Principal
Dear Mary MacKillop, Catholic Regional College Community,
This is the last Newsletter for Term 2, so I wish everyone a safe, happy, and refreshing break.
Also, Term 3 will commence for students on Tuesday, 14 July 2026. Staff will be on site on Monday for a Professional Learning Day focused on Catholic Identity and Mission.
Mary MacKillop Catholic Regional College – Celebrating 40 Years
Throughout Semester Two, our College community will continue to celebrate the remarkable milestone of Mary MacKillop Catholic Regional College's 40th anniversary. This anniversary provides an opportunity to give thanks for those whose vision, faith, and generosity established our College, to celebrate all that has been achieved, and to look forward with confidence and hope to the future.
Aerial Photo from 1989
Join Us for Our 40th Anniversary Celebration
Our first major public celebration will be held on Thursday, 6 August 2026, coinciding with the Feast of Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop.
The day will begin with our Feast Day Mass, celebrated by The Most Reverend Greg Bennet DD, Bishop of Sale. Following Mass, we will gather as a community to commemorate the College's 40th Anniversary through presentations that reflect on our history, acknowledge those who have shaped our story, and celebrate the contributions our College continues to make to Catholic education in South Gippsland.
We are honoured that Mr. Paul Velten, Director of Catholic Education for the Diocese of Sale, will join us and address those gathered, together with our Principal, Mr. John Freeman.
This celebration is open to members of our College community, including former students, staff, and families. We look forward to welcoming many Old Collegians back to the College as we celebrate this important milestone together. Further details will be available through our website and social media channels in the coming weeks.
Arrival of the portable classrooms two days before the College commenced in 1986
Celebrating Our Story
Our 40th Anniversary is being marked through a range of initiatives designed to honour our history and preserve it for future generations.
School sign directing families to the initial site at St. Laurence O’Toole Primary School, Leongatha, in 1986
Earlier this year, commemorative anniversary badges were blessed and presented to staff and students. We have also relaunched the MacKillop Achievers Award, recognising alumni whose lives and achievements reflect our College's values.
An exciting oral history project is also underway. Led by John Ryan and supported by Edson Letendrie, this initiative is capturing the stories, memories, and reflections of former and current staff, students, and parents. The first professionally edited interviews will be released on the College website next term.
Importantly, this is not simply a project for our anniversary year. It is the beginning of an ongoing archive that will preserve the unique story of Mary MacKillop Catholic Regional College—a story built upon faith, courage, generosity, and the commitment of countless people who have contributed to our community over the past four decades.
1986 Staff Photograph
Front Row - Mrs. Chris McKenzie-McHarg, Mrs. Josie Bleeser, Mr. Ed Carmody (Principal),
Mrs. Marg Thomas
Back Row - Mr. Ian Johnson, Miss Jenny Cunningham, Miss Adriana Frescura,
Miss Kerryn Burke
Another significant initiative is the naming of buildings and spaces across the College. This project strengthens our Catholic identity within the Josephite tradition by connecting our physical environment with the people, places, and values that have shaped our heritage. Alongside our existing St Mary of the Cross MacKillop Chapel and Pioneer Hall, additional buildings and spaces are being introduced. Details of these names and the stories behind them can be found in the MMCRC 40th Anniversary section of this newsletter.
Looking ahead, further anniversary celebrations will include a whole-school commemorative photograph, a community music concert, and the presentation of the2026 MacKillop Achievers Awards.
MacKillop Achievers Award – Nominations Still Open
As part of our 40th Anniversary celebrations, we warmly invite nominations for the MacKillop Achievers Award.
Originally established during the College's 30th Anniversary in 2016, the award recognizes alumni who have demonstrated excellence and service while reflecting the values of integrity, compassion, leadership, and commitment exemplified by Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop.
We welcome nominations of former students who have distinguished themselves through academic achievement, professional success, leadership, community service, humanitarian work, business, the arts, or elite sporting achievement. Above all, nominees should demonstrate a commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of others.
If you know an Old Collegian whose story deserves to be recognised, we encourage you to submit a nomination.
Further information, eligibility criteria, and nomination details are available on the College website under MMCRC Alumni – MacKillop Achievers Award
Aerial Photo from 2023
Music Camp – Building Talent, Confidence and Community
One of the great strengths of our College is the breadth of opportunities available to students beyond the classroom, and our annual Music Camp is an excellent example of this in action.
Over two inspiring days, students from Years 7–11 immersed themselves in intensive rehearsals, workshops, and ensemble performances, developing not only their musical skills but also their confidence, resilience, and ability to work collaboratively. It was wonderful to see students embracing new challenges, supporting one another, and striving for excellence in such a positive and encouraging environment.
My sincere thanks go to Beth Winterhalter for leadership and our outstanding team of teachers and tutors—Phil Schuhmann, Dan Watson, Meg Doherty, Jayde Trappett, Yuki Hama, and Chloe Wylie—whose expertise, enthusiasm, and generosity provided our students with an exceptional learning experience. Their willingness to share their talents is greatly appreciated and continues to enrich our growing music program.
I also congratulate our students on the enthusiasm, commitment, and maturity they demonstrated throughout the camp. Their willingness to learn, rehearse, and perform with such energy reflects the culture of excellence and participation that we value at Mary MacKillop Catholic Regional College. I was privileged to hear performances from all the groups on Thursday afternoon – what amazing talent we have evolving at the College.
You can read more and see pictures from this experience in the Music@MMCRC section of this Newsletter.
VCAA Consultation – Have Your Say on VCE Studies
The Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) is seeking feedback from the community as part of its ongoing review and evaluation of VCE Study Designs.
Students, teachers, parents and carers, education providers, subject associations, industry representatives, and other interested members of the community are invited to complete the 2026 Have Your Say on VCE Studies survey.
The anonymous survey takes approximately 5–10 minutes to complete and provides an opportunity to share feedback that will help inform future reviews of VCE studies.
The survey can be accessed at Consultation survey: 2026 Have your say on VCE Studies.
The consultation is open until Monday, 10 August 2026.
We encourage members of our College community, particularly those with an interest in senior secondary education, to participate and contribute their perspectives to the future development of the Victorian Certificate of Education.
Further information, including access to the survey, is available via the VCAA's 2026 Have Your Say on VCE Studies consultation page.
St. Joseph’s Wonthaggi/Inverloch Parish Pastoral Plan
If you are part of the St. Joseph’s Wonthaggi/Inverloch Parish, you are invited to contribute to the Pastoral Plan. Please refer to our Parish News section for more details.
You can access the feedback form using this QR Code or click this link
https://forms.office.com/r/Psbn8VDDXc
Sapientia Domini Docet Nos
John M Freeman