Boarding School for Girls in NSW, Australia

Mackillop College, Katoomba:
Welcome to MacKillop College, an all-girls Catholic boarding and day school of 600 students located in Bathurst, NSW, 100 km west of Katoomba and 200 km west of Sydney. Day and boarding places are available for girls in Years 7 to 12. At MacKillop we aim to educate the whole person - spiritually, academically, socially, physically and emotionally. For girls, a Catholic all-girl school is the optimum environment for such an education. MacKillop has a proud academic tradition. A large proportion of the graduating class consistently receive university entrance offers while many students are the recipients of scholarships at tertiary level. MacKillop College is listed as one of the top 150 HSC Performing Schools by the NSW Board of Studies and is one of six NSW Country Secondary Schools listed in the top 150 HSC Schools for 2008. MacKillop College was the top HSC Performing Secondary School and is the leading Diocesan, Central and Western NSW Catholic Secondary School.

Science:
The Science program at MacKillop College is aimed at encouraging scientific knowledge and skills and teaching scientific literacy. At the same time students are encouraged to develop a love of learning generally and learning Science in particular, better equipping them to participate fully as responsible, informed decision makers within their communities and more fully allowing the vast range of career options available in the diverse field of Science. Students will be made aware of Catholic values when dealing with various scientific issues such as genetic engineering and evolution.

Food Technology:
Food Technology is a practically based subject in which students study food, its properties, nutritional content, manufacture, processing, production and marketing.

The course allows students to explore and challenge the role of food in a range of settings and in doing so, come to understand the importance of the many issues related to food.

The course provides opportunities for students to:

* develop knowledge, understanding and skills relating to a diverse range of activities involved in food technology
* evaluate relationships between food technology, nutritional status and consequences of food choice
* design produce and evaluate solutions in response to specific food needs.

The course caters for a wide range of abilities and interests of students.

Religion:
The Religious Education curriculum at MacKillop College is based on the Bathurst Catholic Education Office units of work titled The Christ We Proclaim for Years 7 to 10, while the Stage 6 program for Years 11 and 12 is the Board of Studies Course Studies of Religion.

Academic Enrichment:
The academic profile of students at MacKillop College is enhanced beyond the classroom with the opportunity to participate in programs that cover many curriculum areas.

Students are encouraged to extend their knowledge and skills especially in areas where they display great interest and talent. All curriculum enrichment activities and experiences are advertised to the student body. Teaching staff take on the role of coordinating each program.

Academic Competitions:
Students at MacKillop College have the opportunity to be involved in a variety of academic competitions. All junior students and many senior students compete in the University of NSW Mathematics, Science and English Competitions. There is also the chance to participate in writing and spelling competitions, the Westpac Mathematics Competition and other events as they arise. The College has a very proud history of impressive achievements in many of these competitions.

Mathematics Challenge:
The Mathematics Challenge allows students in the junior years who have an interest in mathematics to solve a variety of problems within a team and also on an individual basis. The questions involve mathematical skills, logic and reasoning and give students the opportunity to explore mathematics beyond the classroom environment.

Murder Under the Microscope:
Murder Under The Microscope is an interactive eco-game about environmental issues. It combines internet with classroom-based activities to provide an environmental murder mystery.

Windows of Excellence:
Windows of Excellence provides activities which move students beyond the core curriculum in order to broaden and develop knowledge, application, interests and skills.

Tournament of the Minds:
Tournament of Minds is a unique problem solving program which challenges students to step outside their comfort zone. Participants are faced with a situation that requires a creative and dramatised solution. Engineering, Mathematics, Language, Human Society and its Environment and Technology are the broad areas covered by the challenge. Students develop communication skills and strategies that will equip them for the challenges of real life.

Science Enrichment:
Students undertake a variety of activities, including model making, practical investigations, poster design and entry into a variety of science competitions. All activities are designed to illustrate the applications of science in a variety of situations, and consolidate practical skills while expanding the theoretical basis of participants.

Sport:
MacKillop College offers a wide variety of sporting opportunities ranging from individual to team based sports.

Students should have experiences and opportunities to display and use their talents to their full extent. They are encouraged and supported to continue to develop positive lifelong attitudes to participation, competition and healthy living.

The College offers athletics, hockey, and soccer fields, external tennis courts, as well as an excellent gym facility, housing netball, volleyball and basketball courts.