Principal

2023 College Captains’ Speeches

On Tuesday, 30 August, we gathered as a community in Pioneer Hall to hear speeches from the following 14 students:  Alessi Green, Jack McNally, Jeffrin Mathew, James Rowe, Sage Anderson, Grace Berryman, Vismaya Biju, Athena Dowdle, Martha Dunemann, Georgia Hamilton, Cassie Jones, Sofia Jones, Gabrielle Perry and Mia Schneidruk.

Each student presented their case for being selected through a voting process involving all staff and students for shortlisting for final selection interviews for College Captains and Vice Captains. All students spoke extremely well and their desire to represent our College in a manner we all can be proud of was clearly evident.

The interviews, which will take place next week, will be undertaken by Bronwyne Croatto, John Ryan and myself and will result in offers of these significant leadership positions.

Selection of the four students who will represent us will ultimately be based on their capacity to fulfill the following College Captain and Vice-Captain expectations:

• To provide leadership for the College community that is based on Gospel values and to promote the celebration of rituals and practices that reflect the Josephite charism.
• Represent the College at the AJASS Captain’s Conference in Sydney and prepare annual goals for the College Student Mission Team.
• Represent the College at local and regional activities, masses, liturgies, functions and make speeches at these occasions.
• Chair the College Student Mission Team. Setting agenda items and maintaining minutes for these meetings.
• Attend weekly recess meeting as part of the Student Mission Team with Staff assisting student leadership
• Make submissions on behalf of the Student Mission Team to the College Leadership Team.
• Lead the House Advisory Team
• Be prepared to develop a strong effective and positive presence within the College, modelling responsibility, commitment and a positive attitude.
• Be prepared to develop and communicate and articulate an understanding of the Josephite tradition and charism and its ongoing influence within our school.
• Liaise with the Principal, Deputies and Co-ordinators to develop an effective interface between staff and student bodies.
• Undertake leadership formation and sharing this development with the senior body of students.
• Act as Master of Ceremonies at assemblies and other school functions.
• Report to the College community on student matters that arise from the Student Mission Team.
• Work with the Deputy Principal Wellbeing – Students and Staff in 2023 to address student concerns and assist in facilitating activities for a range of students at lunchtime
• Be an effective role model amongst the peer group of senior students

Thank you to John Ryan for his leadership in this process to date. Also thanks to Edson Letendrie for his expertise in setting up and conducting the voting process.

Deputy Principal Wellbeing – Students and Staff

The following message was communicated to the community on Monday, 29 August 2022:

As you are aware over the last few months we have been engaged in a thorough selection process with the support and collaboration from the Diocese of Sale Catholic Education Limited (DOSCEL) as well as guidance from the College Advisory Council to appoint a Deputy Principal Wellbeing – Students and Staff.

Accordingly, I am delighted to announce that Mr. John Ryan has been appointed to this leadership position. John has been teaching young people since 1989 and he is very well known by our community. He commenced at Mary MacKillop Catholic Regional College in 2002 and has served in number of roles throughout his time including: Junior School Coordinator, Deputy Principal Religious Education and Deputy Principal Catholic Identity and Mission. Last year John added Student Wellbeing to his portfolio of responsibilities. Over the years John has also been Acting Principal on many occasions. John’s qualifications include a Bachelor of Education, Master of Educational Studies and he will complete a Master of Education Theology this year.

In making this announcement I wish to thank the following people for sharing their time and expertise as members of the selection panel:

• Kate Lindsay – Chair of Advisory Committee at Mary MacKillop Catholic Regional College
• Lisa Harkin – Principal of Marist Sion College, Warragul
• Martin Keogh – Manager Learning and Teaching for DOSCEL

Fr Peter Bickley – Administrator for St Laurence’s Parish Leongatha – was to be on the interview panel but due to personal reasons could not attend. However, Fr Peter was consulted throughout the process.

I trust that you will congratulate John on his appointment to this important leadership role and I am sure he will enjoy your support now and into the future.

Child Safety Week 

Child Safety Week will be jointly celebrated by the Diocese of Sale and Diocese of Sale Catholic Education Ltd (DOSCEL), including Mary MacKillop Catholic Regional College, from 4-11 September 2022.  A range of resources have been provided to schools to celebrate Child Safety Week, which includes posters designed by students in the Diocese, one of which was produced by three of our Year 7 students - Julia Lindsay, Sam Carmichael and Maya Garlick.

Well done to the students, who will be presented with plaque for their winning design (see below) next week.

Tournament of the Minds (TOMs)

Our students recently participated in the TOMs Gippsland Regional Tournament at Federation University in Churchill and resulted in our Literature and Social Science teams winning in the Secondary Division and moving onto the state final on Sunday 11th September at Latrobe University. Thank you to Hamish Duckmanton for coordinating the teams as well as Lloyd Pendergast (Literally Best), Mary Tye and Stephen Ross-Bryant (Social Domination) and Katherine Fitzgerald and David Robinson (Artastic) for their role preparing the teams. Thank you to Scott Blencowe for driving the bus, and also to Hamish, Stephen and one of our parents, giving up their time on Saturday, 20 August, to support the students. 

Model United Nations Assembly (MUNA)

On Saturday, 20 August, we had four students, supported by Kapil Bhargava and Julia Leslie go to Nossal College to compete in MUNA. The students were competitive and enjoyed the experience.

Café Academia

Last Wednesday we held an early morning study session for our Year 12 students. Approximately 18 students attended and appreciated the opportunity. Thanks to Pat McCarthy for his organisation and Kara Schwennesen for preparing the food.

Senior School Building

Recently our architects, Crosier Scott Architects, entered our Senior School building to the BDAA Victoria Chapter Awards for 2022 and it was awarded Best Commercial Education Design, Best Landscape and Best Overall Commercial.

The building and surrounding landscape was established to provide our students with a contemporary learning space, not to win awards. Nevertheless, it is great for us to know that our building has received these awards by experts in design.

Happy Father's Day to all our fathers!

Sapientia Domini Docet Nos

John M Freeman