Directors Update

Deputy Principal: Learning and Teaching - Alanna Stretton

Welcome to the 2026 Academic Year at MacKillop Catholic College!

Students have settled in well into the year, embracing their new classes and academic programs of study. There has certainly been a positive atmosphere around the College, with Year 11/12 students enjoying the new Julian Centre.

COMMENCEMENT LITURGY AND ACADEMIC ASSEMBLY

On Friday 13 February, we gathered together as a College community to recognise and celebrate the outstanding academic achievements of our current students and our immediate past students who graduated from MacKillop Catholic College last year.

This academic assembly provides a focus for the year where learning is the priority, supported by the many other opportunities the College offers students. It is important that as a learning community, we acknowledge the achievements of our students, as their accomplishments serve as both inspiration and motivation to all members of our College community. Staff at the College highly value the partnership we share with our students and their families, and it was great to have some of our 2025 graduates and their families join the College community for this special occasion.

In 2025, a number of students achieved academic excellence in all year levels and were

recognised for their academic excellence:

Year 7 (2025)

Shania Arli
Ella Cox
Zara Freeman
Matthew Jones
Bella-Rose McDonald
Finn Pilkington
Stacey Reeve
Adnan Md Saifullah
Hamish Slade
Eli Smith
Purdy Sparrow
Ally Thom
Josephine Tilyard
Aleya Williams

Year 8 (2025)

Lulu Browne
George Fraser
Lila Harrisson
Mila Irawan
Fotini Klonis
Evelyn Korn
John-Paul Mamic
Otto Mansbridge
Oliver McClurg
Lara McMurray
Eamon O’Leary

Year 9 (2025)

Liam Briers
Harry Bryant
Jett Ford
Jai Hand
Laura Knowles
Juliet Monks
Sky Ryan-Bout
Mitchell Scott
Aili Thomas
William Timsar
Elena Whiteley
Holly Wagner

Year 10 (2025)

Simone Angel
Noah Capaci
Ruby Darko
Logan Elliott
Abel Harris
Maxwell Kealy
Lillian Latham
Ella Lennon
Christian O’Brien
Isabella Patten
Julia Phillips
Sofia Smith
Pearl Suessenbach
Lachlan Szczerbanik
Fletcher Thomas
Freya Whelan

Year 11 (2025)

Meredy Brook
Joshua Donato
Ashton Ford
Sebastian Glanville
Elsie Hyland
Alyssa Knowles
Dylan Macgill
Lucy Milne
Eddie Parsey
Lily Pyke
Piper Shadwick
Pascal Tilyard
Anna Volkmann

From our 2025 graduates, one Year 12 Vocational Education student, William Dawes, was awarded an Office of Tasmanian Assessment, Standards and Certification (TASC) Outstanding Achievement in Vocational Education and Training (VET) Award for 2025, and received a medal from the Governor of Tasmania at the TASC awards ceremony. In our Academic Assembly, we acknowledged his achievements and William was awarded a MacKillop Catholic College VET medal for his achievements in Vocational Education and Training studies.

In 2025, there were 46 Year 12 students graduating. 27 students were given an ATAR, 59% of the graduating class. Over a third of the graduates who achieved an ATAR received an ATAR above 84. Placing them in the top 16% for the state. One student’s ATAR placed them in the Top 100 in Tasmania. Most significantly, all the graduating students achieved their Tasmanian Certificate of Education (TCE).

The Dux of the College for 2025 was Elliott Stee, with a TE Score of 113.6 and an ATAR of 99.1. Elliott's score placed him in the top-achieving students in Tasmania, and this year Elliott will commence his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery at the University of Tasmania.

From the 2025 College graduates, 11 students were acknowledged for their outstanding academic achievement with a MacKillop Catholic College academic medal.

Noah Bennis
Natasha Williams
Jesse Adams
Lily Absolom
Leeah Gard-Spaulding
Naulu Hunt
Megan Peel
Dorcas Sezabo
Nena Timsar
Henry Fraser
Elliott Stee

At the Assembly, Elliott addressed the College community, providing words of wisdom to students about success being more than an ATAR score; achievement comes in many forms, from academic excellence to creative talent, leadership, resilience, community service, sporting success, entrepreneurship, and personal growth. His message reflected the College’s commitment to providing a wide range of opportunities for all students to develop their individual skills and talents, empowering each student to achieve success in their own way.

Kim Rowlands

Director of Pastoral Care

Welcome to 2026! The new school year has begun with terrific energy, and it has been wonderful to see students and staff back on campus, bringing the College to life. There is already a real buzz around the grounds, especially among our new Year 7s, who have made an impressive start to their high school journey and are looking very smart in their uniforms.

Supporting Students Through Our COPA

As we settle into routines, it is a good time to revisit our Code of Personal Appearance (COPA). If you have any questions about our COPA expectations, there are several helpful avenues for support:

COPA Guidelines on our College Website
Back to School Guide shared earlier in the year
Direct contact with me, krowlands@mackillop.tas.edu.au
Your child’s Pastoral Care Teacher
Your child’s Head of House

Penola: Jamie Di Ienno

Fitzroy: Nathan Duggan

Waterford: Scott Ellis

Rice: Alanna Wighton

Tenison: Cathy Allen

Sion: Chris Nettlefold Roberts

Key Reminders for the Start of the Year

To help all students feel comfortable, safe, and ready to learn, please keep the following in mind:

Sports Uniform: students are permitted to wear the Sports uniform when: they have a double, practical HPE lesson, Outdoor Education, Dance or Drama. Occasionally, teachers of other subjects may alert to the need for the Sports Uniform to be worn and this will be communicated via SEQTA.

Senior students, who do not have any of the above-noted subjects, are encouraged to select two days out of the week for when they intend or may like to wear the Sports uniform. These days must be the same days each week and negotiated with their Pastoral Care Teacher.

For Safety Reasons, hair below the collar needs to be tied back during practical classes: This includes HPE, Outdoor Education, Science practicals, Foods, Materials, Design & Technology. Teachers may request this in other classes as needed for safety.
Nose piercings for Years 10–12: One small nose stud in the nostril is permitted. Sleepers, rings, and bullrings are not allowed. Students in Years 7-9 are asked not to wear nose piercings when at school or representing the College, (including when wearing School uniform to and from school).
Fake nails: Last year we saw an increase in students wearing artificial nails, often brightly coloured or long natural styles. These are not suitable for school activities and do not align with our COPA, so we ask that they be removed before attending school.
Uniform consistency: Students should wear the correct uniform each day, including appropriate footwear and outerwear.
Formal Uniform - we ask that white runners are not worn with the formal uniform - this was a trend that started to creep in with some students last year that we would hope will not be revisited this year.
Sun‑smart expectations: With the warmer weather continuing, we encourage students to wear hats during outdoor activities, apply sunscreen - available from the College Office, and stay hydrated throughout the day.

Looking Ahead

We appreciate your partnership in helping students present themselves confidently and safely. A consistent approach to uniform and appearance supports a positive learning environment and helps students take pride in their school community.

Please do not hesitate to contact any of the noted staff above should you have any questions, concerns or suggestions to support our uniform expectations - we also have a Uniform committee who would welcome your ideas and feedback; this feedback can be shared with me or Brendan Gill for dissemination to the committee.