The MacKillop Weekly Update – last updated 8th September, 2025

Welcome to the MacKillop College Weekly Update, your essential guide to upcoming events and important reminders for our school community.

Each week, this update highlights key dates, special activities, and everything you need to know to stay connected and informed at MacKillop College.

 

💡Staff Professional Development Day – Monday 6 October

Monday, 6th October 2025, the first day of Term Four, will be a student-free day at MacKillop College. On this day, our teaching and support staff will be engaged in professional learning sessions.  Timetabled classes for students will resume on Tuesday, 7th October 2025.

Professional learning is an important part of our staff’s ongoing growth and directly benefits our students. These dedicated days allow our educators to:

• Stay up to date with the latest research, teaching methods, and educational technologies
• Collaborate and share expertise with colleagues to enhance classroom practice
• Reflect and refine strategies that support student learning, wellbeing, and engagement
• Ensure our teaching programs continue to meet the diverse needs of all learners

By investing in our staff’s professional learning, we are ultimately investing in the quality of education and care provided to every student at MacKillop College.

 

🗳️ Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools – School Improvement Surveys (MACSSIS): Monday 1 September – Friday 19 September 2024

Throughout each year, we pause to listen to our students, families and staff to gauge how our learning community is travelling. This feedback is invaluable to our progress as effective school communities and is backed by evidence-based research and best practices.

A significant and formal way in which we engage and gather data is through MACSSIS, the Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools – School Improvement Surveys.

MACSSIS is a set of surveys that have been built specifically for Catholic schools in Melbourne by the Learning Services team at MACS, in partnership with researchers at Learning First and in wide consultation with principals in our schools.

In 2025, students, families and staff are invited to participate in MACSSIS via our secure and purpose-built online platform. The online platform is where our school leaders will access the summary reports that visualise the results of the student, family and staff surveys.

The MACSSIS survey platform is operated by an independent supplier, ORIMA Research Pty Ltd. The platform meets with the high security and privacy standards for handling student and school data. Participating schools are in the process of updating their privacy policy to ensure school communities are fully informed and protected.

Students at our school will be provided with supervised sessions, where teachers are on hand to help and answer any questions. Families and staff can complete the survey anytime over the three-week window via an emailed link and password. Feedback has indicated that previous surveys were completed across a range of mobile devices and different web browsers.

Our community’s opinions are critical to understanding how our school is performing – MACSSIS is a key data source for guiding the ongoing work to improve our school.

All participation is invited, welcomed and 100 per cent voluntary. The surveys are not a test; they are an inclusive way to support the work we are already doing to improve our school. Everyone has the right to refuse to participate, or withdraw from the survey at any point before, during or after completion of the survey. Please notify the school if your child does not wish to participate.

Students will complete their MACSSIS Survey during Thrive period on Thursday 4 September. To ensure things run smoothly the links will be emailed to students late on Tuesday 2 September. This will enable Homeroom Teachers to ask students to check to make sure they have received the email during Homeroom on Wednesday morning.

 

🎓 VCE Unit 3 & 4 Trial Exams – September 24 to October 1

During the September study break, all Year 12 students (and Year 11 students undertaking a VCE Unit 3 & 4 subject) will sit compulsory Trial Exams. These exams replicate final exam conditions and provide students with valuable practice, feedback, and preparation ahead of the final examination period.

Trial Exams:

• Run from 24 September – 1 October
• Must be approached as the real exam: students should study thoroughly and prepare resources in advance.
• Contribute to indicative grades, which are reported to VCAA and used if a derived exam score is required.

Many exams will be externally assessed by experienced VCAA assessors, ensuring students receive high-quality feedback.

Students may wear casual dress for the Trial Exams. Please note that full school uniform is required for the final end of year exams.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our VCE Leaders, Lynette Hayler or Cameron Stow.

 

👩‍🎓NAPLAN results for Year 7 and Year 9 students

NAPLAN results for your child have now been uploaded and are available to view through SEQTA Engage. NAPLAN Results are only visible to parents/carers, you are welcome to share these with your children.

To support you in understanding and interpreting these results, we have provided the following resources:

• 🔗 https://vimeo.com/1113763225/91acd20067?share=copy
• 📄 [Parent Guide]

 

💻 Re-imaging laptops: Year 7, Year 8, Year 10 and  Year 11

To ensure all Laptop devices support the learning of our students, over the following weeks, ICT will be reimaging all laptops for students in years 7,8,10 and 11.  As part of this process ICT will be testing all student laptop chargers and assessing the laptops for any issues.  If students have lost their laptop charger, stylus pen or removed their laptop skin we recommend that these be replaced ahead of the laptop imaging.  Unfortunately, any damage to the laptop that is not covered by the warranty will incur an excess that we will have to pass on.

Costs for replacement parts:

• Stylus $ 60
• Laptop Charger $48
• Laptop Skin $15

 

🎓 Class of 2025 Valedictory Dinner – Tickets now available.

We are delighted to announce that tickets for the MacKillop College Class of 2025 Valedictory Dinner are now on sale.

This year we are thrilled to be celebrating at a new and prestigious venue – the Melbourne Room at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, South Wharf.

Event Details:

• Date: Friday, 21 November 2025
• Time: 6.15 pm start
• Venue: Melbourne Room, Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, South Wharf
• Inclusions: A delicious three-course meal is included in the ticket price

Please note that Year 12 students do not need to purchase a ticket

Tickets can be purchased via the following link: TryBooking – Class of 2025 Valedictory Dinner

Table arrangements for the evening will be finalised closer to the date, and further information will be provided in due course.

Wyndham Citizen and Young Citizen Awards
Wyndham City are inviting nominations for the  Wyndham Citizen and Young
Citizen Awards.
These Awards recognise the efforts of Wyndham City residents who, through hard work and
dedication, have significantly contributed to our community. Young Citizen of the Year is open to
residents aged 16 – 25 years, with Citizen of the Year open to ages 26 and above. This could include
areas such as education, health, fundraising, charitable and voluntary services, business, sport, art,
the environment and others.

Do you know a young person, or someone within our school community who is making a difference
for Wyndham?
We know our community is filled with people doing amazing work to help others and community
recognition can make a big difference in a young person’s life.
Nominations are now open from 24 August 2025– 5 October 2025 and you can find further
information about eligibility and criteria at www.wyndham.vic.gov.au/citizenawards.

🫵 Recruitment (external)

• Account Payable Officer, 8 September

For further information please visit: https://www.mackillop.vic.edu.au/information/employment/

 

📅 Dates for the Diary

Camps & Retreats

September 10-12: Year 12 Outdoor Ed Camp

Excursions (outside class time)

September 8: SACCSS Senior Girls Basketball (Round 5)
September 8: Japanese UCIP Geelong/Serendip Excursion
September 9: SACCSS Junior Tennis
September 9: Year 9 SMC ACMI (9 Green)
September 9: Italian Film Festival (Year 11/12 Italian)
September 10: Year 9 Premier League (Grand Finals)
September 10: Year 9 SMC ACMI (9 Ivory)
September 10: Year 11 Dance (Bangarra-Illume Performance)
September 10: Year 9 STEAM (Woven City)
September 11: Senior Boys Basketball (Round 5)
September 11: Reclink Grand Final Day (Year 11 House Captains)
September 11: SRC Student Forum
September 12: Year 9 SMC Marvellous Melbourne (9 Aqua, Blue, Green)
September 12: FUSE Cup eSports Tournament
September 12: Year 10 Science (Melbourne Zoo)

Events

September 9: Year 12 Awards Night Practice (After Hours)
September 9: Annual Music Night
September 10: Japanese UCIP Farewell Afternoon
September 10: Year 12 PE Lecture
September 12: Japanese UCIP Students Departure