The Transition
to High School


Helping Year 7 make a smooth start

Year 7 is structured in a way that helps each student transition seamlessly into their new environment.

In Year 7, students study Integrated Humanities (IHum). IHum includes Religious Education, English and Studies of Society and the Environment. Integrating these subjects offers a holistic approach to learning.

A significant benefit for students is that the transition into High School is made easier by reducing the number of teachers and subjects. Much like primary school, these classes are all held in the same room with the same teacher and the same group of students. Many of our IHum teachers have experience teaching at primary schools.

Several orientation days, classroom tasks, and a series of pastoral program activities at the beginning of the school year help our new Year 7 students get to know each other, their school, and their teachers.

Students often identify MacKillop's 'welcoming community' to be one of the College's main strengths, and we believe it is this atmosphere that helps students to acclimatise so well.

Year 7

The transition to Year 7 at MacKillop

Peyton, Year 7

“Before starting high school, I was nervous about getting lost, but people are kind and will help you find your way around. I was also worried about the homework and classwork but the teachers have made it pretty manageable to help us ease in to Year 7. All of the teachers are so nice and I’ve made heaps of new friends in the first few weeks. My favourite thing about MacKillop so far has been meeting lots of new people and all of the electives and subjects. If I could give advice to Year 6 students about starting high school, I would say that it’s okay to be nervous, but if you just be yourself and try your best, you’ll settle in quickly.”

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