MacKillop Bulletin - Term 2, Week 10, 2022
From the Principal
The theme of this year’s Ember Festival, Change, aptly captured and reflected so much of what has been happening at MacKillop Catholic College this year. Be it our extensive preparations for the commencement of Year 11 in 2023, the new build and refurbishment of the Tension and Lochaber wings, the ongoing challenge of COVID-19 or the implementation of our new vertical Pastoral Care system, change has been our constant companion in 2022.
A round of applause for Ember
Congratulations to Mr. Nic Courto on his leadership and direction of the 2022 Ember Festival. With over 500 people in attendance, the evening was a huge success, showcasing and celebrating so many aspects of College life and the many gifts and talents of our students. As a celebration of who we are as a learning community, it was a triumph!
I would like to thank and acknowledge the incredible collective efforts of the many students and staff who made this year’s Ember Festival such a memorable event.
Launch of the College’s 2022-2024 Strategic Directions
MacKillop Catholic College is a Christ-centred learning community that fosters excellence, compassion and service. To help us achieve this vision, and to guide our change priorities and processes, we will be launching our 2022-2024 Strategic Directions at the end of Term Two Assembly.
Conversations with our students, parents and staff have helped us to identify and develop five priority areas for the College for the next three years.
Priority One is to further the College’s Catholic Identity and Ethos. As a Christ-centred community inspired by the charism of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop and the spirit of Blessed Edmund Rice, MacKillop Catholic College is committed to a holistic Catholic Education in faith, hope and love.
The second priority is Learning and Teaching. Here at MacKillop Catholic College, we dedicate ourselves to being a learning community that celebrates personal achievements, lifelong learning, leadership, and service within a safe and inclusive learning environment.
Wellbeing is the College’s third priority. MacKillop Catholic College is committed to being a learning community that is positive, inclusive, and resilient, and where every young person, staff member, and family is respected, respectful, and knows that their contribution is valued.
The fourth priority area in the 2022-2024 Strategic Directions is Innovation. As Pope Francis tells us, “With the help of young people and their innovative spirit, we can make the dream come true of a world where bread, water, medicine and work, flow abundantly and reach those most in need first.”
Our fifth and final priority area is Community. As a Catholic community, we seek to share, recognise, and promote our faith, skills, talents, and abilities by creating and nurturing meaningful partnerships.
To find out more about each of these five priority areas, and the Goals and Strategies aligned with each of them, please click on the link below.
Regards
Stephen Hill
Principal
From the Deputy Principal
Term 2 drawing to a close
It has been an action-packed term in Learning and Teaching. I asked some of our students what they have enjoyed about their learning this term and here are some of their comments:
- being creative and problem-solving;
- having great teachers who care if I do well;
- trying new things, even when I am a little scared;
- being curious about different topics;
- doing groupwork;
- learning from my mistakes.
It was heartening to hear these comments from our students. Our College teaching and learning framework, seeks to create a culture of excellence. When learning is fulfilled with students expressing these learning experiences then excellence is being lived. We are here to guide our students, to build their future.
Reports
This week your child will receive their report card for the semester. I ask you to take the time to review the report through discussions. Ask the questions, what went well? where do you need to improve? It is important to set short-term and long-term goals and celebrate them.
Robert Marzano, is a leading educationalist and researcher into heart and science of how students learn and one his focus area is on the importance of teacher feedback to students. According to Marzano, task-focused feedback where students are advised what they need to improve and how they can improve it, shows a significant effect when it comes to learning and academic outcomes. Both in student online feedback and student reports, there is a section for improvement focus. Teachers, in their comments to students on class work and assessment, aim to provide feedback that helps students to set goals.
Year 11 2023
We are so pleased to see many of our Year 10 students committing to returning to MacKillop Catholic College in 2023 for Year 11. The subjects are starting to grow and we are excited to build this curriculum with our returning students. It is also wonderful to discuss opportunities to continue in SATIS sport and also all our Arts programs.
Yours in Christ
Lorraine Wolffe
Deputy Principal - Learning and Teaching; Staff Development
From the Deputy Principal
KEEPING WARM DURING THE WINTER MONTHS
Please remember that we have a range of MacKillop winter items available for purchase at our Uniform Shop - the College Blazer, the College Jumper, the College fleeced vest and the College soft shell jacket are all items that can be worn at any time but are particularly handy items at this time of year.
We have communicated to students in the past few weeks that if they are cold and want to wear non-MacKillop warmth items (i.e., a jumper) under their MacKillop uniform and these items are not visible, they may do so. We are encouraging them not to wear non-MacKillop hoodies under their MacKillop uniforms because hoodies are difficult to tuck in and therefore hard to make 'invisible'. Jumpers without hoods are a much better choice.
Wearing non-MacKillop items over the top of the MacKillop uniform breaches our Student Code of Personal Appearance. Staff will continue to require students to take these items off and send uniform breach logs home to families.
A further option suggestion is to purchase thermals. Thermals do not need to come from the more expensive outlets like Mountain Designs or Anaconda. They can be purchased at Kmart, Big W and Target. Sometimes a thermal item under a winter shirt or jumper can make all the difference!
UNIFORM SHOP OPENING HOURS
The last day of trade for our Uniform Shop before the school holidays will be Thursday, July 7 (12pm-6pm), reopening on Monday, July 25 (8am-1pm).
STUDENT CODE OF PERSONAL APPEARANCE FOCUS- HAIR
We seek the support of families in relation to the Student Code of Personal Appearance, and particularly to hair. It is disappointing to note that despite being aware of our regulations, some students are having hair styles/cuts that clearly go outside these parameters. We are having conversations with students and with their families around these matters and will continue to do so.
We ask that all families attend to hair styles, hair colours and haircuts to ensure they comply with the Student COPA for the beginning of Term 3. We further ask that students’ hair remains within those parameters during Term time. A reminder from our Student COPA:
- Hair must be neatly groomed and tied back if length touches the top of the collar.
- Hair should not be shorter than a No. 2 razor cut.
- Extreme hairstyles (e.g., rats’ tails, mohawks, mullets, dreadlocks, patches of colour) are not permitted.
- Hair colour must be natural or close to natural (no extreme hair dyes permitted).
- Students must always be clean-shaven.
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS
Claudia Struthers (Year 10, WATERFORD)
Charli Smith (Year 7, PENOLA)
Claudia and Charli were recently chosen as Ambassadors for the Commissioner for Children & Young People Ambassador Program. This program represents an opportunity for children and young people to have their voices heard on how things could be improved for children and young people in Tasmania. Ambassadors help the Commissioner understand what is important for children and young people and have opportunities to come together to discuss key issues and influence decision-makers. Both Claudia and Charli have been meeting regularly with the Commissioner and others to advocate for change in key areas such as youth mental health and youth legal matters. Congratulations Claudia and Charli.
Ben Sargent (Year 10, Penola) - PHOTO
Ben Sargent has been selected for the Tasmanian u/16 state hockey team that will compete in Hobart in August. Congratulations, Ben!
Harry Bresnehan (Year 7, Tenison) – PHOTO
Congratulations to Harry on his selection to represent Tasmania at the 2022 National Karting Championship being held currently in Queensland. Well done, Harry!
Ben Sargent
Harry Bresnehan
Semester 1 Assembly - Friday, July 8
Our Semester 1 Assembly will take place this Friday morning, July 8. All students should present to the College on Friday in FULL FORMAL UNIFORM (including blazers) Students who have practical lessons for Health and Physical Education later in the day (this would be indicated on their timetables as classes assigned to the Gym, Oval, NB1 or NB2 (netball courts) or BB (basketball courts) should bring their Sports Uniform to get changed into following the Assembly.
FAREWELL FROM ME
I am leaving the College at the end of this Term to take up a new role at St Francis Flexible Learning Centre. I want to take this opportunity to thank my MacKillop colleagues, past and present, for their collegiality and support. I thank all students, past and present, for being who they are - I have absolutely loved working with you all. And to the MacKillop parents and caregivers: thank you for allowing me to share the gift that is your children and for the partnership that many of you have had with me personally over the past 7 years.
MacKillop is a hope-filled, vibrant, and thriving community and I will leave a huge part of my heart here. Thank you.
Donna Brown
Deputy Principal – Organisation, Student Development & Pastoral Care
From the Director of Catholic Identity and Ministry
NAIDOC Week
This week, MacKillop Catholic College will be celebrating the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. Each morning in Pastoral Care, there will be a NAIDOC Week prayer and a focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander role models. On Wednesday 6 July, students from MacKillop Catholic College will represent our community at the NAIDOC Week Breakfast at the Hotel Grand Chancellor. \ Our NAIDOC Week Liturgy will form part of our End of Semester Assembly on Friday 8 July.
Looking forward to Term 3
Term Three will be a busy time for Ministry at MacKillop Catholic College as we celebrate the Feast of our Patron, St Mary of the Cross. Here are the key events to look out for.
Week 2 - All Year 8 students in Catholic Schools across Tasmania will participate in the Religious Literacy Assessment.
Week 3 - JJAMM Week (St Joseph, Julian Tenison-Woods, and Mary MacKillop). A week of activities and celebrations to celebrate our charism including Feast Day Mass and MKC’s Got Talent on Wednesday 10th August.
Week 4 - Catholic Education Week. Celebrating our community as part of the evangelising mission of the Catholic Church. MacKillop Catholic College will be providing musicians and a choir for the Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral on Thursday 18th August.
Week 8 - Year 8 Spirituality Retreats. Each Year 8 T&S class groups will attend a one day retreat at Blundstone Arena from Monday 12 September to Wednesday 14 Session.
Association of Josephite Affiliated Secondary Schools (AJASS) Tasmanian Josephite Immersion Sunday 11 September to Wednesday 14 September. Four Year 10 Students from MacKillop Catholic College will travel with other students from Victoria and Tasmania as they learn more about the story of Fr Julian Tenison-Woods and the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart in Tasmania.
On behalf of the Ministry Team, I wish everyone and safe and enjoyable holidays.
Lachlan Marsh
Director of Catholic Identity and Ministry
Teaching and Learning @ MCK
From the English Department
Next term, the English Department will be offering students the opportunity to participate in the annual Catholic Education Tasmania (CET) Storytelling Showcase. This showcase is for both avid and budding writers who want to challenge themselves and express their creativity. This year, students are required to write a drabble; a story that contains exactly 100 words. Students can present their story in a variety of forms including written, oral, animation, or video. Last year, two MacKillop students were finalists in the competition, with Stella England placing first and Chrystal Davies placing second. This year’s submissions are due on Wednesday the 21st of September. We are looking forward to sharing the talents of our students with the community.
Vocational Education and Training
Automotive Term 3 Taster TasTAFE
We are excited to announce we have entered into a partnership with TasTAFE. Therefore, we have obtained the opportunity for our Year 9/10 to take part in an introduction course toward a pathway of working in the Automotive Industry. This is a fantastic opportunity for our young men and women to work in a trade environment.
This taster program will give students the skills and knowledge, to allow them the ability to safely use the appropriate tools and equipment relative to an automotive setting. The unit AURTTK102 - Use and maintain tools and equipment in an automotive workplace, is a core unit from the qualification AUR20720 Certificate II in Automotive Vocational Preparation which is a direct pathway into gaining an apprenticeship or look towards employment in an entry level vocation within the Automotive industry.
Vocational Work placements
After our very successful Year 10 Work experience placements a number of employers have now contacted me to take our VET Construction and Hospitality students into their industry for a longer period. Hence, over the coming term, our students will be doing placements at Fairbrother Construction, Merlin Construction, Hutchinson Builders, GasTown East and Cugini’s. We thank our Industry partners for supporting us both during our Work Experience and now as our Vocational Placements begin.
Master Builders Tasmania Job Ready Program
On Wednesday, June 22nd representatives from Master Builders Tasmania met with our Year 10 and prospective Construction students. Andrew from Master Builders introduced our students to the different opportunities open to them in a construction pathway and the types of specialisations available in this industry. The students were lead through the process of applying for apprenticeship positions as well having the opportunity to hear from a fourth-year apprentice about the opportunities he had either when working on site or completing the theory component of the qualification.
Certificate I in Hospitality Masterclass
The Certificate I VET Hospitality Class was treated to a Masterclass with GYC Cookery Teacher and Chef Mrs. Tess Henry on Wednesday, June 29. This class allowed the students to both get back into a kitchen and work on developing their cookery skills. This year the focus was on cutting, preparing batters and producing Tempura Vegetables with a unique Japanese dipping sauce. With Term 3 and the opening of the new kitchens on the horizon, the Hospitality class will welcome the opportunity to use the new environment and experience the practical side of the qualification.
VET Masterclass
Build-Up Tasmania and St Joseph Affordable Housing
During this term, our young people interested in following a vocational pathway have begun an association with the CentreCare initiative Build-up Tasmania and St Joseph Adorable homes. I am sure in the coming months this association will grow and strengthen our options as we move to Years 11 & 12.
Ember Festival
Our Ember Festival on Thursday, June 30 gave our Hospitality staff and students the chance to provide a wintery feast for our community. The Pork spit roast smells enticed students and staff as the pork was cooked during the day and did not disappoint later in the evening as hot roast pork rolls were quickly consumed. Likewise, the beef tacos were a hit with the young and old alike.
This year we had the pleasure of working with former student Ruby Daly and her Hell Fire gin brand. With dry July starting the next day our Mocktail varieties using Hell Fire Inspirit Non-Alcoholic gin quickly disappeared. Adults had the choice of three mocktails all featuring the mild but distinctive flavour of Inspirit. We thank all our supplies, especially MJ Meats and Hell Fire Distillery as well as our students and staff who prepared and served close to 500 people.
Ember - Hospitality
Ember 2022
Oh, What a Night!
Ember 2022 - Festival of Change was a sensational community evening. Many students showcased their amazing talents. We are very grateful for the community support. We shall let the photos tell the story.
A Festival of Change
