Our Heritage
MacKillop Catholic College is dedicated in a special way to Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop whose passionate human response to need transformed the lives she touched and built the Kingdom of God. The College aims to create a climate where all are valued for their unique gifts, and served according to their individual needs; where inclusivity, respect, courage, integrity and compassion are accepted as the guiding principles of all relationships and undertakings. At MacKillop Catholic College education is the medium through which young people are called to discipleship.
Our Story
In April 2011, John Holland, Construction Supervisors, took possession of the College site on Farrar Boulevard in the new suburb of Johnston. Information sessions were held for the Year 6 students from Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, Palmerston, and St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Primary School, Humpty Doo.
After a national candidate search campaign, Lauretta Graham was announced as the Foundation Principal of MacKillop Catholic College. Lauretta’s experience as the Foundation Principal of St Andrew’s College in Cairns was of tremendous benefit during the final stages of preparing for the opening of the College. Lauretta began her new position early in October 2011, and and for the remainder of 2011 was based at Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, Palmerston, where she met with parents and conducted enrolment interviews.
An Orientation Day was held early in September to show the progress of the construction to the Year 6 students from St. Francis of Assisi and Sacred Heart Catholic Primary Schools. This outing also gave them an opportunity to meet Mrs Graham and to film a segment for “Around Palmerston”.
Because of an unprecedented Wet Season in 2010-2011, the building of the College was delayed for some weeks, which meant that alternate accommodation for staff and students needed to be made for the first few weeks of the 2012 school year. The staff and students gathered together as a new school community at Charles Darwin University, Palmerston, until moving in to their new MacKillop Catholic College premises in March, 2012, with A and B Blocks being completed that year.
As the College continued to grow, D Block was completed in 2015, providing a space for the now renowned MacKillop Arts Department and an extra computer lab. In 2016, the College presented its first musical, “Cruisin'”.
C Block was completed in 2016, and the central walkway was completed in 2017. By 2017 MacKillop had grown to become the largest Catholic school in the Northern Territory. The MacKillop RTO was also established in 2017, with construction of the VET Training centre being completed in 2021.
At the end of 2020, MacKillop bid farewell to Dr Graham, having successfully established her second foundation College and ready to move on to a new challenge as Foundation Principal of Newman College in Smithfield, Queensland. Mr Peter Moloney joined us from South East Queensland as interim Principal for Semester 1 of 2021 whilst a permanent candidate was sought. In his short time here, Mr Moloney made a strong and positive impression on all in our College community, contributing his own part to the history and culture of MacKillop. In Semester 2 of 2021 we welcomed Mr Lucas Hurley, previously from Immaculate Heart College in Chittering, Western Australia, as the new permanent Principal.
Timeline
1866: Mary MacKillop and Fr Julian Tenison Woods found the Sisters of St Joseph and start their first school in Penola.
1880s: Donald McKillop, brother of Mary MacKillop (they used different spellings), joined the newly established Catholic missions in the Northern Territory along with other Jesuit priests. McKillop St in Parap is named after him, and MacKillop Court in Johnston is named after Mary. From 1887-89 he was attached to the Rapid Creek station, near Palmerston, to work and study the Mulluk Mulluk dialect. It is under the Jesuits that the Catholic Church first establishes its presence in the region.
1938: The Diocese of Darwin is established under Bishop Francis Xavier Gsell MSC.
1985: 100 years on from the establishing work of Fr McKillop, Fr Gerry Remie, a priest and educator originally from Holland, moves to the NT as Parish Priest of Katherine. Fr Remie had a vision for the church in the top end, and would go on to devote his life to the realisation of many projects. Through the 80s and 90s he was the foundation priest of both St Francis Parish Humpty Doo and Our Lady Help of Christians Parish Palmerston. He fundraised and advocated for the construction of both Sacred Heart Primary School and OLHC Church in Palmerston, raised funds to build St Vincent De Paul Palmerston, and began fundraising and pushing for his vision of establishing a Catholic high school in Palmerston.
1991: Opening of Our Lady Help of Christians Church Palmerston, with Fr Gerry Remie as foundation priest.
1992: Fr Gerry Remie opens St Vincent De Paul Palmerston.
1994: Fr Gerry Remie blesses and opens Sacred Heart Primary School
1999: Fr Gerry Remie dies at the age of 72, but his work continues. By this point he had personally raised substantial funds to go towards the construction of a Catholic high school through the generosity of his supporters throughout Australia and the world.
2001: The proposal for the construction of a Catholic high school in Palmerston taken on by the Northern Territory Catholic Education Office.
2010: Fr Tom English becomes Parish Priest of our parish, Our Lady Help of Christians.
2011: Ground is finally broken at the site chosen by Fr Remie. Construction begins with A Block and B Block. The library is named “The Father Gerry Remie Centre”. Bishop Eugene Hurley officially declared that the new Catholic secondary school at Palmerston would be named MacKillop Catholic College, with the motto “Lead with Courage”.
2012: First Year of operation, with classes from Year 7 to Year 9. Mrs Lauretta Graham is the foundation Principal. Foundation of MacKillop Rugby League.
2013: First Year offering Year 10.
2014: First Year offering Year 11.
2015: First Year offering Year 12 – The first class ever to graduate from MacKillop Catholic College. D Block was constructed. First international tour to Japan.
2016: MacKillop’s first musical – “Cruisin'”. Construction of C Block.
2017: Construction of the central walkway. Foundation of the MacKillop RTO. MacKillop Rugby League is incorporated and brands itself as the Saints for the first time.
2018: Our second musical, “42nd Street” sells out for every performance, and cements our reputation as a leading institution for the Arts. The MacKillop Saints change their focus to Rugby Union and join the local Rugby Union competition. Mother Teresa Primary School opens in Zuccoli.
2019: The MacKillop Saints expand into a sporting association, incorporating Rugby Union, Rugby League, Basketball and Hockey.
2020: COVID-19 causes turmoil the world over, with classes going online-only for several weeks in the first half of the year. MacKillop students use our science labs for production of hand sanitiser during a nationwide shortage, which was distributed to the community. MacKillop’s third musical, “Wicked”, faced uncertainty, as large scale events are banned for much of the year. It ends up being presented in December, gaining excellent reviews. After close to a decade, Dr Graham finished her tenure as foundation Principal of the College. Blueprints are finalised for the MacKillop Auditorium.
2021: Mr Peter Moloney takes on the position of Acting Principal for Semester 1. Construction of the MacKillop VET Training Centre is completed. Mr Lucas Hurley becomes the new permanent Principal from Term 3.
2022: MacKillop’s fourth musical, “The Lion King”, takes place in June.
Our Charism
From the very beginning, a strong Charism has prevailed at MacKillop Catholic College.
Saint Mary MacKillop’s spirit and way of living the Gospel will give us the courage to trust that nothing is impossible for those who believe in the goodness of God.
As we build this College together, we will step out to new horizons; addressing the educational, social, emotional, spiritual and physical needs of our students of this time. As the College grows, service learning programs will be part of our culture. We know that the social and emotional wellbeing of students is supported by valuing their connectedness to community, and that the College’s teaching, learning and ethos are enhanced by its connections and partnerships. We will look for opportunities for authentic participation and contribution for all students – a whole school approach.
Our Motto
The motto of MacKillop Catholic College is ‘Lead with Courage’.
This is another way of saying step up and take your place in society and be the best you can be, and all the while helping others to be the best they can be.
In the spirit of Saint Mary MacKillop, our house patrons, and of the soldiers who defended our country on this site in WWII, we want to be known for “never seeing a need without doing something about it”, to lead, to be on the forefront, and to be able to see what needs to be done and have the courage to take action.
Our Crest
The crest represents the undulating land of the site, the same distinguishable and prominent geography, within its relatively flat surroundings, that made our site ideal for the defences of the 16 Mile Camp. A path leading to the cross of St. Mary MacKillop signifies the metaphor of journey – as learners and as people – and coming closer to Christ, which permeates through all we do at MacKillop. The Southern Cross reminds us of Mary MacKillop’s connection to our part of the world, and her dedication to establishing an education system for disadvantaged children in Australia and New Zealand.
College Colours
Our College Colours are Navy and Ochre.
Catholic Education in Australia
Catholic schools are a vital part of Australia’s education landscape; from humble beginnings almost 200 years ago, Catholic schools have grown to become the nation’s largest provider of education outside government serving some 765,000 students and their families.
Our Traditions
College Houses
There are four houses at MacKillop which students are divided into. Points are awarded to the houses throughout the year at sporting carnivals, MacKillop Day activities and in general at discretion of principal for demonstration of the College’s values.
The houses are:
- McGrath (Blue)
- McCormack (Red)
- Hurley (Gold)
- Confalonieri (Green)
More information on the people behind these house names can be found on the College Houses Page.
Students are required to wear their house colour uniforms on Fridays.
MacKillop Feast Day Celebrations
St. Mary of the Cross MacKillop’s feast day is celebrated on the 8th of August.
The feast day is now recognised as a solemnity. This honour is a recognition that the story of and devotion to St Mary MacKillop has a prominent place in the Catholic community in Australia.
Archbishop Philip Wilson, the president of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, says “This honour is a recognition that the story of and devotion to St Mary MacKillop has a prominent place in the Catholic community in Australia”.
“As Australia’s first Saint it is fitting that the liturgy of the Church in Australia on her feast day should reflect that by having the highest liturgical rank”, he said. “Many of the Bishops of Australia, and 8,000 of the faithful, went to Rome last year [2010], and many more celebrated in locations around Australia the Canonisation of our first Saint. For all Australians, whether Catholic or not, Mary MacKillop is seen as a woman of heroic virtue, and this goes a little further toward honouring her great example”.
At MacKillop Catholic College we celebrate this occasion each year with a day of fun and activities, including our annual ‘MacKillop Dash’.
Our Processional Cross
The MacKillop Catholic College Processional Cross was created by the first Year 12 cohort to graduate from our College in 2015, as a gift to pass down to future generations of College Leaders. The staff is divided into 10 sections, representing the 10 students in this original graduating class, and the crucifix is repurposed from an older item from the Palmerston Parish, linking our College to the longer tradition of our parish and our wider community.
Our College Tabards
Special College tabards were created for the first year 12 graduates. The college emblem decorates either end of the navy blue tabard and graduating students are invited to sign the back of the tabard once they have completed the graduation ceremony. It will be a proud day when there is no more room for signatures on the back of tabards.
The MacKillop Tartan
Our Patron – St. Mary MacKillop
Mary Helen MacKillop was born on the 15th January 1842 to Scottish immigrant parents in Fitzroy, Melbourne. She grew up as the eldest of eight children. Mary and her siblings had a difficult childhood, living through poverty and uncertainty. Her parents, although good people, struggled to adequately provide for the family. Her father, Alexander, had many failed business dealings, and the responsibility of making an income increasingly fell to the children, particularly Mary.
At the age of 14, Mary began providing for her family by working as a clerk at Sands and Kenny Stationers in Melbourne. When she was 18, in 1860, she moved to the small town of Penola in South Australia, where she worked as a governess for her aunty and uncle. Part of Mary’s job as governess was to educate her young cousins, a calling she became passionate about. Part of her inspiration came from her father, who despite his financial failings and lack of a formal education himself, had educated his own children and instilled in them a love of learning, possibly his greatest legacy.
Other children eventually came to sit in Mary’s lessons, especially those in need from surrounding areas. It was at about this time that she met Father Julian Woods, a priest at the local Catholic Church in Penola. Woods and MacKillop became close friends, sharing a desire to find a way to serve those in need throughout the ever-growing population of regional Australia. They established St. Joseph’s School in a disused stable in Penola.
In 1866, Woods was made secretary to the bishop of Adelaide, Dr Sheil. Before leaving Penola, he helped Mary officially establish the order of Saint Joseph, a new religious order of nuns for Australia. In 1867, Mary became the first sister, and Mother Superior, of the new order. By the end of that year, 10 other women joined. By 1871, over 120 women had become Sisters of St. Joseph. To this day, they continue to serve those in need throughout Australia, fulfilling the dream of their determined founder.
Find more information on Mary’s life and work on the official Mary MacKillop website.
Another great Mary MacKillop article can be found here.
Our Location – Steeped in History
Bordered on three sides by a conservation site, a WW2 heritage site and a sacred site of the Larrakia people, MacKillop Catholic College will always retain its bushland setting.
The College is bounded to the east by the 16 Mile Camp – a site of military and cultural significance. On the western side of the College is situated a site which is of significance to local Aboriginal people. MacKillop Catholic College is bound on its southern side by Lambrick Avenue and the College playing fields, and on the north by Northern Territory conservation land.
The first construction stage of MacKillop Catholic College was completed in 2012. In the years since, MacKillop Catholic College has progressively established itself within its environment; creating historical, cultural, geographic, social, and economic connections. Students appreciate that they are part of a bigger story, and that they are not the first people to visit this place. Through connecting with place and people, MacKillop Catholic College students learn the meaning of courage, endurance, teamwork, leadership and respect.
16 Mile Camp
There are many lessons that can be drawn from this camp and its history. For example, the College motto ‘Lead with Courage’ echoes the sentiments of the soldiers who occupied the camp during World War II. By studying events connected to the camp, MacKillop students have a deeper understanding of what it takes to overcome adversity, the need to stick together, and the importance of making a stand for what is right, regardless of the consequences. This links beautifully with Mary MacKillop’s famous quote ,“Never see a need without doing something about it” (Mary MacKillop, 1867). We hope that this understanding and appreciation will also lead to students actively working to protect the site for future generations.
The following information is drawn from the Defence of Darwin Website and the signage around the site itself.
First occupied just prior to the Japanese raids of 19 February 1942, 16 Mile Camp was the first of the ‘mile’ camps along the old North-South Road, now replaced by the Stuart Highway. The camp was named for its distance from Darwin — 16 miles — and was developed after the bombings to help defend against an expected Japanese invasion. Used as a base for both US and Australian troops, the camp’s remains are testimony to its former role as a key fixture in Australia’s defence. Few images exist of 16 Mile Camp, however a number of images taken at other ‘mile’ camps during World War II provide insight into the lifestyle of those military personnel who lived in this camp during that time.
Larrakia Land
The land on which our College is built, as part of the greater surrounding area from Cox Peninsula in the west to Gunn Point in the north, Adelaide River in the east and south to the Charlotte River, is Larrakia country. Countless generations of Larrakia or “Saltwater” people have lived on this land for many thousands of years. They had, and continue to successfully maintain, a vibrant society based on a close relationship with the sea and trade with neighbouring groups such as the Tiwi, Wagait and Wulna. These groups shared ceremonies and songlines, and intermarried. Today there are about 2000 people who identify as Larrakia. Larrakia are broadly recognised for their strengths in performance, music and art, and as traditional custodians of the Territory’s capital, hold special responsibility in Australia’s cultural landscape.
When the first European settlers arrived in the Darwin area, the Larrakia provided them with food. Despite conflict and marginalisation, from the beginning the Larrakia participated in the cultural life of the early settlement, and lived in and around the city, before they were moved out to camps further away from the city. Many popular sites around Darwin also hold specific meaning for Larrakia people.
MacKillop Catholic College respectfully acknowledges the Larrakia as the traditional owners of this land, and pays respect to their Elders past, present and future.
For further information on the Larrakia people and country:
Larrakia Wikipedia Page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larrakia
Larrakia Development Corporation: http://www.larrakia.com.au/
Larrakia Nation: http://larrakia.com/
Our Growing Campus
