Principal
Mary MacKillop Catholic Regional College Community,
I wish everyone a safe happy and holy Christmas break. I hope it is a time of joy, a time to replenish and to be with those you love.
Christmas Message from Bishop Greg Bennet
WAITING FOR CHRISTMAS TO COME
We are now in the season of Advent, that time which the Church sets aside to mark a new liturgical year, a time of preparation for the coming of the Lord at Christmas and to support us in our preparation for Christmas I offer the following thoughts of Fr Ronald Rolheiser OMI, on Advent:
Our Advent songs are nothing but cries really, begging for someone or something to come and ease our burdens, slake our thirst, calm our restlessness, take away our tiredness, and fill in the empty spots inside us.
But what do we desire? For what do we long? What would finally calm the restlessness within us?
Desire is not a simple thing at all. Most of the time, we do not know what we really want even when we think we do. We pursue certain persons, possessions, achievements, and experiences, but, in the end, we always find that we want more. We live in chronic dissatisfaction, no matter what we actually attain or achieve.
Nobody lives a fully fulfilled life. Rather we experience only very brief moments of relative fulfillment. Ninety-eight percent of life is spent waiting - waiting for this moment to end and something else to come; waiting for a season of life to pass; and waiting to still meet those persons and circumstances whom we hope will bring us the love and happiness for which we yearn. For about 98% of our lives, we live in Advent, waiting for the “Messiah”, for “Christmas”, to come.
This tells us that no one person, no one thing, no one achievement, no one experience, and no one combination of persons, things, and achievements, will ever fully soothe what aches inside us. It’s not easy to find peace and rest in this life, given that desire is strong, and waiting is hard.
Every love song really is an Advent song and all human longing echoes Augustine’s words: “You have made us for yourself, Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.” Advent is the season that celebrates this.
To read more copy this address into your browser http://ronrolheiser.com/waiting-for-christmas-to-come/#.X7wleKpKg_8
Theme for 2024
Each year our student leaders are asked to recommend a theme for the coming year. I had the opportunity to observe part of the process of discernment by our students led by Nicole Dudman and Scott Blencowe and it was clear the choice that was to be made would be thoughtful and relevant for us in 2024. Following this process I met with two of our Senior Student Leaders for 2024, Jack Donohue and Molly Heber, and they presented the theme and provided a clear rationale for their choice. Accordingly, our theme for next year will be:
“Be faithful in little things; All will be right with time and a little patience.”
MotCM 1873
There is much to consider with this statement from St Mary of the Cross MacKillop. It reminds us to work diligently in all that we do, particularly the everyday and seemingly mundane activities, because if we remain faithful and patient with continuously doing the “right things” then all will improve.
Thank you to our student leaders, supported by Nicole Dudman and Scott Blencowe for making this recommendation.
End-of-Year Mass and College Awards
Today we celebrated the end of the year with Mass and then our Awards Assembly.
Mass was celebrated by Fr Stanly Devasia and Fr Darren Howie. It was a joyful experience that was enhanced by the music provided by our choir and band. Thank you to Beth Winterhalter, Meg Doherty, Daniel Isgro, and David Robinson for their work and rehearsal of the students. At the end of Mass, we had the opportunity to thank both our priests for their contribution to our College throughout the year. Thank you to all who assisted in the organisation of the Mass, notably Nicole Dudman, and Scott Blencowe who were assisted by Cate Kavanagh, Jenny Shea, and Nicole Buccilli.
Following the Mass, we had a small break and then commenced our Awards Assembly, with well over 150 family members attending. Details of the award recipients are in the Newsletter. This was a great way to end the year and all students in attendance were attentive and demonstrated wonderful support for their peers being recognised. These events take an enormous amount of planning and I particularly want to thank I would like to thank Zac Cox, Nicole Dudman, Scott Blencowe, Dianna Malloy, Laura Kew, Mary Tye, Melinda Stephan, Carly Kitchingman and Jodie Connell for the organisation, collation of data, the printing of certificates, purchasing of gifts and co-ordinating the audio visual for today’s Assembly. I also thank all staff who contributed to the process of determining the awards. There was a myriad of people assisting both on the day and throughout the process.
Year 7 2024
On Tuesday, 5 December, we welcomed our Year 7 students for 2024 to the College. I had the opportunity to speak to them at the start of the day and personally welcome them. It was clear from our interactions they all will be great members of our community. A large number of the students have siblings at the College and every class had several students whose parents attended Mary MacKillop Catholic Regional College. Therefore, thank you to all those families who are continuing their longstanding family connections.
Additionally, about a third of the students are the eldest child, and so I thank those families for trusting us to educate their children during the next six years of their lives.
Thank you to Claire Cassidy for all her work in organising the day and thank you to all the staff, including the 2024 Year 7 Homeroom Teachers – Julia Leslie, Travis Newton, Jessica Stein, and Jackie Van Dillen – as well as all the other staff who worked with students on the day.
Additionally, a big thank you to our Senior Student Leaders who worked with the students during the day. They contributed positively, were great role models, and ensured the day was a great success.
Year 10 Induction to Senior School 2023
On Monday our Year 10s commenced their first days as part of our Senior School. They commenced this time with an assembly led by Richard Muranty, our Year 11 Wellbeing Leader, and they also heard from Cade Maskell, Laura Higgins, Jo Knox, and Georgia Townley.
The students have also had the opportunity to start their classes for 2024 throughout this week.
Thanks to all the staff involved.
VCE 2023 Results
Please note that VCE Results will be available to students on the morning of Monday, 11 December and all Year 12s are invited to attend a morning tea which will be held in the cafeteria space in the Senior School Building commencing at 10.30 am until 11.30 am to celebrate and if they wish to obtain any further career advice.
Staff News News:
Farewell to staff
The following staff will complete their time with us at the end of the year:
- Tara Cox
- Bron Croatto
- Tendai Nyamunduru
- Jon Bowman
- Jeffrey Sewell
- Jay Baker
We also farewell two of AFL Trainees:
- Patrick Johnston
- Hayden Lindsay
The following staff will be on extended Leave
- Maydia Parry – maternity leave
- James Wearne – Long Service Leave Term 1
Condolences
Finally, can I please ask that you keep the family of Pauline Boyle, the mother of Laura Kew our College Receptionist, who passed away recently as well as their families and friends in your prayers:
Eternal rest grant unto Pauline, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen
Sapientia Domini Docet Nos
John M Freeman
Christmas Eve Family Mass
On behalf of Fr Stanly Devasia, I extend an invitation to the Leongatha and Korumburra Parish to celebrate Christmas by participating in the Carols & Family Mass at 7.00 pm on 24th December which will be held in Pioneer Hall at Mary MacKillop Catholic Regional College.
