From the Principal

The past few weeks have seen our MacKillop girls involved in many activities and events and reading this newsletter should find you absorbed in the life of the College. A highlight for me has been the students stepping into opportunities to lead the school. We held our Year 7 Transition Information Evening which was led by Year 8 students. Milly, Felicia, Ella, Jana, Janine and Amelie prepared the meeting with Ida Parente and then proceeded to welcome families and students with the confidence of a teacher and the warmth of a student. 

One of the components of my role, as I discuss subject selections with students, is to also consider post school pathways. The options for students and the diversity of opportunities in further study is endless. Current research suggests our young people are much more likely than previous generations to have several careers and may be more likely to deal with contract work and possibly even manage several part time positions at once. The world of work is a rapidly changing space and encouraging our students to be aware of the myriad of opportunities is important.

On Wednesday 27 September, twelve excited Year 10 students travelled to Flinders University to take part in the Chemical Murder Mystery workshop.

We viewed and carried out a number of different chemical experiments using a range of analytical techniques and tools to help us to figure out what happened to a missing university professor and to determine who killed him.

Last Thursday, Mary MacKillop College was a buzz with activity as the Year 9 and 10 Drama students and the Drama Club performed in the Drama Showcase for their families, friends and teachers. Our Auditorium was bursting at the seams with talent. It was a wonderfully entertaining evening of laughter and applause.

On Sunday 29 October,  a number of our MacKillop girls offered their Sunday afternoon to assist at the Mary MacKillop Museum Redevelopment Project Garden Party. They served the delicious food, sang beautiful songs and were wonderful ambassadors for our College. This week we received a thank you from Sr Mary Ryan saying the following:

"We are so grateful for your support for our Museum redevelopment project, not only last, but over the months, indeed it’s now years, since we set out on this journey. It’s been a long haul, and we’re not there yet!

On Tuesday 31 October, the College Gymnasium came alive with a mixture of culture, history, tears, music and joy at the annual Collage of Migration Display. Once again, the Year 10 students of Italian from Rostrevor College joined the Year 10 students of Italian from Mary MacKillop College in sharing the stories of migrants. From the outset, the students have embraced the unit of work on migration from learning about the history of Italian migration to Australia to interviewing their migrant to collating their poster. Their hard work and commitment resulted in a very successful Collage of Migration.

All College fees should be paid in full by 15 November 2017 unless an alternative payment plan was negotiated with us.  If you have any concerns about payments please contact the Finance Office on 8333 6300.

Rosette de los Reyes
Director of Business and Finance

A Prayer for our Yr 12 Students
Gracious God, we ask that you grant our Yr 12 students the gifts of peace and calm during  their examination. Help them to do their best so that they can reap the rewards of their study. Help them also to be true friends and a support to one another. Allow them to give you the gift of their work, so that they can use their talents now and in the future in your service. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

“Gratitude is the memory of the heart” Mary MacKillop 1907

At Mary MacKillop College we deeply value the spiritual development of our students. We value the times where we unite to celebrate and develop our faith.

During this term, we have joined together as a school community to farewell the Year 12 students by celebrating a Mass at historic St Ignatius Church. The students received a special blessing by our College Chaplin, Fr Joseph Dooley and the College community prayed that they will always remember to walk in God’s love and in the spirit of Australia’s first Saint, Mary MacKillop.

Spring Poetry Competition
“Poetry is painting that speaks.” Plutarch

Early in Semester 2 students from Years 8 – 11 undertook a poetry writing fest in their English classes as an extension of their poetry studies. Students were encouraged to transfer what they had learnt about various poets, their subject matters, their stylistic features and language, to create their own “paintings” which “spoke”. With students having free reign of their writing, many evocative and insightful poems were created.

On Friday 3 November, we celebrated the Year 12 Art Show. Families, students, teachers and members of the community enjoyed the beautiful artwork on display. The artwork demonstrated in-depth studies of the lives of these students. The Year 12s explored powerful imagery, which was evident in topics such as family, life, illness, nature, beauty and the human struggle.

Take part in a nationwide STEM outreach program for Year 9 and 10 students in 2017.

University of Adelaide
Discover the diverse and amazing career opportunities in both engineering and science whilst undertaking a wide range of hands-on activities such as digital design, making DC motors, Chromatography and understanding interactions of sound waves.

Flinders University
Experience three days of interactive activities on campus. Get hands on in our labs, experience a university style lecture and be challenged to extend yourself and explore the amazing world of science and technology.

University of South Australia
Be exposed to the teaching and research being undertaken in the areas of science, technology, engineering and health with a range of workshops and activities.
 

6 November SACE Exams begin
15 November Year 8 Transition Day, 9am - 1pm
22 November Principal's Twilight Tour, 5pm
24 November Year 12 Graduation Dinner

 

Parents and friends are invited to volunteer in the canteen which is a great opportunity to broaden friendships and enhance the environment for our MacKillop girls. If you are able to join our happy crew of volunteers, by helping for a few hours, from as little as once a month to weekly or daily, our Canteen Manager Narelle Matthews would love to hear from you!

You can phone her at the College on 8333 6300 until 2.30pm or on 8263 2423 after 5pm.