Principal
Dear Mary MacKillop, Catholic Regional College Community,
Catholic Education Week
This week is Catholic Education Week in the Diocese of Sale. Each Diocese celebrates the contribution of Catholic education at various times during the year. Below is information and a few thoughts on the important contribution of the Catholic Church to education in Australia and the Diocese of Sale.
Catholic Education Week is an occasion across Australia that provides an opportunity to reflect on and celebrate Catholic schools' unique mission of educating minds, nurturing hearts, and inspiring hope.
In 2025, the theme "Pilgrims of Hope" aligns with the Jubilee Year of Hope declared by Pope Francis. This theme invites school communities to journey together in faith, embracing the call to be beacons of hope in a complex world. It underscores Catholic education's role in forming academically capable, spiritually grounded, and socially responsible students.
Catholic schools play a vital role in Australian society, educating over 805,000 students—approximately one in five school-aged children—and employing more than 109,000 staff. Beyond academic excellence, these schools foster communities of faith, hope, and love, where students are encouraged to live out Gospel values and make meaningful contributions to the world around them. (see https://ncec.catholic.edu.au/ for more specific information relating to Catholic Education across Australia).
Regarding the specific contribution for the Diocese of Sale, according to the latest available data, Catholic schools governed by DOSCEL educate approximately 18,258 students and employ around 2,900 school staff. The Diocese of Sale Catholic Education Limited (DOSCEL) office also employs 112 staff members to support schools.
The Diocese encompasses a diverse geographic area, including 39 primary and five secondary schools, serving communities from Melbourne’s outer south-east suburbs to Gippsland in the east. Additionally, two other Catholic secondary schools operate in Traralgon and Sale, educating approximately 2300 students and employing over 350 staff.
Celebrations during Catholic Education Week vary across dioceses, reflecting the diversity and richness of the Catholic education system. In the Diocese of Sale, for instance, the week includes a diocesan Mass and showcases student learning, emphasising the communal aspect of Catholic education.
See https://www.ceosale.catholic.edu.au/catholic-education-week/2025-catholic-education-week for more information.
Catholic Education Week also acknowledges educators' dedication, families' support, and students' achievements. It reinforces the commitment to providing inclusive, accessible, and high-quality education that nurtures the whole person.
In essence, Catholic Education Week is more than a series of events; it is a celebration of a living tradition that continues to shape individuals and communities, guided by faith and inspired by hope.
Finally, I would like to thank all Mary MacKillop Catholic Regional College staff for their commitment to educating our students.
Tribute to His Holiness Pope Francis
Thank you to the Year 12 Youth Ministry Class for creating a well-researched and presented tribute to His Holiness Pope Francis. The tribute can be found in the Around the College section of this Newsletter.
World Education Support Staff Day Morning Tea
Thank you, Nia Robinson, who organised the World Education Support Staff Day Morning Tea on Friday, 16 May 2025.
Thanks to Erica Masters and Kaila Hutchinson for their respective input in ensuring the event was recognised to celebrate the valuable contributions from staff who work in Administration, Canteen, Cleaning, Finance, Learning Support, Maintenance, Personal Assistants, and Technicians – Food, Laboratories, and Library. Without these people, our school cannot effectively operate.
Fair Trade in Catholic Social Teaching
Thank you to the Year 10 Youth Ministry classes and their teachers, Carly Johnson and Melinda Stephan, for their work to highlight the need to consider our choices as consumers to create a world that treats farmers and workers in developing countries with dignity and justice.
As part of raising awareness, the students prepared packages of fair-trade chocolate and sold them during lunchtime on Friday, 16 May. This was a practical and tasty way to demonstrate that fair trade food is well-priced and good quality.
Grade 6 Activity Days
Thank you to Jackie Van Dillen, Nia Robinson, and Marie Holderhead for organizing the Grade 6 Activity Days on Monday for St Joseph’s Korumburra and St Joseph’s Wonthaggi, and then on Wednesday for St Lawrence O’Toole in Leongatha and Star of the Sea in Cowes. Thanks also to Rachel Collins and Bekk Anthony for their support in logistics and to all staff who assisted.
Year 7 2026 Enrolments
Year 7 Enrolments for 2026 are expected to be submitted by 31 May 2025.
As of today, 58 confirmed applications have been completed, and another 14 are in progress. Most of these are from schools other than our priority Catholic Primary Schools. We will receive more applications after completing our recent Grade 6 Activity Days.
Therefore, I encourage all families looking to enrol their child for next year before the closing date of 31 May 2025. We will always work with applications after that date. Still, as a matter of justice, priority will be given to completed applications submitted on or before 31 May, according to our policy.
DP Culture Excellence and Growth
Applications have closed, and we have received several high-quality submissions. Shortlisting will be completed this week, and interviews will occur at Sion House in Warragul next Wednesday, 28 May 2025.
Staff News
Congratulations to Hannah Collocott, the successful POL 1 Cultural Liaison applicant. Hannah will commence in this role this week. Thank you to Bekk Anthony for her support in this process.
This week, on Thursday, 22 May, we will welcome Rachel Smith and Clare Williams as two new Learning Support Officers.
Last week, Anne Burke started as an assistant in the Learning Resource Centre. She will work on Thursdays and Fridays until Tracey Bugbird returns from leave. Anna Patterson is working from Monday to Wednesday.
Sapientia Domini Docet Nos
John M Freeman