Principal
Dear Mary MacKillop, Catholic Regional College Community,
Welcome to Term 2
The passing of His Holiness Pope Francis
It is with profound sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Pope Francis. His Holiness was a beacon of hope and compassion, whose teachings and actions profoundly impacted individuals, families, and communities across the world.
Bishop Greg Bennet has written a message to the community on His Holiness, Pope Francis, which can be found here:
Throughout his papacy, Pope Francis walked in the footsteps of Jesus, extending compassion and dignity to the poor, the homeless, refugees and asylum seekers, the sick, those in prison, and all who were marginalised. His deep empathy and commitment to social justice inspired people of all faiths and backgrounds.
As we give thanks for Pope Francis’s 12 years of humble service, we reflect on the incredible fruits of his leadership.
Throughout his time Pope Francis was close to the people, inspiring millions through his compassion, courage, and call for justice.
Highlights of His Pontificate:
- A Church of the Streets: Early in his papacy, Francis set the tone with Evangelii Gaudium, calling for a Church that stands with the poor and challenges injustice.
- Walking with the Marginalized: His first trip outside Rome was to Lampedusa, where he mourned migrants lost at sea and condemned the “globalisation of indifference.”
- A Global Voice for Justice: Through Laudato Si’, Francis urged all people to care for our common home, inspiring global leaders and the historic Paris Agreement.
- Champion of Peace: From kissing the feet of South Sudanese leaders in a plea for peace to his ongoing calls to end war and violence, Pope Francis has been a tireless voice for reconciliation.
- Listening to the People: He gave voice to young people, indigenous communities, refugees, and grassroots movements, emphasizing listening, solidarity, and dignity.
- A Vision of Hope: Leading the Church into the 2025 Jubilee Year, Pilgrims of Hope, Pope Francis invites us to build a more just world: cancelling crushing debts, ending the death penalty, and using resources for life, not war.
Through his words and actions, Pope Francis has called us again and again to remember we are one family, sharing one earth, called to care for one another in love and hope. If you would like to read more in detail please click the link - Pope Francis: 12 moments from 12 years as Pope
Easter Liturgy – Term 1
On the last day of Term 1, we gathered as a community for an Easter Liturgy that was planned and presented by Sarah Roscoe-Smith’s Year 12 Youth Ministry class. This was a prayerful and engaging liturgy that depicted the Stations of the Cross.
Thanks to Sarah and the students who were supported by Beth Winterhalter, Scott Blencowe, Nicole Dudman the Maintenance and IT teams.
ANZAC Day Commemoration and Liturgy
Thank you to Scott Blencowe for all his work organising this important recognition of the sacrifice made by those who served in the Australian and New Zealand Armed Forces last Thursday. An important theme in the liturgy was praying to our loving God for peace. Scott took on not only preparing the liturgy, but also all the logistics. Well done!
Thank you also to the following people for their assistance: Beth Winterhalter who played the Last Post and the Rouse, Meg Doherty and the Choir who led us in singing the National Anthem, the Student Mission Team members who participated throughout the liturgy, Gerard Gordan for his reading of the Gospel, Stephen Ross-Bryant for reciting the Ode and John Ryan for the dismissal.
College Cross Country Carnival
On Tuesday this week, we held our House Cross-Country events. Results can be found in the Sport@MMCRC section of this Newsletter.
Thanks to Travis Newton for his leadership of this event and to all who assisted, including Rachel Collins, Emma Blunt, Jenny Damon, and our Maintenance Team – Rob Damon and Boyd Robinson.
SSV Swimming State Finals
Congratulations to our students who competed in the Swimming Finals yesterday. They finished 12th out of 91 schools, a great effort. We also had several students win and place in events, including Emily Croatto breaking a record in the 12- to 13-Year-Old Women’s 50 metre Breaststroke. More details can be found in the Sport@MMCRC section of this Newsletter.
Thank you to Bernard Lumsden and Anna Patterson for accompanying the students to the finals.
Live 4 Life
Thank you to Stephen Ross-Bryant and all who supported him in the launch of our Live 4 Life program today. We had members of the Live 4 Life Team and students from Leongatha Secondary College involved as well, which highlights that this is an important program for all young people in our community. More details can be found in the Around the College section of this Newsletter.
Primary School Cross Country Event
Today we hosted students from St Joseph’s Primary School in Korumburra, St Lawrence O’Toole Primary School in Leongatha, and Chairo Christian School in Leongatha for their Cross Country Carnival.
Again, thanks to Travis Newton, Rachel Collins, and the Maintenance Team for their work and to everyone who adjusted to accommodate them.
Student Free Day - Monday 5 May
We will be undertaking a Professional Learning Day on Monday 5 May and therefore this is a student-free day. The program for teaching and learning support staff for the day has been developed by Laura Higgins and Pat McCarthy and will focus on reading, curriculum writing, and a review of the role of the teacher in the 21st century.
Administration, Maintenance, Finance, Canteen, and Tech support staff will undertake a program led by Kaila Hutchinson.
DP Culture Excellence and Growth
In collaboration with DOSCEL, we have now commenced the process to recruit a new Deputy Principal.
This position is different from those previously in the College and has a specific focus with its primary function to drive staff improvement to ensure we meet the strategic intent of our School Improvement Plan:
In the spirit of Mary MacKillop, to never see a need without doing something about it, the College strives to grow the God-given potential in every person to make just choices and bring hope. To achieve this, the College commits to the Diocesan priorities of every leader an instructional leader, every teacher being an expert teacher and accelerated growth for every student.
Specifically, the successful applicant will build the capacity of staff to become expert teachers, develop instructional leaders, and ensure staff meet their professional obligations. guided and supported by a system of targeted professional learning opportunities. They will also support the culture determined by the Josephite tradition and by the College Leadership Team. Additionally, they will also be responsible, supported by other members of the Leadership Team, for leading the achievement of compliance requirements for the College.
Timeline:
- Saturday 26th April Advertise: The Age, College Website, DOSCEL, SEEK, and VCEA
- Saturday 3rd May Advertise: The Age, College Website, DOSCEL, SEEK and VCEA
- Saturday 10th May Advertise: The Age, College Website, DOSCEL, SEEK and VCEA
- Wednesday, 14th May Applications Close (4.00pm)
- Wednesday, 21st May shortlisting
- Wednesday, 28th interview at Sion House, Warragul
- Ideally, by the end of the week commencing Monday, 9th June announcement of the Deputy Principal to the community.
The new person will begin in Term 3, but it may be later by negotiation.
The panel will consist of:
- John Freeman (Principal)
- Richard Wans (Manager Leadership and School Registration at DOSCEL)
- Michelle Jorgensen (Member of Advisory Committee and is the Acting Director Performance & Innovation at South Gippsland Shire Council)
- Chris Black (Principal of St Peter’s College, Cranbourne and Clyde North)
2026 Enrolments
Last term, I wrote at length regarding this matter. I encourage all families looking to enrol their child for next year to do so prior to the closing date of 31 May 2025. We will always work with applications after that date, but as a matter of justice, priority will be given to completed applications submitted on or before 31 May, and according to our policy.
Staff News
Bekk Anthony commenced on Tuesday, 22 April, as our Director of College Organisation
Georgia Townley returned from Maternity Leave. She will be job-sharing classes with Maydia Parry.
Congratulations to Michelle Krohn, who is the successful applicant for the Administration Assistant to the Directors of Learning, Pedagogy & Innovation and Catholic Identity & Mission position. She effectively commenced in the role from Tuesday, 22 April 2025. However, Michelle will continue to provide support as necessary to the Learning Adjustment Team until a suitable replacement is appointed.
Congratulations to Beth Winterhalter for her recent achievements in the Victorian State Reining Championship Derby Show held in Tatura in northern Victoria. It was the first show for Beth’s horse after a year of rehabbing from a tendon injury. They competed in three highly competitive classes, each with over 40 riders, and were thrilled to come away with two major titles: Victorian State Champion - Limited Non-Pro and Victorian State Champion - Limited Open
Condolences
Finally, can I please ask that you keep the family and friends of Renick Dudman, Nicole Dudman’s father, in your prayers is. Renick passed away earlier this week on 29 April 2025.
Eternal rest grant unto Renick, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon him.
May the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen
Sapientia Domini Docet Nos
John M Freeman