11 August 2025

News from the College Principal, Mrs Janelle Newman

Newsletter – Term 3 Week 5 2025

Dear MacKillop Families,

Term 3 has certainly started with gusto! We have celebrated NAIDOC week, Catholic Education Week, the Feast Day of Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop, and now Science Week. 

The theme for NAIDOC WEEK this year was "The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy" and focusses on the contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, particularly the next generation of leaders, and the importance of their culture, history, and achievements. Both our NAIDOC assemblies were attended by our Gumuy elder, Uncle Neville Fourmile, and our students very much enjoyed his sharing of culture and story.

During CATHOLIC EDUCATION WEEK, several students accompanied Ms Harris and I to mass at St Monica’s Cathedral on Thursday. During this week, we recognised staff members who were nominated for the Docemus and/or Spirit of Catholic Education awards by their colleagues for demonstrating an outstanding commitment to the vision of Catholic Education. We congratulate and thank the following people for their dedication and service to MacKillop.

• Donna Morrison – College Cleaner – Spirit of Catholic Education Award
• Rebecca Flockhart – Leader of Pathways - Spirit of Catholic Education Award
• Caitlin O’Meara – Deputy Principal – Head of Primary – Docemus and Spirit of Catholic Education Award
• Jarrah Nobes – Student Learning Assistant – Docemus and Spirit of Catholic Education Award
• Paul Robjent – Facilities Manager – Docemus
• Mel Hargest – Student Learning Assistant – Docemus and Spirit of Catholic Education Award
• Katherine Nesbit – Enrolments Officer– Docemus and Spirit of Catholic Education Award

We also had our Primary Grandparents Prayer Assembly which was a beautiful liturgy recognising and thanking our Grandparents and Grandfriends for all they do for us. We had our Catholic Education Week Lunch on the Lawn. This was another fantastic example of our wonderful community, with families and children from across our College joining us. The Flora’s Café food platters were a huge hit!

We also held our first ‘Vinnies Sleepout’ and participated for the first time as a College in the ‘Relay for Life’. Both of these activities raised important funds for worthy causes – I was very proud of our students who slept rough & literally walked in Jesus’ shoes to support the needy and sick in our community.

Janelle Relay for Life 1 (side by side); Janelle Relay for Life 2 (side by side)

Last week, we celebrated the Feast Day of Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop. Mary was the co-founder of the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart, who fought for the poor and marginalised in colonial Australia. At MacKillop, we try to live our lives in the way of Mary MacKillop – our MacKillop Way. We want our students to know the importance of helping those in need and standing up for what's right. Mary’s story and charism inspire us to be our best learner and our best person – to respect, support and help all those who cross our paths. During our Feast Day celebrations, we recognised those staff and students in our community who ‘treat others fairly and are inclusive and respectful in their interaction with other students and staff, contributing to the community spirit of the College’. We congratulate the following:

This week, we celebrate National Science Week. There are many activities organised, the greatest of these being the our Young Scientist Primary afternoon, and the Secondary STEAM event on Tuesday afternoon. We are blessed at MacKillop to have so many passionate and enthusiastic staff members who dedicate their time to pass on their knowledge and enthusiasm to our students every day.

We are currently finalising our 2026 enrolments for Prep and Year 7, and we are beginning to review applications and waitlists for other Year Levels. If you have not yet completed your application for 2026, please submit through our online form as soon as possible.

Parents will notice that they are now receiving more Parent Slip emails, requesting consent for activities and excursions outside of College grounds. This change is in alignment with Catholic Education Diocese of Cairns (CEDC)’s guidelines and procedures. Parents/Legal Guardians will still also receive a Parent Slip for any internal activity that requires parent consent such as ‘Survive 25’ and ‘Blurred Minds Workshops’ presentations.

Our Whole College focusses continue into this term. Students will be exposed to these each fortnight through Homeform and as appropriate throughout their lessons. These will continue to be shared via our College social media accounts, including articles and SchoolTV episodes for our families to utilise. Please discuss and reinforce these concepts with your child/ren as this will support our work at the College, to develop some very important personal, interpersonal, workplace and life skills.

As an educational institution, we have many mandatory processes and procedures to ensure and maintain the welfare and safety of our children. You will had heard that the Australian Government is currently seeking to introduce guidelines for the use of social media through parliament. This change aims to strengthen existing measures for protecting young users, especially where there are particular risks associated with accessing potentially harmful social media content and features. The eSafety Commissioner has published an article that provides us with some very important and useful information. It can be found on the website by clicking on the image below.

As a parent, if you have any concerns about your child, whether this be online or at school, please remember your first port-of-call is your child’s classroom teacher (Primary) or Pastoral Advisor (Secondary). You can also encourage your child to speak with their Pastoral Head of Year or one of our Child Protection Contacts.

For more serious or ongoing matters, please contact:

Primary
Deputy Principal, Ms Caitlin O’Meara

Secondary
Deputy Principal, Ms Melissa Headridge
Assistant Principal – Students, Mr David Christopher
College Principal, Mrs Janelle Newman – principal.mountpeter@cns.catholic.edu.au 

Kind Regards.

Janelle Newman
College Principal

News from the Deputy Principal –Primary, Ms Caitlin O’Meara

Dear MacKillop families

We have started our second semester off with quite a lot to celebrate! Our students have returned to school ready and rearing for a term of rigorous learning and personal growth.

Our Prep’s are 100 Days Smarter!

Our Prep’s celebrated their very first 100 days of learning on Tuesday, Week 2 where students and families created outstanding t-shirts to celebrate their first 100 days of school and engaged in various activities throughout the day.

Camp Patterson

On the first three days back of Term 3, our Year 6 students attend Camp Patterson, where they participated in leadership and team building activities such as; Plugga, Canoeing, Obstacle courses, building survival shelters, trivia, damper making and self-reflecting during a liturgy around the fire. A big thank you to Ms Cahill, Mrs Scholes, Ms McDonell, Mrs Caferra, Ms Montague, Mr Brommel and Mr Duda for making the Year 6 camp an eventful experience for our students.

Faith, Hope and Love

In Week 3, we celebrated Catholic Education week. The theme for this year was, Communities of Faith, Hope and Love. We are truly blessed at MacKillop to have an abundance of exceptional educators and staff who continually show up for our school community each day, dedicated to providing an education where our children are loved, challenged and guided to reach their full potential.

This year we are fortunate to have quite a few staff who have been recognised by their colleagues for their outstanding contribution to Catholic Education. A big congratulations to the following staff for being nominated for a Spirit of Catholic Education Award (SOCE) and/ or Docemus award.

• Mrs Donna Morrison (Docemus)
• Ms Jarrah Nobes (SOCE + Docemus)
• Mrs Rebecca Flockhart (Docemus)
• Mrs Katherine Nesbit (SOCE + Docemus)
• Mrs Mel Hargest (SOCE + Docemus)
• Mr Paul Robjent (Docemus)

NAIDOC Week

For NAIDOC week, each class created their own Deadly Door to celebrate and learn more about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture. During class and at lunch times, students have engaged in various First Nation inspired activities such as rock painting, card scratching and dot painting.

Feast of Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop

Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop, for whom our College is named after, was committed to creating an education that provided each child the opportunity and prospect of optimism and hope. Mary MacKillop demonstrated her faith, through her everyday interactions of word and deed. We celebrated her legacy and service to Catholic education last week. As we celebrated Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop’s legacy we also acknowledge both students and staff who have been nominated by their teachers and colleagues as living in the footsteps of Mary MacKillop.

NAPLAN

All Year 3 and Year 5 families would have received a hard copy of your child’s NAPLAN results for 2025. NAPLAN is a tool we use as a school to understand how our students are progressing at MacKillop, within the Diocese and at Nation level in both literacy and numeracy. As a College, we analyse our results, celebrate the areas of growth and strategically plan goals for future improvement regarding teaching and learning at MacKillop.

Reboot

This semester, we have introduced the resource Reboot within our Primary sector. Reboot creates calm brain-friendly learning environments with actively engaged learners. Reboot focuses on behaviour development and builds the skills critical to learning success; self-regulation, problem solving, metacognition and learning ownership. Help everyone develop the key social and emotional, and learning-how-to-learn skills needed to be both willing and capable of making the most of learning opportunities. This semester, our students have been introduced to the 3 brains and 5 faces.

Following the neuro-sequential development of the brain, Reboot works through the priority needs of the 3 Brains ensuring that we feed the regulation needs of the Wild Brain (safety, connection, rhythm and predictability) and then Emotional Brain’s need for connection (positive relationships and experiences) to enable access to the fragile Smart Brain centres of higher order thinking to find reason in any situation.

Self-regulation is a key developmental life and learning skill. Self-regulation enables a person to identify how they feel and respond appropriately.

There are 3 key steps in the self-regulation process:

1. Identifying emotions and feelings.
2. Use a strategy to manage and improve the feeling or emotion.
3. Respond appropriately to the situation.

A friendly reminder to ensure you are continually keeping an eye on our live calendar on the Parent Portal.

Kind Regards,

Caitlin O’Meara
Deputy Principal – Primary

News from the Deputy Principal –Secondary, Ms Melissa Headridge

Dear MacKillop Families,

Participation and Service

This term, our focus has been on the theme of “Participation and Service, Recognising and using our God-given gifts to serve and care for others.” This message is central to the values we share as a school community. Inspired by Saint Mary MacKillop’s powerful words, “never see a need without doing something about it”, we are encouraging students to make small, intentional choices to help build a kinder, more connected school community.

We know our young people are navigating a lot, school, friendships, social media, identity, and their future. Helping them see where service and contribution fit into that can be powerful. Here are some low-pressure ways to start meaningful conversations:

• “Did you notice anyone today who looked like they were struggling—maybe someone sitting alone or a classmate having a rough time?”
  (Promotes empathy and awareness in their school environment.)

• “What do you think matters more—being popular or being kind?”
  (A great conversation in the age of likes, followers, and comparison.)

These conversations don’t have to be formal or forced. They work best in casual moments—on the drive home, while doing errands, or during downtime at home. The goal is to gently help teens see that participation and service aren't “extra”—they're part of living with purpose, even in everyday moments.

Year 10 Subject Selection Evening

One of the highlights of the term so far has been the Year 10 Subject Selection Afternoon, which was a fabulous success. It was a great opportunity for parents and students to speak with our Heads of Department and senior teachers, gaining valuable insights into the various subject offerings available for senior years. We were also pleased to welcome external providers, who provided a wealth of information regarding post-school pathways and career options. We now look ahead to SEP Interviews in Week 5, where students and parents will discuss goals, results, and subject choices. Booking details will be shared this week, with final subject selections confirmed through this important process.

Important Information for Year 11 and Year 12 Students: Assessment Extensions and Illness

For students in Years 11 and 12, all assessments are governed by the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA), which requires strict procedures for managing missed assessments.

If a student is absent on the day of an exam or cannot submit an assignment due to illness or other valid reasons, they must formally apply for Access Arrangements and Reasonable Adjustments (AARA). Simply submitting a medical certificate is not enough, students need to clearly state that they wish to apply for an AARA so the process can begin.

A medical certificate must specify that the student was unfit to attend on the specific assessment day. Students should contact their Head of Year or the Deputy Principal Secondary as soon as possible to start the application process. Late submissions without an approved AARA cannot be marked, in line with QCAA guidelines.

Extension forms and relevant paperwork are available from reception. Please note, family holidays are not eligible for AARA or extensions.

Sun Safety Reminder

At MacKillop, we are encouraging all students wear their hats to protect themselves from the sun during outdoor activities. Please ensure your child has both their formal hat and sports hat, and that each hat is clearly labelled with their name. This helps us return any lost hats quickly. It’s important to remember that students without a hat won’t be allowed on the oval during breaks. Wearing a hat is a simple but essential step in keeping our students safe from harmful UV rays while enjoying their time outside. Thanks for your support in helping us keep everyone sun-safe!

Father’s Day Stall

Our P & F Father’s Day Stall is happening in Week 8 on Wednesday, 3rd September and Thursday, 4th September. Secondary students are welcome to visit the stall during lunch to purchase special gifts for their dads or father figures.

Student Free Day

Please note that Friday, 5th September is a student free day. There will be no classes on this day, so please make arrangements accordingly.

God Bless,

Melissa Headridge
Deputy Principal – Secondary

News from the Deputy Principal – Identity and Outreach, Miss Anna Harris

Religious Life of the College

It has been a spirit-filled start to Term 3, with many community, outreach and liturgical celebrations happening around our wonderful College.

Term 3 Charity Focus – Cancer Council

Term 3’s charity focus is the Cancer Council. Thank you to our Hospitality Department for kick-starting our fundraising with the Biggest Morning Tea at the Athletics Carnival last term. The fund and awareness-raising will continue throughout the term – in particularly through the promotion of sun-safe practices and our participation in Relay for Life last weekend - and our upcoming Daffodil Day fundraiser.

Year 6 Camp Liturgy – God is Light; We are Light!

Our Year 6 cohort gathered in Week 1, while at Camp Patterson to unpack the concept of light. This was a lovely liturgical celebration where all students respectfully participated and took on roles to ensure a meaningful experience was had by all. The liturgy culminated with the Year 6 Cohort proudly singing and dancing to My Lighthouse around the campfire! This was a truly special moment.

NAIDOC Week and First Nations Committee

We celebrated NAIDOC Week in Week 2 through our respective Primary and Secondary assemblies,  our Deadly Door Competition and a variety of sport, art and cultural activities across the week. We were fortunate to have Yidinji elder, Uncle Neville Reys join us for our celebrations and share his wisdom with us.

We also formed our First Nations Committee, made up of students, staff, parents and community members. The purpose of this committee is to ensure that our College continues to grow and foster a culturally responsive and safe environment for all students, promotes inclusion, and that First Nations perspectives are authentically integrated into curriculum and school life.

Catholic Education Week

Catholic Education Week is held every year in Week 3 of Term 3. This year, we celebrated this significant occasion through various activities, including the Year 12-led Primary Disco, the Secondary St Vinnie’s Sleep Out and our inaugural Lunch on the Lawn. Our student leaders also proudly represent the College at the Diocesan Catholic Education Week Mass at St Monica’s Cathedral. The week of celebrations culminated with the Diocesan Docemus Awards. We congratulate all our worthy community members who were nominated for both Docemus and Spirit of Catholic Education awards.

Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop Feast Day

On Friday 8^th August we celebrated the Feast of Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop. This is the pinnacle of our liturgical calendar – and was marked by a full day of activities for our community, including Feast Liturgies, year level service activities and games, and culminated with our inaugural Hopeful Hymn Competition. Our College spirit shone brightly and much fun was had!

Australian Catholic Education Conference Mass

We are very proud to have some of our student leaders taking on key roles at the ACEC Mass. This year marks the first time that this conference has been held in Cairns – and our leaders have collaborated with consultants from Catholic Education Diocese of Cairns to co-create the Prayers of the Faithfull, also to be led by our leaders at the mass next week.

Year 12 Legacy Builders Retreat

In Week 7, our Year 12 Cohort will participate in the Legacy Builders Retreat, to be held at the Cairns Colonial Club. This formative experience will focus on the legacy that the cohort has and continues to build as our first graduates at MacKillop. It will involve a combination of spiritual, reflective, team-building and challenge-based sessions.

Year 5 Courage to Lead Retreat Day

In Week 7, our Year 5 Cohort will participate in their Courage to Lead retreat day at Seville Conference Centre. The aim of this significant day of spiritual and formative activities is to prepare the students for their leadership journey in Year 6.

Year 7 Never See a Need Retreat Day

Our Year 7 cohort will participate in their Never See a Need Retreat in Week 9. Held at Seville Mercy Centre, this this retreat focusses on service and outreach and is facilitated collaboratively with the Youth Engagement team from St Vincent de Paul Society.

God bless,

Anna Harris
Deputy Principal – Identity and Outreach

News from the Assistant Principal – Students, Mr David Christopher

Dear Parents and Carers,

Classrooms are settled, attendance is up, and we have seen great growth with school culture. As we reach week 5 of Term 3, although still busy, the general feeling is very positive. Friday marked the ‘Feast of Mary’ celebration, and our students really brought their best. Our secondary program started with activities like, Just Dance, volleyball and relays. Then we gave back to the community through our service activities, helping others by creating cards, gift packs and gifting time. After recess we celebrated through liturgy and our Saint Mary of the Cross Awards. Our Hopeful Hymn competition really exceeded expectations with the Year 12s performing a well-rehearsed rendition of Hearts on Fire and the Year 11s were at another level harmonising to their own version of Our God is an Awesome God.

On Wednesday, 06 August 2025 it was my privilege to attend our student’s QATSIF Scholarships graduation ceremony at James Cook University. And we congratulate Kyshara A, Michelle C, Taya F, Georgina L and Khenyan W on their achievement.

In our Pastoral program, our Year 10, 11 & 12 students have explored the Blurred Minds Academy with Griffith University, and the effects of Vaping, Alcohol and Drug use, and Health Education. Next week we have Luke McKenna, and his team visit with our Year 8 and Year 9 to embark on the Unleashing Personal Potential journey. It is all about the power of YET.

Finally, we do ask for some support from families in the uniform and jewellery space. Our rule at the College is no facial piercings (page 20 student diary). However, students can wear a clear spacer. Please ensure that your child adheres to this uniform guideline and thank you for your support.

Kind Regards,

David Christopher
Acting Assistant Principal - Students

News from the Assistant Principal – Administration, Ms Rebecca Flockhart

Dear MacKillop Parents and Carers,

From the Heart of Our College

The past few weeks at MacKillop Catholic College have been a vibrant celebration of learning, connection, and community spirit. Our students have been active on and off the field, representing the College with pride in a variety of sporting events including TCS competitions, futsal, cricket, volleyball, and the ever-spirited Fowler’s Cup. Each game was a testament to teamwork, perseverance, and sportsmanship.

We also embraced the joy of coming together for Catholic Education Week, beginning with a special staff breakfast in gratitude for the dedication and passion of our teachers and support staff. This spirit of celebration continued as we marked the Feast Day of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, a moment to reflect on her enduring example of faith, courage, and service.

It has been a pleasure to welcome new staff to our College family, and we have already been enriched by the fresh perspectives and talents they bring. Our secondary students engaged thoughtfully with the Blurred Minds presentations, exploring important messages about informed decision-making and wellbeing.

Community connection has been at the heart of our recent gatherings, from sharing stories and meals at our Community Lunch on the Lawn, to the joy-filled Grandparents Day Assembly. Our students spoke warmly of the many things they love about their grandparents, with “food” and “hugs” topping the list — a heart-warming reminder of the simple gifts that mean the most.

The College remains a hive of activity as we look ahead to a successful Science Week, brimming with curiosity, creativity, and discovery.

At MacKillop, we are proud to be a place where hearts, minds, and spirits are inspired each day — truly living The MacKillop Way: respect, engagement, and personal best.

Kind Regards,

Rebecca Flockhart
Assistant Principal - Administration

Primary News

Prep

Year 1

Year 1 Term 3 Issue 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

Year 5

Year 6

Primary Specialists

Secondary News

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Hello MacKillop families,

We are getting right into the swing of things in the Religion department at this time of the term. Our students in Years 7 to 9 are heading towards their first assessment for Term 3; our Year 10s are exploring the first unit of Religion and Ethics, their senior Religion subject; our Year 11s are at the beginning of their Year 12 unit of work; and our Year 12s have made an exciting start to their Catholic Faith in Action course. Our students have also participated in a variety of extra-curricular activities and events over these past weeks, including the Catholic Education Week Mass at St Monica’s Cathedral; the St Vinnie’s Sleep Out; our Rosies outreach; and our Mary MacKillop Feast Day celebrations, including the Hopeful Hymn competition where each year level serenaded us with their beautiful voices, enthusiastic hand actions, and impressive dance moves.

As we head into the halfway point of the term, please encourage your students to make the most of their class time and the resources available to them so that they can stay on top of their assessment deadlines. I look forward to seeing the amazing works of our students at the end of the term…and hopefully some more dance moves!

Yours in Faith,

Juliana Oswell
Leader – Head of Religious Education

SCIENCE

Greetings Science families of MacKillop,

Selecting The Most Appropriate Senior Subjects

Our recent Year 10 subject selection evening reinforced with me that there will always be ambiguity in the understanding of our learners and their carers of how and why they should select certain subjects in the senior phases of learning. Subject selections relate to the goals and ambitions of our students. The first thing that must be said is that:

It is OK not to know what precisely the students want to do when they finish school.

We have three pathways on offer that can help students achieve their goals and something else that needs to be made explicit is that:

If students change their minds after they complete the senior phase of learning there are bridging courses and other means that can help them realign their career trajectories.

The best way forward if students are unsure is to select subjects they enjoy. Below is a table of our senior subjects on offer and the possible higher education and employment opportunities that are linked with those subjects.

The school has offered subject selection presentations to students, information night interactives with internal subject and external service providers and we are about to embark on SET planning for this senior phase so students and parents can enter the senior phase with confidence.

Please don’t hesitate to contact any of the curriculum leaders, myself included via email if you have any queries.

Senior General Subject Achievement

I got an opportunity recently to reflect and marvel on our journey as a faculty, and a school when confirmation results came in from the QCAA for our year 12 general subjects. Physics, Biology, Chemistry and Psychology must undergo three internal assessment items and one external assessment and they all have different weighting.

At the time of writing we are finalising the IA3 drafts and getting them fine-tuned for submission but it’s important to acknowledge some amazing results confirmed for IA1 and IA2.

For a new school establishing a culture and developing high academic standards, it has to be said that there has been some incredible results in the faculty. Our teachers have prepared resources and planned a unit of learning that has been well received by resilient students willing to work and action quality feedback. This is made possible by carers trusting us with their student education and helping them prepare well at home as well. It truly takes a village. It is a testament to student and staff that there are multiple students sitting on 30/30 or very near and going into the external exam with extreme confidence that they are well prepared and well placed in relation to obtaining high ATAR results for their tertiary entry.

I am aware that this is the case across all of our faculties. We are all very proud of these achievements and especially proud of our students and community.

Yours in Science,

Andrew Hislop
Leader – Head of Science

MATHS

Maths Matters

Recognition of Excellence

The following students are recognised for Semester 1 achievement and/or effort in Mathematics. They will receive a small reward for their efforts from their maths teacher.

A particular shout out to the high number of Year 12 students leading by example.

All students are encouraged to strive for excellence in Semester 2.

Year 7

Scarlett B, Lael C, Sarah C, Zander C, Cooper H, Jenelia J, Thomas J, Briella K, Emerson LL-Z, Bailey M, Ashton M, Allyanna O, Cooper P, Mayari R-M, Lewis R, Joel S, Ethan T, Khan L V, Declan W

Year 8

Matthew A, Bailey A, Liara B, Carter B, Blake B, Alexis B, Zac B, Lilly C-M, Lucy C, Thomas D, Aiden P D, Zane F, Aiden G, Kirat G, Sophie H, Trinity J, Kieran K, Noel L, Victoria M, Ethan M, Ava M, Hamish M, Veronika M, Nahla Ms, Keira O, Haven S, Bailey S, Simerpreet S, Abigail S, Charlotte S, Evana T, Beau T, Steele V

Year 9

Len A, Ishan B, Balin C, Erin C, Will C, Ada C, Kade E, Kailen F, Zaria G, Harsimran G,  Ethan H, Adam H, Daniel M, Darcy M,  Madalyn M, Billee O, Grace P, Addisyn P, Indiannah S, Akshara S, Ruby T, Taiga W

Year 10

Emily A, Zac B, Oliver B, Lanaya C, Aaylie C, Amelia C, Nate G, Chloe M, Liam M, Sienna P, Amelia R, Amelie S, Jonah S, Sienna W, Egan Y

Year 11

Elisha B, Tarin C, Zoey C, Serena D J, Janae H, Kristina J-S, Georgia M, Lila M, Kuanta P, Nate R, Kenaz Sam T, Tika W, Zahra W

Year 12

Paige A, Jock A, Demi B , Dante B, Sienna B, Mason C, Brandon C, Kiera C-M , Shae C, Tahlia C, Ethan D, Owen G, Aaron G, Adam G, Lachie G , Myles H, Zachary J, Shayla J , Elijah K, Nazreet K, Max L, Bella L, Shayla M, Leah O, Johnpaul P, Emilee P, Kevin S K, Levi S, Kaden S, Sakura S, Abbey W, Khenyan W

Maths Tutorials – All Welcome

Monday and Wednesday afternoon in K21.

Students will be supervised until 4:30om and may leave earlier if required.

Out of Class Work

All students receive regular tasks that are required to be completed out of class. For maths this is a very important part of promoting understanding and remembering. Please regularly check what task is required to be done.

All students and parents should be emailed major revision tasks.

Please contact me or your child’s maths teacher to discuss any concerns.

Kind Regards,

Ian Coleman
Leader – Head of Maths

ENGLISH AND LANGUAGE ARTS

This term is all about reading! Reading helps students expand their vocabulary, improve their writing, and develop empathy by stepping into different worlds and perspectives. It also strengthens focus, memory, and analytical skills—all essential for success across their subjects.

Year 7 are engaging with myths, legends, fables, and Dreaming stories to explore how traditional tales shape cultural values and explain the world. Year 8 students are studying Animal Farm, analysing how power and propaganda shape behaviour and how characters reflect deeper messages. Year 9 are delving into Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, exploring fear, hysteria, and how character choices expose social concerns.

Year 10 students are examining Shakespeare through different lenses: General students are defending characters in Romeo and Juliet, Literature students are reimagining scenes in modern settings, and Essential English students are analysing iconic films that reflect culture.

In Year 11, Literature students are beginning Macbeth, General are studying Fahrenheit 451, and Essential English are exploring identity and resilience through Lion.

Year 12 students are finishing their final texts: Hamlet (Literature), Macbeth (General), and Swerve (Essential).

Excitingly, from 2027, the school will offer Extension English alongside Literature, expanding options for passionate readers and writers.

This term is full of rich opportunities for students to think critically, respond creatively, and explore how stories shape the world.

Kind Regards,

Lincoln Lally
Leader – Head of English and Language Arts

HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

Mid-Term Update – Term 3

Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS) at our school continues to thrive as a vibrant and intellectually rich learning area. Across all year levels, students are building their understanding of the world through inquiry, critical thinking, and ethical reflection — core pillars of both the Australian Curriculum and the QCAA senior syllabuses. It’s been a joy to watch students connect deeply with the past, investigate the present, and consider the future.

Subject Selection – Shaping Future Pathways

With subject selection now underway for Year 10 students heading into Year 11 in 2026, we are excited to offer a diverse and purposeful suite of HASS subjects. Students can select from:

• Ancient History – where they will explore leadership, power, and legacy through figures like Cleopatra, Julius Caesar, and Pericles.
  
• Modern History – where they investigate the forces that have shaped the contemporary world, including revolutions, decolonisation, and human rights.
  
• Economics – examining how individuals, businesses, and governments make decisions to manage scarce resources and solve economic challenges.
  
• Certificate III in Business and Certificate IV in Crime and Justice – offering hands-on, vocationally aligned learning that leads directly to career pathways in the corporate or legal sectors.
  

These subjects are not only aligned with the QCAA's rigorous assessment standards, but are also rich in transferable skills — research, evaluation, communication, and collaboration — that will serve students well beyond the classroom.

Senior Students – Rising to the Challenge

Our Year 12s are in the final stages of their IA3 internal assessments and preparing for their External Assessments (EAs) in November. These final pieces of work reflect two years of sustained effort, and students are being encouraged to engage in regular revision, use feedback purposefully, and maintain balance and resilience. We are incredibly proud of their commitment and maturity during this busy but rewarding time.

Business and Civics – Real-World Learning

Our Business and Civics classrooms are a hub of energy and practical application, with each year level engaging in age-appropriate, curriculum-aligned inquiry:

• Year 7 Business students are pitching innovative products in our very own Shark Tank, learning how entrepreneurs identify opportunities and meet consumer needs.
  
• Year 8 are exploring production processes, engaging with systems thinking and supply chains.
  
• Year 9 are mapping out global markets, analysing the complexities of international trade and Australia’s economic connections.
  
• Year 10 students are in the exciting phase of building businesses, learning how to bring ideas to life through business planning and feasibility studies.
  
• Year 11 Business students are unpacking the foundational principles of establishing a business under the QCAA syllabus, including legal requirements, marketing, and finance.
  
• Year 12 Business students are analysing business evolution, exploring strategic change, innovation, and management in large-scale organisations.
  

Meanwhile, in Civics and Citizenship:

• Year 7 students are learning how Australia’s democratic system operates, including the roles of parliaments, elections, and the Constitution.
  
• Year 9 are investigating power, politics, and parties, developing an understanding of how political ideologies, media, and public opinion shape governance.
  

These units are critical for building the informed, active citizens envisioned in the Australian Curriculum — young people who can think critically, engage in democratic processes, and contribute to society.

Geography – Place, Space and Sustainability

Our geographers are developing their spatial awareness, environmental understanding, and analytical thinking:

• Year 7 Geography students are investigating Water in the World, with a particular focus on hydrological hazards and water scarcity. Their infographic assessments combine creativity with data literacy — a 21st-century skillset.
  
• Year 8 are deep-diving into Landforms and Landscapes, analysing geomorphological processes and their environmental and cultural significance. Their reports allow them to connect theory with place — whether it’s Uluru, the Himalayas, or local coastlines.
  

History – Investigating the Human Story

Historical inquiry is alive and well in our classrooms. Students are exploring key turning points, enduring ideas, and the contested nature of the past:

• Year 7 are exploring the Persian Wars, analysing the causes and consequences of conflict between empires and the birth of Western military history.
  
• Year 8 students are journeying into the Viking Age, learning about society, trade, and the myth versus reality of Norse culture.
  
• Year 9 are tackling the Industrial Revolution, investigating technological change, social transformation, and the legacy of industrialisation.
  
• Year 10 are engaging with the causes, course, and consequences of World War II, critically reflecting on Australia's role in the global conflict.
  
• Year 10 Extension History students are conducting inquiries into Sister Suffragettes, exploring the social, political, and cultural battles fought by women for equality.
  
• Year 11 Modern History are investigating Indonesia’s struggle for independence, analysing nationalism, decolonisation, and Cold War context.
  
• Year 12 Modern History are examining Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War, exploring contested memories, political motivations, and personal stories.
  
• Year 11 and 12 Ancient History students are undertaking a rich investigation into the life and legacy of Julius Caesar, synthesising literary, archaeological, and historiographical evidence to evaluate the collapse of the Roman Republic.
  

All history units are underpinned by the inquiry approach of both the Australian Curriculum and the QCAA — asking students not just to know the past, but to interpret it, using sources, perspectives, and ethical reasoning.

Enrichment and Extension

This term, we are thrilled to be supporting students entering two prestigious competitions:

• The National History Challenge – where students pursue individual historical inquiries tied to this year’s theme.
  
• The QHTA Historical Writing Competition – a platform for showcasing excellence in research, writing, and critical thinking.
  

These enrichment opportunities align with our commitment to developing passionate, curious, and capable learners.

A Culture of High Expectations

We would like to remind all families that homework and revision remain a clear expectation across all HASS subjects. Tasks range from textbook consolidation, research, reading, and project work to source annotation and practice writing. Teachers will follow up with students who are not meeting these expectations. Your partnership in supporting consistent work habits at home is invaluable and appreciated.

In every HASS classroom, we are helping students build the capacity to understand complex global issues, consider multiple perspectives, and communicate with clarity and purpose. These are the foundational skills not just for school, but for life in an ever-changing world.

Thank you for your continued support of Humanities and Social Sciences at our school.

Warm Regards,

Sarah Coleman
Leader – Head of Humanities and Social Sciences

PERFORMING ARTS

Every day is busy in the Performing Arts department at MacKillop Catholic College. On Friday, 08 August, our choirs performed at both Liturgical services offering Gospel songs for our Feast Day of St Mary MacKillop. On Tuesday, 12^th August, we are presenting the STEAM Showcase. All our Extra-Curricular Ensembles including Dance troupe and Drama Excellence are showcasing their talents and presenting items from the 2025 Eisteddfod and beyond. We have begun work on a massed item by Karl Jenkins involving choirs and concert band that we will present as a work in progress.  

We were proud to take home a silver and bronze medallion and five Highly Commended placing from the Cairns Eisteddfod 2025. Our performance energy and enthusiasm for the Arts is building. Our Instrumental Tutors are committed to implementing Musical Literacy and instrumental skills.  We have several Brass students practising hard for AMEB Exams this month.

With dedication to practise and a passion for the performing Arts, students in our ensembles will have the ability to perform with Confidence. We are planning a musical in 2026 and we will let you know the details of this decision once we have confirmation of the rights. We look forward to auditions in Term 4.

To round off the term, MacKillop’s Young Musician Competitions and The Voice of MacKillop will be taking place. I hope all involved will be working on presenting their best piece or song.  

Kind Regards,

Sarah-Jane Rennie
Leader – Head of Performing Arts

THE ARTS

Year 7: Elements of Art and Imaginary Creatures

Year 7 students have kicked off the term by exploring the elements of art, line, shape, colour, texture, and form, through a personalised A3 name page. This creative task allows students to showcase their individual style while building foundational skills in drawing and design. These skills will soon be put to the test as students begin designing their own imaginary dragons, combining fantasy with technique in a vibrant and imaginative mixed-media artwork.

Year 8: Shading and Printmaking

Our Year 8 artists are diving into the world of shading techniques, learning how to create depth and dimension in their drawings. This unit will evolve into an exciting printmaking project, where students will transfer their designs onto linoleum blocks. These will be carved and printed, culminating in a striking display of student work that highlights both technical skill and creative vision.

Year 9: The Great Outdoors

Year 9 students are embracing nature in a unit titled "The Great Outdoors". They’ve been practicing observational drawing, capturing everyday objects and the stunning mountain ranges surrounding our college. Using techniques such as one and two-point perspective, horizon lines, foreground, middle-ground and background. Exploring a variety of materials, including charcoal, graphite, and pastels, are being used to bring their outdoor sketches to life, showcasing their growing confidence and versatility.

🎨 Creative Excellence on Display at the Cairns Show – Visual Arts Section

We are proud to share the incredible success of our students in the Cairns Show Visual Arts Section (14–18 years), where their creativity and artistic insight truly stood out.

Skye B was awarded 1^st place for her thought-provoking piece "The Sirens Swirl". Her artwork was inspired by the poem “A man young and old :III. "The Mermaid” written by William Butler Yeats, “The sirens swirl” is a melancholy painting that captures the bittersweetness of passion and love.  It depicts two mermaids slowly being pulled away from each other by the haunting tides of their once amorous and impassioned love.

Ciana W impressed the judges with a trio of accolades:

• 2^nd place for her striking sculpture "Nets Entangled"
• 3^rd place for her mixed-media painting "I am Beauty"
• Highly Commended for her emotive painting "Internal Bloom", featured in the Receive/Respond Art Exhibition

In the Junior Section, our Year 8 students showcased their ceramic creations titled "Fascinating Vessels". Congratulations to Jonah P and Keira O, who both received Highly Commended awards for their beautifully crafted ceramic vessels.

Hope you enjoy the video capturing these inspiring works!

Kind Regards,

Traylea Sexton
Leader – Head of Creative Industries

TECHNOLOGIES

Gateway to Industry – Construction Pathways Program

At the end of last term, our school was officially recognised as a participant in the Gateway to Industry Schools – Construction Pathways Program.

This exciting partnership will open up greater opportunities for our students in the building and construction industry, offering real-world learning experiences and hands-on activities. As part of the program, students will take part in construction site visits, gaining valuable insight into the industry and learning directly from professionals working in the field.

We’re thrilled to be part of this initiative, which supports students in exploring career pathways and developing the skills needed for future success in construction and related trades.

Year 10 Construction – Timber Decking Project

Our Year 10 Construction students are hard at work on their current assessment task, which involves the design and construction of a timber decking section. This practical project gives students the opportunity to apply their knowledge of construction techniques, measurement, planning, and safety procedures in a hands-on, real-world context.

Under close guidance, students are learning how to interpret technical drawings, use power tools and hand tools safely, and follow industry-standard processes to construct a functional and accurate section of decking.

This unit not only strengthens their practical skills but also builds their confidence in working within a team, solving construction challenges, and understanding the expectations of the building and construction industry.

It’s been fantastic to see the students engaging with the project and demonstrating pride in their work as their decks take shape.

Year 10 Metalwork – Welding & Woodworking Project

Our Year 10 Metalwork students are currently in the midst of an exciting hands-on project – designing and creating a set of metal welding bookends. This task not only introduces students to key metalworking techniques, including safe welding practices, but also allows them to integrate timberwork as they craft timber side panels to complement their metal components.

The finished bookends will be functional and stylish additions for use in a home office, study space, or library, blending industrial and natural materials for a modern design.

Throughout the project, students are developing skills in measuring and marking out, MIG welding, cutting and shaping metal, and using woodworking tools to finish and attach the timber elements. The unit places a strong emphasis on precision, safety, and design thinking, giving students a valuable taste of real-world fabrication processes.

We’re looking forward to seeing their creativity and craftsmanship come together in their final products.

Year 9 Design Technology – Ugly Dolls Textiles Project

Our Year 9 Design Technology students have kicked off an exciting new unit focused on textiles, exploring design through the creation of a hand-sewn “Ugly Doll” – a soft toy known for its quirky individuality and creative charm.

This project invites students to investigate textile properties, consider sustainable material choices, and reflect on the role of aesthetics in design. Students are developing user-centred designs, learning essential hand-sewing techniques (including needle threading, running stitch, and backstitch), and progressing through the stages of sketching, pattern making, prototyping, and eventually producing their final product.

It’s been wonderful to see their enthusiasm and creativity, and we’re looking forward to seeing their unique Ugly Dolls come to life in the coming weeks.

Year 7 Food Specialisation – First Kitchen Experience for 7.4!

Last week marked an exciting milestone for our Year 7 Food Specialisation students in class 7.4, as they stepped into the school kitchen for the very first time! Their inaugural cooking session saw them preparing fresh fruit salad – a colourful and healthy recipe that provided the perfect opportunity to put their new knowledge into practice.

Over the past few weeks, students have been learning about the importance of safe food preparation and hygiene. They've explored kitchen safety protocols, identified potential hazards and learned how to minimise risks when cooking. A key focus has been on knife safety and safe cutting techniques – essential skills they demonstrated with care and confidence during the lesson.

In addition to food safety, students are becoming familiar with kitchen procedures and protocols, learning how to read and follow a recipe, and practicing proper washing-up techniques. These foundational skills will support them in becoming independent, capable, and safety-conscious young cooks.

Well done to 7.4 for an enthusiastic and successful first session in the kitchen. We look forward to seeing your skills and confidence continue to grow throughout the term!

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Kind Regards,

Lorena Goodall
Leader – Head of Technologies

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

Greetings MacKillop families,

Term 3 is well and truly off and running for us in the diversity department. Over the coming weeks case managers (myself, Mandy Parker and our new staff member, Shobha Vincin) will be consulting with parents regarding reviews of PLPs (personalised learning plans). As we are all aware that life is busy, this consultation process is personalised much like a PLP and can take whichever form is easiest for you, whether that be a face-to-face meeting, a phone meeting, or an email conversation.

If you have any queries or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me. The best method of contact is email – svanfleet@cns.catholic.edu.au

Warm Regards,

Sara van Fleet
Leader – Head of Diversity and Inclusion

SPORT

Sport Update

Indoor Netball

It’s been an action-packed start to the term with fantastic achievements across the sporting program at MacKillop. We kicked things off in week one with a friendly mixed indoor netball match against Smithfield High School at Cairns Indoor Sports. This was a great opportunity for our Netball Squad to experience the unique challenges of indoor netball, including the use of nets during play. Students enjoyed a fun and competitive morning while connecting with the Smithfield players.

Fowler’s Cup

Congratulations to the four MacKillop teams who competed in the Fowler’s Cup at Cairns Netball Martyn Street on Thursday in Week 3. It was a fantastic day for both students and coaches, with all teams showing determination and teamwork. Our Year 7 team topped their pool, and our boys’ team gained valuable experience in their first outing at the competition. A huge thank you to our teachers and to parent helper Mrs Ballantyne for their coaching and umpiring efforts throughout the day.

FNQ Rugby League

Well done to our Year 7 and Year 8 boys who competed in the FNQ Rugby League Carnival last week. The boys showed grit and persistence throughout the day. The event was an excellent chance to develop skills and connect with other local schools. Thank you to the staff for coaching and to parent helper Owen McCallum for his valuable support.

FNQ School Futsal Titles

Five MacKillop teams are currently competing in the FNQ School Futsal Titles at Redlynch Stadium.
On Tuesday 5 August, our Under 13 Girls and Under 14 Girls teams played exceptionally well, with the Under 13 Boys making it through to the quarter-finals—a fantastic effort! The Under 14 Girls went even further, reaching the Grand Final and finishing as runners-up. Congratulations to all players for their teamwork, sportsmanship, and determination. Best of luck to the boys’ teams competing this Thursday.

TCS Track and Field Trials

Congratulations to all students who competed in the TCS Track and Field trials on 23–24 July. The event showcased outstanding athletic ability and determination. Special recognition goes to our Age Champions:

• Elijah P – 10 yrs, 3^rd place
• Ivanka D – 11 yrs, 1^st place
• Brodie W – 13 yrs, 1^st place
• Trinity J – 14 yrs, 2^nd place
• Jonah S – 15 yrs, 1^st place
• Riley C – 16 yrs, 1^st place

Best of luck to the students who have qualified for the Peninsula Track and Field Trials on 24 and 25 August 2025 at Barlow Park, Severin Street, Cairns. Information has been distributed to all qualifying students.

For any questions, please contact Kristy Peel (Secondary) or Dean McGilvay (Primary).

Kind Regards,

Kristy Peel
Leader – Head of Sport

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Dear Parents and Carers,

We are in the midst of another jam-packed term in HPE, with several excursions and curriculum tasks keeping our students occupied and engaged. 

From an expectations perspective, our non-negotiables have definitely improved which is very pleasing. Students must wear their sports uniforms on dedicated practical days assigned by their teachers. Students are also expected to participate to the best of their ability regardless of context (practical or theory). Failure to follow these basic expectations will result in detentions (lunch times & potentially after-school for repeats).  

Students are attending excursions throughout this term for curriculum purposes. Some of these include our senior Sport & Recreation students attending a day trip to Little Mulgrave. On the day, they will participate in mountain biking, hiking & cooking. Outdoor education & team building is a large part of the applied senior curriculum in semester two. Students have been practicing aspects of this unit in authentic scenarios.

Our junior secondary topics for this term include puberty, understanding sport and health related fitness strategies, fostering respect and resilience, exploring motor learning skills in sport, and making health-conscious choices. Students will also explore body image, positive & negative relationship traits, sports psychology & training.

Our Year 11 Sport & Recreation students have been studying ‘Challenge in the Outdoors’ which includes preparation for the day trip excursion and creating some ‘how to’ videos in authentic scenarios. Year 12 Sport & Recreation students have been studying ‘Coaching & Officiating’. They have been mentoring the Year 11 students through their outdoor education preparation and exploring different methods of coaching philosophies. Year 11 Physical Education students have been studying ‘Sports Psychology’ while completing a folio. Year 12 Physical Education students have been studying ‘Energy, Fitness & Training’ while completing a folio.

Our curriculum this semester has equipped our students with success in empowerment and personal growth.  

Please feel free to reach out to myself or any of our wonderful staff if you have any questions regarding Health & Physical Education at MacKillop Catholic College. 

Kind Regards,

Mitch Gardner
Leader – Head of HPE

PATHWAYS

Year 12: Planning Starts Now for 2026

If you are in Year 12, it is time to seriously consider what comes after high school. Many companies are already recruiting for graduate roles, apprenticeships, and training programs starting in 2026. Whether you are thinking of going straight into the workforce, studying at TAFE, or heading to university, now is the time to act.

Considering Work?

Major employers are beginning their recruitment processes now – especially for 2026 intakes. Look out for graduate employment programs, traineeships, and apprenticeships. Visit job boards and company career pages and attend career expos to connect directly with recruiters.

TAFE Pathways

TAFE offers a wide range of practical and career-focused courses. Whether you are interested in trades, business, design, or health, there is something for you. Start researching now to find the course that aligns with your interests and career goals. Visit www.tafecourses.com.au for options.

Thinking University?

Start exploring which universities offer the courses you are interested in. Consider things like campus location, entry requirements, and career outcomes. Use online tools such as the Course Seeker website or attend university open days to get a feel for what is right for you.

Year 12 Catholic Education Scholarship

Are you planning to pursue further study after high school? The Catholic Education Scholarship supports Year 12 students who demonstrate strong commitment, academic achievement, and community involvement. Applications are currently open. Please check eligibility criteria using the link below:

Need Help?

The Pathways Office is here to support you with:

• Course research
• Resume writing
• Application support
• Career advice

Drop in or make an appointment to chat about your options!

Kind Regards,

Rebecca Flockart
Leader – Head of Pathways

HEAD OF YEAR

Year 7: Lee Staddon – lstaddon@cns.catholic.edu.au

Congratulations, Ashton!

A huge congratulations to Ashton for being the Year 7 cohort recipient of the Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop Award. This award recognises students who embody the values Mary MacKillop lived by — compassion, service, perseverance, and faith.

Ashton consistently demonstrates kindness towards peers, a willingness to lend a hand without being asked, and a strong sense of responsibility in all areas of school life. We are incredibly proud to have Ashton representing our Year 7 cohort with such humility and dedication. Well done!

Feast Day Celebrations

Friday 8th August saw the College community come together to celebrate the Feast of Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop — a day of faith, fun, and service.

Our Year 7 students were immersed in a variety of activities including:

• Service Projects: Lending their time and energy to help others in meaningful ways.
• Prayer and Reflection: Pausing to reflect on Mary MacKillop’s incredible legacy and how her values still inspire us today.
• Hopeful Hymn Competition: Showcasing creativity and teamwork through music, with some enthusiastic performances and plenty of laughs along the way.

It was a wonderful day that blended reflection with celebration, reminding us of the powerful impact that service and community can have.

Warmest Regards,

Lee Staddon
Head of Year 7

Year 8: Michael Johnstone – mjohnstone@cns.catholic.edu.au

Outstanding Athletics Representation

We are proud to congratulate Year 8 students Trinity J and Brodie W, who recently represented TCS at the athletics competition. Both students displayed exceptional sportsmanship, determination, and commitment, showcasing the values of our school both on and off the track.

Their outstanding performances saw them each crowned Age Champion in their respective divisions — an incredible achievement that reflects their hard work and dedication.

Their efforts and positive attitudes were a credit to themselves and to TCS, and we thank them for being such outstanding ambassadors for our community. Well done, Trinity and Brodie!

Warm Regards,

Mike Johnstone
Head of Year 8

Year 9: Adam Vander Zant – avanderzan@cns.catholic.edu.au

Dear Year 9 Families,

As we reach the halfway point of Term 3, it’s a great time to reflect on what has been an active and rewarding term for our Year 9 cohort.

Last week, students took part in the Feast of Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop celebrations by engaging in a meaningful act of community service. Our Year 9’s put their creativity and care into designing and making birthday cards for the Year 1 students. This simple but heartfelt gesture brought joy to our younger peers and reminded us of the importance of kindness, service, and living out our College values.

Our students also stepped up to the challenge in the Hopeful Hymns competition, performing These Hands by Andrew Chin. The cohort sang with enthusiasm and pride, representing our College beautifully through both their talent and their spirit of participation.

As we continue through the term, I would like to remind parents and carers of the behavioural expectations at MacKillop Catholic College. Year 9 can be a tricky time with students going through immense changes, emotionally, physically, mentally and especially behaviourally. Our aim is to ensure every student contributes to a positive, respectful, and supportive learning environment. I encourage open communication between home and school – if you have any concerns regarding your child’s learning or wellbeing, please don’t hesitate to contact their teachers directly. Working together, we can ensure our students thrive both academically and personally.

We are proud of the way our Year 9 students have embraced the opportunities of Term 3 so far and look forward to finishing the term strongly.

Kind Regards,

Adam Vander Zant
Head of Year 9

Year 10: Graham Sunners – gsunners@cns.catholic.edu.au

Dear Year 10 Families,

Term 3 is an important time in the Year 10 calendar, as they embark on selecting their subjects for years 11 and 12. The first half of the term has seen the students bombarded with important information to help them choose their subjects and pathways. We have had information sessions from the subject Heads of Department outlining the course content and breakdown of assessment types. TAFE and JCU have provided sessions about the different routes into further education and training. The parents have not missed out either as more recently we have had our subject selection information afternoon, where a variety of course providers and future career paths were exhibited, including a display from the Queensland Police Service. A huge thank you to Mrs Flockhart, Mrs Headridge, Mrs van Trigt and all the support staff who make these sessions possible.

The students have started their SEL program with an emphasis on leadership, personal growth and giving back to the community. Year 10 will be following the Influence program provided by The Rite Journey which is a research-based program that follows the students across multiple year levels. Blurred Minds also visited the college to give a talk on the dangers of vaping and how tobacco companies target teens. As part of their SEL Program, the students are providing service this term, starting with our college community; and caring for the school grounds during the Mary MacKillop Feast Day. In conjunction with the feast day events the students have been practicing hard on their singing and dancing, for the Hopeful Hymn competition where they are singing My Lighthouse, including all the actions.

I look forward to the rest of term 3 working with the student’s and the amazing year 10 team who support your child.

If you would like to discuss any part of the student’s life at MacKillop Catholic College then please do not hesitate to contact me.

Kind Regards,

Graham Sunners
Head of Year 10

Outgoing Year 11: Shynade Hohenhaus– shohenhaus@cns.catholic.edu.au

Year 11 Update – Term 3

As we reach the halfway point of Term 3, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the fantastic effort our Year 11 students have shown so far - particularly in their preparation for the Hopeful Hymn Competition. Their enthusiasm and teamwork has been wonderful to witness and a testament to the positive spirit within the cohort. Hopefully after the competition, students can be proud of their efforts and how well they came together. In particular, I would like to thank Kristina, Helecia, Elizabeth, Tika and Ashton who helped to translate my competitiveness into actual music.

We now enter an important stage of the term, with final assignments due and preparation for end-of-year exams underway. I encourage students to stay focused and remember: short-term effort brings long-term success. These assessment pieces are modelled after those that will be completed next year and in completing them this year, students set themselves up to complete them to the best of their abilities next year by knowing the style and structure of what is expected.

And finally, to our year 11 families, I wish to personally thank you for your continued trust and support since I took on the role of Head of Year 11. As many of you know, I will be commencing maternity leave at the beginning of Week 5. Your kind words and thoughtful gifts have meant a great deal to my family. I am confident the students will continue to thrive under the guidance of our dedicated staff and their new Head of Year – Ms Anita Harrold

Kind Regards,

Shynade Hohenhaus
Outgoing Head of Year 11

Incoming Year 11: Anita Harrold– aharrold@cns.catholic.edu.au

Hello, my name is Anita Harrold, and I’m the new Head of Year 11 when Ms Hohenhaus begins her maternity leave.  It’s a privilege to work with this fantastic group of students during such a significant year in their school journey.

Very soon, students will be presented with a growing number of opportunities – and potential distractions – both in and outside of school. Leadership nominations, JCU open days, and other events are already underway. It’s important that students take advantage of these opportunities to grow and explore their futures, while also keeping a strong focus on their studies. Striking the right balance between involvement and academic commitment will be essential for success this year and beyond.

Year 11 is all about building strong foundations for the future. As coursework becomes more demanding, it’s important for students to stay focused and organised. My goal is to support students in making the most of this year – academically, socially, and personally. I encourage open communication and a proactive approach to learning and wellbeing.

If you have any concerns or would like to get in touch, please don’t hesitate to contact me via phone or email.

Warm Regards,

Anita Harrold
Incoming Head of Year 11

Year 12: Alice Reilly– areilly2@cns.catholic.edu.au

Year 12 – Term 3: Celebrating the Legacy!

32 days until Formal
77 days until External Exams
103 days until Graduation

The countdown is well and truly on, and the light at the end of the tunnel is coming into view! This term is all about recognising the growth of our students throughout their educational journey and celebrating their successes as they prepare for their final secondary assessments. It’s going to be a busy one – blink and you’ll miss it!

Celebrating Success

“Find happiness in making others happy.” – Mary MacKillop

I am constantly in awe of the kindness and generosity of our students, especially in their commitment to outreach programs – even amidst their jam-packed academic schedules! I’m incredibly grateful to all the Year 12 students who have already contributed to the following initiatives this term:

• Week 2: Rosies – Our Year 12 students continue to show compassion through their involvement with Rosies – Friends on the Street, giving their time to support some of the most vulnerable in our community.
• Week 3: Primary Disco – As part of Catholic Education Week, Year 12 students hosted a disco for our primary students in the Theatre. They led the event from start to finish – promoting it in classrooms, preparing decorations, cooking and serving food, running games, and ensuring the afternoon was a roaring success! We raised just under $2,000, which will go towards a legacy gift from the Year 12 cohort to the College.
• Week 3: Vinnies Sleepout – Many students participated in the St Vincent de Paul Sleepout, spending a night sleeping rough to raise both funds and awareness for those experiencing homelessness.
• Week 3: Relay for Life – We proudly entered our first team in Relay for Life, raising over $3,000 for the Cancer Council. Students walked laps for nearly 12 hours – some with barely a break, and those who did take breaks were still studying with laptops in hand! I’m so proud of their dedication and drive.

Celebrations to Come

“God will carry you safely through every struggle.” – Mary MacKillop

Looking ahead, there are many exciting milestones for our Year 12s:

• 100 Days Until Graduation
• Retreat in Week 7
• Inaugural Formal Dinner in Week 9

These will be moments to remember, but there’s still plenty of hard work to be done in between.

In recent conversations with students preparing for their final internal assessments (IA3 and IA4) and upcoming external exams (EAs), I’ve noticed many are feeling overwhelmed. This can sometimes lead to disengagement or a drop in motivation. Please check in with your child and encourage them to seek support if needed. Remind them that their best is enough – they are so much more than a grade.

You also have access to a range of helpful resources via our school website to support you in the most rewarding (and sometimes challenging!) job of all – parenting:

• Managing Exam Jitters: https://mackillopcatholiccollege.qld.schooltv.me/newsletter/exam-jitters
• Promoting Confidence & Motivation: https://mackillopcatholiccollege.qld.schooltv.me/newsletter/confidence-motivation-au
• Surviving Year 12: https://mackillopcatholiccollege.qld.schooltv.me/newsletter/surviving-year-12

If you feel your child is struggling with academic pressure or other challenges, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me.

In the meantime, remember: “God will carry you safely through every struggle.” Every celebration to come will be even more meaningful because of the journey we’ve taken to get there.

Warm Regards,

Alice Reilly
Head of Year 12

School Counsellors

Supporting Morning Transitions at MacKillop Catholic College

Some children find it difficult to separate from their parents in the mornings. This can happen for many reasons - worries about schoolwork, feeling anxious about friendships, past negative experiences at school, or simply finding it hard to move from the comfort of home to the busyness of the school day.

It is important to remember that school refusal or difficulty with morning transitions is not a diagnosis in itself, but a sign that something is getting in the way for your child. Understanding the “why” is key - whether it’s anxiety, fear of failure, social concerns, or another underlying issue. Once we know the reason, we can work together to put the right supports in place to help your child re-engage with school.

At MacKillop Catholic College, we take a hands-on, personalised approach to supporting students with their morning transitions. For some children, this might involve:

• Being greeted and walked in by a familiar staff member
• Having a safe space to spend a few minutes before joining their class
• Having flexible arrangements for the first part of the day to help them settle in

Parents may notice support staff stationed between the Primary Entrance and the Outside School Care gate each morning. These staff members are there to welcome and assist students who have an approved Morning Transition Plan in place.

A friendly reminder: The second stop in the drop-and-go area (where support staff are located) is reserved for families with an approved morning transition permit. We ask all other families to use the regular drop-off zones to ensure the process is smooth and supportive for those who need extra help in the mornings.

Our aim is always to help students develop the skills and confidence to manage challenges, rather than avoid them — setting them up for success both at school and beyond.

If you believe your child would benefit from morning transition support, please contact your child's classroom teacher so we can work with you to create a supported plan. 

Kind Regards,

Natasha Brtevnik
School Counsellor (Primary and Secondary)

LIBRARY NEWS

YEAR 9/10 READERS CUP 2025

A huge Shout Out goes to our Readers Cup team for their performance at the Regional Final held at St Stephens Catholic College, Mareeba on Thursday, 7 August 2025.  Zaria G and April J put in a valiant effort as a team of only 2, coming in at 15th place. These students made such a great team and worked together so well.  April is only in Year 8 so had to step up a year level for her first experience at Readers Cup.  Zaria was back for her third time representing the College and we hope they will compete in our Year 9/10 team again next year. Friendly, polite and cooperative, they were great ambassadors for MacKillop Catholic College and made us very proud! 

Readers Cup provides a wonderful opportunity for enthusiastic readers to represent their school and extend their reading skills. Readers had to complete four books, commencing in the week before Term 1 holidays. They met with Mrs Long weekly during their morning tea break, discussing their books and quizzing each other. On the day they had to answer 10 very tough questions on each book, competing against other schools from right across the region. We would like to thank Ms Headridge for accompanying us, driving the bus and dealing with all the roadworks.

News from the Business Manager, Ms Joanne O’Brien – Finance News

TERM 1 School Fees and Levies

Fees were issued Friday 25^th July with a due date Monday 11^th August.

Reminder: Collection letters will be sent out to families on Friday, 15^th August to families with outstanding fees and who do not have a payment plan in place.  We strongly encourage families to commit to a direct debit payment arrangement to reduce the burden of getting behind in paying school fees.

2026 TUITION FEES

Catholic Education Diocese of Cairns (CEDC) has set the 2026 Tuition fees with a 3.5% increase.  This has been communicated to all parents by Executive Director, Diarmuid O’Riordan on Wednesday, 6^th August 2025.

School levies are set by the College and they are currently being reviewed for 2026.  These levies pay for purchases of curriculum resources and online texts, purchase of stationery supplies for students, pay for camps/excursions/incursions, staff salaries, maintenance of grounds and buildings, purchase and maintenance of IT devices and equipment, construction and design of new buildings, and shade for the students.

REMINDER – Expired Health Care Cards

Reminder to all families with expiring Health Care Cards.  New cards and the HCC application form must be submitted to the finance department.

FAMILY CONCESSIONS:

1. Application for Fee support - The College wants to help families who are struggling personally or financially, and we can offer a special concession to those in need. Please contact Business Manager, Joanne O’Brien jobrien3@cns.catholic.edu.au for a confidential interview and complete the Application for Fee Support.

2. HCC Tuition Fee Discount Scheme – for eligible Centrelink Health Care Card or Pension Card holders.  This is a great saving of 70% discount off Tuition fees. 

Please remember to contact the Finance department accounts.mountpeter@cns.catholic.edu.au if you need to discuss payment extension or a new payment calculation. Our team are happy to assist you with any queries in relation to your term fees or statement.

School Transport Assistance Scheme (STAS) BUS PROGRAM

We encourage all families to apply for STAS card to use the Kinetic bus services to and from school.  If you hold a current Health Care Card you are automatically eligible for the STAS regardless of how close you reside to a state school, however applications are still required. Please use the link below to complete your application to ensure our school is entitled to receive Translink School buses.

For those families who live too close to a state school, and ineligible for the STAS program, your next step is to apply for the new Kinetic Smartcard system (tap/go operation).

Kinetic Smartcard System

Most families have applied for the new Smartcard.  The Smartcards will be mailed out to families’ residential address.  The application form is attached with Passenger Application ‘load and go’ instructions provided. There is no need to reapply for this card, it will simply roll into the following years.

Kind Regards,

Joanne O’Brien
Business Manager

College News

MCC is Nut AWARE!

Please remember that due to severe allergy and health reasons MacKillop is a NUT AWARE College. Please be mindful of this when packing your child/ren’s lunches.

Your co-operation and support in this matter is appreciated.

Student Absence – Late Arrival – Early Departure

Student Absence/Student Absence Process

Any absence from school should be for one of the following reasons (as outlined by the Education Act 2006 and Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) Assessment Guidelines):

• Illness
• Medical related procedures
• Misadventure (accidents)
• Family tragedy (including Sorry Business)

Parents/carers whose children are absent from school are asked to contact the College Office by Telephone 4081 7600, Email studentabsent.mcc@cns.catholic.edu.au or Parent Portal/MyCE App before 8:30am if possible. If a student has not arrived for class and the College Office is not aware of the student’s whereabouts, parents will be sent a SMS text message to their mobile phone (to the Main Contact as nominated on the Enrolment Form). It is the responsibility of the parent/carer to then inform the office immediately of the reason for the student’s absence.

A Notification for Student Absence form should be completed for an absence that is greater than five consecutive school days. Please email this form to the College office studentabsent.mcc@cns.catholic.edu.au

Parents/carers are asked to advise the College Office and Classroom Teacher via Email in the event of a multiple day absence, so it can be recorded prior to the date of absence.

If the absence is for a medical reason for three or more days, a medical certificate is also requested.

If the absence is for representative sport or cultural events, please send an email to the office and attach a copy of the relevant TCS/competition forms.

If a student is unable to then attend sport trials/cultural events, please email the College office so attendance records can be updated.

PLEASE NOTE:

If an absence from school is approved for students in Secondary, the following documents will be attached to the College approval email, and will need to be completed and returned asap.

Years 7-9             Application for Assessment Extension form

Years 10-12        Application for AARA (Assess Arrangements and Reasonable Adjustments – Illness and Misadventure – Confidential Medical Report) form which is a requirement of QCAA.

Late Arrivals

If a student arrives at school after 8:30am and before 9:00am, they are to enter via the Main Gate and register their late arrival at the Secondary Library and receive their late slip to hand to their classroom/homeroom teacher.

Early Departure

Students are not permitted to leave the College grounds during school hours unless accompanied by a parent/carer. Prior notification must be given if a student needs to leave the College during the school hours. This can be communicated via email studentabsent.mcc@cns.catholic.edu.au and copied to the College Office. Parents/carers must report to the College Office to collect and sign out their child. If leaving for an appointment and returning, students must be signed back in through the College Office.

Student Protection Contact Officers

Tuckshop and Uniform Shop

FLORA’s CAFÉ AND UNIFORM SHOP

Exciting News:   Introducing My School Connect for Tuckshop and Uniform Ordering!

We have transitioned to a new online provider for Flora’s Cafe and Uniform ordering, and we are pleased to introduce My School Connect as our chosen platform. This user-friendly and efficient system is designed to simplify the process of ordering meals and uniforms for your child, providing a seamless experience for both parents and students.

Key features of My School Connect include:

Online Ordering and Cashless Payments – easily place orders by accessing My School Connect direct from our Parent Portal. Secondary students will still be able to use cash or their own debit cards to directly purchase items from the Cafe. 

Menu Accessibility - Access the tuckshop menu online, allowing you to review options and make informed choices for your child's meals.

Order History - Keep track of your child's tuckshop and uniform orders and expenditures through the comprehensive order history feature.

We believe that this transition to My School Connect enhances the overall online ordering experience for both parents and students.  Should you encounter any issues or have questions about the new system, please do not hesitate to reach out to the My School Connect support team directly at: https://myschoolconnect.com.au/contact

You will have received emails from My School Connect with instructions about how to activate your account - so please check your inbox.  You simply cannot create your own account within My School Connect, they are generated internally by them.

For parents who still use Flexischools for a child at another school, you can simply close the profile of the student at MacKillop.  How to close your Flexischools account – click here for instructions

We appreciate your support in making this transition a smooth and positive experience for everyone. Thank you for entrusting MacKillop Catholic College with your child's education, and we look forward to continuing to provide exceptional services.

Safety at MacKillop

Safety remains our key consideration during student drop-off and collection. Please note the following:

• Students are to be dropped only via the door near the kerbside. Dropping via the roadside is dangerous.
• Students in lower Primary levels will not be permitted to walk unsupervised into/through to the carpark to parents/cars.
• Students riding a bike or scooter should follow road safety rules and wear a helmet.
• Student devices such as phones can be especially distracting. Please reinforce with your child/ren, the need to be alert when crossing roads.
• Drive carefully as you enter/exit the College, and follow the correct flow of traffic at all times.
• Be mindful of residents that live around the College.
• Do not use the NO STANDING zone outside the eastern-side of the College entrance – this is an exit pathway for students walking home and driving/parking here puts lives in danger.

Changes have been made in response to safety concerns and to allow for the smooth exit of those families using the College carpark. It could also attract a fine issued by the Cairns Regional Council.

Unfortunately, there continues to be vehicles using this area for dropping off/picking up students. The College will continue to work with Cairns Regional Council and the Queensland Police Service to enforce parking restrictions in this area. The College requests that all families dropping off or picking up children use the carpark and associated load and go areas. By working together patiently we can ensure all students can arrive and depart safely. Your ongoing cooperation is appreciated.

Marketing and Communications

MacKillop Board – Message from Chairperson

Hello and welcome to another jam-packed year at MacKillop!

My name is Danae Jones and for those who I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting yet, I am the Chair of the MacKillop Board. I have been a member of the MacKillop Board since May 2022, and I have been Chairperson of the Board since September 2023. Like you, I am a parent. I have two daughters at the school (one in Primary and one in Secondary). Our family is a foundational family - our daughters have been at the school since Prep. In fact, the land on which the College is built, is where I used to take my girls when they were little, to visit the resident horses and cows, so for us, MacKillop is a very special and homely place. The people that lead our College have become lifelong friends and a valued part of our extended family, as they help us guide our children to be the best they can be.

The Role of The Board

The College Board provides the opportunity for members of the College, Parish and Diocesan communities to support the mission of Catholic Education in the school.  Working with the Principal, Priest, and staff, College Board members provide leadership to the wider school community.

The College Board has a decision-making role in certain policy areas and an advisory role in others.  The Principal has responsibility for the day-to-day leadership and management of the school.  The Board often operates as a “sounding board” in considering ideas and providing advice and counsel to the College Principal and Leadership Team. The College Board also plays an important role in helping to define and celebrate the special religious character or charism of the Catholic school.

For 20245, these are the wonderful Board members who sit on our MacKillop Board:

Board members

Myself and other members of our Board are usually present at major events hosted by the College, so please introduce yourself if you see us around. We love to meet MCC parents.

The MacKillop Board is an advisory Board that supports the Leadership Team at the College, to ensure continuity of our vision and mission.

Until next time, take care of yourselves – and remember as a school community, we are in this together.

Warmest Regards,

Danae Jones

P & F News

News from your MacKillop Catholic College Parents and Friends Association

We hope all of our MCC families had a wonderful time over the school holidays and that everyone has hit the ground running in Term 3.  In saying that, the Term is already flying by …

As we approach the halfway mark of the Term, there are plenty of things going on between now and the end of the Term.

Your MCC P&F’s final Meetings for 2025 (ie. Annual General Meeting and General Meeting), are being held at 6.00pm on Wednesday, 15 October 2025 in the Secondary Library (Admin Building).

**All Executive Committee positions will be vacated so if you are interested in being involved, please make contact with us at:  pandf.mountpeter@cnsstu.catholic.edu.au

Upcoming MCC P&F Initiatives/Events in Terms 3 and 4:

*  Set-up Father’s Day Stall – Tuesday, 2 September 2025 (Term 3, Week 8)

*  Father’s Day Stall – Wednesday and Thursday, 3 and 4 September 2025 (Term 3, Week 8) – Father’s Day gifts for sale to students to purchase for loved ones.

*  Father’s Day Stall Primary Class Gotcha Awards (ie. Classes displaying brilliant MacKillop Way dispositions whilst attending Stall) – All awarded classes will receive a Class Award Certificate and Icy Poles.  #respect  #engagement  #personalbest

*  Primary Colour Run – Thursday, 18 September 2025 (Term 3, Week 10)

*  Music Bingo (Child Free Event for Parents/Friends/Staff) – Friday, 17 October 2025 (Week 2, Term 4)

Father’s Day Stall (Term 3, Week 8)

We are calling on any parents/grandparents/carers who may be able to assist with this year’s Father’s Day Stall.

For our new families, as with our Mother’s Day Stall in Term 2, your MCC P&F purchase Father’s Day gifts to sell to the students for their loved ones for Father’s Day.  The prices of the gifts range from $1.00 to $7.00.

The Stall will be operating throughout the school day on Wednesday and Thursday, 3 and 4 September 2025 for our Primary and Secondary children.

CASH and EFTPOS facilities will be available for Students and Staff/Adults.

Any parents/carers who may be able to assist, even for an hour or two, it is always greatly appreciated.  To be able to assist, you must have completed the volunteer requirements, prior to helping out.  If you are keen and able, please make contact with us at:  pandf.mountpeter@cnsstu.catholic.edu.au

The excitement and smiles on the kids’ faces when thoughtfully selecting and purchasing their gifts make the time worth every minute!

Primary Colour Run – Thursday, 18  September 2025 (Second Last Day of Term 3)

As always, this will be an amazingly fun-filled way to round out the Term for our Primary children.  Watch your emails for more detailed information which will be coming your way over the coming weeks.

We will be requiring volunteers to assist throughout the whole day for this event, particularly for set up of the course, preparation of water colours as well on course during the event (spraying the coloured water on the kids) and pack up at the end.  We’re not sure who has more fun … the kids or the Volunteers and Staff!

Please email your P&F at pandf.mountpeter@cnsstu.catholic.edu.au to advise if you are keen and able to join us to assist in any way.

MUSIC BINGO NIGHT (Child-Free Event for Parents, Friends & Staff) – Friday, 17 October 2025 (Week 3, Term 4)

Instead of our usual Trivia Night, this year we are having MUSIC BINGO as our annual MCC P&F Parents/Friends only event which will be taking place on Friday, 17 October 2025 from 6.00pm.  Keep your peepers open as more information will be coming!

Our annual Parents/Friends event has been well attended over the past couple of years since its inception and we’d love to see as many of our College Parents, Friends and Staff attending once again.  It is a fantastic evening of fun with tonnes of laughter, good and healthy competitive spirit and great prizes!  Please watch the space! #winnersaregrinners

Our events/initiatives would not be able to proceed without the help of our valued MCC parent/carer volunteers.  It is a great way to connect with our College, other parents/carers and being part of your child’s learning journey.

Upcoming Events requiring Volunteers:

*  Father’s Day Stall – Wednesday and Thursday, 3 and 4 September 2025
*  Primary Colour Run – Thursday, 18 September 2025

In order to volunteer within our College, you are required to participate in a short online induction (link to quiz below) along with the provision of a few completed and signed forms to the College (which can be emailed to you or collected from the College Office) which will cover you for 12 months.

Please email the College Office (office.mountpeter@cns.catholic.edu.au) or your MCC P&F (pandf.mountpeter@cnsstu.catholic.edu.au) if you are interested in volunteering with one of our initiatives and/or at one of our events throughout the year.  As the saying goes, many hands make light work.

Any grandparents/carers/non-parents wishing to assist are required to have a valid Blue Card which will need to be linked to the College.  Please contact the College Office for assistance in this regard.  #everythingwedoisforourMCCkids

Online Volunteer Quiz:  https://www.cns.catholic.edu.au/volunteer-training-quiz/

**All volunteers MUST have successfully completed the 2025 Volunteer Quiz and provided all required documentation to the College Office.**

We have again proudly partnered with The Entertainment App to raise funds in 2025.

Please consider buying an Entertainment Membership today as 20% of the proceeds go directly to our Fundraiser.

Your Entertainment Membership not only unlocks exclusive access to unbeatable discounts at the best fine dining and family restaurants plus attractions and more, but also supports our community’s fundraising goals.

Support Us Now:  https://subscribe.entertainment.com.au/fundraiser/957j343

Locals Supporting Locals – IGA Edmonton’s Community Benefit Fund

Don’t forget to support IGA Edmonton and whilst you’re there, please consider allocating your Community Benefit points to MacKillop Catholic College.  #localssupportinglocals

Through the generosity of IGA, your MCC P&F benefit financially through the points collected in their Community Benefit Fund.  During 2023-2024, your MCC P&F received the sum of approximately $7,100.00 from this Fund.

THANK YOU IGA Edmonton for your ongoing commitment and support of our MCC P&F Association, which in turn ultimately supports our MCC children!

MacKillop Catholic College – Code 5154.

This is the epitome of locals supporting locals.

Kind Regards,
Your MacKillop Catholic College P&F Association
Email: pandf.mountpeter@cnsstu.catholic.edu.au

Upcoming Events

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