We have had a very busy fortnight.

Thank you so much to the parents, students and staff who combined to make the Grand Opening of the Fitzroy Oval such a success. It was a real honour to be the new Bishop's first school blessing, and really great to just have some time with him, Dr Pat Coughlan and other members of the Toowoomba Catholic Schools Office Executive team. Dr Pat has been a great supporter of our College as we have grown as has Julie Payne, the Director of Finance and Infrastructure and it made me very happy to have them present.

Thank you so much to the Mary MacKillop students who represented us on the new oval against the two Diocesan teams. The 1st XI girls were outstanding in their 1-1 draw with the Diocese of Toowoomba team. I have heard since that parents had come from as far as Cunnamulla to watch that game. Thank you also to Jackson Barr for refereeing the game and Mrs Frame for her constant leadership. A thanks also to the boys who played in the 1st XV game. This game was a real joy to referee. Mr Faessler has done some tremendous work in developing a great culture amongst these boys and they play a really positive brand of rugby. A 17-10 victory against really quality opposition was fantastic.

It is important to mention the hard work of Carolyn Richardson and Phoebe Burton who were central to the organisation of the day.

You will also see in the newsletter reports of our significant success in the futsal in Brisbane and the local Eisteddfod. Thank you so much to these students who give so much time in these areas and are such fantastic ambassadors for the College. None of this happens without the leadership of Mr Griffiths and Mrs Burke, who work very intensely to ensure students have access to these activities.

All of the above are emblematic of our witness as a Catholic school. It is so important to provide avenues for all students to find and celebrate their individual gifts, and to do so in a way that strives for excellence. Whether participating in an Eisteddfod, playing soccer or futsal, these students are expressing their uniqueness and their dignity and it is such a wonderful reason to celebrate.

Have a lovely weekend. Thank you so much for supporting our work at the College.

As the youngest school in the Toowoomba Diocese, Mary MacKillop Catholic College is in the unique position of celebrating the milestones that come with it, including not only the grand opening of their new Fitzroy Oval, but also the launch of their very first 1st XV Rugby Union Team.

On Sunday, 30 July, Highfields experienced one of it's warmest winter days for the Fitzroy Oval Grand Opening and Picnic Gala Day at Mary MacKillop Catholic College in Highfields. The day commenced with the Blessing and Opening of the oval by new diocesan Bishop, Most Reverend Ken Howell. Following the official ceremony, a day of sport kicked off to entertain the crowds, commencing with the Senior Girls Soccer Team playing against the Diocese of Toowoomba Catholic Schools Girls’ XI/St Saviours reaching a draw of 1-1. Touch Football and Junior Mixed Soccer kept the spectators eyes on the field, and the day finished up with the 1st XV Rugby Team playing against the Diocese of Toowoomba Catholic Schools XV Team made up of players from St Mary’s Toowoomba and Our Lady of the Southern Cross, Dalby. The Mary Mac boys took home the first win on the new oval, beating the DOTCS XV 17-10.

College Principal, Chris Gabbett said “This is such an important moment in our College’s history, celebrating not only the building of an important resource but also the opportunity for our students to take their place at the table against some of the longest-established Toowoomba schools”.

A big crowd of College supporters came through the gates throughout the day along with special guests including, Bishop Ken Howell, Dr Pat Coughlan – Director of Toowoomba Catholic Schools, Cr Geoff McDonald – Mayor of Toowoomba, Executive members of Toowoomba Catholic Schools Office, diocesan Principals, and key stakeholders who played an important role in not only the construction of the oval, but the College’s ongoing master plan.

Bringing the community together and being able to give back and celebrate our sporting achievements is something I’m really proud of’ says Mr Gabbett. The vibe was high and the community spirit flowed through the rolling Sunday crowd in a great display of what Mary MacKillop Catholic College has to offer at this new home of sport, Fitzroy Oval.

Have you got a little one in Kindy this year?

If your child was born between July 2018 and June 2019, they are eligible for Prep 2024! As scary as that may seem, we are here to support you and your child every step of the way. At Mary MacKillop, the journey into Prep is a big and important milestone, and from the first visit to our Prep rooms through to our Prep Transition Program, we will make sure everyone is ready to commence big school together!

Join us for a Prep Open Morning!

Join us for a one hour fun-filled session in our specialised Prep area at Mary MacKillop Catholic College. See our current Preppies in action, meet the teachers, College Leadership Team, Learning Support Staff and Guidance Councellors. This team of staff will be able to answer all of your questions about this milestone moment while your little one enjoys a range of activities available for the morning!

When: Wednesday, 16 August 2023

Time: 9:00am - 10:00am

Where: Prep Classrooms at Mary MacKillop Catholic College

How to find us: Access via 75 Highfields Road entrance

REGISTER ONLINE

Let us know you're interest in attending by completing the online form by Friday, 11 August. Limited spaces remain for Prep 2024 and the final round of Prep interviews will take place in early September.

Phoebe Burton
Enrolments Officer

Mary MacKillop was a woman with a heart for mission. In one of her letters, written in 1900, MacKillop wrote: "Seek first the poorest and most neglected parts of God's vineyard". Our patron was devoted to service of the most vulnerable and needy. Courageously, she showed a practical love for those who were experiencing hardship and destitution–setting up orphanages, refuges for the sick and elderly, and visiting those who were in prison.

For our students at MMCC, we want to encourage them to be students with a heart for mission. Students who know what their passions are and seek to work in partnership to serve others in our community. When we look outside of ourselves, it certainly offers a different perspective of the world–one where we are no longer the centre but we begin to understand other people's experiences. When we seek first the poorest and most neglected–as Mary MacKillop and so many others have–we give others the gift of dignity.

Recently, a rather large group of our Year 11 students has been serving at Tony's Community Op Shop each Monday morning. While the tasks involved often require students to sort, unbox, and organise, there is also a new perspective gained. As Belle–a Year 11 student who has volunteered at Tony's a few times now–reflects:

"When I’ve volunteered at Tony’s Community Op Shop, it opened my eyes to see the generous amount of donations that people have given from the community. The people who volunteer there are amazing, and I love hearing all of the different stories. It makes me feel good to know that I have done a good deed in the community."

Having a heart for mission means that we are willing to put our own needs to the side. We are invited to come as guest and to meet others where they are at. We listen openly and consider another's story.

This Friday, 4 August, Mr Ryan Cavanough, a group of Year 11 and 12 students and I are attending the UniSQ and Vinnies Youth Winter Sleep Out. While this is not service in the form of serving the community, the event's activities and guest speakers are social justice-minded, intended to raise awareness about poverty and homelessness and give students the information and courage they need to reach out to the vulnerable. Partnership is key in this event, as students come together with students from other schools in our region, to gain a deeper, more genuine understanding of what it is to experience hardship and destitution.

Later this term, Mr Cavanough and three of our Senior students, Lucy Hutchison, Will Connolly and Elise Scrivens will travel to Sydney to participate in the Risk and Dare (RAD) youth advocacy conference. Risk and Dare is Josephite-inspired and led by Sister Jan Barnett and the youth of the Josephite Justice Network and Josephite Action Group. It is intended to forge partnerships and inspire passions, allowing students the opportunities to engage with young Christian workers who are active in their communities and for those advocating for a fair go. Additionally, they will engage with young refugees to hear stories of escape, perseverance and hope. Furthermore, RAD offers our students workshops with young political activities who are taking the plunge for justice.

Truly, these opportunities for service, advocacy and social justice open our students' eyes to the realities of injustice in the world around them. We look forward to providing more opportunities for them to use their hearts for mission–to come as guest and show authentic witness to their faith and the legacy of Mary MacKillop.

Leisa Radley
Director of Formation and College Culture (7-12)

Everybody's talking about uni open days, but what's the big deal? Are university days worth it? Here are a few tips to help you and your student get the most out of them.

Explore the campus.

One of the primary reasons universities have open days is to welcome you onto the campus so you can get a feel for what it would be like to study there. Think of it as a university vibe check, with a whole heap of fun activities and freebies thrown in.

When you arrive on campus, you want to be able to see yourself studying there; walking the halls, sitting in lecture theatres, getting coffee. It has to feel right, and it can be difficult to get a sense of this by looking at photos on a website. Being there in the flesh can give you a better idea of what the campus is like, and how you would fit there.

For those who are less focused on the general vibe, and more concerned with the facilities, exploring the campus at a university open day will allow you to check out labs, equipment and libraries. You’ll be able to see what resources you will have at your disposal to help you succeed in your studies.

Meet your future lectures and tutors.

Another big part of uni open days is showcasing the variety of degrees on offer. Lecturers and tutors will give presentations, hold information sessions or run discussion panels on your study areas of interest. This gives you a better insight into the topics you’ll cover in class, and what the degree/s you want to apply for have to offer compared to other universities.

Suss out the student lifestyle.

Why go to a uni open day? To experience what life will be like as a university student. Discover the clubs and societies you can join to meet likeminded people and see what recreational facilities are available for that all-important downtime between studies. Whether you want to join a competitive or social sports team, or you’re more into communal movie nights, this is your chance to find out what you'll be doing with your new mates when you aren’t hitting the books.

A university is a community, and you want to be able to envision yourself as part of that community. Seeing what kind of lifestyle you would lead at a university – both socially and academically – will help you decide whether or not it’s the right place for you.

Find answers to all your questions.

Our best tip for making open day worth your time – aside from planning your day – is to come with a list of questions you want to find answers to. Think about what you want most from your university experience and draft your questions so you can check off your list of ‘must-haves’. Consider who to approach to find the right answers – it might be a current student or teaching staff, someone working in admissions or someone who can help you with scholarships. At open day, even if someone can’t answer your question on the spot, they’ll be able to point you in the right direction to find out more.

Make an informed decision.

University open days give you the resources and experiences you need to make an informed decision about which university is right for you.

If you're attending multiple open days, we recommended creating a checklist to fill out at each, covering at least the top ten things you’re looking for in a university. Don’t forget to include both academic and social considerations on your checklist, so you can get a well-rounded view of what your life would look like at each uni. This process will help you compare universities and outline clear pros and cons for your top contenders.

So, are university open days worth it? That depends on how prepared you are going into them, and how much you get out of them. If you follow some of the tips listed above when attending uni open days, you should come away from the experience feeling more confident about where you’re going to place universities in your preference list.

Link to 2023 Open Days - OPEN DAYS

Your Pathway Team

See below for Information Packs and available Apprenticeships.

The last few weeks have seen a flurry of football action. Students from Year 3 through to Year 12 have been playing futsal, football, and rugby in various competitions including the launch of the Fitzroy Oval.

2023 SOUTHERN QLD CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS

Mary MacKillop's U12 Boys Futsal team recently returned from the SOUTHERN QLD CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS Futsal competition held at Nissan Arena in Brisbane, exceeding expectation by finishing in the top 4 overall. A courageous and exhausting effort saw the team make it through to the semi-finals where they were eventually defeated. All players contributed to the results on the day and have earned themselves a spot in the next stages of the competition to be held later in the year. Special mentions must go to Ed Ehrlich, one of our current Austalasian Futsal representatives, and Alex Burrow who is new to the sport but is quickly making a name for himself as a top team goalkeeper. Importantly for coach Mr. Ashley Jones, teamwork and great spirit were displayed, and the boys represented the college in high esteem.

Mary MacKillop's Under 11 and Under 10 girls competed in the same competition last Friday. Both teams played incredibility well and demonstrated great skill and determination. The growth in both teams has been outstanding. The Under 11 girls won their way to the grand final. They fought hard but went down 3-2. As runner's up they will go on to Stage 3 of the Champions of Champions competition.

Rugby

Mary MacKillop is again competing in the Darling Downs Super Schools Cup this year. After three rounds, both our Opens and 13s have experienced victories and our 15s are showing improvements each week. We travel to Gold Park to play TAS/Concordia next Wednesday. The games start at 4:30 pm.

Year 5 and 6 Gala Day

Last Thursday, our Year 5 and 6 students competed in either netball or touch football against other Catholic schools in the Diocese at the Year 5 and 6 Netball and Touch football Gala Day. The students competed hard, and everyone gave it their best effort. Many students competed in a different sport which they have never played before.

Congratulations to the Year 5 girls competitive netball team who won their division and brought home the trophy. Further to this success, our Year 6 girls competitive touch football team were runners up. Congratulations to all of our students on their outstanding effort.

Finally, thank you to the Senior students who coached and umpired games in the day. We are extremely blessed to have such respectful, skilled role models within our College to guide and assist our younger students at these events.

Brad Griffiths
Middle Leader Sport

Each year since 1945 the Childrens' Book Council of Australia (CBCA) has brought children and books together across Australia through Children's Book Week®. During this time schools and public libraries spend one glorious week celebrating books and Australian children's authors and illustrators.

In the lead up to Book Week, library staff have been highlighting picture books which have been short-listed for the 2023 Book of the Year award. While the focus has been on Visual Literacy, (how authors and illustrators use layout, perspective, style and colour to support text), it has also been an opportunity for encouraging dialogue, sharing ideas and enjoying new Australian stories with students.

A reminder that we will be celebrating Book Week in Week 7 of the term with the following main events:

Pre-Loved Book Sale: Tuesday, 22 - Thursday, 24 August

(Thank you for the donations that have been sent in so far. Donations can be dropped off at Junior Reception before Week 7.)

Book Character Parade & Readers Cup Competitions: Friday, 25 August

(Students are invited to dress as a Book Character or Dress in Green to match the theme - Read, Grow Inspire.)

MMCC Library Staff

Some exciting news from the Arts- We are overall Percussion Champions!

Yesterday, we took out the 1st place in the Secondary Percussion and then again with the Primary Percussion to achieve the Ensemble Trophy for the second year running. We were up against some quality with Downlands, Grammar, Concordia and St Joseph’s all in it.

Other results so far with the dancers and guitar ensemble still to come:

• 1st for secondary drumline
• 1st for primary drumline
• 1st for speech and drama- Austin Griffiths
• 1st in 3 humorous poem- Austin Griffiths
• 1st for secondary strings solo- Bianca Philp
• 1st for speech and drama- Bryce Murphy
• 1st for primary flute solo- Abigail O’Dea
• 2nd for secondary drum kit solo- Noah Burke
• 2nd for clarinet solo- Louisa Philp
• 2nd for Primary Guitar Ensemble
• 3rd for secondary woodwind trio- Georgianna Reisinger, Katelyn Burton and Emily Wann
• 3rd for year 11/12 flute solo- Katelyn Burton
• 3rd year 9/10 clarinet solo- Remi O’Donoghue
• HC for Year 9 & Under Jazz - Senior Dance Troupe
• Highly commended for secondary duet- Noah Burke and Bianca Philp

Massive good luck and thankyou to Hayley, Chloe, Charlotte and Maddy Dobson who have ensembles still to come and for their huge efforts to get our students on stage. We have achieved way above all expectations.

Today the first of two MMCC Primary Dance troupes competed in the Toowoomba Eisteddfod. This is the first year we have offered dance in our Primary school, and the first ever time we entered an event, and the first time we have won a PRIZE!!!!

A massive congratulations to Charlotte Dobson (year 12) and Maddy Dobson (alumni) who volunteered to take on these troupes and who have committed so much time to get them to the level they are. We are so lucky to have them working within the Arts at MMCC! A special thanks to Mrs Cotter who started this co-curricular activity back in term 1 and another mention to Mrs King who was on point with hair and makeup this morning.

Best of luck to Troupe 2 who take the stage later tonight and to our secondary dancers and Miss Lauverjon who compete tomorrow to end out Toowoomba eisteddfod success.

Jess Burke
Middle Leader - The Arts

We have had 3 new educators join the team at Mary MacKillop OSHC. This brings us to a total of 11 educators! Please make them feel welcomed next time you see them. 

Charlee Danaher: I am married and have two beautiful children a 12-year-old son Drake and a 7-year-old girl Lexi. We have a bit of a farm at our home with 5 sheep, a couple of cows, and lot and lots of chickens. I’m currently studying to become a teacher aide.

Tahla Marshall: I’m 25 and I have a small dog named Cheser, who I love to take on walks and play with. I find myself fun, energetic and easy to get along with. I also love getting into arts & craft, and horticulture whenever I have a spare moment!

Clinton Debney: I have three siblings, two older brothers and a younger sister. I play my fair share of sports, but in particular Basketball. My favourite thing to do in my spare time is to go to the gym and play with my dogs.

Garth Rochford
OSHC Coordinator