St Kevin’s and Our Josephite Heritage

At St Kevin’s, we are inspired by Saint Mary MacKillop, who believed that everyone should be treated with kindness and respect, no matter their background. Mary and the Sisters of St Joseph showed this through their actions—helping those in need, offering support without judgment, and always seeing the good in others. She believed in the value of every person and never gave up on anyone. Today, we try to live this same spirit at St Kevin’s by encouraging our students to be caring, inclusive, and compassionate. We want every child and family to feel safe, valued, and supported in our school community. Over the next two newsletter articles, we’ll be sharing more about our school’s Josephite heritage and how Mary MacKillop’s example continues to guide the way we learn, grow, and care for one another.

Living our Josephite Heritage at St Kevin’s

Being part of a Josephite Tradition means to be a welcoming, inclusive, compassionate community.

At St Kevin’s, we are proud to follow in the footsteps of Saint Mary MacKillop and the Josephite tradition she began. Mary believed in the dignity of every person and worked tirelessly to make sure all felt welcomed, respected, and loved—no matter their background or circumstances. Her heart was open to everyone, and she showed God’s love through practical care and kindness, especially to those in need. Today, we carry that same spirit in our school community by striving to be a place where every child and family feels seen, valued, and included. Whether through learning, relationships, or outreach, we encourage compassion and remind our students that small acts of care can make a big difference. Mary’s legacy continues to inspire us to live our faith through love and action.

Being part of a Josephite Tradition means that as a community everyone is treated with dignity.

At St Kevin’s, we are inspired by Saint Mary MacKillop’s belief that every person deserves to be treated with respect and kindness, no matter their background or circumstances. Mary and the Sisters of St Joseph lived this out by offering practical support to those in need, always seeing the good in others and never giving up on anyone. She looked beyond mistakes to recognise the unique value and sacredness in each person. This deep respect for human dignity continues to guide our school today. Whether in the classroom, on the playground, or in the wider community, we encourage our students to be patient, understanding, and compassionate. By following Mary’s example, we aim to create a school environment where every child feels safe, valued, and inspired to grow into their best selves.

Being part of a Josephite Tradition means that as a community we most support the people who are poor and marginalised.
At St Kevin’s, we are proud to follow in Mary MacKillop’s footsteps by creating a school community where every child and family feels safe, supported, and valued. Mary believed that those most in need should come first, and she lived this belief through simple, practical acts of kindness. Alongside the Sisters of St Joseph, she helped establish bush schools, orphanages, and safe places for people often forgotten by society—places that restored dignity and gave hope. Mary didn’t seek praise; she responded with love and faith, showing that small, consistent actions can make a big difference. Her legacy reminds us that compassion and care are powerful tools for change.

In the next newsletter, I’ll share more about how St Kevin’s expresses our Josephite heritage and how Mary MacKillop’s values continue to shape the way we learn, grow, and care for one another.

Donna Morgan

Religious Education Teacher