MacKillop Bulletin - Term 2, Week 10, 2023

From the Principal

NAIDOC Week 2023 

This year, the last week of Term Two coincides with NAIDOC Week. NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia in the first week of July each year to celebrate and recognise the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth.

The 2023 National NAIDOC Week theme is For Our Elders. The opening statement on the NAIDOC Week website (below) speaks clearly to the value and importance of elders in all communities.  Elders whose wisdom, counsel, and unconditional love have been our bedrock for generations.  

Across every generation, our Elders have played, and continue to play, an important role and hold a prominent place in our communities and families. They are cultural knowledge holders, trailblazers, nurturers, advocates, teachers, survivors, leaders, hard workers, and our loved ones. 

 Our loved ones who pick us up in our low moments and celebrate us in our high ones. Who cook us a feed to comfort us and pull us into line, when we need them too. They guide our generations and pave the way for us to take the paths we can take today. Guidance, not only through generations of advocacy and activism, but in everyday life and how to place ourselves in the world.  

We draw strength from their knowledge and experience, in everything from land management, cultural knowledge to justice and human rights. Across multiple sectors like health, education, the arts, politics and everything in between, they have set the many courses we follow. 

The struggles of our Elders help to move us forward today. The equality we continue to fight for is found in their fight. Their tenacity and strength have carried the survival of our people. It is their influence and through their learnings that we must ensure that when it comes to future decision making for our people, there is nothing about us - without us.

Source: 

Timor-Leste Immersion Trip

Earlier this week we farewelled the staff and students attending the Timor-Leste Immersion Trip – the College’s first international tour since COVID-19.  Every blessing to Mr Stanley, Ms Rider and Mr Briers, and the students for a successful and safe tour. The staff and students have worked diligently over many months, with the support of Mr Marsh, Director of Catholic Identity and Ministry, in preparation for this immersion experience and I know that the young people traveling to Timor-Leste will benefit significantly from this experience.

Year 11 Retreat

In a year of firsts for our Year 11 students, teachers, and classroom support staff, this week’s Year 11 Retreat will be amongst the most memorable.  Congratulations and thank you to Mr Marsh and Ms Davies for the very significant amount of work they did in preparation for, and during, the retreat. I would also like to acknowledge and thank Mrs Wolffe, Mrs Chasemore, and Mr Yaxley for their time, energy, and expertise, all of which ensured that our first Year 11 Retreat was a great success.

Catholic Education Commission Tasmania has written to confirm approval for a permanent sixth Year 7 enrolment stream for MacKillop Catholic College. This important announcement ensures that the College can enter any forthcoming Year 7 enrolment period secure in the knowledge that we will be able to offer a minimum of 175 Year 7 enrolments for any year. 

May the Term Two break be a restful one, please keep safe, and I look forward to seeing all our students back on Tuesday 25 July ready for Term Three.

Stephen Hill

Principal

From the Deputy Principal

The end of another term is upon us and as we reflect on the term, it has certainly been a term of highlights in the area of Learning and Teaching.   As we conclude, there are very important communication messages for our families: 

Semester 1 Progress Reports 

An email will be sent when Semester 1 Reports are available on the Parent Portal - SEQTA Engage. 

For Years 7 to 11, students will receive feedback on their learning behaviours.  There will also be an Achievement Level and Assessment Criteria Levels for Years 7 - 10.  For Year 11 there will be Criteria Levels for each course. 

Importantly, there will be an indication for the Family-Student-Teacher Conferences. 

Further information about accessing the reports will be sent via email. 

Family-Student-Teacher Conferences Term 3

Our Family-Student-Teacher Conferences will be held Tuesday, 1st August and Wednesday 2nd August from 4pm – 6pm. Parents will be able to book the Family-Student-Teacher Conference at the beginning of Term 3. More information will be sent this week via email.

Semester 2 Student Timetables

During the past few weeks, we have been working with our students in preparation for Semester 2.  Year 9s have been invited to make elective changes and this should all now be complete.  For our Year 10s, they will change from History to General Science (or vice versa), and this may have further impacts on other classes.  There will be some changes in classes for our Year 10s in Semester 2.  Students will have access to their timetables during the semester break.  If you have any concerns please do not hesitate to contact me at lwolffe@mackillop.tas.edu.au

I hope that our students and families will have good rest during these holidays. 

Yours in Christ
Lorraine Wolffe

From the Deputy Principal

Learning Collaboratively

We all have unique preferences when it comes to learning. Some students thrive in group settings, while others prefer solitary work. Certain individuals enjoy discussing topics over the phone or video calls, while some thrive in face-to-face collaborations. The saying "two heads are better than one" holds true, and it is interesting to explore how this applies to different types of students.

If you tend to work alone most of the time, there are a few aspects worth considering:

• It's commendable that you are self-sufficient and confident in your abilities. However, it's important to recognise that at times, not asking for help when needed can make things more challenging for yourself. Don't hesitate to seek assistance when facing difficulties or struggling to comprehend something. Asking for help is a valuable skill that contributes to academic success. Become more aware of your tendency to avoid asking for help and make an effort to reach out when needed.
• Engaging in discussions with others often offers fresh perspectives and the opportunity to clarify your thoughts. By collaborating and exchanging ideas with another person, you may enhance the development of your own concepts and uncover potential issues that a new perspective can identify. If you haven't explored collaboration extensively, consider giving it a try. You might be pleasantly surprised by the value it adds to your learning experience.

On the other hand, if you already enjoy working with others, here are some points to keep in mind:

•  Ensure that you contribute equally in group work and avoid relying on others to do all the work for you. Fair and balanced participation leads to a more productive and fulfilling collaborative environment.
•  Remember that collaboration is distinct from cheating. While discussing an assignment and sharing thoughts on its approach is acceptable, it is not appropriate to jointly write the assignment or submit similar pieces of work. Maintain academic integrity and respect the boundaries of collaborative efforts
• Stay focused and avoid wasting time during collaborative sessions. It's easy to get sidetracked, so make a conscious effort to remain on task and avoid distractions when working with others.
•  Occasionally, challenge yourself to tackle tasks independently. If you consistently rely on your friends to complete your Maths homework, you may not truly gauge your own abilities. This lack of self-assessment can become problematic during tests or exams. Consider whether the collaboration will genuinely enhance your work or if it is more suitable to attempt certain tasks on your own
• Allocate specific time for independent work each night. If you prefer to collaborate while working from home, establish dedicated periods for collaboration and separate blocks for independent work. Avoid spending the entire evening on video calls with friends and instead create a balance between collaboration and individual effort.

 By reflecting on these points and adapting your approach to learning, you can maximize your potential and create a well-rounded academic experience. Embrace the strengths of both solitary work and collaboration and leverage them accordingly to foster personal growth and academic achievement.

You and your parents can learn more about group work skills by logging in with the details on SEQTA Learn and SEQTA Engage.

Andrew Pritchard
Deputy Principal - Student and Staff Wellbeing

Director of Catholic Identity and Ministry

Year 11 Retreat

Last week, Year 11 students made history by participating in the first Senior Retreat at MacKillop College.  The Retreat was held at Spring Bay Mill in Triabunna around the theme of sustainability and Care for Our Common Home.  In his 2015 Encyclical, Laudato si (Praised Be), Pope Francis calls on all people to consider the precious gift of our natural environment and how the most vulnerable in our community are affected.  Students had the opportunity to engage in prayer, liturgy, and journalling as well as hands-on activities helping to rehabilitate the Spring Bay Mill site as a former wood-chipping mill.

Lachlan Marsh

Director of Catholic Identity and Ministry 

From the Director of Junior School

As another brilliant term draws to a close I just want to remind you of the growth that has occurred.  Every single day is an exercise in learning for all of us, not just academic learning.  There is so much to navigate and understand each day and it so rapidly paced at times.  Please take some time in the holidays with your families, to savour each other.  Remind yourself and those around you of how far the young people in your life have come.  Remember them when they were small?  Talk to them about these things and let them know that spending time with them is valuable. Scaling life right back for as many days as possible will be beneficial for all of you.  Our brains need rest and time to rejuvenate.  Slowing down is important and something that many of us have less opportunity for. Please try and make time these holidays for this and encourage and model to your kids how to enjoy unstructured time, together. Watching movies and sharing common reading interests are two great ways to keep some academic skills at the fore while relaxing, but this should feel like enjoyment and not homework.  All the best for laughter and rest this break. 

Alison Stevens
Director of Junior School

MacKillop Immersion - 2023

The 2023 version of the Timor-Leste Immersion left on Monday, July 3 with 16 very excitable MacKillop Catholic College students who have been given the opportunity to spend 12 days on a cultural experience to one of the poorest nations on Earth. MacKillop Catholic College first began immersions to Timor-Leste in 2013 and the College is very proud of what has been achieved with the program over the last 10 years. This will be the first visit since the pandemic, and it is has taken about 12 months to plan and prepare for this year’s trip.

First of all, you may ask – What is an Immersion? Basically, an Immersion is a way to build authentic cultural experiences through interactions with a local community. Part of the trip involves being a tourist in Dili – the capital city of Timor-Leste. However, most of trip will be spent on the island of Atauro (about 30km of the north coast), where our students will visit local schools and build relationships with local children. 

Why Timor-Leste? Timor-Leste is still one of the poorest nations of the world, right on our doorstep. Darwin is about the same distance to Dili that Hobart is to Melbourne. This is a nation where some people are living on about $2 a day. Many people suffer from food shortages and 50% of children under 5 suffer from stunting. However, there is good news coming out of Timor-Leste with a drop of poverty from 50% of the population in 2007 to around 40% in 2014. Education rates amongst children are rising and adult literacy is increasing. There have been improvements in bringing down child and maternity mortality rates.

One of the things you may not be aware of is the connection of St. Mary MacKillop to Timor-Leste. Whilst Mary MacKillop never went to Timor-Leste there are Sisters of St Joseph who have established themselves in the country to help with issues such as education and health. Our College has supported this organisation through fundraising going towards various projects such as teacher training and a mobile bus library.

As part of our preparation for the trip, our group has met regularly after school throughout the year. Various guest speakers have come in to talk about their experiences. We have had Chris Bracken a former staff member of the College who spoke about an orphanage he helped set up and continues to support. Colin McKenzie is a local optometrist in Howrah who has been to Timor-Leste around 10 times to volunteer his time to conduct cataract operations on local Timorese. The group was also lucky enough to meet some Timorese who are studying at the University of Tasmania. We met them at Village Cinema in early May whilst watching the film Circle of Silence, a story about the tragic deaths of Australian journalists in Timor-Leste in 1975.

On Sunday, 25 June the group were able to conduct some fundraising by hosting a BBQ at Bunnings at Mornington. It was a tremendous success with around $2000 raised. This money will go directly into supporting some of our projects on Atauro Island. You will be able to hear more about this amazing opportunity in Term 3. 

School TV

SPECIAL REPORT: Celebrating NAIDOC Week

NAIDOC week celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It is celebrated by all Australians and is a great opportunity to recognise and learn more about the history and culture of indigenous communities.

NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. Its origins can be traced back to the Aboriginal rights movement when on Australia Day 1938, protestors marched through the streets of Sydney to highlight the status and treatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. Today, it is a week-long celebration held in July that consists of a range of traditional and contemporary activities.

NAIDOC Week is an important event that helps build positive relationships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people. It enables a deeper understanding of our differences and similarities. NAIDOC week is an opportunity for all Australians to eliminate bias and discrimination by reflecting and reconciling the wrongs of the past to facilitate hope and build a fairer future. Families are encouraged to join in and support young people in learning the significance of NAIDOC Week.

This Special Report offers suggestions on how families can celebrate NAIDOC Week together. 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 seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to your special report

The Resilience Project

Part 4 – Mindfulness

Today’s presentation from The Resilience Project is all about Mindfulness. 

Mindfulness is our ability to be present at any given moment. We practise this by using intentional awareness and concentrating on what you are doing when you are doing it.

Thousands of studies into Mindfulness indicate that with regular practise, Mindfulness can lead to benefits such as; reduced stress, reduced rumination, increased memory, increased cognitive function and physical health benefits through improved immunity.

View Part 4 of the series here:

Mindfulness can be practised through meditation, yoga, flow-states, and daily activities such as cooking.

Source:

For mental health resources and support information, visit: 

Learning Extension

International Competitions and
Assessments for Schools (ICAS)

In August MacKillop will once again be offering students the option of sitting the ICAS tests (at no extra cost to families). ICAS recognises academic performance in a way others celebrate achievements in sport or the arts. Students can sit up to six literacy and STEM papers including English, Mathematics, Science, Digital Technologies, Writing and Spelling Bee. The questions are engaging and fun and have been designed by psychometricians, education measurement experts and experienced teachers to push students to their academic limits, as well as test higher-order thinking and problem-solving abilities. ICAS will run during class time during August.

Please email Jakki Hardman (jhardman@mackillop.tas.edu.au) before July 20 to secure your child’s place. Include which test/s you are applying for in the email. 

You can give your child the best chance of success by guiding them through some of the preparation tools that can be found here: https://www.icasassessments.com/icas-preparation-tools/

Kaleidoscope

Semester 1 Kaleidoscope Lingua concludes on July 26 with a language immersion excursion to both the Italian Club and the State Cinema. Over 40 students have enjoyed learning Italian, Spanish, Russian and Indonesian. From Term 2, these students will also have the option of attending after-school Spanish classes. 

Semester 2 Kaleidoscope Blueprint will have a technologies focus. Students will be fast-tracked through the design process, then will participate in seminars on photography and digital art. They will experiment with various mediums to create an original wearable garment as their culminating task. 

Philosophon

Ten students across all year levels will represent at the 2023 Philosophon (flyer below). Invited students will be contacted by Mrs. Wolffe. 

Ethics Olympiad

Mr. Quinn will begin to train the Middle School Ethics Olympiad Team from Semester 2. To find out more about Ethics Olympiad, click here: https://ethicsolympiad.yahoosites.com/

Please contact Mr Quinn (cquinn@mackillop.tas.edu.au) if you would like to nominate your child for the team.

Hokkaido Visit

A huge arigatou (thank you) to the many generous MacKillop families who have volunteered to host a young person from Japan in Term 3. Twenty Japanese students from Hokkaido will be visiting us during Week 2. The students are from regional areas of Hokkaido, an island roughly the same size of Tasmania. Many Australians visit Hokkaido each year for snowboarding and skiing. The students’ airfares were paid for by local businesses in their hometowns and the scholarships are arranged by the Hokkaido-Australia Friendship Society. The Hokkaido students are here during their summer holiday and will be in classes at MacKillop with their hosts. Japanese classes during the week will be designed to give the Hokkaido students a chance to teach us about their culture. Tanoshimi desu. We are all looking forward to the visit.

N5 Japanese Extension Program 

N5 will start in Week 3 of Term 3 (delayed start due to the Hokkaido visit). Year 7 students are invited to join from Term 3. N5 is run every Monday until 4:25 pm. Students learn how to go shopping, order food, visit a doctor, and other useful skills while also preparing the for Japanese Language Proficiency Test at Level 5. More information on the test can be found here: https://www.jlpt.jp/e/

Jacqueline Hardman
Learning Extension Coordinator, Learning Leader: Japanese, Teacher

Career News

There are lots of ways you can find out what a job is like. You could read about it, watch videos, or even talk to someone in the job. But there’s nothing really like experiencing it first-hand.

That’s exactly what work experience is – a way you can get a taste of a career and help steer you in the right direction when you’re thinking about your future possibilities.

What is work experience?

Work experience is where you get to spend time at a workplace and see what the people who work there do. You get to experience the daily operations of a business or organisation. It’s also an opportunity for you to ask any questions you might have.

Work experience is usually unpaid, and you shouldn’t be expected to undertake any serious work. However, you might get the chance to help with some simple tasks.

What are the benefits of work experience?

Whether you’re still in school, at university, or looking for work at any stage of your life, work experience can be a valuable tool. It can help you:

• Pin down your future goals
• Gain first-hand experience of a job
• Improve your knowledge and skills
• Build a network of contacts
• See how the world works

And when you’re applying for jobs in the future, it looks great on your resume too!

Where can I find work experience?

MacKillop Catholic College supports work experience for Years 10 and 11 students during the school breaks.  If you would like to participate in work experience for the Term 3/4 holiday break, please email careers@mackillop.tas.edu.au

Permapleat - Uniform Shop

July School Holiday Uniform
Opening Hours 2023

Last day of trade Term  2  Thursday 6 July    12 noon – 6 pm
Re-opening                        Thursday, July 20    12 noon – 6 pm
                                            Saturday, July 24, 9 am – 12 noon

Permapleat Hobart Retail

Phone: 62 404420

MacKillop Stars

Ryan Long Year 10 competing in The  Australian National Judo Championships in Queensland.

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.