PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

On Monday 5th December we celebrated our Annual Presentation Night in the Jubilee Centre.  This event in the past two years has been pre-recorded and presented online via YouTube. It was wonderful to hear from Alumni Lily Seymour (2021) and Jacob Jewson (2009). A wide range of awards were presented to very deserving recipients. All students that were nominated for Achievement or Endeavour in each subject will receive certificates in the mail. Thank you to the many parents, guardians, carers and family members who joined our staff, invited guests and sponsors to enjoy an evening celebrating the great efforts of many of the wonderful young people in our community. 

The end of the year is often a welcome relief, as we move into a time of rest, recovery and reinvigoration. It is also a time when we say farewell to members of our school community. I wish all families that complete their journey with us, all the best in the future. Once a member of our community you will always be a part of our community and we look forward to crossing paths with you in the future.  

Sadly we will farewell some staff members at the end of this year.

Michael Burns - Michael has worked at St Mary MacKillop College for 16 years as the College Maintenance Foreman. Michael’s work has contributed to the wonderful facilities that we learn and work in every day. Michael has laid many pavers, fixed more broken items than we want to count and built many of the tables and benches that our students enjoy the use of in the yard every day. The work of maintenance can often go unnoticed, however, we appreciate all that Michael has contributed over the years. We wish Michael well in his retirement as he spends more time with his family and fishing.

Josie Rovere - Josie began working at St Mary MacKillop College in 2007 only one day a week and enjoyed working at our school so much that she gradually increased to five days. Josie has been employed as a counsellor at our school and has been a wonderful asset in our Wellbeing area. Many students and staff have benefited from her knowledge and experience. Josie has been there to listen, empathise and support and we will miss her dedication to our school community. Josie is moving onto new employment and we wish her well in this venture.

Clare Tilburn - Clare has been on parental leave for the past few years and has made the decision to focus all of her time on her three beautiful girls. We have missed Clare at the school and hope that she might return to teaching with us when the time is right in the future.

Carla Parsons - Carla has also been on parental leave for the past four years. Carla was employed as the Personal Assistant to the Principal, so many people may not have had contact with her. I certainly appreciate the wonderful way that Carla went about her work and am grateful that we were able to work together. Carla will spend her time looking after her two energetic children and working alongside her partner Sam on their farm.

In 2023 we welcome the following staff to our school community:

• Brian Reeves - Brian comes to us with many years of teaching experience and will join us to teach Mathematics, English, Humanities and Religious Education. Brian is currently hiking in Nepal, so we look forward to hearing of his experiences when he begins with us in January.
• Kylie Toohey - Kylie will join our staff in the capacity of Daily Organiser and VET Coordinator. Kylie has extensive experience in managing rosters and has excellent organisational and communication skills.
• Geraldine “Gerry” Vytilingam - Gerry will take up a new position at our school in 2023, Faith in Action Leader. We are very excited to have Gerry joining our team, as she leads our liturgical celebrations and coordinates our Reflection Days and Retreats. Gerry’s experiences have led her to many places in Australia, where she has worked in schools and communities with music and prayer.
• George Mudford - George will join our Wellbeing team in 2023 as a Student Counsellor.  George has many years of experience as a Social Worker.
• Gemma Phelan - Gemma is also joining our Wellbeing team as a School Counsellor in 2023. Gemma has gained experience through her work at Headspace and with the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing. We look forward to both George and Gemma supporting our staff and students in our Wellbeing area.

A number of other non-teaching appointments are currently being finalised and I will introduce each of these people in our first newsletter in 2023.

I will finish the year by thanking the staff of St Mary MacKillop College. In some ways this year has been more challenging than the past two years. I am grateful that we have such hard-working, enthusiastic and learning-centred staff. 

I wish everyone a safe and joyous Christmas and New Year, and look forward to working with you all again in 2023.