Principal

Year 12 Exams

Our VCE Units 3 & 4 students commenced their written exams on Wednesday, 25 October with the three-hour English exam. Over the coming weeks, most will sit another four to six exams, depending on their subjects, with the final exam for students at Mary MacKillop Catholic Regional College being undertaken on Tuesday, 15 November. Could I ask that we all please remember them in our prayers through this important time.

Thank you to Peter Charles and his team for all the work they have done so far to ensure that this is an extremely well-organised time.

Year 5 Discovery Day

Last Thursday, 18 October, we held our Year 5 Discovery Day and we hosted almost 150 students from our regional Primary Schools – St Laurence O’Toole Primary School, Leongatha; St Joseph’s Primary School, Korumburra; St Joseph’s Primary School, Wonthaggi; Our Lady Star of the Sea Primary School, Cowes; St John the Baptist Primary School, Koo Wee Rup; as well as many state primary schools in the region.

The day was very successful with the students from these schools participating in classes and activities that provided an understanding of what we offer as a Catholic Secondary College servicing the South Gippsland and Bass Coast regions.

There were a myriad of logistical issues to be organised for the day to be successful from organising activities to arranging for transportation for the students and the teachers accompanying them. Accordingly, I want to thank Claire Cassidy and Carly Kitchingman for their work and all who supported them including teachers, administration staff and our students who helped during the day. Additionally, thank you to our Year 7 families for supporting the program by allowing their children to learn from home that day.

Pink Day

On Tuesday, 25 October, our Intermediate VCAL students organised Pink Day to raise money to donate to the McGrath Foundation. It was great to see all members of our community embrace the day with many staff and students wearing something pink. In some cases, being completely adorned in pink!

Fundraising activities included gold coin donations by those wearing casual clothes, sale of food items, raffles for pink-themed hampers and an auction for handmade timber chopping boards, coat racks and a coffee table. With all the activities on the day over $2000 was raised, an outstanding effort.

Thank you to the VCAL team lead by Joanne Knox and our Intermediate VCAL students for their organisation of this day.

Bushfire at Risk Register 2022/2023 Bushfire Season 

The Department of Education and Training (DET) has recently advised the Diocese of Sale Catholic Education Limited (DOSCEL) of the revised Bushfire At-Risk Register (BARR). 

As a consequence of this review, Mary MacKillop Catholic Regional College, Leongatha has been listed on the 2022/2023 BARR and will be required to close on days with a fire danger rating listed as Catastrophic. 

If Catastrophic fire danger is declared for our region we will notify all families of a school closure as soon as we receive official advice.

I ask that all families take note of this information.

Civics and Citizenship Pilot Program for Year 9 & 10

Well done to Connor Maher Lemaitre (Year 10) and Wilhelm Layton (Year 9) on their selection into the 2022 Civics and Citizenship Pilot Program for Years 9 & 10 which aims to increase young Australians’ knowledge about the Australian Constitution and the role it plays in our democracy. It provides an opportunity for students in Years 9 and 10 to represent their state in a convention which explores a contemporary constitutional issue and encourages students to become better informed about the Australian system of government and how the Australian Constitution provides the framework for our democracy.

Their selection is great testimony to Connor and Wilhelm as they were two of 25 students selected to represent Victoria. Well done to both students.

On Thursday, 27 October, Connor and Wilhelm, who were supported Pat McCarthy, attended a one-day program run from a virtual central hub in Canberra, with groups from all states and territories joining virtually from centres around the country, Melbourne in our case. The program included three keynote expert speakers on the topic of “Should Australia have compulsory voting?”, discussion groups with other students from across the state, an opportunity to report findings back to students participating online from other states and territories, a soapbox session to debate opinions and challenge others’ thinking, and a final vote on the topic.

World Teachers’ Day

Today is World Teachers and Support Staff Day. On behalf of everyone in the Mary MacKillop Catholic Regional College community, I say thank you to all our staff for your work and dedication.

I ask that everyone takes a moment to reflect on the important role our wonderful classroom teachers, leaders, and support staff play, and all that has been achieved over the last 12 months. 

Thanks to all staff in all schools for all the work that they do every single day.

Also, below please see a message from Maria Kirkwood, Director of Catholic Education for the Diocese of Sale praising the resilience of school staff.

Ms. Maria Kirkwood, applauded school staff for their resilience and unwavering commitment during another challenging year for the education sector nationally.

“The 2022 school year began with a renewed sense of hope as schools transitioned back to face-to-face learning after pandemic lockdowns. However, the year threw a new set of challenges as schools grappled with significant student and staff absences, compounded by a national teacher shortage. “

Ms. Kirkwood said the important role teachers play had never been more evident these past few years during the pandemic. From the hours spent adapting curriculum to meet the constant changes, to the extra support given to the emotional needs of students in their care.

"I am humbled by the hard work, collegial spirit and commitment of all staff in the Diocese - classroom teachers, leaders and support staff working together to ensure students in their care have the best possible learning opportunities.”

Ms. Kirkwood said World Teachers’ Day was an opportunity for everyone to personally thank a teacher.

This year’s World Teachers’ Day theme is, ‘The transformation of education begins with teachers.’  This recognises the capacity teachers have to be a guiding light – to inspire hope, ignite imagination and instill a love of learning in every student within their care.

“Happy World Teachers’ Day to all of the school staff across our Diocese,” Ms. Kirkwood said.

Sapientia Domini Docet Nos

John M Freeman