Year 12 by 2025
Secondary schooling started at MacKillop in 2020 with Year 7, and will grow a year level each year until Year 12 is reached in 2025.
MacKillop’s newly opened secondary facility is a student-friendly ‘innovation precinct’ that incorporates multiple science laboratories, design and materials workshops, visual arts studios, STEM spaces and food technologies kitchens.
Secondary Curriculum
Years 7, 8 and 9 are years of discovery and exploration. Learning in this phase is dynamic, deliberate, informed by research, and responsive to the diverse needs and interests of our students.
MacKillop’s approach to curriculum builds upon each student’s past experiences and prior knowledge, to make every student’s learning unique. This MacKillop difference builds critical and creative thinkers who are excellent communicators and collaborators; the key skills necessary to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.
The Year 7-9 curriculum is flexible, academically rigorous and authentic. It provides for intellectual curiosity and challenge, and explores integrated, cross-curricular learning. Learning is designed to push young people beyond their comfort zone, and challenge them as young men and women facing the realities of a globalised 21st century world.
The leaders and teachers of MacKillop’s three faculties – Humanities, STEM and The Arts – have designed real world and authentic programs that are underpinned by the Australian Curriculum. Students complete core and specialist subjects.
Instrumental Music Program
The College’s Instrumental Music Program is an inclusive opportunity for every Year 7 student to learn a musical instrument, supplied by the College at no additional cost to school fees.
Research studies have shown that being engaged in music, particularly learning a musical instrument or singing in a choir, helps with cognitive development.
Co-Curricular Activities
The Instrumental Music Program for all secondary students ensures all can participate in the college’s co-curricular band, ensembles and choir. This further develops students’ musical skills and benefits their learning in all subject areas.
Other co-curricular offerings include Debating and Public Speaking, State and National academic competitions such as ICAS, and school, regional and representative sport.
Years 10–12
The Years 10–12 curriculum will create a solid pathway for students to transition to university, to the world of work, or to the multi-fold opportunities of post-school technical & vocational training and apprenticeships.
A full range of Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) subjects will be offered for students who wish to pursue tertiary studies. Vocational Education and Training (VET) options will include courses in Hospitality, Engineering, Health & Community, Fitness and Childcare.
The next building stage will incorporate a Performing Arts centre to cater for Music, Drama and Dance. It will also house a commercial quality hospitality kitchen and cafe – providing invaluable exposure to the Arts, real life training options and vocational education pathways for MacKillop students.
At every step of the way, students will be mentored by an academic advisor to ensure that they are ‘on track’ to reach their personalised goals.
