MacKillop Bulletin - Term 2, Week 6, 2023

From the Principal

Some of the world’s great minds have told us that the best way to predict the future is to create it. While the story of MacKillop Catholic College is a relatively young and emerging one, the next stage of our history is being informed and shaped by each of us who collectively form our school community today. 

We have all had the opportunity recently to contribute at a foundational level to some very significant aspects and issues of school culture and organisation that will enviably form part of our future learning community.  Being actively involved in and supporting our extension into Years 11 and 12, responding to significant enrolment demand, and contributing to the 2022-2024 Strategic Directions and to the updated Building Master Plan are some of the examples where the community of MacKillop Catholic College has contributed to the creation of the College’s future.

This opportunity now extends to your engagement and participation in the School Results Surveys as part of the 2023 CET Validation processes. Validation is a point in time exercise which ensures the system (in this case Catholic Education Tasmania (CET) as the relevant educational authority) satisfies all aspects of Church, system, and government requirements within the context of school improvement processes. Validation provides system assurance about:

• The school’s progress in responding to the Archbishop’s Charter
• The involvement of the school community in on-going improvement for learning
• How the school is meeting the Tasmanian non-Government Schools Registration Board Standards.

I believe that it is critical to seek each parent and caregiver’s opinion and feedback on a range of issues relating to MacKillop Catholic College as part of our ongoing commitment to continuously improving the College.

Survey instructions and a personalised login link were emailed to all parents and caregivers on Thursday 1 June and friendly reminders will be sent during the survey period until you have submitted the survey. Your feedback is very important as we continue to build a successful school and strengthen our reputation as an ‘educator of choice’ and I thank you in advance for your assistance in helping to shape the future of MacKillop Catholic College.

A more formal way to contribute to the College’s future is through membership of the Advisory Board or one its sub-committees. The Advisory Board plays a key role in the life of the College. Working closely with the Principal, the Advisory Board oversees the College’s alignment and faithfulness to the highest quality stewardship, with a focus on the safety and well-being of our students. As an advisory committee, the Advisory Board also supports the Principal with the governance and oversight of the College, collaboratively participating in setting the strategic directions of the College. 

To ensure that the Advisory Board is in the best position to support the Principal and the College, it is critical that each member of the Advisory Board brings skills and experiences that complements those of the other members, as well as the expertise and knowledge relevant to the Advisory Board’s responsibilities.

The College welcomes expressions of interest from members of the community with substantial experience in one or more of the following areas to join the College Advisory Board: 

• Financial Management/Accounting
• Human Resources
• Marketing, Communication and Public Relations
• Information Technology
• Building and Construction

In addition, the College welcomes expressions of interest from members of the community with substantial relevant experience to join either the Finance Sub-Committee or Buildings and Facilities Sub-Committee.

Advisory Board meetings are scheduled to take place twice during each school term. Meetings are held from 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm at the College. Members typically attend meetings onsite, but accommodation is made for members to join meetings online.  Sub-committees typically meet two weeks prior to each scheduled Advisory Board meeting.

Please email Mrs Tania Burgess, Principal’s Executive Assistant, (tburgess@mackillop.tas.edu.au) for further information.

Stephen Hill 

Principal 

From the Deputy Principal

Staffing

The world of education is changing and in particular, the nature of staffing within a school.  We are noticing that there is no longer a clear boundary of the usual employment cycle of a school year.  Opportunities arise for staff and they embrace those opportunities.  The outcome of this is that our young people may experience a change of teacher at any time within the life of the College.  We can assure you that we always have our students at the heart of all our decisions and work with strategies to minimise the impact of change for them.

With this in mind, during this term, we farewelled Ms Rachel Reeves, Mathematics and Pastoral Care Teacher. Rachel contributed significantly to the growth of the Mathematics department with a particular contribution to the extension of students in Mathematics-based extension opportunities.  Rachel has commenced a Mathematics teaching position at Mt Carmel College.  We wish Rachel all the very best in her new endeavours.

We have also farewelled Ms Kirsty Roberts, Dance and Drama Teacher and welcomed back Ms Laura Langdale, Visual Arts teacher.  Ms Langdale has been able to take some of Mrs Burnett's Visual Arts classes to enable her to have more Drama classes.  Mrs Tew has also been welcomed back to the Dance teaching team.

We have also welcomed to the College, Ms Carina Bonifacia as Mathematics Teacher.  Ms Bonifacia is an accomplished Mathematics and Science Teacher, working for several years with the Department of Education.  Ms Bonifacia is taking Ms Reeve's Mathematics classes.  Also, recently, we have welcomed Ms Van Ngo to the Humanities and Social Sciences department.  Ms Ngo is a graduate teacher with a Master of Teaching and a Bachelor of Business.  Ms Ngo will be teaching Mrs Sturt's classes.

With the departure of Mrs Sturt, Miss Jacinta Pearce has been appointed the Humanities and Social Science Learning Leader and Ms Laura Negri has been appointed the Acting Waterford Pastoral Leader.  We wish them both every success in their new roles.

With these changes, if you have any concerns regarding your child's education, please do not hesitate to contact their Pastoral Care Teacher for additional support.

Creating Futures Expo

Last week we held the Creating Futures Expo and it was a fantastic evening.  We are thankful for the support of our families to ensure it was a success and their commitment to their child's education.  It is an essential experience for our Years 9, 10 and 11 students in their selection for their subjects/courses in 2024.  It was an opportunity to speak to teachers and gain some further insight into the courses available and make informed decisions.

Course Planners and other paperwork are due Friday 9 June to Pastoral Care Teachers.

Creating Futures Expo

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Yours in Christ

Lorraine Wolffe
Deputy Principal - Learning and Teaching; Staff Development

From the Deputy Principal

Code of Personal Appearance

I am writing to all parents/caregivers to ask for your support in ensuring our students are abiding by our Code of Personal Appearance.

We have confirmed with the uniform shop that all winter stock is in, so all students need to ensure they have the appropriate clothing for cold weather. 

• Trackpants- available in all sizes 
• Vests - all sizes available 10, 12, 14, xs, s, m, L, xl
• Softshell jackets - All sizes available 12, 14, xs, s, m, l, xl, xxl, 3xl
• Scarfs 

Pastoral Care Teachers will be following up with any students who do not have appropriate uniform. 

A reminder that students should wear full formal uniform on all days they don’t have HPE (including Outdoor Education, Fitness Experiences, Athlete Development, Community Sport & Rec), Dance or Drama.  This includes the wearing of the College Blazer to and from the College.

Year 11 students may wear sports uniform on Wednesday (House Polo Day) but should be in full formal unless studying:

• Outdoor Education 2
• Community Sport and Recreation 2
• Athlete Development 2

Male students should be clean-shaven and hair for all students must be neatly groomed and tied back if the length touches the top of the collar. Students may wear one pair of simple earrings (gold or silver studs or sleepers) in the lobe of each ear.

Thank you for your support with this matter. Can you please discuss these expectations with your son and/or daughter. 

Online orders can be made via this link:

Toilets

Recently we have moved to address what has unfortunately started to become a serious concern here at MacKillop Catholic College, that is, multiple students being in toilet cubicles together. We have made it very clear to all students that under no circumstances are any students to be in a toilet cubicle with another student.

Unfortunately, this has led to a spike in vandalism, graffiti and rubbish being left in these places. It invites suspicions and allegations of inappropriate and or illegal behaviour such as vaping. Finally, it also prevents other students from being able to use these facilities for what they have been designed for. 

Our student leaders have been working on addressing these ongoing issues and prepared a shared statement that they recently shared with the wider student community. 

We, as students of Mackillop Catholic College must all strive to respect and preserve our shared spaces. Our shared spaces, such as student toilets are for all of us to use. We need to look after these places. We need to ensure they are left useable and hygienic. When they are damaged and vandalised, it affects all of us. We are the ones impacted. We want to see a shift in how we treat these places. Students who see incidents of vandalism should be encouraged to report it and refrain from such behaviour themselves. This behaviour not only strains the school's resources but also limits our ability to promote a respectful and safe environment. We should be proud of our college, however, when we are unable to respect these spaces, it reflects poorly on each and every one of us. In order to resolve this issue, we are going to require cooperation from both staff and students in order to promote respect and positive behaviour to prevent further damage to our school.

All students have been made aware of our position on this matter, and any student found in this situation will be given an afterschool detention and their parents will be notified.

We appreciate your support in this matter.

HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE STUDENTS

Effective students are those who have learned to study smarter rather than harder. Below is a list of the top habits that effective students do.

1. MAKE THE MOST OF CLASSTIME: You are going to be sitting in class anyway, so you may as well make the most of the experience! Time wasted in class is lost learning opportunities or time you need to make up at home. To make the most of class time stay on task and be as involved as you can in the lesson.
2. ASK QUESTIONS OFTEN: Students who are effective will ask questions when they don’t understand something, they don’t wait until 3 weeks into the topic and then say ‘I don’t understand any of this!’. So if you aren’t sure about something, then ask your teacher.
3. COMPLETE ALL HOMEWORK: Your teachers are giving you the homework for a reason, even if you are unsure what the reason might be! It is all part of building your learning in the subject. Focus on putting 100% effort into completing all homework to the best of your ability.
4. DO INDEPENDENT LEARNING: Students who do well academically do more than just the set homework. Rather than cramming just before an exam, they learn as they go. This means the nights they don’t have much homework they step up and take responsibility for their learning and ask themselves ‘What else could I be doing to help me understand and learn my subjects?’. Often this entails reviewing previous work that was difficult or preparing study notes in advance.
5. ARE FOCUSED WHEN WORKING: Students who are effective usually work in blocks of time at home, anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour, but in that time they focus on the task at hand. This means they have removed all distractions and committed that when they are working on schoolwork, they are just working on schoolwork – no personal activities at the same time.
6. WORK SMART FOR ASSESSMENTS: Effective students spend time when they are given an assessment ensuring they understand the requirements and the marking criteria. They work to the guidelines of the assessment and approach the task systematically, making a plan and setting targets for when they want to complete each step.
7. NEVER CONFUSE ‘READING’ WITH ‘STUDYING’: Effective learners know how to study properly for a test. They know that just reading your notes over and over is not an effective way to learn. Instead, they read a section and then test themselves on it, seeing what they can say out loud or write down. They also do lots of revision questions or past exam papers so they can practice the skills of the subject and identify areas of weakness.

You can learn more about being more effective by clicking on the below link and logging in with the username and password located on SEQTA Learn and SEQTA Engage.

Andrew Pritchard
Deputy Principal - Student and Staff Wellbeing

From the Director of Junior School

Creating Futures Expo

With the wonderful Creating Futures Expo and working with the year 9s on creating their futures recently, the power of future planning for motivation, fulfillment, and generosity was reinforced to me. When young people project themselves to their future, they gain a sense of what kind of person they want to be and what they stand for.  This in turn can help to build character and strengthen self-esteem, lift mood, and improve conduct overall.  These conversations are important and enriching and an opportunity for us to learn more about the young person in front of us. However, when we are mentally in the future too often, the opposite happens.  Students and I so often banter about it not being Friday yet, there only being 2 periods left in the day, or that Saturday, and the weekly footy game that can't come around soon enough.  These are all, of course, light-hearted and pleasant exchanges, but they are reminders of the lack of attention we give to the present moment.  When we focus our energies on the present, stress is reduced, overall happiness can be boosted and our relationships become healthier and more rewarding.  Sharing moments, at the moment, reinforces them, making them more significant and richer.  I am going to be making a conscious effort to turn the daily banter around to ask 'What are you up to?' 'What's so funny?' 'How's that (work/project/task) progressing?' 'What are you thinking about with this?' and spend time on the answer and the interaction.  I challenge you to do the same and see what it adds to your relationships and your mood.

Alison Stevens
Director of Junior School

Director of Senior School

The Positives and Negative of Social Media Usage

In today's digital age, social media has become an integral part of your child’s life. From sharing personal moments to connecting with peers and accessing information, social media platforms offer numerous opportunities. However, it's critical for your child to develop a balanced approach to social media usage, recognising its benefits and potential dangers. Below I have summarised the positives and negatives of social media usage for your child and some strategies for minimising risk.

Social media provides your child with various advantages, including:

1. Connectivity and networking: Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn enable students to connect with peers, mentors, and professionals worldwide, fostering collaboration and expanding opportunities.
2. Information sharing and learning: Students can access a wealth of knowledge, educational resources, and current news through platforms like Twitter, YouTube, and educational blogs, enhancing their learning experiences.
3.  Creativity and self-expression: Social media platforms provide avenues for students to showcase their talents, express their creativity, and find like-minded individuals who have common interests.

You and your child must be aware of the potential challenges and risks of social media usage, including: 

1. Time management: Excessive use of social media can lead to time mismanagement, impacting students' productivity, focus, and overall well-being.
2.  Privacy concerns: Sharing personal information online can expose students to privacy risks, including identity theft, cyberbullying, and harassment. Encouraging privacy settings and thoughtful sharing is crucial.
3.  Mental health impacts: Constant exposure to carefully curated online personas and the pressure for validation can contribute to stress, anxiety, and low self-esteem among students. Encouraging a healthy relationship with social media is essential.

Strategies for responsible social media use for you and your child:

1. a) Encourage your child to establish healthy boundaries by setting limits on social media usage, taking breaks, and engaging in offline activities, especially with family and friends

b): Teach your child to critically evaluate online information, discern credible sources, and verify facts before assuming them to be factual.

1. c) Emphasise the importance of maintaining a positive online presence by encouraging responsible posting and polite communication.
2. d) Educate your child about the signs of cyberbullying and encourage them to report and support those affected. Promote kindness and empathy in the digital world/

It is crucial to empower your child with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the digital landscape in a conscious and responsible manner. We strongly recommend parents work with us to enable a healthy relationship device by placing strict boundaries and we will enforce your child to abide by our mobile phone protocol while at school.

Jennifer Crowden

Director of Senior School

School TV

SPECIAL REPORT: Mobile Phone Separation Anxiety

The use of mobile phones and technology in schools has been a highly debated topic internationally, including in Australia. Almost all states and territories in Australia, have implemented full bans on mobile phones during class, recess, and lunch times, while allowing students to carry their phones during travel to and from school.
Critics argue that there is no evidence supporting the effectiveness of such bans, but this is a mischaracterisation. Studies have shown the positive impacts of mobile phone bans in schools. One study conducted in 2016, found that banning mobile phones led to an increase in student performance, with test scores improving by 6.4% of a standard deviation. Similar studies from Spain and Norway also supported these findings.
For parents concerned about mobile phone separation anxiety in their children, it is important to acknowledge it as a real issue and discuss the negative effects of phone addiction, such as sleep problems and mental health issues. Gradually introducing phone-free periods at home, setting clear expectations and boundaries and modelling healthy behaviors can help your child cope. It is also crucial to establish a support network and seek professional help if needed. Implementing mobile phone bans in schools allows for better focus on teaching and learning, minimising distractions and interruptions.
This Special Report will help address mobile phone separation anxiety and provide guidance on supporting your child’s wellbeing during this transition period. We hope you take a moment to reflect on the information offered, and as always, we welcome your feedback. If this raises any concerns for you, a loved one or the well-being of your child, please consider seeking medical or professional help

The Resilience Report

Gratitude

Gratitude is paying attention to the things that we have right now, and not worrying about what we don’t have. We practise this by noticing the positives that exist around us.
Research shows that practicing gratitude rewires our brains to overcome negativity bias (which can lead to
anxiety and depression) and see the world for what we are thankful for. It is also shown to broaden thinking and increase physical health through improved sleep and attitude to exercise.
View Part 2 of the series here: 

There are many ways in which you can practise gratitude, including starting a gratitude journal. You can simply use a notebook to list three things that went well for you each day or use a more comprehensive Wellbeing Journal, like those created by The Resilience Project. 

VET and Vocational Education

Is Vocational Education the Pathway for your young adult?

Vocational education in Australia is highly regarded as an effective pathway to equip individuals with the skills and experience needed to enter the workforce. Also known as Vocational Education and Training (VET), it provides targeted training and education to deliver job-ready graduates in various industry sectors. 

The Australian vocational education system covers a broad range of courses from Certificate I to advanced diplomas. It is delivered by a network of accredited institutions that include Technical and Further Education (TAFE) colleges, private training organizations, and other registered training organizations. 

Individuals can choose to specialise in various industries such as hospitality, construction, IT, healthcare, and more, and gain practical, hands-on learning experiences. The system also offers flexible learning options, including online and distance learning, allowing individuals to balance their studies with work and other commitments. 

The Australian government fully supports vocational education and training and invests heavily in developing and delivering high-quality courses that meet industry standards and requirements. It also provides various financial assistance, including scholarships and subsidies to help individuals access training courses and gain the skills they need to succeed in the workforce. 

Ultimately, vocational education in Australia provides a cost-effective, accessible, and practical way for individuals to prepare for their careers and succeed in various industry sectors. It provides an excellent opportunity for individuals to gain valuable knowledge and skills that make them job-ready and improve their chances of securing employment.

Sue Howard

Learning Leader VET  and Vocational Studies

Year 10 Child Studies

One of the Year 10 Child Studies ran a practical session with kindergarten students at St Cuthbert’s Primary School. Physical education is an important aspect of child development and learning fundamental movement skills at a young age can set a strong foundation for their future physical activities. The children  had a lot of fun while being active and learning new skills

Katie Gardner 
Health and Physical Education Teacher 

Career News

ADF | Women in Defence Virtual Information Session

Are you considering a career in the Navy, Army or Air Force and work alongside likeminded, supportive, proud-serving men and women.

Tune in for a virtual info session to speak with current serving women in Defence to learn more.  For registration details:

Aquaculture Apprenticeship Spotlight

Do you want to work in the outdoors? Do you love the water and environment? If all these apply to you, you might like to consider a career in aquaculture. And one of the best ways to get there is by doing an aquaculture apprenticeship.

What is a career in aquaculture?

A career in aquaculture involves the cultivation and management of aquatic organisms, such as fish, shellfish, and aquatic plants, for commercial purposes. It is a multidisciplinary field that combines aspects of biology, ecology, business, and environmental management. There are many different roles in this field, including farm hands, boat operators, managers, divers, technicians, biologists, and more.

What skills do I need for a career in aquaculture?

Aquaculturists need an understanding of aquatic organisms, their biology, and management techniques. You’ll need to have good problem-solving skills to address challenges related to water quality, disease control, and production efficiency. As part of your job, you’ll probably be expected to operate a variety of machines and equipment. Being adaptable to the changing conditions and regulations of the industry is also very important.

Why should I consider an aquaculture apprenticeship?

Apprenticeships are a great way to get your foot in the door with an employer and start building valuable skills. There are often lots of opportunities to continue working with your employer after your apprenticeship is complete, and even advance your career down the track.

As part of an aquaculture apprenticeship, you will be doing real work for an employer while completing study with a TAFE or RTO. An aquaculture apprenticeship usually takes 2-3 years to complete, depending on whether you work and study full- or part-time.

Here are some qualifications you might want to look into:

• Certificate III in Aquaculture
• Certificate IV in Aquaculture
• Diploma of Aquaculture
• Aquaculture Diver Skill Set

There are tons of benefits to an apprenticeship, rather than just work or study alone, including:

• Getting paid while you learn – unlike uni, you can work and study without having to take on an insane work load.
• The opportunity to get hands-on experience, not just endless reading.
• The potential to connect with an employer and continue working with them after your traineeship is finished.
• Your qualification will be nationally recognised, meaning you can go anywhere with it.

Here is an example of the kind of opportunity available in aquaculture:

• Aquaculture Diver, Strahan TAS
  

Archdiocese of Hobart

Bellerive/Lindisfarne Parish is looking for a Secretary to join their team. 

 Interested people are to contact Fr Mark Freeman at 0408 535 200 or email mark.freeman@aohtas.org.au for more details and a position description.

Sleeping Bags for Ukraine

From the Association of Ukrainians in Tasmania

The situation in Ukraine is dire. The country has been through a lot in recent years, including a conflict with Russia. Millions of people have been forced to flee their homes and seek refuge elsewhere.

As winter approaches in Ukraine, the need for warm bedding becomes increasingly urgent for the most vulnerable members of society.

This is why we are asking for your help

If you have a gently used sleeping bag/s that you no longer need, please consider donating it to a Ukrainian family in need. Your donation will help provide warmth and shelter to someone who is struggling to survive the harsh winter.

You can drop your donations to the MacKillop College Office at your next earliest convenience. 

Thank you for your help and support. Together, we can make a positive impact on the lives of Ukrainian families this winter.

If you have any further questions please contact chastie@mackillop.tas.edu.au

MacKillop Stars

Where are our MacKillop Stars?

Is your son or daughter doing something outstanding, amazing, or extraordinary that they want to share with us? We would love to hear from you!

Please send your stories and photos to Mrs Hastie, chastie@mackillop.tas.edu.au and we will highlight achievements in our bulletin.