78 Mary Mackillop Leongatha – Caring for Education

Caring foreducation

A focus on student wellbeing ensures Mary MacKillop Catholic Regional College in Leongatha provides an inclusive and safe learning community.

Words by Chris West | Photos supplied by Mary MacKillop Catholic Regional College

In his Principal’s welcome address on the Mary MacKillop Catholic Regional College website, John Freeman places students at the heart of everything the school does.

“Our approach is inspired by our Catholic faith and informed by the Josephite tradition. It is a faith espousing love, hope, justice and forgiveness,” he writes.

“Our motto Sapientia Domini Docet Nos – The Wisdom of the Lord Teaches Us – is a constant reminder to remember the past, honour the present and inspire the future of all those students, staff and families entrusted into our care.”

Principal Freeman describes an education gained at Mary MacKillop Catholic Regional College as an education for the here and now, as well as an education for the future.

“It is not just about academic subjects but about each student leading a fulfilling, positive life,” he says.

“Our school is not only renowned for its strong arts, technology and sporting programs, but I think our greatest asset is our pastoral care program and the care we show for the students.”

“We are committed to ensuring that everyone’s wellbeing is looked after. Our approach is to treat the students here like they are our own kids.”

Mary MacKillop Catholic Regional College is a co-educational secondary school offering a curriculum from Year 7 to Year 12 on spacious grounds at 115 Horn Street in Leongatha.

“Each of our year levels has wellbeing staff in their area and our home room teachers are also extremely focused on the welfare of the students,” John says.

“The students themselves are very willing to proactively let teachers know about any issues of concern should they arise, as are the parents. We have counsellors on site which adds to the support available to students at school, along with the right mix of staff we’ve got which also really helps us.”

The College provides quality Catholic education to the five Catholic parishes of Cowes, Leongatha/Korumburra, Wonthaggi, Koo Wee Rup and Foster, and is aligned to the Association of Josephite Affiliated Secondary Schools (AJASS). Prior to the College’s establishment in 1986, local students seeking a Catholic education were required to attend boarding schools in Melbourne and beyond or make long daily return journeys to schools in the Latrobe Valley.

In its opening year, the College comprised just two portable classrooms and was located behind St. Laurence O’Toole Primary in Leongatha. The following year saw the College expand and relocate to its present, permanent home. The school’s facilities at that time were modest in comparison to today, consisting of a collection of portable classrooms, a library and an old farmhouse which was utilised as an administration centre.

Aided by government funding, the College’s first permanent buildings were erected in 1989 and have been added to several times over the ensuing period.

“Our new senior school is only twelve months old,” John notes.

“Further improvements and building works are certain to follow into the future. We are developing a master plan at present.”

Mary MacKillop Catholic Regional College continues to acknowledge and respect the Traditional Owners of the land on which the College stands, the Bunurong people.

“We are very fortunate to be blessed with such great facilities and so much outdoor space within our school environment,” John comments.

“We offer a Grade 5 and Grade 6 day each year which commences the enrolment process for entry into Year 7. Importantly, these days give the students an opportunity to come to the school and familiarise themselves, along with helping to form bonds and start new friendships,” John explains.

“This initiative is open to other state school students as well, and we run information days and open nights around it. We also offer personal tours to people who may have missed the opportunity to come to the Grade 5 or 6 days.

“We have 615 students this year and are looking to grow over the next several years.”

Although the process for Year 7 enrolment for 2023 has closed, enquiries are still welcome for Year 7 or entry into other year levels.

Whilst students are the focal cohort of the College, no school can be effective without quality teachers. Mary MacKillop Catholic Regional College is fortunate to have assembled a highly-skilled team of just over 100 teaching and non-teaching staff to provide the education and support to its students.

The College offers innovative programs across all levels of the school to engage students and build self-esteem.

“At Year 7 and 8 the students try all the subjects in our curriculum and when they get to Year 9 that’s when they start choosing their electives and their pathways based on what they might want to do beyond their education,” John says.

“French is the language class taught at our College as a compulsory subject in Year 7 and 8 before becoming an elective at Year 9.”

Mary MacKillop Catholic Regional College also offers some wonderful opportunities in sport and music.

“Students can participate in a wide range of sporting pursuits, including football, netball, basketball, soccer, cricket, badminton, volleyball, table tennis and chess.

“We’re part of School Sports Victoria and compete with local schools around the area before progressing to regional and then state level,” John says.

“For a comparatively small school, we perform very well and historically have seen our teams getting through to state level. Our chess team, for example, got as far as 12th nationally in 2020. They had to pivot to online during covid but are now back to participating face to face.”

“We have fabulous music teachers here and also have specialised external instructors who come to the school for private lessons with students,” he continues.

“We have a band and choir which students can be involved with. In the warmer months at the beginning and end of each year, the band often performs lunchtime sessions outside the music room on Fridays. The kids eat their lunch on the lawn and listen to the music. Not only does it provide a nice ambience, but it also gives the music students who are learning an opportunity to practise in front of an audience. We also have specific performance evenings as well.”

Student leadership holds a prominent place at Mary MacKillop Catholic Regional College.

Grace Berryman and Alessi Green have been announced as the new school captains for 2023, along with the support of three vice captains. Both Grace and Alessi are proud to be sharing the privilege of representing the College in their leadership role.

Grace is excited at the prospect of getting more involved in the school community, and with the wider AJASS community. Having attended the College since Year 7, she hopes to leave a positive impact for the benefit of future students by helping to build stronger connections between each of the year levels. At present, Grace intends to pursue a career as either an Occupational Therapist or Nurse after completing her education.

Alessi is also looking forward to being the voice of his peers and leading by example as a school captain. He says the best feeling is the fact that his peers and teachers chose him to lead the school, and to have their trust backing him makes him feel good. Alessi’s goal is to progress to university and study either Osteopathy or Myotherapy.

According to John, the student population are integral to the overwhelmingly positive and inclusive culture at the College and make it a pleasure to come to work each day.

The College is committed to promoting excellence in all endeavours and developing a welcoming Catholic faith community that inspires a passion for justice and service as lived by Mary MacKillop.

With such a framework of quality facilities, people and culture, Mary MacKillop Catholic Regional College provides the necessary environment for students to reach their full potential.