Clairvaux MacKillop College Archives

Clairvaux MacKillop College Turns Up the Volume for 8th Annual Rock Bands Festival

Upper Mount Gravatt’s Clairvaux MacKillop College is once again hosting its Battle of the ROCK Bands Festival, a three-night celebration of young Queensland talent that has grown from a small school event into a major student rock showcase.

Read: Clairvaux MacKillop College in Mt Gravatt Celebrated for STEM and Co-Curricular Success

Now in its eighth year, the festival will take place from 9 to 11 October, with an exclusive media preview on Thursday morning, 9 October. The event will see over 1,000 student performers take the stage, representing 30 schools across Queensland. From classic covers to original songs, these young musicians will perform with professional lighting, pyrotechnics, and full live staging.

Rock Bands Festival — Photo credit: Brisbane Catholic Education/bne.catholic.edu

Event co-founder and teacher John Daly said it’s a milestone year for the college.
“This is a special year as we have our 1000th student performer ready to hit the stage,” he said. “We’re also celebrating our 100th student crew member working backstage in 2025. It’s such an achievement from what started as a small, simple event in 2016 to now a three-day festival.”

Daly, along with school officer Tim Hondroudakis, started Battle of the ROCK Bands after realising there were few opportunities for young musicians to perform live. What began as a one-night show in 2017 has expanded each year, giving more students the chance to perform and collaborate.

“We created the event in 2016 because there was no avenue for school-aged musicians to perform their craft,” the organisers said in a joint statement. “After careful planning, we staged the first Battle in 2017, and it’s been growing ever since.”

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The festival also showcases the work of student crew members who assist with lighting, sound, and stage production. It gives participants practical experience in running live events, complementing what they learn in the classroom.

The event has become a highlight for the Clairvaux MacKillop College community, bringing together students, staff, and families to celebrate their shared love of music. It also highlights the school’s commitment to creative learning and performance.

Read: Clairvaux MacKillop College Graduates Shine in Mt Gravatt

This year’s edition promises to be the biggest yet. Audiences can expect “epic performances” from student bands channelling raw energy and musical passion. With fireworks, smoke machines, and strobes, the festival continues to give students a taste of what performing on a professional stage feels like.

As the amps warm up and the instruments tune, Battle of the ROCK Bands Festival stands as a testament to how local schools can nurture young talent, one song, one band, and one unforgettable night at a time.

Published 8-October-2025

Clairvaux MacKillop College in Mt Gravatt Celebrated for STEM and Co-Curricular Success

Photo Credit: Clairvaux MacKillop College/ Facebook

A teacher from Mt Gravatt’s Clairvaux MacKillop College and the college have been recognised as top performers nationally, receiving excellence awards for their outstanding STEM and co-curricular programs.

Dr Maynard Victor Erece, a respected secondary school teacher at Clairvaux MacKillop College, has been named an Excellence Awardee for Secondary School Teacher of the Year (Non-Government) for the prestigious Australian Education Awards 2025.

Now in their eighth year, these national awards acknowledge and celebrate the best schools, principals, department heads, and teachers nationwide. Award recipients will be formally recognised at a black-tie gala at the Star Event Centre in Sydney on Friday, 8 August 2025. The awards cover 29 categories, including Australian School of the Year and Best Student Wellbeing Program.

STEM Program Leads the Way

Clairvaux MacKillop College, a Catholic co-educational secondary school for students in Years 7 to 12 located in Upper Mt Gravatt, Queensland, is notably recognised for its Best STEM Program. The college strongly focuses on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics education, aiming to give students exciting chances to learn in these areas.

A key part of their success comes from their commitment to robotics and space technology, including a special “STEM Space Program.” Dr. Erece is particularly involved in these robotics programs, helping students explore and develop practical skills.

The college’s STEM teams have also achieved remarkable success in competitions. In 2024, their Year 9 STEM team came in as runners-up in Division 2 of the Opti-Minds Creative and Sustainability Challenge, a major science and technology competition.

Even more impressively, their Year 10 STEM team won the State Championships in Division 3 of the same competition. The college includes STEM learning throughout its curriculum, helping students think deeply and offering a wide range of challenging subjects.

Comprehensive Co-Curricular Opportunities

Beyond its strong academic achievements, Clairvaux MacKillop College is also celebrated for its Best Co-Curricular Program. The college believes in developing the “whole person” and offers many activities beyond classroom learning. These programs aim to boost students’ interests and encourage positive values.

Students have diverse opportunities in sports, including participation in SECA sports and pathways that lead to district, regional, and national levels in activities like swimming, cross country, athletics, and various football codes. The performing arts are also a major part of college life, with music, dance, and drama options, including annual musical productions, variety nights, and involvement in competitions.

The college provides in-school instrument tuition, bands, dance groups, drama clubs, and choirs. Furthermore, the co-curricular program encourages community involvement. It fosters a sense of community spirit, promotes positive values that align with the college’s goals, helps students build strong friendships, and encourages personal growth and leadership through the Student Representative Council and various clubs.

Published Date 21-May-2025

Mt Gravatt College Welcomes Refugee’s Hospitality Skills

Through a program aiding newcomers in finding employment, a Burundi refugee from Kenya brings her past cafe experience to share her skills at Mt Gravatt College.

Douce fled the Republic of Burundi and found herself in Nairobi, Kenya, where she established her own cafe while awaiting her visa application. After being granted asylum in Australia, she joined Brisbane Catholic Education’s (BCE) Work and Welcome program.

This initiative, a partnership with Multicultural Australia, aims to provide refugees and migrants with meaningful employment opportunities within the BCE network.

New Beginnings at Clairvaux MacKillop College

Mt Gravatt College — *Photo Credit:* *Clairvaux MacKillop College*

Since January 2025, Douce has been working as part of the hospitality support staff at Clairvaux MacKillop College in Upper Mt Gravatt. The college principal, Wayne Chapman, expressed that Douce is a valued and hard-working team member. He noted her positive attitude and contribution to the school’s tuckshop, highlighting the college’s role in supporting her integration into the Australian hospitality sector.

Douce has expressed appreciation for the supportive and inclusive environment at the college, where she has learned new skills. She also mentioned the students’ respectful curiosity about her life in Kenya.

Program’s Impact and Community Support

Enrique Ramirez Chavez, the BCE Work and Welcome Coordinator, stated that the program helps refugees recover their skills, confidence, and dignity. He revealed that over 16 refugees have benefitted from work experience with BCE since the program began in 2013, with many securing employment within BCE and other organisations. The program is fully funded by contributions from BCE staff.

The college principal also noted the importance of cultural diversity within the school community, stating that it enriches the learning environment and promotes student tolerance and empathy. He said that inclusivity is a core value at the school, in line with the traditions of Edmund Rice and Mary MacKillop. Douce now aspires to establish her cafe in Australia, using the skills she has gained at Clairvaux MacKillop College.

Published Date 24-March-2025

Clairvaux MacKillop College Graduates Shine in Mt Gravatt

Graduates from Clairvaux MacKillop College in Upper Mount Gravatt have achieved outstanding academic success with 15 individual subject scores surpassing 98. Their achievements have been recognised as part of Brisbane Catholic Education’s (BCE) inaugural Student Excellence Awards.

High ATAR Scores and Vocational Achievements

The 2024 cohort demonstrated strong academic performance. 30 per cent of ATAR students attained a score of 90 or above. Alongside these academic successes, 109 students completed vocational education and training (VET) qualifications. Meanwhile, nine students earned Diplomas of Business. Many students also participated in school-based apprenticeships and traineeships. This reinforces the College’s commitment to a diverse range of educational pathways.

Clairvaux MacKillop College Principal Wayne Chapman highlighted the significance of these results. He noted that they provide students with greater academic and professional opportunities.

Recognising Dedication and Hard Work

Among the high-achieving graduates, David Mackenroth expressed pride in being recognised by BCE. He stated that the efforts of his cohort had been acknowledged. He emphasised teachers’ vital role in his success. Mr Mackenroth commends the exceptional support provided by educators throughout his studies. He plans to pursue a double degree in Education (Secondary) and Arts at Queensland University of Technology.

Commitment to Excellence and Innovation

The College attributes its success to careful planning, innovative teaching methods, and the dedication of its educators. A strong focus on student growth has been central to the school’s approach. The efforts of middle leaders and teachers have been instrumental in motivating and supporting students. The recent results reflect student perseverance and the ongoing dedication of the entire school community.

Four graduates received special recognition from the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority. Their outstanding performance in general subjects further solidifies the College’s reputation for academic excellence.

Mt Gravatt education — *Photo Credit: Clairvaux Mackillop College*

A Thriving Learning Environment

Clairvaux MacKillop College is widely recognised for fostering a supportive and dynamic learning community. The school encourages students to embrace new opportunities. With high expectations and a commitment to diverse learning pathways, the College upholds its reputation as a leading educational institution in Mt Gravatt.

Published 28-Feb-2025