Mary MacKillop is a catholic primary school situated in the outer north western Melbourne suburb of Keilor Down. Established in 1984 the school is part of a residential growth corridor in the North West, the student population has continued to grow over the year with a current enrolment of 662 students. Students predominantly come from dual income, home owning families.

The school is a parish primary school and there is a strong commitment between the school and the parish to work closely together to follow a common vision based on gospel values of justice, inclusion, reconciliation and mutual respect. There is also an understanding that the school and the parish are part of the broader community of Keilor Downs and Taylors Lakes and we have a responsibility to develop relationship within the broader community, which strengthen and support the lives of the students and their families.

Mary Mackillop is beginning its participation in the Full Service School Research Circle in 2000. Through the creation of a position of Leadership for the development of School/Community Links the school hopes to tap into the collective wisdom of existing participating schools by basing its work on principles and practices, which were developed and shared previously through the Circle. We hope also to share our explorations, discoveries and new learnings.