Principal

Dear Mary MacKillop Catholic Regional College Community,

Staff Catholic Identity and Mission Professional Development Day

On Monday, 19 August all staff participated in a Catholic Identity and Mission Professional Development Day. Details of the day are in the Catholic Identity and Mission section of this Newsletter.

I see this as the beginning of our journey with our work with the FIRE Carrier program. In short, a Friends Igniting Reconciliation through Education (FIRE) Carrier School is committed to reconciliation and the sharing and celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and spirituality across all aspects of the school including outreach into the school community.

We have already completed an Expression of Commitment (EOC) as the first step to joining the FIRE Carrier Program with the Opening the Doors Foundation.  The EOC recognises that becoming a FIRE Carrier School involves an ongoing commitment to stand in solidarity with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples on the path to meaningful reconciliation. During this time, we will work with the FIRE Carrier co-ordinator from Opening Doors.

Thank you to Nic Dudman for her organisation of the day. Also, I thank Laura M for Acknowledgement of Country and Liam Doherty from DOSCEL for his presentation at school

It was great to visit the Willum Warrain Aboriginal Community and whilst the time there was not as long as would have been ideal, our hosts were welcoming, informative, and genuine in their desire to share Culture and invite dialogue.

It was good to gather for lunch and again thanks Nic for the organisation here – it is never easy to do this.

Finally, thanks to John Ryan for driving the minibus for staff who had to be back at 3.30 pm.

Tournament of the Minds (TOM)

Thanks to Hamish Duckmanton and Mary Tye for their support of our students in the TOM on Saturday, 24 August 2024. 

Model United Nations Assembly (MUNA)

Thanks to Pat McCarthy, Julia Leslie, Zac Cox and Nicole Buccilli who supported our students - Mia-Rose Witteveen and Audrey Vernon - on Saturday, 17 August as they participated in this event. We were sponsored by our local Rotary Club in Leongatha to attend this event.

Briefly, MUNA is an extra-curricular activity that pulls together so much of the VCE curriculum: History, Geography, Social Science, Political Studies, English and Drama, as well as providing leadership and teamwork opportunities. This is an inter-school debating event where students in teams of two will debate from the point of view of their country. In our case it was Yemen.

Students were randomly allocated their country before the event and researched their country’s position on various topics. The students gained valuable research, debating, and negotiating skills, as well as built connections with students from 22 other schools.  There were four resolutions debated at MUNA which relate to humanitarian, environmental, economic, and geopolitical issues, which were: The situation in the South China Sea; Strengthening the role of the UN in the promotion of democratisation and enhancing periodic and genuine elections; Preventing and combating crimes that affect the environment; and State of global food security.

Year 11 Retreat 

This year I was fortunate enough to engage with our Year 11s for all of their Retreat at Don Bosco Camp in Dromana last week. 

This was a valuable and affective experience for the students who participated and I have no doubt it will stay in their memory as a highlight of their time with us. There was both laughter and tears which were part of many opportunities to connect with themselves, each other, family, their teachers, and God. The students were fantastic and were well-prepared to become great student leaders for 2025.

Thank you to Nicole Dudman for everything from organising to leading the experience. She was very ably assisted by Kate Dwyer, Zac Cox, Hamish Duckmanton, Michael McManamon, Cassie Raschle, Sarah Roscoe Smith, and Mary Tye. 

Student Achievements

Well done to:

Harry Hoekstra (Year 12) on his selection in the Australian Under 19 Men’s Cricket Team to tour India next month. It is an outstanding achievement. 

Gemma Meadley (Year 10) has made the Under 17 Victorian Netball team squad of 25, announced on Tuesday. As one of 4 defenders, we wish her well in making the final cut. 

Principal’s Formative Appraisal

Thank you to everyone who was able to complete my appraisal questionnaire, it is appreciated.

The next phase will involve the appraisal panel interviews on Monday 9 and Tuesday 10 September. These processes cannot include everyone but will involve a selection of staff (Members of Leadership, Positions of Leadership holders, teaching and non-teaching) students, parents and Parish Priests being interviewed.

Staffing News 

We welcome the following staff: Máiréad Johnson and Bryan Smith who are here to assist with teaching Gerard Gordon's classes whilst he is on leave. They will work for the remainder of the term on Wednesday and Thursday for Máiréad and Bryan on Friday. Both are experienced English teachers. Additionally, Joel Dickason, one of our highly competent Casual Relief Teachers will continue to support classes on Mondays and Tuesdays. Thank you to Rahne and Melissa for their support of the classes to date.

On Monday, 26 August we farewell Chloe Woodward. We thank her for her work as part of our Learning Support Officer team.  

Sapientia Domini Docet Nos

John M Freeman