arts or Design workshop.
Your Pathway Team Jennifer Stevenson and Christie Richardson
Walking Network Plan - Highfields
Recently three of our Year 11 students were given the opportunity to participate in a community workshop to inform the development of a Walking Network Plan in Highfields. This was in conjunction with Toowoomba regional council, Zwart Transport Planning and the Department of Main Roads.
Our students Kaitlyn, Tom and Connor were such wonderful ambassadors for the Mary MacKillop Catholic College and Highfields community. The students were able to provide a unique perspective on where there should be crossings and the paths that younger community members of Highfields take. The councilors in attendance even took the time to acknowledge and praise the contribution that our students made and the maturity they demonstrated in their contribution the development of the Highfields infostructure.
This is what the kids had to say:
"The TCC walking day was a positive experience. The day began with a walk over to the cultural center, followed by an introduction to the topic, councilors, and organisers of the event. We were then split off into groups and began the commute on different routes. We had to critique and analyse the surroundings to deem if they were safe for everyone. This included if the area was interesting, ease of access for people with disability, and safety from traffic. With this information gathered, we returned back to the cultural center and began to collate information and ideas as to how to make the area of Highfields safe for all.
The day was positive due to not only were we involved with the walking and information collated towards the routes, we felt we had a voice and were able to have input towards decisions and we were involved in conversations. We weren’t brushed aside and were able to communicate our own ideas with members of council and those on the committee. Would definitely do this again and recommend it for those who wish to have a voice on how to improve our community."
Kaitlyn, Tom and Connor Year 11 Students
Junior School
Year 4 Cobb & Co Excursion
The Year 4 students had fun as they immersed themselves in a hands-on culminating activity of their Science Unit on Forces at the Cobb & Co museum. Hosted by Tony Coonan from the University of Queensland, the students learned how levers, gears, and pullies transformed the lives of people. Once these were discovered, the energy a person or animal used to push or pull a machine, tool, or vehicle was substantially reduced. Many experiments investigating these were tried out in the science centre. Students were put to the test using their energy to turn a handle to light up light bulbs, combined peddle power to boil a kettle, discover the best combination of cogs to make the chimes/colour wheel go faster or slower, and use push, gravity, and momentum to roll a ball through a vertical maze of their design. During the rotation of the carriage section, students learned how Cobb experimented with the alignment of horses to establish the most efficient way of pulling a mail carriage. Further, we learned where the term horsepower originated.
The museum is also currently host to an Australia in Space exhibit. Using hands-on experiences, the students were able to discover the ways that Australian innovations are used in space. The Year 4s were able to use a virtual telescope to 'link up' with iconic deep space missions, discover how satellites allow over-the-horizon communications in a laser-based puzzle game, tackle space junk with a friend in a cooperative computer-based game, and pilot a simulated Mars rover robotic arm to drill and examine rocks from the planet.
Our day was full of learning, but it was also a wonderful way for friends to interact with each other across the year level as we enjoyed a picnic and play on the playground in Queen’s Park after the museum.
Year 4 teachers, Amy Dwyer, Julia Thomas, and Kara Sheather.
Year 2 Bush Explorers
In week 9, Year 2 students experienced an exciting visit to the Amaroo Environmental Education Centre. Throughout Term 1, classes have been studying Living Things in Science, Australian animals in English and The Creation Story in Religion. This excursion to Amaroo has provided students with an invaluable experience to connect learning in the classroom, to the real world.
After a short bus ride to Amaroo and an Acknowledgement of Country, the students participated in the program “What’s the bush about?”. The program is designed for students to investigate key aspects of animals and plant life in the bush. Activities throughout the day included a bush walk, tree search, and each student created a clay model of an Australian animal.
On the bushwalk, some fascinating items were discovered such as a snakeskin, termite mound, a possum tail, some echidna quills, and a bull ant nest. The students explored the life cycle of butterflies and plants, and whilst exploring the bushland, made real life connections when they spotted some moth cocoons.
As a grand finale, students were lucky enough to see a mother and baby possum having a snack on an apple. Year 2 students arrived back to school, beaming with excitement and stories to tell. A big thank you to the leaders at Amaroo who made the day such a valuable learning experience.
Miss Zoe Phillips, Miss Courtney Davis, Miss Vicki Murphy Year 2 Teachers
Vocabulary knowledge is foundational to becoming a successful reader and writer. Vocabulary is the words understood when heard or read. The greater the vocabulary knowledge a student has, the greater the chance the student has of being academically successful.
Researchers, Beck, McKeown & Kucan (2013) suggest that there are 3 tiers of words. Tier 1 words are basic (e.g., car, dog, grass etc.) and are learned through interacting and speaking with others and are usually learned prior to the commencement of formal schooling. Tier 2 words are used by mature speakers, with adjectives and adverbs, for example used to embellish or emphasise. These words are used in a range of contexts and are important for listening and reading comprehension. Tier 3 words are subject specific, i.e., Science, History, Mathematics. These words are not ordinarily used in everyday conversation but are important to comprehend and engage in specific topics.
Vocabulary knowledge predicts comprehension ability. This is increasingly important as a student is required to read and comprehend more complex texts as they move through their schooling. The more texts students are exposed to the more vocabulary they in turn are exposed to, resulting in more successful reading and comprehension.
At home you can support your child’s vocabulary development by:
Give your child many opportunities to listen to and speak about experiences, feelings, visuals, print and digital texts.
Read aloud to your child, regardless of their age.
Expose your child to as many fiction and non-fiction texts as possible.
Talk to your child about the ‘world’. An increasing general knowledge about the world supports in extending vocabulary.
Talk to your child about words that have multiple meanings.
Activities to do in the car:
Number plates: Ask your child to invent a short sentence using letters in number plates.
Amazing ABCs: Challenge you child to write their own ABCs. E.g., ABC of feelings, ABC of animals. They could then add an adjective or use alliteration, as an extra challenge, e.g.,
A - adventurous ant ate an….
B -bold bear blew…
OR you could ask your child to choose a location, e.g.,
at the zoo….
asked for directions
built an aquarium
climbed with monkeys
The holidays are a wonderful opportunity to just enjoy books with the added bonus of spending quality time with your child. Read loudly, read with a silly voice, make the animal noises. Your child will appreciate it in years to come.
Mrs. Natalie Adler Assistant Principal Teaching & Learning: Junior
Extra-Curricular
Touch Football Success!!
Congratulations to the Under 10's girls touch football team who were runners up in the Toowoomba Touch Football competition. They played a thrilling grand final match which ended in double overtime.
Carmen Campbell Junior Sports Teacher
Year 4 T-Ball Gala Day
The Year 4’s attended the Toowoomba Catholic School Tee Ball Gala Day on Tuesday. They had a fun day where they played several games against other Catholic schools within the diocese at Kearney Springs sport fields. Gala days help students to develop the skills of teamwork, cooperation and fair play while participating in a new sport.
Carmen Campbell Junior Sports Teacher
Year 8 Basketball Team make their first final.
The Year 8 basketball team have been participating in their first major competition as a school team this term. They achieved a very credible 2nd place in Division 2 of the UniSQ Positive Choices Basketball competition playing in the finals last Friday evening.
The pool stage involved 3 matches on Friday evenings against Highlands (Win 63-23), Toowoomba Grammar (Loss 57-29), and Wilsonton State High School (Win 88-9), which earned them a place in the semi-finals of Division 2, where they convincingly beat Concordia Lutheran College (86-15) to set up a showdown with their local rivals (yet good friends!) from Highfields State School in the Div 2 finals.
The match was a great display of skill and tenacity from both sides. Highfields established an early lead which Mary Mackillop were unable to reduce before the final buzzer. Several three-point shots kept us in the chase and the end-to-end action made for captivating viewing for the large crowd there to support both teams. The final score of 48-35 reflected a close game hard fought by both teams.
Throughout this competition the team have grown in confidence and stature and have given a great account of themselves throughout.
Connor Stanton captained the team commendably through the final stages, with Will Campbell finishing as the highest scorer for the team.
The team comprised of Connor Stanton, William Campbell, Will Ehrlich, Lindsay Hamilton-Jackson, Dominic Pirlo, Lincoln Mende, Lachlan McConnell, Will Chambers, Darcy Matthews, Harrison Schemionek and Sebastian Mattocks.
Thanks to Mrs Campbell and Jonte Scheldrick for taking on the coaching and management of the team.
Introducing Mary MacKillop Theatre Academy (MMTA): COMMENCING TERM 2!
Students in MMTA will meet on Thursday afternoons from 3:15 pm – 4:30 pm in M2 beginning on Thursday, 20 April (first-week Term 2) in Molloy 2.
Please be aware that there will be a one off cost of $50 per student to cover the costs of photocopying, licensing and other purchases.
An email has been sent out to parents with all of the relevant information.
Please note: This is only open to Senior School Students.
Genevieve Duncan Senior Drama Teacher
Toowoomba Busking Festival
Toowoomba Busking Festival- Saturday, 29 April 2023.
Old school busking so strictly acoustic, no backing tracks and no instruments that require power.
There is a $15 registration fee which is also new this year. Prizes are big although competition is stiff. There are some REALLY good busking acts that come from all over the countryside (Bris/Sunshine/Gold Coast etc) and the people's choice award up for grabs.
We will be visiting through the festival to cheer on our superstars!
Jess Burke Middle Leader - The Arts
Student Achievements
MJR Awards
Congratulations to this term's Making Jesus Real Award Recipients for each house. These students have been selected by their teachers for their actions and words. These students have displayed the values of being a WESTIE.
Welcoming
Enthusiastic
Saying Sorry
Being Thankful
Inclusive
Encouraging
McCormack House Award RecipientsPenola House Award RecipientsTenison House Award RecipientsCunningham House Award Recipients
Community Noticeboard
PEN update (Parent Engagement Network)
Hello from the Parent Engagement Network!
We hope everyone is well and you are all looking forward to your holidays. Everyone deserves a break. Term 1 has been a very busy term with many events and successes throughout the College.
We thank all of the students for doing their best throughout this term. We also wish to thank all of the College leadership team and teaching staff for creating a safe environment for our students to learn. We wish to thank Mr Chris Gabbett for his strong leadership always during another busy start to the year and the many successes to the student body.
The PEN wishes to acknowledge all of the hard work being done across the entire College. Below is an update on recent and upcoming events throughout the College where the PEN have been involved and are working alongside the College.
Recent event updates for the Term 1:
Disco and BBQ for families P-6 - 17th March (Week 8)
The PEN wishes to thank all P-6 Students for attending this amazing and wonderful event. We had 354 students attend this evening and they all looked like they were having an amazing and fun time. These are great events for all students to celebrate life and enjoy these special moments with friends.
We also wish to acknowledge and thank all of our wonderful student and parent volunteers who helped on this afternoon and evening. We cannot do it without your support and assistance. A special thank you goes to our Disco Queen organiser Mrs Emma Ehrlich for leading this event. Well done Emma. We are blessed to have you in our College community.
Thank you also to our Café and BBQ volunteers for also providing the sausage sizzle and drinks for parents and students attending. It was lovely to see parents and families sitting on the grass and enjoying this afternoon and disco event. The carpark was jammed packed.
We look forward to Term 2 Senior Disco as well. Watch this space for further information to come and volunteers needed for this event.
Pie Drive for Term 2 – week 3
The College is excited to announce we will be running the famous Pie Drive again for Term 2. Those colder months will be on our doorstep before we know it. Please watch this space for further details to come earlier in next term. An online order form is available which does make it easy for payments and delivery. Funds raised go to the Colleges Resources areas where needed.
Mother's Day Raffle Drawn 12 May – Term 2
Watch this space for a PEN supported raffle for our Mums, Grandmothers and carers to raise funds for our College Resources. Last year’s Father’s Day raffle was a great success and we raised much needed funds to support the College. Simply purchase your ticket through our online College ordering system which will make this an easy process.
Watch early in the term for more details to follow. This raffle will be drawn at the College’s Mother’s Day Breakfast for our Mums, Grandmothers and Carers on Friday the 12 May.
PEN - Executive Meeting update from 21 March
Last week the College Executive Team came together to discuss the year ahead with events planned and fundraising ideas were locked in. We also discussed the monitoring of the existing College Strategic Plan for 2021-24 in conjunction with the Annual Action Plan. Later this year at the start of Term 3 (Semester 2) the PEN will be forming a working group to discuss and model the new College Strategic Plan due in 2025. We will discuss this motion at our next General Meeting on 2 May. Along with the College’s Executive Leadership Team, it will be the PEN’s job to meet regularly to discern the direction of the new Strategic Plan for 2025-2029. We will be calling for assistance from parents, teachers and students to be part of and have input into the next stage of the College’s Strategic forward planning and direction for the Colleges exciting future.
PEN - Mission and Identity update
In the Mission and Identity space we would like to once again introduce the concept of Healing Hands. Healing Hands is a simple but powerful way to tell someone that they are being thought of during a time of stress, grieving, hospitalisation of family members or sickness.
If you would like to contribute, by cooking meals or baking to assist this group, please collect supplied containers suitable for freezing and portion sizing from the junior or senior admin blocks. Please ensure you and any family in your house are well while cooking meals or baking goods. Return these items in the provided containers, labelled with all ingredients and date, prepared to the junior administration block to be frozen for future distribution to families or individuals in need.
As always, if you know someone who needs a hamper, the best contacts are Mrs Emma Ehrlich, Mrs Paula O'Rourke or the Junior or Senior Reception. These hampers are always given out confidentiality.
Peak to Park Run update and MMCC Run Club
We wish to thank all students, staff and parent participants that attended this event.
It was a great morning to see all runners, joggers and walkers come together for this event. The past few years have not allowed this event to proceed due to Covid. This was a well-run event. Thank you to Mr Gabbett as well for starting a running club Friday morning at the College. This encouragement for the students attending is very well accepted and appreciated by all of the group. This will continue over coming months in preparation for those wanting to participate in joining the MMCC group of runners for the Brisbane Marathon Festival (3-4 June) run 5km, 10km or 21km Marathon or full Marathon. More details:- https://www.brisbanemarathon.com.au Everyone is welcome to attend the MMCC run club at 6.30am at the Café Friday mornings.
40 for Fortey Relay - College Community Event - 28 May
As you have seen in a College Broadcast email the Parent Engagement Network will be leading College and community participation in the ‘40 for Fortey’ Relay this year and in years to come.
This event sees participants, either individually or as a team, complete at least one 4km loop at the Toowoomba Showgrounds. The event is in memory of Senior Constable Brett Forte, affectionately known as "Fortey" who was killed on duty on 29 May 2017.
This is an important event for Mary MacKillop Catholic College as Senior Constable Forte was a Mary Mac parent and the Forte family are still members of our community.
The event starts at 6:30am on Sunday, 28 May. We are hoping to have a few teams compete made up of parents, staff and students. If running is not your thing, you may want to attend as a supporter or support our runners' tent/barbecue?
Entry fees are $26.50 per team member (which includes the Race Roster booking fee).
The nominated captain of each team will be required to register and set up the team name; individual team members will then be able to register and join their nominated team. Proceeds from the event go to the Queensland Police Legacy Scheme.
We would greatly appreciate you completing this form to indicate your willingness to join this important event. If you have any questions, please email higpen@twb.catholic.edu.au
College Junior Cross Country
This event was an awesome day for our P-6 students. To see the excitement on the students faces running the course. To see parents, present to encourage their children was also wonderful. Thank you to our wonderful sporting staff for preparing and delivering this day. Parent Volunteers were also involved from the PEN to support this day by catering for a sausage sizzle for this event. Thank you to all volunteers for your ongoing support and assistance.
Coffee Catchup at The Café – Every Tuesday morning 8am till 8.30am. (After holidays)
To all College Parents, students and staff, if you love a coffee in the morning, come along and show your support for the College Barista Students in the Café area. Beverages available are coffees, hot chocolate, chai and more! It’s also a great opportunity to check-in on how everyone is doing. This is a great opportunity for us all to meet. We’d love to see you there!
Fundraising – we need you!
Each year we run some smaller fundraisers to help with sourcing resources for our College. This year we are looking to continue on with the same fundraising events i.e. pie drive, mango drive and ham drive. If you are interested in assisting with any of these events, please reach out to the PEN, many hands make light work. Refer to our email address below for any feedback or areas which you feel may need attention throughout the College.
The College is also looking to run some larger fundraising events this year and we’d really appreciate your help. If this is an area of interest to you, please reach out to the PEN at higpen@twb.catholic.edu.au
Grant Writing to support of College –PEN Resources Team
Does this interest you? We are still in need of assistance in this area. If this is of an interest to you, please make contact via the below email. There are many grants available and we need your help!
Holiday wishes from the PEN
The PEN wishes everyone a safe and wonderful holiday. Enjoy this opportunity to spend time with loved ones and take a well-deserved break.
Take care and travel safely if you are going away.
All the best from the PEN.
We are looking forward to another successful Term 2 with many College jam-packed events with success and growth across all academic, arts, cultural and sporting codes!
If you have a topic or matters for discussions, please send through to the PEN email higpen@twb.catholic.edu.au and we can add it to our next Meeting Agenda.
Take care.
Shayne Cleary and Rowena Voll Co-Chairs PEN
Next Meeting for 2023:
2nd General Meeting for the year 2 May 2023 (Tuesday evening)
Our Easter Vacation Care Program has just been released. There are so many exciting things that are going to be happening these school holidays such as an Excursion to Inflatable world, Easter Egg Scavenger Hunts, Nerf Gun Battles, Bike & Scooter Day, and many more tried and tested favourites! Please book in asap to secure your place.
