Principal’s End of Term Report
- September 24, 2026
- St Mary MacKillop College
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As we finish Term 3, I want to take a moment to reflect on the term and look ahead to the opportunities that await us after the holiday break.
Term 3 has been a busy and productive term. There have been many achievements in our classrooms, in sports, the arts, and in the countless ways you have contributed to our school community. Success, however, is not measured only by awards, grades, or results. It is also measured by the way we treat one another each day.
As a Catholic school community, we are called to see the dignity of every person. This belief sits at the heart of both our faith and the principles of human rights. Every person is created in the image of God and deserves to be treated with respect, kindness, and compassion.
This can seem like a simple message, but in today’s world it is more important than ever. We live in a time when words travel quickly. Conversations happen face to face, online, through social media, and through messages. The words we choose have power. They can build people up or tear them down. They can include or exclude. They can heal or hurt.
St Mary MacKillop’s approach to life and her ministry was to “Never see a need without doing something about it.”
Often, the need we see is not material. Sometimes the need is a classmate who feels left out. Sometimes it is a friend who is struggling. Sometimes it is someone who simply needs a kind word, a smile, or a person willing to listen.
St Mary MacKillop also showed extraordinary courage in standing up for what was right while always maintaining her faith in God’s love and in the dignity of others. Her example reminds us that kindness is not weakness. Kindness often requires courage.
As we reflect on human rights, we remember that every person has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. However, rights also come with responsibilities. One right that is often discussed is freedom of speech.
Freedom of speech is an important principle. It allows people to share ideas, opinions, and perspectives. But freedom of speech does not mean saying whatever we want, whenever we want, without considering the impact on others.
Our words carry responsibility. Respectful disagreement is healthy. Honest discussion is valuable. But words should never be used to humiliate, bully, exclude, or diminish another person. If our words take away someone else’s dignity, then we have lost sight of what it means to live as people of faith and as members of a caring community.
As we move into the holidays, I encourage all of us to think about one simple question: How can I make life a little better for someone else?
The answer does not need to be big. It might be helping at home, checking in on a friend, thanking someone who has supported you, or simply making a conscious effort to be more considerate in your words and actions.
For those who will be participating in Grand Finals over the coming weeks, we wish you every success. Play with determination, humility, and good sportsmanship. Remember that character is shown not only in victory but also in the way we support our teammates and respect our opponents.
And for those who will be cheering on their favourite teams, we hope you enjoy the excitement and community spirit that sport brings at this time of year.
May the break be a time of rest, renewal, and joy for each of you and your families. Travel safely, look after one another, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back refreshed and ready for a successful Term 4.