Celebrating Community and Achievements at MacKillop College
This morning, the MacKillop College community gathered for its second whole-school assembly of the year, held in the Tenison Woods Centre. The assembly provided an opportunity for students and staff to come together, reflect on term one events, and recognise outstanding achievements.
The assembly began with the College song, an Acknowledgement of Country, and the College prayer, setting a respectful and inclusive tone for the gathering.
Josephite Student Leadership Conference Report
Student leaders Darvind and Taylah shared their experiences from the Josephite Student Leadership Conference in Sydney. This conference, attended by over 30 Josephite schools from Australia and New Zealand, aimed to inspire student leaders by exploring the Josephite Charism. Darvind and Taylah participated in activities that fostered initiative, teamwork, and public speaking skills, while delving into social justice issues. Darvind concluded by reminding everyone of Mary MacKillop’s wise words, “Remember we are all but travellers here,” encouraging students to seize opportunities.
Multicultural Celebrations
Lucienne, one of the student captains, expressed gratitude for the efforts of students and staff this term and invited everyone to participate in the upcoming Multicultural celebration activities. She highlighted the Bollywood and African dance groups scheduled for the week and promoted the College’s traditional dress day and diversity parade, set for Friday. This event celebrates cultural diversity and encourages students to wear traditional attire.
Student Performances
Estelle Yeo captivated the audience with a stunning performance of “White Cloud” on the keyboard, showcasing the College’s rich talent in the performing arts.
Sports and Performing Arts Updates
Sports captains Honor and Liv detailed MacKillop College’s successes in various sporting events, including the SACCSS badminton competition and swimming carnival. Performing Arts captain Mia provided an update on the upcoming College musical, “Chicago Teen Edition,” encouraging everyone to mark their calendars for the performances starting May 29th.
STEAM Faculty Progress
Captain Aidan reported on the STEAM faculty’s progress, celebrating weekly winners and the champions of the popular MacKillop Lego Masters competition. He also highlighted the success of Engineering Week, showcasing photos of student displays.
House Points Update
The current house standings were announced, with McCormack leading at 392 points, followed closely by Xavier and Tenison Woods. The house culture emphasises the importance of each student’s role in the larger MacKillop community.
Principal’s Address
The assembly concluded with a thoughtful address from Principal Chris Caldow, who spoke about the importance of having a “growth mindset.” Mr. Caldow demonstrated how small changes in internal phrasing can significantly improve one’s outlook on challenging situations. His message was well-received by the student body.
This assembly not only celebrated achievements but also reinforced the values of community, leadership, and personal growth that are central to MacKillop College’s mission.
