My daughter has just started to smile. Even though she is now three months old, the vague rulebook guiding premature births mean that all of these milestones are measured differently and her adjusted age is only 8 weeks. There is a sense in which a greater humanity and beauty is affirmed now that she can smile when she sees us, and react to her surroundings in such a lovely way. I now find myself beyond gleeful when I get even the smallest upturn at the corner of her mouth.

It has really confirmed for me that we take our smiles for granted. We sadly know from experience that negativity can spread like an aerosol - and if you don't believe that, spend a bit of time on any social media platform. Yet, we seem to struggle with the idea that we should be responsible for consciously and intentionally spreading positivity. 

In 2018, Pope Francis tweeted that, 'We need smiling Christians, not because they take things lightly, but because they are filled with the joy of God, because they believe in love and live to serve.' Pope Francis's pontificate has focussed on practical, positive ways that ordinary people can offer support, love, guidance and kindness to communities. He has tried to redirect us to the small things we can do to support others and away from being simply 'administrative' in our lives. 

There are a group of year elevens who ask staff they encounter a different question every day - favourite movie, first job, that kind of thing. On Ash Wednesday, they asked me what I was giving up for Lent and I had to admit I actually hadn't thought of it! But I can tell you now that I am going to try and give up frowning, and hope it encourages others around me to smile along. 

Please enjoy this newsletter. We have had a very productive four weeks with different representative sports trials, the ongoing implementation of Write that Essay and Inspire Maths, and continued building across the College. The Thrive assemblies on both campuses are hopefully promoting positive conversations about our students' wellbeing. We also celebrated Carnevale on Tuesday which was colourful and vibrant. 

Thank you so much for all you do to support the mission of our wonderful College.

Chris Gabbett
Principal

We welcome all interested families to register for our upcoming Twilight Principal's Tour on Wednesday, 3 March from 5:00pm to 7:00pm. Feel free to share this information to family and friends who might be interested in enrolling their children for 2021, 2022 and 2023.

Currently enrolled families need not re-apply!

Places for Prep 2022 are filling fast, and with more than one full class already enrolled, we encourage all current families with siblings for 2022 to complete their application as soon as possible.

If you have children intending to enrol for 2022 or 2023 we would love to help you get started with the application process.

Whether your child is starting in Prep, Year 7 or moving from another school, we are here to help you with the transition process.

Here is the link to our online Application for Enrolment form.

For those of you who are unsure, this is the Enrolment process here at Mary MacKillop and you are more than welcome to share the below information with any friends or family that may be interested:

Recommended stages of enrolment:

1. Call our friendly Enrolments Officer.
2. Book a Tour to visit our beautiful Highfields Campus and meet the staff and students that make up our great College. 
3. Complete an online Enrolment Application Form and pay a $50 Application Fee.
4. Book an Entry Interview with the Principal.

Accepting the Offer:

Following a successful Entry Interview, you will receive an Offer Letter.

1. Complete online offer form.
2. Pay the Acceptance fee of $200.
3. Receive your Welcome Pack from us, with information about purchasing books and stationery, uniforms and any devices required for your child.

If you have any questions about the enrolment process, please contact me via email: higenrolments@twb.catholic.edu.au or use the contact form on our website.  Currently enrolled families need not re-apply!

Bethany Campbell
Administrations & Enrolments Officer

We are excited to announce our 2022 Scholarships will be open from Monday, 1 March 2021.

Our General Excellence & Sporting Excellence Scholarships are open to both internal and external applicants. In addition to this, we are also launching the Solidarity Scholarship for any new enrolments for 2022. 

The Solidarity Scholarship aims to encourage applicants who are currently educated outside of the Catholic tradition, who feel they can make a positive contribution to the social justice, outreach, and formation elements of the College. 

As members of our College community, we encourage you to share this information with any friends or family who you feel may benefit from these scholarships. 

On-line ordering of school photos will close on Monday, 1 March 2021.

Group and portrait photographs can be purchased by following the link below for fourteen days from the day photos are taken, after which late fees/additional charges will be incurred. 

NEW advancedlife now offers Latitude Pay! To take advantage of LatitudePay and split the cost of your order into 10 small easy payments, simply order your school photos online as usual, set up a Latitude Pay account in just a few clicks and pay no interest or fees when you pay according to your payment schedule; it’s that easy.

2 easy ways to purchase:

1. LatitudePay – Click on the link below, set up an account during the online order process and split your payments across 10 weeks with no interest or fees, if you pay on time
2. Visa, MasterCard or PayPal

Or visit:

and enter online order code: H87 86M XGQ

Previous Years’ photos - Past years’ photographs including sports, co-curricular and representative groups are also available to order under the 'previous years or group photo' tabs at your school’s advancedorder site when you click on the 'Order School Photos Here' button above. You can also order past packages, portrait images and gifts from your child’s unique, individual and secure advancedyou image archive site using the unique 9 digit image code found on packages you have ordered in the past.

Save the date for Parent Teacher interviews - Tuesday, 9 March, 3.15pm to 8.30pm. More information will be communicated via email.

This quote from Saint Oscar Romero is the theme for this year's Project Compassion from Caritas. During Lent, we usually would fast, pray and give alms but this year we are challenged to think of others more than ourselves. We are challenged to serve others, to help those in need.

This week the season of Lent began with Ash Wednesday, which also marks the beginning of the annual Caritas Australia Project Compassion Appeal. Donations to Project Compassion allows Caritas Australia, the Catholic Agency for International Aid and Development, to work with local communities around the world to alleviate poverty, hunger, oppression and injustice.

We encourage you to put your compassion into action this Lent through your prayer, fasting and almsgiving by supporting Project Compassion. Each child will receive a Project Compassion box or you can donate online via the Caritas Australia website at: lent.caritas.org.au

Saint Oscar Romero is our inspiration for Project Compassion 2021, so in his words let’s “Aspire not to have more, but to be more.”

Here at our College we will be challenging students to do this in a variety of ways which will be decided by each class or PC group. Watch this space for the ideas and how you can support your child in their endeavours to be more for other people who are vulnerable.

Solidarity

This year our theme of 'solidarity' invites us to stand together as a community, supporting each other to achieve our goals and dreams. St Mary of the Cross MacKillop worked in solidarity with her sisters to ensure that her Passion for education came to fruition. We are being challenged during Lent to stand together to support not only our own but those who live in other countries where they are experiencing vulnerability. Just as Mary MacKillop's passion was to provide an education to all, her dream was for everyone to know and experience God through not only care and compassion but also education. Throughout Lent we will see how Caritas is supporting the education of those in need across the world. Help us raise money to support their continued great work through your donation to school activities.

Rosies

On Wednesday, 24th February, our first evening of volunteering will occur at Harlaxton Park. Thank you to those students and staff who have volunteered their time to help those vulnerable, to "Be More". We are looking for donations of food - bread (4 loaves), sausages (60), onions (1 kg) and bacon (1 kg). If you can help with this please email look for the email from the school with a link in it to indicate your support.

School Supported Parish Mass

This year again we have planned for each house (McCormack, Penola, Cunningham & Tenison) to celebrate mass with our Parish community. Our first Mass will be on Sunday, 21 March at 8am in the MacKillop Centre. Information will be sent out early March to Penola House families inviting them to be part of the celebration. We look forward to being able to celebrate with our Parish community.

Mary MacKillop saying for this week, the start of Lent is "God loves those best who help the weak to become whole". 1906

In God's love,

Paula O'Rourke
Assistant Principal Religious Education

Carnevale and Pancakes

On Tuesday, staff and students masked up for the College's annual Carnevale which takes place on Shrove Tuesday. There were some wonderfully bright and creative masks donned on the day! 

In the Junior College, the P-6 students paraded their masks in Uluru with Mrs O'Rourke and Billabong with their classroom teachers. It was fantastic to see the joy on students' faces as they modelled their masks created in class or wore masks brought from home.
In the Senior College, House Points were up for grabs. One point was awarded to each student and staff member who got into the spirit and wore a mask in the tradition of Carnevale. 

At first break, 10 Senior College students from each of the four Houses, gathered in Ignatius to participate in the Pancake Tossing Relay. This was a highly entertaining event! Students used a variety of flipping tactics to toss their cork pancake while they ran. Well done to the Cunningham House team who were the clear winners of Round 1, earning 40 points for their House. Penola House strategized well to take out Round 2 though, earning 80 points for their House. It was fantastic to see such passionate House spirit.

We trust that students who purchased pancakes from the Cafe (in the tradition of Pancake Tuesday) enjoyed them! 

Project Compassion in the Senior College

According to our Liturgical calendar, we have now transitioned into our sacred season of Lent, which began on Ash Wednesday. During the remaining weeks of Term One, students will be working with their Pastoral Care groups to fill their Project Compassion boxes. For over half a century, generations of Australians have participated in Project Compassion. The initiative has raised more than $500 million since it began in 1965 – making it one of the nation’s longest running charity campaigns.

Our aim this year will be to complete a coin trail before the Easter break, to determine which PC has raised the most amount of money for Caritas. Please encourage your sons and daughters to contribute some loose change to their PC Project Compassion box during Lent.

Pope Francis said “every person ought to have the awareness that purchasing is always a moral – and not simply an economic – act.”

Not all chocolate is sweet. Not if a child has been forced to pick the cocoa beans – a key ingredient of chocolate. About 80% of cocoa comes from West Africa and it is estimated that almost 2 million children are in child labour in these areas. They may never go to school or taste the chocolate they help produce. 

Make a change in Easter 2021 and buy only slavery-free chocolate to ensure no child labour or forced labour was used in the production. 

Slavery-free chocolate will feature one of these certification symbols (below) on the wrappers: FAIRTRADE, Rainforest Alliance and UTZ. 

It’s delicious and you can buy it at ALDI, Haigh’s, and other leading supermarkets and shops.
For information on Slavery-free Easter chocolate and resources, go to: https://acrath.org.au/take-act...

Courageous Aussies take part in World’s Greatest Shave for lots of reasons. Some will have a personal connection to blood cancer, while others take part simply to have fun, tick a bucket list box and raise money for a good cause.

When someone signs up to shave, cut, wax or colour for World’s Greatest Shave, they fundraise to make sure families facing a blood cancer have a place to call home during treatment, someone to turn to, and access to the best possible care and treatment. Money raised by World’s Greatest Shave also helps to fund Australia’s best and brightest blood cancer researchers in their quest to deliver rapid advancements in diagnosis, treatment and ultimately — a cure.

This year, Mary MacKillop Catholic College is joining the cause! On Friday, 12 March, at the Senior College assembly, a team of dedicated staff and students in the Senior College are shaving, waxing or cutting with the aim of raising $1000.
There are two ways of supporting the team:

1. Access the following link to sponsor the MMCC team: Mary MacKillopCatholicCollege (leukaemiafoundation.org.au)
2. Access the individual link provided to you by a staff member or student and sponsor them.

Either way, you will be contributing to our fundraising target of $1000 while sending a powerful message of hope to the 47 Australians who are diagnosed with blood cancer every single day.

Thank you in anticipation for your support of our team who are shaving, cutting or waxing in the ultimate act of solidarity!

Sacrament of Confirmation

An information evening will be held on Monday, 15 March, in the MacKillop Centre at 5:30pm. Those children who received the Sacrament of Reconciliation at the end of last year will be invited to continue their journey. Please look for a email regarding this from the Parish team.

If there are any children who have received their Sacrament of Reconciliation at another Parish and would like to join this group, please email Paula O'Rourke - Paula.Orourke@twb.catholic.edu.au

Confirmation date is being confirmed with the Bishop presently.

Sacrament of Eucharist 

This Sacrament will occur over two Sundays, 25 July and 1 August due to no sacrament last year. More information will be forth coming to those concerned.

Sacrament of Reconciliation

This sacrament will be held on 11 November. Children and their families will be invited to be part of this group later in the year.

If you are unsure of anything please contact Paula O'Rourke, APRE - Paula.Orourke@twb.catholic.edu.au

Masses will once again be celebrated in the MacKillop Centre every Sunday at 8:00am.

Please use this link to register your attendance

What Does Write That Essay Look Like in the Classroom?

Each week the Classroom teacher follows the suggested process for introducing and consolidating concepts.

The WTE online tool is used to introduce each new sentence type. As a class, students read the synopsis, watch the accompanying video and complete a quiz.

Over the course of the week, students complete the online 'Story Challenge'.
As students progress to the senior school they will be required to write science assignments for example, which require a different style of writing. For this reason, it is important to note, that WTE is not isolated to just English. Teachers refer to the use of different sentence types across all Learning Areas.

Whilst the online platform is an amazing tool, it needs to be balanced with students writing in a workbook. Students need to maintain stamina with handwriting and writing on different mediums - it requires a different skill set than typing. Across years 4-6, students will participate in demand stamina writing across the week.

Teachers continue to be involved in Professional Development, learning about the different sentence types. These sessions have been supported by a WTE Coach who is also modelling in the classrooms.
Thank you to teachers for their ongoing to commitment to learning.

We have so many fantastic learning opportunities planned for teachers this term for Inspire Maths.

In Week 5, teachers will have the opportunity to take part in additional Professional Development, learning about Growth Mindsets in Mathematics and the impact it has on a students learning and level of engagement in the classroom.

In Week 6, Ms Rebecca Brownhall, (TCSO Education Officer: Lighthouse Schools Numeracy: Teaching and Learning) will be on site to model Number Talks for each classroom in P-6. In addition, some teachers will also have the opportunity to visit another school to witness Inspire Maths in action. They will then share their learning with their colleagues.

In Week 7, teachers will be released to observe students in another class participating in Number Talks.

In Week 8, Ms Rebecca Brownhall and myself will support teachers with their Term 2 Mathematics planning, in line with Inspire Maths pedagogy.

Inspire Maths is a 3 year commitment and I commend the teachers for embracing this initiative whole heartedly.
If you would like to know more about what is happening in your child's classroom, I encourage you to speak with your child's teacher.

Academic success in schools does not happen by accident. It occurs when educators work together and set the academic culture of the school. As a result, we have students who can set goals, monitor and evaluate their own academic development and manage their own motivation towards learning.

To ensure that academic success continues in Year 7-12, here are some of the things that has happened in the last 4 weeks:

• Year 7 Offline Program to ensure Year 7 students are familiar with the digital tools they will be required to use.
• Academic Counselling by PC teachers to get to know their students, discuss goals and how the teacher can support them reach their academic goals.
• Creating a Study Plan to develop healthy learning habits.
• Assessment Calendar provided to assist with developing organisation and time management skills. 
• Introducing the students to the ‘Write that Essay’ initiative to ensure our students have the required tools to write effectively in all subjects. 
• Mathematics teachers attending the ‘Inspire Maths’ initiative to use the latest research in their classroom to increase student attainment in the subject. 
• Individual meeting with Year 12 students to discuss QCE/ATAR tracking and discussing learning/working options after leaving the College.
• Teachers have met to discuss the academic needs of some of our vulnerable learners. 
• Individual meetings with students who are considering school based traineeships. 

It is exciting to work alongside teachers who are determined to make these types of initiative happen so our students can succeed. Teachers are the driving force that make certain that academic success is the narrative for Mary MacKillop. 

Kris Naiker
Assistant Principal Teaching & Learning: Senior

To learn anything new, you need: Will, Skill and Thrill. Think back to when you were at school, what lesson, subject or activity do you remember fondly? Chances are, you remember it because you were motivated to acquire the knowledge and/ or skill, and it resulted in a sense of excitement or enjoyment for you.

Will is best described as: motivation, passion, engagement determination, persistence, commitment. 

Skill as: Knowledge, processes, talent, ability, automaticity.

And Thrill as: Joy, delight, excitement, inspiration.

Will, Skill and Thrill are necessary elements a student should experience in their learning.

In Writing, what might this look like for your child?

Motivation/passion/engagement

• interest
• choice
• relevance - linked to a valued purpose
• learning dispositions
• working towards goals
• student agency
• levels of challenge
• accompanying emotion
• build or maintain relationships

Knowledge and Skills

• clarity of purpose
• clarity of audience
• clarity of writing conventions 
• writing process
• editing and proofreading

Joy, delight, excitement and inspiration

• achieving goals
• feedback
• audience reaction
• engage in discussion with others (make connections)
• act upon the message in private and public worlds. Move from passive reception to active production – taking action to change something that matters.

At home, when your child is writing, how can you create a learning environment that supports the Will, Skill and Thrill model? Choose one element from each category and you are on the way to witnessing the Thrill of learning!

Natalie Adler
Assistant Principal Teaching & Learning: Junior

Write That Essay has begun in earnest for all senior English students. During week three senior students looked closely at the ‘very short sentence’. This type of sentence contains between two and five words. It is used to make powerful statements or add impact to an idea or event. During week 4, students are focussing upon the ‘adverb start sentence’. This type of sentence is invaluable in descriptive writing and narrative tasks. It allows the writer to manipulate the structure of a sentence to add extra information, vary overall expression and avoid repetition in extended compositions. Students have been highly engaged in Write That Essay and teachers have been highly impressed with the skill progression that has taken place.

A wide variety of assessment planning has begun in senior English classes. In years 7 to 10, students are focussing upon the composition of a compressed narrative (year 7), the production of a poetry anthology (year 8), the composition of a persuasive oral presentation (year 9) and the composition of a short story (year 10). In senior classes students have begun planning and preparations for tasks involving analytical skills and responding to written and visual stimulus pieces. 

Macademics is starting soon. This will be a programme based upon the idea of student-based tutorials and individual assistance with all things English and a variety of other subjects. Any student who would like some extra assistance with assessment tasks, homework or day-to-day tasks will be more than welcome to join this group. Class teachers may also recommend to certain students that they utilise the services offered in this programme. Educational research clearly indicates the value of student-based feedback and appraisal and this programme will be built upon this concept. Teachers are looking forward to the benefits that Macademics will hold for students in their classes.

Already this year, senior English teachers have been impressed with the level of student engagement and enthusiasm demonstrated throughout the College. Great positivity is obvious throughout our classrooms. 2021 is already looking like a year of great opportunities for all students, in the world of English.

Tim Connolly
Middle Leader - English

For many students work experience is their first exposure to working life.  It is a short-term placement, designed to provide insight into the industry or field they are interested, but as parents how can we support them to find the placement best for them?

Here are some tips for supporting your child: 

1. Encourage your child to think about what kind of placement interests them. 
2. Read through the example of work experience providers Found Here and see if any interest your child. 
3. Discuss your career pathway with your child. 
4. Encourage them to have realistic expectations.  Work experience is designed as an opportunity to observe and learn, not undertake skilled tasks.  
5. Ask questions such as:

•  What do you like to learn? 
• What do you think you have talents in? 
• What is your dream career? 
• What challenge excites you in your life right now and why? 
• What does success look like to you? 
• What are you passionate about? 
• If you had to start a non-profit what would it support? (this helps identify their passions without a monetary figure attached). 
• Who do you most admire and why? 

6. If your child is still unsure about their areas of interest. They could take the Career Personality Quiz found in the Student Area of the Careers Portal to help guide them into areas they may be interested in.

Work experience is a valuable program in the year 10 program and provides our young people an opportunity to develop self-awareness and confidence, understand the links between school subjects and the world of work, develop skills required in the workplace and meet new people who could help them in the future.

If you have any questions about Mary MacKillop Catholic College’s work experience program, please contact Jennifer Stevenson or Christie Richardson at the college.

Your Pathway Team
Kris Naiker, Jennifer Stevenson & Christie Richardson
HIGYourPathway@twb.catholic.edu.au

At the Senior School Assembly, last Friday, I spoke to students about finding balance in all aspects of their lives and outlined the benefits this will have on their academic success. As humans, we can be very stubborn in our ways. We can be sucked into the latest trends, be absorbed by a new and exciting TV show, or even become absorbed by our work, and schoolwork, to the detriment of our physical health and the development and maintenance of relationships.

Don’t get me wrong. Work, homework and study are all very important and must be done, but it shouldn’t come at a cost to other aspects of our lives. In fact, finding balance in what we do, and incorporating some element of physical activity into our daily routine, will not only benefit our physical health, but also our mental wellbeing, which will have a knock-on positive impact on our academic success. 

An initiative, The Daily Mile, in Ireland and the UK requires students to complete 15 minutes of physical activity at least three times a week. In England alone, 6439 schools involved in the initiative. They’re required to run, or walk if required, for 15 minutes with the aim of improving the physical, social, emotional and mental health and wellbeing of students. Here at Mary MacKillop we have Friday sport and a myriad of other sporting and physical activities available for students to choose from. A 2015 study, Active Living Research, explore the results of neural development in students who participated in daily rigorous exercise and those who didn’t. Those who conducted daily exercise demonstrated significant increases in neural activity and greater working memory than students who didn’t. Regular participation in physical activity and higher levels of physical fitness have been linked to improved academic performance and brain functions, such as attention and memory. 

To that end, all students in Years 7 – 12 have been completing a study plan during their Pastoral Care lessons this week. I stressed the importance of finding balance with this study plan. It’s not realistic to finish school at 3pm, begin homework and study at 3:30pm and finish at 9pm. The study plan will enable your son or daughter to incorporate time for their hobbies and interests, whether it be a team sport, a daily walk, mindfulness activities, reading for pleasure, socialising, as well as their schoolwork. Through finding balance in all they do, and incorporating some element of physical fitness, your son or daughter will set themselves up for academic growth and success. 

Your son or daughter is required discuss their study plan with you and have you sign it. They will then have a conversation with their PC teacher about their study plan and they’ll consider how this study plan will enable them to reach their academic goals, this term.

Chris Bracken
Dean of Senior Studies and E-Learning

The Darling Downs Science and Engineering Challenge is held at USQ each year and allows Year 9 and 10 students to engage in a set of fun and competitive activities involving principles of science, engineering and technology. This year marks the first time that Mary MacKillop Catholic College has been accepted to compete in this prestigious competition!

Any Year 9 and 10 students with an interest in STEM should keep an eye on their emails and their ears open at assembly towards the end of Term 1. More information will come through about how you can nominate to attend and compete. We will be looking to bring a full team of 30 students on the day.

Jared Nielsen
Middle Leader: Science & Technology

On Friday, 12 March, the Junior school launched our very own social emotional program- tailored to the needs of our students. THRIVE is the name of our College program that aims to empower the whole child, supporting them to know who they are and what they need to reach their potential- both as a learner and to be the best person they can be. The program will support a range of aspects of their personal and psychological development with the intent of growing students into kind, respectful, honest, resilience and confident young people.

What does THRIVE look like?

In weeks 3 and 7 of each term, the students will participate in a THRIVE assembly in smallers cohorts: Prep, Year 1 and 2 will gather together whilst students in Years 3 - 6 will gather together. The assembly is a time to share common messages and themes to all students, relevant to their age group and needs, before breaking into year groups to participate in the THRIVE social emotional lessons.

What makes THRIVE different to what other schools are doing for social emotional education?

The program at MMCC, has been specifically designed and written by our staff with the support of the College Counsellors. We have used inclusion data, student data and the Curriculum general capabilities to tailor this program. 

Where does it fit into the College Pastoral Plan?

Thrive is another Tier 1 intervention forming part of the Pastoral Plan, which involves the explicit teaching of social and emotional skills, aligned with the General Capabilities. These skills support students to develop the self and social awareness that enables adaptive management skills that we know support both academic success and optimal states of wellbeing. As such, it is hypothesised that Thrive will support students to develop their capacity to demonstrate the positive learning behaviours that contribute to their engagement and success in the education context. It is also anticipated that with increasing skill development over time, behaviour support referrals would reduce.

Bridget Rillie
Assistant Principal Wellbeing: Junior

As the College focuses on the quality of kindness this term, we will have the opportunity to work with all year levels to further develop their understanding of character strengths and support them to amplify their application of kindness in all areas of their life.

We continue to discuss the 24-character strengths that we all possess to varying degrees and expand on this with the idea of the ‘golden mean’. This refers to the use of the right strengths, in the right degree, and in the right context. We liken this to a volume dial; in that we need to determine in any situation which strengths we may need to turn up and those we may need to turn down.
When we think about kindness, we are likely quick to identify pleasant acts of service; a willingness to help others and to be empathic. When expressing the strength of kindness, we may be generous with our time and support; we may compassionately listen to others and be concerned for their welfare.

We strongly advocate for these behaviours and urge all students to develop the capacity to authentically care and advocate for those requiring support, whilst practising everyday acts of kindness. However, we must also note that at times being kind requires a level of bravery and vulnerability. In order to be kind to ourselves, and to others, we need to assert our boundaries, values and potentially go against the grain in order to stand up for what is right. 

We spoke with students recently around this very point. At times, we need to have brave conversations with peers in order to be kind to ourselves and kind to others. Supporting our children to know that they are being brave when they report inappropriate behaviour, or defend a peer, despite the discomfort this often involves, is important. This establishes clear boundaries that assists to develop healthy and respectful relationships, within which kindness can be optimally applied. 

As important influencers in the lives of our children, we need to model kindness – kindness to self and others. Healthy boundaries, brave and respectful conversations, generosity, and regard for the welfare of others are important as we work together to cultivate compassion and kindness in our young people – and it starts with us!

Dr Jasmin Slack-Smith & Khara Saunders
College Guidance Counsellors

The first few weeks of term have confirmed what we are already well aware of - the sporting culture at Mary MacKillop is steadily gathering momentum.

I had the pleasure of officiating at the Toowoomba Catholic Primary Schools Swimming Carnival last week and I could not have been prouder of the efforts of our College representatives. Sporting our new College Swimming Caps, the students from Years 3-6 were excellent ambassadors for our community and performed to the best of their ability. Our 11 years girls' age group was particularly strong with a fistful of ribbons and a tenacious second place being the highlight of the day. Many thanks to the parents of competitors for transporting their children and to Mrs. Campbell for managing the team.

Friday Sport commenced in the Senior College in Week 2 and feedback from staff and students was overwhelmingly positive! Mountain biking, golf, chess, ball sports, cricket, swimming, finska...what a great way to spend a Friday afternoon! We look forward to the continued expansion and success of this program as the year progresses.

Futsal commenced for both boys and girls in the Senior College last week with our girls having a great first up draw against Glennie and the boys toughing out a loss to Centenary. The boys will contest the South West Futsal Titles next week and we look forward to their progress.

There was a notice earlier this week about Club netball opportunities for the College. If you have any questions regarding this, please don't hesitate to contact me. Judging by the early response, we should be able to field a few teams in the new H-Series being played out of Highfields this season.

At the time of writing, we received news of our first DD representatives of the year...keep an eye on our socials for a celebration of these students next week!

Brad Griffiths
Sports Coordinator

Ensembles have begun and rehearsals are well underway. We have a lot of exciting events and competitions on the College calendar. It comes at a small cost of $50 for the year to be a member of an ensemble to cover admin costs.

If you would like your student to attend, please contact me at jessica.burke@twb.catholic.edu.au.

Second Hand Instruments For Sale

• Alto Saxophone- $300 - (email for more details)

Love Your Library Day

This week we celebrated Love Your Library Day, an annual initiative to promote library services and encourage reconnection with libraries and reading. 'Make a date with your Library' was the 2021 theme and students were encouraged to 'go on a blind date with a book' where they could chose to borrow a mystery book based on a clue about its content. Once selected, the book could only be unwrapped/revealed once the student arrived home. 

Students were also encouraged to enter the Guess Our Staff Favourite Book Competition. Students were very enthusiastic to guess their teacher's favourite book and discover which teachers shared the same book as their favourite.

Homelinks Bags for Borrowing

A remind that students in Prep to Year 4 require their home links bag to borrow library books. The home links bag helps to prevent loss and damage and supports younger children in transporting and returning their books. Thank you for your support.

2021 Darling Downs Panthers Cubs Phase 1 Registration NOW OPEN‼️

• Ages 10 - 17 Years
• 3 Venues: Roma, Goondiwindi & Highfields 
• 5 sessions beginning 13th February 2021. Open to ALL players, regardless of experience or ability