Newsletter - T3, W4 - 11/8/23
From the Acting Principal
Tell Them From Me Surveys
Thank you for all the feedback that was received from parents. A theme of improving communication came through. Improving channels of communication will be a goal moving forward. To start, a procedure outlining how parental concerns can be raised and the channels to do so will be communicated to parents via an email from Heads of House next week.
Year 10 into Year 11
Thank you to all parents of our Year 10 students who attended the College to discuss their student's senior education plan. This is an important part of the process and gives families the opportunity to ask questions and raise any concerns about a students pattern of study. Thank you to Michael Woerner and Nadine Conolly for their work organising the sessions.
Trial Examinations
I would like to wish all our senior students well for the upcoming Trial HSC examinations. It is important that students prepare as best they can to improve confidence and reduce stress. Trial Examinations are important but must be put into context. They are ‘Trial HSC’ examinations. If a student underperforms, it
is not a disaster, if they work hard and use the feedback given, they will be able to improve the result in the HSC examinations.
Casual Positions Available
There are currently positions vacant for the casual staff pool at the College. We are currently seeking applications in the areas of Teaching, Learning Support, Maintenance and Administration. If you have the relevant qualification and or experience in any of these areas and are happy to work on a casual basis, we welcome your application. If you wish to make an application or refer a friend please click here.
Michael Campbell
Acting Principal
Upcoming Dates
Week 5
Tuesday 15/8/23 - Years 10-12 Assumption Mass
Tuesday 15/8/23 - Year 9 Food Studies Excursion, Coolangatta
Tuesday 15/8/23 - Female Tradies "Girls Can Tool"
Thursday 17/8/23 - Secondary Schools Rugby 7's Round 2, Woodlawn
Friday 18/8/23 - Diocesan North Touch Football, Ballina
Friday 18/8/23 - Fuse Cup "Rocket League" Lindisfarne Grammar
Week 6
Monday 21/8/23 - CC Trial Exams 21-25 August 2023
Tuesday 22/8/23 - Health Pathways, SCU Lismore
Wednesday 23/8/23 - Diocesan Athletics, Coffs Harbour
Wednesday 23/8/23 to Friday 25/8/23 - Year 9 Camp Kokoda
Thursday 24/8/23 - U14 Rugby 7's Gala Day, SCU Lismore
Thursday 24/8/23 to Friday 25/8/23 - SHINE Gathering, Coffs Harbour
Parish Mass Times
Weekend Mass
Saturday 5.00pm
Sunday 8.00am
Weekdays
Monday 9.00am
Tuesday 8.00am
Wednesday 8.00am
Thursday 9.00 am
Friday 9.00 am
Saturday 9.00am
Adoration
Following 9.00 am Mass Saturday
Reconciliation
Saturday 8.30am - 9.00am
Country Mass
Bonalbo - 10.30am Sunday 13/8/23
Mission Team
Mission
This Week our College celebrated the Feast Day of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop. Our students were invited to reflect on the remarkable life of this inspiring woman whose devotion and dedication continue to inspire countless individuals. We gathered as a College Community on Wednesday, 9 August 2023 and celebrated the life and contribution of St Mary MacKillop. Mary was a model of humility and simplicity. A woman of deep faith who placed her trust in God. Mary valued education and empowerment. She stood as a defender of the poor and needy. She was a person in whom the weak could seek refuge and find counsel. Her life exemplifies the notion that challenges can become opportunities for growth and transformation, provided we have faith and trust in a higher purpose. Let us all draw on the strength of Mary Mackillop in times of adversity.
Loving God, we thank you for the example of Mary MacKillop who, in her living of the Gospel, witnessed the human dignity of each person. She faced life’s challenges with faith and courage. We pray through her intercession for our needs. May her holiness inspire us to be people of hope, love and forgiveness.
Amen.
Clare Axman
Assistant Principal - Mission
Evangelisation
Festa Christi
Our Festa Christi students had a wonderful experience at Coffs Harbour last week. The students showcased their bravery as they completed challenges such as the commando course, ladder logs and the giant swing. Well done to these students for embracing their faith and having an amazing time. Thank you Ms McDougall and Mr Dwyer for accompanying our students.
Year 12 Mass
Our Year 12 students gathered with the Parish on Friday to participate in prayer before their upcoming examinations. This was also an opportunity for our students to thank Fr Peter for the pivotal role he has played in their education and spiritual journey. Our Captains shared a reflection at the conclusion of this service paying homage to Fr Peter. Our Captains reflected on the role of the Parish throughout their education journey and thanked all parishioners for their generosity, hospitality and prayers. “These are the pews where we were welcomed into the Church and witnessed our peers encounter Christ at different moments as our journeys are all unique. These are the pews where we sat as we graduated year 6 and moved off to high school. These are the pews where we listened, we prayed and we learnt the art of contemplation. At every step of our journey we were never alone, we walked with Christ, but we also shared our journey with Fr Peter. Fr Peter has been our parish priest for our entire education journey.” We are so grateful for the role that Fr Peter plays in our students lives, teaching them to encounter Christ with each other and in the world around them.
Mackillop House Mass
This term we will be celebrating our MacKillop House and their families by joining with the Parish community for Mass and supper. We would love to see our MacKillop families and staff come along. Students from other house groups are welcome to attend. Mass is at 5pm with supper served in the Church grounds directly after Mass.
Mahaila Day
Leader of School Evangelisation
Learning & Teaching Team
HSC Trail Exams
A reminder to all stage students and parents that the HSC Trial Exams are taking place in Week 6. Students were given the exam timetable a few weeks ago, this was then emailed home via Compass to all Stage 6 parents.
If a student is going to be absent from an exam, please make sure the office is informed so that we know of their absence. A medical certificate is required for illness.
A Change to Transition Week
Transition week is held in Term 4, Week 5. It has been put into place to allow the College to transition from one academic year to the next 4 weeks before the end of the calendar school year. We have this in place because of our compressed curriculum and the need to begin courses earlier than the start of the next year.
Traditionally transition week has consisted of Monday and Tuesday being student free days and Reach Out activities being conducted from Wednesday to Friday. Due to the changing nature of society in a post COVID world, we are no longer able to complete Reach Out activities in large groups the way we have done in the past. This means that transition week will need to look very different for SMCC moving forward.
The College has decided to focus more predominantly on learning and teaching during this week, and then better incorporate Reach Out activities and opportunities throughout the school year for students.
For students in years 7-9:
Monday and Tuesday - Student Free Days
Wednesday to Friday - Students and parents are invited to meet with homeroom teachers for a Learning Conversation focusing on national skills and learning habits from this year, and what students and the College can do to improve learning in 2024.
For Year 10 students:
Monday and Tuesday - Student Free Days
Wednesday - Senior Retreat Day
Thursday - All My Own Work and Stage 6 skills day
Friday - Student Free Day
For Year 11 Students:
Monday and Tuesday - Student Free Days
Wednesday to Friday - Senior Retreat
The College wants to further engage parents in learning conversations and continue to foster a partnership between school and home in order to better serve student learning. We believe this is a way we can start a positive conversation around learning, one that is valued by parents, teachers and students. These learning conversations will focus on positive movement and learning growth in 2024. They will be looking forward and not backwards. They will not be focusing on behaviour, but on skills and knowledge.
More information will be forthcoming in future newsletters.
Nadine Connolly
Assistant Principal - Learning and Teaching
Catholic Schools Debating Association
On Tuesday, 8 August 2023, the College was proud to have 6 students compete in the Catholic Schools Debating Association competition. After a huge 16 hour day attending MacKillop College in Port Macquarie (with a 3am start for some of our team members), we are very happy with our efforts across the board. Our Year 8 team walked away with 1 out of 3 wins and Year 9, 2 out of 3 wins. Unfortunately neither team will progress any further this year but this has not dampened our spirits or excitement for debate. We would like to thank Ms McDougall and Mr Lisetto for giving up their time to plan for and take us to this event and our host school MacKillop Catholic College for their hospitality.
Che McDougall
Teacher
Sports News
Port Macquarie Diocesan Basketball
This week we had two Year 9 and 10 Basketball teams travel down to Port Macquarie to compete in the Diocesan Basketball competition. Many of these students had minimal experience playing basketball, however were able to transfer athleticism and were competitive in the competition.
The girls played four games, and walked away with one win. They had a narrow loss to Trinity, St Joseph’s Regional College and John Paul College, Coffs. In our final game we secured a close victory against Mt St Pat’s Murwillumbah 32-26. There were many highlights, however the individual growth in each of the students was incredible. The sportsmanship that our girls displayed should be commended. A special mention must go to Zubaida Soliman who was our MVP and even shot an impressive 3-pointer under pressure. Over the three days the girls made lifelong memories and friendships, and developed new skills which I can't wait to see the girls continue to refine.
Our other team, the year 9/10 boys also competed in Port Macquarie for the Diocese basketball tournament over the two days.
Tuesday morning was an early start to prepare for our first game against Woodlawn. The boys were super competitive, with Billy McGrath getting us off to a great start, hitting some 3 three-pointers. Unfortunately, Woodlawn came back late in the game to get a narrow win. Our next two games were against tough competition in Mount St Patrick College and MacKillop College. Some standouts across these games were Ashton Marques and Ben George, who showed off their scoring and passing skills—a special shoutout to Tom Ainsworth, who scored back-to-back three pointers and Brodie Formaggin for hitting a deep 3 against MacKillop.
The Boys returned to the court on Wednesday, determined to get a victory in our final match against St Joseph’s Regional College. Ryley Marsden got the team off to a great start with his scoring and some strong rebounding. Off the back of some great defence from Angus Lawler and scoring for Jack Walker, the boys got a well-deserved victory to finish the tournament.
Overall, the boys competed at a very high level and should be very proud of their performances.
The students would like to thank Ms Mahaila Day for coaching the girls team and Mr Andrew Fitness and Ryan Everson for coaching the boys team. A special shoutout to Ms Day and Mr Everson for the summary of the trip.
Upcoming Sport
Term 3 SMCC has:
- Touch Football - 15s and Opens boys and girls - Friday, 18 August 2023 - Week 5 - Ballina
- Open Girls Rugby 7’s (Round 2) - Thursday, 17 August 2023 - Week 5
- Diocesan Athletics - Wednesday, 23 August 2023 - Week 6 - Coffs Harbour
- U/14s Rugby 7’s - Thursday, 24 August 2023 - Week 6 - Lismore
SMCC Representative sport
Students and families are reminded that when representing the College at any sporting event, that students must wear the full College sport uniform. This means that students are not permitted to wear casual jumpers, hats, track pants or shoes or socks. Students that fail to adhere to the College uniform policy whilst representing SMCC in sport will be asked not to attend. The purpose of this policy is to present as a team and show pride in our school. Any questions please direct them to the College Sport Coordinator Andy Fitness.
Weekly School Sport
A reminder to students and families that students are to wear the correct sport uniform on Thursday’s for weekly sport. Students are not permitted to wear black socks or canvas shoes and must adhere to the College’s uniform policy.
The College wishes to promote sport in a safe and positive manner and this begins with the correct uniform.
Andrew Fitness
Sports Coordinator
Canteen
Volunteers
We are looking for volunteers to assist in the Canteen. Please contact the Canteen via the College office if you are available at any time to help.
Flexischools
Flexischools is a well-established organisation allowing you to easily place all your canteen orders online at any time.
Download the Flexischools app from the App store or Google Play. Click here for details on how to set up your account.
Once registered, you can start placing orders immediately.
Please note that sushi orders will need to be placed before Tuesday afternoon at 1pm as Sushi will only be available for Wednesday orders.
There is a charge of $0.29 per order for using this service.
If you have any questions, please contact the Flexischools Customer Service Team via their website contact page.
The normal process of ordering from the canteen (cash, eftpos, morning lunch orders) is still available.
Uniform Shop
Uniform Shop Opening Hours
Tuesdays 3.00pm to 4.15pm
Thursdays 1.30pm to 4.15pm
The Uniform Shop service is a cashless service. Methods of payment are by EFTPOS or online ordering via Flexischools. No fees are charged to families for using the Flexischools service.
Please note the following information for orders made via this service:
Tuesday Orders
- Cut off time is 12 noon on Monday
- Pick up available from the College office on Tuesday afternoon from 3.30pm - 4.15.00pm
Thursday Orders
- Cut off time is 12 noon on Wednesday
- Pick up available from the College office on Thursday afternoon from 3.30pm - 4.15pm.
Orders not collected will be given to the student to take home.
Whilst all care will be taken to ensure that stock availability is correct at the time of ordering, there may be some items that are not in stock at the time of packing the online orders. In this case, you will be contacted to advise of an estimated time of arrival for new stock of that item or given the option of a refund processed through Flexischools.
All uniform shop order enquiries can be emailed to: cash-uniform@lism.catholic.
Second Hand Uniforms
Sustainable School Shop is an online shop dedicated to buying and selling of second hand uniforms. For more information ring 1300683337 or visit www.sustainableschoolshop.com.au.
Please note that this facility is available for use with the new College uniforms only.