Principal

Dear Parents and Caregivers

It has been a busy start to the year at MacKillop Catholic College. We have taken advantage of the better weather, with camps and outdoor activities happening aplenty. Classes are in full swing and assessments are already underway. Overall, I am really proud of how our students started the 2025 school year. Students are engaged in their learning and the school is much tidier than in 2024. Behaviour has improved in the classroom and it is particularly noticeable during the break times. The improved physical equipment has made a really positive difference to the school. Everything points towards a very successful 2025.

You really notice the difference in the number of senior students in Years 11 and 12. With a dramatic increase of Year 11s this year, we have over 130 students in 2025. Their influence on the College is important and over time will grow. We are investing our time and energy into setting MacKillop up to be really successful in the Year 7-12 space, and this is really bearing fruit as more and more students continue with the College during such a critical time of life. There is a unique advantage to Catholic Education. Recent research from Victoria University has highlighted the powerful benefits of a Catholic education, showing that Catholic school graduates are more likely to be employed, earn higher wages, and have greater life satisfaction than their peers. These graduates also report better overall health and are more likely to engage in charitable activities (https://vcea.catholic.edu.au/resource/lifelong-benefits-of-attending-a-catholic-school/). We are proud to offer a pathway that nurtures individual success and community value.

No school year can start without a few hiccups. Our Sports Coordinator, Mr Campbell Flakemore, has left the College and has been replaced by Mrs Amanda Capaci in the short term. We have had such a huge increase in sporting participation at the College that it has taken a few weeks to adjust to our new normal. This is a good problem to have! Students who play sports for the school are happier, and healthier, create stronger social connections with their peers, and build better relationships with staff. We have also had challenges with our bus services, which I won't dwell on for this format. Again, the challenges are present because of the popularity of the College. 

As we begin Lent, we take this time to reflect, set goals, and make a positive impact on those around us. In an age where individual success is often prioritised, Lent reminds us of the power of community and our responsibility to each other. At MacKillop, each House is raising money for Caritas in their own way, showing that when we come together, we can make a real difference. This is a chance for our students to step beyond themselves, work together, and strengthen the bonds that make our community strong. This highlights the importance of caring for the marginalised and also helps build the social cohesion we need to live in a functioning, representative democracy. Saint Mary MacKillop's guiding principle, "Never see a need without doing something about it," reflects the Lenten emphasis on almsgiving and active compassion. 

Below is an infographic designed to help parents visualise the impact of absences on their child’s educational journey.