Principal

Mary MacKillop Catholic Regional College Community,

Welcome back to the 2024 academic year.

Welcome back to 2024 and to all our new families welcome to Mary MacKillop Catholic Regional College. It has been great to see students return and enthusiastically looking forward to what will unfold in 2024.

Achievers Assembly

On Monday, 5 February we held our Achievers Assembly which was a wonderful experience recognising our top-performing VCE and VET students from 2023. 

During the assembly, we heard from our Class of 2023 Dux, Gabrielle Perry, and I also had the opportunity to speak. As part of my comments, I included three key messages, the same ones I have given to students over many years. First is to emphasise that I only have one rule and that is ‘to do the right thing’. I know our students come from excellent homes where they have learned good values, so I feel I do not need to expand on the specifics of striving to model the ‘right thing’ every day. However, I did emphasise that I do not expect everyone to be perfect. We are human and will inadvertently make mistakes, it is part of learning. Therefore, part of doing the ‘right thing’ is when we do something that hurts our relationship with others we apologise and look to restore the relationship. 

I also reminded the community that I have two expectations – always look to do your best and to look after one another. 

Regarding ‘doing our best’ I emphasised that I am not expecting anyone to do more than they are capable of achieving, but to strive to give their best effort each day. 

As for ‘looking after one another’ I firmly believe that being at Mary MacKillop Catholic Regional College means that we are members of a community and all good and successful communities ‘look after one another’. This can be done by simply greeting people when we see them, or asking someone who might be feeling down if they are okay and where possible trying to help. 

Additionally, I spoke briefly about the concept of resilience or more specifically the concept of Grit promoted by psychologist, academic and author Angela Duckworth. Duckworth defines grit as a passion and sustained persistence applied toward long-term achievement, with no particular concern for rewards or recognition along the way. It combines resilience, ambition, and self-control in the pursuit of goals that take months, years, or even decades Fundamentally there are 4 components to grit:

• Interest: enjoy what you're doing.
• Practice: conduct deliberate practice to improve on your weaknesses and continuously improve.
• Purpose: believe that your work matters and improves the lives of others.
• Hope: believe in your capacity for achievement and ability to overcome difficulties

I look forward to being part of helping everyone be their best in 2024.

Ash Wednesday and Opening of School Mass

On Wednesday 14 February, 2024 we will be celebrating both our Opening of School Mass and Ash Wednesday starting at 11.10 am. These are both key events for our school and families are welcome to attend.

The Mass will be celebrated by Fr Darren Howie, Wonthaggi Parish Priest.

Part of our Lenten obligations is that baptised Catholics abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Accordingly, the canteen will not have any meat on the menu on Ash Wednesday, but there will still be plenty of other healthy options available. 

If you want to know more about Lent as well as the obligations for Baptised Catholics see - https://melbournecatholic.org/news/lent-a-guide-for-the-perplexed

Additionally, will launch Project Compassion for this year during next week. Project Compassion is a major fundraising program for the Catholic agency Caritas Australia who do outstanding work towards creating a just world. More details about Project Compassion can be found at https://www.caritas.org.au/project-compassion/  and you will also find links on that page about this very worthwhile and effective charity.

My thanks in advance to all involved in the preparation of the Mass and ceremony in particular Nicole Dudman and our musicians and choir led by Beth Winterhalter.

As this is a major celebration all students are expected to wear their formal summer uniform, for the Mass. I ask that if students do need to change into their sports uniform for Health and Physical Education practical classes and other practical classes to plan ahead to have the correct attire at school as well. They will be able to change in the facilities adjacent to Pioneer Hall as directed by their teacher.

Year 12 Results 

As indicated above we held a whole school assembly where significant academic achievement from members of the Class of 2023 was recognised. We are proud of the achievements of every student.

Our College Dux was Gabrielle Perry with an ATAR of 97.55 and also in our top four students were: James Rowe 96.2; Jordan Clarke 93.35 and Martha Dunemann 91.6

Key results from last year are:

40+ Study Scores – 6.4%

Median Study Score for all results was 30

The student ATAR results saw:

• 13.2% of ATAR scores above 90
• 26.4% of ATAR scores above 80
• 28.3% of ATAR are in top quarter
• 47.17% of ATAR scores above 70

The average ATAR is 69.11.

A very big thank-you to the teachers who have worked so well to get the most out of their students in 2023. This comes from strong, effective teaching across the board.

There were several classes where multiple students had a study score of 40 or more – this only happens when the teacher understands what is required and has worked hard for their students.

We are proud of our Applied Learners too. 14 students were pursuing applied pathways and they all have either secured employment, commenced apprenticeships, gone on to further studies, or considering options.

Year 7s 2024

Our new Year 7s have started well and have already begun forming strong bonds with each other. Thanks to our Year 7 Wellbeing Team Claire Cassidy, Jackie Van Dillen, Jess Stein, Julia Leslie, and Travis Newton for their work, and thank you to all the teachers who have taught the students for assisting in making the students feel welcome.

Year 12 Retreat

Last Thursday I was able to visit with our Year 12s on their retreat. They are a great group of young adults and were clearly enjoying each other’s company and working well with our staff and the team from the Passionist Youth Retreat Team.

They have now returned to school after the three intensive days, and it is clear that they will be a cohesive cohort who will strive to make the most of the opportunities presented to them this year.

Thank you to Nicole Dudman and Georgia Townley for their leadership and organisation. Additionally, thank you to the staff – Scott Blencowe, Zac Cox, Melissa Fuller, Gerard Gordon Cassie Raschle, Sarah Roscoe-Smith, and Beth Winterhalter who have given their time to support our students. Also, thanks to John Ryan who visited the group on Wednesday afternoon/evening.

Year 8 Camp

Yesterday I was able to visit with our Year 8s on their camp at Waratah Beach. The students were enjoying themselves and will no doubt be quite tired when they return today from all the activities in which they had the opportunity to participate.

Thank you to Stephen Ross-Bryant for his leadership and organisation. Additionally, thank you to the staff – Ben Abbott, Kate Dwyer, Di Hancock, Colleen Herbert, Caitlin Reid, Rachel Rosse, Chris Spencer, Aliesha Wrigley as well as Jon Bowman - who have given their time to support our students.

Staff News

Welcome to New and Returning Staff:

Returning staff

• Jo Callister
• Ruby Atkins
• Caitlin Reid (During Term 1)

Replacement

• Jack Pearce for Term 1

Congratulations to Georgia and Cade Maskell on the birth of the second child, Joey Thomas.

Sapientia Domini Docet Nos

John M Freeman