DEPUTY PRINCIPAL - TEACHING & LEARNING 

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 as 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.

2025 VCE Exams 

The VCE written exams commenced on Tuesday with the three-hour English exam. The exams our Year 12 students will complete over the coming weeks are a culmination of 13 years of learning, study, and personal organisation. As our students continue their exams, we wish them all the very best and encourage them to study hard, sleep and eat well, take brain breaks while studying, and maintain good levels of exercise. I know our students will enter each exam well prepared by our amazing teachers, and by their own effort and commitment to their studies. 

We extend our best wishes to the senior VCE VM / VPC students as they transition into apprenticeships, traineeships, further study or employment. We are very proud of our students in the class of 2025, and wish them every success over the next few weeks of their final school year. 

Year 10 and 11 Exams 

Soon our Year 10 and 11 students will receive their end of year exam timetables. Reviewing study notes and exam preparation should be underway for these students. An interesting question I am often asked is, ‘Why do we have exams?’. A search on the Internet will reveal many reasons why exams are important. Exams are one part of a student’s academic journey and they help to develop a range of skills. In particular: 

• Time management: Exams require students to manage their time effectively, both during the process of preparing for the exam, and also during the actual exam. During the exam students are being tested on their ability to complete the exam questions in a specified time frame. 
• Memory and recall: In order to achieve success in exams, students need to retain, recall and apply information that has been taught to them. 
• Critical thinking: Exam questions often move beyond the simple recall of facts, and require students to think more deeply and analyse, evaluate, and synthesise information. This assists students in developing critical thinking skills. 
• Communication: Often exam responses require students to communicate their ideas clearly and in a logical manner. Performance exams, such as oral exams for languages, require students to articulate their thoughts on the spot as they respond to the questions from the assessors. 
• Problem-solving: Depending on the subject and exam, students may be required to solve problems or apply their skills and knowledge to real-world contexts, rather than simply recounting facts. 
• Organisation and planning: In the lead up to and throughout the exam period, students need to organise their time effectively in order to be thoroughly prepared for each exam they will undertake. 

• Resilience: We know completing exams can be a stressful experience. However, exams provide an opportunity for students to learn to cope with stressful situations, and to develop resilience and perseverance. 

  (adapted from https://tokyo.globalindianschool.org/blog-details/what-is-the-importance-of-exams-for-students-in-schools) 

Please find here the link to a short video I have shared over the past few years on preparing for exams and study skills. 

Renewable Energy Futures Program 

This week the Renewable Energy Futures program concluded, with the group of participating students from Year 7 and 8 attending an all-day excursion to the Bendigo Tech School on Wednesday. At the Bendigo Tech School, the students delivered their group presentations they have been working on in class. Each group presented their prototypes focusing on new ways to create renewable energy in Swan Hill. The presentations were titled: 

• Solar panel bus 
• Sustainable sparks 
• Farmfulenergy  
• LLEEK – solving the problem of water wastage 

I congratulate our students for working collaboratively to develop their presentations, and for speaking so articulately as they presented to their peers. 

After the presentations, the group got to play with some of the technology in the school, including using an iPad to code a Sphero robotic ball, and wearing the virtual reality headsets. We are pleased to have developed a positive relationship with the Bendigo Tech School and thank the staff from the school for allowing us to visit for the day. Thank you also to Ms Chepkwony who worked with the team from the Bendigo Tech School to co-deliver the program, and to Paul Pellegrino for driving us to Bendigo. 

Happy World Teachers’ Day 2025 

World Teachers’ Day is held across Australia today, Friday 31 October. It is a day to celebrate the difference our amazing teachers make every day to the lives of our young learners. Our teachers make a positive contribution and impact in our community, and we thank them for their passion, commitment and dedication for education as they inspire the students at St Mary MacKillop College. They consistently go above and beyond in their work to ensure our students feel safe and supported in their learning. 

Nathan Lane

Deputy Principal Teaching and Learning