Milly, 2024 College Dux
"My teachers always wanted to get the best out of all of us. They were very knowledgeable and passionate in their subject areas, were friendly and supportive, and they were able to cater for different learning styles. They did their best to make classes engaging and interesting. I’m grateful for all the work all my teachers did to support and challenge me over the years. I would like to thank everyone who ever taught me!"
Jeremiah, Class of 2025
"The community was one of my favourite aspects of MacKillop. It's fun and big and diverse, but it’s also very warm and welcoming. I joined MacKillop in Year 11 and I really enjoyed meeting the people, because they were friendly, supportive, and had a wide range of interests. When the whole school gets together, you can see how great the energy is - the College has an amazing community culture."
Peyton, Year 10
"There’s a huge variety of subjects at MacKillop! In Year 7, you’ll take the core subjects and you'll try out all the electives, before getting a bit of a choice in Year 8 and more choice as you get older. I’m in Year 10 and my favourite subjects are Maths, Cooking, Dance, and Crime & Politics, but there are also fun subjects like Visual Arts, Tech, IT Fashion, Performing Arts, Science, English, PE Electives, and much more! There's truly a subject for every interest."
James, Year 12
"I really like being in the co-ed environment at MacKillop. I feel like I can be myself at this school and I like that you can work with all different types of people. In the wider world we have to work with everyone, so I think it’s important to have our society reflected here at school, especially at my age. In class, you’ll often see a range of different perspectives being shared – and sometimes those perspectives are based on our experiences as a particular gender. It adds a whole new level to your learning."
Hima, Class of 2025
"My ATAR was 99.45 and I was in shock when I first saw it! I think MacKillop is such a big school with such a wide range of students who have different interests and passions and so the teachers here are good at catering to each student. I think for that reason the teachers are well-equipped to support students who want to push themselves academically. A lot of my cohort’s success was down to the mentoring and support we received, particularly in Years 11 and 12."
Jackson, Year 12
"MacKillop offers a range of opportunities for everyone’s interests. We have programs for elite athletes, heaps of different sports teams, choirs and music ensembles, the musical, interstate camps and excursions, and overseas trips. There are lots of competitions, extension programs, leadership opportunities, and a club for pretty much everything! When you’re doing things you’re interested in, that makes you enjoy coming to school, so we’re grateful for all the opportunities!"
Olivia, Year 12
"Sport is huge at MacKillop and there are heaps of things students can do. There’s something for everyone, from elite athletes to those who just like to have fun. We have carnivals and our school teams participate (and do well) at gala days in a huge range of sports! You’ll also try heaps of different sports in PE, and elite athletes can take part in the PE Pathways Program, which is designed to help you achieve your sporting goals."
Matthew, Year 12
"I’m sure you’ve seen or heard that MacKillop is a Catholic school for all. We are welcoming of everyone, no matter what their faith background might be. Every member of our diverse and inclusive community is able to contribute to the life of the school. If you’re worried about what Religious Education class might be like, they actually teach us about different religions, as well as things like ethics and philosophy."
Laura, Year 12
"If you're looking for a high school, there are lots of reasons why you should choose MacKillop! It’s a welcoming environment, we have supportive teachers, there are lots of opportunities both in and outside of the classroom, we have modern facilities, and you’ll form some great friendships here. I am happy I chose to come to MacKillop and I have enjoyed my time here. I would definitely recommend it to everybody for Years 7 to 12!"
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We're a Catholic
school for all.
At MacKillop, we're faithful to the Gospels, attentive to the example of Jesus Christ, and challenged by the life and work of St Mary MacKillop. We are not perfect at MacKillop but we endeavour to be just, loving, faithful, inclusive of all, and joyful in each other's company.
Using the teachings and example of our patron, Australia’s first Saint, the College aims to be welcoming of students from different faith, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds, as well as students with a range of abilities – from the most academically gifted to those who need extra assistance achieving their optimum.
The sense of belonging, no matter what your background, is one of the College’s greatest strengths. MacKillop is truly a Catholic school for all!
We're co-ed.
St Mary MacKillop College is committed to co-education. Our belief is that students learn best in a safe, respectful environment where difference and diversity is respected and recognised as the first steps towards authentic inclusion.
A powerful belief underpinning co-education at MacKillop is that all students learn differently – it’s not a case of all boys or all girls learning the same. Our teachers are trained and encouraged to use a range of pedagogical strategies in their teaching, a wide range of forms of assessment, and to discuss the strength and challenges of each student in their class through a flexible or differentiated approach to teaching.
Co-education brings a healthy energy to our school; a respect for gender difference, a maturity and confidence in learning together, and a broad range of social, co-ed, extra-curricular opportunities that foster a healthy, tolerant learning environment.
Co-education reflects the working, cultural, and social patterns of adult life and is fundamental to MacKillop’s desire to be a Catholic school for all.
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The range of
opportunities.
Each student at MacKillop has the opportunity to become the kind of person they want to be – it’s our job to give them the best platform for that.
While most opportunities are provided by the classroom experience, MacKillop considers education to be broader than just a sound curriculum. With parents, we strive to provide a balanced education that not only prepares students academically but also physically, socially, and spiritually.
Supporting the formal curriculum, the College provides a range of co-curricular opportunities for students to further explore their interests and talents. Since co-curricular activities are usually conducted out of normal school hours, students are able to work with their peers in a less formal environment. These valuable opportunities are made possible by the generous support of teachers, parents, and friends of the College.
The College has a long tradition of involvement in sports, debating, public speaking, musicals, Duke of Edinburgh Award Program, liturgy, camps, retreats, overseas trips, and youth ministry.
There’s something for everyone at MacKillop!
The great teaching.
A school can be no greater than its teachers, and MacKillop prides itself on employing the very best. With teachers committed to engaging, challenging, and encouraging each and every student to develop their love for learning, it's no wonder the students often say that MacKillop's strength is truly found in its talented staff.
A large number of staff at MacKillop have industry experience in the subjects they teach and many of our teachers have achieved PhDs and other postgraduate qualifications.
The College's NAPLAN results show that students who enrol in Year 7 at MacKillop achieve remarkable progress by the time they are in Year 9 – the kind of progress that continues into their senior years. The "like school" NAPLAN data reflects brilliantly on the quality of our academic environment, as do our Year 12 results. In recent years, all students wishing to go to university achieved a score high enough to gain entry, and a large number of students received early offers. The College Dux of 2018 achieved a score of 99.90 - one of the highest ATARs in the country. Students do well at MacKillop!
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The safe community.
MacKillop boasts a Pastoral Care program that has been held in high regard by teachers, students, and parents alike. It promotes an open school that is welcoming, respectful of differences, enthusiastic about different talents, and where students can speak openly about their concerns and where they can expect that they will be helped.
Every student is valued as a unique individual and MacKillop's Pastoral Care program encompasses a commitment to the spiritual, physical, emotional and mental well-being of all students.
When parents were surveyed in 2020, 98% agreed or strongly agreed with the statement: "MacKillop is a safe school for my child".
The two-campus setup means that, although MacKillop is a large school, class sizes remain small and each student is provided with the time and support that they require. There's an energy at MacKillop that is fun, safe, and truly irresistible!
You can achieve
at MacKillop.
In the past few years, MacKillop has achieved excellent Year 12 results. In 2021, all students wishing to go to university achieved a score high enough to gain entry, while the College also awarded one of the highest numbers of VET Certificates in the territory. Our top ATAR is regularly among the highest in the ACT.
MacKillop has helped to nurture many students who have cultural, performance, and sporting pursuits. Many of these students have gone on to represent their country, have been accepted into NIDA, or have been recognised for the difference they are making within the wider community.
If you want academic achievement, MacKillop is the place to be. If you want to achieve your sporting goals, MacKillop is the place to be. If you want to set yourself up to begin a trade or join the workforce, MacKillop is the place to be. Students come to MacKillop with many different talents and dreams, which MacKillop's teachers seek to nurture and encourage. MacKillop's achievements in cultural, sporting, and academic life serve as a source of pride to the student body and the wider community.
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Students love it
at MacKillop.
When MacKillop bids farewell to its Year 12 cohort, they leave knowing they were deeply loved by their teachers and their friends. MacKillop students are enthusiastic, generous, proactive, intelligent, and have a good sense of humour. They become young women and men who proceed to tertiary studies or the workplace with confidence, possessing initiative and the ability to make informed decisions.
Upon leaving the College, a massive 98% of students from the Graduating Class of 2020 said they agreed or strongly agreed with the statement: "I enjoyed my time at MacKillop".
MacKillop's hope for each of its students is that when they leave, they have achieved their best, have the ability to bring wisdom and judgment to their choices, understand their place in their community, and have a group of fine friends who will support them into the future.
