From the Principal

St Mary MacKillop

Each year on the 8th of August we celebrate St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, Australia's beloved first saint and patron saint of one of our Colleges Houses. On this day, we recognise the important role she played in making education accessible for children in our country. Mary MacKillop devoted her life to ensuring a holistic Catholic education for children from rural, poor families.

St Mary MacKillop's impact on Australian education was remarkable. She was a trailblazer and a leader who passionately advocated for the education of underprivileged children and children in remote areas where others either would or could not go. For such children and their families, Mary opened a door of hope into the future.

Over the years there have been many quotes that have been attributed to St. Mary MacKillop, such as “Never see a need without doing something about it” and “Let no obstacle deter us from proceeding with courage.”

The first quote reflects St. Mary MacKillop's commitment to taking action in response to the needs of others. It suggests that whenever we encounter a situation where help is required, whether it's a person in need, a social injustice, or any problem that demands attention, we should not hesitate to step in and make a difference. The second quote encourages perseverance and bravery in the face of challenges. St. Mary MacKillop is emphasising the importance of not being discouraged by difficulties or barriers that might arise in our path. Instead, she advocates for moving forward with determination and courage, no matter what obstacles may stand in the way.

St. Mary MacKillop is an outstanding role model and these quotes are exceptional examples of the impact and direction she can have on our young people today.

First Nations performer, Tjupurru

On Monday 5th August, we had a First Nations performer, Tjupurru, come in to present to our Year 7 and Year 8 students. Tjupurru is a proud Djabera Djabera man from the Kimberly region of WA.

Tjupurru's performance, celebrates his Djabera Djabera heritage and the rich cultural traditions of the Kimberly region. His high energy performance included stories of creation, ancestry and personal recollections of growing up in the remote Australian bush. Using the didjeribone, face bass and cutting edge music production equipment, Tjupurru's unique performance transformed the MacKillop Theatre into the Australian outback with sounds of haunting winds, howling dingoes and laughing kookaburras.

As part of our ongoing commitment to the First Nations people and Child Safe Standards, this presentation naturally aligns with the principles of inclusivity and respect for diversity. By sharing stories of creation, ancestry, and personal experiences, Tjupurru provided a platform for our students to engage with and appreciate Aboriginal culture. Thank you to Mr Attel Martschinke, our Intercultural Perspectives Coordinator, for organising this event.

Pathways Interviews

All Year 9 and 10 students participated in Pathway interviews last week to support them in determining their subjects for next year. All students were allocated to specific teachers throughout the day for a 15min ZOOM interview to discuss the subjects they have enjoyed; the potential stream they would like to pursue; subjects for 2025 and possible career pathways. Participating in these interview’s myself, I found the process to be a great way for the students and their parents/guardians to be guided through this important selection process.

Winter Sleep Out

This week we had several students participate in the Winter Sleep Out. This event is designed to raise awareness and support those who sleep ‘rough’ on a regular basis. In 2018 the Australian Bureau of Statistics found that on any given night 122,000 Australians are homeless. As a Catholic school it is important for us to offer these opportunities for our students to support those on the margins of society. We feel these opportunities develop a level of empathy that can only be achieved through experiences such as the Winter Sleep Out. Thank you to all students and staff that supported this initiative, specifically our Justice Coordinator Nicole Sadler for her organisation.

MACS Annual Report

The Melbourne Archdiocese of Catholic Schools (MACS) have released their 2023 Annual Report. The report outlines a number of the changes that have occurred and specifically discusses the progress in a number of the initiatives. The report also highlights the successes that were achieved after the first full year of the MACS2030 strategy. The report can be found by clicking on the note here.

Business Manager Retirement

I would like to acknowledge the retirement of our long-serving Business Manager, Mr David Fitzgerald. Mr Fitzgerald has been a dedicated member of our staff for 32 years. We thank him for his long-standing service to our school and to Catholic education in the Geelong region.

He began as the first Business Manager of Catholic Regional College in 1992. Over the years, he has been an integral part of the College's leadership team and has been fully involved in the College community. Despite the numerous challenges and changes for the College over the years, he has remained a dedicated and constant staff member. In his capacity as Business Manager, he has been instrumental in ensuring the College's financial stability. David's unwavering commitment and support have made a significant contribution to the College's progress and success.