E-News

Welcome to This Week's College E-Newsletter!

As we start another exciting year at the College, we’re thrilled to share news, updates and celebrations from our vibrant community. From outstanding achievements by our students to important reminders for Term 1, there’s plenty to explore in this edition.

We hope you enjoy reading and staying connected with all the wonderful things happening at our College.

We are reminded of the richness that comes from a holistic education at Mother Teresa Catholic College: one that challenges students academically, nurtures their talents and encourages them to live out our motto of being Strong in Faith and Love.

CHALLENGE CONNECT CONTRIBUTE

2026 Community Calendar

College Events

College Mass

In Week 1, our community gathered for Mass at Mother Teresa Catholic College, taking time to pause, reflect and begin the year together in prayer. Students from Years 2–12 joined staff in a beautiful celebration of faith, unity and shared purpose. The morning was filled with a sense of anticipation, warmth and togetherness, making it a truly special way to start the year.

The Mass was led by Father Alexis and Father Jupiter, who guided us thoughtfully through the liturgy and offered heartfelt words of encouragement for the year ahead.

We also reflected on the life and example of Saint Mother Teresa, whose compassion, humility and selfless service continue to inspire our community. Her dedication to helping those in need reminded us of the importance of living our values through everyday actions, treating others with love, respect and generosity.

Students actively participated in readings, prayers and music, adding to the reflective and uplifting atmosphere. The reverence, respect and engagement of our community made the Mass a truly memorable occasion. MTCC staff joined in, showing support and unity, which reinforced the sense of belonging that defines our College.

Swimming Carnivals

Also, in Week 1, the College held the Junior School Swimming and Senior School Swimming Carnivals at Rockingham Aquatic Centre. It was fantastic to see so many families come along to support and cheer on their children.

The students had an absolute blast participating in their races, giving their best in every event and celebrating each other’s efforts. The day was full of smiles, laughter and a strong sense of team spirit, as friends encouraged one another and cheered loudly for their houses. Congratulations to Junior Schools’ BOODJAR and Senior Schools’ KEP Houses for winning their Carnivals!

A huge thank you went to all the staff, volunteers and parents who helped organise and run the events, ensuring that both the Junior and Senior School carnivals were safe, smooth and fun for everyone.

Shrove Tuesday

The students in our Junior and Senior School celebrated Shrove Tuesday on Tuesday, 17 February in the sweetest way possible with delicious pancakes fresh from the canteen!

The smell of warm pancakes filled the halls, and students lined up to enjoy this special treat together.

Shrove Tuesday is the day before the Christian season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. The word “shrove” comes from shrive, meaning to confess and prepare spiritually. Traditionally, people would use up rich ingredients like eggs, milk and sugar before the 40 days of Lent, so what better way to use them than by making pancakes?

It was wonderful to see our MTCC community coming together, sharing smiles and laughter as we marked this meaningful tradition.

A big thank you to our canteen staff for making it such a special day!

Ash Wednesday

On Wednesday, 18 February, we gathered as a College community to mark Ash Wednesday, beginning the sacred season of Lent.

Our day commenced with a meaningful Liturgy for our Year 7–12 students, followed by a beautiful Mass for Years 3–6 and a gentle, reflective Liturgy for our Pre-Primary to Year 2 students.

It was a special opportunity for every child, from our youngest to our secondary students to come together in faith and reflection.

We were grateful to have Father Alexis and Father Jupiter lead some of our celebrations. They thoughtfully explained the meaning of Ash Wednesday, reminding students to see this day as a time of prayer, seeking forgiveness and embracing a fresh start. They spoke about the importance of showing kindness, listening and preparing our hearts during Lent to grow closer to God and to one another.

During each service, we shared in sacred prayers as a community, asking for guidance, strength and compassion for the weeks ahead. Students came forward to receive ashes on their foreheads, marked with the sign of the cross, a powerful symbol of reflection, humility and new beginnings.

As we begin our Lenten journey together, may we continue to focus on forgiveness, gratitude and caring for others in all that we do.

Junior School

New Junior School Leadership Staff

There’s a fresh sense of excitement in the air as our Junior School begins an inspiring new chapter. We are delighted to officially welcome Linley Waters, our new Head of Primary School and Aaron Doulton, Assistant Head of Primary (Years 3–6) to our College community.

They join Gemma Johnston, Assistant Head of Primary (PreK–Year 2), forming a strong and dedicated leadership team united by a shared passion for education and student growth. Each brings valuable experience, enthusiasm and a deep commitment to nurturing young minds.

As they step into their new roles, they do so with a clear focus — supporting student wellbeing, fostering a positive and inclusive environment and inspiring a genuine love of learning in every classroom. Together, they will continue to strengthen the foundations of our Junior School, ensuring every child feels known, valued and empowered to achieve their best.

We look forward to the journey ahead and all that this wonderful team will accomplish together.

Update on our Kindergarten Students

Kindergarten has had a fantastic start to the year, with all children settling beautifully into Kindy life. It has been wonderful to see new friendships forming, confident smiles each morning and growing independence as everyone becomes familiar with our routines and classroom environment.

We jumped straight into some exciting learning experiences as part of our Term 1 Religion focus.

A highlight was celebrating Shrove Tuesday together. The children eagerly took part in making delicious pancakes, carefully helping to mix ingredients and watching with great anticipation as they cooked. Using a variety of fresh fruit, the children also created colourful “fruity faces” on top of their pancakes.

This term, we are learning all about feelings and recognising emotions through our facial expressions. The children have been exploring what different emotions look like and sharing times when they have felt happy, sad, excited or worried. Our Shrove Tuesday pancakes linked perfectly with this learning and judging by the big smiles made from bananas and berries, these pancakes were feeling very happy indeed!

We are so proud of how confidently our Kindergarten students have embraced new experiences and learning opportunities already. It has been a joyful and busy start to the year and we look forward to many more exciting moments together in Term 1.

Gathering - Monday 16 February

Junior School recently came together for a special assembly to celebrate the wonderful achievements of our students. It was a proud moment for our whole community as we recognised the effort, talent and positive spirit shown across many areas of school life.

Congratulations were extended to our Champion and Runner-Up boys and girls from the Year 3–6 Swimming Carnival. Their determination in the pool and outstanding sportsmanship were truly admirable. They represented the College with pride, giving their very best on the day.

Our MJR Award recipients were also acknowledged during the assembly, adding new leaves to our MJR Values Tree. Each leaf symbolised the kindness, respect, responsibility and positive actions these students consistently demonstrated. It was wonderful to see our values lived out so clearly in the everyday moments of school life.

We also celebrated Cael, who was presented with his well-earned Chess trophy for his outstanding performance last year. His strategic thinking, perseverance and dedication to developing his skills made this a fantastic and well-deserved achievement.

We were grateful to the parents who attended and shared in the celebration. Most importantly, we were incredibly proud of all our students for the enthusiasm, resilience and commitment they continued to show in all that they did.

Secondary School Notices

Year 12 Ball

On Friday, 6 February, the Fremantle waterfront sparkled a little brighter as our Year 12 students gathered for their much-anticipated College Ball at the Fremantle Sailing Club. From the moment they arrived, it was clear the night would be one to remember.

Stepping out in style, students made their entrances with confidence and excitement, instantly lighting up the venue. Our young ladies looked beautifully elegant, while the gentlemen looked impressive in sharp suits.

One of the highlights of the evening, was the announcement of our Best Dressed winners. Congratulations to Avarna McDonald and Harjeev Singh, for taking out their best dressed titles.

Events such as these do not happen without dedication and care. A heartfelt thank you goes to our Head of Year 12, Mr Rory Calkin, along with the committed staff who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the evening ran smoothly. Their efforts created a truly memorable celebration for our graduating class. It was a beautiful milestone marking the final chapter of school life and the exciting journey that lies ahead.

STAR Homework Club

Term 1, Weeks 4–8

Our STAR Homework Club will run in the Learning Hub each week on Mondays & Thursdays from 3:15pm–4:00pm (Term1, Weeks 4–8). Students are welcome to attend to complete homework, receive teacher support and build strong study habits in a focused environment.

ACC Divisional Basketball Championship

Our Senior boys have been competing in the 'ACC Divisional Basketball Championships' where they have played against other local private colleges, winning their First round against Peter Carnley - coming away with a WIN, 65-45!.

Their next game is on Tuesday, 4 March, with their last game being on Tuesday, 31 March.

Come along and support the players!

MTCC 2025 Year 12 Academic Results

Year 7 First Day

We were delighted to officially welcome our Year 7 students to the College, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter in their educational journey.

It was wonderful to see many familiar faces transitioning from our Junior School, bringing with them established friendships and a strong foundation for secondary learning. At the same time, we were equally pleased to greet the many new students and families joining our community for the first time. The blend of returning and new students has created a vibrant and enthusiastic cohort.

Head of Year 7, Mr Jonathan Dixon, together with the dedicated Year 7 teaching team, has been working diligently to ensure a smooth and confident start to the year. Students took part in campus tours to help them become familiar with their new surroundings, completed iPad setup sessions to support their learning and received their timetables as they began to navigate the rhythm of College life.

These important first days are designed to build confidence, foster connection and establish positive routines that will support students throughout the year ahead.

We look forward to watching this cohort grow academically, socially and personally as they embrace the opportunities before them.

Year 12 Leaver’s Jackets

Our Year 12 students recently received their 2026 Leavers’ jackets, marking the start of their final year at the College. This moment is an important part of the year, giving students a sense of identity and belonging as they step into their final year.

Students wore their jackets with such pride, serving as a reminder of the journey they have undertaken at the College and the friendships and achievements they have built along the way.

The College community looks forward to supporting the Year 12 cohort as they work towards their goals and make the most of their final chapter at the College.

Euan Buchan - Winner in Surf Life Saving Championships

Over the holidays, Year 9 student Euan Buchan represented his surf lifesaving club at the Surf Life Saving Country Championships in Albany, returning home with an impressive collection of medals. His dedication and training paid off with gold medals in the Board Race, Ironman, Team Cameron and Team Beach Sprints, as well as a silver medal in the Swim event!

The Surf Life Saving Country Championship WA is an annual event organised by Surf Life Saving Western Australia (SLSWA), bringing together regional clubs from across the state to compete in a variety of surf lifesaving disciplines. Athletes are tested on their swimming, board paddling, surf rescue skills and teamwork, providing an opportunity to compete at a high level while representing their local communities.

Euan’s achievements are a testament to his skill, fitness, and commitment to surf lifesaving. We are incredibly proud of his efforts and the experience he gained competing among some of the state’s top regional athletes.

Kayla Bauer - Selected for WA Asia Pacific Cup!

Another fantastic achievement for our Year 9 students – Kayla Bauer has been selected to represent the Dolphins Basketball Club at the 2026 FIBA Asia Pacific Cup!

Kayla will travel to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 24–30 March 2026, competing in a FIBA-sanctioned tournament. She will proudly represent Rockingham and Western Australia as part of a team affiliated with Basketball WA.

This is an incredible opportunity for Kayla to showcase her skills on an international stage, gain valuable experience and compete against some of the best young players from across the Asia-Pacific region.

Good luck Kayla and enjoy your time overseas!.

Reminders

NAPLAN

NAPLAN Testing – Years 3, 5, 7 and 9

In Weeks 6 and 7 this term, students in the above mentioned Year groups will participate in the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) tests, covering writing, reading, language conventions and numeracy. These tests provide valuable insights into student progress and help guide support and school planning.

Please avoid scheduling appointments during testing. Students absent for medical reasons can sit tests at an alternative time, except for the Writing test, which must be completed on either Wednesday, March 11 or Thursday, March 12.

Testing will be conducted online. Information and practice resources are available here:

Students should bring a fully charged laptop and earphones on test days. Further instructions will be provided through SEQTA.

If your child has a diagnosed condition requiring assessment adjustments, the Learning Support team will contact you before NAPLAN.

For any questions, please contact admin@motherteresa.wa.edu.au before the testing period.

Library News

MTCC Library - 2026

Welcome back to the MTCC Library for 2026.

Our 1st Issue of Bookclub will be delivered soon, and Issue 2 is now also ready for you to order from.

Later this term, in Week 7, we are looking forward to welcoming everyone back to our first Bookfair for 2026. Remember, all sales from Bookclub and BookFair earn Scholastic Reward points for our school, which can be used for new books and other resources for our school.

Healthy reading habits are forged through Book Club. Parents can order books easily through the Scholastic LOOP platform. See instructions here.

Friends of Mother Teresa

Welcome Back, Mother Teresa Families!

We hope everyone had a beautiful break and is settling back into the rhythm of the College year. Lunchboxes are packed, alarms are back on and we are officially off and running. And let us tell you, this year is shaping up to be something special. We’ve got a BIG calendar ahead and can’t wait for you all to jump in, get involved and most importantly…have a whole lot of fun!.

Family Movie Night SAVE THE DATE!

Our first major event of the year is one you won’t want to miss:

Friday, 20 March

At Mother Teresa Catholic College (which area will be announced soon).

Arrive from 6:00pm to grab a comfy spot, enjoy some food and catch up with other families.

The movie kicks off at 7:00pm sharp.

Entry is a gold coin donation at the gate.

Pack your picnic blankets, pillows, beanbags, snacks and whatever you need to settle in for a cosy night under the stars. Just a friendly reminder to be mindful of those around you - leave the couches and oversized setups at home so everyone can see and enjoy the screen.

And yes, there will be popcorn and other movie treats available for purchase, because let’s be honest, it’s not really a movie night without popcorn in hand.

The movie title will be announced very soon, so keep your eyes glued to our social media for that reveal!

Big Announcement Incoming!

Behind the scenes, we have been working on something incredibly exciting since the end of last year. It’s something we’re so proud of and we are counting down the days until we can finally share it with you all.

Mark your calendars and set those alarms for: Tuesday, 24 March

Trust us - this one is BIG! You’re going to want to be watching our socials when the news drops.

Stay Connected and Get Involved

If you don’t want to miss a single thing happening this year, make sure you’re following us on:

Facebook & Instagram - “Friends of Mother Teresa”

That’s where you’ll get updates, reminders and announcements in real time.

We are always looking for extra hands. Whether you want to be front and centre helping organise events or simply show up and lend a hand when you can - we’d love to have you involved. The more support we have, the more amazing events we can deliver for our College community.

We’re excited for the month ahead and even more excited to share it with all of you.

Here’s to a fantastic year together!

Get Involved and Join Us!

There are now two easy ways to get involved:

Join the committee: https://forms.gle/7btE9gB257ZHfoZE8

Receive volunteer opportunity emails throughout the year: https://forms.gle/GAy2fNYtmwcZcMgF7.

Community News

MTCC Domestic Basketball Winter Season 2026

We are excited to announce that Expressions of Interest for the Domestic Basketball Winter Season 2026 are now open.

If your child is interested in playing this upcoming season, please complete the Expression of Interest form using the link below:

https://forms.office.com/r/PxjL9wamqf

This form assists us with team planning and helps ensure a smooth registration process. Please submit your response by Sunday, 15 March.

While we will endeavour to place all interested players into teams, please note that we rely on parents and caregivers to volunteer as Coaches and Team Managers. If we do not receive enough volunteers, we may be unable to register teams.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at mtccbasketball@outlook.com.

We look forward to a great season ahead!

University Open Days

Wondering whether university is for you? University Open Days will open your mind and help you decide which course to study and at which campus.

Feel the vibe of each university as you tour facilities not normally open to the public. Watch demonstrations and discover careers you didn’t know existed. Plus, there’s entertainment, food trucks and great prizes to be won.

What are you waiting for? For more information and to register, please click on the links below:

Edith Cowan University (ECU) - Joondalup Sunday, 15 March 2026

The University of Western Australia (UWA) (Crawley) Sunday, 22 March 2026 and St George's College tours

Murdoch University Saturday, 28 March 2026

Curtin University (Perth) Sunday, 29 March 2026

Notre Dame Australia Saturday, 2 May 2026

Edith Cowan University (ECU) - South West (Bunbury) Sunday, 3 May 2026

Edith Cowan University (ECU) - City Sunday, 9 August 2026

WA KidSport Vouchers

Playing sport is a fantastic way for kids to build confidence, stay active, make new friends and learn valuable teamwork skills and netball is a great place to start!

Did you know you can apply for WA KidSport vouchers online?

Eligible children can receive up to $300 per financial year to help cover sporting fees at participating clubs, including MTCC Netball Club.

This is a wonderful opportunity to make sports more accessible and affordable for families in our community.

See link here: KidsSport

Contact the KidSport team:

Telephone: (08) 9492 9911
Email kidsport@cits.wa.gov.au