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.

Our mission statement, "A Catholic Faith community dedicated to excellence in the education of young women" emphasises our strong sense of Christian mission and our aim to provide experiences and facilities to develop each girl's talents fully.

Programs:
Boarding and Day Programs for girls in grades 7-12; Middle School; High School; Academic Enrichment; Co-curricula program. In addition to the core subjects of English, math and science we offer HSIEs in Commerce, Japanese and French as well as TAS in Food Technology, Textiles Technology, Industrial Technology and info Software Technology. We offer students a strong academic education, enriched with an extraordinarily wide range of co-curricula offerings.

The Sisters of St Joseph have traditionally provided boarding opportunities at St Joseph's, Perthville, 7km form Bathurst, following the spirit of Blessed Mary MacKillop's determination to offer young women the opportunity of a Catholic education.

Boarding at MacKillop College, will continue to provide a unique experience of residential community living for girls in the Josephite tradition. It is an experience that is based on care, respect and mutual trust, and a positive partnership between the student's family and the College. It is an experience that nurtures:

* Catholic education in the Josephite tradition
* Relationships based on respect and personal dignity
* Personal growth through the building of relationships
* Friendships developed in a family orientated environment
* Personal spirituality and a disposition to social justice
* A balanced education to meet the individual needs of young women
* Personal independence, self confidence and a personal best orientation in all aspects of life
* Growth towards maturity in a caring, happy boarding family

MacKillop College is also a member of the Australian Boarding Schools Association which serves to support and develop best practice in residential communities across Australia.

The College offers a wide variety of extra curricular activities to develop each girl's interests. Students are encouraged to develop a sense of responsibility and structures such as the Senior and Junior Councils help them to participate in the decision-making process in the College.

Young Mercies:
The Young Mercies of MacKillop College are affiliated with the Bathurst Sisters of Mercy. The Young Mercies conduct various activities to assist those in need including refugees in Australia, the ‘Fair Wear Campaign', abolition of landmines, rural youth suicide, visitation of the sick and elderly and the campaign to abolish Third World debt.

St Vincent de Paul:
The SVDP Junior Conference of MacKillop College is a member of the NSW SVDP Society. The Conference assists those in need through their activities which include the annual ‘2BS Apex Miracle Appeal' collections, Missions fundraising, working in the local shop, visiting people in hospitals and nursing homes and assisting others as needed.

Musical groups perform within the College and the wider community.The ability to play an instrument allows students to contribute in a unique way to occasions such as Masses, Liturgies, The MacKillop Dinner, Presentation Day, College Musicals and Eisteddfods.

Students undertake a variety of activities designed toincrease their appreciation and awareness of the environment and of issuesimportant to the local area, New South Wales and Australia. These activitiesinclude participation in environmental programs, competitions, films, communityevents, using the internet and guest speakers. Students will assist inorganising and running such activities as the Clean-Up Australia Campaign,recycling activities, World Environment Day.