I was very fortunate last week to attend a symposium on Catholic Identity in schools at the Australian Catholic University in Melbourne. I was even happier to have the opportunity to stay at the Mary MacKillop Heritage Centre, which is just around the corner from the university, overlooking Fitzroy Gardens. This is a lovely quiet, reflective space that invites the visitor to encounter the mission of the Josephite sisters.

Although it is a Heritage Centre and has accommodation now, it was established as ‘St Joseph’s Providence’ – a house dedicated to supporting women in the early twentieth century who were destitute. Many had left abusive homes, were deep in poverty and helpless. It was one of many “providence houses’ supported by St Mary and her sisters in inner-city Melbourne at this time.

As is my habit when I must stay away from home, I went for a run through the city. My physique and temperament don’t make me a natural runner – but I do my best. My route took me past (and briefly inside) St Patrick’s Cathedral. It really is a grand building. I was struck by the contrast between its grandeur and the humility the initial inhabitants of St Joseph’s Providence House must have felt. 

The two buildings are only about 300 metres apart. The cathedral stands as a powerful symbol of faith and endurance, yet the mission of the providence houses reminds us that the Church is built just as much through quiet acts of compassion as it is through stone and spires.

From there, my run continued past landmarks that speak of Melbourne’s identity and energy — Captain Cook’s Cottage, the MCG, Rod Laver Arena, and AAMI Park. These are places of gathering, achievement, and shared story where thousands come together, united by hope, loyalty, and passion. 

I Followed the curve of the Yarra River for a few kilometres and passed behind then in front of Flinders Street Station. By then it was well into clocking-off time and I was dodging and swerving office workers rushing to trams and trains. People moved with purpose, each carrying their own stories, burdens, and hopes. St Mary MacKillop’s genius was her attentiveness to such people — especially those on the margins.

I detoured slightly onto Little Lonsdale Street. This was the centre of a place of extreme poverty in the late 19th century known as ‘Little Lons’. St Mary returned to Melbourne at the invitation of Archbishop Thomas Carr in 1891. In his letter of welcome, he wrote that while the need in Little Lons was overwhelming, one would have to live in the area to do anything worthwhile. 

He wouldn’t ask the sisters to live there. Predictably Mary replied, ‘Of course I have no objection to the locality, it is there that the real work lies.’ She and Sister Gertrude moved into two small adjacent houses, one still under repair. They named it ‘Providence’; this was a name the Josephites coined when they had no idea where the money would come from. God would have to provide.

Sisters Mary and Gertrude would beg for food and donations of money. They found good hearted people among the Little Lons residents. Within weeks they gave shelter to homeless out-of-work servant girls, dispensed soup and clothing in the backyard, and taught ‘night school’ for children who worked as cheap labour during the day. Mary’s sister Annie MacKillop, wrote after staying for a few days at the Providence, ‘It was a dreadfully noisy place—women screaming at night used to be so awful I thought it was murder’.

I ran just over 7km. Obviously, this is now the gentrified space of a pretty wealthy and cosmopolitan city. It was pleasant (as pleasant as I can possibly find running), clean and safe. It does not take too much imagination though to consider how different and difficult the mission of those early sisters would have been. We work hard to contextualise her mission to our lives today and ensue that we secure our own places of providence for the needy, vulnerable and excluded.

Mary’s ministry was grounded in these very places, among those whom society too often overlooked. And of course, a commitment to be where ‘the real work lies'.

Chris Gabbett
College Principal

For those of a certain vintage, you may remember (circa 1990) the smooth lyrics, massive trousers and groomed tash of one MC Hammer and his global hit ‘you can’t touch this.’ You may also remember that Bart Simpson famously recorded a unique cover version entitled “I didn’t do it!” after his infamous quote “I didn’t do it, no one saw me do it, there’s no way you can prove anything.”

Obviously, The Simpsons is a satirical cartoon; it’s meant to be funny, it’s deliberately ironic and we laugh because we can see the truth through all the absurdity. However, in a school context we are seeing, or more accurately hearing, very similar things from some of our students.

“I didn’t do it”

“I don’t know anything about it”

“I have never seen that, heard that or even aware of that”

“I can’t believe that happened – I am always just getting on with my work”

“That might have happened, but I had nothing to do with it and don’t know anything about it.”

“Maybe someone else said it, did it, thought it, heard it, broke it, but I didn’t do it, no one saw me do it, and there’s no way you can prove anything”

Now the last one I embellished to make a point, but all the others, I’ve heard verbatim over the last few weeks from a myriad of different students that I am pretty sure knew more, saw more and heard more than they let on. Now there are various reasons for this, but the main one tends to be the dishonour of being a ‘dobber’.

It seems engrained in today’s culture to do anything that stops you from being a ‘dobber’ or a ‘snitch’ or a ‘grass’ (some of these may be UK slanted). I understand that - I was a teenager once a long time ago. But it doesn’t make it right and where/when does it stop? Students don’t want to 'dob' on a mate for swearing, truanting, fighting, vaping. Does that lead to keeping quiet about stealing, drug taking, or being racist, sexist or homophobic? Do we then allow and enable staying quiet about domestic violence, physical, emotional or sexual abuse? Child exploitation? 

When does it stop being ‘ok’ to be Bart Simpson and not take any ownership or accountability for what was done, said or heard? When should we stop being silent and have the courage to speak out for what is right even if it makes us unpopular or goes against the ‘code’?

With all the hatred and propaganda and fear mongering happening around the world, I think we owe it to our young people to change what the code is; challenge them, admonish them for wrongdoing and praise them for owning mistakes and/or calling out the wrongdoings of others.

I am reminded of a poem written by Pastor Martin Niemoller circa 1947

First they came for the Communists 

And I did not speak out 

Because I was not a Communist 

Then they came for the Socialists 

And I did not speak out 

Because I was not a Socialist 

Then they came for the trade unionists 

And I did not speak out 

Because I was not a trade unionist 

Then they came for the Jews 

And I did not speak out 

Because I was not a Jew 

Then they came for me 

And there was no one left 

To speak out for me

Pastor Niemoller did many wrongs in his life. He held openly anti-Semitic views in the 1920s and 30s and was a controversial figure. After Hitler started to try and control the church Pastor Niemoller started to see the truth for what it was and began to speak out – 8 years in concentration camps was his reward. He begged the Jewish people for forgiveness in his later life admitting that he had been guilty of turning the other cheek, of going with the mass rather than going with what was right.

We all make mistakes. We all fear consequences. We all lie. We all turn the other cheek. We all can slip into ‘Bart’ mould quickly because of these things. But we all – including our children- can learn to be better. To be more open, be more honest, be more willing to recognise wrongdoing and do something about it.

Please support the College in helping your young people to think about this.

Richard Coe
Deputy Principal

As we move through the school year, it is worth pausing to reflect on St Joseph, one of the most quietly influential figures in the Bible. Though he speaks no recorded words in Scripture, his actions reveal a man of deep character—someone who leads not through power or status, but through integrity, courage, and love.

Joseph’s courage: choosing trust over fear

In Matthew’s Gospel, Joseph is described as a “righteous man” who listens deeply to God’s call, even when it disrupts his plans. When the angel appears to him in a dream and says, “Do not be afraid,” Joseph responds not with hesitation but with trust. His courage is not loud or dramatic; it is the everyday bravery of doing what is right, even when it is difficult.

For our children, Joseph reminds us that courage often looks like:

• standing up for others
• trying again after setbacks
• choosing kindness when it’s not the easiest option
• trusting that they are held and guided, even in uncertainty

Joseph’s humility: leading through service

Joseph never seeks attention. He leads by protecting, supporting, and making space for others to flourish, especially Mary and Jesus. His leadership is grounded in humility, responsibility, and a willingness to put the needs of others first.

This is the kind of leadership we hope to nurture in our students:

• leadership that listens
• leadership that includes
• leadership that builds others up
• leadership that understands that service is strength

Joseph’s faithfulness: showing up with consistency

Joseph models the value of simply “showing up”—day after day, with reliability and love. He works hard, provides for his family, and remains faithful to God’s call in both ordinary and challenging moments.

For families, this echoes the quiet, consistent love that shapes a child’s sense of safety and belonging. It also encourages children to develop habits of responsibility, perseverance, and gratitude.

Why Joseph matters for us today?

In a world that often celebrates loud voices and quick success, St Joseph offers a different vision: a life shaped by listening, discernment, and steady commitment. His example invites our children and all of us to lead with heart, to act with courage, and to trust that God is present in the everyday moments of our lives.

As a College community, we continue to draw inspiration from Joseph’s values as we guide our students to grow into compassionate, resilient, and thoughtful young people.

On the Feast of St Joseph, Thursday, 19 March, students at our College united as one voice. As a Catholic College, we are the voice for the voiceless - standing up for what is right and telling the message of wrongdoing. Recently the Iranian Soccer women have featured in the media as people who are seeking refuge in our country as their homeland is in turmoil with warfare. The Year 12 students created a heart on the oval as a message of love for these people who are not as fortunate as ourselves to live without fear and feel safe. This heart was created in unity for the rights of humanity - a right to be safe!

We continue to pray for peace and stand up for what is right! Thank you St Joseph for being our example.

Loving God,

On this Feast of St Joseph, we thank you for his quiet strength, his courage, and his deep trust in you. Joseph reminds us to listen, to act with love, and to protect those who need our care.

We remember our College community coming together as one voice for what is right. We pray especially for the Iranian women’s soccer players and all people who are seeking safety and peace. May they find protection, hope, and a place to call home.

Help us to follow St Joseph’s example: to stand up for others, to speak out against wrongdoing, and to work for peace in our world.

St Joseph, guide our hearts. God of peace, bless our College and all families. May we continue to pray for peace and live with courage and kindness.

Amen.

Paula O'Rourke
Assistant Principal Mission and Identity

Mary MacKillop Parish organises the Sacramental program each year. The College works in partnership with the Parish to support the Sacramental program.

These are the dates for the program this year if you would like to mark them in your calendar. More information will be sent out to those concerned at a later date.

Confirmation

27 April Parent Information Evening, 5:30pm
11 June Sacrament of Confirmation, 6:00pm

First Eucharist

16 August Sacrament of First Eucharist, 9:00am

Reconciliation

14 September Parent Information Evening
5 November Sacrament of Reconciliation, 6:00pm

If you have any questions about the program, please contact any of the following people who are on the sacramental team:

Fr Brian Noonan: 07 4696 7094 or 0458 967 094
Paula O’Rourke: Mary Mackillop Catholic College Phone: 4698 7777
Trish Gall: 0418 356 181
Liz Eilers: 0439 777 121
Deena Jones: Deena.Jones@twb.catholic.edu.au

Paula O'Rourke
Assistant Principal Mission and Identity

Last year, we announced that, in collaboration with Toowoomba Catholic Schools Office, we now have an application where students can record their hours of service, and reflect on their good works. The "Footsteps of Jesus" service application is accessible for students in Years 5 to 12.

Service Learning is a crucial pillar of Catholic education, whereby students are not only encouraged to use their gifts, talents and willingness to serve to the community, but are also given a chance to engage in experiences of 'encounter'. Described by Brother Damien Price, service is "intimately linked to the culture of encounter" that was so frequently promoted by the late Pope Francis. Importantly, when we "come as guest" into an encounter, it should be a reciprocal relationship that "focuses on the innate dignity of the one encountered" in a way which liberates both parties.

When our students engage in service, whether it is volunteering their time to coach a touch football team, lead a choir or attending the Rosies' outreach, they are often encountering the vulnerable, and enhancing their quality of life. Importantly, when students have completed their hours of service, intentional reflection needs to occur, so that they deepen their understanding of Service Learning. Reflection creates the space for meaning-making to occur and for students to explore where they experienced God in their encounters.

This brings us to the "Footsteps of Jesus" Service application. Students at MMCC can access the link to this platform via the Student Sentral landing page or the Student Intranet. Importantly, we know that students show their leadership in many different ways and that service isn't only to the outside community. For these reasons, when students logon to the application, they are able to select service "within the school community" and in the "broader community". Additionally, students can select from service initiatives in the following domains:

The recording of service hours, along with their reflections on these activities have multiple benefits for students, including the ability to print a PDF record of their service hours and reflections, which will support them with writing resumes, as well as applications for Year 12 leadership positions, University scholarships or apprenticeships. 

Additionally, the hours accrued will equate to Principal's Service certificates and badges, based on categories of bronze, silver and gold.

We encourage parents to read the attached guide which explains a step-by-step process for how students can use the platform.

Leisa Radley
Director of Formation and College Culture (7-12)

Maximising learning success doesn’t happen by accident. It needs to be planned, collaborative, sustained, and strengths‑based.

Students learn best when they experience safety and belonging in an inclusive, culturally responsive environment that is learning‑focused. This can look like simple but powerful everyday practices—for example, greeting each student by name at the door or creating routines that help every child feel known and valued.

Teachers set students up for success when they 

a) build an environment where each student feels they belong and are valued; and 

b) develop a culture of learning. 

In our classrooms, this might include adjusting tasks to meet learners at their level, celebrating student voice, or co‑constructing success criteria so students understand what quality work looks like.

A teacher’s ability to be flexible in meeting a student where they are at in their academic journey is key to student success. Whether it’s providing scaffolded support, offering extension opportunities, or checking in with students during learning conferences, flexibility ensures that every learner has a personalised pathway forward.

Together with families, teachers and students we create the conditions where every child can grow and thrive.

Natalie Adler
Assistant Principal Teaching & Learning

This term in HaSS, our Year 1B students have been exploring the concept of families—what they look like, what they mean, and why they are so important. Their learning culminated in a heart‑warming assembly presentation that beautifully captured the diversity and belonging that families represent.

Throughout the term, students discovered that families come in many different forms, and that no two families look exactly the same. Some families are big, some are small, and each one is unique in its own special way. Most importantly, students learnt that these differences are not just okay - they are something to celebrate.

As part of their exploration, the class reflected on what family means personally to them. They spoke about the love, care, and connection that make a family truly special. Together, the students also recognised that their classroom is a kind of family too—a place where everyone is included, cared for, and supported.

During the assembly, each student shared a line about what they had learnt, then proudly held up their own drawing of their family and introduced it to the audience with the words, “This is my family.” The presentation finished with an energetic performance of “We Are Family”, which had the whole audience smiling.

We are so proud of Year 1B for their confidence, teamwork, and the thoughtful understanding they have developed about families and belonging. What a wonderful celebration of the people who shape our lives. Thank you 1B and Miss Maudsley!

Natalie Adler
Assistant Principal Teaching & Learning

A reminder to any families who may be moving or relocating from Highfields, please note our Cancellation Policy. Any families intending to withdraw their child's enrolment at the end of Term 1, 2026 must notify the College by no later than 4:00pm Thursday, 2 April 2026 to avoid billing of Term 2 2026 fees.

Should your circumstances change and your child/ren will not be continuing at the College, we ask for the earliest notice possible. For the purposes of planning and resourcing, we require notification by the final day of the end of the current term. Notification is defined as the date of the receipt of the Notification of Transfer form.

Invoices for fees are sent in the first few weeks of Term 2, and failure to provide this notice will result in one terms’ fee being invoiced to you. Exceptions to this Policy are at the discretion of the Principal.

A Notification of Transfer form must be completed to initiate the cancellation of your child’s enrolment at the College. Please contact our Enrolments Team to discuss your intentions via email or phone 07 4698 7777.

Enrolments Team

We are excited to announce this year's Mini Vinnies annual Year 5 Term One fundraiser, the Easter Raffle! This is a wonderful opportunity to support our community and win some fantastic prizes.

Last year's fundraiser helped facilitate several local community services, and we hope to make an even bigger impact this year.

Why Participate? By purchasing raffle tickets, you are directly contributing to our efforts to support local community services. Your generosity and participation are greatly appreciated and valued.

Prizes: Multiple baskets filled with Easter eggs in a range of sizes to be won!

Ticket Sales: Tickets are $1.00 each will be available for sale online during Weeks 7, 8 and 9, closing on Friday, 27 March (Week 9).

The raffle will be drawn on Monday, 30 March (Week 10).

Purchasing tickets: Tickets can be purchased online.

Your official role at the College:

Senior School Teacher - English, HPE and Science

What does a typical day really look like:

I teach a variety of subjects, so my days are often all over the place, I am either teaching Year 7 - 9 English, Year 7 - 9 Science or HPE. I am also organising netball for Mary MacKillop, so somewhere in my day, there will always be netball. 

Secondary School attended:

Downlands College

What do you like about working at Mary MacKillop?

I love the support from every angle of the College, the staff, students, and families. I have been overwhelmed with assistance and encouragement during my first term here. 

What are your hobbies/Interests?

I am a big netballer! I love to coach all ages of netball and have recently gotten back into playing competitively. I live on a farm so I also love being around animals and gardening.

How is your work related to the 6 Ps?

As a teacher at Mary MacKillop Catholic College, I strive to embody all the 6Ps. In my daily practice, I teach with enthusiasm, nurture students’ potential, respond to their needs with purposeful action, and work closely with families and colleagues to support every learner. Through persistence and reflective, faith‑centered guidance, I help ensure these values are lived out in our classrooms and wider College community.

It has been an exceptionally busy and rewarding start to the year for sport across the College, with our students demonstrating outstanding commitment, teamwork, and athletic excellence.

Our Open Girls Futsal Team claimed the championship title on Monday night in the Glennie Futsal Competition. This is an outstanding achievement!

This impressive achievement adds to the College’s recent success at the South-West Futsal Titles, where five Mary Mac teams were crowned champions. These results reflect not only talent, but the strength and depth of our futsal program.

In cricket, our QCIS T20 team competes in the playoff for Third place this week, rounding out what has been a very promising season. The boys have shown tremendous spirit and consistency throughout the competition, and we wish them well in their final match.

Looking ahead, our College Cross Country Carnival will take place on Thursday, 2 April. More detailed information will be shared with families via email communication next week. We look forward to a wonderful day of participation and House spirit.

Mary MacKillop Catholic College and St Mary's College are excited to launch the Rice MacKillop Trophy, a new annual three‑game football series for our Under 14 and Open teams. The competition begins with the Launch Fixture on Wednesday 18 March at Captain Cook Oval.  

We are happy to report that U14 team won 2-0 and the Open team had a draw 1-1.  Round 2 will align with the ISSA (U14) and UHL (Opens) season matches in Terms 2 and 3, and the series will conclude with the Foundation Day decider in August, hosted by Mary MacKillop Catholic College. This new tradition strengthens the connection between our Colleges and celebrates the spirit of our patrons.

This term has also seen a high level of involvement in representative sport trials for our 10–18 year olds. Congratulations to all students who have been selected in Inner Downs and Darling Downs teams. We wish you every success as you prepare for your upcoming State Championships.

None of these achievements would be possible without the dedication and hard work of our teachers, coaches, and parents, whose ongoing support ensures that our students can flourish both on and off the field.

We look forward to celebrating many more sporting highlights as the year continues.

Troy Brunner
Middle Leader: Sport and Student Engagement

The National Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD) is a process that all Australian schools must complete annually to count the number of students with disabilities who receive additional adjustments or support. Here are some key points for parents:

• Obligation: Schools are required to ensure that students with disabilities can access and participate in education on the same basis as their peers.
• Collaboration: Parents play a crucial role in collaborating with schools to understand their child's needs and ensure appropriate adjustments are made.

Data Collection: The NCCD involves collecting data on the level of adjustments made for students with disabilities, which helps in planning and funding for their educational needs.

• Privacy: Schools must protect the privacy of students and do not need to seek formal diagnoses to include them in the NCCD.
• For more detailed information, you can refer to the official NCCD resources provided by the Catholic Education Office.

Over the course of Term 2, you may receive a letter informing you that your child is included in the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD). 

If you have any further questions regarding this or wish to chat to someone on staff, please do not hesitate to contact the relevant Learning Support teacher for your child:

Prep – Year 3: Kirsty Piper

Year 4 – Year 6: Shannon Anderson

Year 7 – Year 8: Jacq Koch

Year 9 – Year 12: Kelli Pacey

Middle Leader – Personalised Learning: Amy Dwyer

We are always happy to support you and answer any questions you may have.

Mrs Amy Dwyer
Middle Leader Personalised Learning

Have you got a child that would like to start at Mary MacKillop next year? 

Enrolment Interviews will commence later this term and into Term 2. To ensure you are offered an interview, you must have an Enrolment Application submitted before the closing date. 

There are limited spaces left for Prep and Year 7 in 2027. Be sure to submit your applications now and share this with any other interested families!

Applications for Prep to Year 12 close on Friday, 17 April 2026.

Phoebe Politch
Enrolments Officer

6A hosted the Week 7 THRIVE assembly in Years 3-6 and 1B hosted in Prep - Year 2, with the focus being on emotional learning. Thank you to both teachers and students for providing such a valuable opportunity for our students.

At Mary MacKillop, we know that a child’s ability to understand and manage their emotions plays a vital role in their learning, relationships, and wellbeing. This term, each year level is engaging in age‑appropriate learning that helps students recognise their feelings, respond in healthy ways, and support the emotional needs of others. Here is an overview of what this looks like across our College.

Prep: Learning to Understand and Manage Big Feelings

Our Prep students are learning how to identify and express their emotions appropriately. Through stories, play, and gentle strategies, they explore ways to calm their bodies and minds when feelings become “big” or overwhelming. Students are learning to:

• Notice unhelpful responses to strong emotions
• Understand why being calm helps them learn
• Use simple coping tools such as deep breathing and gentle movement
• Recognise and celebrate kind and joyful moments at school

Year 1 and Year 2: Building Emotional Awareness

In Years 1 and 2, students build on their understanding of emotions by learning to recognise not only their own needs, but also the emotional needs of others. 

They are learning to:

• Identify unhelpful responses to big emotions
• Explain why calm bodies support learning
• Notice signals that remind them to pause, slow down, and regulate
• Use coping tools such as breathing, gentle movement, and naming their feelings
• Identify positive experiences that support emotional wellbeing

Year 3 and Year 4: Managing and Moderating Emotions

Students in Years 3 and 4 are developing more advanced skills to manage and moderate their emotions, particularly in social and learning environments. 

They are learning to:

• Identify unhelpful reactions to intense emotions
• Explain the importance of being calm and ready to learn
• Recognise early signs that they need to stop, slow down, or reset
• Use a range of coping strategies such as breathing, movement, mindfulness, expressing emotions, and changing their mindset
• Adjust their thinking to support positive interactions with peers and successful learning experiences

Year 5 and Year 6: Understanding Emotional Influences and Supporting Others

Our students are engaging deeply with the factors that influence their emotions, behaviour, and relationships. They are exploring how thoughts, actions, and environments affect their emotional responses and how they can support both themselves and their peers. 

They are learning to:

• Identify what impacts the intensity of their emotions
• Understand how their thoughts and behaviours shape emotional experiences
• Use a wide range of coping tools such as mindfulness, movement, acceptance, and mindset adjustments
• Maintain healthy habits that support both their physical and emotional wellbeing

How You Can Support at Home

You can strengthen your child’s emotional learning by:

• Talking openly about feelings in everyday moments
• Modelling calm responses when emotions run high
• Practising simple strategies like deep breathing together
• Highlighting positive experiences and acts of kindness

Together, we can help our students build the emotional skills they need for learning, friendships, and lifelong wellbeing.

Natalie Adler
Assistant Principal Teaching & Learning

International Read to Me Day is an international campaign held annually on 19 March to encourage adults to read to children, thereby fostering literacy, imagination and personal connection.

Mary Mac Junior School students were this week thrilled to discover their College Principal, Mr Gabbett was the International Read to Me Mystery Reader and thoroughly entertained by his picture book reading.

Research findings including those from the Victorian Department Education and Early Childhood Development show that parental reading to children increases the child’s reading and other cognitive skills at least up to the age of 10–11. Many older children also enjoy being read to as well as opportunities to discuss what they are reading.

Listening to a story can settle children's minds and bodies, helping their brains engage in deep and sustained attention. Reading together also creates a natural space for imaginative interaction and engagement with others.

Consider sharing a story today with your child - the benefits are endless.

Angela Irvine
Teacher Librarian (Junior Library)

At our recent Term 1, Week 7 Thrive Assembly, our Junior School students were awarded the Walking the Josephite Way Award. The focus was on Possibilities.

Congratulations to the Walking the Josephite Way Award recipients.

At our recent Term 1, Week 8 Assembly, our Junior School students were awarded the Walking the Josephite Way Award. The focus was on Possibilities.

Congratulations to the Walking the Josephite Way Award recipients.

Action Plan Meetings for Year 11 and 12

In Week 2 of Term 2 we will be meeting with all Year 11 students to discuss their plans for the future. This is to ensure we are supporting you to achieve your goals and that your goals are achievable. Please keep an eye out for an email to book your time. Meetings will be in small groups and be held with Mr Bracken, Mrs Goddard and Mrs Richardson.

Year 12 Action Plan Meetings will start in Week 2 of Term 2 as well. These will be a one-on-one meeting with Mr Bracken and Mrs Goddard. We will meet to ensure you are on the right path for the future. Keep an eye out for an email to book your meeting.

Work Experience (WEX) Year 10 in 2026

Work Experience forms are rolling in and we have the majority of forms but still need a few more students to complete this. Students who have not completed forms and the Workplace Health and Safety certificate will be visiting the Pathway Office during lunchtimes to have this done on time. 

WEX is a compulsory, unpaid program designed to support students’ career development. Students who complete their placement during the holiday period will not be required to attend the College in the first week of Term 2.

Dates for WEX 2026

Week 1 Holidays - Tuesday, 7 - Friday, 10 April (4 days)

Week 2 Holidays - Monday, 13 -Friday, 17 April (5 days)

Week 1 Term 2 - Monday, 20 - Friday, 24 April (5 days)

Mrs Goddard, Mrs Richardson or a teacher will visit each student during their placement. The placement needs to be within 45 minutes of Highfields/Toowoomba.

We look forward to visiting students on their placement.

Your Pathway
Mrs Andrea Goddard and Mrs Christie Richardson

At our recent Term 1, Week 7 Assembly, our Senior School students were awarded the Walking the Josephite Way Award. The focus was on Possibilities.

Congratulations to all the recipients!

Easter Vacation Care

Our Easter Vacation Care program has now been released, and we have many exciting experiences plan. We will search for easter eggs, experiment with sugar fireworks, test our fine and gross motor skills on our Ninja Warrior obstacle course, battle each other with Nerf Guns, ride on our bikes and scooters, watch the new Super Mario Galaxy movie, and many more!

Please request bookings for your children through the Xplor app or by emailing us directly at HIGcare@tckc.qld.edu.au to secure your spot.

Garth Rochford
Coordinator

Mass Times

Every Sunday, St Mary MacKillop Catholic Parish gathers in the MacKillop Centre, 75 Highfields Road entry to celebrate together. 

You are invited to be part of this celebration. Sunday Mass starts at 8:00am (unless otherwise advised) and is led by Fr Brian Noonan.

Easter Mass Times

Monday, 30 March: Chrism Mass at St Patrick's Cathedral at 5:30pm

Wednesday, 1 April: Combined Reconciliation Service at St Theresa’s Parish, Toowoomba at 6:00pm

Holy Thursday - Thursday, 2 April: Combined Service and Choir at St. Theresa’s Parish, Toowoomba at 6:00pm

Good Friday - Friday, 3 April: Ecumenical Stations of the Cross at Peacehaven Park, Highfields at 10:00am

Good Friday - Friday, 3 April: Veneration of the Cross at MacKillop Centre, Highfields at 3:00pm

Saturday Night Vigil Mass - Saturday 4 April: MacKillop Centre, Highfields at 6:00pm

Easter Sunday Masses on Sunday 5 April: MacKillop Centre, Highfields at 8:00am and St. Theresa’s Parish Toowoomba at 9:30 am

Easter Raffle

Please support our parish by purchasing tickets in our raffle (2 x baskets with Easter goodies). Bek and Patti will be selling tickets this weekend until Easter Vigil Mass.

Helping those in need

Please help local vulnerable women in our community by donating cash through March. There is a great need. All donations will be given to our local Highfields Branch of St Vincents De Paul. Donation box on table in foyer. You can make a difference however small.

Attention those who love to sing

Once again this year, we will be having a combined service for Holy Thursday, 2 April at 6:00pm at St. Theresa’s parish. As they have done in previous years, they will be having a combined choir. 

All parishioners who love to sing are welcome to come along. Practices will be at St Theresa’s Parish on Thursdays at 3:30pm.

MacKillop Catholic Parish