On the Coast – Families Issue 100 I June/July 2019 | Page 11

Harmony Day
C AT H O L I C S C H O O L S
in conversation and song
Students at MacKillop Catholic College
in Warnervale had a treat on 21 March
when renowned singer-songwriter
Christine Anu performed her show ‘In
Conversation and Song’ at the school for
Harmony Day.
Year 9 student Lachlan Bishop
welcomed Christine in the Darkinjung
language with the Acknowledgement of
Country before her performance, while
Mr Brendan Campbell, Learning Support
Teacher, played didgeridoo.
Christine Anu is the ARIA-award
winning performer of hits including 1995’s
‘My Island Home’ and 2000’s ‘Sunshine on
a Rainy Day’ and is a Torres Strait Islander.
Students from Years 5 to 12 gathered
in the school hall to hear Anu perform.
Her show includes a message of diversity
and inclusivity, which the Principal,
Steve Todd, said was “a really positive
message for Harmony Day.”
“Christine gave us all a real insight
into her life and its trials and successes,”
said Mr Todd.
The College Captains, Lucy Pratt and
Jack Barseic, said that MacKillop was a
“truly inclusive school and we are proud
of our very accepting community.”
MacKillop students are “leading the
way in being truly aware of the world
around them,” said Debra Ferguson, the
Secondary Principal.
Ms Ferguson said that the college has
a program which encourages students to
think of others. “Each Tuesday the Year 7
to 10 students meet to look at topics such
as the trauma of bullying, cyberbullying,
domestic violence and racism,” she said.
This year, students have also cooked
and served meals at Coast Shelter,
raised funds for local charity Orange
Sky Laundry, and met with politicians
to discuss affordable housing. Some
students even travelled to Sydney to
attend a rally about the topic of housing.
Outreach Coordinator Michelle
Baxter said, “Mary MacKillop said ‘Never
see a need without doing something
about it’ and that’s what the MacKillop
community is trying to ensure they do
each day.”
JUNE/JULY – ISSUE 100
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