seek truth magazine - issue 1

MANDURAH CATHOLIC COLLEGE MAGAZINE ISSUE 01 - AUTUMN 2016

2 Seek Truth Vol 1 No 1 Autumn 2016

Academic Excellence 04

Professional Growth 06

Learning Enhancement 08

College Mission 10

Culture & Learning 12

Junior School 14

Sporting Excellence 17

MCC Alumni 18

Acknowledgements

Design and Page Setting: Mr David Holst

Editor: Mrs Nancy Belfrage

Front cover caption: Ebony Shalders, Mia Andrews, Charlize Stone & Niamh Irons (Year 9 Students)

In the Blue Mountains, NSW (2016 Canberra Educational Tour).

contents

3Seek Truth Vol 1 No 1 Autumn 2016

Academic Excellence 04

Professional Growth 06

Learning Enhancement 08

College Mission 10

Culture & Learning 12

Junior School 14

Sporting Excellence 17

MCC Alumni 18

Welcome to the first edition of our seasonal e-magazine ‘Seek Truth’. We aim to present this electronic publication two to three times

per year, capturing the vibrant life of the Mandurah Catholic College community across the pillars of our College: Learning; Faith

and Service; Culture; Sport and House. There is a great depth and breadth to our education at MCC and the work of our students,

staff and parents provides witness to our belief that we are all active learners in our community, endeavouring to understand our

call to seek truth in all that we do, say and accomplish.

In line with our sustainability focus the College has decided to present ‘Seek Truth’ in digital copy, reducing our ecological footprint

and allowing you ease of access through your preferred digital device. ‘Seek Truth’ stands alongside the other significant means

by which we keep our parents, families, Alumni and prospective families informed of achievements, developments and events

associated with our College. SEQTA keeps parents informed of their children’s learning journeys, the College Newsletter presents

fortnightly updates of school news, MCC Skoolbag alerts parents and users to important notices, upcoming events and news feed,

and the College Website provides a window into “Our Story”, “Our Faith”, “Our Community“, “Our Care” and “Our Learning”. In a

College offering so many learning opportunities across Kindergarten to Year 12 it is never possible to present all that we do in one

format, but with our communication suite we endeavour to capture the richness and vibrancy that is our proud and developing

story at Mandurah Catholic College.

Thank you to all who have contributed to this edition, especially our Community Relations Team of Mrs Nancy Belfrage and Mrs

Debra Cole, and Mr David Holst for his valuable assistance with design. We are eager for your feedback and would welcome any

observations and thoughts.

Enjoy.

Mr Andrew Watson

Principal

Message From the Pr inc ipal

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Academic Excel lence

Mandurah Catholic College’s graduating class of 2015 achieved

exemplary results and their achievements were dutifully

acknowledged at the annual Academic Assembly in Term One.

The Alumni Academic Award, which recognises the MCC graduate

who achieves the highest ATAR score, was presented to Libbie

Robertson who graduated with a score that put her in the top 4

percent of students sitting ATAR in 2015.

MCC recorded the highest median ATAR score in the Peel region

- 78.45% - and also succeeded in achieving the highest number of

students (98.19%) graduating in the Peel region.

Equally outstanding was the high number of overall course results

that ranked above the State mean. English (Stage 2) and Outdoor

Education (Stage 3) led the charge by ranking first Statewide.

Applied Information Technology (Stage 2) was declared the top

course in Catholic Schools.

Other courses offered at Mandurah Catholic College that finished

above the State mean were:

English (Stage 3)

Religion & Life (Stage 3)

Design Technology

Drama

Materials Design Technology

Mathematics Specialist (Stage 3)

Media Production & Analysis

Music

Physical Education Studies

Students who achieved a very high ATAR score were also

applauded at the assembly:

Jessica Fenton

Shannon O’Brien

Stacey Dawson

Jordan Sutherland

William Mellor

Brandon Wheeler

Calum Carty

Jessica Beckingham

Seaton Puzey

Jack Marwick

Brianna Bowen

Young Achiever

Former MCC student, Cassie Fox, was nominated in the Western

Australian Young Achiever Awards this year.

The 26-year old was selected for the Catholic Education WA

Young Leadership Award in acknowledgement of the work she is

doing to inspire young people to achieve their dream.

Cassie holds a degree in Mass Communications. In 2014 she

created iZRA Schools and iZRA Online, a magazine for ages 10+

that promotes a positive lifestyle and engagement with existing

support services. She has also developed a series of emotional

resilience and entrepreneurial workshops for schools and delivers

presentations on topics such as taking risks and using creativity to

build on basic concepts and ideas.

Cassie’s team of 10 has delivered the School to Career Transitional

Workshop to many schools throughout the State, including MCC.

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Georgia Tyldesley was taken by “complete surprise” when told she had been awarded

a $10,000 scholarship to support her university studies. The 2015 Year 12 graduate was

unaware that she had been nominated for the Teacher Education Scholarship, which she

received earlier this year.

The Catholic Education Commission of WA awards 10 scholarships for Year 12 students

graduating from Catholic schools each year who have chosen to study a teaching

degree at The University of Notre Dame Australia. Awardees are selected on the basis of

their high achievement in their Year 12 studies, their suitability for the vocation of teaching,

their participation and leadership in their school community and their understanding and

commitment to the Objects of the University of Notre Dame Australia, which provides a

university education in the context of Catholic faith and values. Georgia is studying Primary

School Teaching, and would like to major in teaching children with disabilities.

Two 2015 graduates who excelled in their Vocational Education and Training (VET)

studies were acknowledged for their outstanding achievements at the College’s annual

Academic Assembly in February. Talented musician, Dylan Conroy ranked first in the

State in his chosen field of study – the music industry – to receive two Western Australian

Certificate of Education awards; the VET Exhibition Award and a Certificate of Distinction.

The highly regarded award was just recognition; the gifted drummer, who captivated his

peers with his musical abilities, exhibited a positive work ethic and dedication to studies

which resulted in his exemplary completion of four VET certificates which were graded in

the top 0.5 per cent of West Australian students. A truly outstanding achievement.

Cosima Bazzani received a Certificate of Commendation for obtaining at least 20 A

grades in WACE course units.

Year 12 2015 graduate, Lauren Bailey, has received one of only four major undergraduate

scholarships awarded by Notre Dame University this year.

Lauren received the Helyron Education Scholarship at an awards ceremony in Fremantle

in March. The scholarship aims to to encourage a meritorious student from a Catholic

secondary school in WA who is commencing a teaching degree with the University’s

School of Education. Lauren has this year commenced studies for a Bachelor of Education.

As well as hitting the books, the former St Bernadette’s Head Prefect has also been

donating her time (and courage!) to charity work. Lauren abseiled down the 40-storey

QV1 building in Perth earlier this month to raise funds for the Princess Margaret Hospital

Foundation, an experience she described as “just breathtaking”.

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Profess ional Growth

The AITSL Australian Teacher Performance and Development

Framework (2012) calls for all schools to establish a culture of

performance development where coaching and feedback lead to

targeted professional growth which improves teacher performance.

The MCC Professional Growth Program aims to formalise this process

for teaching and non-teaching staff and is designed to provide

feedback, encourage reflective practice, assist in goal setting

and support the ongoing professional development of all staff.

MCC is also establishing evidence based processes in classroom

observation, online student surveys and student learning data to

provide teachers with feedback on their developmental journey.

There are three specific programs that make up our professional

growth program:

New staff - Teachers new to the College are inducted into the

College’s history, culture, mission and key expectations. They

are also supported in their transition through a professional friend

network and regular opportunities to touch base with the Deputy

of Staff and Formation.

Early Career Teachers - Early Career Teachers focus on enhancing

teacher skills and confidence. It explores how the College may

assist teachers, in their first three years of practice, to build their

capacity to self-assess and empower them to account for

professional growth. The program explores how the needs of early

career teachers can be addressed through a sustainable and

collaborative approach through coaching and mentoring.

Experienced Teachers - Each member of staff develops a

Professional Growth Plan targeting one professional goal that

focusses on an aspect of student engagement as defined in the

College Strategic Plan. In consultation with Heads of Learning

Areas and the Deputy Principal Staff & Formation the Growth

coaching model will be used to develop these plans.

A fourth program is planned in 2017 for non-teaching staff. This

will aim to support them in goal setting and ongoing professional

development.

At the College we are committed to helping our students and

our teachers reach their potential. Key research shows just how

important teachers are in the learning outcomes of students.

We understand the importance of good teaching practice and

through supportive programs and processes we are working with

our staff to aid them in their professional journeys.

Mrs Carol Bell

Deputy Principal Staff & Formation

“At the College we are committed to helping our students and our teachers reach their potential.”

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Posi t ive Educat ion - F lour ishPositive Education aims to create thriving and successful students, staff and community. Skills of well-being and resilience are taught

so that everyone can flourish, lead purposeful lives and contribute positively to society. It aims to assist people to be more resilient in

stressful situations, more tolerant towards others, have improved feelings of competence and improved mental health.

Positive Education supports both achievement and well-being. It is education for both traditional skills and happiness and wellbeing.

Effort is needed to train the brain and the brain needs time to strengthen and develop healthy habits. As Aristotle said, “Excellence is

not an act, it is a habit”. Everyone needs to flourish or thrive – be the best that they can be.

Positive Education is a whole school community initiative, linked to evidence-based outcomes and benefits of Positive Psychology,

that promotes The PERMAH Model, a well-being theory developed by world renowned psychologist, Martin Seligman.

By focussing on these six ingredients we can flourish - “Be the best one can be! Feeling good and doing good!”

Positive Education is the framework supporting the College’s Pastoral Care Program, which we have called Flourish. Flourish focusses

on providing students, parents and staff with the skills to better manage emotions and to develop healthy thinking styles, to manage

and cope with everyday opportunities and challenges, to foster healthy and positive relationships and to build on character strengths

and develop a positive self-identity. We are hoping that Flourish will encourage members of our College community to be well-

rounded, resilient with the ability to bounce back, able to thrive personally, academically and professionally, and contribute positively

to society in a meaningful and satisfying way.

Every teacher is involved in Flourish lessons.

The students have been divided into House and year groups,

boys separated from girls. Each group is small and bonds can

form between the students and the teacher leading the group.

Mrs Mary-Anne Reynolds

Deputy Principal of Pastoral Care

(Positive) Emotions – experience feelings of gratitude, happiness, hope, love and peace.

Engagement– use strengths to meet challenges and be in the moment, concentrate …. FLOW.

(Positive) Relationships – connect with others, love and be loved.

Meaning and Purpose – get from serving a cause bigger than ourselves.

Achievement and Accomplishment – learn to set goals, pursue them and accomplish them – strive for greatness.

Health – this is not part of the actual PERMA model but physical health and vitality are essential for well-being – students need to

feel good and healthy each day.

PE R M A H

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Learning EnhancementUnder the College’s school improvement focus and guided by its Strategic Plan, MCC’s approach to the provision of opportunities

catering for the unique talents and gifts of all students has been re-designed. The end result is a series of exciting, challenging and

student-focussed learning opportunities for students at any age and stage of their education. As newly appointed Director of Learning

Enhancement (K-12), Mrs Yvette Clifton is working with staff to:

• facilitate differentiated learning opportunities in the classroom

• develop programs and clubs which ignite learning passions outside of the classroom and

• establish a gifted and talented program to cater for the very high achievers in our community and track them across their

years at MCC.

The three-levelled approach aims to meet the specific needs and interests of all students and challenge them to ‘stretch’ their learning.

Literacy support has always been attended to well in the College but a redefinition of approach now uses literacy clinics for students

accessing evidence based literacy intervention strategies. This intervention assistance sits alongside a numeracy program.

The opportunities for all learners have expanded: STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) classes in Junior School

(Years 3-6) and lunchtime Learning Clubs have been added to the various Quest programs already offered to our Junior students. Quest

students study topics such as philosophy and history, and are involved in the Write a Book in a Day and Mathematics competitions.

The Endeavour Program is a new innovation to Year 7 this year. It is

an invitation program with two streams of interest for students, STEM

and Humanities. All Endeavour students are taught the 16 Habits

of Mind to apply in all subject areas and enables them to develop

problem solving skills. There is further involvement in the Future

Problem Solving program, the Mathematics Enrichment Challenge

for Young Australians as well as Robocup (robotics) and computer

programming.

Further passion for learning can be satisfied through student

involvement in sessions with the Author in Residence and Artist in

Residence programs in Upper Junior and Secondary years, Fremantle

Literacy Centre writing workshops, philosophy contests, debating and

public speaking competitions and Mock Trials, and extension classes

in Years 8 to 12. Coupled with an extensive offering of performing

arts, students have every opportunity to follow their passions and try

new pursuits in learning.

Later in the year we will report on the Year 7 and Year 4 Problem Based Learning projects; unique and exciting learning opportunities

to challenge students and their staff mentors.

Students competing at the Da Vinci Decathlon.

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Student Achievements

Students competing at the Da Vinci Decathlon.

BHP Traineeships

Year 11 students, Harmony Broughton and Ella Smith have embarked on highly sought

after traineeships with BHP Billiton.

Only four School Based Traineeships (SBT) were offered by the mining giant this year, two of

which have been awarded to the MCC students.

Ella (St Bernadette’s) and Harmony (St Monica’s) will work in the company’s head office

one day per week, receiving on-the-job training and mentoring support throughout their

two-year traineeship. On successful completion, the girls will be awarded a Certificate II in

Business. Harmony will complete her traineeship in the resource planning team, while Ella

will be with facilities management.

Computational Excellence

Jackson Constantine (St Bernadette’s) received a perfect score in the 2016 Australian

Mathematics Trust’s Computational and Algorithmic Thinking Competition.

The Year 8 student said the questions were “complicated but pretty easy”, but a few

practice tests prepared him well. Ten students from the College’s Endeavour Program

competed against peers from throughout Australia and overseas.

The competition tests students’ abilities to solve problems related to computer programming

and aims to identify computer programming potential in students who have not had prior

experience in this area. It also allows students to demonstrate a talent that is not normally

revealed in class or in the mainstream curriculum.

Minister for A Day

Politics and law student, Jamieson Kay, had a firsthand glimpse of what life

is like for a politician when she shadowed two Federal Ministers last month.

The Year 12 (St Mary’s) student accompanied Canning MP Andrew Hastie

and Resources Minister, Josh Frydenberg on a tour of mining operations at

Boddington where the ministers and company executive discussed local

innovation in a transitioning national economy. Jamieson described the day

as “very interesting” and said she was surprised at how hectic a politician’s life

can be. “I don’t think people realise just how busy they are,” said Jamieson.

The College’s Social Sciences department ran a competition which asked students to write an essay demonstrating why they would

benefit from the opportunity.

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Col lege Miss ion - F lores

A group of student volunteers spent a week in the mountain villages of a small Indonesian island, Flores, in January. The 10 students,

and three staff members, were the foundation group to work on the newly adopted Flores Mission which replaces the previous Nairobi

Mission. A great amount of hard work has been completed in that city’s slum areas by several teams of students, but Nairobi is now

deemed too dangerous a destination to send our staff and students to (MCC still supports its Nairobi partners with financial aid).

The two major Flores projects this year focussed on painting two classrooms in the village of Waa Waa and the establishment of a

vegetable garden in the village of Neo.

“The time in Flores was certainly very challenging – physically, mentally and emotionally – but also rewarding. Our students were

exceptional in the manner in which they managed themselves, gaining as much out of the experience as they could whilst searching

for ways to make a difference; if not on this trip, then certainly when other groups visit in the future,” – Mr Mat Warren.

MCC Volunteers with children of Flores

Ashleigh Carlin Maddy Atkinson

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Col lege V i r tuesChristian Service

Rewarding, emotionally challenging, unforgettable … such words best portray a Year 12 student’s

experience as a volunteer working with at risk children.

MacKenzie Strange (St Mary’s) volunteered at Camp Kulin as a counsellor in January. Children aged

8-12 years, including those who have been affected by domestic violence and sexual assault, learn

leadership, trust and teambuilding skills. And, perhaps most importantly, they have the opportunity to

be a child.

“The environment is one of high intensity, emotionally draining and very involved, as the children

have witnessed and been subjected to some difficult circumstances,” said camp manager, Ms Tanya

Dupagne. “It is a job that requires extreme patience, excellent communication skills and the ability to

cope under pressure. Mack developed strong bonds with the children he worked with and they learnt

a lot through his leadership skills… their confidence and self esteem grew through the time Mack put in and they’ve made long term

changes. He was well respected by counsellors, campers and parents alike.”

MacKenzie was particularly touched by one girl who sought his support and spent a lot of time with him. “By the end of the week she

had really come out of her shell and was learning to trust people. These talents she had, especially with artistic handwriting, which no

one had ever seen before, were coming out. That was really rewarding.”

House Spirit and Identity

The College House structure plays a vital role in the pastoral care of our

students.

Every student and staff member belongs to one of six Houses. Each House

has a saint as their patron and students are encouraged to get to know and

consider the qualities their House’s patron saint exemplifies.

Over the past year the Heads of House and student leaders, together with

Mrs Susan Macdonald (Director of Ministry), have been reviewing how

to enhance the presence of the House Saint among students and how to

strengthen House Spirit. New House crests were designed to reflect the patron

saints in greater detail and simplified so that crests can be included in House

shirt design and in more iconology around the College. House mottos were reworded to ensure the Latin terminology was correct.

The new crests were unveiled to the College community earlier this year and new banners will now fly proudly at College and Inter-

House events, promoting pride and a sense of belonging amongst House groups.

The College community is encouraged to become familiar with and, indeed, embrace the new crests and what they symbolise; that

House Identity and Spirit is a significant aspect of life at MCC.

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Cul ture & Learning Year 12 Bal lYear 9 Canberra Educat ional Tour

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A Midsummer Night ’s DreamPer forming Ar ts Camp

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Junior SchoolAutism Awareness Day

Hues of blue adorned the Junior School one sunny Friday this term in acknowledgement of Autism Awareness Day.

Students wore blue T-shirts with their sport shorts and hundreds of blue balloons were released in the afternoon by Pre-Primary, Years 1

and 3 students as a show of support for their peers who have diagnoses within the Autism Spectrum. All Junior School students spent

the morning participating in various activities and watching informative videos that focussed on autism. The Early Childhood classes

decorated hands of friendship, acknowledging people with differences and the respect they deserve, before planting them en masse

to create a sea of waving, colourful support.

Flourish

Encouraging our young students to be the best they can be is a daily commitment from staff, but the approach took on a different

angle, quite literally, when the Junior School downed pencils and iPads for a day. As part of the College’s Flourish Program, all students

from Kindergarten to Year 6 participated in a range of activities from yoga, dance and movement, team sports, meditation and art

for the duration of the last day of Term One.

The day was planned to enhance the children’s well being and to allow them to take time to reflect and recharge. Staff and students

were “amazed and invigorated” by the activities; the staff saw great benefits in the concept and the students were very enthusiastic

to participate.

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College Family – In celebration of Mother’s Day

Junior School students spoiled their mothers and grandmothers with a traditional afternoon tea to celebrate Mother’s Day in May.

After sweet treats and a cup of tea were enjoyed by all, the students escorted their guests to classrooms to participate in fun activities.

The Bishop’s Garden continues to thrive under the nurturing hands of the Patch Pals.

Established last year, and so named in recognition of Bishop Peter Quinn (the inspiration behind the foundation of MCC), the vegetable

garden is thriving with an assortment of vegetables, fruit and herbs.

When the fruits of their labour are bountiful, the Patch Pals hold a produce stall and all monies raised go towards the purchase of

needed items such as pickets, fertilisers and seedlings.

“...the fruits of their labour are bountiful...”

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Guest Speaker sSowing Seeds of Inspiration

Personal sacrifice and passionate commitment to saving the lives of countless

children living in Third World countries is the life story of Moira Kelly.

Her inspirational story captivated staff and students alike when she addressed

the Years 8 and 9 cohort earlier this month, detailing a life spent caring for

sick and needy children and their families in many impoverished countries

including India, South Africa, Romania, Bosnia and Albania.

Sometimes dubbed the modern-day “Mother Theresa”, Ms Kelly told her

audience that it was as a teenager that her life changed after learning about

the Nobel Peace Prize-winning missionary whose work she is now emulating.

Ms Kelly is best known as the charity worker who brought conjoined twins, Trishna and Krishna, from Bangladesh in 2006 to Australia for

lifesaving surgery. Her extended family of 13 resembles a mini United Nations and includes two adopted sons, Ahmed (who represented

Australia at the 2013 Para Olympics) and Emmanuel (who won the hearts of X Factor judges when he performed John Lennon’s

“Imagine”). Ms Kelly found the duo in a Baghdad orphanage in 1996, both with major limb abnormalities and in dire need of corrective

surgery.

Moira has devoted her life to charity work and those causes close to her heart that “just make the world a better place”. An advocate

for refugees and asylum seekers, Moira is also spearheading the Global Gardens For Peace initiative to sow hope, peace and

reconciliation in war or disaster torn regions of the world.

Author In Residence

Amid the colourful mayhem and sounds of merriment that encompass Book Week

at MCC each year, there is also much learning about, and appreciation for, the

written word.

Whilst the annual Junior School Dress-up Parade always seems to take centre

stage, the Learning Hub staff, with the assistance of teachers, deliver a compact

and varied selection of reading and writing activities that encourage students to

explore the wonderful world of words.

Junior School students, Years 7 and 8 Endeavour Program students and selected

Year 9 pupils were fortunate to workshop with Perth-born Sally Murphy, the

College’s author-in-residence, who spent three days entertaining and enlightening her charges. The well-known Australian children’s

author and poet has had more than 30 books published, including verse novels, picture books and educational titles; among them

are 1915, Do Not Forget Australia, Mary McKillop, Fly-In Fly-Out Dad and the Sage Cookson series. Her uniquely Australian style and

content sat well with the College’s Book Week theme for this year, Australia: Story Country.

Kiara Wardrope, Shanae Wardrope, Ms Kelly, and Rohan Walker

Ms Murphy with Kindergarten students.

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Spor t ing Excel lenceMandurah Catholic College has been heralded as Champion Country Secondary School

after impressive performances at the recent WA Schools Equestrian Championships.

Brittany Porter (Year 12, St Patrick’s) was named Champion Secondary Rider and Champion

Secondary Rural Rider. She and Year 8 Student, Tanaya Radecker (St Monica’s) were

selected to represent WA in the Nationals later this year. MCC was also named Reserve

(Runners-up) Champions for the whole event.

The official and final results summary is outstanding, congratulations to all riders involved:

•Champion Country Secondary School - Shakira Hartley, Tanaya Radecker (pictured),

Brittany Porter, Emilee Duncan.

•Champion Secondary Rider – Brittany Porter (WA Team selection)

•Champion Secondary Rural Rider – Brittany Porter

•Reserve Champion Secondary Combined Training Team – Ella Perkins, Tanaya Radecker

(WA Team selection), Brittany Porter, Emilee Duncan.

The Junior Girls’ Medley Relay team set a new record at the Associated & Catholic Colleges

(ACC) Swimming Carnival in March. Pictured right, Jorja Lymn (Year 8, St Patrick’s), Jasmin

Allan (Year 9, St Mary’s), Sophie Vergone (Year 9, St Patrick’s) and Keeley Hughes (Year 9, St

Bernadette’s) clocked 2.12.72 in what was described as “a great swim which was brilliant

to watch” to set a new record in the 4 x 50m event. The previous record of 2.13.42 was set

in 2006 by All Saints’ College.

Sophie, Jasmin, Keeley and Megan Larmour (Year 9, St Patrick’s) missed out by 0.75

seconds on setting a new record in the Junior Girls’ 50m Freestyle Relay. Ben Hollow (Year

7, St Joseph’s) was named Boys’ U/13 champion and Mikaylah Jones (Year 12, St Monica’s)

was named Female U/19 champion.

Sophie and Jasmin have also been selected into a squad of 32 elite swimmers from Western

Australia for the Tokyo 2020 (Olympics) Talent Squad.

Mr James Hornby was recognised for his service to College Swimming at the Colours

Assembly in April.

Mr Hornby (pictured with Director of Sport, Mr Nick Jenkins) has coached the MCC Swim

Squad for the past 16 years.

Through his dedication, tireless support and enthusiasm, the MCC swimming team has

swum its way into the ACC B Division competition. At the 2016 ACC Inter-School Swimming

carnival, the MCC Junior Girls were awarded the Champions Shield and several MCC

competitors finished in the top four swimmers for their age groups.

“Through his dedication, tireless support and enthusiasm...

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MCC AlumniReunions

The MCC Alumni Association is very excited to be hosting two big reunions this year.

On 6 August the College will host its inaugural 20-year reunion for the ‘Class of 1996’ and on 22 October the ‘Class of 2006’ will

celebrate its 10-year reunion.

Past students can register their details on the College website at http://web.mcc.wa.edu.au/our-community/alumni-association/ to

keep updated with College events and reunions.

MCC Alumni also has a Facebook page for former students and staff. The ‘Where are they now?’ articles are proving to be very popular

and contributions are always most welcome. We would love you to tell your journey/story for others to read, if you are interested please

email [email protected] with a story and a recent photo.

Mathew Muletta, Class of ‘96

Mathew was a foundation student when MCC opened its doors in 1992. After completing Year 12

he started an apprenticeship as an Engineering Fabricator and began a 4-year football career

with Peel Thunder (WAAFL). Mathew and Kellie O’Sullivan married in Mandurah in 2003 and in 2004

he graduated from the WA Police Academy; he has been a Police officer for 11 years policing at

Fremantle, Murdoch, Cockburn and Kalgoorlie.

Mathew is currently a Senior Constable at the Canine Unit. He was the handler of highly successful

and well known police dog, Rumble who, sadly, died last year. Rumble was a German Shepherd

General Purpose Dog for tracking offenders, assisting at riots, locating missing persons and detaining

(biting) offenders. Mathew now trains Police Dog, Tana, a Labrador Drug Dog who locates drugs on

people at places like concerts and train stations. Mathew and Kellie have three young boys and still

live in the house they bought in 2002 in Perth’s southern suburbs.

Benjamin Waters, Class of ‘07

I started at MCC in 2003 in Year 8 and graduated in 2007. My partner, Tarna Lee, also graduated

the same year and with an interest in healthcare, we both enrolled to study a 5-year Chiropractic

Science degree at Murdoch University.

During 2011 we took an incredible gap-year, backpacking throughout Thailand, Laos, Cambodia,

Malaysia and Indonesia. We haven’t stopped travelling since. As part of my chiropractic training, I

had an amazing experience in 2012/13 volunteering for several weeks in some of the poorest regions

of India. I graduated as a Doctor of Chiropractic in 2013 and opened my own chiropractic clinic in

Mandurah in 2014. As well as running a business and treating patients, I am also currently studying

Chiropractic Paediatrics, and volunteer as a board member for the Peel Community Development

Group.

The most brilliant teacher throughout my time at MCC was Mr Frank Hill (Science/Human Biology)

who inspired me to study science at university.

http://web.mcc.wa.edu.au/our-community/alumni-association/

mailto:[email protected]

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Impor tant Dates30 May Years 11 and 12 Examinations commence

31 May Managing a FIFO Lifestyle Presentation Evening

3 & 6 June Pupil Free Days

13 June Junior School Photo Day

Father’s Group Introductory Talk

20 June Secondary School and Family Photo Day

21 June Year 10 Subject Selection Parent Information Evening

1 July Patron’s Day, last day of Term Two

19 July Term Three commences (Junior and Secondary)

6 August Class of 1996 Reunion

31 August Year 11 Mother & Son Dinner

2 September Year 9 Father’s Day Liturgy and Breakfast

7 September Year 10 Father & Daughter Dinner

22 September Year 11 Dinner Dance

23 September Last Day of Term Three

11 October Term Four Commences

22 October Class of 2006 Reunion

seek truth magazine - issue 1

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