E-News
In this Issue:
Principal’s Pitch
Important Notices
Events
Sports & Outdoor Education News
VET/Workplace Learning News
Library News
Sustainability News
Community News
Principal’s Pitch
TENTH YEAR OF MTCC!
Opened in February 2014, Mother Teresa Catholic College celebrates its tenth year since foundation. It is the first Catholic school in the suburb of Baldivis. 119 students in two Kindergarten classes, and one class each of Pre-primary, Year 1 and Year 2 commenced and by the end of the year enrolment had increased to 134 children and fifteen staff including an Administration Officer, seven Teachers and six Teacher Assistants, four of whom were part-time.
Rockingham’s newspaper ‘The Telegraph’ (Thurs 26 December 2013) described the school as “having a unique architectural design, with a focus on technology, sustainability and community. The curved school was being built with rammed earth and offered plenty of natural lighting, an easy flow from outside to inside and good ventilation. It is a building which enhances and embraces the environment, it does not shut it out.”
Today, Mother Teresa Catholic College has 186 staff and an enrolment of 1332 students from Pre-Kindergarten to Year 12. Our learning community of staff, students and parents has continued to enjoy embracing technology, inquiry learning and digital media in creative learning spaces. The facilities and environs of our beautiful College are unique in their stunning aesthetics, high visibility and strong connectivity inside and out – all of which support our students to embrace a rich and broad spectrum of learning experiences.
So here, ten years on, in our beautiful and vibrant College community, we continue to embody and witness to our shared vision:
In living the Gospel Values and inspired by Mother Teresa’s spirit of outreach and love for all human beings we aim to
CHALLENGE our students and all in our College community to
CONNECT with learning about ourselves, one another and the wider world, and
CONTRIBUTE with confidence, courage and creativity towards making the world a better place for all people.
Strong in Faith and Love!
Ms. Geri O’Keefe
Principal
2013: Interim Boardmembers on School site (pre-construction)
2013: Principal Ms Geri O’Keefe with Father Geoff and two future students (Evelyn Radomiljac & Emily Millward)
2023: Evelyn Radomiljac (Year 8), Ms. Geri O’Keefe (Principal), Emily Millward (Year 9)
Important Notices
Comfort Day 23 June 2023
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
On Friday 23 June, the Mother Teresa Catholic College community is encouraged to wear “comfortable” clothes in support of the Fostering Hope Australia charity. This charity was established to support foster families by promoting the reuse and recycling of children’s items and the service it provides is of vital importance to many families across Australia.
On Comfort Day, our students are encouraged to get involved by wearing comfortable clothing such as tracksuit pants, hoodies, onesies or pyjamas. At recess and lunch times, student leaders will run activities to promote mental health and inclusion such as ‘Colouring Conversations’.
WHEN: Friday June 23
WHERE: Mother Teresa Catholic College
WEAR: Comfortable, modest clothing.
(Please note closed shoes must be worn. No flip flops, slippers or ugg boots. Clothing must be safe and suitable for school.)
DONATE:
A gold coin and/or…
Children’s clothing (all ages, good/new condition, laundered and folded)
Shoes (excellent or new condition)
Toys, games and books (good/new condition)
Thank you for getting behind our student leaders in the service of a charity that does amazing work in our community.
- Year 11 Student Leadership Team
Events
Junior School Cross Country Carnival
On Friday 9 June, our Junior School students showcased their endurance and sportsmanship at the Junior School Cross Country Carnival. The day was full of excitement as all students put their best foot forward. With determination and enthusiasm, our young athletes tackled the challenging course, pushing their limits and embracing the spirit of friendly competition. Cheers of encouragement echoed through the air, motivating each participant to give it their all.
Congratulations to all participants for their outstanding efforts! We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the parents and caregivers who came to support our students, creating an atmosphere filled with cheering and camaraderie.
First Holy Communion
Last weekend, our College community joined together at St Teresa of Calcutta Parish to celebrate students taking part in the Sacrament of Eucharist. Congratulations to all students who received their first Holy Communion in our Parish Community.
We commend our students for their dedication, preparation, and commitment to their faith journey. They spent time learning about the significance of the Eucharist, its symbolism, and the transformative power it holds. Through their devotion and understanding, they beautifully prepared themselves for this holy sacrament. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to our parish community, parents, teachers, catechists, and clergy who played an integral role in guiding and nurturing our students on their spiritual path. We wish our students all the best in their faith journeys!
Year 12 Retreat
On Wednesday 7 June, our Year 12 cohort travelled to Bickley Outdoor Recreation Camp in Orange Grove ahead of their 3-day retreat. The theme of the Retreat was ‘Who Do you Say I Am?: Past, Present and Future’, with a focus on Christ’s question to his disciples in the Gospels. Students had the opportunity to reflect, share and learn about themselves and their relationships with others, especially their families and their relationship with God.
Students participated in a variety of activities including rafting on the Bickley Reservoir, vertical roping challenges, and a guided bush hike. We hope our students enjoyed their retreat and made some lasting memories!
Year 11 and 12 Student Leader Mission
On Thursday 15 June, Year 11 and 12 students leaders were fortunate to be invited to two nearby Catholic schools to meet with their student leaders and participate in leadership training, accompanied by Associate Principals Mr Edwards and Mrs Doyle, as well as the Year 11 and 12 Coordinators, Mr Cranwell and Mrs Gaynor.
Year 12 Leaders at Seton Catholic College presented their leadership model to our students, who were then able to ask questions about their roles and how they build a strong house spirit within their student body. Our leaders were abuzz with ideas and possibilities as they boarded the bus to attend the Student Leadership Day at Emmanuel Catholic College. At Emmanuel, our leaders were included in activities that included team building, quizzes and dancing, and were able to collaborate in planning for the future of Student Leadership at Mother Teresa Catholic College.
The students were very grateful to our host schools, as well as Mr Edwards and Mrs Doyle who planned the day. They were creative and engaged participants in the events of the day, and were outstanding ambassadors for our College. We have no doubt that they will leverage the ideas and learnings from this excursion in building the culture of student leadership at our College.
Houssein Bouazar Visit
On Monday 22 May, our Year 4 students were very privileged to have Houssein Bouazar visit them. Hossein is a refugee that was forced to leave his homeland of Iran in 2012. He shared his journey with the students, discussing the challenges, risks, opportunities and effects that this has had on his life.
The students were very engaged in his discussion and asked him lots of interesting questions. Houssein’s visit was an integral part of our Inquiry Learning this semester and we feel very blessed that he was willing to talk to our students about his experience.
Sports & Outdoor Education News
This week was huge for Sport and Outdoor Education in our Secondary School! Over the course of the week, students participated in:
SSWA Volleyball
SSWA Netball
Peel Region Basketball
Peel Region Netball
Peel Region Soccer
Year 9 Outdoor Education Trip to Rottnest
We look forward to sharing photos and results from these events soon.
SSWA Senior Volleyball
On Tuesday 13 June, students arrived at Bendat Basketball Centre in Floreat to compete in the Senior SSWA Volleyball Carnival. Spirits were high and students were ready for the day ahead of competition. The girls team worked wonderfully together, displaying their enthusiasm and had some close games, winning one of their games. The boys team showed off their athletic abilities and teamwork and walked away with TWO wins. All students involved represented the College well through their great sportsmanship and wearing the College uniform proudly. Overall, it was a fun day of competing against schools within the School Sport WA (SSWA), Secondary Senior competition. Well done to all students who participated!
VET/Workplace Learning News
Year 10-12 Mini Careers Expo
Yesterday the College hosted a Mini Career Expo, where our Year 10-12 students had the opportunity to explore various pathways and gain valuable insights into their future careers. Representatives from South Metropolitan TAFE and five leading universities in our region (Curtin, ECU, Murdoch, Notre Dame, and UWA) attended to share their expertise and knowledge.
Students learned about VETDSS Programs (available in Year 11 and 12), Post-School VET Courses, Apprenticeship Pathways and the various University Courses on offer. Our students engaged in meaningful conversations and discovered a multitude of exciting career options across a wide range of fields. We hope the Mini Career Expo was valuable experience for our students!
RTO/Workplace Learning Absence Procedure
Library News
CBCA Book Week
The CBCA Book Week takes place in Term 3 each year. This year, the College is hosting our Book Week in Week 3 (31 July – 4 August). There will be lots of activities happening throughout the week based around the theme ‘Read, Grow, Inspire’, but the biggest and most popular is the Dress Up Day!
Dress Up Day will be Wednesday 2 August 2023.
All students are encouraged to dress up as a character that inspires them – it could be from a book, movie, or TV show. Prizes will be awarded for best dressed, so get your thinking hats on!
Sustainability News
Wonder White Bread Bags
Help us turn bread bags into School play equipment! Do your part for a greener community and place your empty bread bags in the pink collection boxes located at the entrance of the Junior School, the Sustainability Centre or Main Reception in the Secondary School.
By collecting soft bread bags of any brand, we can earn reward points to redeem on sports equipment. Let’s all start collecting; reducing our waste going to landfill and making a difference to our world!
Community News
2023 Sports Star Awards Nominations Open
Do you know a City of Rockingham resident, dedicated sports volunteer, sports team or club that has excelled in their chosen sport and deserves to be recognised? Nominations are now open. $6,300 in prizes is up for grabs for you or your club.
All nominees have the chance to become finalists in the City of Rockingham’s 2023 Sports Star Awards. If you would like to nominate someone, please download the Nomination Package below and return to the City before the close of business on Monday 31 July 2023.
Nominations open Thursday 1 June 2023 and close Monday 31 July 2023.
ECU July School Holiday Program
OSH Club School Holiday Program
Rockingham Youth Centre - School Holiday Program
Click to access the School Holiday Program
Mass Times:
Masses
Tuesday - Friday: 9.00am
Saturdays: 6.00pm
Sundays: 9.30am & 5.00pm
1st Friday of each month: Adoration (following 9am Mass)
Benediction 10.15am
Reconciliation
Saturday: 5.30 - 5.50pm (prior to Mass)
Online Community
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