MacKillop Bulletin - Term 4, Week 4, 2023
2023 Celebrations
On Monday, 30 October, we came together as a whole community to celebrate the year with very special events. These included the Thanksgiving Liturgy, Commissioning of the 2024 Student Leaders, College Special Awards and Year 11 Celebration of Excellence. Please enjoy reading about our celebrations.
Thanksgiving Liturgy
As a Catholic College, it is incredibly special to come together to celebrate liturgy. For our Thanksgiving Liturgy, it was an opportunity to come together to give thanks for the blessings of 2023. Fr Mark Freeman celebrated the liturgy and in the Gospel reading from John's Gospel he reminded us of the importance of love and to love one another.
This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
You are my friends if you do what I command you.
I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father.
You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name.
I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.
Thanksgiving Liturgy
Commissioning of the 2024 Student Leaders
On Monday, during our Thanksgiving Liturgy and Special Awards Ceremony, we commissioned the 2024 Student Leaders. This was a wonderful celebration, thanking our 2023 student leaders and handing over the leadership responsibilities to our 2024 student leaders.
Mrs Coward, Director of Pastoral Care, shared with us:
Our senior school students for 2024 will now take on the custodianship of the traditions of MacKillop Catholic College. Saint Mary MacKillop famously said ‘Never see a need without doing something about it.’ Our Leaders need to embody the Mary MacKillop story and become servant leaders. It is this responsibility that awaits our next group of leaders.
Our leaders must aim to strive to uphold the principles and beliefs of the College and to be role models for other students. This is achieved by working to attain their personal best in all areas and by serving the needs of others within our community. Whilst all of our senior students have a role as leaders there are a number of official leadership positions and responsibilities within those year groups.
Lachlan Denholm and Lachlan Macgill, 2023 College Captains, transferred leadership to the 2024 College Captains. Below is an outline of the transfer:
THE SHEPHERD’S CROOK as a sign that MacKillop Catholic College is a faith community of students, staff, parents and parish inspired by the person of Jesus Christ, our shepherd. His life and teachings are found in the Gospels.
We present to you THE COLLEGE CANDLE. Jesus said: “I am the Light” and He came to show us the Way. He also told us to let our light shine before others; to be a good example. At MacKillop Catholic College our crest reminds us, through the star, that God is transcendent, always beyond human thinking and imagining, but God is also immanent.
We present to you the MACKILLOP CATHOLIC COLLEGE BANNER, which represents all of the sound traditions of our school. It reminds us of strong and lasting friendships; games won and lost; fun days and hard days, academic and recreation.
Please take some time to look at these wonderful photos of the ceremony.
Commissioning Ceremony
Special Awards
Also, last Monday, we presented our Special Awards for 2023. They are awarded to students who have achieved the highest expectations of the College throughout the year. Below are the Special Awards and the recipients. | |
Principal’s Award for Service This award recognises the sustained commitment of a student in the service of others. This commitment to MacKillop Catholic College can be seen through the student’s continuous participation in a variety of events and activities during their time at the College. This year the award goes to Lachlan Denholm | |
Olympic Sporting Change Maker Award Movement through participation in sporting activities. Each nominee must participate actively in the school’s physical education program with a consistent positive attitude. This year the award goes to Riley Oates | |
MacKillop Environment award This award acknowledges a senior student who has given service to the MacKillop Catholic College environment and has a commitment to sustainable living. This student demonstrates an interest in sustainable and environmental issues and a commitment to sustainable living, promotes a caring attitude for the planet and school environment and displays leadership in stewardship. This year the award goes to Bella Fazackerley and Naulu Hunt. | |
The Clarence Lions Award for Service This award is presented by the Clarence Lions Club to recognise a student who has shown an outstanding commitment to community participation and engagement either at school, in the broader community, or both. This year the award goes to Faith Jones. | |
The MacKillop Arts Award This Award acknowledges student contribution to the creative culture of the College above and beyond the expectations of the curriculum. Recipients of the award have contributed to the creative culture of the College through performance, exhibition, or backstage work, or enhancing the community through the Arts by supporting the artistic processes of other students. They have demonstrated high academic achievement within the Arts curriculum and shown commitment to an Arts pathway through ongoing participation and effort. This year the award goes to Chrystal Davies | |
The MacKillop Sports Achievers Award This Award acknowledges a student who is an elite performer in their chosen sport or sports whilst representing MacKillop Catholic College. This student must have displayed excellent sportsmanship and behaviour both in competition and at school. This year the award goes to Dean Griffiths | |
Vocational Education and Training Award The purpose of the award is to promote the Vocational Education and Training (VET) pathway at MacKillop Catholic College and to recognise and support students who are selecting a VET option with the aim of preparing themselves for a career in their chosen industry. The student receiving this award is: · currently enrolled in a VET course at MacKillop Catholic College in 2023; · has enrolled in a VET course at MacKillop Catholic College for 2024; · contributes positively to the College in academic, pastoral, leadership, sporting or other extra-curricular activities; and · is a role model for junior students at MacKillop Catholic College in their preparation for their pathway post Year 12. This year the award goes to Karl Young | |
Clarence City Council Outstanding Student Award I would now like to invite Mr Brendan Bromeley, Clarence City Council Mayor to hand this award out. Clarence City Council Outstanding Student Award is presented to a student at the College who has demonstrated excellence in both the application and achievement of their academic pursuits and contributes to the school community by modelling good citizenship at all times. This year the award goes to Elliott Stee | |
The Australian Defence Force Long Tan Youth Leadership And Teamwork Award This Award acknowledges a Year 10 student who has demonstrated leadership and teamwork within both MacKillop Catholic College and the broader local community. At the same time, it recognises someone who displays strong values, such as doing one’s best, respect for others, and mateship - characteristics that are integral to Australian society. This year the award goes to Hunter Howe. | |
Australian Defence Force Future Innovators Award This Award has been offered since 2020 and recognises the recipients’ science and mathematical abilities while highlighting the value that the Navy, Army, and Air Force place on STEM skills. The recipient of this award must demonstrate motivation, innovation, and achievement in a STEM-related field. This year the award goes to Eleanor White. | |
Principal’s Awards for Leadership This Award is bestowed on the College Captains, in recognition of their year of leadership and dedicated service to the College community. This year we have been led by two fine young people. They have demonstrated a commitment to their leadership roles. I am very privileged to call forward the following students to receive an acknowledgement of service to our community. This year the award goes to Lachlan Macgill and Lachlan Denholm. | |
The Edmund Rice Award The Edmund Rice Award acknowledges a senior student who has diligently served the College. This student demonstrates a commitment to faith and social justice by their involvement in a range of service and outreach activities. This award acknowledges a student who is committed to service without expecting recognition or reward, displays concern for others, and is a responsible citizen. This year the award is being presented to TWO fine young people. I am pleased to announce our recipients are Zane Bennis and Brianna Batchelor. |
Special Award Recipients
Director of Catholic Identity and Ministry
Vinnies Christmas Appeal – Advance Notice
The MacKillop Vinnies Conference will hold its annual Christmas Appeal from Monday 13 November to Monday 4 December.
We are seeking donations of Christmas food and gifts suitable for teenagers. Vinnies tell us that often struggle to find donations for older children. All donations go to support local families to make Christmas a little brighter. Each house will have a container for donations available from Monday 13 November.
Please refer to SEQTA Notices and the College Facebook page for further details closer to the start of the appeal.
Lachlan Marsh
Director of Catholic Identity and Ministry
Careers and Pathways News
Working on Water Program – students return:
Last week, Sea Fisheries Tasmania’s Working on Water Program commenced! MacKillop Catholic College were fortunate to have four students accepted into the program and they were accompanied by Mr Robin Harvey as one of the programs staff members.
All the students returned to school last Friday with such a positive response to the program. Highlights of the program for our students included, visiting the hatcheries locations, the on-water day which included boat rides, discussions into maritime, Antarctic and fisheries careers and most notably – the delicious lunch at Mures!
We are so glad to hear the students enjoyed this program and we will look to promote further programs in the maritime industry going further. As noted in previous bulletin articles, this program was of particular benefit to three students who will be commencing their Certificate I in Maritime Operations next year. Stay tuned for more updates next year on how these students are progressing.
Thank you to the students and Mr Harvey for their participation and to Sea Fisheries Tasmania for putting together an inspiring program.
Careers and Pathways Bookings:
A reminder to all students and families that the Careers Office is open for bookings and they can be made via the following link:
Upcoming Careers Events:
Defence Careers Information Session | Wednesday 8 November | 5.30pm
Located at the ADF Careers Centre, Anglesea Barracks.
To read more and register, click here.
Defence Gap Year Information Session | Thursday 9 November | 6.00pm
Virtual via Microsoft Teams.
To read more and register, click here.
Tasmania Police Information and Fitness Session | Saturday 25 November | 10.00am – 1.00pm
Located at the Tasmania Police Academy in Rokeby.
To read more and register, click here.
Army Reserve Information Session | Tuesday 28 November | 5.30pm
Located at the ADF Careers Centre, Anglesea Barracks.
To read more and register, click here.
UTAS ‘Know Your Options’ event | Friday 15 December | 10.00am – 5.00pm
Know Your Options is a fun, stress-free way to learn more about uni.
There will be free food, coffee, and music, so bring along the whole family and celebrate the
beginning of your uni journey.
To read me and register, click – here.
Sarah Gurney
Careers and Pathways Advisor
From the Rice Resource Centre
Supporting End-of-Year Exams
End of year exams are fast approaching for students in years 9,10 and 11. While students are preparing for and participating in exams, the Rice Resource Centre is open as a quiet zone for study and silent reading only. The library also provides access to a range of resources to support students with their exam revision and well-being during this time.
Students can find online resources to help improve their study habits and techniques via the “Study Skills” link on the library home page. MacKillop also has a subscription to the Study Skills Handbook website which includes resources to develop effective study skills. The site can be accessed from the SEQTA welcome page.
For those who prefer a good old-fashioned print book, a range of study and exam skills books have been added to the library collection and are available to borrow.
Maintaining health and well-being is very important during exam time. As part of the college’s eBook subscription, students have access to the ePlatform Wellness Collection. The Wellness Collection comprises a range of carefully selected, research-based eBooks that cover topics such as:
- Stress and anxiety management
- Improving sleep and self-care
- Developing positive coping skills
The collection also has great audio resources such as guided relaxations, mindfulness exercises and meditations. To explore the Wellness collection, use the ePlatform link on the library home page.
We wish students all the very best with their exams.
Marissa Allen
Rice Resource Centre Manager
Fusion 2023
SAVE THE DATE
21st - 23rd November 2023
The Arts Department Presents
Fusion Influenced 2023
A celebration of the arts learning area exhibiting and performing works
from the classroom and co-curricular, showcasing student work from Years 7-11.
Drama - Tuesday 21st November
Dance - Wednesday 22nd November
Music - Thursday 23rd November
Visual and Media Arts - 21st - 23rd November