Hello, and a very warm welcome to St Mary MacKillop College, Canberra, and the 2026 academic year. My name is Jacqueline Heffernan, and I am deeply honoured to join the MacKillop community as the new Principal.

As you explore our College website, you will soon see a vibrant and spirited learning environment that offers a wealth of opportunities for students to excel. At MacKillop, we are proud of our authentically pastoral approach and our strong Catholic identity. Together with our outstanding team of educators, we are committed to nurturing your child and helping them grow into confident, aspirational learners who embody curiosity, resilience, and a deep sense of purpose. We have high expectations and work to ensure that all students achieve their personal best.

At MacKillop, we are dedicated to providing an excellent and diverse learning environment. Our classrooms are places where creativity is celebrated, and critical thinking is developed. With a broad and challenging curriculum that caters to a wide range of interests and abilities, we aim to inspire a love of learning in every student. Our passionate and highly skilled teachers bring their expertise and enthusiasm to every lesson.

At the heart of everything we do are the respectful relationships we build with our students, families, and the wider community. We know that when children feel genuinely cared for and valued as individuals, the climate can change dramatically for them. It’s all about the relationships we form. At MacKillop, we are dedicated to promoting a culture of kindness, compassion, and mutual respect, empowering our students to become young people who are ready to make meaningful contributions to society.

MacKillop is a welcoming and inclusive community where everyone is encouraged to belong, grow, and succeed. I warmly invite you to visit our Padua and St Peter’s campuses and experience the energy, spirit, and sense of belonging that define our College. Our students take immense pride in their school, and it is their enthusiasm and commitment that continue to strengthen our vibrant school culture, one that is certainly palpable, which I sensed immediately upon my initial visits to MacKillop.

This culture is characterised by shared values, and deeply rooted in the legacy of Saint Mary MacKillop, Australia’s first saint, and after whom the College is named. Her life of service and dedication inspires us daily to live out the College motto, "Faith and Courage", and to strive to be people who act with compassion, integrity, and generosity towards others.

Thank you for choosing St Mary MacKillop College. I am excited to partner with you on this important journey, and I look forward to meeting you and your family soon.

Yours sincerely,

Mrs Jacqueline Heffernan
College Principal