Additional learning support

Starting at Mackellar

Starting Year 7 in 2026

Starting high school is an exciting time of change. The documents on this page will help parents/carers and students prepare for a successful transition to Mackellar.

Enquiries for enrolment should first visit our enrolment page.

Course Information Booklet

Course Information Booklet

Online Uniform Shop

https://www.mackellarpandc.com/uniform-shop

Stationary Requirements

2026 Stationary Requirements

Student Travel Information

Students Travel Information

Student health and safety

We are committed to ensuring a safe and happy environment for your child.

We support your child’s health and safety through a range of strategies including:

• the behaviour code for students, which outlines the standards of behaviour expected in all NSW public schools
• anti-racism education
• anti-bullying programs
• conflict resolution and mediation training
• peer support
• road safety education
• the Healthy School Canteen Strategy.

For more information, visit the student wellbeing section of the department’s website.

Like all NSW public schools, we promote the healthy development of students through:

• school programs and practices that protect and promote health and safety
• supporting individual students who need help with health issues
• providing first aid and temporary care of students who become unwell or who have an accident at school

Help with homework

Homework is often a revision of what is covered in class. As well as regular weekly homework, your child may have assessments such as assignments or projects with due dates.

A key to success is being organised. To avoid Thursday night meltdowns about incomplete homework, read our homework tips.

These tips are relevant for all students Kindergarten to Year 12.

• Ask your child about their homework, know what they are learning about and when assignments are due.

• Use our diary to record when assessments and exams are scheduled so you can help your child prepare in advance. Make to-do lists to spread out the workload.

• Get into a routine of doing homework at a set time, ideally a little each day.

• Have a set place where the kids can do their homework, with the equipment they’ll need:

  • pens and pencils
  • highlighters
  • scissors
  • glue
  • scrap paper
  • ruler
  • calculator
  • printing paper
  • computer and internet access
  • a printer.

• Turn mobiles to aeroplane mode or off so there are no disruptions.

• If there’s no set homework, encourage your child to do some reading. For younger children, it’s great for them to read aloud to you. For older kids, ask them to tell you about what they have been reading.

• Don’t jump in and give answers. Homework is about helping kids become independent learners.

• Encourage your child to start assignments as soon as they receive them – this will reduce any night-before stress.

• Your child needs to do their own projects and assignments. There’s no point submitting work done by anyone other than the student. Teachers need to know what students can do independently.

• If your child is having difficulty with their homework, contact their class teacher for help.

Parents, carers and the community

As a parent or carer, you are an important part of our school community. We offer a range of services to support you and your family.

Parents and citizens’ association (P&C)

Our Parents and Citizens’ Association (P&C) is made up of parents and carers, teachers and community members. The P&C meets regularly to contribute to decision-making, developing policies and management plans as well as fundraising.

Counselling for families

The school counsellor can assist when families undergo a trauma or big change. Contact us to make an appointment. For information in community languages, see school counselling service.

Outside of the education system, free telephone counselling services are available to support families who may be going through a difficult time.

• Lifeline – 24-hour telephone counselling service. Ph: 13 11 14.
• Mensline Australia – 24-hour telephone counselling service for men. Ph: 1300 789 978.
• Parent line – an advice and information service. Ph: 1300 1300 52.

Interpreting and translations

We will help you communicate with our school. If you’d like an interpreter for a school meeting, let us know and we will arrange one, if available.

If you don’t speak or understand English well and want to contact us, call TIS National on 131 450 and ask for an interpreter in your language. The operator will call the school and get an interpreter to help. This service is free.

For more information, listen in your language.

Visit the department’s  translated documents  section for important information that’s relevant for your child’s education in many languages.

Careers

All students in years 7 – 12 have guest speakers, events and specialised functions for the girls to participate in eg: women in engineering.

All students in years 10 & 11 have one 40 minute period of Careers per week as part of their curriculum

All students in years 11 & 12 have the opportunity to attend appropriate seminars usually held at UTS.

Careers Advisor - Ms Katherine Erskine

Year 10

Students also have the option of 2 weeks work experience by demand. This allows them to have greater flexibility in their selection and make a more meaningful selection than it being mandatory.

Topics covered in the class time include:

• Developing career plans and outcomes
• Specific interest topics
• Career websites
• Self esteem & self identity lessons to identify where their talents lie.
• Information about Career choices

Over a period of a week there is also a very sophisticated and thorough subject selection interview process to help each student select the most appropriate subjects for them. Every year 10 student must have an interview with a panel of specialised teachers including the careers counsellor.

Year 11

Transition program - Students have the option of 2 weeks work experience by application.

Topics covered in the class time include:

• Sophisticated career analysis using computer generated career profiling
• More sophisticated career computer databases

Tracking interviews with all year 11 girls to evaluate choices they have made and assess their progress.

Year 12

Individual counselling to assess skills, abilities and talents to clarify more successful career outcomes.

A pre and post evaluation by year 12 to gather information to assess if needs are being met and any suggestions for future reference.

Inclusive Learning Support

NSW public schools are well prepared to support students with disability and additional learning and support needs and staff are ready to answer your questions.

Visit our  Inclusive learning support hub  for more information on:

• Children starting school with additional needs
• Support and adjustments available
• Personalised learning and development