Learning Highlights

Australian History and Geography Competition

The Australian History and Geography Competitions are important dates on the Humanities calendar. Each year student participation helps promote the importance of both History and Geography in a balanced curriculum and provides opportunities for our students to excel.

This year is no exception. In 2025, we are pleased to celebrate two of our students who achieved a High Distinction in the Australian Geography Competition:

Xander (Year 9)

George (Year 8)

And three students who achieved a distinction or higher in the Australian History Competition:

Logan (10) - Distinction

Hamish (Year 9) - Distinction

George (Year 8) - High Distinction

Special mention must also go to Year 8 student, George, who earned the position of State Champion in the Australian History Competition!

Let the creativity begin!

Recently, our Year 10 students travelled to Oatlands to immerse themselves in the rich history and picturesque surroundings of this quiet township.

At St Paul’s Church, students were welcomed by Sister Jill and Simone McManus from the Josephite Mission and History Centre. Sister Jill captivated the group with stories of the church’s history. Students then had the opportunity to take photographs, create observational drawings, and deepen their understanding of Father Julian Tenison Woods and the Sisters of St Joseph.

The excursion continued at the historic Callington Mill, where students explored the intersection of heritage architecture and contemporary design as they prepared to develop a body of artworks that reflect their personal connection to place.

Inspiring girls to be the builders of tomorrow

The She Built Foundation engages girls and their communities around the magic of building and unlocks a universe of skills and careers. Creating the book 'The House that She Built' by Mollie Elkman, to show readers the opportunities and skills that go into building a home, in a world where women make up just 11% of the total building and construction industry.

We are thrilled to have a strong number of girls engaging in Design and Technology (wood) subjects here at MacKillop, before moving on to Senior subjects, including Pathways in Trade and Design and Production.

Happy Teacher Assistant (TA) Appreciation Week!

At MacKillop, we are incredibly fortunate to have such a dedicated team of TA's who make a meaningful difference every single day. Thank you for the patience you show, the encouragement you give, and the passion you bring to your work.

You play a vital role in creating the positive, inclusive, and supportive learning environment that makes our College so special.

Here are just a few of our TA's captured below.

MacKillop Alumnus success!

Congratulations to Jeromey Webberley on his appointment as the inaugural Tasmania Football Club VFL Head Coach.

What an exciting achievement that can inspire our current students, as we look forward to the continued development of Tassie's very own AFL team.

Timor Immersion Program - Fundraiser

Recently, the MacKillop Timor Immersion Program held a fundraiser sausage sizzle at Bunnings, Mornington, to raise money for various projects in Timor.

Raising an impressive $2300, these students from across Year 10 - 12, will be heading to Timor during the school holidays. Well done to all who contributed towards the success of this event, we can't wait to hear all about the trip when they return.

Rock on at MacKillop!

We had a number of talented students represent the College at the Tasmanian Rock Challenge last week. Competing in a range of categories, students represented the College with pride as they took to the stage and showed off their musical talents.

A big thank you to all staff who supported this event and well done to all who participated.

Touch Football success!

A number of students represented MacKillop at the 2025 Southern Schools Touch Football Championships. A big congratulations to our Year 7/8 Boys team, Year 7/8 Girls team and Year 9/10 Boys team for taking out the championships in their respective age groups. Well done also to our Year 9/10 Girls team for placing 2nd in their category.

A big thank you to all staff who assisted on the day and well done to all students who participated.

Year 8 Retreat fun!

Recently, our Year 8 students enjoyed their annual Retreat at Ninja Stadium. Focusing on activities that highlighted friendship, respect and games that encouraged the cohort to work together.

A big thank you to all staff who contributed towards this event.

Celebrating Academic Excellence: ICAS Competitions Inspire Students Nationwide

Each year, students across Australia and beyond have the exciting opportunity tochallenge themselves through the prestigious ICAS competitions—internationally recognised academic assessments designed to celebrate and extend student achievement.

Organised by ICAS Assessments, these competitions span six core subjects: English, Mathematics, Science, Digital Technologies, Writing, and Spelling Bee. Each subject offers students a chance to demonstrate higher-order thinking skills, problem-solving abilities, and creativity in a format that goes beyond the standard classroom experience.

The ICAS competitions have a rich history, with over 10 million students from 16,000 schools in 41 countries participating since 1981. Students receive detailed feedback, certificates, and even medals for outstanding performance, making ICAS a valuable tool for both personal growth and academic recognition.

These competitions not only motivate students to strive for excellence but also provide schools and families with valuable insights into student progress. As Learning Extension Leader Mr Quinn shared, “The competitions are great for anystudent who wants to extend and challenge themselves. It’s been excellent to seesuch a great turn out of enthusiastic students this year!”

A heartfelt thank you to Mr Quinn for his dedication and effort in organising andsupporting ICAS participation. The College commitment to offering ICAS ensures that students continue to have access to these enriching opportunities that foster confidence, curiosity, and a love of learning. Here’s to celebrating every student who takes on the challenge—your academic journey is just beginning!

Lily Bellgrove, Teacher

Year 9 Computer Science students at work!

Exploring real-world problems through robotics and design thinking, our students have built creative solutions using LEGO Spike Prime kits.

From colour-sorting machines to automated prosthetic helpers, their prototypes show innovation, teamwork, and a passion for problem-solving.

Students Become Historians in the National History Challenge

The National History Challenge is back for 2025, offering students across Australia an exciting opportunity to dive into the past and bring history to life in their own unique way.

Organised by the History Teachers’ Association of Australia and supported by the Australian Government, the challenge encourages students to engage in inquiry-based learning, using both primary and secondary sources to investigate historical topics. The 2025 theme, “Crisis and Response,” invites a wide range of interpretations.

What makes the National History Challenge truly special is its flexibility. Students can present their work in a variety of formats—essays, museum exhibits, multimedia presentations, performances, websites, or any other creative medium that suits their style.

This year MacKillop Catholic College had 3 entrants: Elliott Stee, Samuel Braid and Harriet Verdouw.

Elliott’s project was titled The Mabo Decision: A Legal Resolution To Colonial Conflicts.

Elliott explains, “I chose to explore Eddie Mabo’s story because of my deep interest in law and politics. I believe that legal resolution plays a vital role in addressing First Nations conflict. Eddie Mabo's landmark case reshaped Australian land rights and highlighted the power of legal advocacy in driving social change.

To create the documentary, I began by writing a detailed transcript, which helped guide my selection of visuals and structure the narrative. This process not only deepened my understanding of Mabo’s legacy but also taught me the fundamentals of video production. This was my first time creating a documentary, and as such I learnt many things, from scripting to editing. Now, at the end of this project, I have gained a deep insight into Mabo’s legacy, the complexities of Indigenous land rights, and how storytelling through media can amplify voices and history. It has been both intellectually enriching and personally transformative”.

Samuel’s project was titled The Fear of the Unknown and Religion: A Conflict and Resolution.

Samuel reveals that “The topic for my essay was ‘The Fear of the Unknown and Religion: A Conflict and Resolution.’ This was chosen from a quote and a lecture. The quote from famous author H.P. Lovecraft, “The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown”, and the lecture by Bertrand Russell in 1927, “Why I Am Not a Christian,” exploring beliefs that religious morality is based in fear both influence this piece.

The research for this essay was conducted through analysis of both first and secondary sources; through these sources I showed the deep connections that ‘The Fear of the Unknown and Religion’ had as a ‘Conflict and Resolution’. I discovered the long historical connections between ‘The Fear of the Unknown and Religion’, the history of Aboriginal Astrology, as well as the impact of fear on religious morality”.

Harriet’s project was titled Conflict and Resolution: Malala's Legacy.

Harriet commented, “I have really enjoyed researching and learning about the story and legacy of Malala Yousafzai. She is so inspiring and a great role model. For me it’s been a great reminder on how lucky and privileged we are in Australia to attend school. I love that Malala stood up for what she believed in and despite her challenging circumstances she has chosen to make the world a better place and to stand up for what's right and what she believes”.

Beyond the thrill of discovery, the National History Challenge offers generous cash prizes and the chance to travel to Canberra for a behind-the-scenes experience at Parliament House. Finalists progress through school, regional, state, and national levels, with the top honour of being named National Young Historian of the Year up for grabs.

Thank you to Mrs Bellgrove, whose encouragement and support have assisted these students in taking part in this enriching challenge.

For students with a passion for storytelling, curiosity about the past, or a flair for creativity, the National History Challenge is a golden opportunity to shine. Now is the perfect time to start exploring the past—and shaping the future through history.

Year 10 Game Designers!

Our students are designing video games using MakeCode Arcade, Gamemaker, and Scratch, applying UX and UI principles through the user-centred design process.

Real audiences, real creativity!