I have the great fortune right now to be completing this newsletter article in Hobart, where I am attending the Principal's Pilgrimage of the Association of Josephite Affiliated Secondary Schools. Today, two Josephite sisters gave presentations on Fr Julian Tenison Woods.

Fr Julian Tenison Woods lived from 1832 to 1889. He was co-founder of the Sisters of St Joseph with St Mary MacKillop, and he stands as a remarkable example of a polymath—a person of wide-ranging knowledge and skill. While remembered as a devoted priest and missionary, he was also a scientist, educator and writer, contributing significantly to fields such as geology, botany and environmental study. He was a member of the Royal Geographical Society - and was so esteemed that his rather large grave in Bronte was paid for by them.

Fr Julian’s life demonstrated lots of things. He was resilient and persistent. He tried a few times to become a priest before he succeeded. He overcame a lot of physical and emotional hardship whilst Parish Priest in Penola. Of real importance to our modern context is that he preached consistently that faith and learning are deeply connected. For him, studying the natural world was a way of encountering God’s creation. He did not separate his scientific curiosity from his priestly vocation. His writings show that he integrated them, showing that truth can be pursued through many disciplines. This unity of faith and reason remains a powerful message for us today.

As a Catholic community, his example challenges us to live with both depth and openness. Fr Julian’s partnership with St Mary MacKillop led to an educational vision centered on justice, accessibility and care for the poor. We try to emulate that in our daily work but also in our service-learning programs. Their work reminds us that education is not only about knowledge, but about forming compassionate, thoughtful people who serve the Common Good.

As an example to learners, Fr Julian offers a model of lifelong curiosity. He embraced learning beyond boundaries, exploring multiple fields with enthusiasm and humility. One thing stressed in the presentation this week was his willingness to look, then look again. He truly was a Polymath - disciplined, curious and genuinely interested and knowledgeable about so many diverse fields. In today’s rapidly changing world, where adaptability and critical thinking are essential, his interdisciplinary approach is especially relevant. He shows us the importance of asking questions, making connections and remaining open to growth.

Ultimately, Fr Julian Tenison Woods invites us to use our gifts fully—in faith, in learning and in service. His witness encourages us to be people who seek knowledge with purpose, live with integrity, and recognize that all truth leads us closer to God.

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

Vygotsky, rubber bands and hitting the sweet spot.

Do you ever remember taking a rubber band between your fingers or hands and seeing how far it would stretch before it broke? I am sure that at one time or another we have tried that as rubber (elastic in the UK – fun fact) bands are just so tactile and surprisingly fascinating! Did you know (probably because of the above!), an elastic or rubber band can safely stretch to about 2 to 3 times (200% to 300%) its resting length before it risks breaking or losing its elasticity. Some specialized, high-quality bands can safely reach 4 to 5 times their length, but going beyond 2.5 times typically begins to permanently deform the material. Fascinating stuff I hear you say – is he going somewhere with this? Bear with me.

Whilst the above may be familiar to you, psychologist Lev Vygotsky and his work on the zone of proximal development may be less familiar to you. The Zone of Proximal Development (ZDP) can be summarised as ‘the sweet spot’ for learning. It describes the gap between what a learner can do independently and what they can achieve with guidance from a more knowledgeable other (like a teacher or peer).

According to Vygotsky, cognitive abilities increase significantly when a learner encounters information or tasks that fall within the ZDP.

If information lies beyond the ZPD, the learner will be unable to master it, whereas tasks before the zone are already within their independent capability.

Why is it referred to as the ‘sweet spot for learning’? Because tasks that are challenging enough to require assistance but not so difficult that they cause frustration, allow all of us to ‘stretch’ (see the link now?) ourselves and our learning capacities.

As a College and a community we need to think about this as we strive to develop our young people. We need to give them enough supported challenge so that they can keep on ‘stretching’ but not giving them so much challenge that they break. Overall, I think we are doing a pretty good job! Our curriculum and associated tasks are focused on stretch and challenge but with a clear eye on scaffold and support to get students to the target zone. The College, but the local community too, offer many opportunities for young people to move from their comfort zone into the ZPD. One such opportunity is the Toowoomba Regional Council Youth Leaders project -applications are open now for the next program. Youth Leaders Program Toowoomba Regional Council . There are also plenty of opportunities to volunteer, or for students to pit themselves against others – be it sporting (some brave souls take on the Kokoda Challenge this weekend – talk about stretching yourselves to the limit), artistic (Eisteddfod Part 2, The Scene Project and of course the College Musical ‘The Little Mermaid Jr’ coming soon), or academic (examinations, science, reading and math challenges and the inaugural History Fair to name a few).

As a parent, as well as an educator, I know firsthand that it is a tricky balance. How far can my child stretch? How far is too far? How far is not far enough? When is helping them helpful, and when is it harmful or counterproductive? And of course, the real answer is we don’t know! What we do know, is that if we can provide encouragement, provide support, provide experience and ‘know-how’, provide opportunities, and provide them with the undeniable truth that we believe in them then we might just all hit that ‘sweet spot’.

Richard Coe
Deputy Principal

Have you ever looked at an image like this one and paused, unsure what it really means? Perhaps you have noticed that Jesus’ heart is visible, glowing, and surrounded by striking symbols. It can feel unfamiliar, even puzzling at first glance. Why is the heart exposed like that? What is this image trying to communicate?

This well-known image is called the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and it carries a deeply meaningful message that can be shared in simple, relatable ways.

When we take time to unpack each part of the image, we begin to see how every element contributes to a deeper story of love. At the centre is the burning heart, representing deep, unconditional love—love that is given freely by God to all humanity and reflected in the way we are called to love one another. Surrounding the heart is a radiant light, symbolising hope and guidance, reminding us that this love shines into our lives and leads us forward.

The crown of thorns encircling the heart points to the reality that love is not always easy. Just as Jesus showed by dying on the cross, true love can involve sacrifice, patience, and perseverance in difficult moments. Rising above the heart is a flame, symbolising a love that is alive, enduring, and never fades. Together, these elements reveal a love that is strong, compassionate, and constant, even in the midst of suffering.

In the Catholic tradition, the Sacred Heart expresses something very personal about Jesus’ love. It reminds us that this love is not hidden or distant, but close and present in our daily lives. It is a love offered to everyone without exception—deeply personal and inclusive. At the same time, it is a vulnerable love, willing to be hurt because it cares so deeply, inviting us to respond with openness, compassion, forgiveness and trust. This symbol of divine mercy invites believers to embrace and reflect these virtues in their life.

The Sacred Heart is not simply an image from the past—it continues to speak meaningfully into life today. In the midst of busy households and competing demands, it gently reminds us that love should remain at the centre of life, that relationships matter more than perfection, and that forgiveness and patience are essential in everyday moments.

The Sacred Heart offers a way of living. It invites us all to create places where everyone feels safe, valued, and deeply loved. It calls us to model compassion and understanding, especially during times of conflict, and to be intentional about pausing, reflecting, and reconnecting with one another. At the same time, the image acknowledges that love is not always easy. Just as the crown of thorns surrounds the heart, life too can bring its challenges. Yet these moments are also opportunities—opportunities to grow in empathy, resilience, and care for one another.

Simple daily practices can help bring this message to life: sharing a kind act each day, taking a quiet moment of gratitude together, or talking openly about how to show love when things are difficult. In this way, the Sacred Heart becomes more than a picture—it becomes a gentle guide for how we live, love, and grow together.

To the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart, the Sacred Heart is very important hence it was included in the title of the order. This spirit of love was lived so beautifully by Saint Mary MacKillop, who showed through her words and actions what it means to love with courage, kindness, and trust in God, even in challenging times. Her example reminds us that love is not just something we receive, but something we actively share in our families and communities.

In closing, the exposed heart of Jesus is not meant to be confronting—it is meant to be comforting. It reminds us that love is at the centre of our faith: a love that shines, that endures, and that is always offered to us. And perhaps the most important message of all: We are loved, and we are called to love in return.

This year, the church celebrates the Feast of the Sacred Heart on 12 June. It is always the Friday following Corpus Christ Sunday.

Paula O'Rourke
Assistant Principal Mission and Identity

Our Senior School AMMA group and Year 5 Mini Vinnies are running their annual Winter Appeal, from Week 4, Monday, 11 May until Week 10, Monday, 22 June.

We are doing things a little differently this year by asking for the following according to age groups:

Year 6 to 12 students (through their PC groups) are asked to donate tins of soup, disposable bowls and bamboo or wooden spoons.
Prep to Year 5 students (through their classrooms) are encouraged to donate new blankets or beanies, or jackets that are in good, used condition.
All donations can be placed by students into their classroom baskets.

Because the Appeal supports Tony's Kitchen, St Vincent de Paul and Rosies: Friends on the Street, and the needs of the patrons who access these organisations are varied, we like to supply items that they have specifically asked for.

If you have children in both Junior and Senior, it is absolutely fine to choose one or the other to support. We appreciate any and all donations that families are able to contribute. We look forward to being able to gift the patrons who access Tony's Kitchen, St Vincent de Paul and Rosies: Friends on the Street with your generous donations this winter.

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

At MMCC, we are committed to ensuring that every student has the opportunity to succeed. One important way we do this is through the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD) on school students with disability. You may have heard of this register and wondered what it means for your child, so here’s a clear and reassuring overview.

What is the NCCD?

The NCCD is a national process used by all Australian schools to identify students who receive additional support due to a disability, learning difficulty, or ongoing challenge that impacts their access to education.

Importantly, the NCCD is not a diagnosis list or a label. It simply records:

• The adjustments a school makes to support a student’s learning
• The level of support provided
• Evidence of how the school is meeting the student’s needs

This information is collected once a year and helps ensure schools are appropriately resourced to support all learners.

What does it mean if my child is included?

Being included in the NCCD register means that your child is receiving targeted support beyond what is provided to all students.

This might include things like:

• Adjusted teaching strategies or differentiated learning tasks
• Extra time for assessments
• Small group or individual support
• Social, emotional, or behavioural support
• Assistive technology or specialised resources

Inclusion in the NCCD does not mean your child is placed in a special class, labelled, or treated differently in a negative way. In fact, many students included in the NCCD are learning successfully in mainstream classrooms, with adjustments that help them thrive.

How does this affect my child at school?

For your child, the day-to-day experience at school remains focused on:

• Participation: Being included in the full life of the classroom and school community
• Support: Receiving adjustments tailored to their needs
• Growth: Building confidence, independence, and skills for learning

Teachers use evidence based practices to ensure your child can access the curriculum in a way that works best for them.

All information collected for the NCCD is handled confidentially, and parents are partners in the process.

Why is this a positive thing?

Being part of the NCCD is a positive and proactive step. It means:

• Your child’s needs are recognised and supported
• Teachers are intentionally planning for your child’s success
• The College receives funding and resources to better support learning
• Your child is included in a national commitment to inclusive education

Rather than being something to worry about, the NCCD reflects a strength based approach, focusing on what students need to succeed, not on limitations.

Working Together

We value open communication with families. If your child is included in the NCCD, you may already be part of conversations about their learning goals and support strategies.

If you would like to learn more or discuss your child’s learning, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Working together, we can ensure every child is supported to reach their full potential.

At its heart, the NCCD is about inclusion, equity, and recognising that every learner matters.

Mrs Amy Dwyer
Middle Leader Personalised Learning

Our Prep learners have been joyfully diving into the world of letters and sounds as part of their early literacy journey. Through engaging activities, creative connections, and confident speaking, students are building strong foundations in phonics—an essential step in learning to read and write.

During a recent classroom assembly, students enthusiastically shared their learning:

• Luca introduced the letter s, with Jasmine explaining, “S is like a snake—ssss!”
• Henry presented a, and Ruby added, “A is like an apple—ah!”
• Ahalya highlighted t, while Addie described it as “a tall tree—t!”
• Penny brought forward p, with Evie comparing it to “a pink popping balloon—p!”
• Daniel shared i, and Ally connected it to “an insect—i!”
• Lucas introduced n, with Martha explaining “a net—n!”
• Nate presented m, and William described it beautifully as “two mountains—mm!”
• Maria shared o, and Theo linked it to “an orange—o!”
• Ava introduced g, with Max saying “g is like a girl—g!”
• Willow completed the set with e, and Walter explained it as “an empty egg—e!"

To conclude their presentation, students demonstrated their growing understanding of how literacy works:

• “We use letters to write words,” shared Ally.
• “Words help us write sentences,” added Lucas.
  

The session wrapped up with a lively rendition of the Sentences Song by Pevan and Sarah, bringing smiles and reinforcing learning through music.

A Strong Start to Literacy

It has been wonderful to see our Prep students making meaningful connections between letters, sounds, and the world around them. Their confidence, creativity, and enthusiasm highlight the importance of early literacy experiences in setting students up for success across their P–12 journey.

We are so proud of our youngest learners and look forward to seeing their skills continue to grow!

Natalie Adler
Assistant Principal Teaching & Learning

On a cold and blustery Winter morning, the P–2 students gathered for the Week 7 THRIVE assembly. They listened eagerly as the Year 1 learners from 1C shared their growing expertise in procedural writing and proudly showcased what they have been working on in English.

The students explained that a procedure is a special type of writing that teaches someone how to do or make something. They highlighted the key features they have been practising:

• Titles — to clearly show what the procedure will teach.
• Materials or ingredients — the things you need before you begin.
• Numbered steps — written in order so the reader can follow along easily.
• Command verbs — the “bossy” action words like mix, stir, pour, and add.
• Adverbs — to describe how to complete each step safely and successfully.
  

The students spoke confidently about how these features help make a procedure clear, useful, and easy to follow.

To demonstrate their learning, 1C presented a delightful and imaginative procedure titled How to Create a Teacher.

They explained the “ingredients” needed — things like care, joy, patience, kind words, sharp ears, a strong voice, a love of books, and of course, a huge heart and big smiles.

Then, step by step, they combined these qualities using adverbs such as gently, carefully, happily, and calmly to show exactly how to bring a teacher to life. The final step invited everyone to admire the “teachers they prepared earlier,” much to the audience’s amusement.

Thank you to the students of 1C and their teachers for preparing and presenting their learning.

Lisa-Marie Preston
Primary Middle Leader

Year 4C recently took to the stage with an engaging and educational performance that brought science to life in a truly creative way. Their “Water Cycle News Report” transformed a complex scientific process into an entertaining news broadcast, captivating the audience from start to finish.

The performance opened in a lively “news studio,” where Ebonie, our confident News Anchor, welcomed viewers to Channel 4 Weather News. With the help of Evie as the camera operator, the audience was instantly drawn into the world of live reporting. Ebonie’s introduction set the tone for an exciting journey, crossing from the studio to the skies as the class explored the movement of water around Earth.

The spotlight then shifted to the “sky,” where the Weather Reporter, Abby, introduced the first stage of the cycle. The Sun, played by Violet, alongside energetic Heat Rays (Nate and Archer), demonstrated how heat drives the process of evaporation. Their enthusiastic teamwork clearly showed how water warms, transforms into vapour, and begins its upward journey.

One of the highlights was Drippy the Water Droplet, played by Kayla, who charmed the audience with her animated transformation from liquid to vapour. Assisted by the lively Wind (Matti), Drippy’s ascent into the atmosphere added humour and movement, helping students clearly illustrate this key scientific concept.

As the performance continued, the audience travelled high into the sky where the process of condensation was brought to life. Cloud (Caelyn) welcomed Drippy into a growing mass of droplets, while Snow (Mila) added an educational twist by introducing a different form of precipitation. The role of the Heavy Cloud, played by James, effectively demonstrated how clouds gather moisture until they become too full to hold it.

The dramatic moment came with precipitation, as rain (Elodie and Isla) joyfully fell back to Earth. This scene was both visually engaging and informative, helping the audience understand how water returns to the ground.

From there, the performance moved to the surface level, where students explored infiltration and plant growth. Ground (Charlie) explained how soil absorbs water, while Plant (Sophie) highlighted the importance of water for living things. Their scene emphasised the vital connection between the water cycle and life on Earth.

The final stages of the cycle were demonstrated through runoff and collection. River (Camron) carried the water across the land, eventually delivering it to the Ocean/Lake (Kayden). In a satisfying full-circle moment, Drippy returned to where the journey began—ready to start the cycle again.

The performance concluded back in the studio, where Ebonie expertly summarised all the stages: evaporation, condensation, precipitation, infiltration, and collection. Evie wrapped up the broadcast with a cheerful sign-off, bringing the show to a close.

This Year 4C production was a fantastic example of collaborative learning, creativity, and confidence in action. Students not only demonstrated their understanding of the water cycle but also showcased impressive performance skills, teamwork, and enthusiasm.

Congratulations to Year 4C for delivering such an informative and entertaining presentation. It was a wonderful reminder that learning science can be both meaningful and fun!

Natalie Adler
Assistant Principal Teaching & Learning

This free online webinar is for adults who are parents and carers and aims to:

• Provide information regarding children and young people's mental health
• Build understanding of grief, loss, and ways to support
• Explore the conversational approach to talking to your young person
• Strengthen awareness of local and national support services available to young people and carers
• Grow skills and strategies to encourage help-seeking and self care

To register see flyer for details or click on this link.

Please note: This is an online event for adults who are parents and carers of young people. All participants must register to be able to attend and receive follow up help seeking information post session. All names, cameras, microphones, and the chat box will be disabled for privacy and safety of those attending.

The session will not be recorded.

Sean Albion
Assistant Principal Wellbeing

Our Year 7 and 8 students recently took part in an engaging and thought‑provoking live performance by Brainstorm Productions, designed to explore the realities of online life and strengthen skills in cyber safety, resilience and mental health.

The performance drew on real student experiences and highlighted key issues such as cyberbullying, digital footprints, peer pressure and navigating friendships and online relationships during adolescence.

The session provided a valuable opportunity to continue conversations about online safety, respect and wellbeing, while equipping students with practical strategies to make safe, healthy choices.

Students were encouraged to consider the impact of their words and actions online, the importance of setting boundaries with technology and the value of trusted relationships when seeking help.

Mr Sean Albion
Assistant Principal: Wellbeing P - 12

Please be advised that as we approach the end of the school term, our regular audit of school fees has commenced. If you have any outstanding fees, you may receive correspondence from our Accounts Team.

As a reminder, all fees are required to be paid in full prior to the commencement of Term 3. Please check your monthly statements to confirm your current account balances.

If you are experiencing financial hardship or have personal circumstances impacting your ability to meet payment deadlines, please contact the Accounts Team via email at Accounts@highfields.catholic.edu.au to discuss available support options.

Adam Paroz
Business Manager

Do you have another child in your family intending to enrol at the College in 2028?

We encourage our current families to submit applications now if your child is due commence at the College in Prep or Year 7 in 2028. Applications will close at the end of the Easter holidays 2027.

To book a tour or discuss your child’s enrolment, please contact us by email higenrolments@twb.catholic.edu.au or phone on 07 4698 7777.

Click here to access our online Application for Enrolment form.

Enrolments Team

Your official role at the College:

Year 1A teacher

What does a typical day really look like:

Everyday we start our morning welcoming each other and going through our day to ensure we know our schedule. We spend each of our sessions trying our best and having a go at new concepts. At the beginning of each break and at the end of our day we gather ourselves for prayer, to be thankful for the food we eat and our familes and friends. 

Secondary School attended:

Brisbane Girls Grammar School in Brisbane

What do you like about working at Mary MacKillop?

The community of teachers, lovely students and families. All working alongside each other to help our students achieve success. 

What are your hobbies/Interests?

My biggest hobby at the moment is participating in Fashions on the Field at the races. I spend most weekends either out west in small country towns or travelling to Brisbane for their competitions. I love creating different looks depending on the season or themes.

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

I have spent the last 7 years of my teaching career out west within a number of rural schools, loving every aspect of country life. Living in larger towns like Emerald and Roma as well as much smaller places like Hannaford and Glenmorgan, working on a cattle property and teaching.

How is your work related to the 6 Ps?

In my teaching, passion drives me to inspire and engage every student, helping them discover a love for learning. Prayer grounds me, giving me patience and wisdom as I guide young minds each day. I see endless possibilities in every child, encouraging them to believe in their potential and dream big. Through challenges, I model perseverance, showing students the value of effort and resilience. Finally, I value partnership—working closely with colleagues, families, and students to create a supportive and thriving learning community.

We have recently been advised by the Toowoomba Catholic Schools Office that all volunteers at the College are required to hold a current Blue Card. This requirement applies to all parents and grandparents wishing to volunteer.

Please apply for a Blue Card via this link. There is no cost associated with a volunteer Blue Card. Once your application has been submitted, you will receive a reference number. Kindly forward this reference number and Date of Birth to Highfields@twb.catholic.edu.au so the College can link your application.

Your Blue Card must be approved prior to undertaking any volunteer activities at the College.

In addition to reviewing the relevant Code of Conduct and Student Protection Information brochures, all volunteers are required to complete the Volunteer Induction Module (online video) prior to commencing any activities at the College.

Upon completion of the required reading and induction video, volunteers must return a signed Declaration Form to the College. The brochures, induction video, and Declaration Form are available on the Diocese of Toowoomba Catholic Schools website.

Please note that volunteers will also need to refer to the Student Protection Poster in order to complete the Declaration Form.

Shanna Gardner
Administration Team

We are thrilled and excited to announce that Musical tickets to The Little Mermaid Jr are now ON SALE.

Tickets can be purchased online via Trybooking.com

https://www.trybooking.com/DME...

Performance dates: Thursday, 23 July, Friday, 24 July and Saturday, 25 July

Performance Time: All performances start at 7:00pm

Performance Location: Highfields Cultural Centre, Sean McCarthy Way, Highfields

See you in your seats!

Genevieve Duncan
Musical Director

Just in time for the cool of winter – what better way to stay warm than with a nice hearty pie.

Ask your grandparents, your cousins, your aunts and uncles, your neighbour’s, and anyone else you may think may want some pies and get your orders in.

Each order comes already packed and sorted, so you don’t have to do a thing. Pies are cooked fresh, cooled, and ready for you to pick up. From here you decide if you want to heat one up that night for dinner, keep some for the next few nights in the fridge, or freeze them for many nice winter dinners to come.

If savoury pies are not your thing, have a look at the great sweets. These could be a great way to pack a treat for your kid’s school lunchboxes.

All funds raised go towards College resources at MMCC.

Ordering is simple, please use the link below. Please note online orders only.

Orders can only be made online. Please click the link: https://pci.jotform.com/form/2...

• Orders must be placed by 12:30pm Friday, 24 July 2026.
• Collection will be on Wednesday, 19 August 2026, between 3:00pm to 4:30pm at the College Cafe.

Thank you for your support!

Parent Engagement Network (PEN)

It continues to be a busy and exciting time for sport across the College, with recent wet weather forcing a number of matches to be rescheduled. Despite these challenges, it has been fantastic to see our students’ commitment and adaptability in ensuring competitions continue successfully.

A highlight has been the outstanding performance of our Bill Turner Cup soccer teams. Both our boys and girls teams have progressed through to the regional finals following strong victories over Warwick State High School. This is a significant achievement and a testament to the hard work and teamwork displayed throughout the competition.

• Our boys team will now face St Mary’s College
• Our girls team will take on The Glennie School

We wish both teams the very best as they take on these next challenges.

Our netballers are also enjoying success in the Wednesday night Toowoomba competition, with our first Netball VII currently undefeated. Thanks to Miss Parsons and Miss Webster for coaching these teams and passing on their knowledge.

Rugby League is also a growing sport at the College, with three of our girls teams competing at the recent Karyn Murphy Cup. Our Year 7/8 team were outstanding and were crowned champions after strong wins against some impressive opposition.

Looking ahead, a reminder that our annual athletics carnivals are fast approaching:

• Junior School Athletics Carnival: Friday, Week 9 - Friday, 19 June
• Senior School Carnival: Thursday and Friday, Week 10 - Thursday, 25 & Friday, 26 June.

As in previous years, our Year 3–6 students will join the Senior School Carnival on the Friday of Week 10 for the final session, which will include the always popular relays and presentations. More specific information will be sent to parents in the coming days.

We look forward to celebrating participation, effort and house spirit across these events.

Mr Troy Brunner
Middle Leader: Sports and Student Engagement

This year, we are thrilled to announce that we will be participating in the Swans Schools Cup, SWQ Junior and Senior All Schools as well as Gold Coast Titans All Schools Touch Tournament in October 2026.

We are currently looking for sponsors from our community to support our Junior and Senior Touch Football teams.

The Swans Schools Cup and SWQ All Schools tournaments are hosted by the South West Queensland (SWQ) Touch Association in Toowoomba. These events allow students to practice and apply their skills in game scenarios prior to the All Schools tournaments.

Gold Coast Titans All Schools (GCTAS) is an annual touch football event run by Queensland Touch Football. Held in October, it is the world’s largest touch football tournament, with over 530 teams representing various schools both nationally and internationally. Across the 5-day tournament, over 7,200 students will take to the field playing over 1,850 games across 30 fields, attracting between 6,000 and 10,000 spectators.

This sponsorship package is designed to support and subsidise the cost of travel, entry fees, uniforms, accommodation, sports equipment, jerseys meals, and any other areas that are determined at the discretion of the Sports Coordinator and Business Manager. Any surplus funds will go towards subsidising additional costs associated with these events and we will always aim to prioritise lowering the costs incurred by families.

Sponsorship packages and benefits can be found by clicking on the link below:

Click here – Sponsorship Opportunities

If you are interested in sponsoring our Junior and Senior Touch Football teams, we would appreciate applications of support by Friday, 26 June 2026. Any questions, please feel free to contact Mr Troy Bruner - Troy.Brunner@twb.catholic.edu.au

Thank you so much for your support.

Mr Troy Brunner
Middle Leader: Sports and Student Engagement

At our recent Term 2, Week 6 Assembly, our Junior School students were awarded the Walking the Josephite Way Award.

The focus was on Passion.

Congratulations to all students.

Paula O'Rourke
Assistant Principal Mission & Identity

At our recent Term 2, Week 7 THRIVE Assembly, our Junior School students were awarded the Walking the Josephite Way Award.

The focus was on Passion.

Congratulations to all students.

Paula O'Rourke
Assistant Principal Mission & Identity

Across Terms 1 and 2, 24 students from Years 7–10 proudly represented the College in the Queensland Debating Union’s regional debating competition. Competing against schools across the Toowoomba region, students worked in teams of three speakers alongside a chairperson/timekeeper to debate a range of thought-provoking topics, including “That news organisations should be not-for-profit,” “That contact sports should be banned in schools,” and “That parents should be allowed to vote on behalf of their children who are under the voting age.”

Students participated in both long preparation and short preparation debates, each requiring different skills and approaches.

In long preparation debates, teams receive their topic and assigned stance — affirmative or negative — two to three weeks in advance. Students carefully research their topic and use facts, reasoning and logic to develop persuasive arguments, while also anticipating and responding to possible counterarguments from opposing teams. Congratulations to the Year 9 team, who won their first long preparation debate while arguing the negative side of the topic: “That we should decriminalise public order crimes (e.g. graffiti, intoxication, swearing and loitering).”

Short preparation debates provide an even greater challenge. Students arrive at the venue only knowing their assigned stance and are given the debate topic just one hour before the debate begins. With access to only blank paper, pens and an unannotated dictionary or thesaurus and without any adult or peer assistance — teams must quickly collaborate to plan and refine their team and individual arguments in just 60 minutes. These debates demand strong teamwork, critical thinking and excellent communication skills.

Congratulations to the Year 7 team, who achieved impressive wins in both of their short preparation debates: Round 2 on the negative side of “That contact sports should be banned in schools,” and Round 4 on the negative side of “That space exploration is a waste of money.”

Congratulations also to the Year 10 team who had a draw in Round 3 as the teams were too close to decide. They were on the affirmative side of “We regret the rise in popularity of health and fitness tracking technology.”

All teams will now wait until the July school holidays to learn whether they have progressed through to the finals. We congratulate all students involved for their dedication, preparation and outstanding representation of the College throughout the competition.

Miss Alexis Wendt
Debating Coach

Study

Studying is more than achieving good grades—it’s an opportunity to build skills and habits that support lifelong success. Whether you’re in school, starting university, or returning to learning later, your approach matters. Effective study can boost confidence as you recognise your ability to overcome challenges. It also helps you develop valuable life skills such as time management, perseverance, and adaptability. These habits naturally improve academic performance, including problem-solving and critical thinking. Most importantly, they open doors to future opportunities. You don’t need perfection—just consistency, purposeful effort, and routines that suit you. Small, regular steps can make a lasting impact.

Study Work Grow (2026) has released their 'Study Success Guide'. In this guide it explains - What is study? How much should you be studying? Creating your study schedule, building good study habits, Balancing study and life. Along with Cluster-based study approaches such as, Types of study, Study techniques, Troubleshooting your study, Your study toolkit and other resources.

Study Success Guide for students & families

Mrs Andrea Goddard and Mrs Christie Mastin-Richardson
Your Pathway Team

At our recent Term 2, Week 7 Assembly, our Senior School students were awarded the Walking the Josephite Way Award. 

The focus was on Passion.

Congratulations to all students!

Paula O'Rourke
Assistant Principal Mission & Identity

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.

Important Announcement

Our parish will be having their Synod "Listening Session" after mass on Sunday, 12 July. Our candidates for our parish Paul and Nikki, will be leading the session. We would love to have as many people as possible at this meeting, but for catering purposes, you will have to register. Registration sheets are available at mass on Sunday.

Jubilee Migrant Cross 22 June - 5 July

The Migrants and Refugees Cross will travel to 28 Dioceses and 4 parishes across Australia and will travel to Toowoomba on Monday, 22 June to Sunday, 5 July. A special Mass at Fr. Brian's other parish, St Theresa's will be on Friday, 26 June at 9:00am. Everyone invited to attend.

Rosary Group change of time

Because of the cold weather creeping in, we will now meet at 4:30pm every first Friday of the month at the Parish Centre. Everyone Welcome!

MacKillop Catholic Parish

Winter Vacation Care Program – Bookings Now Open!

We are pleased to share that our Winter Vacation Care Program is now available, and bookings are officially open!

We have an exciting lineup of engaging and fun-filled activities planned for the holiday period, including:

🎬 An excursion to The Strand Cinemas to see Toy Story 5
🏉 A State of Origin themed day
🎯 Nerf gun battles
🔬 Hands-on science experiments
🚲 Our ever-popular Wheels Day
…and many more exciting experiences!

To secure your child’s place, please submit your booking request via the Xplor app or email us at HIGcare@tckc.qld.edu.au.

Places are limited, so we encourage families to book early to avoid missing out.

We’re looking forward to a fantastic holiday program and hope to see you there!

Garth Rochford
OSHC Coordinator