Mary MacKillop Newsletter

Principal

Mary MacKillop Catholic Regional College Community,

 

House Swimming Carnival

Last Monday, 26 February, we were able to hold our House Swimming Carnival at the pool in Korumburra. This was a great day with students enjoying the opportunity to compete for their respective Houses, but also to connect and staff in a different setting to school.

 

I particularly want to highlight the work of Travis Newton, Donna Wylie, and Ruby Adkins in the organisation. The day ran smoothly and on time. 

 

Thank you to all present, staff and students, for your active engagement in the day. It was also great to meet and talk to several families who attended. Overall a great day and congratulations to the individual age champions (details are in this Newsletter) and the staff and students of Cameron House who once again won the House Competition. 

 

Year 7 Camp

Last Thursday, 29 February, I was able to visit our Year 7s at their camp taking place on Phillip Island. This is a great group of students who are forming strong bonds with each other. Thank you to Claire Cassidy for her leadership and organisation and thanks to all the staff who were with the students for the three days – Julia Leslie, Travis Newton, Jessica Stein, Jackie Van Dillen, Ben Abbott, Colleen Herbert, Sienna Falkingham, Bernard Lumsden, Erica Masters, Robyn Scouller, and Melinda Stefan. 

 

Also, our Year 7s were led on Thursday evening in activities, including a talk on leadership and a trivia competition, by a number of our senior student leaders. They put in a great amount of preparation and it was appreciated by everyone. Thank you as well to Nicole Dudman and Scott Blencowe for taking our students to the camp and also organising and leading the sunset liturgy.

 

Year 7 Welcome Mass

On Wednesday this week, we held our Welcome Mass for Year 7 students and their families. Thank you to Fr. Stanly Devasia for celebrating the Mass.

 

This was well attended and it was great to have an opportunity to meet and talk to new and current families.

 

Thank you to Claire Cassidy for her work in organising the evening and thanks to Nicole Dudman for the preparation of the Mass. I also extend my appreciation to the staff in attendance, including our Year 7 Homeroom Teachers. Additionally, a massive thank you to our student Choir who led us in our hymns and were supported by our dedicated staff – Beth Winterhalter, David Robinson, and Daniel Isgro. Finally thank you to the Year 12 Student Leaders who also attended.

 

Appointment of the Director for Learning, Pedagogy and Innovation

After an extensive process, I am happy to announce that Laura Higgins, current member of staff and our Learning and Assessment Leader, has accepted the offer to be our new Director of Learning, Pedagogy and Innovation. Laura will officially commence in the role on Monday, 18 March 2024.

 

Laura was the unanimous choice of the selection panel which consisted of Ruth Rogan (parent and member of the Advisory Committee), Cindy Foat (Deputy Principal – Learning and Teaching at Catholic College Sale), and Oronzo Farina (School Leadership Consultant - Secondary/Child Protection Office at DOSCEL) and myself. 

 

I congratulate Laura on her appointment and look forward to her work over the next five years in this important role.

 

Student Free Day and Labour Day Public Holiday

As you are aware, today, 8 March, is a student-free day and Monday, 11 March will be the Labour Day Public Holiday.

 

House Athletics Carnival

Next Tuesday, 12 March is our House Athletics Day. This is an event that all students are expected to attend and actively participate to the best of their ability.

 

I thank Travis Newton, along with all who have assisted so far for the preparation of this community experience. 

 

Please know that if you have time to attend and watch your children compete you are most welcome.

 

SSV Sport

Well done to all our students and coaches who have competed in various SSV competitions recently, including the Divisional Swimming Competition.  Thank you to all our competitors and congratulations to the Runner-up Age Swimming Champions, Claudia Croatto (Year 9), Joshua Gallyot (Year 11), and Noah Furness (Year 12).

 

Rescheduling of Events

Concerning our Opening Mass and Leadership Badges Presentations, we have determined that:

  • Year 7 Leadership Badges were presented at the Welcome Mass last Wednesday, 6 March.
  • Other Leadership Badges will be presented at our Holy Thursday Liturgy on 28 March.
  • We will have a Mass in the second term to celebrate Catholic Education Week from May 17 to May 24 (specific date to be finalised)

Sapientia Domini Docet Nos

John M Freeman