This Sunday, 28 May, is the Feast of Pentecost.

The broad story of this Feast is captured in the Acts of the Apostles, which is attributed to Luke. The word Pentecost is Greek for 'Fifty Days' and occurs that long after Easter Sunday. Luke writes of a time when many Jewish people from outside of Jerusalem had returned to the city for the Feast of Weeks, and the Apostles found inspiration to speak to all of them about Christ's message. It is the turning point from Jesus's Apostles leaving fear behind and becoming evangelisers. Much of the imagery (wind, tongues of fire and doves) remains with it as symbols of faith, particularly around Confirmation.

For our students today, the story of Pentecost could inspire a time to leave fear behind. Growing up today has more pitfalls and challenges then it did even ten years ago, and working in schools gives a very direct sense of the demands on the time and emotions of our young people, of all ages. Simpler issues regarding peer relationships and education are now made much more complex by social media and the need to be always 'on'. The pressure of mass media and a beauty industry, aimed now at boys and girls, that sets unattainable goals and expectations and brings an overbearing pressure.

As adults helping them navigate this world, we must walk with them but also encourage them to leave fear behind them. The Apostles were inspired by the presence of God, manifested as the Holy Spirit, which, according to Luke, swept through a room as a strong wind and settled tongues of fire/sparks around them. Our job is to help our young people realise that the tongues of fire are always there for them - the confidence and strength they need are within them and we must draw it out to help them navigate a complex world.

Mr Chris Gabbett
College Principal

We are in exciting times here at the College right now, as we have put a Waiting List in place for Year 7 in 2024.
Currently, the Waiting List is short and we expect there to be transitions happening in the next six months meaning places may become available. 

To ensure you are at the top of this list, I encourage you to submit an Application for Enrolment form as soon as possible. Current members of the Year 6 cohort will have immediate membership of the Year 7 class entering in 2024.
You can read our Admissions Criteria for this Waiting List and further information on our website here.

If you have a younger sibling ready for Year 7 in 2024 and have not yet enrolled, I encourage you to get in touch to secure your spot on our Waiting List.

Year 7 for 2025 will shortly be in the same position. I encourage you to also submit your application as soon as possible. Similarly, current members of the Year 5 cohort will have immediate access of the Year 7 class entering in 2025. 

Phoebe Burton
Enrolments Officer

Please keep an eye out for our upcoming special, order forms will be sent out on Monday, 29 May.

What does this word mean to you?

We can all think of things that we hope for - hope for happiness, hope for wellness, hope for things to get better, hope you have a great day, hope wishes come true. All sorts of hopes.

'Hope for the Earth. Hope for Humanity' is this year's theme for Laudato Si Week which runs from May 21 to 28. It is the 8th anniversary since Pope Francis first wrote the encyclical, Laudato Si - Care for our common home. This encyclical was written to ask us or, more to the point plead with us, humans, to care the environment because everything is connected. What we do here in our own backyard will ultimately have an impact and affect on the future earth. It is the only one we have and future generations are going to need it. So this year we are reminded about what is the hope we have for our earth and all humanity? What can we be doing better now so that future generations can share in what we have now?

Have you ever watched the movie 'Divergent'? The 2014 American film is set in a future society that is divided into five factions: Abnegation (the selfless), Amity (the peaceful), Candor (the honest), Dauntless (the brave), and Erudite (the intellectual). The remaining population, the Factionless, have no status or privilege. Upon turning 16, children undergo a serum-induced psychological aptitude test which indicates their best-suited faction, but can choose any faction as their permanent group at the subsequent Choosing Ceremony. This movie reminds me about what the world could end up if we were to continue the treat our earth and people as we do. The earth is in this movie is desolate due to wars, selfishness and people just wanting to survive - it is dark, dirty and plant less. But the way people are treated based on a psychological aptitude test puts people in a box and this is the way you will get treated. Where is the concern and care for human dignity here? I truly hope that we don't end up like this!

So what can we do?

The most important thing I think is to CARE! Care about our planet! Care about what impact you will make by just recycling your rubbish! Care about the way that you treat other people who you come into contact with! Care about minimising waste! But ultimately care about other human beings. In the encyclical, Pope Francis, asks us to care about the poor, the youth and indigenous peoples across the world. It is the people who are around us all the time as well.

There is a film also available for people to watch - 'The Letter'. This film "tells the story of a journey to Rome of frontline leaders to discuss the encyclical letter Laudato Si’ with Pope Francis. The exclusive dialogue with the Pope, included in the film, offers a revealing insight into the personal history of Pope Francis and stories never seen since he became the Bishop of Rome." The Letter Film - Click here to watch. The vision that is used is everyday natural disasters to disasters caused by unfortunate circumstances and in Pope Francis' words we are - 'we are getting used to it' because this is happening so often that it it is becoming normal. But this is not normal and what we are experiencing is an illness - 'getting used to it illness'! Do we want this? This film challenges us all to not just accept what is happening and try to change it. What we do here now DOES have an affect on our future but also the future of generations to come.

So, what is your hope? A hope for reconciliation and justice for all people. A hope for peace and resilience for children, women and men whose lives are devastated. A hope the people will work co-operatively and harmoniously to celebrate our differences but also share common goals. A hope that our planet will continue to support us and our future generations.

I finish with this Mary MacKillop quote "Keep your mind in peace whatever happens." 1890

Paula O'Rourke
Assistant Principal Religious Education

Recently, the Year 4 cohort came together for formation sessions. The theme for the day was RESPECT. Throughout the day the students were able to participate respectfully in activities that included liturgy, drumming, learning about Mary MacKillop, team work and creativity. 

At the conclusion to the sessions, all students worked in small groups to produce a RAP or a POEM about respecting certain areas around our College. Here are some of their creative responses:

Paula O'Rourke
Assistant Principal Religious Education

AMMA's Winter Appeal kicked off this week and will continue until Week 2, Term 3. Thank you to the families in our College who have already donated various items. We appreciate your generosity.

The AMMA Winter Appeal aims to support Tony's Community Kitchen–a local organisation which is open 365 days a year and works to support the vulnerable in our local community. Additionally, AMMA hopes to support Rosie's–Friends on the Street by being able to donate tinned soups, coffee and Milo when our College attends its monthly outreach.

A reminder of the items that AMMA is seeking donations of:

• tinned soups
• boxes of tea bags, tins of coffee and Milo
• bamboo forks and spoons (no knives)
• serviettes
• blankets; and
• winter jackets

All donations should be delivered by your child/ren to their PC room (Senior) or their classroom (Junior), rather than being brought to the Office.

The AMMA group thanks the MMCC community in anticipation of your generous donations!

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

The theme for National Reconciliation Week 2023, Be a Voice for Generations, encourages all Australians to be a voice for reconciliation in tangible ways in our everyday lives – where we live, work and socialise.

For the work of generations past, and the benefit of generations future, let’s choose to create a more just, equitable and reconciled country for all.

Our research shows large community support for the next steps in Australia’s reconciliation journey, including the Voice to Parliament, treaty making and truth-telling. This year’s National Reconciliation Week theme, Be a Voice for Generations, urges all Australians to use their power, their words and their actions to create a better, more just Australia for all of us. Read more about what Reconciliation Australia CEO Karen Mundine has to say about the NRW 2023 theme.

The dates for NRW remain the same each year; 27 May to 3 June. These dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey— the successful 1967 referendum, and the High Court Mabo decision respectively.

Reconciliation must live in the hearts, minds and actions of all Australians as we move forward, creating a nation strengthened by respectful relationships between the wider Australian community, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

We all have a role to play when it comes to reconciliation, and in playing our part we collectively build relationships and communities that value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories, cultures, and futures.

Students are currently preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation. Confirmation is one of the intiation ceremonies for the Catholic faith.

This ceremony will take place on Thursday, 15 June, at 7:00pm with Bishop Robert McGuckin, in the MacKillop Centre.

If you have any flowers Or shrubbery - white or red - we would really appreciate your donations to the evening. Please contact Paula O'Rourke if you are able to provide this.

Please continue to pray for the young people and their families as they prepare for this very special celebration.

If you have any questions, please contact one of the sacramental team:

Paula O'Rourke
APRE & Sacramental Team Member

Every Sunday, St Mary MacKillop Catholic Parish gathers in the MacKillop Centre to celebrate together.

YOU are invited to be part of this celebration.

Mass starts at 8:00am and is lead by Fr Brian Noonan.

Please remember with the construction site blocking the road to the MacKillop Centre people will need to park and walk to the centre.

A potluck dinner will be held on Saturday, 17 June. Mass will be at 5:00pm followed by dinner at 6:00pm. This dinner will be a chance to catch up with fellow parishioners and enjoy each other's company. This time change is to accommodate the winter evening. Please bring a pot of something to share with others for dinner

We require a myriad of skills to be able to read and we also need those skills to work together to become confident readers. Learning to read is not only complex but hard. The cognitive load that occurs when children are beginning to read is high. For example, they spend a lot of time developing decoding skills, which is just one aspect of reading successfully.

Reading is an active process and children need to develop all of reading skills to be able to make sense of texts. Listed below are examples of skills and strategies that are employed when learning to read.

Print concepts

• Directionality – top/bottom, left/right, return sweep
• Front/Back Cover
• Letters/words hold meaning

Vocab

• deepens learning and understanding

Decoding Strategies

• Lips Fish
• Stretchy Snake
• Chunky Monkey
• Picture cues
• Eagle Eye Strategy

Pausing

• Take up time to select a strategy

Prediction

• Skimming
• Scanning

Punctuation

• Full stops
• Exclamation marks
• Question marks

Rereading Strategy for comprehension

• Skip It Frog strategy
• Tryin' Lion

Connections

• Text to me
• Text to world
• Text to text

To better support your child at home when reading, engage in a Book Walk prior to reading.

Angela Ehmer, author and Literacy Specialist shares:

How to do a Book Walk

What a Predictable Text is 

Natalie Adler
Assistant Principal - Teaching & Learning - Junior

During Refugee Week this term (Week 10), 15 students from Year 11 have committed to undertake the Act for Peace Ration Challenge. For 3 days they will eat the same kinds of rations in the same quantities that a refugee in Syria would consume. Rice, Kidney Beans, Sardines, Chickpeas, Lentils, and Wheat Flour are the staples they will receive.

This is a great opportunity for students to demonstrate advocacy and raise funds for the many millions of people displaced by ethnic persecution, war, and famine around our globe.

If you wish to donate to this worthy cause or find out more information about the Act for Peace organization please visit their website:

Mr Ryan Cavanough
Teacher

Teenagers are wonderfully creative, interesting and intelligent human beings, but sometimes as parents we might notice an increase in behaviours that haven’t been present before over these years, including risk-taking behaviours or what Dr Dan Siegel refers to as ‘emotional storms’ (Siegel, 2014). This can be a really stressful and confusing time for all involved!

This change in behaviour with our young people arises because of an intense period of rewiring in the teenage brain; that is, the pathways in the brain are being consolidated to become more efficient in how knowledge is received and stored. This can occur right up until a young person’s mid-twenties. After this process is finalised, Dr Dan Siegel reports that the teenage brain will display more insight, emotional balance, and wisdom; as well as have other refined capabilities (Siegel, 2014).

So how can we best support our teenagers through this time of change?

We can provide space and options for our young people to channel their emotion and passions into creative pursuits; whether that be sports, the arts, STEM … the list goes on.

We can support our teenagers to develop safe and supportive relationships with those around them. This team may include family members, peers, team members, coaches, school staff or other key members of their wider network.

We can give them opportunities to try new things in safe way but provide them with a familiar home base to return to.

We can help them understand what is happening inside their brains and provide them with the language or skills (both verbal and non-verbal) to articulate how they are feeling and the needs they may have so that they are able to communicate these with others.

We can connect with them in ways that might look different to how we did when they were younger; this might be talking with them in the car driving to their first job, playing alongside them in their favourite game, or going for a walk together with the family pet and being okay not saying very much.

As a society we often hear when we have newborns or young children that “it takes a village to raise a child” and whilst this is a very true sentiment for that phase of life, it also remains incredibly pertinent for raising teenagers too. It can truly take a village.

This article is drawn from the incredible knowledge Dr Dan Siegel shares of his work surrounding the brain. There is a lot of valuable insight below:

Leah Moffett
Senior School Guidance Counsellor

National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) is held annually by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA). Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country. Now in its 23rd successful year, it is a colourful, vibrant, fun event that aims to promote the value of reading and literacy.

This year's story is The Speedy Sloth by Rebecca Young and Heath McKenzie. Prep - Year 3 teachers and students read the story on the official NSS date, Wed May 24th and students completed related activities in the library during first break. Thank you to Library School Officers, Chris Putland and Di Tate for a wonderful sloth display.

Our Senior students also had an to opportunity to go to Toowoomba Gardens Early Learning Centre and read this year's book 'The Speedy Sloth'.

MMCC Library Staff

Some of our most outstanding young musicians participate in the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University State Honours Ensemble Program Darling Downs 2023 over three days which ended in a full performance afternoon showing brilliant musicianship. MMCC had its highest number of musicians accepted this year and was wonderful to see so many represent our department and College. Well done to the following:  

Jess Burke

Middle Leader - The Arts & Student Engagement

Icy evenings are a delight if you are tucked up inside next to a raging log fire. An art show opening and an icy evening at the opening of the Hampton Art Show may have kept numbers down compared to the previous year but that didn’t stop the hardy souls who ventured out to embrace an evening of great artwork, great company, and great atmosphere. The words of one of the original founders ‘Community and Glue ‘ poignantly describes of the event.

The beautifully stoic musical performance by Mary MacKillop’s own ‘Voll Sisters’ in freezing weather is testament to their talent and determination. ‘What beautiful harmonies’… just one of the many complimentary comments overheard.

The student art was extremely well received and admired but despite 75 entries from Mary MacKillop Catholic College into the year 6 art competition, the prizes donated by Oxlades Art Supplies went elsewhere to some extremely talented young artists. The phenomenally high standard of the work presented in the senior student art showcase (year 7-10) was extremely powerful, even though they exhibited in reduced space due to the huge number of entries into the year 6 competition.

Special mention must be made to Archie and Lennox Turner, and Emily Wann for dropping in to assist with the set up of the exhibition on Friday evening in their own time. Again, 'Community and Glue' exemplified.

2024 looks set to become an extremely well contested event. We hope to see you there.

Matt Chivers
Teacher 

Congratulations to our week 5 Award Recipients

Congratulations to our Week 6 Award Recipients

Hello from the Parent Engagement Network!

Below is an update on recent and upcoming events throughout the College where the PEN have been involved and are working alongside the College.

Recent events and future updates for Term 2:

Parent Engagement Network meeting - Thursday, 11 May Update

On Thursday, 11 May the Parent Engagement Network met. Items raised were discussions about the Strategic Plan 2025-2029 and beyond. The PEN will be looking for College Community members, students and staff to assist with this new plan. The College will also be engaging in the SRIP (Student Renewal Improvement Process) later this year to discern our current Strategic Plan.

We also discussed future fundraising events for the College Calendar to lock in future dates/events.

Thank you to Mr Mal Martin for nominating to be the Colleges delegate for the CSPQ (Catholic Schools Parents Queensland) who meet regularly in Toowoomba.

“Live” Reporting was also discussed and is being investigated further by the TCSO. We will keep you informed on any future updates and when to expect implantation across the Diocese.

Mother’s Day Raffle – Thank you for your support

The PEN wish to thank all College community members, families, staff and students who supported this great cause to enable more resources to be purchased for our College students. We raised over $2000!

The lucky winning Mum was Catherine Farlow who was presented with her winning cart of Mother’s Day goodies. Thank you to the businesses and families who helped put this raffle together and donated these gifts. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.

Pie Drive for Term 2 - Reminder – Don’t forget to get your order in.

The PEN and the College are excited to announce the famous Pie Drive again in Term 2. Those colder months will be on our doorstep before we know it. The College sent out an Edsmart communication email last week to promote this fundraiser for the College.

• Orders can only be made online only.
• Orders must be placed by 3:00pm Friday, 9 June 2023.
• Collection will be from the MacKillop Centre on Tuesday, 20 June 2023, between 2:30 to 4:30pm.

All profits from this fundraiser will go to support the purchasing of Cafe equipment and other resources in the College.

Please support this fundraising activity. An online order form is available which does make it easy for payments: 

PEN - Mission and Identity - Update

In the Mission and Identity space we would like to once again introduce the concept of Healing Hands. Healing Hands is a simple but powerful way to tell someone that they are being thought of during a time of stress, grieving, hospitalisation of family members or sickness.

If you would like to contribute, by cooking meals or baking to assist this group, please collect supplied containers suitable for freezing and portion sizing from Senior Reception. Please ensure you and any family in your house are well while cooking meals or baking goods. Return these items in the provided containers, labelled with all ingredients and date, prepared to the Junior Administration Block to be frozen for future distribution to families or individuals in need.

As always, if you know someone who needs a hamper, the best contacts are Emma Ehrlich, Paula O'Rourke or the Junior or Senior Reception. These hampers are given in confidentiality always.

MMCC Run Club

Thank you to Mr Gabbett for organising the MMCC Run Club. Everyone is welcome to join us for running on Friday mornings at the College. Yes, it is getting cold, however the MMCC Run Club is continuing over these months in preparation for those wanting to participate in joining the MMCC group of runners for the Brisbane Marathon Festival (3-4 June). Choose to run 5km, 10km or 21km Marathon or Full Marathon. Everyone is welcome to attend the MMCC Run Club at 6:30am at Junior Admin Friday mornings. Run or walk!

40 for Fortey Relay - College Community Event - Sunday, 28 May at 6:30am – Don’t forget to come along and support this great cause.

As you have seen in a College broadcast email the Parent Engagement Network will be working with the College and warmly encourages community participation in the ‘40 for Fortey’ Relay this year and in years to come.

We have 4 teams ready to go with Captains. They are made up of Students, Teachers and Parents.

All Mary Mac teams will be completing the 40km run as a whole, with each team member completely at least one 4km loop at the Toowoomba Showgrounds. The event is in memory of Senior Constable Brett Forte, affectionately known as "Fortey" who was killed on duty on 29 May 2017.

This is an important event for Mary MacKillop Catholic College as Senior Constable Forte was a Mary Mac parent and the Forte family are still members of our community.

Please come along and support “Team Mary Mac”. We will all be wearing our new Shirts.

Proceeds from the event go to the Queensland Police Legacy Scheme.

Hampton Art Festival

Congratulations to all who were involved in the organisation and celebration of this great community event.  There was an amazing showcase of artwork by Mary MacKillop students. A big thank you to our wonderful teachers, Mr Chivers and Mrs Puhakka, in the Arts department who support our students and facilitate participation in such a wonderful event.

Congratulations also to the amazing Voll Sisters who also supported this event on behalf of the College alongside fellow local musicians. It was a lovely afternoon and evening.

College Café – Needed Volunteers – we need you!!

Just a reminder to all of our College families. The College Café needs more volunteers to help out throughout the term. If this is something you would like to do please reach out to us or the College. This can be a very rewarding job for anyone that can help. Just a few hours a week can make a big difference. Please consider this. You will be required to complete the Colleges Safety induction form.

Fundraising – we need your help!

Each year we run some smaller fundraisers to help with sourcing resources for our College. This year we are looking to continue on with the same fundraising events i.e. pie drive, mango drive and ham drive. If you are interested in assisting with any of these events, please reach out to the PEN, many hands make light work. Refer to our email address below for any feedback or areas which you feel may need attention throughout the College.

The College is also looking to run some larger fundraising events this year and we’d really appreciate your help. If this is an area of interest to you, please reach out to the PEN via email.

Grant Writing to support of College –PEN Resources Team

Does this interest you? We are still in need of assistance in this area. If this is of an interest to you, please make contact via the below email. There are many grants available and we need your help!

Enjoy the rest of the Term 2

The PEN wishes everyone an enjoyable remainder of the term.

We are excited for future College events with success and growth across all academic, arts, cultural and sporting codes!

If you have a topic or matters for discussions, please send through to the PEN email and we can add it to our next Meeting Agenda.

We always welcome new attendees to join our PEN and Mary Mac Family.

Take care.

Shayne Cleary and Rowena Voll

Co-Chairs PEN

Next Meeting for 2023:

Date: Week 10: Tuesday, 20 June.

Room: Senior Admin – teachers’ lunchroom.

Time: 5:30pm start – 7:00pm conclude.

We have had another Educator join our service, Savannah Teakle. She will be working every morning and afternoon. Sav is 18 years old and is currently studying her certificate III in Early Childhood Educaton. Next year she plans on starting her Bachelor of Education to become a Teacher. She has amazing organisational skills and is a great Soccer player. She loves Pizza and the movie Avatar. Please make Savannah feel welcomed next time you see her!This brings us to a total of 8 Educators working at Mary MacKillop OSHC!

Garth Rochford
OSHC Co-ordinator

We're on the hunt for a new Weather Reporter here at Triple M Darling Downs.

The catch, it's got to be a kid.

Each Wednesday Morning, Lee will be joined in the studio by one lucky child who will read the 8:30am weather! Our brand-new Weather Reporter will not only tell us about the days weather report, they'll enjoy a behind the scenes station tour, have a chat on air with Lee PLUS they'll walk away with a prize, a Certificate, and huge smile on their face!

Every weather kid's school will go into the draw to win a very special visit from the Triple M Roadies and Lee on the final Wednesday of each month.  The school will also win $1,000 voucher to spend at Harvey Norman Computers!

To get in the draw to become the Triple M Weather Kid for a day, head to the link below and register now!

Please let us know if your child is selected to read the news, we would love to share this story!

Attention all space explorers!

Blast off into outer space this Winter School Holidays with Junior Engineers’ new out-of-this-world Coding & Robotics Camps for Kids 5 to 13 years old!
Book now to secure your place and learn their new space themed curriculum!

#Codingisfun