Principal

Dear Families,

Merry Christmas

As this is the final Bulletin for the year, I wish you and your family a joyful and peaceful Christmas. As we celebrate the birth of Christ, may this season bring moments of rest, gratitude and connection with those you love. Merry Christmas. 

Celebrating Student Success

In this final Bulletin, you will find a breakdown of our subject and special award recipients from Years 7–10. Over the past week, we have had the pleasure of acknowledging these students during our Celebration of Achievement assemblies. These events are an important moment in our calendar, offering us the opportunity to pause, reflect and recognise the sustained effort, growth and commitment shown by so many of our young people.

Well done to all students who have been acknowledged. Your achievements reflect not only your hard work, but also the support of your families and the dedication of your teachers and support staff. We are proud of you and look forward to seeing what you continue to achieve in the years ahead.

Looking ahead to 2026 

2026 is shaping up to be a significant year for MacKillop Catholic College. With our enrolment approximating 1000 students, we are entering a new stage in the life of the school, and there is much to look forward to. Next year, we will introduce the Duke of Edinburgh Award for our Year 9 students. It is an opportunity to stretch them, to build their confidence and to encourage a spirit of service. Our VET offerings continue to grow, with Allied Health joining our suite of pathways in the Senior School. We are also moving to a five-day-a-week timetable, which will help create greater consistency for both staff and students. Senior sport will expand into more areas, and students in Years 11 and 12 will benefit from a new dedicated study space to support their growing independence. 

A major program of capital works will continue in 2026. This includes the completion of the redevelopment of the St Joseph Precinct, the redevelopment of the Penola classroom block, the refurbishment of the Penola toilet block, and the creation of both a new textiles room and a new computer lab. Planning work also continues on a specialist block for Dance, Drama and Music, along with a new canteen. 

We continue to manage our resources carefully so that we can offer strong programs while keeping fees reasonable. Tuition fees will increase by 4.8 per cent. The Outdoor Education Levy and the ICT Levy will remain the same. An excess fee for device damage will be introduced, reflecting the additional staffing that was required in this area during 2025. 

Together, these developments represent more than new subjects, facilities and opportunities. They reflect our commitment to forming young people who pursue excellence, who show compassion in their relationships, and who offer their gifts in the service of others. As we look ahead to 2026, our focus remains firmly on helping every student flourish.