Student Wellbeing

The educator in a Catholic school must be, first and foremost, competent and qualified but, at the same time, someone who is rich in humanity and capable of being with young people in a style of pedagogy that helps promote their human and spiritual growth. 

Pope Francis, Address to Congregation for Catholic Education, 2014

In partnership with parents and families, at Mary MacKillop School we provide learning experiences that develop the minds, hearts and hands of our students. We aim to equip our students with the skills they need to be critical thinkers, lifelong learners, and active members of the community, to live harmoniously, to value diversity and to act respectfully through a Catholic education based on the teaching of Jesus Christ and imbued by the Catholic faith tradition.

At Mary MacKillop Primary School, we seek to build healthy relationships between students, teachers and families. We recognise the importance of ensuring a child safety culture that promotes learning and builds effective processes to ensure that Mary MacKillop Primary School is a safe school. We provide programs and policies that aim to assist students to feel safe and to build confidence and self-esteem as learners. We aim to develop in the students a sense of belonging, an understanding of values and the ability to build positive behaviours and relationships through dialogue and taking responsibility for their own choices.  

Our whole school community expectations are based on the Catholic values lived by St Mary of the Cross MacKillop: 

  • Be Respectful - ‘Let us really love one another’ Mary MacKillop (1890)
  • Be Responsible - ‘Do your best and God will bless your efforts’ Mary MacKillop (1889)
  • Be Compassionate - ‘More than ever we should be humble and patient, charitable and forgiving’ Mary MacKillop (1884)
  • Be Courageous - ‘Have courage'; 'Do not be afraid’ Mary MacKillop (1873)
  • Be Problem Solvers - ‘Keep your mind in peace’ Mary MacKillop (1890)

These values are embedded into the curriculum and in day-to-day school life. Staff, student and their families are encouraged to enact them as active participants in the Mary MacKillop Primary School community.

Many aspects of student wellbeing are taught through the Religious Education and the Victorian Curriculum.  

Peer-based loss and grief education program –  Seasons for Growth. 

Seasons for Growth Program helps students to understand the experiences of change, loss and grief and how these can impact on a person's life. The program also supports the development of communication, decision making and problem solving skills. Members of staff who have successfully completed the training program are accredited Companions who facilitate the Seasons for Growth Program to students in Years 1-6 annually.