I want to express huge congratulations to the students, staff and families who have contributed to our production of the musical this week. This is always an absolutely mammoth effort, and it is a tribute to Mrs Duncan's vision and ability that sees such a high calibre production emerge.

As we celebrate this production of The Little Mermaid Jr., it is worth reflecting on why these stories remain such an important part of our lives.

For centuries, stories and fairy tales have helped people explore questions of identity, belonging, courage and hope. Fairy tales developed as vital survival and educational tools. Long before books, humans used these magical stories to explain the unknown, teach moral lessons, and warn children about real dangers. They allowed people to safely explore their deepest fears and deepest wishes. They allow us to see ourselves in the characters and learn lessons that facts alone cannot teach.

I have had a few chats with Mrs Duncan about how the musical our students are performing is quite different from Hans Christian Andersen's original Little Mermaid tale. The 1837 story is bittersweet and ends in sacrifice and loss and offers a commentary on how sacrifice was idealised at the time as proof of deep love. If you are interested in a deeper dive into how the story could be interpreted, Malcolm Gladwell did a pretty entertaining revision of it via his podcast. The Disney version offers a more hopeful ending that celebrates love, friendship and following your dreams. Yet both versions ask the same enduring questions: Who am I? Where do I belong? What is the nature of love?

As our very talented students take to the stage, they are participating in one of humanity's oldest traditions, storytelling. Thank you cast, crew, musicians, staff and volunteers for bringing this story to life and reminding us that stories continue to connect us.

I hope you have all had a positive start to the new term.

Mr Chris Gabbett
College Principal

Daniel Sih is a productivity speaker and conference speaker trusted by organisations across Australia, New Zealand, and the UK. He is a multi award-winning author, TEDx speaker, and the co-founder and CEO of Spacemakers in Australia and Canada.

His latest book, "Raising Tech-Healthy Humans: How to Reset Your Children’s Tech-Habits and Give Them a Great Start to Life," is a positive guidebook to help parents establish healthier tech and non-tech habits with their children.

This interactive session, guides parents in meaningful conversations about technology and parenting, with a focus on Junior School aged children.

To book tickets, please click the link to Trybooking is https://www.trybooking.com/DMPYS

The Parent Engagement Network

Hold on to your hats – it’s time for the Arts to shine

Term 3 is always an exciting time for the Arts with so many activities and events happening, seemingly all at once!

2026 is no different. In Term 3, Mary MacKillop Catholic College Students will be involved in the following:

The Toowoomba Eisteddfod part 2 featuring Rock Band, Guitar Ensembles, Guitar solos and small groups, Speech solos, pairs and groups, monologues, duologues and group performances. The number of entries are very high and I am looking forward to watching and hearing our students perform for the local community.

Queensland Catholic Music Festival (QCMF) where our musicians will pit their skills against schools from all over the state.

Mary MacKillop Feast and Foundation Day where our musicians and singers will be performing with renowned musician Andrew Chinn for Feast Day and entertaining parents, students and friends as part of the Foundation Day celebrations.

The Scene Project will see a dedicated group of drama students performing their own work at UniSQ to industry experts and others schools.

And of course, this weekend will see the culmination of months of hard work as our intrepid voyagers set sail at The Highfields Cultural Centre with their performance of ‘The Little Mermaid Jr’ which is set to be a swashbuckling extravaganza!

Of course, we wish all the students well and thank all the teachers for their time, commitment and expertise. But we can also reflect on why the arts are so crucial.

According to a major study in Australia, creative participation helps us express ourselves, connect with each other and feel a sense of community. It has been shown to be highly effective in addressing social isolation, anxiety and depression and helping communities deal with the fallout of natural disasters. It has also been confirmed that the arts can support the health sector with creative approaches that address the scale and cost of the problem, and reach beyond our overburdened mental health system to connect those who need help.

Whilst teaching about character strengths in wellbeing this last fortnight, it also struck me that the 24 character strengths as outlined in the research of Chris Peterson and Martin Seligman can all be fostered and developed through participation in the arts.

Obviously, things like creativity and teamwork are a given but performers and creatives need to be brave, humble, kind and honest to truly develop their artistic work. As part of a wider team young people have to develop curiosity, social intelligence and perseverance. And through appreciation of the arts we can all develop some perspective, appreciation of beauty, spirituality and hope.

I very much hope that whether or not you or your child are so called ‘arty people’ you can find time to watch our performers at the Cultural Centre, Empire Theatres or on our College grounds. Not only will it be good for them, it might also prove to be good for you to be “part of that world” even if it is for a short time.

Mr Richard Coe
Deputy Principal

Did you know that 53 Australians are diagnosed with blood cancer every day and that there are currently approximately 140,000 people in Australia living with forms of blood cancer such as leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma and amyloidosis?

To support those in our College and wider community who are living with and are impacted by blood cancers such as these, but also all forms of cancer, MMCC is participating in the World's Greatest Shave on Feast Day, Friday, 7 August. Our 2026 team is comprised of the following students, many of whom have already raised well over $1,000:

Jackson Kings, Jackson Barr, Caitlyn Barr, Adele Adams, Matilda Wieland, Archie Wieland, Josh Shaw, Daniel Wittmaack, Walter Jackwitz, Scott Carrigan, Hunter Harms, Emily Greenhalgh, Thomas Reinbott, Hunter Miller, Noah Skippen, Harrison Dwyer, Harrison Croker, Cooper Donovan, and Matthew Moloney.

We would love to reach our goal of $10,000. Even better, it would be so exciting to exceed our 2025 fundraising total of over $15,000! So, if you are able to support this great cause and our committed students who are shaving in solidarity and advocating for the vulnerable, please consider donating to the MMCC team page.

Leisa Radley
Director of Formation and College Culture

This coming week, Catholic schools across Queensland proudly celebrate Catholic Education Week, a time to give thanks for the vibrant life, faith and learning nurtured within our school communities.

Guided by this year's theme, Share Your Light, Inspire Others, we recognise the countless ways our students, staff, parents and families contribute their unique gifts and talents to our College community and beyond. Each act of kindness, service, leadership and encouragement reflects Christ's light and helps create a culture where all can flourish. This week I encourage you to recognise people who inspire you or have shine a light for you.

From our youngest students in Prep through to our Year 12 Leaders, every member of our College community is called to be a light for others. Whether in the classroom, on the sporting field, through artistic expression, in service activities, or through daily acts of compassion and inclusion, our students are called to demonstrate the values of faith, hope and love that are at the heart of Catholic education.

Catholic Education Week also provides an opportunity to celebrate the dedicated staff who inspire learning and growth each day. Especially this week some staff members will be recognised through the Toowoomba Catholic Schools Excellence Awards for shining their light in our community. Huge congratulations to Annabelle Cowen and Bec Lopez, both Year 5 teachers, on receiving the award from Queensland Catholic Education Commission - Spirit of Catholic Education - Aunty Joan Hendriks Reconciliation Award. Together, we strive to nurture not only academic excellence but also the spiritual, social and emotional development of every student. We look forward to you, liking the various Facebook and Instagram stories posted throughout the week.

As we celebrate this special week, we invite our College community to hold all Catholic schools in prayer. May God continue to bless our students, staff and families, and may the light they share inspire hope, faith and love in our world.

"Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven." 

Matthew 5:16

Mrs Paula O'Rourke
Assistant Principal Mission and Identity

I am excited to announce that we will have our second Mary MacKillop Catholic College Science Fair for students in Years 3 to 6.

The Science Fair will take place in Week 10 on Wednesday, 16 September, 5:45pm to 7:30pm

All the information you need to know about the Science Fair can be accessed via the Student and Parent Information Booklet link below.

Essentially, students will work on a Science Project at home, demonstrating their skills (age-appropriate) and interests in Science.

Participating in the Science Fair will have a positive impact on your child’s learning journey and will be lots of fun!

• Hands-on: Your child will be actively involved in exciting experiments!
• Discover: Watch your child discover the wonders of science!
• Exploration: Encourage their natural curiosity through exploration and discovery.
• Creative problem-solving: The Science Fair allows them to develop creative problem-solving skills.
• Engaging projects: Prepare to be amazed by the engaging projects your child will create
• Fun experiments: Your child will participate in fun and exciting experiments.
  

We will CELEBRATE their success! Our young scientists will appear in the spotlight! This is their time to shine and share their passion for science. We will celebrate their hard work and achievements. Recognition will occur in the following categories:

1. Prizes for each Year level
2. Audience Choice Award
3. Overall Principal’s Award (which is also a Perpetual Award)
4. Certificate and Participation medal
   

What you need to do:

1. Read the information booklet.
2. Please completed the online Science Fair Registration Form with your child by Friday, 4 September 2026.
3. Be enthusiastic: your passion for the Science Fair will be contagious!

Mrs Natalie Adler
Assistant Principal, Teaching and Learning Prep - Year 12

At our Week 1, Term 3 Assembly, Prep A shared their learning with us.

Students have been learning how to bless themselves with the Sign of the Cross.

We bless ourselves at the beginning and at the end of a prayer.

When we make the Sign of the Cross, we remember that God is always with us.

To help them learn the actions and words, students have been singing a special song called May God Be in Your Heart by Andrew Chinn which they proudly shared with the Junior School.

Thank you, Prep A!

Natalie Adler
Assistant Principal Teaching & Learning P-12

Mary MacKillop Catholic College warmly invites alumni, past and current families, and current and former staff to join us for Foundation Day 2026 on Sunday, 9 August.

More than a celebration of our College's history, Foundation Day is an opportunity to reconnect, reflect and celebrate the values and legacy inspired by Saint Mary MacKillop that continue to shape our community today.

The day will begin with Mass in the MacKillop Centre, followed by a variety of activities including sporting matches, live music performances, an art exhibition, alumni tours and community festivities. Highlights include the Alumni v First XI Football Match, MMCC v Downlands Netball Match, and the inaugural Rice MacKillop Cup against St Mary's College.

With food stalls, a bar and catering options available for purchase, Foundation Day promises a wonderful opportunity to gather with friends, share memories and celebrate the people and stories that have shaped Mary MacKillop Catholic College across generations.

We look forward to welcoming our community back to the College for this special occasion.

Mr Chris Gabbett
College Principal

Be a Mary Mac Kid for a Day is coming up on Wednesday, 12 August 2026. We’re excited to invite and welcome prospective students who are currently in Prep to Year 5 to join us at the College, make new friends, and experience a full day of life at Mary MacKillop Catholic College.

It’s a wonderful chance for students to explore our learning environment, meet our caring teachers and discover what makes our community so vibrant and special.

Please visit the College website to register your child or click the link below

Be a Mary Mac Kid for a Day - | Mary MacKillop Catholic College

Enrolments Team

Eisteddfod Part 2

Best wishes for all our soloists, small group participants, and ensemble members participating in the 2026 Drama and Instrumental Eisteddfod.

A reminder for parents attending: tickets can often be time-consuming to purchase from the box office during ensemble sections, and we recommend pre-purchasing through the Empire Theatre website.

Welcome to new Woodwind and Brass Tutor

We would like to warmly welcome Ivan Bevan to the MMCC tuition team. Ivan is a seasoned professional in both performance and tuition and is looking forward to working with the Music team at the College.

If you are interested (and have not already) registered for Music lessons on a brass and woodwind instrument, please fill in the enrolment form to find details about the program and express interest for your child/ren.

Benn Tracy
Middle Leader - The Arts and Student Engagement

Your official role at the College:

School Officer – Sports Administration

What does a typical day really look like:

Organising the behind the scenes of Mary Mac Sport – including College based, extra-curricular, representative sport and of course, organising Troy!! 

Secondary School attended:

St. Mary’s College Dalby

What do you like about working at Mary MacKillop?

It's always the people!! The people make such a difference. I like getting to encourage students to have a go and I get to watch students play sport and do what they love. And Mary Mac is close to home which is a major bonus.

What are your hobbies/Interests?

Water Skiing - I would ski every day if I could. I also enjoy Reformer Pilates. My hobby/interest – ferrying my 2 girls to their many sports.

Other interesting facts about yourself or anything else you would like to share with the MMCC community:

My favourite colour is orange and I love the beach.

How is your work related to the 6 Ps?

There is always the Possibility of getting my work done.

I have such Passion for Sport

Practical Action – hard work daily/our team always support each other through

Partnership/ Perseverance – even though situations can be frustrating, I will try to work my way through it all

Every day at 2:05pm is Prayer and that gives us all a moment to pause and be still.

On Friday 17 July, students from Prep to Year 6 at Mary MacKillop Catholic College joined students from 13 other schools across the Diocese to compete in the Toowoomba Catholic Primary Schools Athletics Carnival.

Students participated in a range of track events, including the 60m, 80m and 100m sprints, as well as the 200m and 800m races. They also competed in field events such as long jump, high jump, discus and shot put. Many students achieved outstanding results, bringing home 1st, 2nd and 3rd place ribbons in their events. Most importantly, all students gave their best effort and had a lot of fun throughout the day.

This year marked the first time a Champion School award was presented, with Mater Dei Primary School taking out the honour. Age Champion awards were also introduced for the first time. Congratulations to Austin Griffiths, who was named the 12 Years Boys Age Champion across the Diocese. A fantastic achievement for Austin!

Congratulations to all students who participated and represented Mary MacKillop Catholic College with pride. We are very proud of your effort, sportsmanship and determination.

Miss Sophie Maudsley
Junior PE Teacher

Over the holidays, Year 6 student Willow Selected to represent the Australian Futsal Association Under 12 Girls team at the Costa Blanca Cup in Barcelona, Spain.Their team were named Runners Up and they also won Best Female Club of the tournament. A fantastic achievement.

Willow currently plays club soccer, academy soccer and school representative soccer. Her selection in the team and commitment to training is outstanding and a testament to selection to wear the green and gold at this international competition.

Huge congratulations Willow and best wishes with your Futsal development and achievements. 

An outstanding achievement Willow and what an amazing experience. Well done and good luck with your future Futsal competitions.

Mr Troy Brunner
Middle Leader: Sports and Student Engagement

At our recent Term 3, Week 1 Junior Assembly, our Junior School students were awarded the Walking the Josephite Way Award.

The focus was on Perseverance.

Congratulations to all students.

Mrs Paula O'Rourke
Assistant Principal Mission and Identity

In an exciting display of creativity and linguistic prowess, students across the Junior School recently participated in the Super and WOW Writer challenge.

Each student was given the task of writing a text on a selected topic, showcasing their skills in sentence construction, vocabulary, and creativity. The competition was fierce, with every student putting forth their best effort.

At the Week 1 Junior School Assembly, one outstanding writer from each class across Prep - Year 6 was acknowledged for their exceptional work. The judges had a difficult task in selecting the winners, given the high quality of submissions from all participants.

Well done and congratulations.

Mrs Lisa-Marie Preston
Primary Middle Leader

With the success of Year 3-6 Dance Troupe in Term 2, a Prep-Year 2 group has been created at MMCC! Both dance groups are open to students who are interested in exploring the Arts. The aim of this group is to make dance more accessible and inclusive, encouraging participation from a wide range of students, regardless of experience or ability level. The focus will be on creating a supportive and welcoming environment where students feel comfortable to try something new, take risks, and learn through making mistakes. We look forward to some upcoming performances on Assembly later this term.

Encourage your child to come along and give it a try. There is no pressure to continue coming, and no sign up is required!

Year 3-6 Dance Troupe: Wednesday First Break

Prep-Year 2 Dance Troupe: Tuesday First Break

Miss Cody Silva & Miss Sophie Maudsley
Junior School Teachers

Year 10 Careers Retreat

Our Year 10 students recently participated in a two-day Careers Retreat held at the Highfields Cultural Centre, providing an important opportunity to begin planning and preparing for their Senior Schooling and future career pathways.

Throughout the Careers Retreat, students gained valuable information about their upcoming Senior years. Mr Bracken delivered an informative session explaining the Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) and the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR), helping students develop an understanding of the pathways available to them throughout Years 11 and 12.

Students also completed a personality assessment designed to help them identify their strengths, interests, and potential career matches. We encourage families to discuss these results with their students as part of ongoing conversations about future education and career goals.

A number of guest speakers shared their expertise and real-world experiences with the cohort. Mrs Karen Coulston from Toowoomba Catholic Schools Office (TCSO) presented on School-based Apprenticeships and Traineeships (SATs), outlining the opportunities available for students who wish to combine school with vocational training and employment.

Mr Nicolas Hess delivered a practical and engaging session on Financial Literacy, introducing students to important concepts such as budgeting, saving, and making informed financial decisions as they move towards adulthood.

Students were also inspired by Mr Troy Brunner, who shared his own career journey and demonstrated that career pathways are often flexible and evolving. From beginning his working life as a mechanic, transitioning into paramedicine, and ultimately becoming a teacher, Mr Brunner highlighted the importance of embracing opportunities and remaining open to change.

A key focus of the Careers Retreat was the development of each student's Senior Education and Training (SET) Plan. Students explored a range of future possibilities, including university pathways, vocational education and training, apprenticeships, traineeships, and direct entry into the workforce. This provided students with an opportunity to reflect on their interests and begin setting goals for their Senior Schooling journey.

The Careers Retreat concluded with a visit to the Toowoomba Careers Expo, where students explored a wide variety of educational and career opportunities. Staff at the expo commended our students on their positive engagement and professional interactions with exhibitors and stallholders, reflecting the maturity and enthusiasm with which they approached the experience.

Overall, we hope that the Careers Retreat provided students with valuable insights, new ideas, and greater confidence as they begin planning for their futures. The two days offered an excellent foundation for students to start their career journey with increased clarity and an understanding of the many pathways available to them.

Mrs Andrea Goddard and Mrs Christie Richardson
Your Pathways Team

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.

SVDP Helping Hands

Our local Vinnies is starting a 'Helping Hands" project to collect non-perishable food items for community members who desperately need help in feeding their families. A collection basket will be located at the back of the hall and the type of preferred food items are highlighted. The project will initially run through to end September. Vinnies thank you for your support.

SPRED'S Annual Evening at the Repertory Theatre - Educating Rita

Starting on Wednesday, 5 August - 7:00pm for a 7:30pm.  Tickets $25 which includes wine on arrival, a light supper at interval and 5X tickets in multi-draw raffle. For bookings phone 463 28427 or spred@twb.catholic.org.au.

Broncos Legends Lunch

Lunch on Friday, 31 July - Tickets now available: www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1599275

MacKillop Catholic Parish

Winter Vacation Care! 

Our Winter Vacation Care program was packed with excitement, laughter and creativity. Throughout the holiday period, children enjoyed a variety of experiences designed to keep them active, engaged, and entertained while building friendships and confidence along the way.

One of the biggest highlights was our excursion to The Strand Cinemas, where children sat back, relaxed, and enjoyed the much-anticipated Toy Story 5 on the big screen. Another favourite was our action-packed Wheels Day Incursion, which had children racing, riding, and challenging themselves while having a fantastic time.

Adventure and excitement continued with thrilling Nerf gun battles, where teamwork, strategy, and plenty of laughter were on display. Our curious young scientists also had the opportunity to explore, discover, and experiment through a range of hands-on science activities that sparked creativity and wonder.

For those looking for a little relaxation, our special Spa Day was a huge success! Children enjoyed having their hair and nails styled before creating their own delicious fresh fruit juices using a variety of colourful fruits. It was a wonderful opportunity for self-care, creativity, and fun.

The competitive spirit shone brightly during our State of Origin Day, where children proudly represented their chosen state. The games were full of energy, teamwork, and sportsmanship, with everyone getting involved and cheering each other on.

Children also embraced their imaginations through Oz Tag games, themed dress-up days, and the exciting challenge of creating and running their own shops. These experiences encouraged creativity, problem-solving, communication skills, and confidence while fostering meaningful friendships and social connections.

From active play and creative challenges to exciting excursions and special themed events, every day offered something new and engaging. It was wonderful to see the children embracing each experience with enthusiasm, positivity, and a willingness to try new things.

A special thank you to the families who have generously donated resources to our service. Your kindness has brought so much joy, excitement, and creativity to our children, and we are incredibly grateful for your ongoing support.

We would love to hear your feedback! If you would like to share your thoughts about the program, please email us at HIGcare@tckc.qld.edu.au.

We can't wait to welcome everyone back for our next Vacation Care adventure! 

Garth Rochford
OSHC Coordinator

Delivering for Queensland is currently seeking dedicated and community-minded individuals to join the team as School Crossing Supervisors supporting Mary MacKillop Catholic College.

Benefits include:
✅ $38.41 per hour
✅ Training Provided
✅ Casual employment with the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR)
✅ Fortnightly pay
✅ Long-service leave entitlements
✅ Queensland Government superannuation
✅ 24-hour Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
✅ The opportunity to make a positive difference in your local community

If you are reliable, enjoy working outdoors, and are passionate about keeping children safe, we encourage you to apply.

Scan the QR code in the attached advertisement or visit: www.tmr.qld.gov.au/school-crossing-supervisor-scheme

Join Delivering for Queensland and help keep the Mary MacKillop Catholic College community safe.

Department of Transport & Main Roads

Do you know a young person ready to step up as a leader in their community?

Applications are now open for Toowoomba Regional Council’s 2027 Regional Youth Leaders Program — a great opportunity for Senior School aged young people aged 14 to 18 to build leadership skills, connect with others, and help shape youth initiatives across the region.

What’s involved:

Events, workshops and community projects

Leadership development and civic engagement

Opportunities to represent and advocate for young people

We’re recruiting 25 young people from across the Toowoomba Region.

Key dates:

• Applications open: Sunday, 1 June 2026
• Applications close: Friday, 31 July 2026
• Induction: Monday, 21 September 2026
  

Training camps:

• 22 to 24 September 2026
• 14t to 16 December 2026
  

Eligibility:

Live, work or study in the Toowoomba Region

Senior School Aged young peole between 14 to 18 during the program

Available for induction day, camps and monthly meetings

Emma Iseppi
TRC Community Development Officer