I have been blessed over the past two weeks to attend two really special events outside of Toowoomba. From Monday to Wednesday last week, I was alongside about 50 Sisters of St Joseph and about 20 people (like myself) who are considered their ‘partners in mission’. This was at the Mary MacKillop Spirituality Centre in Baulkham Hills, northwest Sydney. The Josephite community gathered there in a spirit of discernment, preparing for their upcoming Chapter - a sacred moment of listening, prayer, and visioning. This was so courageous by the Sisters. Their main motivation was to discern the place of their Order as Vocations are fewer and the Nuns themselves age. Being part of these conversations was a reminder of the enduring legacy of Mary MacKillop and the radical simplicity of her call: “Never see a need without doing something about it." The Sisters’ commitment to walking together, listening deeply and responding with courage resonated strongly with the principles of synodality - a way of being Church that values encounter, dialogue and co-responsibility.

I am actually writing this newsletter article from Cairns, where the Australian Catholic Education Conference is being held. This event brings together educators from across the country and internationally to explore the current place and the future of Catholic education. The theme of ‘Hope anchored in Faith’ really resonated with me as a Principal. What stood out as well was the shared desire to lead with heart, to build communities where every student is known and valued and to ensure our schools remain places of hope and transformation.

Both experiences reminded me that leadership in Catholic education is not a solitary task - it is a journey we make together. Whether in the quiet discernment of a Josephite gathering or the vibrant energy of a national conference, the Spirit is at work, calling us to listen, to lead and to trade in the currency of love.

I am nearing the end of my 7th year leading Mary MacKillop Catholic College. At our Foundation Day celebrations on Sunday, 10 August I was talking to a parent of a Year 6 student who is preparing to transition to our Senior School. I realised during the conversation that the current Year 6 cohort and I have the same longevity at the College. It could be because I am about to turn 50 but I felt pretty emotional about their entry into Year 7. It is such a blessing of a P - 12 school that I get to witness the growth, discernment and joy of our young people for such a long time. In that context, listening, leading and loving are so important to ensure that they are formed alongside families to support the Common Good once they exit our gates.

Mr Chris Gabbett

College Principal

Your official role at the College:

Senior School Science and Mathematics Teacher

What does a typical day really look like:

A typical day is spent in the classroom teaching Mathematics and Science. After school is spent with my family, especially spending time with my two boys. 

Secondary School attended:

Beaudesert State High School

What do you like about working at Mary MacKillop?

The amazing and humble staff that I get to work with each day. I am so fortunate to work in a place where I have been welcomed with open arms from day one. 

What are your hobbies/Interests?

I am a keen guitarist and try to play every day if I can find the time. If I can find some extra time on the weekend, you will often find me riding some type of bicycle, whether that be on the road or on the mountain bike trails of South-East Queensland.

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

My first job was as an offsider on a newspaper press. I went on to complete a trade certificate in offset print machining.

Following my undergraduate degree in Exercise Science, I went on to research muscle physiology and have a published scientific paper in the field of muscle energetics.

How is your work related to the 6 Ps?

My work is linked closely to Partnership. The relationships that I build in Partnership with our students on their education journey is essential to their success. I am fortunate that I am able to work with students so willing to build those relationships. This is part of what makes the Mary MacKillop community such a success.

Due to a Power Outage on Monday, 25 August 2025 we will not be able to make any hot food. This will apply to FIRST BREAK ONLY. 

There will be NO service over the counter for FIRST BREAK.

Please use Flexi Schools to place any orders required for First Break as this will be the only way to receive any food.

Second break will be as normal with service over the counter but hot food will be limited to purchase, so pre-ordering is advised. 

Sorry for any inconvenience.

Janeen Fotia

Cafe Manager

We are at an exciting time of the year, where places for next year and the year after are filling up fast. As a member of our current community, we want to give you every opportunity to secure a place for your child. If you have a child that is starting in Prep or Year 7 in 2027, who is currently not enrolled at the College and you have not yet submitted an Enrolment Application, now is the time. 

• Prep and Year 7 Enrolments for 2027 will close on Thursday, 2 April 2026. If you have any questions about the Enrolment process, you can contact our Enrolments Team on 07 4698 7777 or via email. Otherwise, you can access our online Application for Enrolment form here.

Mrs Phoebe Politch

Enrolments Officer

It was our second Foundation Day at the College and it was wonderful to see so many Alumni, students and parents back at the College to celebrate our shared history and the enduring spirit of MMCC.

The morning started with a beautiful Mass with St Mary MacKillop Parish, Highfields, followed by a number of festivities. We kicked off with a special rugby skills clinic hosted by the Queensland Reds and Redbacks Rugby. Our Junior and Senior students took to Fitzroy Oval to compete in friendly soccer and touch footballl matches, while our music and drama students showcased their talents alongside a fantastic display of student artwork.

The highlight of the day was the Alumni vs MMCC Soccer Championship. After narrowly missing out last year, the Alumni team were keen to reclaim the Donaugh Shirley Shield and left nothing on the pitch to claim victory! Congratulations to the Alumni team winning a close match 4-3.

A big thank you to our amazing PEN (Parent Engagement Network) for serving up a delicious BBQ, Junior SRC for running the drinks tent, College Administration team for the sweet treats throughout the day, and to our dedicated Alumni Association, staff and students who helped make this special yearly College event a success.

We can't wait to see you in 2026.

You are warmly invited to attend the Father’s Day BBQ and Liturgy on Thursday, 4 September.

The program is as follows:

• 2:15pm Father’s Day Liturgy in House areas around the College with their child/ren
• 3:00pm BBQ served at College Cafe
• 3:00 – 4:00pm Fun activities for Fathers and child/ren to participate in near the College Cafe

Liturgy Locations:

Penola House and Tenison House to be held in MacKillop Centre

Cunningham House and McCormack House to be held in Ignatius

When the liturgy finishes, please make your way to the College Café for the BBQ.

BBQ:

This year we have a beautiful BBQ including sausage, bread, onion and sauce at a cost of $3.00 per person. Please order for you and your child/ren.

Drinks will be available to purchase.

Speciality coffees will not be available, but a complimentary coffee / tea table will be available.

To assist us with catering, please place your order below by 10:00am on Tuesday, 2 September. This is limited to 300 sausages.

Please order your here

Parking:

Due to many parents visiting the College in the afternoon, parking is minimal. we suggest families consider parking outside the school grounds and walking into the venue. No parking is permitted in the Junior School horseshoe as it is a drop-and-go zone in the afternoon.

We look forward to celebrating with you.

The Parent Engagement Network (PEN) are running a Father's Day Raffle with some amazing prizes. If you would like to purchase tickets, please click here to purchase. Raffle will be drawn on Thursday, 4 September.

Please see below a flyer with further details. A massive thank you to all the wonderful companies who have kindly donated prizes.

The Parent Engagement Network (PEN) are organising a Uniform Buy, Swap & Sell event for Mary Mac families.

Please see details below:

Date: Friday, 12 September 2025

Time: 4:30 - 6:00pm

Location: MacKillop Centre

Register for a table: Please click the link and fill in the details. Registrations close on Tuesday, 9 September.

Please see below a flyer for more information.

Rules for the evening:

• Only parents intending to sell items need to register. All parents and families are invited and welcome to attend.
• A labelled trestle table will be provided for each participant - shared table if amount of ‘stock’ is small.
• All selling, labelling, pricing etc is at the responsibility of the participant.
• Only MMCC items are to be sold.
• Cash only event.
• PEN and the College has no responsibility for quality of products, prices or deals made.
• All unsold items to be taken home and nothing left at the College.
• Parents who have registered to sell items, please arrive at 4:00pm.
• Parents and families wishing to purchase items can come and go at any stage during the event.

Parent Engagement Network

Carbal Audiology will be at Mary MacKillop Catholic College on Wednesday, 3 September 2025. Audiology assessments are open to students in Years Prep - 12. If you would like your child to participate in the hearing assessment, please email the Senior Learning Support Teacher to register your interest.

Kelli Pacey

Senior Learning Support Teacher

Toowoomba Catholic Schools Office have asked Learning Support Teachers to share the below opportunity with their school communities.

I CAN Network provides online mentoring sessions for young people who identify as autistic/neurodivergent, allowing them to connect, grow skills and have fun in a supportive space.

Cycle 4 Is Here - Enrol Now

Cycle 4 is almost here and we can’t wait to welcome new and returning participants!

Our online mentoring sessions are designed for autistic/neurodivergent young people to connect, grow skills and have fun in a supportive space. What’s New? What's new is our Minecraft Survival Server on Mondays. In this session mentees will build, gather, survive and collaborate in a safe, welcoming environment where they can learn teamwork, creativity & problem-solving in a fun, low-pressure setting. Special Interest Groups

Choose from a wide range of creative and social groups including:

Roblox
Taylor Swift
Gaming
Pokémon
Drawing & Art
NEW: Minecraft Survival Server

⬇️ Find your group and secure your spot: Explore programs here ⬇️

ENROL HERE FOR CYCLE 4

Kelli Pacey

Learning Support Teacher - Secondary School

Every year on 15 August, Christians around the world pause to honour one of the most profound mysteries of faith: the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This solemn feast celebrates the belief that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was taken body and soul into heavenly glory at the end of her earthly life - a moment of divine grace that reflects her unique role in salvation history.

Though not explicitly recorded in Scripture, the Assumption has been a cherished belief since the earliest centuries of Christianity. In 1950, Pope Pius XII formally defined it as a dogma of the Catholic Church, stating that “the Immaculate Mother of God, the ever-Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory”.

This declaration was not a new invention, but rather a confirmation of centuries of theological reflection, liturgical celebration, and devotional practice. Eastern Christians refer to this event as the Dormition of Mary, emphasizing her peaceful "falling asleep" before being taken to heaven.

The Gospel reading for the feast includes the Magnificat (Luke 1:46–55), Mary’s powerful hymn of praise. In it, she proclaims God’s justice, mercy, and love - a message that continues to inspire believers to work for a more compassionate and equitable world.

“He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty.” - Luke 1:53Mary’s Assumption is not only a celebration of her purity and faithfulness, but also a sign of hope for all humanity. It reminds us that we, too, are called to share in Christ’s victory over death. Mary was a poor, humble girl who answered the call from God to have a baby that would change the world. It is through this Magnificat that God's presence on earth turned everything upside down. The poor were raised high, while those who have it all are all brought down. It is in Mary's Assumption we see how our God provides a bountiful feast for those that this world looks down on. "For you have looked with favour upon your lowly servant, can from this day forward all generations will call me blessed." (Luke 1:48)

In a world often marked by suffering and uncertainty, the Assumption invites us to lift our eyes to heaven and renew our trust in God’s promises. It’s a day to reflect on Mary’s unwavering “yes” to God, and to ask ourselves how we might follow her example in our own lives. We are called to be open to the workings of the Holy Spirit just as Mary was in saying "yes". Whether through prayer, acts of kindness, or standing up for justice, we are invited to be agents of hope, just as Mary was.

Let's finish with the prayer that was created to honour Mary:

Paula O'Rourke

Assistant Principal Mission and Identity

University Accommodation for 2026

Below is a list of some of the accommodation options in Brisbane. There are other options available, but this is a great starting point to explore what is available. If you have any questions, please email or drop into the Pathways Office.

Study Work Grow have a great resource for helping with decisions around accommodation and budgeting. The guide has a number of links to accommodation scholarships and access to government services that students may be eligible for - Accommodation Guide 

Students need to start applying for accommodation places NOW. These are finalised prior to you receiving your offer from the university; however, you can cancel at any time if you did not receive an offer from that specific university (if the accommodation is linked). As always please check the terms and conditions prior to accepting an accommodation placement. We encourage you to attend the University Open days and visit the accommodation houses with your family.

A lot of the Colleges have rooms set aside for rural/regional students.

UQ RES Student accommodation & homes by UQ Res at St Lucia & Gatton Join the Waitlist at UQ – UQ Res

St Leo’s (males only) Best Residential College For Men in Queensland | St Leo's College (uq.edu.au)

St Johns Apply for a Scholarship - St Johns College UQ

Union College College Life - The University of Queensland Union College (unioncollegeuq.com.au)

Emmanuel College Emmanuel College | University of Queensland (uq.edu.au)

Cromwell College UQ College Brisbane, QLD - Cromwell College with Accommodation

Scholarships - Cromwell College (uq.edu.au)

Grace College Grace College UQ On-Campus Student Accommodation

Kings College King's College – A Residential College within The University of Queensland (uq.edu.au)

Women’s College (Female only) Home - The Women's College

Duchesne College (Female only) Duchesne Women's Residential College Brisbane | UQ College

International House Accommodation - International House - University of Queensland (UQ)

Griffith Uni

Accommodation

Off UQ Campus

Raymont College Student Accommodation Brisbane | Raymont Residential College

Uni Lodge Student Living & International Student Accommodation Brisbane (unilodge.com.au)

Amber Accommodation Book Student Accommodation Near University of Queensland, Brisbane | Amber (amberstudent.com)

Scape Accommodation Scape Suites: Luxury Student Accommodation - Scape Student

Hive Accommodation Student Accommodation in Brisbane - Huge Range of Properties

Student One Student One | Student Accommodation in Brisbane's CBD

Iglu Accommodation Brisbane - Iglu International

Andrea Goddard and Christie Richardson

Career Development Practitioner and Careers Support Officer

The library was buzzing with excitement last week as the annual Scholastic Book Fair rolled into town—and what a turnout it was! Students from every year level flocked to the library, eager to browse the colourful displays, discover new stories, and support their school in the process.

Thanks to the enthusiastic participation of students and families, the fair raised valuable funds that will go directly toward enhancing our school’s library resources. Every book bought helped fuel future learning—and that’s something worth celebrating.

A huge thank you to everyone who visited and supported the fair. Your love of reading helps make Mary MacKillop a place where stories come alive and imaginations soar.

Mrs Angela Irvine and Mrs Amy Dwyer

Teacher Librarians

In Weeks 5 and 6, our Year 1 students embarked on an exciting excursion to the Amaroo Environmental Education Centre in Kleinton, where they took part in the nature play adventure ‘Gabarlah the Greater Glider’.

The day began with an introduction to Gabarlah and a story about her habitat. Students then joined in a variety of hands-on, nature-based activities inspired by Gabarlah’s world and playing on country. These included exploring mud, sand, and rocks; building and constructing; digging for dinosaur fossils; enjoying traditional Murri games and bushwalking.

We are very grateful to our wonderful parent helpers and student officers who supported our Year 1 students to have a great day. It was a day full of discovery, creativity, and connection with nature—and our Year 1 students loved every moment of it!

Mrs Lever, Miss Sheather, Mrs Preston and Mrs Anderson

Year 1 Teachers

Toowoomba Catholic Schools Office has asked Learning Support Teachers to share the below information with their school communities.

🚸 High School Transition Group 🏫 Supporting Year 6 Students in Cycle 4

Starting high school is an exciting step and it can feel big for autistic/neurodivergent students. Our High School Transition Group is designed to help students move from primary school into Year 7 with confidence. These online sessions provide a safe, supportive space to build practical strategies for managing change and feeling prepared for high school. Over six-weekly sessions, students will create their own metaphorical “toolbox” of strategies, including:

* Developing skills to identify trusted people who can support them at school
* Building capacity to manage stress and decompress after each school day
* Becoming familiar with high-school timetables and lockers while managing the change between classes and environments
* Becoming familiar with daily preparation routines so they start every school day with confidence

🕛 Sessions: Wednesdays, 6:30pm AEST/AEDT (1 hour, online via Zoom) 🎫 Cost: $321 (6-week program) 📅 Cycle 4: 8 September - 24 October

Enrol Here For Cycle 4

Frequently Asked Questions:

Who is it for? Students currently in Year 6, preparing to start Year 7 in 2026.

What if my child is nervous? That’s okay! Our mentors are trained to support different communication styles and create a safe space where students can participate in the way which feels right for them.

How many students per group? Groups are small (8–9 students with two mentors) to ensure personalised support.

How do we enrol? Submit an Expression of Interest here.

Kelli Pacey

Learning Support Teacher - Secondary school

With over 60,000 attendees filling the exhibition grounds, Mary MacKillop Catholic College Arts students proudly took to the stage and performed alongside the main concord. Our program included a 45 min set by the rock band Killing Time and two marching showcases by our combined Drumlines.

The response from the crowd was overwhelmingly positive, with feedback and inquiries about where our students receive their musical training. It was a proud moment for MMCC, not only for the calibre of performance but for the spirit and professionalism our students displayed throughout the day. With a few trophy blisters, it was overall a successful and fun day!

I am deeply proud of our students for their resilience, maturity and musical excellence. Beyond their performance, they looked after one another and represented the Darling Downs with pride. For our six Year 12 students - four of whom were founding members of the College’s drumline and rock band - this performance will be etched in memory as one of their final major appearances. Although, they back up this weekend with the Queensland Catholic Schools Music Festival, offering a further showcase of their work and celebrate their musical legacy.

This success would not have been possible without the support of our parent community. Through supervising, marching behind our drummers for safety and their efforts in navigating equipment through crowds they were invaluable - especially considering we had clocked over 10 kilometres before 3:00pm. A heartfelt thank you also goes to our tech crew and photographers, whose behind-the-scenes work ensured everything ran smoothly and was beautifully documented.

Jessica Burke

Middle Leader The Arts & Student Engagement

At our recent Term 3, Week 5 THRIVE Assembly, our Junior School students were awarded the Walking the Josephite Way Award. The focus was across all the 6Ps.

Congratulations to all students!

Prep – Year 2

Year 3 – Year 6

At our recent Term 3, Week 5 Assembly, our Senior School students were awarded the Walking the Josephite Way Award. The focus was on all the 6 Ps. Congratulations to all students!

Year 7 - 12

Welcome Elise Scrivens!

We have had a new Educator join our service, Elise Scrivens. She will be working casually mornings and afternoons. Elise graduated from Mary MacKillop Catholic College in 2023 and has been part of the community since Prep in 2011. Elise is currently studying a Bachelor of Secondary Education with a major in Science, driven by a passion for creative inclusive and engaging learning environments. Outside of study, Elise loves to play and coach Netball, heading to the beach, and going on adventures. Please make Elise feel welcomed next time you see her!

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.

Diocesan Feast Day Mass 

All are warmly welcome to attend. Details include:

Date: Monday, 1 September

Time: 10:00am

Where: St Patrick's Cathedral

Bishop Ken Howell will be celebrating Mass at St Patrick's Cathedral to mark the occasion of our diocese's Feast Day.

Potluck Dinner - Mental Health Month

On Saturday, 6 September our parish will be hosting a Potluck Dinner. Fr. Ray Crowley has kindly offered to speak on Mental Health. He will first celebrate the mass at 5:00pm and speak afterwards at the dinner. All welcome.

MacKillop Catholic Parish