College News

Prayers please....

Homecoming - By Lee-Anne Kervin

Homecoming. It is a strange concept to one who has moved away from her family but during a recent time of illness it is a term that I have come to reflect on quite frequently. I have come to reflect on the meaning both in my head, in my heart and in my soul. A three-pronged meaning. Coincidental? I think not.

While I may have only recently joined the Marian family, in my head I call it home already. When I discovered that I was successful in my application, things seemed to fall into place so easily. I was one of the rare ones who found somewhere to live easily. The removalists were booked and absolutely brilliant, hassle free. I even managed to time the packing around Christmas with my family in Wollongong. So, when the move was so easy, in my head (despite the copious packing boxes) I knew I had easily come home.

In my heart I feel like I am home. I moved on the day of the storm back in January. While I was driving through torrential rain and watching lightning strike the paddocks beside me, it reminded me of a story told by Indigenous elders in Lightning Ridge. Up there, when new elders take a position in the community a storm is seen as a blessing. It washes away the footprints and gives a chance to start afresh, leaving new footprints, never having to walk in others footsteps. In my heart, I know I have come home too. I have made a fresh start and am leaving my own tracks. My family have travelled Australia copiously and I vividly remember visiting cousins in Moombooldool but the area has always been outside my comfort zone.

 I’ve lived in the central west, Lightning Ridge and western Sydney and yet, the first time my heart has felt home was after a huge, flooding storm in a place I had never thought of living.

And yet, the ultimate sign that I have come home is when my spirit puts its feet up and lets healing take place. My spirit feels at home even though I fell ill because, for once in my life, I relaxed enough to hand over the reins and let someone else take charge. I am not talking about the heroic medical staff who nursed me through COVID twice. While I was ill, it was the messages of missing me, good health, positive thoughts and offers to help that led my spirit to feel at home. Not just visitors from the church but messages and emails of love. Students in my classes starting their emails with ‘I hope you are feeling better’ or even just sent emails to make sure I am coming back. Fellow staff members who visited and brought chocolates, plants, reading material, my laptop, ed rooster (never underestimate the healing qualities of a Rooster Roll). Constant emails checking in. For the first time in my life, I am able to recover and know that I am surrounded by love.

Love. A stereotypical and yet moving concept. 1 John 4: 8 says that ‘God is love’. I believe that I am witness to a practical display of Christianity. I have come home to God in other people. I guess what this means is that for those of us that are new to MCC, welcome home. We are amongst family and amongst love. Welcome to the family! This is our homecoming!

Ms Lee-Ann Kervin

Staff

Games Group News

Firstly, thanks to all the students who have come and supported Games Group. It is safe to say that Games Group is back to almost full strength with regular attendance for each session.

Magic: The Gathering

Last week was the first week Jarrod of Sultan Hobbies ran “Magic: the Gathering” tutorials at the college. “Magic: the Gathering” is a card based game similar to Pokemon and Yu-Gi-Oh.

Each Thursday Jarrod will be running tutorials during Games Group. Next term, there will also be a college competition. The plan is to expand the competition into the other local schools. 

Anyone interested in learning the game is welcome to come along. I would like to thank Sultan Hobbies for supporting the MCC Games Group.

Chess  news 

NSW Junior Chess League Secondary Competition update

MCC vs. MRHS

Mr Marshall took the MCC team to play against Murrumbidgee Regional High School in the first round of the NSWJCLS Chess competition.

The MCC players were:

Board 1: William Lancaster

Board 2: Anurag Dhot

Board 3: Niko Valele

Board 4: Jaidan Morell

William and Niko won their games, leading to a 2-all draw for the match. However, under the rules of the competition, the last board result is removed until there is a clear winner. This meant the final score was MCC 2, MRHS 1. 

MCC now advances to the second round.

Mr Marshall would like to thank to Fiona Painting and MRHS for hosting the game and being great competitors.

What is Games Group

Games Group has been running since 2011. It is open during lunchtime in C7 (depending on staff availability to supervise).  It is a friendly and supportive environment for students looking for something fun and different to do.

The timetable can be found on the MCC Games group 

There is also a list of games available, which grows larger each year. The list and timetable can be found on the student portal. I have included the link below. 

Mr Ivan Mason

School Fee Payment Reminders