Principal

Principal’s Newsletter Article 

Dear Mary MacKillop Catholic Regional College Community, 

I wish everyone a safe happy and holy Christmas break.

I hope it is a time of joy, a time to replenish and to be with those you love.

 The theme for next year

Our student leaders are asked to recommend a theme for the coming year each year. I had the opportunity to observe part of the process of discernment by our students lead by Nicole Dudman and Scott Blencowe and it was clear the choice that was to be made would be thoughtful and relevant for us in 2025. Following this process, I met with two of our College Captains for 2025, Eleanor Pedlow and Pat Wilson, and they presented the theme and provided a clear rationale for their choice. Accordingly, there was no doubt for me following this process that our theme for next year will be:

“Keep your mind in peace … for you have done your best.”

MotCM 1890         and         MotCM 1898

There is much to consider with this statement from St Mary of the Cross. And I offer the words spoken by our Captains at our end-of-year College Mass as something we can all reflect upon:

“This timeless wisdom invites us to embrace a profound sense of inner tranquillity, rooted in the assurance that wholehearted effort is both meaningful and sufficient.

Drawn from Mary MacKillop's words, it calls us to fully commit to our goals and, therefore, find peace in the knowledge that we did our best.

The theme will resonate throughout the year in our studies, relationships, and personal growth. We will foster a community where support, encouragement and understanding will flourish,

Let it guide us to create a nurturing and supportive environment where everyone feels empowered to thrive without undue pressure.

Together, let us journey with purpose, kindness, and the reassurance that peace lies in the sincerity of our efforts,”

 End-of-Year Mass and College Awards

On Tuesday, 19 December, we gathered for our the end of the year with Mass and then our Awards Assembly.

Mass was celebrated by Fr Stanly Devasia and Fr Darren Howie. It was a joyful experience that was enhanced by the music provided by our choir and band. Thank you to Beth Winterhalter, Meg Doherty, Phil Schuhmann for their work and rehearsal of the students. At the end of Mass, we had the opportunity to thank both our priests for their contribution to our College throughout the year. Thank you to all who assisted in the organisation of the Mass, notably Nicole Dudman, and Scott Blencowe who were assisted by Cate Kavanagh.

Following the Mass, we had a small break and then commenced our Awards Assembly, with well over 150 family members attending. Details of the award recipients are in the Newsletter. This was a great way to end the year and all students in attendance were attentive and demonstrated wonderful support for their peers being recognised. These events take an enormous amount of planning and I particularly want to thank I would like to thank Scott Blencowe, Laura Kew, Dianna Malloy, Mary Tye, Melinda Stephan, Nia Robinson, and Jodie Connell for the organisation, collation of data, the printing of certificates, purchasing of gifts and co-ordinating the audio visual for today’s Assembly. I also thank all staff who contributed to the process of determining the awards. There was a myriad of people assisting both on the day and throughout the process. 

Awardees are listed in our Around the College section of this Newsletter.

Year 7 2025

On Tuesday, 3 December, we welcomed our Year 7 students for 2025 to the College. Speaking to staff who worked with our new students it was clear from our interactions they all will be great members of our community. A large number of the students have siblings at the College and every class had several students whose parents attended Mary MacKillop Catholic Regional College. Therefore, thank you to all those families who are continuing their longstanding family connections.

Additionally, about a third of the students are the eldest child, and so I thank those families for trusting us to educate their children during the next six years of their lives.

Thank you to Claire Cassidy, Jessica Stein, and Erica Masters for all their work in organising the day, and thank you to all the staff, who worked with students on the day. 

Additionally, a big thank you to our Senior Student Leaders who worked with the students during the day. They contributed in a positive manner, were great role models, and ensured the day was a great success.

Rock on the Lawn

Congratulations to Beth Winterhalter and all her team for the successful organisation of the Rock on the Lawn Event on Thursday, 5 December from 5.00 pm. We had a fantastic turnout from families and staff. Everyone present enjoyed the performances from groups and individuals.

It was a great showcase of talent at MMCRC.

Christmas Eve Family Mass

On behalf of Fr Stanly Devasia I extend an invitation to the Leongatha and Korumburra Parish to celebrate Christmas by participating in the Carols & Family Mass at 7.00 pm on 24th December which will be held in Pioneer Hall at Mary MacKillop catholic Regional College 

VCE 2024 Results

On Thursday 12 December, our students received their VCE and Vocational Major Results.

Below are details already shared and additional achievements I can now recognise:

Congratulations to the Mary MacKillop Catholic Regional College class of 2024! We are very pleased and proud of our students’ VCE results. 52 sat for VCE exams and all have succeeded. The class of 2024 has done extremely well.  Most will gain entry to their first or second preference for University. There are lots of excited students and happy families today. We are proud of them all.

Number of students presenting for VCE exams 52

Number with satisfactory completion 52

Top Ten Achievers for 2024

Initial calculations give the following:

• Median Study Score of 28
• Overall Study Scores of 40 or above 6.5%
• 15.38% of our individual students achieved at least one study score of 40 or above
• 9.62% of ATAR scores above 90
• 25.0% of ATAR scores above 80
• 28.3% of ATAR are in the top quarter
• 38.46% of ATAR scores above 70

A very big thank-you to all our teachers. You have worked very hard to help our students do so achieve these great results. It is worth noting 59.62% of students have scored 60 or above, which will give them access to a range of tertiary courses. There is more to be done, but your efforts are bearing fruit.

Congratulations to every teacher who had a student score 40 or more: Scott Blencowe (Physics), Rosemary Drenen (Geography), Hamish Duckmanton (Chemistry), Kate Dwyer (General Mathematics), Michelle Hackett (General Mathematics), Lisa Hogan (Mathematical Methods), Julia Leslie (Economics), Cade Maskell (Physical Education), Patrick McCarthy (Business Management) and Mary Tye (Psychology).

There are a number of classes where the class median was above state average (30.0); Nicole Buccilli (Legal Studies), Zac Cox (History Revolutions), Lisa Hogan (Mathematical Methods), Julia Leslie (Economics), Cade Maskell (Physical Education), Patrick McCarthy (Business Management) and Melinda Stephan (Food Studies).

Our Applied Learners have also done very well. There were 17 students pursuing applied pathways and with notable success – of the 17:

• 3 have secured places in their preferred TAFE courses 
• 5 have gained traineeship/apprenticeships
• 6 have begun employment 
• 3 are seeking TAFE / Employment

Congratulations to all students and all teachers on the results for 2024.

Mary MacKillop Catholic Regional College is proud of you and of your achievements.

Staff News

Farewell to staff

It is with both sadness and gratitude I write to advise that Jodie Connell, our Deputy Principal of Strategic Development and Organisation will be leaving us at the end of the year. Jodie has accepted a position at Padua College in 2025 as Assistant Head of Campus (10-12) and Learning & Pedagogy Leader.

I congratulate Jodie on her appointment to this senior position at Padua College.

Jodie commenced her time at our College in 199 as a graduate teacher. After 13 years of service undertaking a broad range ofroles, both formally and because they needed to be done, Jodie left to work at St Peter’s College, at what was then their new campus at Clyde North. Jodie returned here as Deputy Principal of Learning and Teaching in late 2019 and she has completed her work with enthusiasm, intelligence, purpose, and professionalism. There is so much Jodie has contributed to this school. There would not be a single student, staff member, or family who have not been beneficiaries of her unstinting efforts. 

Jodie has been an unfailing servant of this community and the epitome of Mary MacKillop’s exhortation to all her follow her to “never see a need without doing something about it.”

On behalf of the Mary MacKillop Catholic Regional College community, I simply and humbly write – Jodie thank you for all that you have done for us and we wish you and your family all the best for the future. You can read Jodie's farewell speech to the community in this Newsletter.

Other staff who will complete their time with us at the end of this year:

• Sharni Campbell
• Ella Tough
• Jack Pearce
• Jodie Connell

The following staff will be on extended Leave

• Cate Kavanaugh = first five weeks of term 1
• Laura Muranty – Term 1
• Claire Cassidy – All of 2024
• Colleen Herbert
• James Wearne – Long Service Leave Term 1

Sapientia Domini Docet Nos

John M Freeman

Sapientia Domini Docet Nos

John M Freeman