This week, our Year 10 cohort experienced a two day careers retreat.  

This is the second year that the College has organised this event.  The goal is to intentionally and methodically support our year ten students as they start the process of subject selection for year eleven.  There is a deeper mission too - one in which we try to link their own experiences, their sense of self worth and self actualisation, an analysis of character strengths and, importantly, a strong comprehension of what a vocation is.  

We stood on the small lawn out side the Micah Centre for prayer at the start of Wednesday.  The westerly was not yet at full strength but it certainly was a crisp day.  In leading the reflection, I told the students the experience of my father and his twin brother, who came home from St Joseph's College one February day at the age of 14 to be told that they were starting work the next day - one was to be a butcher and the other a barber.  Just like that - their childhood was over.  We are in a different world now and my goal is that all of our students feel a strong investment in their discernment and an opportunity to strive towards a vocation.  

We want to give our students a deep comprehension of what a vocation is - a calling out of gifts, an exciting and fulfilling application of a sense of mission and personal strength.  

In the reflection, we also focussed on the words of St Catherine of Siena, a 14th century Dominican.  She wrote consistently of a closer relationship with God.  One of her most famous lines is, 'Be who God meant you to be, and you will set the world on fire'.  It is this opportunity to make the ordinary become extraordinary that I want our students to grasp.  We all have to work - but I want our young people to have the skills and knowledge to find work that is fulfilling, engaging and enables their gifts to be called out.

Linked to this is the exciting and potentially overwhelming task of subject selection.  At Mary MacKillop, we enable a free choice as much as possible, so that children get their preferred options at Year 11 & 12.  I am so happy to see that our subject offerings for senior have increased further, and we will seek to deliver senior secondary learning in subjects like Physical Education, Drama, Literature and Health and Nutrition.  Similarly, our planned Year 9/10 electives have new subjects like Journalism, Dance, Maths Reasoning, Ancient History and Agricultural Science.  What a wonderful time to be leading Mary MacKillop!  One of the challenges in growing a school is the threatened paucity of subject options.  We are now at the size where we can offer a really full and rich curriculum.  

As a College we farewell Ms Susie Fredline who will be relocating to a school in the Whitsundays.  Her work at the College in the area of music and song has been absolutely exemplary.  In particular, the presence and talent of the choir at Mass has given me real joy.  This is to say nothing of her leadership of the peripatetic music programme, her preparation for Eisteddfods and her support of the musical.  We wish her the very best.  Music rotations in the junior College will be shared by Ms McVeigh and Ms Daniels in term 3.

In this last correspondence of the term, I want to pay a particular tribute to the staff at Mary MacKillop.  Teaching is a challenging job in its best day.  I know that many parents during the period of home learning gained a clearer appreciation of the quantity of work that goes into a lesson.  I am very conscious that for a significant amount of this term, teachers and support staff at Mary MacKillop have been working over the odds to ensure that learning was not disrupted, the wellbeing of students was prioritised and parents felt supported.  I dearly hope that during this break the teachers, support staff and leaders at our College get a full and complete rest.  

Thank you as ever for your support.  I do really appreciate the parents who have emailed me thanks and good wishes as the Semester has closed.  I hope you and your families have a really restful and peaceful break.  Please stay safe.  

Chris Gabbett
College Principal
chris.gabbett@twb.catholic.edu.au

We have made it! In a term that has felt like a thousand we have made it through the other side. We never imagined that we would be captains through a global pandemic, but we have seen our community come together like never before. Our school is slowly getting back to normal and beginning to have a great year once again – the Student Representative Council is in the works, and competitions like the dodgeball house competition and the Brains vs Brawn challenges are thriving. Heading into the school holidays, we pray you have a safe, happy and fun break with less worries than the one before. We can’t wait to welcome you back next term to start Semester 2!

Connor McKerrow & Caitlin Lang
College Captains

We are excited to launch our new Scholarship and Bursary program!

As we grow, it becomes even more important that our students are positive, engaged and resilient learners, who can make a positive contribution to our College culture and our mission.

We are interested in hearing from students who would like to apply for a scholarship to attend Mary MacKillop Catholic College. We are particularly interested in recruiting young men and women with strength of character and a positive outlook. Through our Wellbeing program we are consciously building a College community that is mentally healthy, confident and resilient, and we want students to apply who will both contribute to and benefit from that culture.

Students currently enrolled and attending Mary MacKillop Catholic College have the opportunity to apply for the General Excellence Scholarship, Sporting Excellence Scholarship or the Academic Bursary.

General Excellence

The General Excellence Scholarship is open to new and existing students, for commencement in Years 7, 10 or 11. This scholarship offers a discount on the tuition portion of fees for a set scholarship term.

Sporting Excellence

The Sporting Excellence Scholarship is open to both new and existing students of the College, commencing in Years 4 to 11. This scholarship offers a discount on the tuition portion of fees for a set scholarship term.

Bursaries

The Academic Bursary offers full tuition fee relief only for a three-year period for existing students at the year level entry points of Years 4, 7 and 10. Additional levies still apply.

For more information and how to apply, please visit Scholarship & Bursary Opportunities.

Every student deserves the right to have their needs met. When I was in primary school, I attended a Catholic School in a small town in Northern NSW. At that time, Nuns still existed in the education system, (yes I am getting on in age!) I can clearly recollect moments when I did not understand what I was learning and being too scared to ask for help and when I did find a voice to ask for help, I wasn't really helped. On the flip side I also remember being quite good at sport and not having any support to pursue my talent and get any better. I'm sure you would also have similar stories about your own schooling. Don't get me wrong, overall I had a wonderful education, but upon reflection, it could have been even better if the systems in place now existed back then.

We track student development on three levels: Academic, Behavior and Social/Emotional. Any student who is identified by the classroom teacher as requiring Tier 3 or Tier 2 Intervention must have adequate strategies and quality content differentiation in place for the student. This information is recorded by the classroom teacher in the PfPL grid and throughout the learning sequence of the planning documents.

As you can imagine, teachers need to work collaboratively with not only our Learning Support and Wellbeing Team, but with the Teaching and Learning Team to ensure all student needs are met. You've heard the saying, "it takes a village to raise a child", well this is certainly the case when we are tracking each student.

As part of our Annual Action Plan we set ourselves the target of: "98% meaningful teacher engagement in the DLP (Diocesan Learning Platform) and PfPL (Planning For Personalised Learning) for all vulnerable and high-level learners". 

We have just completed the latest check in for PfPL on the DLP and 100% of P-6 teachers have documented evidence of strategies in place to support Tier 3 and Tier 2 students in their class. This is a massive step to ensuring all students are tracked academically, socially/emotionally and behaviorally.

If at any time, you wish to know more about your child and how they are tracking academically, socially/emotionally and behaviorally please contact your child's teacher.

Natalie Adler
Assistant Principal Teaching & Learning: Junior
natalie.adler@twb.catholic.edu.au

‘Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire!’ St Catherine of Siena.

This week, the Year 10 students spent two days exploring their own strengths and interests and how these skills relate to future learning pathways and careers. Some time was also given to explain the new QCE system, ATAR, traineeships and apprenticeships.

We were fortunate enough to have newly elected Councillor Tim McMahon who shared his career journey. Councillor McMahon started of selling ice-cream at Australia Zoo and delivering pizza for Eagle Boys, before working as a teacher. He encouraged our students to not be afraid of hard work and to pursue careers that align with their interests and passions. He motivated our students and reminded them to back themselves and have the courage to face challenges.

A number of teachers from MMCC also shared their career journey. They discussed their joys, regrets and the challenges they faced. They discussed the decisions that they made and the number of options that were available to them. This was a crucial element to the program as it showed the students that they belong to the Mary MacKillop Catholic College community and the teachers are invested in their learning and career journey. Teachers also sent video recordings about their first jobs and the advice they would give to their own Year 10 self. This was well received by the students.

Key messages of overcoming challenges, perseverance and taking initiative were communicated in various ways throughout the two days. Time was also spent looking at university courses, TAFE and work options available and how this will influence the subjects that they would like to do in Year 11 and 12. This was a valuable time as it showed the number of learning pathways available at the College.

Finally, the students were challenged to have a bigger view of careers. John Henry Newman declared that, “God has created me to do Him some definite service. He has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another. I have my mission.”

Kris Naiker
Assistant Principal Teaching & Learning: Senior
kris.naiker@twb.catholic.edu.au

"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view...until you climb into his skin and walk around in it"
- Atticus Finch

Over the past few weeks Year 10 students have engaged with an article published in The Sydney Morning Herald in 2014 entitled 'Science supports theory reading makes us better human beings'. The general gist of the article is that, although reading is a selfish and solitary pursuit, reading fiction actually opens our minds and hearts to the lives of others. We can put ourselves into the shoes of literary characters and live in their world for a short time. This develops our moral faculties, enables emphatic engagement and makes us more socially attuned with real people in our world today.

As I read this article, my memories of reading To Kill a Mockingbird, in the equivalent of Year 10 in Ireland, came flooding back to me. Atticus Finch, the quintessential hero of American literature, teaches us a message which stands the test of time. Empathy is the cornerstone to understanding others and being able to appreciate each person for who they are. By the end of the novel, Scout, Atticus’ daughter had figured out what it was her father expected of her. She also finally saw her father for who he truly was, a man who used his integrity and honesty to fight for what was right:

“It was times like these when I thought my father, who hated guns and had never been to any wars, was the bravest man who ever lived.”

Year 10 students applied the key messages from this article to the literature we studied in class – Jasper Jones and The Burnt Stick – and wrote a blog post to persuade people to pick up a novel and read as it can only make them a better person in their own personal lives today. Their profound and thoughtful responses resonate with the messages of Atticus Finch.

Students in Years 7 – 10 have had time to choose a book from the library to read over the holidays. If you missed out on a library visit, find a novel, biography, autobiography or magazine at home and read for fun. 

We’re encouraging all students to read what they’re interested in and hopefully, they’ve had a shred of wisdom or insight from an Atticus Finch or Huckleberry Finn.

Chris Bracken
English Coordinator
christopher.bracken@twb.catholic.edu.au

Despite the challenges associated with COVID-19 this term, Mary MacKillop students and their families have still assisted the vulnerable in our community. Twice this term we have been able to contribute homemade biscuits such as jam drops, Anzacs, oat slice and Smarties cookies to both Rosie's - Friends on the Street and Tony's Kitchen. This outreach has assisted those who are homeless or struggling,  to access a conversation, a hot drink and a biscuit made by our students and staff. Fay and Jim Stein from Rosies, along with the volunteers at Tony's Kitchen, have been overwhelmed by the generosity of MMCC this term. Well done to all involved!

Our Actioning Mary MacKillop Advocacy (AMMA) group, are currently running a Blanket Drive for the Homeless. The collection of blankets will be donated to both Tony's Kitchen and St. Vincent de Paul. Patrons of Tony's Kitchen are often families–particularly single parents who may be experiencing unemployment or difficulty keeping a roof over their heads.

Homelessness is the result of many issues, including domestic and family violence, mental health and financial issues. This is not an issue that happens 'somewhere else' either. Sadly, according the to 2016 Census, there are 531 people who experience homelessness in Toowoomba on any given day.

As always, we can learn a lot from Mary MacKillop. Love was at the heart of all she did. Her deep faith in God led her to be a source of God's love to all whom she encountered. Mary MacKillop respected the dignity of all–a quality that we endeavour to nurture in our students.

So, if you find yourself cleaning out the cupboards these holidays, or are able to purchase a new blanket to donate, these contributions to AMMA's Blanket Drive would be greatly appreciated. 

Students are asked to bring in a blanket between Week 10, Term 2 and Week 2, Term 2. 

• Junior students - please give your blanket/s to your classroom teacher
• Senior students - please give your blanket/s to your PC teacher

"Let us try to keep God with us by charity of thought, word and act." - Mary MacKillop.

Have a restful, happy and safe holiday!

Leisa Radley
Director of Formation
leisa.radley@twb.catholic.edu.au

Last Friday was the Feast of the Most Sacred Heart and today's reflective prayer from St Teresa of Calcutta, asks us to... 'not let the past disturb you - just leave everything in the Sacred Heart and begin again with joy.'  (Garrett Publishing, 2019, Prayers & Reflections - for Catholic Teachers, 2020 compiled by Ann Rennie.)  As we finish this term, as teachers, we reflect on the it.  What went well?  What challenges did we have?  How could we have done things differently?  But instead St Teresa is asking us to leave it with the Sacred Heart of Jesus and begin again next term with joy.

Why you ask, am I using this quote?  The connection is through Mary MacKillop.  The official name for the order is Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart.  Hence the connection - Josephite Charism!  Sr Margaret Cleary rsj wrote "The Heart of Jesus is viewed as a symbol of 'God's boundless and passionate love for humankind' ... is referred to as the Sacred Heart enflamed, the incarnate Word, the Cosmic Christ, the Centre of centres - intimately personal and yet boundlessly cosmic."  (www.sosj.org.au - June 19, 2020)  

Covid 19 has challenged us all in many different ways and as we go forth with further easing of restrictions, we can be aware of the impact that it has had on our community.  It has given us an opportunity to raise our consciousness of the love and tenderness of God, the love in the Sacred Heart of Jesus and compassion of God through the people around us or lack of, at times.   Mary MacKillop placed her trust in God but also in the Sacred Heart as she wrote, ' and Near the Sacred Heart we are strong and without fear' (21.02.1870). Moving forward, we still need to remain strong and be people of hope, people of trust, people of compassion, people of love and mostly people of justice.  Pope Francis mentioned that 'as people of hope a new world of greater compassion, equality and justice post Covid-19 might be a new reality for all.'  (www.sosj.org.au)  What will Term 3 bring - lets wait and see!

Next term we will be celebrating the following major events - NAIDOC Week, Catholic Education Week, Feast of St Mary of the Cross (MacKillop), Father's Day and Child Protection Week.  As restrictions change we will communicate how these will be celebrated with you as they arise.

Lastly, thank you to everyone who has supported the formation and identity of our College during Covid 19.  We look forward to being able to celebrate as a whole community in person very soon.

In Mary MacKillop's words, "Look back a little and see what our good God has done for us".  1881

Happy holidays!  

Paula O'Rourke
Assistant Principal Religious Education
paula.orourke@twb.catholic.edu.au

Self-awareness and more importantly, the capacity for self-reflection, are essential factors that support the social and emotional competence of not only children - but adults, also! The World Health Organisation (WHO) lists this as one of the 10 core life skills!

When our children understand themselves and their experiences, they are more able to develop healthy self-esteem and sense of worth, social connections and peer relationships. They are more able to identify and express their needs, to make responsible choices, and to handle challenging situations.

We hear a lot about self-regulation and resilience - everyone wants this for their children (and for themselves!). It is important to note that your ability to regulate your internal experience and choose actions that are adaptive, prosocial, helpful, and support goal attainment is largely dependent upon your capacity for self-awareness. That is, your ability to reflect - to take a moment to check in with yourself and your internal experience - to then acknowledge that the proactive selection and application of adaptive strategies is required to regulate, or to maintain a workable state of equilibrium that enables purposeful action.

Self-awareness is the ability to tune into your internal experience; acknowledging your thoughts, feelings, values, and actions. It's also about considering how your actions impact not only your experience, but that of others; and how your actions can then impact their internal experience and subsequent actions. This also supports your ability to acknowledge your relative strengths and weaknesses, and to develop a growth mindset – that is the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed and improved with persistence and effort.

You don't wake up one day with the fully developed capacity for self-awareness! This is a group of skills that develop over time. They require encouragement, reinforcement, and practice; we must ensure we provide our children with ongoing learning opportunities – and this will involve a level of discomfort, disappointment or even perceived failure as their skills are in development. BUT this is where the learning happens!

We can foster these skills in our children (and in ourselves) by allowing time and space for this reflection. Although it can be challenging at times, it is important to separate your child’s behaviour from who they are. Prompt your child to notice what thoughts and feelings they were experiencing when they were acting in a certain way. Overtime, we want them to see that their actions, are often driven by their feelings in a particular moment, and our feelings are impacted by how we think in a given situation. Also engage them in discussions around others internal experience – support them to develop empathy and to consider what others might be thinking and feeling when seeking to understand or explain their actions.

Lastly, and most importantly - be sure to model this yourself! Talk about your feelings and the impact these have on how you act. It is equally important to discuss the pleasant and unpleasant feelings, along with the helpful and less helpful behaviours. It is important that our children know that the full range of emotional experience is normal and all feelings are ok! We just need to learn how to manage these and to choose helpful actions. This is what we call self management, and this will be discussed further next time.

So over the holidays we would encourage you to take time to pause and notice your thoughts and feelings. So much has happened in the world recently and this has impacted us all in different ways. The school term has ended and hopefully we have the opportunity to slow down and take stock.

Verbalise what you notice. Talk about your thoughts and notice what your feelings really feel like in your body; what name you would give them? Acknowledge how they impact your behaviour. Prompt your child to do the same. Start small and meet them where they are at. All children develop these skills at different rates - it is important to start where they are at so not to cause stress as a result of unrealistic expectations. Point out the strengths you spot in your child; and explain to them what this is and how they demonstrated it. Don't avoid or attempt to speed up their experience of uncomfortable feelings. Instead, sit with them in that discomfort and 'name it to tame it'.  

"When you said I couldn't have another ice cream I felt really angry. My heart is beating really fast and I am having a hard time making good choices". 

"I noticed that when I read my report card I felt really happy and proud. This makes me feel good about myself and to want to try harder at school".

This list is endless.....

The key message here is to talk about thoughts, feelings, and actions (both the pleasant and unpleasant ones). Acknowledge the link between these internal experiences and extend this awareness to others also. 

Have a safe and restful break.

Jasmin Slack-Smith & Khara Saunders
College Counsellors

We made it! 

When coaching sporting teams, at half-time I will always get the team together as a group and the first words I say are 'it is our time to rest and recover, have a drink, stop and listen'. I then give the captain of the team chance to speak and then it is my turn. I think this relates really well with the importance of this upcoming holiday.

As parents it is our time to encourage our students to stop and listen to their needs (their captain). They need to use this time to rest and recover, so they can maintain the same level or improve in the second half of the year.

Downtime replenishes the brain's stores of attention and motivation. Some positive strategies you can encourage your student to use rather than just gaming all holidays include exercise and good sleep habits. (I say all holidays because some downtime gaming is not a bad thing). 

Exercise- encourage your student to get involved in the virtual cross country. Get outside and walk or run with friends to help reduce stress and rejuvenate the brain. Exercise can improve your mood, help you sleep better, improve your focus, and make you feel fitter and more confident

Sleep- Let your kids sleep, students across the College are tired and may need to rediscover some positive sleep habits. After talking to  a number of students when returning from online learning they explained how it significantly affected their sleep habits. A number of these still report that they are still struggling to get back into a good routine. Use this break to help them reset and get back into a good sleep routine. 

Getting a solid night’s sleep can make your child happier, help them concentrate and improve their behaviour. There is an abundance of apps and online tools to support bedtime routines, these include blue light removers for phones, calming music/meditation apps and sleep diaries to monitor patterns. Some common sleep time recommendations for different ages are:

Ages 3 to 5: 10 to 13 hours
Ages 6 to 13: 9 to 11 hours
Ages 14 to 17: 8 to 10 hours

I have always thought that holidays are very important for students to regenerate and prepare for the next Term. This holiday in particular is coming at the end of a very challenging semester, in the last week I have had numerous conversations with students encouraging them to get to the end of the term. Little things that would normally be easily overcome can become arguments and breakdown friendships when in a high pressure, stressful end of term environment. 

Please take the time to be the coach this holidays, encourage your child to have a drink, stop and listen to their captain and let their body rest and recover.

Sean Albion
Assistant Principal Wellbeing: Senior
sean.albion@twb.catholic.edu.au

This past term has seen an increased use of technology and screen time for our Junior School students. Both as an educator and a parent, I was at times in awe of the skills and capabilities our young people used, to maneuver their virtual learning environment. They could upload, download, search, write, edit, video conference, follow teacher lessons and connect with their class mates. 

As we head into two weeks of holiday time, we are posed with the questions. How do we create a balance in our home between screen time, outside time and family time? How do you provide opportunity for 'down time' for everyone, when we know the weather will beckon us to stay indoors? After an intense period of screen time, these questions are pertinent. The Australian Government e-safety Commissioner, suggests there is no magic time for balancing screen time for our children. They do however, recommend monitoring your children and beware of signs they may be impacted by their interactions with the online world. Here is some advice from their website.

Signs that your child's online activity may be having a negative impact on them or on your family include:

• less interest in social activities like meeting friends or playing sport
• not doing so well at school 
• tiredness, sleep disturbance, headaches, eye strain
• changes in eating patterns 
• reduced personal hygiene 
• obsession with particular websites or games 
• extreme anger when being asked to take a break from online activity
• appearing anxious or irritable when away from the computer 
• becoming withdrawn from friends and family 

If you do have concerns as a parent, here are some recommendations.

• Ask questions and listen.
• As part of your conversation, ask your child about how much time they spend online and explain why it is worrying and what they could be missing out on. 
• Try not to show that you disapprove or they might shut down communication altogether. 

These holidays, I do hope everyone finds some time to be together with family. I recently read a wonderful parenting prompt for the holidays, which I intend to action each day (or as much as possible!) You may wish to do the same.

This school holiday... Aim for one family activity each day! 

Take care everyone and enjoy some much 'rest and restore' time.

Bridget Rillie
Assistant Principal Wellbeing: Junior
bridget.rillie@twb.catholic.edu.au

Choir

The college will communicate with you when it is decided what choir will look like from next term.

Music Lessons in the Junior School

”You are never so together with other people as when you make music with them, in tune, in time and expressing the whole world of meaning. It is in the early years of life, especially, that we build the grounding for these abilities - and in our society, it is in the schools that it happens.” Dr Richard Letts

Year 1 Music

This year we have been learning about melody (the pattern of higher and lower sounds), practising beat and performing our known rhythms. The students have enjoyed the song Once a Man Fell in the Well and putting the melody on their bodies. We have started a pat-a-cake pattern when singing Hot Cross Buns (clapping on the strong beat). The year ones have also practised slowly getting stronger and slowly getting softer.

A Fond Farewell from Me

Recently I accepted a position teaching classroom music at Whitsunday Anglican School in Mackay. It was a difficult decision as the community at Mary MacKillop Catholic College has been so welcoming and supportive of my music endeavours. I was swayed by being offered a position where I will be teaching each of the prep- year six cohort twice a week at a school with a well-established music program.

Thanks to all those students who joined in my class lessons with enthusiasm and never gave up even when attempting to learn concepts that required sustained practice. You are the reason I do what I do. I appreciate the parents who shared their child’s learning and those who took the time to have a chat and provide feedback on my program. I must give a special mention to the teachers who helped me sort out the technology side of things, shared their classes and other expertise with me.

I would really like to thank all my choir students who have sung with me in the early mornings come rain, hail and shine (and those that gave up their break times). They represented the college brilliantly at Eisteddfod, College Concerts, Open Days, Masses, and at Awards Night. Their enthusiasm, commitment and sense of fun has made singing with them a joy. My appreciation also goes to the parents who brought their children to rehearsals and performances.

All the best for the remainder of the year.

God Bless

Susie Fredline
Music Teacher

It has been very pleasing to see the number of students and staff who have been submitting their runs to the Virtual Cross Country initiative. All Houses have been active in their efforts and at the time of writing, Penola had the most submissions with 49! Cunningham, McCormack and Tenison are not far behind. This doesn't mean Penola are winning as the winning House will be based on total km covered. We have decided to extend the carnival until Wednesday of Week 1, Term 3. If the family is out and about these holidays, please don't forget to run your fitness app to record that walk, run or hike! For further information on this event, please follow the below link. 

Last week we received confirmation that the DD Track & Field Carnivals for 2020 (both 10-12 Years and 13-19 Years) have been cancelled, along with the QSS Track & Field Championships. This takes pressure off the College in terms of when to hold our Athletics Carnivals, so a decision will be made once restrictions have been eased regarding crowds at sport events. It is hoped we will be able to run our carnivals in Term 3. The format of the carnivals may have to be modified, but the goal is to deliver students a meaningful event, encompassing options for competitive athletes and also mass participation. Ideally, we will have a large parent contingent on the day, however, this may not be possible.

Every gardener knows that under the cloak of Winter lies a miracle. - Luther Burbank

With seedlings kindly donated by Pohlmans, the vegetable gardens located in the Junior School have been planted with lettuce, cauliflower and spinach. Recent rain has given these seedlings a wonderful start and are now flourishing. Gardening Club was pleased to be able to supply the College Tuckshop with some lettuce this week. Thank you to Max Carpenter who assisted Mrs Samin in preparing and planting our Winter gardens. In the next two months we look forward to our bulb gardens flowering and providing a canvas of colour in Spring.

It seems that most students enjoy a game of good old-fashioned dodgeball, so for the last few weeks, the Senior students have been contesting our inaugural House Dodgeball Competition. The finalists have been decided and Week 1 Term 3 will see the Final played between Tenison and Cunningham.

A similar opportunity will be available for Primary students early in Term 3.

In recent weeks, Senior Students have been presented with opportunities to participate in Football (Boys and Girls), Rugby (Boys and Girls), Netball (Girls), Fitness (Boys and Girls), Dodgeball (Boys and Girls) and Volleyball (Boys and Girls). Obviously we are bound by covid restrictions and the opportunities available in the region, however, I am hopeful of continuing to offer a broad range of opportunities for students at the College. Unfortunately there aren’t as many competitions available for Primary students, however, planning is underway to increase in-school and after school options for Primary students. Many of the opportunities we would normally offer via Catholic Primary School sport have been cancelled. Provided the Toowoomba Touch Competition proceeds, we will again offer this to students from P-12. If you have any suggestions or questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me. 

Brad Griffiths
Sports Coordinator
brad.griffiths@twb.catholic.edu.au

Happy and Safe Holidays

We wish all the MMCC leadership, teachers, staff and families a happy and safe holiday break.

Term 2 has certainly proven to be a challenging one and we would like to thank the MMCC Leadership for keeping our school community informed and safe during the COVID-19 lockdown period and on the return of students to school. 

A big thank you to the teachers, aides and staff for all the brilliant work during the COVID-19 home learning phase.

We hope that everyone has the opportunity these holidays to relax and catch up with family and friends.

Stay safe
The P&F Committee

Amendment to P&F Constitution

The P&F Executive have voted to change the month of the AGM from March to November each year. The Constitution has been updated accordingly and any amendments to the Constitution must be made available to the school community before they can be passed.

Below is the link the part of the Constitution where the amendment has been made.

If you have any questions or would like a full copy of the Constitution, please email HIGPandF@twb.catholic.edu.au.

Toowoomba Regional Council and Youth Connect have partnered with SWQ Regional Arts and local artists to create The Home Project – a free online arts program to help young people and their families get creating and making at home.

The workshop, Face & Place Portrait, is now available on:

    Facebook – YouthConnectTRC
    YouTube – Toowoomba Region

Join local painter London Heir to blend an abstract portrait of your local hero with your favourite community space.

When you’re finished, you can share your creations using the #homeprojectTR.

The Home Project is a free resource for the use of any organisations in our Region working with children, young people and families. In addition to the online workshop, please find attached a supplementary worksheet for use with young people and families with limited internet access.