Cele

brate

God in all thing

A place where

Life, Love and Learning are embraced and celebrated

“We’re Growing - Be Part of the Journey”

s

College Prayer

College Song

Bless our Mary MacKillop College family.

We are building us our future

We pray that everyone will live and work in peace.

We are using bricks of love

We pray that everyone will spread happiness.

We are making this a happy place

We pray that everyone will show love for one another

Where we can learn and grow;

And love for our God.

Everybody here is special,

We pray that everyone will follow

‘cause “God is in all things”

the way of Mary MacKillop

We are Mary MacKillop College!

And celebrate God in all things.

Just like Mary MacKillop

Amen.

We will love all living things, Treat everyone with dignity And find the joy this brings. Just like Mary MacKillop We give service through our deeds, We are journeying together To create community.

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Table of Contents: 2

College Prayer

3

Principal’s Message

4

Vision and Mission Statement

5

Code of Presentation

6

New Technology

7

Enrichment Programs and Additional Needs

8

General Information for Parents and Students

9

Co Curricular Activities

10 Library 11 Curriculum

12

Religious Education

13 Retreats 14 Sport

15

Community Service

16

College Excursions 2

Principal’s Message Dear Parents,

“God gives me strength for what is necessary” St Mary MacKillop Our Patron saint, St Mary MacKillop , was renowned for her tireless commitment, thankfulness, kindness and unwavering trust in God. It is this same attitude that we hope to engender in the hearts and minds of all pass through our College. Mary MacKillop Catholic College operates as a centre of excellence, providing meaningful opportunities for our students to attain their personal bests in whatever endeavour pursued – whether this be academic, spiritual, pastoral, artistic or sporting. We trust that excellence will equally be recognised in the quality of the character of the alumni of our College. Mary MacKillop Catholic College operates in an identifiably Christian culture, challenging young people to grow in a community modelling the Gospel values of faith, forgiveness, honesty, hope, justice, respect, tolerance and trust. We require all our students to take a sincere examination of religious issues in Religious Education classes and take part in all religious rituals, masses and retreats. Students are given opportunities to exercise leadership and service. Our College promotes relationships based upon respect. This attitude of mutual respect is fundamental to the restorative approach taken by our staff to the management of students and to any situation of relationship difficulty. It is clearly a most important decision when you choose a College for your sons and daughters. So much of later life, in terms of happiness, faith, values and adequate preparation can be affected by the schooling of your child. The vision of the unique character of Mary MacKillop Catholic College provided here may assist prospective families in making that decision.

God bless

Peter Murphy Principal 3

Vision & Mission Vision Mary MacKillop Catholic College’s Vision is to be: ‘A Place Where Life, Love and Learning are Embraced and Celebrated.’ Mission Mary MacKillop Catholic College exists to promote: • Quality Education - Staff are committed to giving students a holistic education, so that they will enhance society through their contribution. • A Vibrant Learning Environment. A place where laughter, spontaneity, success, risk taking and inquiry are experienced. • Our Catholic Christian Tradition - We are a pilgrim people journeying together, constantly drawing upon our story and also being called into new ways of growing and renewing ourselves. • Collaboration and Partnership - We value ‘shared wisdom,’ as a process of a joint venture where we share the whole journey, the risks as well as the gains. • Life Long Learning - Our educational framework equips our learners for a personal and global future. • Creativity - Innovation and imagination will be the essence of all our teaching and learning. • Stewardship – Living in a community calls for positive attitude and action in our relationships with one another and the world. • Community of Care – Positive and caring relationships will be nurtured, so that all members of our community experience Christ in each other. • Dignity & Justice – Our College empowers our students with values that enrich and enliven our world, while recognising the rights and responsibilities of all. • Inclusion & Welcome – The living spirit of Christ will be witnessed through the outreaching presence of our College community. 4

Uniform The College uniform represents the pride we have for our students and our College. A smart neat and user friendly uniform encourages the students to take pride in their appearance and in the College. The College uniform and accessories are available only through Hannas store in Toowoomba . Plain black College shoes or joggers are to be worn. The uniform is expected to be worn with pride, so that shirts are always tucked in, shoe laces done up, ties attached and hats worn properly. The College uniform is compulsory and an expectation on enrolment. A separate uniform will be developed for secondary students. It will be a corporate style uniform, as already existing for the primary students. 1

Uniform Jewellery Girls may wear a single pair of gold, silver, black, aqua or pearl studs or sleepers on the lower lobe. No other form of body piercing is permitted. No rings or bracelets Neck chains of religious significance may be worn. Boys are not permitted to wear jewellery other than a watch. Makeup Makeup and nail polish are not permitted. Hair Long hair must be worn tied back off the face. Hair should be neat and clean and of a natural colour. Extreme hairstyles are not permitted. No dreadlocks allowed. All hair accessories must be in College colours, only black, blue maroon or white ribbons. Boys must be clean shaven at all times. Tattoos Tattoos are strongly discouraged and should not be visible while wearing the College uniform or representing the College. Uniform All uniform requirements can be purchased at Hannas in Toowoomba  

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Year 7 One to One Technology Program Families are required to purchase a prescribed tablet device. The tablet was chosen as the core technology as it provides access to anywhere, anytime learning at a cost well below that of a netbook or laptop. A tablet device can be used as a research tool, an organising tool, an ebook reader or a creative tool. It gives access to Internet, email and many apps ( programs), tools, ebooks, digital text books and resources. Tablet devices are light and mobile. Students will use their tablet as a tool to support key processes in learning - accessing, organising, processing and publishing information, collaboration locally and globally, creativity and communication. Teachers use them in an environment to facilitate deeper engagement in learning and higher order thinking. Tablet devices will be used to facilitate learning by allowing students to: • access, use, organise, create and publish digital and online information; • develop knowledge, understanding and skills through creativity, critical thinking and problem solving; • collaborate with peers and the wider community, and • communicate their knowledge and learning experiences. Students will use the tablet to manage their work and learning. 1

*Parents will be forwarded a letter outlining specifications of the tablet required

Additional Needs Mary MacKillop Catholic College caters for students with a wide range of additional learning needs. For some students, a Life Skills Program, combining mainstream subjects with individualised learning outcomes is most appropriate. Many other students participate in the full mainstream program, but are offered adaptations to curriculum, assessments and examinations to meet their needs. Literacy and Numeracy groups are provided for additional assistance. Special provisions will be made available for external exams for students who meet the eligibility criteria. Psychometric assessment is available to students when significant concerns are identified in relation to their educational progress. The strong Pastoral Care model offered at Mary MacKillop Catholic College ensures that all students have staff members to whom they can comfortably relate. Teachers’ assistants will support teachers by mentoring students with additional learning needs within the classroom, helping with theory and practicals, and in small group work. Additionally, a number of special programs may be made available for students including personal training, work experience, community studies, work education, boys’ groups, homework and assessment support and cooking and gardening. Students are given the opportunity to extend their talents beyond the standard curriculum. 4

Enrichment Students enter the Mathematics and Science challenge and various other statewide literacy and numeracy competitions. In the key learning areas, talented students are extended with the use of on line learning. Some enrichment courses are sponsored by the diocese. Students can also participate in any of the following: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 1

Future Problem Solving Program Australia Royal Australian Chemical Institute crystal growing – Year of Crystallography Crystals, Scientific Method- essay and video Write 4 Fun writing competition- short story or poetry Maths Challenge for Young Australians- targeted our Gifted and Talented mathematicians for problem solving- Mathematics Trust Mathematical Investigations Sleek Geeks – Science Eureka Prize Mock Trial Tournament of Minds Australian Statistics Competition – Year 9 students Australian Mathematics trust and ABS Robogals – Science and Engineering for girls Mathematics Olympiad Mathematics Team Challenge Chess Club