The Transition
to High School

Helping Year 7 make a smooth start

Year 7 is structured in a way that helps each student transition seamlessly into their new environment.

In Year 7, students study Integrated Humanities (IHum). IHum includes Religious Education, English and Studies of Society and the Environment. Integrating these subjects offers a holistic approach to learning.

A significant benefit for students is that the transition into High School is made easier by reducing the number of teachers and subjects. Much like primary school, these classes are all held in the same room with the same teacher and the same group of students. Many of our IHum teachers have experience teaching at primary schools.

Several orientation days, classroom tasks, and a series of pastoral program activities at the beginning of the school year help our new Year 7 students get to know each other, their school, and their teachers.

Students often identify MacKillop's 'welcoming community' to be one of the College's main strengths, and we believe it is this atmosphere that helps students to acclimatise so well.

Year 7

The transition to Year 7 at MacKillop

Karlyle, Year 7

I know lots of people are nervous to start high school, but I was actually looking forward to it! If I had any worries, they were probably around class work and homework, but you soon get used to the workload! I also knew if I had any questions or ever got lost, I could feel comfortable to ask people for help. I was lucky to come to MacKillop with lots of my primary school friends, but I have also made lots of new friends in my classes and through recess and lunch. My favourite class is Woodwork, because we get to use all the tools to make things. I’m looking forward to trying Music next! I also like I-Hum, because the work is interesting and I like my teacher. The biggest tip I can offer is that all you need to do is use your time wisely. The people here have your back, so there’s no need to worry. It has been fun so far!”

Settling in at MacKillop

Making new friends.

98%

of Year 7 2025 said they had made new friends by midway through their first term at MacKillop.

Finding their way around.

99%

of Year 7 2025 said they knew their way around the campus within a few weeks of starting high school.

Relationships with teachers.

97%

of Year 7 2025 said they thought their teachers cared about them and encouraged them.

In this
Section

Enrolment

Acknowledgement of Country

St Mary of the Cross MacKillop made the statement: “We are but travellers here, so while we are here we should do as much good as we can and live in peace with each other.”

With this in mind, the College respectfully acknowledges the Ngunnawal people who are the Traditional Custodians and First People of the land on which we gather each day. The College also pays its respects to the Elders past, present and emerging, and any other Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander peoples living and working in the MacKillop community.

MacKillop crest

St Mary MacKillop College Canberra
Catholic Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn Education Limited

ABN 60 675 797 734

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© 2025 St Mary MacKillop College, Canberra. All rights reserved.

The College

Contact Us

Phone: 02 6209 0100
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PO Box 1211
Tuggeranong ACT 2901