Learning Highlights

Food Safari at MacKillop! 

Our Year 9 Food Technology class enjoyed a very special visit from renowned broadcaster and author Maeve O'Meara. Sharing tales of her extensive culinary career as she joined students to celebrate their fabulous Global Food Cuisine class inspired by her work.

Students had the opportunity to discover more about Maeve's favourite cuisine, her journey into the food industry and even her stories of her many travels, over a light lunch inspired by her recipes.

Leaving the presentation with full bellies and a few inspiring words from Maeve, this lucky group of students were motivated to continue perfecting their cooking skills as they venture into their own food pathway.

We cannot wait to see how this exciting culinary partnership unfolds in the future!

Senior Art Exhibition

Recently, parents, friends and family of our Year 11 and Year 12 TASC Visual Art students had an opportunity to preview the amazing artworks created by our talented Senior Art students in 2024. 

Held in the senior gallery space next to the Year 11 and 12 Cafe, the exhibition showcased a variety of drawings, paintings, lino prints, etchings and designed objects.

2024 Japanese Speech Competition Awards

The 2024 Japanese Speech Competition Awards were hosted on Friday, November 22nd  by Her Excellency the Honourable Barbara Baker AC at Government House. MacKillop Catholic College was represented at this event by our three place getters in this year’s contest.

The evening started with an address from Her Excellency, during which she spoke of the importance of pursuing language learning and the pivotal role people with an understanding of language and culture play in international relationships at all levels. Her Excellency concluded her address by expressing her admiration for the skills and efforts displayed by the students receiving awards. I agree. The dedication to growth and learning and the willingness to step out of their comfort zone shown by all students in our College Japanese language classes is amazing.

Our 2024 Japanese Speech Contest award recipients were 

Luka Kumashiro: First Place Year 8 Special category.

Noah Capaci:  Third place year 9 category.

Pascal Tilyard : Second Place Year 10 category. 

Catherine Sullivan

(A proud Japanese teacher)

ArtRage Exhibition Success

Huge congratulations are in order for two talented MacKillop College Year 11 Visual Art 3 student's, Alani Houston and Isabelle Potter. These students have had an artwork from their Bodies of Work created in 2024, selected for the annual ArtRage exhibition. This is a massive achievement and wonderful testament and recognition of their hard work, vision and creative skill. 

ArtRage is a statewide selection of outstanding work by Tasmanian Year 11 and 12 Visual Art student's, a wonderful achievement for both Alani and Isabelle. The ArtRage exhibition will be on display at QVMAG in Launceston from December 2024 until April 2025. 

It will then tour to Salamanca Arts Centre Hobart, and Devonport Regional Gallery in mid-2025. Alani and Isabelle's work, along with the other amazing works by our Visual Art 2 and 3 students will be on display during our Fusion festival this week. The Senior Gallery (located in the rooms next to the senior students Cafe) opening hours are Wednesday 27th November  5:00pm - 7:30pm and Thursday November 28th 6:00pm - 7:30pm. 

Mount Freycinet expedition

Our Year 10 Outdoor Education students recently enjoyed a serene camp to Freycinet. Where the group enjoyed a hike up Mt Freycinet before heading over to Mount Graham and into the Wineglass Bay campsite for a well deserved rest and swim. 

McGee Auto Detailing

Recent Year 12 Graduate Lucas McGee, has created the exciting endeavor of launching his own business in professional mobile car detailing services. After studying business and economics throughout this time at MacKillop, these subjects and helped Lucas to develop  a strong career pathway  

National History Challenge

The National History Challenge results are in – Elliott Stee (Year 11) received the esteemed Young Historian Gold Award and medal for his inventive and renowned website exploring Australia’s response to the climate crisis. Congratulations Elliott on this extraordinary piece and prize! 

Stella England (Year 10) received the prestigious Tasmanian History Teachers Association Encouragement Award which acknowledges significant efforts in creating an original and striking historical research essay. Stella’s piece was exceptional and of a very high calibre. 

Samuel Braid (Year 8) and Harriet Verdouw (Year 7) both received the Young Historian Silver Award, becoming the Tasmanian Representatives in the special category of ‘Democracy’. Their standout submissions explored the impacts of various topics on Australian and local communities. Both Samuel and Harriet put significant time and effort into creating interesting and imaginative submissions that deserved recognition. Well done! 

Dexter Derrick (Year 7) received the Young Historian Silver Award for all of Year 7, across the whole of Tasmania. His pieces greatly impressed the judges due to the content, mature research and remarkable creativity demonstrated. Amazing efforts Dexter! 

Elsie Peters (Year 7) also entered a wonderful presentation on the history and problems within the world of gymnastics. This PowerPoint was beautifully presented and showcased some fantastic independent research. Lovely work Elsie! 

MacKillop was certainly the team to watch at the National History Challenge Awards Ceremony, representing the College with pride. The Honourable Madeline Ogilvie MP presented the students with their certificates and prizes, commenting afterwards that it was widely impressive to have such a large group of successful entrants from one school progress to the state level. We are certainly extremely proud of all the MacKillop entrants!

If you are interested in partaking in the National History Challenge 2025, please see Ms Pearce or Miss Jeffries.

Lily Jeffries