Around the College
We love to celebrate our students' achievements - if your student has won something, appeared in something, competed in something, or is proud of achieving something outside of school, send photos and information to their Homeroom teacher for inclusion in our Newsletter.
Australian Teacher Aide Appreciation Week
This week is Australian Teacher Aide Appreciation Week, providing us with a great opportunity to recognise and thank our LSOs for the incredible work they do across our College each day.
Our LSOs provide invaluable support to our students and staff, both within the classroom and across the wider College. Their patience, care, flexibility, and commitment make a significant difference to the learning, wellbeing, and experience of so many of our students.
Throughout this week, I encourage everyone to take a moment to personally thank our LSOs and acknowledge the important contribution they make to our College community.
To all of our LSOs, thank you for everything you do and for the care and support you provide to our students. It is greatly appreciated.
Food Technology
Year 9 Food Technology students have kicked off their new unit exploring food seasonality, food waste, and sustainability. To begin, students put their skills to the test by creating delicious veggie burgers while considering how their food choices can impact both their health and the environment. We look forward to continuing to explore ways we can make more sustainable food choices throughout the unit.
Year 9 students completed their Cinnamon Tea Cake Practical Assessment. The focus was on the functional properties of ingredients used in cakes.
Year 10 students completed their Healthy Breakfast Design Assessment. Using their nutritional knowledge, they developed a recipe that contained at least one fruit or vegetable and at least one source of protein.
VCE VM Students Bring Recreational Numeracy to Life
This week, our VCE Vocational Major students put Recreational Numeracy into practice through the organisation and delivery of a series of engaging workshops for our Year 7 students.
From planning and preparation through to delivery, our VCE VM students approached the experience with incredible organisation, enthusiasm and initiative. They designed activities, prepared resources and worked collaboratively to create engaging learning experiences that encouraged our younger students to participate, problem-solve and have fun with numeracy.
The workshops provided a wonderful example of applied education in action. Rather than simply learning about numeracy concepts in a classroom, our VCE VM students were able to apply their knowledge in an authentic context, develop their communication and leadership skills, and take responsibility for creating meaningful learning experiences for others.
It was fantastic to see our VCE VM students step confidently into the role of educators and mentors, setting an outstanding example for our Year 7 students. Their enthusiasm and willingness to support others demonstrated the many strengths of applied learning and the opportunities it provides for students to develop skills beyond the traditional classroom.
A huge thank you to Mrs Stein for her wonderful support and partnership in making this experience possible. Her collaboration and commitment to creating authentic learning opportunities for our students was instrumental in bringing the workshops to life.
We are incredibly proud of the way our VCE VM students embraced this opportunity and demonstrated that learning by doing can have a powerful impact , not only on the learner, but on the wider school community.
National Science Week 2026 – Seeds of Science
What a fantastic week of science, curiosity and creativity we have had at Mary MacKillop Catholic Regional College!
Under this year’s theme, “Seeds of Science – Nurturing Knowledge for All,” students had the opportunity to explore science in many different ways. The week began with our Periodic Table Raffle, with students and staff each receiving an element and the chance to win daily prizes.
Our lunchtime activities were a highlight, with students growing sugar crystal lollipops, tackling The Vault Stile Escape Room, creating native seed bombs and enjoying The Lorax. Our Science Week canteen specials also gave everyone a chance to enjoy a little science-inspired food!
The Foons Photography Competition showcased the creativity of our students, encouraging them to capture science in the world around them. We were incredibly grateful for the generous sponsorship from Foons Photography, with the winning photograph to be professionally printed and custom framed.
With science-themed puzzles in the library and plenty of opportunities to explore, discover and be inspired, Science Week reminded us that science is not just something we learn in the classroom, it is all around us.
Year 10 Forensic Science: Simulating DNA Fingerprinting in the Lab
Year 10 Forensic Science students took on the role of laboratory technicians this week as they explored how forensic scientists separate and compare genetic evidence. After learning about the structure of DNA and how DNA fingerprinting is used to solve real cases, students carried out a hands-on gel electrophoresis activity using coloured dyes to simulate DNA fragments.
Working carefully with micropipettes and gel trays, students loaded their samples into wells and watched the dyes migrate through the gel. Each colour travelled at a different speed, creating banding patterns similar to those seen in real DNA profiles. This safe, classroom friendly simulation allowed students to see how fragment size affects movement and how electrophoresis helps forensic scientists compare evidence.
The activity brought together theory and practice, giving students a clear visual understanding of how molecular techniques support modern crime scene investigation.
Year 12 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Graduation Recognition Dinner
On Friday, 4 September, I had the privilege of attending the Victorian Catholic Education Authority’s Year 12 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Graduation Recognition
Dinner, which celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from Catholic schools across Victoria who are completing Year 12 in 2026.
It was wonderful to see two of our Year 12 students, Nathan Wright and Olivia Aulich, recognised as part of this special occasion. Nathan was joined by his parents, Sam and Kylie, while Olivia attended with her mother, Jennifer Henham, and her friend and fellow student, Erica Begg.
The evening was an important opportunity to recognise the achievement of completing secondary education and to celebrate the students’ journeys alongside their families, friends and school communities.
Congratulations to Nathan and Olivia on reaching this significant milestone. It was a privilege to share the evening with them and their families and to see their achievements recognised alongside other graduating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from across Victorian Catholic education. We wish them every success as they complete their final months of Year 12.
Ms Wrigley Takes on Connor’s Run
"Hi everyone,
I’m reaching out to ask for your support for something I’m taking part in this September, Sunday 13th.
I’m doing Connor’s Run, an 18.8 km run to support the brave and awesome kids fighting brain cancer and help fund research into paediatric brain cancer.
I’m doing the run in memory of my step-brother, Jack. The 18.8 km distance is particularly meaningful, as Connor was 18 years and 8 months old when he passed away, which is almost exactly the same age Jack was.
It will also be my longest run ever, so it’s definitely going to be a challenge!
If you’re able to make a donation to my page, no matter how big or small, I’d really appreciate it. Every single dollar helps to support research and the kids and families currently facing brain cancer.
You can donate here: https://www.connorsrun.com/s/3819/39207
Thanks so much for your support! 💙"
Ms. Aliesha Wrigley
Wellbeing Leader Year 11