Co-curricular
Opportunities


Opportunities

There's something for everyone at MacKillop.

St Mary MacKillop College considers education to be broader than simply providing a sound curriculum within the classroom. With parents, we strive to provide a balanced education that not only prepares students academically but also physically, socially and spiritually.

Supporting the formal curriculum, the College provides a range of co-curricular opportunities for students to further explore their interests and talents. Since co-curricular activities are usually conducted out of normal school hours, students are able to work with their peers in a less formal environment. These valuable opportunities are made possible by the generous support of teachers, parents, and friends of the College.

The College has a long tradition of involvement in sports, debating, public speaking, musicals, Duke of Edinburgh Award Program, liturgy, camps, retreats and youth ministry.


Opportunities and Activities

There are many opportunities for MacKillop students to pursue their areas of interest.

Performing Arts

The College performs a musical each year and has a proud history of critical acclaim. The musical is typically performed in Term 3, with production starting early in Term 1. Students are also able to perform dance, music, drama, or comedy pieces at assemblies, special events, concerts, the annual Variety Night, and in competitions.

Students are able to learn musical instruments through the In-School Instrument Tuition Program and the senior and junior band programs. The College also has dance groups, drama clubs, and student choirs. In 2016, the College’s A Cappella Choir qualified for the grand final of the Australian A Cappella Championships. MacKillop also has a regular show at the Canberra Comedy Festival.


Sport

Students enjoy participating in competitive and social sports including swimming, cross country, athletics, netball, softball, basketball, squash, cricket, tennis, hockey, beach volleyball, and the various codes of football. The College competes in carnivals and events organised by the Associated Southern Colleges and School Sport ACT. We have a proud history of success in these competitions.

The College runs an After-School Sport Program, regularly holds competitions at lunch time, and also has affiliations with fencing and judo clubs. 

Students who excel in a particular sport are able to take part in the PE Pathways program, which is aimed at the development and support of elite athletes. Many students at MacKillop have gone on to play their sport at the highest level. Since the College does not field sporting teams on the weekend, students are free to represent their club.


Travel

Exchange + Travel

MacKillop students have the opportunity to visit the College’s sister schools in Italy, France, and Japan, and are able to host students from these countries. The College also sends study tours to locations around the world, including New Zealand, the United States, South-East Asia, and other locations in Australia.

Camps

Camps + Retreats

Camps and retreats provide an invaluable opportunity for students to associate with each other and with staff in an informal learning environment. These activities also allow students to further explore areas of their development such as teamwork and personal faith. Years 7, 10, 11, and 12 typically take part in camps/retreats. Some subject areas, such as Physical Education and Performing Arts, also have camps for their students for some units of learning.

Competitions

Extension + Competition

Programs such as the Science and Engineering Challenge, Tournament of the Minds, RoboCup, ANU STEM Program, ANU Titration Competition, National Mathematics and Science Competitions, Philosothon, and Debating, among others, offer opportunities for extension and for exploring new interests.


Conferences

Conferences + Seminars

Students are able to attend events to learn about or contribute to a range of topics, such as: leadership, study skills, sustainability and the environment, sport, careers, personal development, teamwork, law, the arts, and science.

Leadership

Formal leadership opportunities exist for students from Years 7 to 12 on the Student Representative Council. Students participate in the leadership of the College, Campus or one of the Houses. The SRC oversees our outreach program that fundraises for local and national charities and organises events for students, including fundraisers, fashion parades and Variety Night.

Clubs

Clubs + Groups

There are clubs and committees for just about every interest at MacKillop. Some of the clubs currently on offer include the Astronomy Club, Sustainability Group, Dungeons and Dragons Club, Drone Club, Dance Crews, Sound and Lighting Crew, and the Yearbook Design Team - just to name a few.


What opportunities are available now?

The College has a Noticeboard that contains information about current opportunities for students. Opportunities are also listed in the student messages on Canvas.

School Noticeboard

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
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PO Box 1211
Tuggeranong ACT 2901