Principal
Dear Mary MacKillop, Catholic Regional College Community,
Welcome back to Term 2.
It has been a busy and energetic start, and it has been pleasing to see our students quickly settle back into the routines and rhythm of learning.
Year 7 2027 Enrolments – Action Required by 31 May
Enrolments for Year 7 2027 are now open, and we encourage all families considering Mary MacKillop Catholic Regional College to submit their application by Friday, 31 May 2026. To date, we have received 55 enrolment applications, almost double at this time last year.
A timely response from families is essential, particularly as we begin planning for student transport. Each year, we work closely with our bus provider, Westernport Buses (part of the Dineen Group), to ensure that students can access the College from across our catchment area. This includes areas to the west—such as Koo Wee Rup, Lang Lang, Loch, Bena, Poowong and Nyora—and to the south, including Cowes, San Remo, Wonthaggi and Inverloch.
To provide sufficient services, including adjustments to routes, bus capacity, and, where necessary, the addition of extra buses, we need a clear understanding of enrolment numbers as early as possible. Submitting your application by the closing date allows us to plan effectively and respond to the level of interest across these regions.
While applications received after 31 May will still be considered, priority is given to those submitted on time, in line with our enrolment policy. For your information, enrolment in Catholic secondary schools is prioritised as follows:
Enrolment in Catholic secondary schools is prioritised as follows:
i. Children baptised as Catholic (Catholic children) and siblings of children already attending the School.
ii. Catholic children who attend a Catholic school and reside in the designated enrolment catchment area within the local parish.
iii. Catholic children from non-Catholic schools who reside in the designated enrolment catchment area within the local parish.
iv. Children who have been enrolled in a Catholic school and reside in the designated enrolment catchment area within the local Parish.
v. Catholic children from other Catholic schools who reside outside the designated enrolment catchment area, who cannot obtain a place in their designated secondary school.
vi. Catholic children who reside in other parishes and who could have gained enrolment in their parish secondary school.
vii. Children who have been enrolled in a Catholic school who reside outside the designated enrolment catchment area.
viii. Children from families who belong to any Orthodox Catholic Church.
ix. Non-Catholic families seeking a Catholic education for their child/children.
We encourage all prospective families to act now to ensure their child’s enrolment is considered in the initial planning phase. Early applications not only support our enrolment process but also help us provide the best possible transport and transition experience for your child.
If you are considering enrolling your child, please complete the process by 31 May 2026.
MacKillop Achievers Award – Celebrating Excellence in Our Alumni
As part of our 40-year celebrations, we are pleased to relaunch the MacKillop Achievers program. This provides an opportunity to acknowledge the outstanding contributions of our alumni across a range of areas, including academic excellence, professional achievement, service, leadership, business, and elite sport.
Please see the MMCRC 40th Anniversary Section of this Newsletter for more information.
Year 7 Camp
Thanks to Jess Stein and all staff – Ben Abbott, Mehadi Anik, Hannah Collocott, Jasmine Jones, Julia Leslie, Travis Newton, Grace Ronchi, Rachel Smith, Chris Spencer, Claire Vagg, Jackie Van Dillen, Clare Williams, as well as Dominic Beale - participating in the Year 7 Camp last week, Monday, 20 April to Wednesday, 22 April.
This was, by all reports, an outstanding experience for the students. Additionally, almost every element was relevant to other subjects, particularly English and Religious Education.
Also, we received the following message from a person in Melbourne who saw our students and staff during camp:
Good afternoon,I wanted to pass on my delight at watching your school’s Year 7 students peruse the Rome exhibition at the Melbourne Museum.
My family and I visited on Wednesday, and I had the pleasure of watching your students show interest and engagement in the exhibition. They were polite too, and enthusiastic. I was lucky enough to meet a teacher from 7A, Julia Leslie (forgive my memory if incorrect), who inspired not only her students but me too (and I’m 67)! What a credit to the school.
ANZAC Day
Thank you to Erin Dell, Owen Maskell and Rosie Witteveen for representing the College at the ANZAC Day Commemoration in Korumburra on Saturday, 25 April, including the 10:15 am service at the Korumburra Cenotaph in Coleman Park.
I am grateful for their generosity in giving their time to recite the ANZAC Requiem, and David Jackson, President of the Korumburra RSL, also expressed his appreciation for their contribution.
Thank you to Scott and Nicole for organising the students' attendance.
We also recognised the sacrifice of Australians on Tuesday, 28 April, with a respectful commemoration. Thank you to Scott Blencowe for his preparation of the service and to Beth Winterhalter, who played the Last Post and Rouse.
The theme of our liturgy was: Just War to Just Peace, an ‘Unarmed and Disarming Peace’, and Peace as an Action. The following reflection from the liturgy prepared by Scott expands on this idea:
Today, first and foremost, we remember the ANZACs.
We remember those young Australians and New Zealanders who landed at Gallipoli in 1915. We remember the steep ridges, the confusion of the landing, the fear, the noise, the hardship, and the terrible cost. We remember not only an event in history, but human lives: sons, brothers, friends, workers, farmers, students, men who were known and loved.
We also remember all who followed after them — those who served in later wars, campaigns, and peace operations; those who returned home; and those whose lives were changed forever by what they saw and carried.
ANZAC Day asks us to remember the ANZACs with gratitude and honesty. Their courage, endurance, and sacrifice deserve remembrance. But the Catholic tradition also teaches that war is never something to admire carelessly. The Church has long insisted that the use of force must be judged by strict moral standards, and only under grave conditions. Even then, war remains a tragedy, because it places human life, dignity, and peace under terrible strain.
So today we honour the ANZACs not by glorifying battle, but by remembering their sacrifice with respect, with responsibility, with wisdom, and with courage.
The Church teaches that peace is not simply a quiet feeling, and not merely the end of fighting.
Peace must be built. The Catechism says peace is “the work of justice and the effect of charity”.
That is why, when the Church says “Peace be with you,” it is not offering empty words.
It is calling people to live peace, make peace, and share peace.
So today we honour the ANZACs most truly not by praising war, but by remembering their sacrifice and renewing our commitment to the harder work of peace.
In the Mass, the Church invites people not only to speak of peace, but to share it.
If peace is to live in the world, then each person must help build it.
If peace is to shape our community, then it must be practised, not merely admired.
House Cross Country Carnival
On Thursday this week, we held our House Cross-Country events. Details will be in our next Newsletter
Thank you to Jess Cox for her leadership of the day, our Maintenance Team for the set up of the course and to all other staff involved.
Also, earlier in the day, we hosted a combined cross-country event - St Lawrence O’Toole, in Leongatha, St Joseph's, Korumburra and Chairo Christian College.
SSV Swimming State Finals
Congratulations to our students who competed in the Swimming Finals last week. They finished fifth, an outstanding effort. We also had several students win and place in events.
More details can be found in the Sport@MMCRC section of this Newsletter.
Thank you to Jess Cox for her leadership of our involvement in this event.
Live 4 Life
Thank you to Georgia Townley and all who supported her in launching our Live 4 Life program last Wednesday. Details can be found the Around the College section of this Newsletter
Staff News
Today is the last day for Steve Ross-Bryant, who is leaving to commence a safety consulting business. We wish Steve well in this endeavour and thank him for his work in teaching and supporting students, as well as colleagues throughout his time with us. Please note, though, will be seen in the future, when available, as a casual relief teacher.
Dominic Beale, who commenced at the start of the year, will commence in the role of Year 8 Wellbeing Leader as from next week.
I am pleased to advise that Julia Leslie has been nominated and selected as a recipient of a VCTA Award for Excellence in Commerce Education – Rural or Regional Teacher, by the Victorian Commercial Teachers Association
Julia’s nomination, submitted by her colleagues, Lesley O'Reilly and Belinda Hiddlestone. The Awards Panel was highly impressed by how it showcased Julia’s contribution to commerce education, engagement with the VCTA, and commitment to professional growth. This recognition reflects the impact of Julia’s work in supporting student learning, strengthening the commerce teaching community, and making a meaningful difference in the lives of students across Victoria.
We welcomed Bonnie Hobbs last week as an assistant in the canteen on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Please make Bonnie feel welcome when you meet her.
I am pleased to advise that Jack Pearce is the successful applicant for the Vocational Major/Maths/Science position that was recently advertised. Jack is already covering the role and was the outstanding candidate for the position. Thank you to Jo Knox and Chris Spencer for their work in this process.
Sapientia Domini Docet Nos
John M Freeman