Learning Highlights
Catholic Education Week
Recently, the college had the exciting opportunity to join the celebrations for Catholic Education Week 2026. Firstly, joining with Catholic schools across Southern Tasmania for a special Mass, a wonderful expression of shared Catholic identity.
The College then welcomed Archbishop Tony on-site to tour our facilities and meet with students and staff. The visit provided a meaningful opportunity to connect with students, engage with the broader College community, and experience the unique culture of the College.
Photography: Alastair Bett
SATIS Rep Gala Day
Congratulations to all MacKillop students who recently participated in the SATIS Rep Gala Day. What a fantastic event showcasing some of the best sporting talent in the state.
Some results from the day:
Basketball - Jack and Josh (Year 12)
Boys - NSATIS 88 defeated SSATIS 61
Soccer - Reuben (Year 11)
Boys - SSATIS 6 defeated NSATIS 2
Tennis - Darcy (Year 10)
Boys - SSATIS defeated NSATIS 6 rubbers to 0
Year 8 Retreat
Our Year 8 students have enjoyed the chance to gather with their peers and spend some time at Ninja Stadium as part of their annual Retreat recently.
Exploring topics including how they can best support each other as friends, navigating pressures around them in society and how they can apply what they learnt to their own lives and relationships.
A big thank you to all staff who contributed towards the success of this event.
Hawks Cup ready!
Congratulations to our Year 9/10 Boys AFL team, who were victorious recently against Clarence High School, to secure their place in the annual Hawks Cup. With a final score of 59-40, battling through rain and wind, the team represented the College with pride and showed fierce determination.
This marks the second year in a row that MacKillop have competed in this battle of North v South, we can't wait to cheer on the team when they travel to Launceston to play in the coming weeks.
Outdoor Leadership
Recently, our Year 11/12 Outdoor Leadership students spent four days at Corinna as part of their Individual Project. Students had to plan and lead a portion of the camp and ensure that they were prepared to lead their peers through the trails.
With an action-packed time including hiking, bike riding and kayaking 20km from Corinna to Pieman Heads through some picturesque scenery, this was a wonderful opportunity to explore the great outdoors and refine their leadership skills.
Photography: Millara (Year 12)
SATIS Swimming Carnival
Congratulations to all MacKillop students who recently participated in the SATIS Swimming Carnival!
We are excited to announce the following results:
Boys U16 Pennant: 1st
Individual Placings:
Boys U16 4x50 Medley - (Alex, James, Harry, Archie)
Boys U16 50m Freestyle - Alex 1st
Girls U13 50m Breaststroke - Frankie 2nd
Boys U16 50m Breaststroke - Alex 1st
Girls U15 100m Freestyle - Indi 2nd
Boys U16 100m Freestyle - Alex 1st
Boys U16 50m Butterfly - Alex 1st
Girls U14 50m Backstroke - Indi 1st
Boys U16 50m Backstroke - Alex 1st
Boys U13 50m Freestyle Relay - Thomas, Marlin, Angus, Ben - 2nd
Boys U16 50m Freestyle Relay - Alex, Harry, Archie, James - 1st
Records:
Boys U16 50m Freestyle - Alex 24.19
Boys U16 50m Breaststroke - Alex 32.56
Boys U16 50m Butterfly - Alex 26.33
Boys U16 50m Backstroke - Alex 29.21
AJASS Pilgrimage Tasmania
During Week 7, four of our Year 10 students, accompanied by one staff member, took part in the 2026 AJASS Tasmanian Pilgrimage. They joined students and staff from seven other Josephite schools, including two Tasmanian schools and five visiting from the mainland, for four days of learning, reflection and connection.
The pilgrimage provided an opportunity to explore the rich history of the Sisters of St Joseph and Fr Julian Tenison Woods in Tasmania and to consider how their legacy continues within our Josephite schools today. Beginning with a Commissioning Mass at MacKillop Catholic College, the group then travelled to a number of significant sites across southern Tasmania.
At Sacred Heart College in New Town, students explored the history of the Josephite mission in Tasmania and reflected on the Josephite charism within their own school communities. The pilgrimage continued through Richmond and Oatlands, where students visited places connected to the early Josephite story. The following day focused particularly on Fr Julian Tenison Woods, his time in Tasmania and his deep connection with nature and eco-spirituality, before the group travelled south to Geeveston and the Tahune region.
Throughout the pilgrimage, students participated in prayer, reflection and group activities, while also enjoying the opportunity to build friendships with students from other AJASS schools. The final morning provided time to reflect on what they had learnt and, importantly, how they could take the spirit of the pilgrimage back into their own school communities.
It was a wonderful opportunity for our students to deepen their understanding of our Josephite heritage and to recognise that they, too, are part of the continuing story of faith, service, community and care for creation. As one of the students so thoughtfully reflected during the pilgrimage, “The future of their legacy lies with us.”
Cathy Allen, Head of House: Tenison
MacKillop Rocks the Barn
Recently a group of students participated in the inagural MacKillop Rocks the Barn at the Rosny Barn, showcasing an evening of rock band, jazz band and the talent of aspiring songwriters.
This event marked our first concert for contemporary musicians and bands, as we celebrated the range of musical talent we have at MacKillop.
We look forward to this event becoming a highlight of the calendar each year.
Timor-Leste Exchange Students
This week saw our exchange students from Timor-Leste, Alicia and Dawe, head home after an unforgettable 8 weeks in Tasmania. They managed to fit in a great amount of wonderful experiences during their time here. They managed to experience snow for the first time in their final week. During their time here they were able to visit some iconic places in Tasmania, such as Port Arthur, Bruny Island, Richmond, and the East Coast.
As well as sightseeing, they really enjoyed being immersed in day-to-day learning at school and family life. They are grateful for all the friendly experiences they had during their stay from students and teachers. They have developed some amazing friendships and memories during their exchange.
Phil Stanley, Teacher
ICAS 2026 Results
This year, MacKillop had a number of students participate and compete in the annual ICAS competitions. These competitions cover a range of subjects and operate in over 40 countries. I would like to thank all students who participated in any of the ICAS competitions this year for their hard work and celebrate some of the excellent results that they achieved.
Please see a full list of results below. I look forward to ICAS time again next year and hope to see even more participants step up to the challenge!
Cam Quinn, Teacher
Year 7 Elliott Young
English: Credit
Digitech: Distinction
Science: Distinction
Spelling Bee: Credit
Writing: Credit
Harsha Yedlapalli
English: MeritDigitech: ParticipationMathematics: Merit
Science: Distinction
Spelling: Distinction
Writing: Credit
Charlotte Kealy
Mathematics: Participation
Writing: Participation
Xavier Manzi
Mathematics: Participation
Spelling: Participation
Year 8
Adnan Md Saifullah
English: Credit
Mathematics: Merit
Writing: Participation
Bella-Rose McDonald
English: Distinction
Mathematics: Merit
Writing: Credit
Isabella Merlo
Mathematics: Participation
Science: Participation
Paige Smith
Mathematics: Participation
Bernard Robertson
Mathematics: Participation
Josie Tilyard
English: Credit
Writing: Distinction
Eli Smith
Mathematics: Participation
Ella Cox
Mathematics: Participation
Science: Merit
Writing: Participation
Year 9
George Fraser
English: Distinction
Mathematics: Credit
Science: Distinction
Year 10
Alexander Keenan
English: Participation
Writing: Merit
Emily Watchorn
English: Participation
Writing: Participation
Samuel Braid
English: Participation
Science: Participation
Writing: Participation
James Kirkham
English: Merit
Science: Participation
Writing: Distinction
Joshua Li
Mathematics: Participation
English: Participation
Science: Participation
Writing: Participation
Netball Success
Congratulations to our 1st Grade Girls Netball Team who recently finished in 3rd place, after a highly successful season.
This marks the highest placing in MacKillop's history in this competition.
Well done team!
Ryka Ali Visit
This week, our Year 7 Dance and Mob students had the wonderful opportunity to watch a performance by Ryka Ali and his brother DJ.
Students were treated to an engaging performance celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture through dance, movement, music and storytelling.
It was fantastic to see students so engaged and enjoying the opportunity!
Rachel Williams, Program Leader: Performing Arts/Teacher
Sisters of St Joseph visit MacKillop
We were thrilled to welcome the Sisters of St Joseph to the College this week, to tour the Tenison and Fitzroy House spaces
Viewing the newly completed charisms artwork that celebrate the lives of Mary MacKillop and Julian-Tenison Woods, this was a wonderful opportunity for the Sisters to engage with students and learn more about the thought and intent these beautiful new spaces that adorn the walls at the College.
