I hope that you have all survived the wind this week! We were lucky that it stayed away last week for three days of intense athletics competition. Our Junior School Athletics Carnival on Wednesday, followed by our Senior School Athletics Carnival on Thursday and Friday were a real celebration of talent, determination and spirit. The recent addition of our ‘Culture Cup’ has almost surpassed winning the actual event itself and we saw a large increase in attendance, participation and House spirit over the three days. I know that Chris would like to extend his thanks and gratitude for all parents that attended and helped out. Thanks, and congratulations are also due to Ash Jones and the Business Class for their enterprise and drive in the canteen (The Chicken and Gravy roll was a big hit). I would also like to thank Mrs Carmen Campbell, Miss Abbi Gaddes, Miss Holly Anlezark and Mr Troy Brunner for their outstanding organisation and hard work in making these events run so smoothly.

As educators, we are energised by seeing young people thrive. The theme for NAIDOC Week 2025 is ‘The next generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy.’ These themes are powerful and bold. What has energised me during this last week is seeing this through the actions of our young people at Mary MacKillop Catholic College.

This week students and staff proudly presented a vast number of blankets, sleeping bags, coats, soup and milo to St Vincent de Paul, Tony's Community Kitchen, Civic Assist and Rosies. Mrs Leisa Radley, the driving force behind this appeal alongside our wonderful College Leaders and AMMA group has enabled the whole community to help those most in need this winter showing wonderful strength of spirit, the vision to do something for those with a need and leaving a legacy of self-worth and hope. I thank the whole team and the whole community for their support.

The College have enjoyed a number of engaging and challenging activities this week as part of NAIDOC week. The staff reflected on how we are integrating the history, present and future of first nation people into our curriculum as part of a thought-provoking professional development session. Our College leaders have revisited our Acknowledgment of Country and today we celebrated NAIDOC week with a moving and uplifting liturgy featuring drama and music; Ms Kaye Broadfoot, Mrs Paula O’Rourke and Mrs Anita Coe deserve special recognition for their work on this.

I hope that these last two weeks have been memorable ones for your children and I wish them, the staff, and their families a blessed winter break.

Mr Richard Coe

Acting College Principal

We bid farewell as a College today to Mrs Kirsty Gillett, the College Business Manager. Education is a really dynamic landscape, and in that context, Mrs Gillett has been a dynamic and transformative force. As the College’s Business Manager, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the College’s financial and operational framework, enabling us to thrive and expand in recent years.

Mrs Gillett’s journey with MMCC is deeply rooted in community and commitment. She has been a long-standing member of the Highfields community for over 15 years and a parent of three students at the College and has brought both professional expertise and personal investment to her role. Her dual perspective—as both a leader and a parent—allowed her to make decisions that were not only fiscally sound and strategically impressive but also aligned with the values and needs of the College community

Mrs Gillett moved from a voluntary role on the College Board to the post of Business Manager in May, 2018. In that role, she stewarded the College’s finances during a period of turbulence in 2018/19 and provided critical insight and support to the new leadership group in 2019. In support of and alongside Mr Gabbett, she led a comprehensive reform of the College’s financial operations in 2020/1. Her strategic approach to budgeting, resource allocation, and financial planning has significantly strengthened the College’s capacity to grow sustainably. Under her stewardship, MMCC has developed robust financial processes that support long-term planning and ensure responsible stewardship of resources.

Alongside this, Mrs Gillett has overseen the College’s building program, providing the financial support and project management for the building of the Penola extension, Tenison 3, the Emanuel Solomon Arts Precinct and the P-2 play space at 77 Highfields Rd. She also provided guidance and support to the enrolments and marketing arms of the College, developing process and targets for colleagues that drove success and enabled sustainable growth as the Highfields community as attracted so many new families.

One of Mrs Gillett’s most notable contributions has been her work in building financial literacy among the College’s teachers and leaders. Through consultation, education, and collaboration, she has empowered all to make informed financial decisions. This has not only improved budget management but also fostered a culture of transparency and accountability across the College. Her impact extends beyond numbers and spreadsheets. Her leadership has enabled the College to invest confidently in infrastructure, technology, and staffing—critical components of a thriving educational environment. These investments have directly contributed to the enhancement of student learning experiences and the overall growth of the College.

In recognition of her outstanding contributions, Mrs Gillett was named a recipient of the 2022 Toowoomba Catholic Schools Excellence Award in the category of Administration, Finance, and Facilities Support. This accolade was a testament to her dedication, innovation, and the tangible results of her work.

What sets Mrs Gillett apart is her unwavering commitment to the mission of Catholic education. She understands that financial stewardship is not just about balancing budgets—it’s about enabling a vision. Her work ensured that MMCC continues to offer a high-quality, inclusive, and values-driven education to every student. As Mary MacKillop Catholic College continues to grow and evolve, Mrs Gillett’s influence will remain a cornerstone of its success. Her leadership exemplifies the profound impact that skilled, compassionate, and visionary professionals can have on the life of a College community.

We wish her the very best in her move north and thank her so much for her commitment to the mission of Mary MacKillop Catholic College.

Mr Chris Gabbett

College Principal

Your official role at the College:
Business Manager

What does a typical day really look like:
I’m fortunate to collaborate with a dedicated team of service staff and administrators at the College. A typical day involves overseeing the financial and operational functions of our community, with a strong focus on ensuring the ongoing growth and sustainability of our College.

Secondary School attended:
St Joseph’s College, Toowoomba

What do you like about working at Mary MacKillop?
Mary Mac fosters a strong culture of unity and continuous growth. Our teams collaborate effectively, supporting one another to achieve the best outcomes for the entire College community. The College truly lives out its Catholic values, integrating them into every aspect of our work. As the College continues to expand, it brings exciting challenges and opportunities—particularly in leading and managing the next phase of campus development.

What are your hobbies/Interests?
As a dad to two “energetic” young boys, my free time usually kicks in between 9:00pm and 5:00am - prime hours for my two favourite pastimes: sleep and watching Formula 1, no matter how late (or early) the race airs. Fun fact: I haven’t missed a single Grand Prix since 2010.

Other interesting facts about yourself or anything else you would like to share with the MMCC community:
Before joining Mary MacKillop Catholic College, I worked in sports administration with Queensland Cricket and also ran my own consulting practice. I hold a Bachelor of Business and a Master of Business Administration from Griffith University.

Earlier in life, I was part of the Australian Youth Development Program for swimming and had the honour of representing Australia on several occasions—competing alongside some of the sport’s greats, including Mitch Larkin and Emily Seebohm.

How is your work related to the 6 Ps?
As Business Manager, my role aligns closely with the College’s 6 P’s by driving practical action through sound financial and operational management, enabling possibilities for growth and innovation. I foster partnerships across teams and the wider community, approach challenges with perseverance, and support the school’s mission with passion and a commitment to its Catholic identity, grounded in prayer and purpose.

Junior Reception will be open over the school holidays from 9:00am - 3:00pm each day. Please call 07 4698 7777 if you have any enquiries or email highfields@twb.catholic.edu.au and we will endeavour to get back to you.

As we wrap up what has been a wonderfully busy and rewarding Term 2, the Parent Engagement Network (PEN) would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all the incredible parents, carers, volunteers, and sponsors who have supported us throughout the term.

We’ve been proud to support and be part of many fantastic events, including:

• Open Classrooms, which gave families a special glimpse into the amazing learning happening every day at MMCC.
• Our always-popular Mother’s Day Raffle, made possible by generous donations from families and local businesses.
• Prep’s Treats and Tales Night, a heartwarming evening filled with stories and shared moments.
• A busy and successful Athletics Day Canteen, thanks to our volunteer helpers keeping everyone fuelled and refreshed.
• Our Pie Drive, which continues to be a favourite (and delicious!) fundraiser.
• School Officer Appreciation Day, where we showed gratitude to the dedicated staff who support our students every day.

These events are more than just activities—they help build community and connection across our College.

Thanks to your support and the careful management of PEN funds, we’re proud to share that we will be contributing to the purchase of C-PENS, innovative learning support tools that assist dyslexic students. These devices will benefit learners across both the Junior and Senior Schools and are a tangible example of how PEN contributions are making a real difference.

We’re also thrilled to announce that PEN will be matching all donations made during this week’s SRC-organised Free Dress Day. The funds will go toward their inspiring project to increase shade in the playground area for Years 3–6, and we hope our contribution brings them even closer to reaching their goal.

Looking ahead, we’re excited about the events planned for Term 3, and we warmly encourage more families to get involved. Whether it’s helping at an event, offering a skill, or sharing ideas, your involvement strengthens our community and directly supports our students.

Wishing all our families a safe and restful break.

Mary MacKillop Catholic College Parent Engagement Network (PEN)

We are all on a journey with Jesus and we will all be at different points in this journey depending on our life experience. This journey that we are all on, is about getting to know Jesus more. It is about a relationship with Jesus.

Year 5 and 6 students are beginning a journey with Jesus that involves learning more about themselves and their relationship with Jesus. They are going to be doing this through a day retreat and prayer. Next term, all Year 5 and 6 students will be part of the CSYMI project within our College.

CSYMI is Catholic Schools Youth Ministry International and its vision is to inspire and equip our Catholic Schools to become centres of the New Evangelisation. In essence catholic schools participate in the evangelising mission of the Church. The original program was developed by Peter Wood, a Catholic School teacher at St Edmund's College in Canberra. It has now been adopted by many secondary schools across Australia. There are four areas of the program that have been developed to support the implementation of the program. We will have a junior version to start with as we are beginning in Year 5. The four phase model is: initial retreat experience, Religious Education resources, Junior Ministry team and broader church. These phases are worked through over many years with the ultimate aim to have young people moved by their faith engaged in society spreading the mission of the church.

Week 1 of Term 3, the students in Year 5 and 6 will have their retreat experience and then they will be involved in prayer - through "Daily Talks with God". This program is aimed at enhancing pray through a particular focus and it is complementary of current prayer in the classroom.

We look forward to our students developing a deeper relationship with Jesus as they journey through the rest of their life.

Mrs Paula O'Rourke

Assistant Principal Mission and Identity

In Week 9, Year 2 students embarked on an exciting excursion to Amaroo Early Learning Centre, where they immersed themselves in an environment of wonder and discovery. The day was packed with exciting activities designed to connect them with the natural world.

The students began their adventure with a guided bush walk, where they had the opportunity to explore the surrounding environment and observe the flora and fauna found in our local area. The students became junior naturalists, discovering animal skins, fur, and animal tracks, piecing together clues about the local wildlife. Armed with magnifying glasses, they explored the intricate details of plants and tiny creatures along the way.

Back at the centre, little hands became artists as they crafted clay animals, inspired by the creatures they'd seen and learnt about. The fun continued as they matched adorable pictures of native baby animals with their parents.

The budding botanists of Year 2 put their observation skills to the test, classifying plants based on their bark, leaves, and distinctive tree shapes. Learning continued with a valuable lesson on the vital role nature plays in our lives and, importantly, how we can, in turn, support and protect it.

As always, the students unleashed their energy and imaginations at break times in the centre's fantastic nature play space. A highlight of the day was undoubtedly feeding Poss, the resident possum, a truly special experience!

It was a day filled with discovery, learning, and unforgettable memories! Tired but still smiling, they boarded the bus, hopefully taking away a deeper appreciation for the local land, plants, and animals on which we live.

Mrs Hand, Mrs Chapman and Miss Murphy

Year 2 Teachers

Toowoomba Career Expo - Wednesday, 16 July 2025

All Year 10 students will be attending the Toowoomba Career Expo in Week 1 Term 3. For students in Year 10 who are not attending and have indicated this through EdSmart - a reminder that there will be no formal classes this day, until the return from the expo at 12:40pm.

All students must be in full FORMAL uniform.

Year 10

Attend period 1 as per timetable

Depart College at 9:55am

Return to College 12:40pm

Students in Years 11 and 12 can also attend if they have signed up.

Year 11 & 12

Depart College 12:45pm

Return to College 3:15pm

This is a great opportunity for students to see the offerings of many career paths. Students are encouraged to ask questions and seek clarity around trades, university's, accommodation and institutions. Parents are also encouraged to meet us at the Expo!

2025 Exhibitor List

ADF Careers

AgCAREERSTART

Aurizon

Australian Performing Arts Conservatory APAC

Australian Retirement Trust

Axial Training

Boeing Defence Australia

Breakthrough Centre

Brick & Block Careers

BUSY At Work

Compass Group Australia

Contour MedPrep

Demi International

Department of Education, Queensland

Department of Youth Justice

FIT College

Glencore

Grace College

Griffith University

Griffith University Village

Hastings Deering Australia

Hunter Valley Operations

Iglu Student Accommodation

James Cook University

JMC Academy

Kath Dickson Institute of Early Childhood Studies

Landscape Queensland

Master Plumbers’ Association of QLD

Mater Misericordiae Limited

MedEntry UCAT Prep

MedView Education

MIGAS Apprentices & Trainees

MRAEL/Mas National

MTA Queensland

North and West Remote Health (NWRH)

PCYC Queensland

People First Bank

QTAC – Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre

Queensland Police Service

QUT – Queensland University of Technology

Queensland X-Ray

REIQ – Real Estate Institute of Queensland

Safe Places for Children

Sarina Russo Job Access

Savanna Energy Services

SFC / Pilot Academy Tamworth

Queensland State Emergency Service SES

Southern Cross University

St Albert’s College

Students of the World

Student One Accommodation

TAFE Queensland

Tenancy Skills Institute

The National Institute of Dramatic Art

Toowoomba Community Care

Torrens University Australia

Trinity College, The University of Melbourne

Union College, UQ

The University of Melbourne

The University of Queensland

The University of Queensland Rural Clinical School

UQ Skills

University of New England

University of Southern Queensland

University of the Sunshine Coast

University of Tasmania

All details regarding this Expo will be released through EdSmart.

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 start exploring what is available in Brisbane and start setting your budget for 2026. If you have any questions, please email or drop into the Pathways Office.

Students need to start applying for accommodation places NOW. These are finalised prior to you receiving your offer from the university. We encourage you to attend the University Open days and visit the accommodation houses with your family.

A lot of the Colleges have room set aside for rural/regional students so this might be of assistance.

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

Mrs Andrea Goddard and Mrs Christie Richardson

Career Development Practitioner and Career Support Officer

Last Wednesday, our Junior School came together for a truly memorable and joy-filled Junior School Athletics Carnival. From the first race to the final relay, the day was a celebration of participation, sportsmanship, and school spirit, with students giving their very best and cheering each other on with pride and enthusiasm.

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to our wonderful parent community for their ongoing support and encouragement throughout the day. A very special thank you goes to our incredible PEN Committee, who generously ran the canteen, keeping everyone well-fed and energised with smiles, service, and delicious food. Your time and dedication behind the scenes made a huge difference and are deeply appreciated.

To our staff team, thank you for your outstanding efforts in ensuring the day ran so smoothly. From organising events to supporting students on and off the field, your energy and care created an atmosphere of fun, safety and inclusion for all.

A big congratulations to all our students for their effort, enthusiasm and team spirit throughout the carnival. A special mention goes to Penola House, who were crowned champions with an incredible total of 819.99 points. McCormack House followed closely behind as runners-up, finishing with a strong 808.57 points. What a thrilling and close competition!

The 2025 Junior School Athletics Carnival was a wonderful reminder of what makes our school community so special: togetherness, encouragement, and the joy of shared achievement. Thank you once again to everyone who helped make the day such a success.

Mr Troy Brunner

Curriculum Leader: Sports and Student Engagement

Last Thursday and Friday, our Senior School students came together for an unforgettable 2025 Senior School Athletics Carnival - two days filled with vibrant house spirit, athletic excellence and incredible camaraderie. The event was a true celebration of student participation, teamwork, and the strength of our school community.

A very special thank you to our Business Class for running the canteen across both days. Their organisation, service and professionalism ensured everyone stayed refreshed and energised - what a fantastic effort!

We would also like to express our deep appreciation to our wonderful parents for their ongoing support and to our dedicated staff, whose guidance and encouragement made this event possible. The success of the carnival would not have been achievable without your hard work and commitment.

A huge congratulations to our Athletics Carnival Champions, Penola House, who finished with an outstanding 1275 points, followed by our runners-up Tension House with 786 points - a fantastic achievement by both houses!

Well done to McCormack House for taking out the March Past with pride and unity and to Tenison House for being awarded the Culture Cup - a well-deserved recognition of their creativity and spirit.

The 2025 Senior School Athletics Carnival was not only a celebration of sporting achievement, but also a reflection of the values that make our College community so strong - dedication, teamwork, and pride. Thank you to everyone who contributed to making the carnival such a memorable event.

Mr Troy Brunner

Curriculum Leader: Sports and Student Engagement

At our recent Term 2, Week 9 Assembly our Junior and Senior School students were awarded The Josephite Award and celebrated the achievement with a special morning tea with Mr Gabbett.

Prep

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

Year 5

Year 6

Year 7

Years 8 and 9

Year 10

Year 12

Congratulations to this Term's The Josephite Award Winners!

Our Winter Vacation Care Program is right around the corner! We have many exciting experiences planned such as winter activities, a cinema excursion, a ten-pin bowling excursion, bike and scooter day, science experiments and much more! Email us at TCKC - OSHC to secure your spot now. 

Please see our Winter Vacation Care Program attached.

Mr 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.

Parish Council Meeting

Our Next Parish Council Meeting will be held this Monday, 30 June at 6:00pm at the Parish Centre, if there is anything you would like to discuss with the Parish Council.

Thank you

Thank you to the College for allowing us to erect a sign at the front of the College advertising our mass times. 

St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal 

In these truly challenging times, where housing stress and cost-of-living is being felt like never before, your valuable contribution will have such a profound impact. Envelopes and Flyers are available at the desk in the foyer, and your contribution can be placed on the plate.

Jumpers and Jazz in July

Jazz Masses: Saturday, 19 July at 5:00pm and Sunday, 27 July at 8:30am at St. Mary’s Church, Warwick.

Visit Warwick 17-27 July for woolly streets and jazzy vibes. Other events as part of the local festival include church tours and morning tea as well as yarn bombed trees in the outdoor precinct.

Church tours daily at 9:30am - 4:30pm. Morning tea Sunday, 20 July - Saturday, 26 July at 9:30am - 12:30pm.

MacKillop Catholic Parish

Would your child like to have some fun and learn the social skills of Tennis? Trista Reid, Tennis Coach will be running tennis lessons during Term 3, Weeks 2 - 8 after school on Monday and Wednesday at the tennis courts below Junior School on Highgrove Drive. Please see below for further information and details on how to participate.