Principal
Dear Mary MacKillop, Catholic Regional College Community,
Refugee Week in Australia
The following is informed by information from https://www.refugeeweek.org.au/theme/ and the Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office. What the Catholic Church teaches on asylum and migration. Thinking Migration (2018).
From 14–20 June, Australia marks Refugee Week 2026, celebrating 40 years of recognising the resilience, courage and contribution of refugees in our nation. This year's theme, "A Million Stories", commemorates the remarkable milestone of Australia granting its one millionth permanent humanitarian visa since the end of the Second World War.
Behind every visa is a unique human story—one of hope, sacrifice, courage, and the search for safety. These stories have become woven into the fabric of modern Australia, enriching our communities through culture, faith, skills and service.
For Catholics, Refugee Week carries a profound Gospel message. The Church reminds us that every person is created in the image and likeness of God and possesses an inherent dignity that cannot be diminished by nationality, circumstance or legal status. The call to welcome the stranger is not simply an act of charity but an expression of justice and Christian love.
The image of the Holy Family fleeing into Egypt is especially significant. Forced to escape violence and persecution, Jesus, Mary and Joseph became refugees, seeking safety in a foreign land. The Church teaches that the Holy Family in exile is the model and protector of every refugee family who must leave behind home, family and country in search of peace and security. Their story reminds us that Christ himself experienced displacement and vulnerability, identifying with those who are forced to flee.
Catholic Social Teaching calls us to respond with solidarity, justice and mercy, recognising that the needs of vulnerable people must come before fear or self-interest. We are challenged to welcome, protect, promote and integrate those seeking refuge, helping them find belonging and hope within our communities.
As we celebrate Refugee Week, may we listen to the million stories that have shaped our nation and ask ourselves how we can continue to build communities of compassion and inclusion. In welcoming the stranger, we encounter Christ himself and live out the Gospel values that lie at the heart of our Catholic faith.
A Moment of Grace
A Prayer for Refugees
God of our Wandering Ancestors,
Long have we known
That your heart is with the refugee:
That you were born into time
In a family of refugees
Fleeing violence in their homeland,
Who then gathered up their hungry child
And fled into alien country.
Their cry, your cry, resounds through the ages:
“Will you let me in?”
Give us hearts that break open
When our brothers and sisters turn to us with that same cry.
Then surely all these things will follow:
Ears will no longer turn deaf to their voices.
Eyes will see a moment for grace instead of a threat.
Tongues will not be silenced but will instead advocate.
And hands will reach out—
working for peace in their homeland,
working for justice in the lands where they seek safe haven.
Lord, protect all refugees in their travels. May they find a friend in me
And so make me worthy
Of the refuge I have found in you.
Amen.
Source: US Bishops Conference, Toolkit for WRD18
Year 9 Camp
Thanks to Richard Muranty for his leadership and organisation of the Year 9 Camp at Camp Coolamatong from Monday 1 June to Friday 5 June. He was supported by Mehadi Anik. Dareen Besanko, Jessica Cox, Hamish Duckmanton, Amelia Ellen, Tennille Homan, Laura Keww, Chris Spencer, Melinda Stephan, Jayde Trappett, Claire Vagg and Aliesha Wrigley.
Year 10 Work Experience
Thanks to Kate Dwyer, Melissa Preston and Cassie Raschle for their work in supporting the students in arranging their work experience placements for Monday 1 June to Friday 5 June. There are several different documents to be completed. Therefore, it is a complex area of school compliance that requires coordination among employers, parents/guardians, students, the school, and external entities, including WorkSafe and insurers.
GAT and Internal Exams
Thank you to Di Malloy for arranging the GAT and for her ongoing work with our internal exams. Additionally, thanks to Rachel Collins and Bekk Anthony for their organisation, as well as to all others supporting these crucial assessments – Zac Cox, Aleisha Wriggley, Michelle Krohn, Adrienne Layton, Laura Higgins, and our Maintenance Team.
The General Achievement Test (GAT) is an important part of the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) assessment program. While it is not a test that students can study for in the traditional sense, it provides valuable information about a student's literacy, numeracy, critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
The GAT plays a vital role in ensuring the fairness and accuracy of VCE results. It is used by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) as part of its quality assurance processes and can assist in calculating derived examination scores if a student is unable to complete an external assessment due to illness or other unexpected circumstances.
Students are encouraged to approach the GAT seriously and give their best effort. Doing so helps protect their results should unforeseen events occur and helps maintain the integrity of the VCE assessment system for all students.
Year 7 2027 Enrolments
Year 7 Enrolments for 2026 were expected to be submitted by 31 May 2026. To date we have 119 applications.
There are places available, so we will continue to review applications. However, as a matter of fairness, priority will be given to completed applications submitted on or before May 31, and those received after that date will be processed in the order of receipt, in accordance with our policy.
SSV Sport
Well done to all our students for their achievements in SSV and other Sporting competitions we compete in. Thank you to all our coaches who not only work with the students on the day of competition, but also work with teams at lunch and other times in the day.
Thanks as well to Jessica Cox for her leadership of our Sporting program.
If you want to read more and see who has achieved in the recent SSV Regional Cross Country Championships and the student who recently represented Gippsland at the Country Championships Soccer Finals, please read our Sport@MMCRC section of the newsletter.
Staff News
Congratulations to Cade and Georgia Maskell on the birth of Tommy Phillip Maskell.
Sheryl Mannerheim has advised that she will be completing her time with us at the end of this term. We wish Sheryl and her family well.
MacKillop Achievers Award – Call for Nominations
As part of our 40-year celebrations, Mary MacKillop Catholic Regional College is proud to relaunch the MacKillop Achievers Award, recognising alumni who have demonstrated excellence, leadership, service and outstanding contribution within their chosen fields and communities.
Since its introduction during the College’s 30-year celebrations in 2016, the award has honoured graduates whose achievements reflect the values and spirit of our College and the example of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop.
We now invite nominations for alumni who have distinguished themselves through academic achievement, professional success, leadership, community service, humanitarian work, business achievement, or elite sporting accomplishment. Importantly, nominees should also demonstrate integrity, respect, service and a commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of others.
We encourage members of our College and wider community to consider nominating deserving alumni.
Further information, eligibility criteria and nomination details can be found on the College website:MMCRC Alumni – MacKillop Achievers Award
Sapientia Domini Docet Nos
John M Freeman