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 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.

Last week we celebrated Arts and Technology Week, and a variety of activities were held throughout the week. Thank you to Mrs Quaife, Curriculum Leader for Arts and Technology, and the Arts and Technology team for organising these activities, and to our students who participated.

2025 Open Day and Subject Expo 

Many thanks to our community for supporting our Open Day and Subject Expo on Wednesday 28 May. It was wonderful to see so many students and parents in attendance, and there was a real buzz throughout the evening in the JC. Many thanks also to our amazing staff who spent much time organising their creative displays. There were great displays of student work and the expo provided an opportunity to discuss, face-to-face with subject teachers, the various subjects we have on offer as we begin the 2026 subject selection process. External organisations were also represented on the evening, including the Murray Mallee LLEN and SuniTAFE, who provided information on possible career pathways for our students to consider.

Congratulations to Emily for winning the Subject Expo Treasure Hunt.

2026 Subject Selection for Current Year 8 – 11 students – Online Process using Web Preferences 

• All students have received a planning sheet and had the subject selection process explained to them in their Pathways classes or in special meetings for Year 8 students.
• On Friday 30 May, 2026 Year 11 and 12 students will receive an email containing a student access code and password in order to complete their subject selections online. 2026 Year 9 and 10 students will receive this code on Friday 6 June.
• Students have been encouraged to discuss their planning sheet with parents and their teachers.
• All students need to complete their Web Preferences by Friday 20 June. 

For any families without internet access or who need further assistance with completing the online Web Preferences subject selection process, please contact the Pathways Team to make an appointment.

The online entry of 2026 subject choices are part of the first stage in our subject selection process where students indicate their preferences, so final subjects for 2026 can be determined. 

Year 8 and 9 students need to plan their completion of the Year 9/10 vertical curriculum carefully, ensuring they complete the required minimum units in a range of subjects whilst also choosing electives that suit their particular interests and learning needs. 

Year 10 and 11 students have been encouraged to seek further advice from their parents, teachers and Pathways Coordinators on their career and tertiary education pathways. Students should consider the numerous options within VCE or the VCE VM, including the opportunity to complete School Based Apprenticeships and VET subjects for those more focused on preparing for the workforce, or the need to research prerequisite subjects and ATAR scores required for university courses. 

Once the final blocking of subjects to be offered in 2026 is completed, all students in Year 11 and Year 12 will have subject counselling interviews in November. Parents or guardians are required to attend these interviews and booking times will be available online using PAM. 

Subject selection assistance is also available from students’ Homeroom Teacher or subject teachers, as well as more specific planning advice from Mrs Looney or Anna Steicke in the Pathways/Careers Office each lunchtime for the remainder of Term 2 and Term 3.

Experiences of the VCE Vocational Major (VM) – Trinity Sutton

Recently I interviewed Trinity from the class of 2024 about her experiences in the VCE VM program. It is wonderful to be able to capture the experiences of our students and celebrate their successes. The link to the video is here. Trinity also kindly shared her story at the 2026 Year 11 and 12 Subject Information Session at our Subject Expo. Thank you Trinity.

Subject Selection Website

To support students and parents as they navigate their way through the subject selection process for 2026, a website has been put together containing useful resources for students entering Year 9, 10, 11 and 12 in 2026. Please find here the link to the website. We hope this will be a useful resource for students and parents. If you have any feedback on the website, please email nlane@mackillopsh.vic.edu.au.

2026 Curriculum Handbook Cover

Thank you to Vanessa from Year 12 for designing the front cover for the 2026 Curriculum Handbook.

A prayer for our students as they navigate subject selection 

At times, there is a frightening complexity to the challenges that we face Lord, 

As teachers, the essence of our vocation is clear yet daunting,

Give us the fortitude to constantly recognise the myriad of gifts that our students possess, 

Help us to be the sinews of their wildest and broadest dreams, 

May our work and the lives of our students honour you, 

May your love guide them to vistas and sunsets beyond our reckoning. 

We ask this of you, Christ, our Lord, for our students of yesterday, today and tomorrow, Amen

Adapted from Shane Reid

Nathan Lane

Deputy Principal Teaching and Learning