DEPUTY PRINCIPAL - TEACHING & LEARNING REPORT 

Vision for Teaching and Learning at St Mary MacKillop College - a statement that drives the development of a high performance learning culture at SMMC. 

At St Mary MacKillop College we have high expectations of our students so we equip them with the knowledge, skills and dispositions for lifelong learning. We pursue excellence through a teaching and learning environment that is inclusive, engaging and encourages growth. We value collaboration, innovation and building strong relationships.

Last week we farewelled the class of 2022 with our House Liturgies, End of Year Mass and Year 12 Assembly. It was wonderful to join together as a College community to celebrate and farewell our Year 12 students. The close of their formal relationship with our school was really positive and we hope this has blessed our students with many fond memories. 

Yesterday the VCAA written exams commenced with the three hour English exam. We know it is a nervous and anxious time for our students and their families, but our experience has shown that our students enter their exams having been well prepared through their own study and ably supported and encouraged by their amazing teachers. We keep our Year 12 students in our prayers as they prepare for their final examinations. Recently I came across a beautiful prayer for high school leavers from the Diocese of Parramatta.

Heavenly Father, we bring before you our VCE students. Give them the gifts of wisdom, right judgement, knowledge and courage. Bless them with calm hearts and clarity of mind as they sit for their exams. May they be affirmed in their efforts and may they know that you are there with them. We pray that they will stay calm under pressure and work to the best of their ability. May they feel your loving presence in their lives, now and always, and may they be strengthened by the prayerful support of us, their parish community. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen

Our Year 12 students are unique individuals who will set their own pathway for the future. As long as they have passions and goals, I am sure they will achieve in whatever they choose to pursue. Over their six years with us, the class of 2022 has made a positive impression, worked hard to contribute to our school and lived out our College values of dignity, respect, compassion, reverence, forgiveness and generosity. Their hard work ethic, compassion and care for others, will see them with limitless opportunities and successes beyond the gates of our wonderful school. We wish our students all the very best.

World Teachers’ Day 2022

World Teachers’ Day is celebrated across Australia on Friday 28 October. It is an opportunity to recognise and thank the teachers who work in our school. Our teachers at St Mary MacKillop College are truly amazing. They are committed to their work and put their students first. They play a vital role in our community and we extend our sincere thanks and appreciation for their passion, enthusiasm and dedication to inspire our young learners. Please find here a special message from our students for World Teachers’ Day.

Renewable Energy Futures Program

In Term 3, we were fortunate to be invited to partner with the Bendigo Tech School to deliver a Renewable Energy Futures Program to our high achieving students in Science. The students participated in the program one lesson per week throughout the term. The program was co-delivered by Mr Waterson and a teacher from the Bendigo Tech School. The sessions included live and virtual opportunities, building knowledge of the topic of renewable/sustainable energy solutions. The last five weeks of the program was the design challenge, culminating in a school-based competition at the end of term. We are pleased to announce the winners of this competition.

The students involved in the program each received a participation certificate at a recent school assembly. The winners of the school-based competition received prizes. Congratulations to all students on their participation in this program. We hope that through your participation in the program your passion for Science has continued to develop.

Please find here a video on the program created by Avneet Brar.

Thank you to Mr Waterson for co-delivering the program with the staff from the Bendigo Tech School. We also thank the staff from the Bendigo Tech School for providing this opportunity to our students.