Edition 4,
12 May 2023

Mary MacKillop College acknowledges the Kaurna people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we live, work and study. We pay our respect to their Elders past, present and emerging and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

May is the Month of Mary. For centuries, the Catholic Church has set aside the entire month of May to honour Mary, Mother of God.

Let us Pray,

Beloved Mother, help us realize that we are all members of one great family and to recognize the bond that unites us, so that, in a spirit of fraternity and solidarity, we can help to alleviate countless situations of poverty and need. Make us strong in faith, persevering in service, constant in prayer.

Amen

We hope all families and staff enjoyed a wonderful holiday break and are ready for a fantastic Term 2! It has started well, with our girls continuing their learning activities with enthusiasm and engagement.

It was such a delight to have some of our families join us for the Good News Assembly and Awards Ceremony on Thursday last week. We congratulate those students recognised for their academic excellence or endeavour, commitment to community and service, or for demonstrating the spirit of Mary MacKillop during Term 1. We enjoyed a video snapshot of Saturday sport activities and teams, heard from some Year 7s about their great start at our College and finished with a surprise for each student. Our ‘Be a MacKillop Girl’ stickers were distributed and we look forward to seeing them on the rear window of our families’ cars! Any of our old scholars are also encouraged to contact us to obtain a ‘Once a MacKillop Girl, Always a MacKillop Girl’ sticker for their vehicle.

We were fortunate at the Awards Ceremony to hear the dulcet tones of our College Choir before they headed to the Generations in Jazz Festival in Mount Gambier the next day. They represented the school admirably at the event and returned tired but excited on Sunday evening.

Thank you for the support of your daughter’s learning journey last Tuesday, with strong attendance at the recent Years 7-10 Learning Review Evening. These conversations between teachers, students and parents provided an important opportunity to work in partnership to affirm the progress of the students and discuss areas for future improvement and growth.

And finally, every blessing to all the grandmothers, mothers and mother figures in our Mary MacKillop College community. We give thanks for these special people in our lives, the endless love, support and wisdom they give us and their selfless efforts to bring out the best in those they care for. God bless you all!

Go well and stay warm as the colder weather sets in.

Sonia Nelson
Principal

Primary School Partnerships Program

In a heart-warming display of community outreach, MacKillop students have been engaging with their younger counterparts from partner primary schools. The initiative has seen the older students visit some partner primary schools, spending time with the primary students, making connections and sharing their experiences of high school.

The interactions so far have involved some Year 9 MacKillop students supporting a Colour Run at Saint Joseph’s Payneham, Dance students performing during an assembly at our partner primary schools and the Year 9 Specialist Netball class preparing Netball clinics for various primary schools.

One particularly successful event was our Come ‘n’ Try MacKillop day which we continue to hold each term. On this day, MacKillop students support the primary students engage with MacKillop life. The benefits of this initiative are clear. The younger children can see what their future may hold and gain insight into high school life. The older students, on the other hand, can develop leadership skills, gain experience working with younger children and foster a sense of community spirit. MacKillop students are excited to host our next Come 'n' Try MacKillop day on 7 June 2023. They have been enthusiastic about sharing their knowledge and skills with the primary school students, while these students have been eager to learn from their older peers. MacKillop students have expressed their enthusiasm for the program, with many stating that they feel privileged to have the opportunity to give back to the community and inspire the next generation of students. As the program continues to grow, it is hoped that it will include sport and dance clinics, music performances and reading sessions with younger students to inspire the next generation of wonderful MacKillop girls.

Winter Uniform reminders

As the weather gets colder, it is important that we remind everyone about the correct winter uniform.

Please make sure that you wear the following items as part of your winter uniform:

• Shirt - polycotton long sleeve shirt
• Mary MacKillop College tunic or Mary MacKillop College pant
• Jumper v-neck with College crest
• Mary MacKillop College blazer
• Marine socks/tights - long pull up sock OR Tights 70 Denier – navy
• Footwear Indiana black t-bar leather shoes
• Hair tied back with Mary MacKillop College ribbon
• Mary MacKillop scarf
• During Terms 2 and 3 the College blazer is to be worn to and from school.

Students are permitted to wear their PE uniform to and from school on days when they have PE or have training after school. The PE beanie and scarf maybe worm with the PE uniform when students are required to be outdoors.

A reminder about jewellery and cosmetics:

• No jewellery, other than a watch and small plain gold or silver ear sleepers/studs, with only one earring in the lower ear lobe, may be worn
• Religious medals must not be visible
• Nail polish and make up are not permitted
• Finger nails must be short and clear in colour
• Eyelash extensions are not permitted
• Hair must be off the face and if shoulder length or longer must be tied up off the shoulders
• No extreme hairstyles including unnatural hair colours are permitted
• Facial piercing is not accepted at the College or whenever a student is wearing her school uniform.

Remember, the uniform is an important part of our school culture and helps to create a sense of unity and belonging. By wearing the correct winter uniform, you are representing our College in the best possible way.

Slime Spectacular

We are excited to announce our upcoming Slime Spectacular fundraising event, which is set to be the most fun and entertaining fundraising event of the year!

Our Slime Spectacular fundraising event is aimed at raising funds to support the various programs and initiatives of Project Compassion. We believe that everyone deserves access to quality education, healthcare, and basic necessities such as food and shelter and we are committed to making that a reality through our initiatives.

Our Slime Spectacular event is not only a fun way to support our cause, but it is also a great opportunity to connect as a College community. The Student Leadership Team (SLT) are selling t-shirts for $5 to wear on the day of Slime Spectacular. The t-shirts have the MMC Slime Spectacular logo on the back allowing space on the front for students to decorate themselves. Students can wear these t-shirts as they participate in the slime run and slime slide. We invite students to decorate the front of their t-shirt depicting the fun that slime spectacular may bring. Students then email a picture of their t-shirt to their Year Level Prefect and the SLT will vote for a lucky winner in each year level. The winning designs will have the opportunity to slime a staff member. All money raised from the sale of t-shirts will be donated to Project Compassion. We hope everyone can support those less fortunate and get involved.

The Slime Spectacular fundraising event will take place on Friday 9 June during Lesson 8 at the College. Keep an eye out for the Consent to Go that is coming soon.  

To support please send donations to the front office and/or purchase a t-shirt from your SLT. All proceeds for this exciting event will make a difference in the lives of those who need it most. Together, we can make a positive impact on our community and create a brighter future for all.

Thank you for your support, we look forward to seeing students at the Slime Spectacular fundraising event!

Jasmin Eckert
Deputy Principal

The SLT are proud to launch their Mary MacKillop College car stickers!

If you would like one for your car, please see Vera in the front office.

It is with love and gratitude that we farewell and thank Sr Mary Cresp for her years of service to Mary MacKillop College.

Sr Mary Cresp served our community on the College Board from 2014 to 2023 as Board Director and Deputy Chair.

We acknowledge Sr Mary Cresp for her dedication and contribution. Her directorship is distinguished by her knowledge of history, strength of mind and spirit, steady gentle guidance, support and courage, as well as a readiness to accompany, challenge and affirm.

Sr Mary Cresp has been described by colleagues as accomplished, spiritual, enterprising and the face of God to those she meets.

We honour Sr Mary first and foremost for her generosity, living a life of service for others, as a Sister of St Joseph.

Thank you Sr Mary.

We are very proud of our Performance Choir’s participation in the recent Generations In Jazz (GIJ) weekend in Mount Gambier.

While it was a cold, wet and somewhat muddy weekend, the students were excellent ambassadors for our College as they revelled in three days of superb music, masterclasses and concerts with some of the best musicians in the country.

Our Performance Choir performed wonderfully on Saturday and although nervous, sung their two pieces ‘My Favourite Things’ and ‘Don’t You Worry 'Bout a Thing’ with a great sense of enthusiasm and thoroughly enjoyed every moment of their time on stage.

This is the first year GIJ has returned as a live event after a lengthy break due to COVID-19 restrictions. All students performed well and have learnt more about musicianship, intonation and awareness of the commitment required to excel as ensembles.

Highlights for the group were:

• Watching the amazing performances from Swedish group ‘Dirty Loops’ at their only Australian performance
• Seeing Thndo (recent winner of The Voice) and Adam Lopez perform live
• Enjoying the Generations In Jazz pro Big Band who performed with Thndo and Adam Lopez
• Being amongst 4500 enthusiastic music students from around Australia.

Thank you to each staff member, music teacher, parent and most importantly, the students, for the work that was put in and the effort invested to make sure that we all shone proudly!

Elicia Baldwin
Teacher

Hi, everyone! My name is Kelsey Toney. I am a pre-service teacher undertaking my first year at the University of Adelaide working toward a Master of Teaching. I have recently moved from my home state of Texas in the U.S., where I received my Bachelor of Science and Arts degree in Biology from the University of Texas at Austin. During my time at Mary MacKillop College, I will be helping to teach several Science classes, as well as Year 11 Biology, alongside the amazing teachers you have all come to know and love. I look forward to my time at Mary MacKillop!
Kelsey.

Hello, I'm Leila Clendon and I'm excited to be joining Mary MacKillop College for my final teaching placement. I am in the last year of my Master of Teaching at Adelaide University and my specialty areas are English, History and Geography. I will mainly be working with Year 10 Red in PLP, English and Religion, as well as teaching a Year 8 History and a Year 8 Geography class. I am really looking forward to engaging in the school community and getting to know everyone!
Leila.

Hi, I'm Tyson. I am undertaking my final placement for my Master of Teaching at the University of Adelaide, specialising in Biology and General Science. Having worked in boarding schools domestically and abroad, I am eager to employ my background to get to know the students, faculty, and wider school community. I am currently working with a Stage 1 Biology class, two Year 10 Science classes, a Year 9 Science class as well as the Year 11 Green Pastoral Care class. I am really looking forward to learning and developing as a teacher during my time here at Mary MacKillop College.
Tyson.

Hi, my name is Fergus and I am currently enrolled in my final year of university studies. My areas of teaching are English and History, and whilst at Mary MacKillop College I will be engaging with a broad range of year levels and classes. I look forward to working closely with the teachers, students and the wider community throughout my time at MMC.
Fergus.

Do you enjoy an academic challenge?

Would you like to test your skills and knowledge in Digital Technologies, English, Mathematics and/or Science?

If so, then ICAS is you!

The International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS) is a multiple choice challenge conducted annually in Australia and in over 20 countries including Asia, Africa, Europe, Pacific countries and America.

Assessing a range of skills across a variety of subjects, ICAS is open to Mary MacKillop College students from Years 7 - 12. In 2023, the College is offering students the opportunity to participate in the following ICAS challenges in Term 3:

Digital Technologies (contact Mrs Tatarelli)
English (contact Ms Del Corso)
Science (contact Mrs Spizzo)
Mathematics (contact Ms Christopher)

Each assessment takes approximately 1 hour to complete and there is no cost involved to students or families. Participating students will receive a certificate in recognition of their involvement and an record of their achievement level.

For those interested in participating in any or all of the competitions, please visit the ICAS website for more information and sample questions.

https://www.eaa.unsw.edu.au/icas/subjects

Students committed to the challenge are asked to email the relevant teacher/s via SEQTA Direqt before Friday 7 July (Term 2 Week 10).

Everyone is welcome to participate.

Ms Christopher Mathematics Leader of Learning
Mrs Tatarelli Digital Technologies Leader of Learning
Ms Del Corso English Leader of Learning
Mrs Spizzo Science Leader of Learning

We are delighted to share the achievements of our students at the recent South Australian Catholic Secondary Schools Girls' Sports Association (SACSSGSA) Swimming Carnival. Our school's swimming team showcased their talent, determination and unwavering spirit throughout the event, culminating in an impressive seventh place finish in the highly competitive A Grade division.

The SACSSGSA Swimming Carnival held at the SA Aquatic and Leisure Center was an afternoon filled with fierce competition and outstanding performances. Our students exhibited exceptional sportsmanship, representing our College with pride and grace. Your determination and courage have made us immensely proud.

Saturday morning sport commences tomorrow morning. Alarms will be set and students and their families will be braving the cold, crisp winter mornings to compete in netball, soccer or badminton. We wish all students the best of luck for the season ahead and we look forward to sharing their achievements with the community.

Zoe Duffy
Sport Coordinator

After graduating from MacKillop in 1985, I pursued a Bachelor of Arts degree at Adelaide University, setting the foundation for an incredible journey that would take me across industries and continents shaping my perspective and fuelling my passion for adventure and my curiosity about people and the world.

By the age of 23, I had become the youngest female Executive Officer in the Australian fishing industry, serving with the SA Fishing Industry Training Council. In a few short years, I helped to establish the first fishing industry training centre in Australia - the SA Fishing Industry Skills Centre - which would later evolve into the Australian Fisheries Academy, based in Port Adelaide.

From there, I went on to work in senior communications and PR roles within private industry and government, but eventually decided to make a total career change in my late 30s and become a documentary filmmaker. One of the first documentaries that inspired me was "Roses in September," which I watched during a Year 12 Retreat.

Years later, I had the privilege of rekindling my friendship with Tim Deslandes, the Religious Coordinator who introduced me to "Roses in September" during our Year 12 Retreat, and spending precious moments over coffee, breakfasts and dinners with him, his wife Moira, and some of my closest friends from Mary MacKillop before he passed away, a testament to the profound impact he had on my life.

In 2008, I founded Think Films, a production company committed to creating impactful films and documentaries. My debut feature, "Tibet's Cry for Freedom," which I directed, produced, and distributed, was picked up by Czech Television and TV NZ, and screened in over 14 international film festivals.

Over the years, I have worked on a variety of projects in remote locations around the world, including Tibet, India, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and the Pacific Islands, for organizations such as UNDP, the World Bank, and Relief International. In 2018, my short film "Little Bang's New Eye", which delved into the work of 2020 Australian of the Year, Dr. James Muecke, and Adelaide-based NGO Sight For All, was broadcast on SBS and won several international documentary awards.

My other productions include "A Place to Call Home", a film that tells the story of Emmaus Community in Perth, which provides long-term community housing for adults with complex mental illness. It was acquired by ABC's Compass and ran on ABC and ABC iView from 2020-2022. In 2021, I released my interactive multimedia documentary, "Banjo Morton: The Untold Story," which highlights the story of the first walk-off by Aboriginal stockmen in the Northern Territory. The project began with my visit to Banjo on his country in central Australia back in 2010.

Throughout my career, I have been driven by purpose, and I owe much of my success to the exceptional education and supportive environment that Mary MacKillop College provided. The school offered me extraordinary teachers who left a lasting impression on my heart, as well as opportunities to explore my creativity through roles in school plays, drama productions, and prefectship. To this day, I maintain strong friendships with friends I made at Mary MacKillop, and the school's impact on my life has been immeasurable.

Lara Damiani
Class of 1985

Mary MacKillop College warmly invites girls in Years 4, 5 and 6 to spend a day with us as a MacKillop girl.

Come 'n' Try MacKillop Days are a wonderful opportunity for your daughter to meet our staff and students while being involved in a range of interactive lessons and meeting new friends.

Click here to book a Come 'n' Try MacKillop Day.

Join our Principal, Sonia Nelson, for a tour of the College.

Principal’s Tours are a great opportunity for prospective MacKillop girls and families to visit the College and to meet our Principal. You will meet senior staff and students on an intimate tour of the school and experience our warm hospitality.

Term 2 Dates
Friday 2 June, 9.30am
Wednesday 28 June, 9.30am

Book Now

Did you know?

Our College Canteen has a 5 Star Excellent Food Safety Rating!

Thank you to Jayne, our Canteen Manager, who goes above and beyond for our students, parents and staff.
 

Congratulations to Year 11 students Alessia, Alicia, Alissa and Crystelle on their achievements at Dance Worlds!

During the April school holidays, the girls travelled to Orlando, Florida with Angela Marveggio (former MMC Teacher and owner of Empire Dance Studio) to compete in Dance Worlds at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort.

The girls danced alongside MMC Old Scholars Alessia Sotira, Renee Caprioli, Danielle Musolino, Isabella Silvestri, Alyssa Villani and Lucy Atkinson, competing against teams from all over the world.

The results were:

Open Pom - placed 13th in the world
Junior Jazz - placed 9th in the world
Open Jazz - placed 18th in the semi sinals
Open Lyrical - placed 13th in the semi finals
Open Hip Hop - placed 6th in the world

Well done to all involved - we are proud of your courage, hard work, dedication and all you have achieved!
 

It is a government requirement for all schools to participate annually in the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD).

The NCCD collects data about school students with disability who are receiving adjustments across Australia in a consistent, reliable and systematic way. It enables schools, education authorities and governments to better understand the needs of students with disability and how they can be best supported at school (www.nccd.edu.au).

Information gathered is used:

• as an evidence base, to give teachers, schools and sectors information about students with disability and the level of educational adjustment being provided.
• to inform policy development and future planning to better equip schools and education authorities to support students with 18 / 24 disability.
• to improve understanding of the requirements and responsibilities of school teams and the broader community under the DDA and the Standards.
• to capture the work of schools under the obligations of the DDA and the Standards, allowing students with disability to access and participate in education on the same basis as other students
• to highlight the individual needs of each student with disability by focusing on the level of educational support provided to them at school (www.nccd.edu.au).

Information provided about students to the Australian Government for the NCCD includes:

• year of schooling
• category of disability: physical, cognitive, sensory or social/emotional
• level of adjustment provided: support provided within quality differentiated teaching practice, supplementary, substantial or extensive.

Students’ personal details are de-identified as a part of the data collection. Please contact Inclusive Education Coordinator, Leanne Carr if you have any questions about the NCCD.

More information is available on the following website: https://www.nccd.edu.au

Leanne Carr
Inclusive Education Coordinator