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.

We find ourselves almost at the end of Term 1. I congratulate our community on a positive start to the 2025 school year. Our students have been focused and engaged in their learning throughout the term. As often as I can I like to walk around the school and see the different learning that is taking place. When I do this, I see and hear the essence of what makes for an environment that is conducive to learning – lessons that are engaging, and students who are attentive and committed to achieving their personal best.

Easter is when we celebrate as a community the rising of Jesus after his death on the cross. As Term1 concludes and we move into Easter and the school holidays, may the peace and joy of the Risen Christ be with us all. I hope we are able to consider the significance of Easter in our own families at this time.

We know our staff and students are looking forward to a well-deserved rest. I wish everyone in our community a safe and relaxing holiday break. I look forward to an exciting term of teaching and learning in Term 2.

2026 Curriculum Handbook

Thank you to Vanessa in Year 12 for designing the front cover for our 2026 Curriculum Handbook. Our 2026 Curriculum Handbook will be launched in time for the Subject Expo on Wednesday 28 May.

2026 Year 10 Unit 1/2 Acceleration Process

Our subject selection process for 2026 will start next term. Year 9 students will start to have conversations in their Pathways classes around their subject choices for 2026. Our Subject Expo will be held on Wednesday 28 May, and provides an opportunity for parents and students to find out more about the subjects on offer next year.

Recently our Year 9 students were informed of our acceleration process for studying a Unit 1/2 (Year11) subject in Year 10 next year. Unit 1/2 Acceleration policy

Current top performing students in Year 9 will be invited to accelerate into one Unit 1/2(Year 11) VCE subject when they are in Year 10 in 2026.
The Deputy Principal Teaching and Learning will review all available data sets to determine the students who are performing at the top of Year 9. Data sets will include: teacher feedback, PAT, NAPLAN, assessment task results, behaviour trackings and attendance.
The top achieving students will be determined across Learning Areas.
These students will then be invited to submit an application to accelerate into a VCE subject in the Learning Area identified by the data analysis. Students do not need to accept theinvitation to submit an application.
All invited candidates will be required to prepare a formal application and attend an interview with the Deputy Principal Teaching and Learning.

We wish your child all the best in their studies in 2025. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Year 7 Reflections on Term 1

Our Year 7s have been with us for a term now, and we hope they feel settled into secondary school. Recently I asked Year 7 students to complete a short survey on their learning. Our Year 7s shared some very interesting insights into their learning from Term 1. Here are some of the responses received.

Explain your highlight from Term 1.

The thing I've enjoyed most about term 1 would be Year 7 camp. I really enjoyed all the fun activities and meeting new people.
Swimming Carnival because it was fun and I won the big splash.
My highlight of Term 1 is honestly just being with my friends. The groups I’ve formed this year have made me feel so welcomed.
I loved the swimming lessons much better than in primary school.

Outline the differences you have seen from primary school to secondary school.

At my school we didn't have a swimming carnival so this has been an amazing experience.
Different teachers for each subject and we now have lockers.
We get different teachers for every subject and we don't do everything in one class.
The main differences from primary school to secondary school would be the subjects. At Mackillop there is a range of different subjects and everyone is sure to find one they like.

Identify any challenges you've faced so far in Year 7. How did you overcome these challenges?

At first, I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to find my class, but having friends and great class mates has definitely helped.
A challenge I';ve faced so far in Year 7 is keeping up with all the assessments and home work as there's much more than there was in primary school.
Which classes you have to go to, but I got used to it.
Not being late to class and not getting lost, but over time it got easier.

Nathan Lane

Deputy Principal Teaching and Learning

DATES TO REMEMBER

MARCH/APRIL 2025