A number of local authors and illustrators are visiting the Primary campus on Friday 24 March to run workshops as part of our Between the Lines Literature Festival in association with Dymocks. Students from a number of other schools in the area will also join in many of the sessions.
We took a moment recently to talk with some of our 2016 graduates about their time at MacKillop and what their plans are for life beyond school. Cherokee Lee, Rohan Webster, Claire Curtin and Issi Brookes returned to the College for a quick chat.
Work and travel was on the cards for these graduates, who have all decided to take this year to regroup before taking up further study opportunities.
It has been a busy and productive start to the year for our MIS (Manufacturing Industry Studies) students. It started with an information session for all students and their parents that outlined the program for the next two years. The evening gave the students the opportunity to show their parents our Design and Technology facilities and the type of projects that they will be working on.
The Secondary campus Inter House Swimming Carnival was held at the Geographe Leisure Centre on Friday 17 February 2017. We have had an impressive number of students attending training in the two weeks prior to the carnival and the exceptional performances on the day reflect the efforts of our talented and hardworking students.
Our new Secondary Learning Support Co-ordinator, Ms Jenny Shipley, moved down to the South West at the end of 2015 following 11 years working at St Brigid’s College in the Perth Hills. After a short stint at Newton Moore’s Education Support Centre in Bunbury, she joins our Support Team this year with a great passion for learning and a drive to help children achieve their potential.
Year 9 students are invited to take part in an exchange program with the Busselton Shire that sees them host a Japanese student in August and then takes them to Japan for ten days in October. Organised by the Busselton and Sugito Sister Cities Association (BASSCA), the exchange offers students an opportunity to experience a different culture, see amazing places and make new friends.
Last year, as Year 9 student, I had the privilege to participate in the ConocoPhillips Science Experience during the Christmas holidays. I decided to apply for ECU in Joondalup out of the three universities that you could choose from in WA. Not only was it a great insight into the university life and the ECU campus itself, but it was a memorable and fun experience. It ran for four days with a variety of courses and activities each day.
Ms Leyden’s Year 6 class from Room 18 shared some of what they have been learning about the brain this week from their Health lessons. They learned about the physiology of the brain - all the major parts - and how each has special roles that help us function every day.
We played our first game for the Kim Hughes South West Shield in Bunbury, on a wicket that had been prepared earlier that morning. Captain Fraser Oates won the toss and elected to bowl, surprising his teammates and bringing a sigh of relief from the opposition.
MacKillop students and staff were among nearly 1500 competitors in the 2017 Busselton Jetty Swim on Sunday 12th February. They all put in a fantastic effort in what were difficult weather conditions. Congratulations to Ross Rann and Angus Johnston-Walker, who were the first two local boys out of the water. Full results are available on the Busselton Jetty Swim website.