Edition 5,
9 June 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.

National Reconciliation Week Prayer

God of Love,
You are the creator of this land and of all good things.
We acknowledge the pain and shame of our history
and the suffering of our peoples – especially the grief of those who were taken
as children from their homes and families,
taken from all they knew and loved.
We ask your forgiveness.
We thank you for the survival of Indigenous cultures.
Our hope is in you because you gave your son Jesus to reconcile the world to you.
We pray for your strength and grace to forgive, accept and love one another
as you love, forgive and accept us.
Amen.

Winter has certainly arrived with some blustery weather this week! Our much-anticipated Slime Spectacular has needed to be postponed due to rain and wetness of the oval. Sliming the Principal will have to wait until Term 3!

However, the weather has not dampened the enthusiasm for our various curricula and extra-curricular activities. In particular, students have been visiting a number of our neighbouring primary schools to run netball clinics or to showcase their amazing dance talents. The College Choir is also set to be out and about in the coming weeks. Last night’s Music Concert too, was testament to the talents of our vocalists and musicians, and we thank all those who have supported them in fostering their skills.

It was wonderful to see our future students enjoying various aspects of our College during the recent Come ‘n’ Try MacKillop (pictured) and 2024 Year 7 Transition days. One of the girls (who had not yet enrolled) walked out of the gate to her mother and the first thing she said was “I want to be a MacKillop girl!”.

Our Vinnies Winter Sleepout is at the end of June and I am very proud to be joining the Year 12 students and some staff for this important awareness and fundraising event. Please feel free to pledge a few dollars by going to my donations page: https://vinnies-sa.grassrootz.com/mary-mackillop-college-kensington-sleepout-for-vinnies-2023/sonia-nelson or see the separate article for the College donation page.

Our community gathered in the Gymnasium for the Feast of Corpus Christi yesterday; a reminder of the importance of joining in celebration of the Eucharist and the special meaning this holds for us as Christians.

Stay warm and dry as we move into the second half of Term 2. Go well and God bless.

Sonia Nelson
Principal

Year 7 Transition Day

We are delighted to share with you a recap of the incredible Year 7 Transition Day that took place at Mary MacKillop College. This day marked a significant milestone in the journey of our future MacKillop students as they stepped into their new roles as proud members of our College community. The event was filled with enthusiasm, energy and a deep sense of belonging as students began to forge meaningful connections and truly feel part of our vibrant school community.

From the moment the Year 6 students arrived on Transition Day, they were greeted with warm smiles, friendly faces and an atmosphere of excitement. Our dedicated team of staff and older student mentors made it a priority to ensure that every student felt valued and supported from the outset. Through icebreaker activities, interactive games and small group discussions, our aim was to create an inclusive environment where students could express themselves and build connections with their future classmates.

Making new friends is often one of the most memorable aspects of transitioning to secondary school. The Year 7 Transition Day facilitated this process by organising team-building exercises and group activities that encouraged students to collaborate, communicate and support one another. Through these shared experiences, lasting friendships began to take root and the sense of unity among the cohort became increasingly evident. It was heartening to witness the students' enthusiasm as they worked together, laughed together and truly felt connected to their peers.

The connections forged and the sense of belonging experienced on this day will serve as a strong foundation for their upcoming secondary school journey. We are thrilled to welcome these remarkable young individuals to our Mary MacKillop College community and look forward to nurturing their growth, celebrating their achievements and supporting them in becoming confident and well-rounded individuals.

Our incoming/future Year 7 students described the morning as “fun, exciting, educational and a little nerve wracking.”

“We were nervous at the start, but the environment made us feel better.”

“We learnt how to work together with new people.”

“We learnt not to be scared to talk to others.”

“We really enjoyed the Escape Room activity – we had fun working together as a team with our Year 10 student leaders.”

Year 9 Specialist Netball students inspire young athletes through netball clinics with primary partner schools

We are delighted to share some exciting news from our Year 9 Specialist Netball students who have been making waves in our local community. These talented young athletes have been running engaging and interactive netball clinics in collaboration with our primary partner schools, creating a wonderful opportunity for them to inspire and nurture the next generation of netball stars.

Over the past few weeks, our Year 9 students have been working closely with primary school students, sharing their passion, skills and knowledge of the game. The clinics have provided a platform for our netballers to not only improve their coaching abilities but also to build leadership skills and foster a sense of community.

The initiative began with our Year 9 Specialist Netball students developing a comprehensive curriculum that catered to the primary school students' age and skill levels. The curriculum encompassed various fundamental netball skills, including passing, shooting, footwork and positioning. Our Year 9 students planned engaging drills and exercises to ensure a holistic learning experience that balanced skill development with fun and enjoyment.

The Year 9 students took on the role of mentors and coaches, guiding the primary school students through each activity with enthusiasm and encouragement. Not only did these clinics provide valuable training for the primary school students, but they also gave our Year 9 students an opportunity to grow as leaders. The responsibility of organising and delivering the clinics enhanced their communication skills, confidence and ability to adapt to different learning styles. By actively engaging with the primary school students, our Year 9 students discovered their own potential as role models, instilling a sense of pride and accomplishment within them.

The success of this initiative would not have been possible without the collaboration and support of our primary partner schools. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the schools' staff, students and parents for embracing this opportunity and allowing their students to participate. Their enthusiasm and cooperation played a vital role in creating a positive and empowering environment for our Year 9 students and the primary school athletes.

Vinnies Winter Sleepout

I am very proud to be joining the Year 12 students and some staff for the Vinnies Winter Sleepout on Thursday 29 June. Please feel free to pledge a few dollars by visiting to my donations page: https://vinnies-sa.grassrootz.com/mary-mackillop-college-kensington-sleepout-for-vinnies-2023/jasmin.

Jasmin Eckert
Deputy Principal

As the cold winter winds start to blow, there's no denying that the chilly nights can be tough for many people in our community. The Mary MacKillop College Year 12 students are making a difference and bringing warmth to those in need. We are excited to announce the upcoming Vinnies Winter Sleepout, an event that not only raises awareness about homelessness but also provides support for those who are most vulnerable during this time of year.

On Thursday 29 June some staff and Year 12 students will come together to brave the elements and spend a night out under the stars, all for a noble cause. The Vinnies Winter Sleepout is an annual initiative organised by the St Vincent de Paul Society, a charity renowned for its unwavering commitment to assisting individuals experiencing homelessness and hardship. By taking part in the Vinnies Winter Sleepout, students and staff are actively contributing to changing lives. The funds raised through this event are used to provide essential services such as emergency accommodation, warm meals and support programs for people experiencing homelessness. Homelessness is a pressing issue in our society, and the Vinnies Winter Sleepout is an opportunity to shed light on this crisis. You can help make a difference in the lives of those experiencing homelessness and support the event with a donation, every effort counts. Visit the Vinnies website here to make a donation or donations of blankets can be made to the front office at the College. Together, let's bring warmth, support, and hope to those in need this winter. Join us and be part of the change!

As we commemorate Reconciliation Week, it is with great pleasure that we share the exciting news of a remarkable collaboration between our talented students and Indigenous artists, Jasmine and Leah Brown from Wulla Designs. Together, they have embarked on a creative journey that beautifully intertwines culture, art and the spirit of reconciliation.

With the aim of fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of Indigenous culture, we invited artists from Wulla Designs to work closely with our students. This extraordinary opportunity not only allowed our students to learn about the rich heritage and traditions of our First Nations people, but it also enabled them to contribute to the creation of unique art pieces and a design to be worn for Soccer, Netball and Dance uniforms.

Jasmine and Leah skilfully guided our students, sharing their knowledge, stories and artistic techniques. Inspired by their newfound understanding, the students immersed themselves in the creative process, exploring various mediums and techniques under the artists' expert guidance.

Together, they collaboratively designed artwork that would serve as the foundation for our future Sport and Dance uniforms. The designs capture the essence of Indigenous symbolism, incorporating elements that reflect our shared history and the aspirations of our community. These unique patterns will not only symbolise unity but will also act as a visible reminder of our commitment to reconciliation and understanding.

Moreover, the students had the opportunity to create individual art pieces that express their personal connection to the reconciliation journey. These thought-provoking works of art will be displayed throughout the school, serving as a constant reminder of the power of art in shaping conversations and promoting empathy.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the talented Wulla Designs artists who shared their time, expertise and cultural wisdom. Their guidance has not only enriched our students' artistic skills but has also sparked a passion for embracing and respecting diverse cultures.

This collaboration aligns perfectly with Mary MacKillop’s vision and commitment to promoting reconciliation and nurturing an inclusive and respectful environment for all. It serves as a testament to the importance of recognising the unique contributions and perspectives of Indigenous cultures, fostering mutual understanding and promoting unity within our community.

We look forward to proudly wearing our new uniforms, each thread infused with a sense of belonging, shared history and reconciliation. May they be a visual representation of our commitment to creating a more just and harmonious society.

Social Justice News

“Let us keep God with us by charity in thought, word and act.” (St Mary MacKillop)

The Social Justice Captains together with the Senior Leadership team have been ensuring students and staff are aware of social justice issues.

Caritas Project Compassion

Since the launch of Project Compassion which took place in Term 1, students enthusiastically made an active contribution by raising money to support Caritas International in assisting marginalised communities. This money has been raised by organising a variety of fundraising activities including the exciting Slime Spectacular. The Mary MacKillop College Community has given so generously to this cause by raising over $2000. This has been a great opportunity to show compassion for others and that by working together as people of strong faith and justice, we can assist those in our world who need support. This truly shows the Josephite Charism of ‘Never seeing a need without doing something about it'.

In Week 5 we celebrated National Reconciliation Week, a time where all Australians learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements and how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

As a College community, National Reconciliation Week was marked between 27 May and 3 June. We acknowledged the regretful actions in our nation’s history involving devastating land dispossession, violence and racism. Therefore, we reflected and established that as a College we can take many significant steps to embrace the culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people by learning about our shared histories, cultures and achievements. As a nation we can contribute to growing respectful relationships between Indigenous people and other Australians, ultimately contributing to achieve reconciliation in Australia.

In order to mark National Reconciliation Week, we held a prayer service, sold reconciliation donuts to support the Tjindu Foundation who create positive, long-term change for Aboriginal children in communities across South Australia and the students put their handprint to make an Aboriginal flag.

In the next couple of weeks the Year 12 cohort and some staff will be involved in the Vinnies Winter sleepout fundraising event. Please support this cause for individuals and families who face extreme challenges due to homelessness and inadequate shelter.

Celebrating our Faith

A significant part of celebrating our faith at Mary MacKillop College is to find time for prayer, reflection and personal development. Our Retreat programs aim to provide this opportunity. Please find below news from our Year 7, Year 8 and Year 10 Retreats.

With Blessings

Mrs Adriana Sotira
Religious Education Coordinator

The Year 7 Retreat - In the footsteps of Mary MacKillop, in Kensington.

The Year 7 Retreat was an ideal opportunity for our students to learn more about Mary MacKillop and her time in Kensington. Though the wet weather meant we were unable to complete the walk around Kensington and visit places of significance to Mary MacKillop, we were fortunate to have a virtual tour. This allowed students to still see and connect with these places. 

Students engaged in a range of activities which allowed them to not only focus on their own gifts and skills, but also to showcase them. This was particularly evident in their efforts at Catholic Aerobics; in their creative rendition of a part of our College Anthem; and in their well-designed plaques. Students also appreciated the opportunity to be reflective through a short meditation. 

A special mention to Year 11 Peer Support Leaders: Chantel, Kayla, Lily, Isabelle and Imogen for the ways in which they engaged with the students throughout the day as well as leading some of the activities. 

Thanks to Jayne, our Canteen Manager, for ensuring we had a delicious morning tea to accompany our pizza lunch; and to Jess, our Marketing and Communications Coordinator, for taking some wonderful footage and photos of this very special day. 

A heartfelt thank you to Mrs Sotira who facilitated the Retreat with such enthusiasm and inspiration with the wonderful support of Ms MacLennan and Mrs Atwood along with Mrs Osborne and Ms Clough. 

Mrs Mary Lepore

Year 7 Pastoral Care Coordinator

Year 8 Retreat - In the footsteps of Mary MacKillop Pilgrimage.

On Thursday 11 May the Year 8 students attended their retreat In the Footsteps of Mary MacKillop Pilgrimage. The students travelled by bus to visit various sites in Adelaide of great significance to Mary MacKillop.

Our pilgrimage began at St Mary’s Chapel, Port Adelaide where Mary MacKillop was first presented as a Sister of St Joseph, following this they travelled to the Old Adelaide Gaol where students heard stories of Mary MacKillop’s regular visits to the prisoners.

After enjoying lunch at Bonython Park, the students visited to St Mary’s Chapel in Franklin St where Mary MacKillop's excommunication took place. The students reflected on how Mary MacKillop would have felt at this time paused to pray and reflect.

Thank you to the staff who attended and ensured our students had a wonderful experience.

Ms Ida Parente
Year 8 Pastoral Care Coordinator

The Year 10 Retreat - In the footsteps of Mary MacKillop, Social Justice in the City

The Year 10 cohort began their retreat day at St Francis Xavier Cathedral in the city with a prayer service to reflect on the work of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop in social justice, helping the marginalised in our society.

The Year 10 students were then given the opportunity to visit Catholic organisations which provide services and hope for the disadvantaged in our world. The centres included Centacare, Adelaide Day Centre, Vinnies Men’s shelter and Vinnies Women’s Crisis Centre.

After enjoying a pizza lunch, the Year 10 students were introduced to the See, Judge, Act model where they engaged in various activities and were able to take action to answer God’s call to social justice. This action was carried out by decorating bags and making care packs for the individuals in the centre. They called these Bags of Love. These bags were then delivered to the centres that afternoon.

A lovely thank you letter and emails were sent to the school (refer to Centacare letter attached).

We thank all the staff who were able to assist on the retreat to give students an opportunity for spiritual growth.

Ms Dimitra Thomas
Year 9 and 10 Pastoral Care Coordinator

Year 7 students had a wonderful opportunity to participate in a workshop with street artist, Leah Grant, who visited the College earlier this term. 

Leah began the workshop sharing some examples of her artwork and spoke of creating connections through colour, movement and light. She particularly spoke to the students of the courage she has needed to allow herself to make mistakes in her artwork and how she has learnt to use these as opportunities for growth.  

Leah encouraged the students to find their own creativity through the creation of their own individual works of art, which is exactly what they did! Their artworks were unique and diverse, each reflecting their own personalities. 

The students also each contributed to a class artwork, which resulted in pieces of art as explained below.

Year 7 Blue called their artwork, 'Connected Through Lines' (pictured above), as it is a representation of the connectedness they feel as a class. Connectedness is also the Year 7 CCROPS value. Each line within the artwork has its place just as each student has her place in the class. The artwork also represents their journey to find more courage as they progress through Year 7.

'Every Scribble Counts’ is the name of the artwork created by Year 7 Green. The students chose this title as they believe every single scribble counts and that they would not be 7 Green without each unique person in their class. Each scribble made by the students of 7 Green represents their contribution and how each class member is worthy of having her own scribble as everyone matters. The students feel connected to each other and the College community which is symbolised in their artwork. 

The Year 7 students thoroughly enjoyed this experience as shown in the reflection shared by Caitlin, Michaela and Ella: 

The street artist, Leah Grant, came to our school. First, she spoke about her different art works and then explained techniques we could use while spray painting because most of us had never done it before. She showed us styles and the different nozzles, which make a thick, medium, and small line. When our time came to give it a go, Leah did a demonstration of how to properly use the spray paints. The first thing we did was paint three squiggly lines on a canvas to show our connectedness. Everyone had very unique designs and most of us were lucky to do two artworks. Using stencils, leaves and lace, we created an artwork true to ourselves.

Mary Lepore
Year 7 Pastoral Care Coordinator

We would like to congratulate Year 10 student Sophia whose artwork was selected for the 15-19 year old semi-finalist category in this year's international competition, judged in the USA, Science Without Borders Challenge, "The Sixth Extinction”. There were 1,200 entries from 67 different countries engaging students in important ocean issues through art. Entrants had to create a piece of art that highlighted the beauty and importance of a marine species on the brink of extinction. Well done, Sophia, good luck again for next year!!

Have a look at this year’s winners; https://www.livingoceansfoundation.org/photo/2023-science-without-borders-challenge-finalists-15-19-year-old-students/ 

Ally in Year 10 also entered an art competition this year, SA Refugee Week Student Poster Exhibition. The poster needed to illustrate the theme of multiculturalism, human rights, cultural diversity, anti-racism and the welcoming of refugees into Australia, as well as how refugees become part of, and contribute towards, the Australian 'family'.

Ally’s image showed a family leaving a refugee camp in a dry and desolate environment moving towards a place of abundance with water and flourishing fruit trees. Her artwork was selected out of 370 entries from 56 schools to be exhibited in the Children’s Art Space Gallery at the Adelaide Festival Centre. Awards and prizes will be announced at the launch on 23 June 2023. Congratulations and good luck Ally!!

If you enjoy being creative, drawing, photography and painting we encourage you to take the time to nurture your passion and enter these competitions. There are wonderful prizes and opportunities to be gained and the Art teachers will be happy to help you to develop your ideas.

For more information about upcoming competitions please listen to the morning notices and check the Visual Art notice board outside Room 218.

A current competition is the ‘Artists of the Year’ by STAEDTLER stationary products. Using your favourite Staedtler pencils, textas, paints etc. create any masterpiece you’d like to submit (please note no digital work will be accepted). You can get your inspiration from anywhere, a favourite place, a person, animal or school art project.

Entries close 20 June and winners announced 7 July. There is up to $6000 in prizes.

For more info www.staedtler.com/au/artcompetition.

Romina Penna
Art and Design Teacher

Earlier this term, Year 9 students of Italian attended the inaugural full-day program, Italian in the Workplace, an initiative of UniSA, along with a number of other Year 9 students from various high schools. The objective of this program is to inspire and encourage students to continue their study of Italian.

Throughout the day, the students had the opportunity to hear firsthand how Italian is a fundamental language which can expand students’ career opportunities. They heard from key members of the Italian community in South Australia who each spoke of the relevance of Italian within the workplace. The Italian Consul, Adriana Stendardo, shared the fact that Australia is the country where Italian has been learnt the most. He also referred to learning a foreign language as having a superpower.

A highlight of the day for the students was the small group discussions held with mentors from the fields of STEM, health, education and hospitality. This provided the opportunity to ask questions as well as hear from these mentors about the place of the Italian language in their chosen occupations.

The students truly valued this experience and it has certainly inspired them to continue their study of Italian.

Mary Lepore
Italian Teacher

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

It has been a busy start to the term for all things Sport at the College! 

Saturday 27 May was a day of both celebration and reflection as our sport teams came together to honour Reconciliation Round in our Saturday morning matches. Students proudly wore red ribbons as a symbol of solidarity and support for reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. Each team read an acknowledgement of country, where students, coaches and spectators paid respect to the traditional custodians of the land on which the games were played. It was a poignant reminder of the importance of recognising and valuing Indigenous culture and heritage. 

Our Open Knockout Basketball team’s outstanding performance against Mitcham Girls High School (pictured above) has propelled them to the state finals! We wish them the best of luck for the competition in Term 3. While our Open Knockout Netball and Year 9/10 Knockout Volleyball teams were unable to progress further in the competition, we commend their hard work, commitment and sportsmanship throughout their respective competitions.  

As winter sets in, our Winter Sports program is well and truly underway. Students from various year levels have donned their MacKillop uniforms across a range of sports. Whether it's soccer, badminton or netball, students are showcasing their skills, teamwork and passion on the field or court. Good luck to all teams for the remainder of the season.

Zoe Duffy
Sport Coordinator

Rachel Vidoni is a born and raised Adelaide musician and performer.

Rachel's music and vocal abilities flourished during high school. At Mary MacKillop College, Rachel was provided with many opportunities to showcase her talents including biannual musicals, vocal ensembles, private lessons, and out of school festivals.

Graduating in 2009, Rachel received multiple merits in music studies and an almost perfect T.E.R.

Rachel's highlights from Mary MacKillop College are:

• Being involved in the school's Jazz vocal ensemble that performed at her beloved - Catholic Schools Music Festival, consecutively throughout her time there.
• Involvement in 'Italcanti' - an Italian vocal group, performing at the local festivals and Carnevale.
• Studying as part of the 'Music Industry Training' program, discovering her love for production and event management.
• Playing the 'White Witch' in the school musical 'Narnia'.
• Playing the lead role, Mary MacKillop, for the world debut of 'Mary MacKillop - The Musical' at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre.
• Receiving merits in Solo Music Performance, Ensemble Music Performance, Musicianship and Music Technology.
• Studying and forming long-term friendships with Patrick Bojanic and Robyn Carroll, spending endless hours in the school Music Department, creating music and setting up equipment and recording studios.

Rachel has taken her music globally, playing with amazing artists Garry Gary Beers (Bass - INXS), Chris Reeve (Drums - Tom Morello, Avril Lavigne, Filter +), Pete Thorn (Guitar Chris Cornell, Melissa Etheridge, Don Henley +) and the list continues.

Rachel now runs and operates her own production company "The Little Things Productions", which in its debut season won multiple awards and accolades within the Australian and international arts world.

Rachel - we are all celebrating your success at the College!

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
Wednesday 28 June, 9.30am

Term 3 Dates
Tuesday 22 August, 9.30am
Wednesday 13 September, 5.00pm

Book Now

As the weather becomes cooler, people experiencing homelessness and hardship in Adelaide can find it difficult to stay warm.

Our keen knitters, along with the assistance of Ms Christopher, Mrs Gates and pre-service teacher Miss Clendon, knit small squares during lunch to donate to St Vincent de Paul, who will make them into blankets for those in need.

Everyone is welcome to join - just bring yourself and a can-do attitude to the Library each Tuesday at lunchtime. It is great to learn a new skill and to know that you can help someone in need.

We are currently seeking donations of wool and knitting needles (size 5 or 6) for the girls to use. Donations can be left at the front office with Vera - thank you!