A Welcome from
the Principal


Mr Michael Lee OAM

Welcome to our website and the 2024 school year!

Welcome to MacKillop!
 
You are visiting the website of Canberra’s largest secondary school, a school of choice because it welcomes everybody, offers a huge range of opportunities, has outstanding staff, and excellent facilities.
 
It’s awesome!
 
We aspire to be more than a good school. There is a spirit of energy and community here that will be found as you navigate our website and visit our two campuses.
 
High school is an exciting time. At this school, you will find a chance to grow, to make friends, to be challenged, and to develop a confidence that comes from personal endeavour and belonging to a large, vibrant community.
 
Students deeply value their strong sense of community and the quality of their teachers. Parents value our transparency, communication, availability, and our belief that they are the first and best teachers of their children. The staff value their agency and voice in setting the direction of the school, the school’s investment in their growth as teachers, and the culture of collegiality and respect.
 
Few of us make our way in this world on our own. Our community aspires to find ways to encourage, support, challenge, and celebrate the progress of each person here.
 
If you are a teacher or school support staff person seeking the next step in your career, I am very keen to talk to you. The College offers an outstanding early career mentoring program and negotiated financial and time release support for career progression to Highly Accomplished and Lead. In fact, the College boasts a number of Highly Accomplished teachers and National Assessors on our Faculty. Extensive leadership opportunities exist within the College in the areas of pastoral care, curriculum, curriculum support, and teaching and learning. Stable leadership, excellent facilities, and a commitment to attracting, retaining, and investing in quality staff is central to our educational approach. 

I draw your attention to our Vision and Mission Statements and our Statement on Diversity and Inclusion to further illustrate our learning and working environment. 

Your online experience of our College is only a glimpse into this very fine school. Should you wish to visit us, please contact the College on 02 6209 0100.

Yours sincerely in St Mary MacKillop,

Michael Lee OAM,
College Principal

Written on Ngunnawal Country

About the Principal

Michael Lee OAM has been teaching since 1982, a Principal since 1999, and Principal of MacKillop since 2008.

He attended high school at Trinity Grammar School, Sydney, and is a graduate in Arts (History, English, and Political Science) from the Australian National University. He has a Masters in Education from ACU, and a Grad Dip Ed and Grad Dip RE (Catholic Studies) from Charles Sturt University.

Michael has been widely published as a contributor to English textbooks and related journals and in the National Press. He was awarded a Fellow of the Australian College of Educators in 2007 and of the Australian College of Educational Leaders in 2014. He was a finalist in the inaugural Secondary Principal of the Year in 2011.

In 2023, Michael received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the Australia Day Honours List, honouring a career of commitment to education. 

Michael Lee is a powerful advocate for Catholic co-education and for the opportunities it offers its communities for an excellent education in faith, inclusion, diversity, and community engagement. He is a wide reader and possesses an enduring passion for Australian Rules Football and the Essendon Football Club. He expects Essendon to win the AFL Premiership at the conclusion of the 2024 season!

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

© 2022 St Mary MacKillop College, Canberra. All rights reserved.

ABN 80 979 302 259

Contact Us


Phone: 02 6209 0100
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

PO Box 1211
Tuggeranong ACT 2901