Students come to MacKillop with many different talents and dreams, which MacKillop’s teachers seek to nurture and encourage. Whilst the primary focus for MacKillop is on teaching and learning, the success of our students in all aspects of life serves as a source of pride for the College community. Students at MacKillop achieve in academic life, vocational studies, sport, the arts, cultural pursuits, and in the wider community. This achievement provides students with opportunities to progress down their chosen pathway once they graduate at the end of Year 12.
At MacKillop, our data shows that we add great value to our students, with most of our students achieving ‘greater than or equal to expected growth’ across the areas of NAPLAN from Year 7 to Year 9. The College utilises the data gained from Year 7 NAPLAN results to inform our teaching and learning programs in order to achieve this growth in our students - and this growth continues until our students graduate from MacKillop at the end of Year 12.
of ATAR seekers from the Class of 2024 achieved above their predicted score, with some achieving 18 points higher than expected. 97% of the group said they were happy with their results.
In recent years, MacKillop students have achieved some of the highest ATARs in the Territory, including James Crispin's 99.90, while our 2024 Dux, Milly McCabe, achieved a score of 99.65.
In 2024, six of our Year 12 students achieved an ATAR above 99. They benefitted from MacKillop's AST Workshop program, which helped the Class of 2024 to perform strongly in the AST.
The Class of 2024's top 20 students consisted of nine boys and 11 girls - and they all achieved ATARs above 95. Co-ed is irresistibly successful at MacKillop!
of students who applied for an early offer into university received an offer prior to the AST. Most ATAR seekers from the Class of 2024 got into the university course of their choice.
of the Class of 2024 said their teachers and the Year 12 pastoral team did their best to make Year 11 and 12 a positive experience.
“We had a number of success stories from my year group – some of my friends are studying things like Engineering, Veterinary Science, Actuarial Studies, Law, and Physiotherapy. The relationship I had with my teachers was incredibly critical to my success. They were invested in me, checked up on me regularly, and cared about my academic success and me as a person. I put in lots of hard work but the AST results of our year group also made a difference. Huge thank you to my teachers who helped and supported me, and to my friends who competed with me and motivated me to do my best. I’m incredibly happy with my results!”
MacKillop offers a broad range of vocational courses - delivered in industry-standard facilities - that equip students for the workforce and/or further training. MacKillop issues among the highest numbers of Vocational Educational Certificates in the ACT to its graduates, giving them a head start at CIT or in apprenticeships.
In 2022, MacKillop student Josh Haynes was named as the ACT Australian School-Based Apprentice of the Year.
MacKillop presented 100 Vocational Certificates and 84 Statements of Attainment to the Class of 2024.
There are 12 different types of Vocational Certificates available to MacKillop students in a wide range of courses.
“I’m really happy with what I was able to study within vocational education at MacKillop. I was able to gain industry experience through my Australian School-Based Apprenticeship, which I took part in two days per week. It was a Women in Construction pathways program that allowed me to do electrical, carpentry, project management, landscaping, and plumbing. At school, I took courses in Construction and Hospitality through the Trades Training Centre to gain vocational certificates and qualifications. Now that I've left school, I'm doing a full-time carpentry apprenticeship. The vocational pathway gave me lots of options and opportunities, and it has also given me a head start in my career.”
Students have a range of potential pathways after Year 12. Many students opt to go on to university, others seek further education at CIT, some go straight into the workforce, and some take on apprenticeships. From Medicine and Engineering to NIDA and Construction, students from the Class of 2022 completed Year 12 at MacKillop with the ability to pursue their passions and dreams.
of students from the Class of 2024 claim to be happy with their current pathway and situation after graduating from MacKillop.
of students from the Class of 2024 said MacKillop's Year 11 and 12 experience prepared them for life after school and helped to get them where they are today.
of the Class of 2024 had secured further study or employment by March 2025, with many commencing uni, apprenticeships, CIT, or joining the workforce.