Edition Eight, 6 September 2024

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.

Season of Creation

It is an annual Christian celebration to pray and respond together to the cry of Creation.

Starts September 1, the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, and concludes on October 4, the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology.

It unites all around the world to listen and care for our common home.

We are called to work together for a future of hope and action to make our world a better place.

Let’s unite and live this call through prayer, sustainability and advocacy.

This year’s theme is ‘To Hope and Act with Creation’ with the symbol ‘the first fruits of hope’, inspired by Romans 8:19-25

We pray…

God of Land, Sea and Sky:
Creator of all that is seen and unseen.
Open our hearts to the rhythm of Creation in the swells of the ocean, the movements of air and wind, the breath of all living things.
Open our eyes to the fragile beauty of the biodiversity of which we are a part.
Open our ears to the sounds of life around us.
Open our minds to the awareness of our deep relationship with all your Creation. May we hope and act with Creation.
Amen.

Spring is here and we are all looking forward to the warmer weather and lighter days! Activity by the birds and bees has been mirrored by our busy students and staff as they head towards the end of Term 3 and much-deserved holidays. We give thanks too, for all the joys of spring as we celebrate this year’s worldwide Christian ‘Season of Creation’ during September, where we unite in solidarity to advocate and act for the care of all God’s creation and to protect our common home.

It was wonderful to see so many fathers at the muffin and coffee morning last Friday, sharing a chat with their daughters and other families. Many took the opportunity to have a wander around the Tenison Centre to view the new learning spaces and amazing student work on display. Our thanks and blessings to all those in our community who care for others as loving and nurturing father-figures. Stayed tuned for an even BIGGER Fathers’ Day celebration next year!

This week was also National Child Protection Week in Australia. At Mary MacKillop College we continue to prioritise the wellbeing and safety of the beautiful young people in our care. In addition to our tailored Pastoral Care Programs and other targeted initiatives, we hope that it is the everyday support and interactions that show our girls are known and nurtured within our tight-knit College family.

Finally, a very, very big thank you to all those involved in the Arts Production this week – it was quite the extravaganza! With most of the students taking part, the staff planning day and Retreat Day yesterday and today were well-timed to let students recover and perhaps enjoy a day at the show!

As always, the newsletter is a wonderful capture of the learning, fun and adventures at MacKillop over the last few weeks. Enjoy the variety of stories and photos that we have to share.

Go well and God bless.

Sonia Nelson
Principal

As we are now past the halfway mark of Term 3, Mary MacKillop College came together to celebrate the wonderful achievements and spirit of our school community in a Good News Assembly. This gathering provided a moment to reflect on the many successes and the vibrant community life that defines what it means to be a MacKillop girl.

Throughout the assembly, our student leaders shared a variety of exciting updates. From the world of sports, our Sport Captains highlighted the achievements of our netball and soccer teams during Intercol. Our Wellbeing Captains, Kahlea and Lily, reminded us of the importance of checking in on one another, especially with the upcoming R U OK Week activities designed to promote mental and physical wellbeing across the school.

The Arts were also in the spotlight, with a stunning musical performance by Imogen Lewis, who sang 'I Dreamed a Dream' from Les Misérables. Our Arts Captains announced the winners of the Arts Night Poster competition, celebrating the creativity of students across all year levels, and gave us a preview of Arts Night and the upcoming Dance Showcase, promising an evening filled with talent and passion.

We were also treated to a taste of Italian culture, as Year 9 students shared their experiences from a cooking workshop with renowned chef Rosa Matto. Finally, the assembly highlighted the innovative spirit of our Year 8 students, who showcased their Project-Based Learning projects. These projects, which focused on addressing the UN Sustainable Development Goals, demonstrated the students' commitment to making a difference in the world, with awards given for innovation, sustainability, and the popular choice among their peers.

The Good News Assembly was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the many facets of life at Mary MacKillop College. It’s a reminder of the incredible things our students achieve every day, fostering a spirit of compassion, creativity, and courage. We are all so proud of their achievements and look forward to celebrating many more.

Jasmin Eckert
Deputy Principal

What a fantastic week it has been with the MMC Arts Production. How wonderful to see 120 students involved in the live production and 100 more exhibiting artworks!

Our performing artists were superb, with Dance, Drama and Music beautifully presented in the ‘Happily Ever After’ theme. The visual art exhibition was also a stunning part of the evening.

Fairy tale scenes with a twist included characters such as Little Red Riding Hood or ‘Riding Red Hood’, Cinderella aka ‘Cindy’, Rapunzel known as ‘Rap’ and Goldilocks as ‘Goldi’. Our dancers performed to music including Kung Fu Fighting (Year 9s). The Year 7 dancers performed to Hard Knock Life and the Year 8 Dance Academy dazzled us to the sound of Money, just to name a few. Francesca and Kiara performed theatrically in their solo dance performances. Year 9 and 10 Drama students moving to the Mission Impossible theme was also a highlight.

Music included pieces by the Performance Choir, duets and solos. The choir performed a medley of Disney songs arranged by Marina Olijnyk as well as the well-known tunes from Shrek titled ‘Fairy Tale’. Imogen performed the stirring ‘I Dreamed a Dream’ from Le Misérables as well as ‘One Perfect Moment’ from the Musical ‘Bring it On’, for her solo SACE external assessment, accompanied by Edmund Black on piano. Isabelle joined Imogen for a wonderful duet singing ‘I am a Girl just like You’.

So many performances from each year level showed the amazing talents of our students in all Arts disciplines.

A big thank you to The Arts Department, Ms Rachel Scott, Mr Gavin Hughes and Ms Romina Penna for teaching, guiding and supporting the students in Music, Dance, Drama and Visual Art. Thank you also to Kiara and Imogen, our Arts Captains who have shown true leadership and courage in their willingness to help with every task asked of them. Lastly, thank you to all the staff who worked behind the scenes making sure everything ran smoothly.

In other Arts news, congratulations to those students who entered our Poster Competition for Arts Night. Our first prize winner was Zarah in Year 11. Second prize was awarded to Freddie in Year 10 and our third prize winner was Isabella, Year 12. There were also 2 honourable mentions for Kristal, Year 10 and Quincy in Year 9. Congratulations!

Linda Di Blasio
The Arts Leader of Learning

The chilly winter air did nothing to dampen the excitement as we welcomed our 2025 Year 7 students for their Winter Transition Day. The day kicked off with a warm welcome as students were greeted at the school gate by some of our Year 10 Leaders. Students engaged with activities designed to re-familiarise them with our college grounds, learn about our patron Saint, Mary MacKillop and strengthen connections with peers.  

One of the highlights of the day was the school-wide scavenger hunt facilitated by our Year 10 Leaders. In teams, the students ventured around the school grounds to discover new faces as well as important locations, such as the Tenison Centre, Student Services, Turbo’s home and the Music Suites. The scavenger hunt encouraged teamwork, problem-solving and a sense of adventure as students eagerly searched for their next clue.

Another memorable part of the day was a visit to the MacKillop Museum. Here, students had the opportunity to learn more about Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop. This tour (led by some of the Sister’s of St Joseph) gave students insight into Mary MacKillop’s life and legacy, highlighting the values of leading with compassion, being courageous and Mary’s commitment to making a difference.

In the final session for the day, the students were treated to a wise words panel discussion led by some of our current Year 7 students. The panellists shared their own experiences of transitioning into high school, offering valuable advice and words of wisdom. They spoke candidly about their experiences this year, the opportunities available at MacKillop and finished with some great tips on how to successfully organise their student lockers.

We look forward to welcoming back our 2025 Year 7 students for their final transition visit in Term 4.

Michelle Arthur
Years 7 and 8 Pastoral Care Coordinator

On Friday 23 August we welcomed Robogals to the College for a robotics workshop thanks to the University of Adelaide. We were excited to reconnect with old scholar and 2022 College Dux, Jamie Siggurs, along with Mia, Nama and Lovish, all Robogals volunteers.

Our keen Year 9 Engineers got straight into the workshop, working in teams each group coded their robot, tested and retested their program to ensure it followed the commands set.

Sandra Mitchell
Future Pathways Coordinator

Mary MacKillop College was buzzing with excitement on Wednesday 21 August as we welcomed Loreto College to compete at our annual Intercol Championships! The event not only fostered healthy competition but also promoted camaraderie within the MMC community, with staff, students, old scholars and families in attendance to cheer on our teams and support the evening.

Our Years 7/8, Years 9/10 and Open Netball teams lost on the evening but showcased the MacKillop spirit and fought to the very end. Our Open Netball team’s efforts were rewarded with Amelie (Year 9) receiving MVP for the game for her impressive defending and outstanding attitude. Our Years 7-10 Soccer team took out the title this year, defeating Loreto 4-2. The game was hotly contested with spectators creating an amazing atmosphere around the oval. Sofie (Year 10) was awarded MVP for her leadership, skill level and respectful attitude. We would like to congratulate all students involved and are already looking forward to next year! 

Term 2/3 Sport has ended for 2024. We acknowledge all teams for their dedication throughout the season. Congratulations to our premiership winning team, Year 9 MMC 1, who will be presented with their premiership medals at the upcoming Sports Assembly in Term 4. Thank you to all the coaches, players and supporters for their efforts throughout the season.

Zoe Duffy
Sport Coordinator

Congratulations to the following students on their recent successes:

Daniella (Year 11) who won seven awards for her Royal Adelaide Show entries.
Daniella's underwater themed crochet piece and her embroidery scene received the following awards:

First Place - Junior Textiles, Hand Embroidered Article, showing surface stitchery.
First Place - Any Crocheted Article.
First Place - The Handspinners and Weavers Guild of SA Prize Most Outstanding Knitted, Crocheted or Woven Exhibit 16 to 19 Years of Age Most Outstanding Knitted, Crocheted or Woven Exhibit 16 to 19 Years of Age.
Special Award - The SA Country Women's Association Inc - State Handicraft Committee Prize Most Outstanding Embroidery Exhibit for Exhibitors 15 to 16 Years of Age Most Outstanding Embroidery Exhibit for Exhibitors 15 to 16 Years of Age.
Special Award - The Sue Dinning Prize Most Outstanding Embroidery Exhibit Most Outstanding Embroidery Exhibit.
Special Award - The Sue Dinning Prize Most Outstanding Knitting, Crochet or Woven Exhibit Overall Most Outstanding Knitting, Crochet or Woven Exhibit Overall.
Special Award - The Smallacombe Real Estate Prize Most Outstanding Garment or Article Overall Most Outstanding Garment or Article Overall.

Tempe (Year 11) who competed at the FISAF (Federation of International Sport Aerobics and Fitness) competition last week on the Gold Coast. Tempe placed first in the Junior National Grande Fitness section.

Lotus (Year 11) who competed at the FISAF (Federation of International Sport Aerobics and Fitness) competition last week on the Gold Coast. Lotus placed third in the Sport Aerobic National Trio section.

Sebi and Kenolee (Year 7) who are State Finalists in the Prime Minister's Spelling Bee. The girls will compete in the coming weeks for a place in the Nationals.

Kate (Year 10) who received the following awards at the Royal Adelaide Show

First Place - Brownies
Fourth Place - Baked Slice, Sweet
Fourth Place - Most Successful Cookery Exhibitor in all Secondary School Classes.
Fourth Place - The Crafers Bakehouse Prize Most Successful School in Junior Cookery
Fourth Place - Most Outstanding Exhibit in Junior Cookery

Keira (Year 11) who placed third with her knitting at the Royal Adelaide Show.

Ebony (Year 8) who placed second in the sewing a garment category at the Royal Adelaide Show.

Well done girls!

Our MacKillop Canteen once again received the highest food safety rating, an excellent achievement. Congratulations Jayne and thank you for all your hard work!

Please click here to see the new Canteen Menu available now.

Girl Power are holding two friendship-themed workshops in the October school holidays. The workshops will be facilitated by Girl Power Workshops founder, Joni Combe, who has a background as a qualified and experienced teacher and has also studied Counselling and Positive Psychology.

The Friendship Rocks Girl Power workshops will take place in Norwood on the following dates:
Tuesday 8th October 1.30am - 4.30pm (10-12 yrs)
Wednesday 9th October 9.30 - 12.30pm (13-15 yrs)

In these half-day workshops, the essential elements of healthy and supportive friendships will be explored. They will focus on how to make new friends, build trust, set boundaries, communicate effectively and strategies to manage conflict. The workshop for teens will also cover online interaction. The topics will be explored through fun activities that encourage teamwork and self-reflection, helping each girl recognise the value of kindness, mutual respect and staying true to one's own values.

For more details, including how to book your ticket, please visit the following website:

https://www.girlpowerworkshops.com.au/holiday-weekend-workshops

Domenique Violi
College Counsellor

Celebrating 80 Years of Josephite secondary education in Kensington

Our 2024 Annual Dinner, celebrating 80 years of Josephite secondary education in Kensington, promises to be a night to remember!

Friday 27 September 2024, 6pm for a tour of the College, 7pm onwards in the College Gymnasium.

$49 per person includes a drink on arrival, tapas, paella and dessert.

All graduating year levels, current and past staff and community members are invited to join us, so get your friends together and we will see you there!

For any queries please contact curriculum@marymackillop.sa.edu.au

For bookings, please click here.

Girls in Years 3 and 4 - Thursday 31 October or Friday 1 November 2024

Join us for a day of Netball fun!
Learn new skills in footwork, agility, shooting, passing and defending.
Led by experienced coaches and Senior Netball students at the College.
Plus, we've got you covered with recess and lunch provided.
All you need to bring is your enthusiasm and a trusty drink bottle.
Hurry, places are limited!
Secure your place by completing the form below:

Girls in Years 3 and 4:
www.marymackillop.sa.edu.au/netball

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 3 Tour:
Wednesday 11 September 5.00pm

Term 4 Tour:
Wednesday 6 November 9.30am

Book Now

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.