Edition Four 23 May 2025

Mary MacKillop College acknowledges the Kaurna people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we live, work and study. We pay our respect to their Elders past, present and emerging and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Prayer for Pope Leo  XIV

O God, shepherd and ruler of all the faithful, look favourably on your servant Pope Leo  XIV whom you have set at the head of your Church as her shepherd; grant, we pray, that by word and example he may be of service to those over whom he presides so that, together with the flock entrusted to his care, he may come to everlasting life.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

Term 2 has begun with wonderful energy, and it has been heartening to see so many students embracing the opportunities on offer. Already this term, we have celebrated the Years 7 and 11 Retreats—special days of reflection, connection and community. The Year 10 Careers Expo offered valuable insights for students as they begin to think about their pathways beyond school, and the Year 11 Formal was a joyful evening filled with elegance, laughter and shared memories.

We also welcomed dozens of primary school students to our Specialist Dance Discover MacKillop Day, where they had the chance to experience the creativity and warmth of our community through dance (pictured). Saturday morning sport is also back, and it has been fantastic to see so many of our girls representing the College with courage, commitment and good sportsmanship.

Our hard-working Year 12 students are nearing the halfway point of their final year—a significant milestone. We are proud of the dedication they continue to show in their studies and all areas of College life.

We are currently interviewing prospective students for Year 7, 2026 and 2027. It has been a pleasure meeting many enthusiastic young learners and their families as they begin their journey toward secondary education. We look forward to welcoming our 2026 Year 7 students for their first Transition Day on Tuesday 27 May. It’s always a joy to see these young learners take their first steps into our College community with excitement and curiosity. If you have not yet submitted and finalised your daughter's enrolment, we encourage you to do so as soon as possible to ensure she is included in upcoming transition activities.

As a Catholic school, we offer our deep gratitude for the leadership of Pope Francis and extend our prayers for Pope Leo XIV as he begins his ministry. May his papacy be one of wisdom, compassion and peace.

As the days grow shorter and the weather cools, we wish all families a happy and healthy term ahead.

Go well and God bless.

Sonia Nelson
Principal

As we settle back into the routines of Term 2, there is a renewed sense of energy and enthusiasm across the College. It’s been a joy to see students return with smiles, ready to embrace the learning and opportunities this term will bring.

Our Student Leadership Team (SLT) began the term in a beautiful spirit of generosity, distributing gifts to women in our community in recognition of Mother’s Day. These gifts, thoughtfully prepared and shared, were a way of expressing gratitude for the women in our lives who nurture, guide and inspire us. Whether mothers, grandmothers, aunties, teachers, or mentors – we give thanks for the women who encourage us to be the best versions of ourselves each day.

A special thank you to our talented Cooking Club who prepared the delicious melting moments that were gifted. Their contribution added a personal and heartfelt touch to this meaningful gesture.

The Student Leadership Team also met during the holidays to prepare for upcoming events and further develop their leadership skills. Their commitment to leading with purpose and service is commendable. We look forward to seeing their growth continue throughout the term, particularly during their Leadership Day planned for Week 6.

Jasmin Eckert
Deputy Principal

A Bridge of Light: Meet Pope Leo XIV

On Thursday 8 May 2025, at 6.15pm local time in Rome, white smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel, signalling that a new Pope had been elected by the conclave of 133 cardinals. The Church welcomed its 267th Pope, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of Chicago and now known as Pope Leo XIV—the first American-born pontiff in the history of the Catholic Church. He brings to the papacy decades of global ministry, theological expertise and leadership.

A member of the Augustinian order, Pope Leo XIV has a strong missionary background, having served in South America, where he eventually became a Peruvian citizen. In 2023, Pope Francis appointed him as head of the Vatican's department overseeing bishops. As theologian Massimo Faggioli noted, “He knows every bishop and cardinal personally like few others do”.

Despite maintaining a low profile, Pope Leo XIV played a key role in one of the most significant reforms of Pope Francis’ pontificate: the inclusion of three women in the voting process that recommends bishop appointments to the Pope—a historic step toward broader representation in Church governance.

He is also known for his pastoral work in marginalised communities and his good humour.

The name Pope Leo XIV invites reflection on Pope Leo XIII, who issued the landmark 1891 encyclical Rerum Novarum. This document, foundational to Catholic Social Teaching, emphasised workers’ rights, the importance of social justice and the responsibility of the wealthy to promote the common good. Central to this teaching is the ‘see-judge-act’ method—a practical tool for promoting justice that may signal the direction of this new pontificate.

Pope Leo XIV’s first words as pontiff were: “Peace be with you all!”

A recent quote of his reflects his Christ-centred mission:

“We are disciples of Christ. Christ goes before us. The world needs His light. Humanity needs Him as the bridge to reach God and His love.”

This quote is beautifully echoes the 2025 National Reconciliation theme "Bridging Now to Next", reminding us that through Christ, we are called to be bridges of healing, hope and unity as we move forward together in justice and love.

With blessings

Adriana Sotira
Religious Education Coordinator

In the final week of Term 1, our Year 7 classes took part in a Robogals robotics workshop as part of our STEM extension program. Robogals is a student-run organisation which aims to inspire young women to explore engineering and STEM careers, with workshops led by local university students.

The session, called Robot Battle, introduced students to distance sensors and the use of multiple motors. Students worked in teams, programming their robots to complete challenges and compete in friendly battles. The workshop also introduced students to different types of engineering and how these skills apply in real life.

Students were highly engaged, worked through challenges and showed strong teamwork. Many groups were so invested in the battle challenge that they stayed overtime to continue the battle. From the sessions, students gained a better understanding of engineering and robotics.

Thank you to Robogals and the university student volunteers for an inspiring and practical experience.

Dimitra Thomas Science Leader of Learning 

Sandra Mitchell Future Pathways Coordinator

Visual Arts
Congratulations go to Adeline, Year 7, whose artwork was chosen to be included in the final SA Refugee Week Student Poster Exhibition, on display from Friday 20 June until Saturday 26 July, in the Foyer Gallery of the Adelaide Festival Theatre. The exhibition will then tour to regional and metropolitan galleries around Australia until April/May 2026. From 305 entries, 60 students from 46 schools were selected.

The 2025 Poster Awards will be presented in June at the launch event by the Hon Blair Boyer, Minister for Education. We wish Adeline every success in the next step of this competition.

Well done, Adeline!

Music
Students are rehearsing for the Music Twilight Concert to be held at the College on 5 June at 6.30pm. Performances include the Year 8 Rock Band, the Performance Choir, Year 9 Music group and the Vocalists.

Specialist Dance Discover MacKillop Day
On Thursday, 15 May, we were delighted to welcome students from Years 3 to 6 to our campus for the Specialist Dance Discover MacKillop Day.

From the moment they arrived, the sense of excitement and enthusiasm was truly uplifting. The passion for dance displayed by our young guests was both inspiring and heartwarming.

Throughout the day, students participated in engaging workshops where they explored contemporary and jazz choreography, built confidence, and formed new friendships. The atmosphere was filled with energy, joy, and a shared love of dance.

We extend our sincere thanks to our outstanding Year 8 and 9 Dance Academy students, along with our Year 10 Dance students, who demonstrated exceptional leadership and encouragement. Their enthusiasm and dedication played a key role in making the day such a memorable and meaningful experience for all involved.

Linda Di Blasio
The Arts Leader of Learning

We are excited to announce that students at Mary MacKillop College can now access $200 in music vouchers as part of the Sports+ program, supporting their instrumental music journey.

These vouchers are available specifically for guitar and bass lessons with our talented instructor, Mr Gary Isaacs. The funding provides $100 per term, helping families reduce music tuition costs while encouraging students to grow their musical skills alongside their sporting passions.

Interested families should contact Mr Hughes for more information and to arrange access to the vouchers.

Let the rhythm play on!

Gavin Hughes
Music Teacher

Our Year 7 students recently enjoyed their first retreat at Mary MacKillop College, themed “Walking in Mary’s Footsteps”, an opportunity for them to grow in faith, self-awareness and community spirit.

The day began with the Mary MacKillop Walk through Kensington, joined by our wellbeing dog, Bonnie MacKillop. It was a meaningful start, allowing students to literally walk in the footsteps of Saint Mary MacKillop and reflect on her legacy of compassion and courage.

We then arrived at St Ignatius Parish Hall and started our next session with some Catholic Aerobics, where students learned about key rituals of our Catholic faith in a fun and active way. Laughter and movement filled the space as faith came alive through music and motion.

Our Peer Support Leaders then led My Shield, a creative session where students represented their unique traits and values through visual art. These shields will be stored in time capsules, ready to be opened in Year 12 – a powerful reminder of their journey and growth.

The Peer Support Leaders then shared heartfelt reflections about their own experiences, offering wise words and reassurance about their journey through high school. Their honesty and openness inspired the Year 7 students to reflect on who they are becoming.

Students then participated in a calming guided meditation led by our Student Wellbeing Officer, Sarah Corbett, centred on the powerful message: “We are wonderfully made”. This was followed by a quiet letter-writing activity, where students affirmed their own gifts and talents – a beautiful act of self-kindness and encouragement.

Later, in small community groups, students presented a verse of our school anthem, “Mary's Vision”. From dramatic interpretations to harmonious singing, it was clear we have some talented performers in our midst!

We closed the day by reintroducing ourselves, our unique gift and sharing personal items of significance brought from home, strengthening the bonds within the cohort and reminding us of the stories that shape who we are.

A heartfelt thank you to all involved in the retreat, it was a memorable and meaningful milestone in our Year 7 journey.

Michelle Arthur
Years 7 to 9 Coordinator

To all students

You're warmly invited to join us in the Library every Thursday at lunchtime in Term 2 for Mindful Thursdays — a chance to pause, breathe and reset.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Sarah Corbett
Counsellor and Student Wellbeing Officer

As the 2025 Winter sport season commences, Mary MacKillop College is already making waves with an impressive start across multiple competitions. The energy and MacKillop spirit displayed by our students have set a fantastic tone for the term ahead.

This early success is a testament to the hard work and preparation put in by both the students and coaches, your effort does not go unnoticed. It has been inspiring to see such enthusiasm and unity within our sporting community.

I would like to mention the beginning of our Knockout Competitions which commenced this term. Our Knockout Touch Football team, after a series of fiercely contested matches, proudly placed first in our division, showcasing outstanding teamwork, skill and determination. Their efforts did not stop there—our players pushed through to achieve fourth place overall in the entire competition, a remarkable result and outstanding achievement.

With many more fixtures, events and knockout competitions still to come this term, we look forward to seeing continued growth, strong sportsmanship and hopefully more podium finishes from our teams.

Congratulations to all involved and good luck for the season ahead!

Ava Corrieri
Sport Coordinator

Join our Principal, Sonia Nelson, for a tour of the College.

Principal’s Tours are a great opportunity for prospective MacKillop girls and families to visit the College and to meet our Principal. You will meet senior staff and students on an intimate tour of the school and experience our welcoming community.

Term Two
Friday 30 May 9.30am
Friday 27 June 9.30am

Term Three
Friday 1 August 9.30am
Tuesday 19 August 9.30am
Wednesday 10 September 5.00pm

Term Four
Wednesday 29 October 9.30am

Click here for more information or to register.

Mary MacKillop College warmly invites girls in Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 to spend a day with us as a MacKillop girl.

Discover MacKillop Days are a wonderful opportunity for your daughter to meet our staff and students while being involved in a range of interactive lessons and meeting new friends.

Term Two
Thursday 5 June - Launch into STEM Day

Term Three
Friday 15 August - Masterchef at MacKillop Day
Tuesday 26 August - Discover Art and Design at MacKillop Day

Term Four
Friday 7 November - Specialist Netball Day

Suitable for girls in Years 3 to 6.

Please click here to register your daughter for a Discover MacKillop Day.

For information re. the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD) in 2025, please click here.