Mary MacKillop Newsletter

Principal

Student Leadership for 2024

After a rigorous selection process, I was able to earlier this week announce the College Captains and Vice Captains to our community via email and social media and now again acknowledge and congratulate them in this Newsletter - well done to:

 

College Captains

Dinisty Francis

Jack Donohue

 

College Vice Captains

Molly Heber

Xavier Lindsay

 

On behalf of all in the Mary MacKillop Catholic Regional College community, we say well done to these fine young people on their election as our College Captains and Vice Captains for 2024.

 

We had eight students put themselves forward to their peers and teachers to be considered for election. They all would have been worthy of the role and I am sure they will make considerable contributions in one of a number of important leadership roles also available. I look forward to seeing all of you – Maddi Campbell, Coby Fowles, Alex Johnston, and Divya Njarukulum - being part of our College Student Leadership team next year. 

 

I am also pleased to advise that the following students which have successfully been appointed as our Justice Captains:

 

Maddi Campbell

Sandra Dyke

Coby Fowles

Divya Njarukulam

Anna Santhosh

Sophie Wright

 

In our next Newsletter, we will announce the remaining senior student leadership roles of House Captains and Vice Captains and a new set of roles of Student Engagement Leaders.

 

I have no doubt that this team will make significant contributions in their respective portfolios.

 

Finally, thank you to all involved in the process to date, in particular, Nicole Dudman, Scott Blencowe as well as Jay Baker and Ruby Adkins who assisted with House Captain and Vice Captain interviews.

 

VCE Exams

VCE exams commenced earlier this term with performance and language oral component exams and on Tuesday our students sat their three-hour English exam. 

 

Over the coming weeks, most will sit another four to six exams, depending on their subjects, with the final exam for students at Mary MacKillop Catholic Regional College being undertaken on 15 November. Could I ask that we all please remember them in our prayers through this important time?

 

Thank you to Laura Higgins and her team for all the work they have done so far to ensure that this is an extremely well-organised time.

 

Bushfire at Risk Register 2023/2024 Bushfire Season 

The Department of Education and Training (DET) has recently advised the Diocese of Sale Catholic Education Limited (DOSCEL) of the revised Bushfire At-Risk Register (BARR). 

 

As a consequence of this review, Mary MacKillop Catholic Regional College has been rated on the BARR as Category 4. This means that our school must close on days forecast as Catastrophic by the Bureau of Meteorology within our designated fire district. 

 

Schools are categorised based on their risk of bushfire and grassfire in line with the Victorian Education Facility Bushfire Risk Methodology. A review of this classification is completed annually.

 

I ask that all families take note of this information.

 

World Teachers’ Day

Today is World Teachers' and Support Staff Day. On behalf of everyone in the Mary MacKillop Catholic Regional College community, I say thank you to all our staff for your work and dedication.

 

I ask that everyone takes a moment to reflect on the important role our wonderful classroom teachers, leaders, and support staff play, and all that has been achieved over the last 12 months. 

 

A Message from the Director of Catholic Education - Mr Paul Velton

 

Year 5 Discovery Day

Last week and this week we held three Year 5 Discovery Days and we hosted almost 170 students from our regional Primary Schools – St Laurence O’Toole Primary School, Leongatha; St Joseph’s Primary School, Korumburra; St Joseph’s Primary School, Wonthaggi; Our Lady Star of the Sea Primary School, Cowes; St John the Baptist Primary School, Koo Wee Rup; as well as many state primary schools in the region.

 

The days were very successful with the students from these schools participating in classes and activities that provided an understanding of what we offer as a Catholic Secondary College servicing the South Gippsland and Bass Coast regions.

To ensure these days work well there is a myriad of logistical issues to be organised for the experience to be successful from organising activities to arranging for transportation for the students and the teachers accompanying them. Accordingly, I want to thank Claire Cassidy and Carly Kitchingman for their work and all who supported them including teachers, administration staff, and our students who helped during the day. 

 

Expressions of Interest for Membership in the College Advisory Committee

As advised last term we are in the process of reviewing our College Advisory Committee Charter and the membership of the group. We had one formal expression of interest and accordingly, I am happy to advise that Michael Croatto has joined the committee. However, we still have another place available.

 

Therefore, I am again requesting expressions of interest from parents of children who attend the school. We have now one position available to join our four current parent members – Kate Lindsay (Chairperson), Michael Croatto (who joined us recently), Matthew Hams, and Ruth Rogan. Should we have more than one nominee we may determine the outcome through an election by parents of the school. 

 

To assist in your discernment, I offer the following information:

  • The responsibilities of the School Advisory Committee are to:
    • promote the Catholic ethos of the school
    • provide feedback on and review of school policies
    • plan for the future of the school and its ability to accommodate future enrolments
    • provide advice on budget planning and finance-related matters
    • contribute to the selection process for the school principal
    • provide advice on the appropriate provision of faith development and Religious Education programs
    • promote child safety in the school
  • All members of the School Advisory Committee must hold a current Working with Children Check or current Victorian Institute of Teaching registration.
  • The parents of children at the school will be elected for up to three years and may be re-elected.

If you are interested in nominating please write to principal@mmcrc.catholic.edu.au and Carly Kitchingman, my Personal Assistant, will contact you to make a time to meet with me to discuss your interest, clarify the purpose and requirements of the position as well as ascertain if you wish to formally nominate.

 

Staff News News:

Welcome back to:

  • Jackie Van Dillen who returned from a period of long service leave.
  • Tendai Nyamunduru and Jon Bowman who have also returned from leave.

Sapientia Domini Docet Nos

John M Freeman