Principal
Senior School Building Opening
Today after almost two years we were able to celebrate the official opening and blessing of the Senior School Building with the liturgy and official ceremony taking place in the Chapel. Our official party was Paul Velten, Director of Catholic Education and CEO for DOSCEL, Kate Lindsay, our Advisory Committee Chair and Fr Stanly Devasia our Parish Priest for the Leongatha and Korumburra communities celebrated the liturgy and blessing of the building. Two significant apologies were from Most Rev Bishop Greg Bennett DD, Bishop of the Diocese of Sale and The Hon Jason Clare MP, Minister for Education.
Also, in attendance were our College Student Leaders from Years 7 to 12 as representatives of the school community. Without our students, the building has no purpose.
A project of the size and scope of the Senior School Building takes an enormous amount of planning and work. The concept was first considered in 2016, with planning, consultation, and design taking place over the next few years. Building commenced in January 2020 and the first classes were held on 12 May 2021.
Therefore, during my vote of thanks I acknowledged a number of people who were instrumental in developing the building and bringing it to realisation.
I particularly want to acknowledge Mr. David Leslie, who was the Principal of the College from 2015 until May 2021, for his vision and leadership of this project. This building and surrounding landscaping have already had a significant positive impact on all aspects of the College. Additionally, thank you to the Leadership Teams of the College throughout this time for their support and input.
Thank you to Leanne Soderlund, our Finance and Property Manager, for her work as a key person for the school liaising between the College, and Builders (Searle Brothers Building Contractors - Charles Bisignano and Nick O'Donohue) and Architects (Crosier Scott Architects – Alan Cubbon and Vivian Lee). She was supported by staff at DOSCEL, in particular Michael Maye, Manager: Planning, Building, and Finance, and Al Fixter, Regional Facilities Officer.
Vision, design, and buildings cannot be realised without the financing required. Therefore, I thank our former Business Managers, Rod Bowman, Shane Stiles, and Hope Jenkins for their stewardship of this $5m building project. Specifically, the funding was sourced from three avenues - a $2.2m Catholic Development Fund (CDF) loan, a $1 million grant from the Australian Government Capital Grant Program and the remaining $2.4 million was funded through cash reserves of the school. We are grateful to all who have helped us.
With regard to the school community, I extend my gratitude to the members of the College Board and now Advisory Committee both past and present for their support and guidance. Importantly, I am appreciative to all in our community, particularly staff, students, and families for their support throughout the project.
Thanks to Carly Kitchingman who has done much of the work required for the preparation of today and also to Beth Winterhalter and the choir, accompanied by Jonathan Bowman who led us in singing the hymn and the National Anthem.
School Review
Next week we start the process of our school review with the team conducting the process attending on Tuesday, 13 June for a tour of the College. They will then return on Monday 19 June for three days to undertake interviews with all staff and selected student groups. This is an extensive and thorough process that will see six reviewers at the College and they are: Amanda Smith, Oronzo Farina and Nicholas Hall (School Leadership Consultants at DOSCEL) who will be assisted by three Principals from other DOSCEL Schools: Chris Black – Principal at St Peter’s Secondary College, Cranbourne; Liz Jones - Mary MacKillop Primary School, Narre Warren; and Lisa Harkin - Marist-Sion College, Warragul.
As I have indicated in earlier communication the sole purpose of the review is to ensure a high-leverage, high-impact Strategic Improvement Plan is developed for the next four years.
The Critical Components of School Review 2023 are:
- Self-Reflection (Pre-Review) –this is in relation to our Strategic Intent - In the spirit of Mary MacKillop, the College strives to develop the God-given potential in every person. To achieve this, the College commits to the Diocesan priorities of accelerated growth for every student, every teacher being an expert teacher and every leader an instructional leader. The reflection will focus on the following key questions: what was our impact over the past 4 years and what do we therefore understand about our context as the starting point for the next improvement period? This was completed and submitted last Tuesday.
- Feedback/Feedforward (Review) –Reviewers assist leaders to determine a “point in time” in the school’s improvement journey against evidentiary characteristics foundational to student success and then set targets for improvement. This will take place as indicated over the next two weeks
- Strategic Planning (Post Review) –Developing an approach that codifies where we want to be for our students in 4 years’ time and how we will get there. This will be the work following receipt of the report.
I will continue to update you as we progress.
Years 7 to 9 Leaders Mass
Yesterday Fr Stanly celebrated a Mass for our Years 7 to 9 student leaders. It was an opportunity to thank them for all their contributions so far for the year. Thank you to Nicole Dudman for preparing the liturgy and Cate Kavanagh for her support as well.
Year 9 Camp
Last week we held our Year 9 camp at Camp Coolamatong near Bairnsdale. It was a very successful experience for all involved and we also were very blessed to have great weather throughout the week.
Thank you to Chris Spencer and all the staff who attended the camp. Without staff being willing to take time away from their families we cannot have these opportunities for our students. Thanks as well to Jodie Connell and Donna Wylie for their work in regard to preparation.
Year 10 and 11 Exams
This week we held our Years 10 and 11 exams. These are important learning experiences for our students, particularly for those undertaking a scored VCE pathway. Thank you to Laura Higgins for her leadership and organisation and my appreciation to all the teachers who prepared exams.
Finally, well done to our students for the manner in which they approached these assessments.
GAT Exam
Next Thursday, 15 June, the General Achievement Test (GAT) will be held at the College. Consequently, there will be no formal classes for Years 11 and 12 students on that day.
The GAT assesses students’ skills in mathematics, science, technology, the arts, and humanities. The GAT also assesses their skills against new literacy and numeracy standards, which were introduced last year.
Thank you to Laura Higgins for her work in preparing for the GAT.
Report Writing Day
Next Friday, 16 June 2023 will be a report writing day and therefore no classes will be held on that day.
Sport
On Tuesday, 6 June, we hosted the local Primary Schools Lightning Soccer Premiership. The day saw games being played on the grounds for most of the day. Thank you to Bernard Lumsden for his work liaising with Primary Schools.
Then on Wednesday, 7 June, we hosted SSV Soccer Divisional games. Results can be found in this Newsletter. Thank you to Jay Baker and all the coaches for their efforts in support of our students.
Year 7 2024 Enrolments
I would like to remind all current families that enrolment applications closed on 31 May 2023. Formal applications must be made for students for enrolment into Year 7 next year. We are accepting applications, but as a matter of justice, priority will be given to those who have submitted their applications on time.
Staff News
Today is Jack Brosnan’s last day with the College. Jack has served the Mary MacKillop Catholic College community for over 30 years in our grounds and maintenance area. Jack is not a person who looks for attention and words of appreciation. He is a man who looks to do good quietly. However, I want to thank Jack very publicly for all that he has done for the school. His work has supported the staff, students, and families that have attended our school and we are grateful. We wish Jack all the best in his retirement.
Marilyn Ahearn, who has been a significant member of our cleaning team for over nine years retired last week. Marilyn has diligently attended to her role and has ensured that the classrooms and other facilities have been clean and ready for use throughout her time with us. Those who know Marilyn appreciated her friendly demeanour and her zeal for recycling. We also wish Marilyn the best of success.
Jason Hiddlestone will conclude his time with us at the end of term. We wish him well at his new school.
Sapientia Domini Docet Nos
John M Freeman