DEPUTY PRINCIPAL'S ADDRESS CHARMAINE CRIDLAND | DEPUTY PRINCIPAL

The hard work and dedication of all our staff has provided students with endless opportunity, the ability to achieve the highest academic outcomes and support any careerpathways they desire.

This yearbook is a celebration, full of articles and photographs depicting the fun, connection and friendship by all.

The recent Rite of Passage and Graduation of our Class of 2022; made all the more special by the bagpiper and drumline as they led the seniors through an Honour Guard of MMCC students.

I thank each of our Year 12 Graduating Class for their kindness, generosity, and leadership. Your efforts will long be remembered. I also thank the parents who made the special effort to attend the various events throughout that week.

One famous speech began with ‘I have a dream”, well this article is not so famous, but it does begin with ‘a dream’!

In July 2018, I was seconded by the Executive Director of the Toowoomba Catholic School’s office Dr Pat Coughlan, to support Mary MacKillop Catholic College.

I was appointed as Deputy Principal and later Acting Principal, to set up systems, processes and curriculum, as the college was on the precipice of its first senior students entering year 11 and a brand new academic system Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR).

I remember recruiting several experienced senior teachers to plan courses and prepare resources, starting from a blank slate. There was something exciting about starting from nothing and making MMCC whatever we wanted it to be.

What culture did we want to set for students and staff? What did ritual and celebration look like? How do we build a true Prep to Year 12 College? We were allowed to dream!

As the end of 2022 draws to a close, it allows staff and students the opportunity to reflect and celebrate the year that was. This yearbook is full of wonderful achievements, successful events, new building programs, fantastic growth in college enrolments and outstanding leadership and advocacy by our staff and students.

Four years on from when we dreamt of what Mary MacKillop Catholic College might look like, I personally feel very proud to be a part of its journey.

Earlier this year, I felt privileged to attend Mary MacKillop Place in Sydney on a two-day Colloquium. As I stood praying and reflecting at Mary MacKillop’s resting place, the words circling her tomb have stayed with me… ”We are but travellers here.”

Mary was very aware of life as a journey, made up of many smaller journeys.

To our graduating students, past staff and alumni, current students and MMCC’s community, thank you for your contribution and making Mary MacKillop Catholic College a part of your journey.

I will be on long service leave for Semester 1, 2023 therefore Ms Claire Clapham will be acting in the role as Deputy Principal for the whole of the first semester.

I want to wish Mr Chris Gabbett, the leadership team, staff and whole MMCC community all the very best for a safe and joyous Christmas and a fantastic start to the year ahead,

I look forward to seeing you all when I return.

Over the past year, I am sure that like me, we have all noticed the radical change to the landscape of our wonderful Mary MacKillop Catholic College.

On a recent visit to the school I noticed the hive of activity that was taking place, and could not help but think of how fast things are growing.

I am personally excited by the changes taking place as I am also aware that these changes are the result of responding to our call to be 'on mission'.

As changes take place I am also aware of the importance of building on solid foundations.

The generosity of all involved from the Leadership Team through to the dedicated teachers and staff, the involved and supportive parents and the inspiring young children, all bring the gifts that so enrich the life of our College and provide that solid foundation as we continue to evolve as a community.

I would like to express my thanks to all for your support of our College and our St Mary MacKillop Parish, as we work in partnership and continue to grow together.

Let us pray for God's continued blessings upon our College over the coming years, as we seek to be faithful to Saint Mary MacKillop's call to 'love one another and let charity guide you in all your life'.

May God's blessing be with you all.

Hello everyone,

A warm welcome to all families and staff who joined the College this year. To our existing families, staff, students and the parent body: thank you for your continued support and commitment this past year.

We started the year with much anticipation, however were still faced with restrictions and thrown a few curve balls. As a community, we held tight, dug deep and supported each other to achieve success across our entire P- 12 College cohort.

The year began with our special “Welcome Back” event and continued with minimal disruption as we celebrated academic, sporting and artistic achievements. Major standouts across the year were our participation in the Brisbane Anzac Parade (including Drumline and Marching Band), the College Arts in the Park, and our whole College Musical ‘Madagascar - A Musical Adventure’.

It was also a terrific year for our sporting teams and individuals who represented our College and region across a huge range of sporting codes.

The talent within our College is tremendous, and we are so proud to see all students engaged and succeeding on so many levels across a wide range of interest areas.

All Mary MacKillop Catholic College events are made possible by the incredible dedication and enthusiasm of our students, staff and parents – thank you!

As representatives for our parent and carer community, the Parent Engagement Network (PEN) ensures all meetings are positive and directed to the betterment, education and wellbeing of our children. This year we’ve held regular group meetings, as well as discussions with college leadership and Principal Mr Gabbett, and attended Wellbeing events.

The PEN have been informed on further College Master Planning, updated fee restructure, and were informed of the goals for teaching and learning, mission and identity, wellbeing and relationships.

The PEN is always looking at exciting ways to fundraise and this year we boosted our Science STEM Program and made improvements in our Arts and Music Departments through the Father’s Day Raffle (look out next year for the Mother’s Day Raffle) and pie, mango and ham drives.

The pride we have for our College community shines when we come together and it was wonderful to be part of and support so many events this year, including Mother’s Day and Father’s Day Breakfasts, Prep Transition Days, Moving On Up Day, Principal’s Twilight Tours, Socktober, MMCC Feast day, Youth Masses, Wellbeing and Mental Health check-in evenings and RUOK Day, plus World Teacher’s Day and the “Couldn’t Do It Without You” Award. It was also great to see students celebrating and enjoying life at our many discos.

Once again, all these events were made possible thanks to our College support staff and dedicated volunteers.

Next year holds much promise for MMCC. We look forward to the completion of the new Sporting Oval, the Uluru Arts Precinct conversion and the new Outdoor Eating Area in Junior. As we grow, the College will keep developing the Master Plan to have the very best resources and facilities for our growing cohort.

Finally, to all PEN members: thank you for your devotion, passion and commitment again this year. We’re a solid group of members wanting the very best for the entire MMCC community. We invite and encourage all parents to come along and attend our PEN Meetings, and to become involved in College fundraising activities.

Teaching is not just about the curriculum, it's about so many more things. Teachers are the glue that binds this community together. You deserve the praise and glory for educating our children.

We wish to thank Father Brian for his wisdom, support and guidance throughout the year, undertaking Mass on Tuesday mornings at the College and Parish Masses for the St Mary MacKillop Parish.

As your Co-Chairs, thank you for placing your trust in us to be your voice and serve the College community. It’s a privilege to provide support to Mr Gabbett and enable him to continue providing inspirational leadership to our teachers, staff and students.

Looking

Thank you to Mr Gabbett for another great year. In four short years, Mr Gabbett has transformed the MMCC College to what we see and enjoy today. The College has accomplished a lot in this time. Thank you for your patience, passion and devotion always and making MMCC the very best place for our Mary Mac families. It is greatly appreciated from us all. This thanks also goes out to all Leadership who supported Mr Gabbett throughout the year.

As we look forward to 2023, we must acknowledge those who’ll no longer grace our halls. Our third Year 12 cohort has graduated and started a new chapter in their lives. Many of these students pushed themselves into new areas, such as traineeships, apprenticeships, aviation courses, and even became baristas at the College Café.

We thank the Class of 2022 for their hard work and commitment, and trust our College has provided them with the skills to go out into the big, wide world and be the very best they can be.