We are incredibly fortunate to have at our College so many talented and committed teachers who show constant care for students. Schools are very busy places, and often we can get lost in a lot of varied and colourful activities when, at the end of the day, it is the quality of the classroom experience that provides the most transformative impact. Our teachers are amazing, because they do the little things every day to make a big difference over the years. I hope you have had the chance to thank them!
Our Catholic tradition is rich with a history of teaching. Jesus himself was called 'rabbi' (teacher) throughout the Gospels and his teaching offered a practical, revolutionary and exciting path for people who listened. At all times through the history of the Church, from the 1st Century, we can see a heavy focus on education and on the role of the community investing in teaching and education. This continued through to the establishment of monasteries, of parish schools and of course to the proud history of Catholic schools in Australia. It is an esteemed and cherished profession. It has given me great joy to see the number of graduates from our College go into a teaching pathway and continue that cycle of making a contribution to the next generation. A great education supports the dignity of the person.
Thank you very much to the Parent Engagement Network who very kindly bought staff a coffee this morning and a small gift. Your support of all of us is very much welcomed.
Mr Chris Gabbett College Principal
Moving On Up Day
Last Wednesday, approximately 100 Year 6 students had the opportunity to experience what it is like to be a High School student for the day at the annual Moving On Up Day.
Over 30 new students began the day with lessons in Design Technology. They had the opportunity to work in the Kitchen making Anzac biscuits and also creating a tea light candle holder in Woodwork.
At lunch, our current Year 6 students joined the new students to participate in a range of team building activities, promoting relationship building.
The day concluded with some current Year 7 students providing tips and feedback about the changes from Year 6 to Year 7.
It was fabulous to witness staff and students enjoying the day in readiness for beginning High School in 2023.
Term 4 College Fees are due on Monday 31st October unless you have a payment arrangement in place. Please contact accounts@highfields.catholic.edu.au if you are unable to pay your account before the end of the term.
The 2023 Schedule of Fees were communicated to College Families earlier this month, and as foreshadowed last term, fees have increased. The cost-of-living pressures felt universally are of course impacting upon College expenses, and this impact is coupled with upcoming uplifts in teacher salaries.
If you require assistance with fee relief based on these increases, please contact Kirsty Gillett for a confidential discussion so the College may assist your family.
All families wishing to pay by direct debit in 2023 must submit a new form. Applications are accepted at all times during the year, however, to allow time for bulk processing please return your completed form by Friday, 18 November. Please review before returning to ensure all fields are completed correctly.
If you require assistance to complete this form or calculating your 2023 fees, please contact the Finance Department at the College or via email, accounts@highfields.catholic.edu.au.
Kirsty Gillett Business Manager
Mary Mac Meals
Mary Mac Meals are freshly prepared meals from our College Chef, perfect to take home and feed the family after a long day at work!
Please click on the below link to see our menu, and place your order!
The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be held on Thursday, 10 November, in the MacKillop Centre starting at 6:00pm.
It is not too late for you to be part of this group. Please contact Nadine Dolan or Paula O'Rourke if you are interested in being part of this group. Information has been provided in previous newsletters as well as emails to all families.
Paula O'Rourke Assistant Principal Religious Education
Socktober Success!
Despite the fairly consistent rain last Friday, this didn't stop our staff and students from wearing their bright and crazy socks for Catholic Mission and purchasing a sausage sizzle from the AMMA group!
A huge thank you to the College community for supporting Socktober this year–all proceeds from your sock-wearing donations go to Catholic Mission whose focus country for 2022 is Ethiopia. Additionally, the profits collected from the AMMA sausage sizzle (thank you to Bannock Brae Meats for donating the delicious sausages!) will go to a charity of AMMA's choice. In previous years, AMMA has used these profits to assist flood or drought affected communities in Queensland or to purchase additional gift cards for the St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal.
While the rain didn't dampen the BBQ, it did affect the soccer shootouts in the Junior College and the staff versus students' futsal matches in Senior. These activities will hopefully run this week as a part of Wellbeing Week.
Thank you again for your support; we can't wait until Socktober 2023!
Leisa Radley Director of Formation and College Culture (7-12)
With only five weeks left of Term 4 and Christmas paraphernalia adorning shop windows, it's time for the Mini Vinnies' and AMMA group's annual Vinnies Christmas Gift Appeal.
Each year, we invite staff and students to donate either a gift card or a gift-wrapped present to their classroom or PC baskets to contribute to the St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal. The past two years have been highly successful! Thanks to the generosity of the MMCC community, we have been able to give hundreds of gifts to families in the Toowoomba region who do it a little tough at Christmastime.
This year, the Appeal runs from Week 4 until Week 8, concluding on Monday, 21 November. After this, members of the Year 5 Mini Vinnies' group and AMMA students will sort the gifts into appropriate age groups and organise the donations for the local Vinnies conference to collect.
An email was sent home to families this week which included a list of potential gifts appropriate for each year level to purchase.
Thank you in advance for your generous donations.
Leisa Radley Director of Formation and College Culture (7-12) Kate Carroll Year 3-6 Co-Ordinator
Teaching and Learning
Excellence Awards in Visual Arts!
Congratulations to Taylor Blackley and Katelyn Haddow whose work has been selected for the 2022 Creative Generation Excellence Awards in Visual Art. This exhibition recognises and celebrates the artistic achievements and creative talents of senior high school students from across Queensland.
The event opens formally on 5 November at the Toowoomba Regional Gallery but for a sneak peek at the artwork here is a link to the online exhibition featuring 40 works from across the Darling Downs region. An online exhibition is no substitute for the real thing and our student’s work is far more sophisticated and engaging in person so please make the effort to attend the gallery between November 5 and December 5.
The 2022 World Science Festival recently came to town and our Year 9&10 STEM class were lucky enough to be invited along.
The event was designed to engage students in stimulating and inspiring experiences that showcase careers in STEM, including discussions with scientists, hands-on activities and exciting science shows.
Students were able to explore a wide variety of STEM technology and pathways. The event gave student the opportunity to engage in hands-on science activities, discussions with real life scientists and the ability to engage with a number of fascinating displays. The day also included some 'pop-up' science shows and inspiring talks from STEM professionals showcasing STEM careers and career pathways.
The students absolutely loved the day and are keen to go again next year!
Jared Nielsen Middle Leader - Science and Technologies
We are constantly astounded by the opportunities on offer to students while they are completing their senior studies. The last few months have been evidence of this. While we have seen over 50% of our year 12 students who are perusing a university pathway secure early entry into University, the year 9s took their first tour of the University of Sothern Queensland and began their journey in exploring what a University pathway may look like in 2026.
Students that are exploring a pathway in a trade attended the annual DGT 'Try a Trade' day. This gave students the chance to learn about the more unusual trades available and get hands on in the DGT workshop. We also hosted the Darling Downs Manufacturing Group monthly lunch at the College and had key stakeholders in the manufacturing tour our facilities advising us on our plans to grow the workshop.
The current staff shortage that is being experienced by many employers has seen industry trying to build relationships with perspective employees while they are completing high school. This can be seen with the growing number of our students that are undertaking apprenticeships and traineeships in years 10, 11 and 12. And the events in various fields that students are invited to attend. Our students have attended the Protein Job Fair in Dalby to learn about the various pathways in the meat production industry of Australia. Health Industry Showcase Lunch, which saw our students interested in the medical field enjoy lunch while listening to Doctors, Occupational Therapists, Nurses, Auxiliary staff, and Physiotherapists discuss their pathways. We were also fortunate to be invited to be part of the inaugural Highfields Chamber of Commerce - Small Business Industry Dinner. Parents and students attended and spoke to small business operators from numerous fields on their pathways and what they are looking for in employees.
As a team we are always looking for ways for students to upskill while the are at school or put them ahead of other applicants. With this in mind we were very excited to have 28 students in years 10 and 11 complete their Espresso Skill Set in week 10 last term. After completing the theory of the skill set, staff were willing guinea pigs to test the students coffees. It was wonderful how students strived to improve their product after receiving feedback after morning tea. We strongly encourage these students to volunteer on the College coffee machine before school to hone their skills.
We are experiencing a dramatic increase in the number of students seeking to commence their University studies while at school. We currently have over 10 students in years 10, 11 and 12 enrolled in a Headstart course with UniSQ. Completion of this course will see the students receive a guaranteed placement at UniSQ (provided the pass English and Math) and the first unit is FREE. Students are welcome to complete additional units at a greatly reduced cost.
To top the last few weeks off we have completed all Year 12 Exit Prep Interview to ensure they have plans in place for 2023 and almost finished our Year 11 check in interview. We are so proud of the mature young people that the College has graduating in the next couple of years and can't wait to see them kick their goals.
Your Pathway Team Jennifer Stevenson and Christie Richardson
Forming Young People at MMCC - Wellbeing Week in Action!
This week we have celebrated Wellbeing Week at the College. The theme for the week was AWARENESS, BELONGING, CONNECTION. This week provides students and families with a range of opportunities to engage in activities focusing on wellbeing. Students had various lunch time activities to choose from to increase their sense of belonging at school and a chance to connect with students across the College. UNO, board games, Just Dance, painting, lawn games, gardening, mindful colouring, art hub, block construction, sleep story time in the library and mindfulness were just some of the many activities to choose from!
Students in Prep and Year 4, had the opportunity to participate in POUND - a stick drumming opportunity that supports positive thinking and mental health!
The challenge for parents at home was to support their children to participate in a 'digital detox' throughout the week. Congratulations to the students who won prizes for this challenge.
The week concluded with P-10 mindfulness followed by a whole College picnic- prizes were drawn, ice creams were eaten and the energy of the cross College connection was contagious!
Staff at the College have been exploring the Josephite Charism and the Six P's of Mary MacKillop. Whilst evidence of all aspects of Mary MacKillop's legacy can be found in all that we do at Mary Mac, the concept of perseverance is one that is particularly linked to sport. Two recent examples of perseverance on the sporting field include South West 7s Rugby and QSSS Track and Field Performances.
The popularity of Rugby 7s continues to grow, not just locally, but globally and students at Mary Mac are keen to give this fast-paced sport a crack! Our current crop of 13s boys is a team who have some talent across a number of football codes, but not a lot of 7s experience. Their first games didn't end the way they perhaps wanted them to, largely due to playing a more rugby league style of play, rather than adapting to the unique tactics necessary to compete in 7s. Rather than stick to what they know, the boys have worked hard to change their style of play - persevering with something new. The result? Improved performance and an increased understanding of the game.
Mary Mac students represented themselves, their College, and the Darling Downs at the recent QSSS Track and Field Championships in Brisbane. A huge congratulations to all with many students recording performance bests. Isaac (Year 10), Nicolene (Year 10), and Calan (Year 4) all finished Top 10 for their events. Of particular note, Jackson (Year 8) was only one place out of the medals, finishing 4th in the 13 Boys Triple Jump! When quizzed about what makes him successful at what he does, Jackson commented that self-discipline and dedicated practice are keys to his own development as an athlete.
I encourage all students to adopt the qualities of perseverance and persistence in their approach to their sporting endeavours.
Brad Griffiths Middle Leader Sport
Student Achievements
Week 3 Assembly Awards
2023 Premier's Reading Challenge Award RecipientsTeaching & Learning Award RecipientsWestie Award Recipients
Community Noticeboard
September Vacation Care Recap
Our September Vacation Care Program was very fun, filled with Park Excursions, Science, Mario Kart, Bike Riding, Spring Craft and much more. Some favourites were definitely the park excursions, where children got to play on some awesome park equipment and playgrounds and Picnic Point and Queens Park.
