The Bulletin

Learning Highlights

A new rockstar is on the scene at MacKillop

Noah Bennis (Year 12) took his amazing guitar skills to the next level recently, as he took to the stage with the band Old Mervs at the Bass in the Domain festival in the Hobart Botanical Gardens.

 

Holding up a sign that grabbed the band's attention, this budding musician was jamming to a crowd of thousands of cheering fans. Noah was seen shredding on the guitar as they played their hit song Sweetheart and even sang a verse into the mic!

 

What an amazing opportunity Noah, we can't wait to cheer you on next time you hit the stage!

From Dough to Donation: Tenison and Sion's Sweet Fundraising Success

In a remarkable display of generosity, teamwork, and school spirit, students and staff from Tenison and Sion House came together during March to bake and sell nearly 1,500 chocolate chip cookies, raising an impressive $1,500 for Caritas through our Project Compassion fundraiser. The cookie sale was met with overwhelming support, with students and staff eagerly purchasing the cookies for $1 each, knowing their contributions were going toward a meaningful cause.

 

The initiative was a true community effort, with students generously donating ingredients and both staff and students dedicating hours of their time over four days to prepare, bake, and sell the cookies. From mixing the dough to selling these delicious treats, the event was a testament to the dedication and enthusiasm of our school community.

 

At MacKillop Catholic College, our mission is to be a Christ-centred learning community that fosters excellence, compassion, and service. The efforts of our Tenison and Sion students and staff in this fundraiser truly embodied these values, demonstrating a commitment to making a difference through acts of kindness and generosity.

 

We are incredibly proud of the effort put in by our Tenison and Sion students and staff, whether by donating ingredients, baking, or purchasing cookies. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed, your generosity has helped make a real impact for a fantastic cause.

By Cathy Allen and Christopher Nettlefold-Roberts – Heads of House for Tenison and Sion

MacKillop success at State SATIS Athletics!

Recently a group of MacKillop students travelled to Launceston to compete in the State SATIS Athletics Carnival. 

 

Here are some standout performances from the day:

  • Estelle Gibbs (Year 8 ) won the U14 Girls High Jump, clearing 147cm
  • Lucas Pizzoni (Year 8 ) won the U14 Boys Discus with a throw of 32.83m
  • James Kirkham (Year 9) won the U15 Boys High Jump, clearing 165cm
  • Max Garwood (Year 9) won the U15 Boys Long jump, with 5.76m

With some stellar results across all age groups, we are excited to announce that MacKillop won the U15 Boy's Pennant. A big congratulations to everyone who competed and represented the College with pride.

Global Classroom - Countdown to the Timor Immersion

This week marks an important milestone to MacKillop's Timor Immersion later this year, it is now only six months until 11 MacKillop students and three staff have the experience of a lifetime. 

 

At the end of Term 1 the students have started their preparation for the trip. The students will engage in after school sessions to learn the story of Timor-Leste, hear from previous students who have been on the trip, meet local Timorese who are studying at UTAS and listen to local Tasmanians who will share their experiences of being in this wonderful country.

 

MacKillop students will also complete a workshop about being a global citizen. Part of being a member of the trip will include planning some teaching lessons whilst there, as well as fundraising for some of the projects we support in Timor. 

 

Fundraising will include a Bunnings BBQ in August and a Quiz Night in June. There will be other fundraising throughout the year as well.

 

Watch this space throughout the year to hear updates on how our preparation is emerging.

Phil Stanley - Teacher

Enjoying the sights of Freycinet!

Our Year 9 Outdoor Education students enjoyed a three-day camp at Freycinet recently. With beautiful weather and plenty of sunshine students delighted in the opportunity to spend sometime in the great outdoors.

 

With mountain biking, abseiling, hiking and a brisk swim on offer.  Students packed their bags with everything they would need and hiked into Wineglass Bay and stayed there for a night before hiking back out. 

Visit to the Synagogue

Students in Studies of Religion 2 and Studies of Religion 3 have been studying Judaism as part of a broader study of world religions classes visited the Hobart Synagogue located at the lower end of Argyle Street. 

 

This beautiful synagogue dates back to the 1800s and is the oldest synagogue in Australia. Students were captivated by the unusual Egyptian revival architecture and the historic interiors that remain largely unchanged since it was opened as a synagogue in 1845. 

 

You can still see the wooden bench seats set apart for Jewish convicts. Classes were able to listen to members of the Jewish community share how this important building is a place of prayer, a place of learning, and a place where the Hobart Jewish community gathers together. Daniel and David explained the significance of beliefs, practices as well the importance of historical artefacts in the synagogue, such as a Torah from Czechoslovakia given to the Hobart community at the end of the Second World War acknowledging the suffering of the Jewish people during the Holocaust (Shoah).

 

Students had the opportunity to ask questions about aspects of faith and practice of Judaism in the twenty-first century, for example” How do Jewish people view and understand suffering?” 

 

Our guide spoke of key approaches for understanding suffering from a Jewish perspective. Firstly, to acknowledge that evil and suffering exist in the world. Secondly that we should never passively accept evil and suffering but should stand in opposition to it. 

 

Students commented, “I never knew the synagogue was there.” “It was interesting to see how the reading of sacred scripture takes place on a raised platform (Bimah) in the centre of the synagogue rather than at the front on a lectern as in a catholic church. 

 

“The Jewish people have experienced a long history of antisemitism and persecution”. We are very grateful to the Jewish community for allowing our students to visit the synagogue so that they were able to gain new insight and depth their studies.

Mrs Sandric- Religious Education Coordinator