Learning and Teaching
Ms Jodie Connell - Deputy Principal
Subject Selection Expo
On Monday 31st July, the Year 9 and 10 students participated in Subject Selection Expo. During the day students were provided with plenty of information on the wide array of subjects on offer at Mary MacKillop Catholic Regional College to assist them in deciding on their 2024 course of studies. I do want to acknowledge the great work of the Curriculum Team and the Careers Team, in organising and co-ordinating the day. The Teaching and Learning Leaders and their teams also did an amazing job in providing valuable information that enable students to be well-informed in determining their preferred pathway.
The subject area displays set up in the Senior School Building allowed parents the opportunity to hear subject offerings firsthand and ask clarifying questions of staff so that they can be helpful partners in their child’s choices. I do want to emphasise the role of parents and teachers in providing information and support for students in choosing subjects. While we might have hopes and dreams for our children, it is important that our young people take responsibility for their subject choices and pathway. It is ultimately their life and as they approach the end of school, they need to be comfortable with what they choose to study.
Subject Selection
What do I want to be when I grow up? Which subjects should I select? What are the prerequisites for my course? Have I done my career profiling?
It is challenging for our young students to already have their career mapped out before they begin their Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or Victorian Certificate of Education – Vocational Major (VCE-VM) pathway, however, these choices are very important as they will help to shape their learning journey ahead. This may shift and change over the next two to three years of their academic journey based on their experiences or change of mind in career, which is perfectly understandable, particularly given the jobs our young people will most likely enter into don’t exist yet.
Therefore, the importance of seeking advice, asking the right questions and challenging their thinking surrounding the choices they make is more important now than ever! Please make sure, as parents and guardians of our future generation, that you are engaging in these types of conversations with your children and reassuring them there is guidance throughout the process. It is advised that they should choose subjects which suit their academic ability and interests, and most importantly, always strive to achieve their best.
Students and families can refer to the Subject Selection Handbooks for Years 10 and 11.
Students and parents with questions about the curriculum are welcome to email the relevant Curriculum Leader.
Religious Education – Mrs. Cate Kavanagh ckavanagh@mmcrc.catholic.edu.au
English – Ms. Rahne Widarsito rwidarsito@mmcrc.catholic.edu.au
Mathematics – Ms. Lisa Hogan lhogan@mmcrc.catholic.edu.au
Science – Mrs. Dianna Malloy dmalloy@mmcrc.catholic.edu.au
Humanities – Mr. Patrick McCarthy pmccarthy@mmcrc.catholic.edu.aul
Arts/Technology – Mrs. Claire Mangs cmangs@mmcrc.catholic.edu.au
Health & PE – Mr. Bernard Lumsden blumsden@mmcrc.catholic.edu.au
VCE – Ms. Laura Higgins lhiggins@mmcrc.catholic.edu.au
VCE-VM/VET – Mrs. Joanne Knox jknox@mmcrc.catholic.edu.au
VCE Acceleration – Mr. Cade Maskell cmaskell@mmcrc.catholic.edu.au
General Curriculum Enquiries – Ms. Laura Higgins lhiggins@mmcrc.catholic.edu.au
Students and parents with questions about University courses and prerequisites are welcome to email a member of our Careers Team:
Careers Leader – Mrs. Kate Dwyer kdwyer@mmcrc.catholic.edu.au
Careers Teacher - Mrs. Melissa Fuller mfuller@mmcrc.catholic.edu.au
Careers Teacher - Mrs. Cassie Raschle craschle@mmcrc.catholic.edu.au
Students will make their subject selections via the Web Preferences website. We
are all on this journey together and want to make the experience as enjoyable and seamless as possible.
Subject selections for Year 10 (2024) close on Friday 11th August.
Subject selections for Year 11 (2024) close on Friday 11th August.
At Mary MacKillop Catholic Regional College, the subjects we ultimately decide to run are determined by what students elect to study. If enough students do not choose a subject, then it will not run. Consequently, subject selection and submitting preferences is critically important for your child so as to:
- Avoid subjects not running, when students in fact want to do them
- Ensure we run an adequate number of classes for popular subjects
- Ensure that the timetable is constructed to maximise access to the subjects that students choose.
- Avoid missing out on doing subjects if they want to change subjects at a later stage
- Minimise the number of subject changes so that students do not miss
Year 10 Subject Selection Interviews
Just a reminder to all Year 10 families that there are subject selection interviews taking place on Monday 7th August (1.40 – 6.00pm) and Wednesday 9th August (1.40 – 6.00pm). Bookings are currently open on PAM and will close Friday 4th August.
Year 12 Careers Interviews
Just a reminder to all Year 12 families that there are career interviews taking place on Monday 21st August (9.00 – 6.00pm). Bookings are currently open on PAM and will close Friday 18th August. Please note this is a student-free day.
Elevate Education Parent Webinar Seminars
Elevate Education are continuing to provide parents of Mary MacKillop Catholic Regional Student College exclusive access to their Parent Webinar Series for Term 3, 2023.
To reserve your spot, you can register for free below,
You can register by clicking here.
Wednesday 16th August
How You Can Make Technology an Ally (& Not the Enemy!)
Wednesday 30th August
How To Help Your Child Improve Their Note Taking
Wednesday 13th September
How You Can Support Your Child During Exams
The webinars are run live online from 6.30pm – 7.30pm (AEST) where the presenter will share Elevate’s key research and skills and will conduct a live Q&A so you can ask them questions directly. If you are unable to make the webinar, don't worry! If you sign up to attend, you'll receive the webinar recording on Thursday morning.
Should you have questions or would like to contact Elevate directly, their details are listed below.📞 1300 667 945
✉️ auscoaching@elevateeducation.com