From the Principal

Dear Parents, Guardians, Students, Staff and Friends of Mazenod College,

This final edition of the College newsletter for 2025 seemed to arrive sooner than expected. It feels as though the first day of the year was only moments ago, let alone the start of Term Four. So much unfolds within the life of a school, and Term Four, full of energy, celebration and activity, seems to pass more quickly than any other.

One of the true highlights has been welcoming our newest community members at the Year 7/2026 Orientation Day held on Friday 28 November – having only just farewelled our graduating Year 12 students some five weeks before. The excitement and curiosity on their faces is always a joy to witness. The day was exceptionally well organised by Mr Brandon Poletti, our current Head of Year 7, with generous support from many staff. A special word of thanks must go to our Year 10 students, who generously set aside their study and revision time to help make the program such a success.

I thank Mr Poletti, as he moves from the Head of Year 7 role and becomes the Director of Music in 2026 and, acknowledge and congratulate Mr Matthew Sharpe who has recently been appointed to the position of Head of Year 7 for 2026.

It is important at the end of the school year to acknowledge the staff who are departing our College or commencing periods of leave.

I especially acknowledge Mrs Anne Greenley (19 years), Mrs Lyn McDonald (19 years), Mr Mark Pallot (17 years), Mr Ray Carr (14 years) and Mr Damian Wallis (12 years), who all commence their well-deserved retirements after a combined 81 years of service to our Mazenod College community. We wish them all our heartfelt congratulations and many wonderful years of good health and happiness in retirement ahead.

I would like equally to acknowledge; Mr Sam Graham who moves to Corpus Christi College after 15 years of service at Mazenod College, Mrs Teresa Bulich is moving to Salvado College after 15 years and Mrs Chris Pember concludes 5 years of service in a move to Mercedes College in 2026.

Mr David Russell-Smith, Miss Ziahn Johnson, Ms Emma Williams, Mr Chris Beattie and Mr Trevor Price have all completed temporary contracts at our College. We are most appreciative of their contributions this year and wish them well at their new schools and endeavours.

We also extend our best wishes to staff embarking on leave in 2026 – Mrs Kerry Gault, Mr Brandon Truss, Mr Jarrad Powell and Mr Tim Grabski are taking long service leave in Term One.

I thank all staff for their hard work, efforts and contributions this year to again make Mazenod College the amazing community that it is.

I would also like to take this opportunity to wish our very best to those students and families not returning in 2026. We thank them for the support and cooperation maintained between the College and home and wish them well in the future.

2026 will come with great excitement and anticipation as we embark on the 60th Anniversary of the College and the wonderful celebrations that are planned to mark this special event. Our community would now be aware of the events and dates and I remind all that, with the exception of the Gala Ball, all 60th anniversary events are at no cost to ensure as much family and community attendance as possible. We hope that these events and projects, along with many more, will ultimately move us in a spiritual and emotive way, as we grow more aware of our ever-present Moments of Grace.

This season invites Christians everywhere into a spirit of joy, wonder and gratitude. From Mary’s Immaculate Conception to the birth of Christ, we are reminded that life inevitably presents challenges, yet God’s enduring love gives us the strength to meet them with courage and hope.

To all our students, staff and families, I extend my warmest wishes for a blessed and joy-filled Christmas, and a safe and restful return in 2026. May your festive season be marked by God’s peace, love and abundant grace.

In sharing my wishes to you, I also extend end of year wishes from the Executive Director of Catholic Education WA, Mrs Annette Morey, who wrote the letter attached to all community members in Catholic schools.

And as I conclude my time at Mazenod College, I thank one and all for the love, generosity of spirit and care that has been afforded to me in that time. I will return for many of the 60th Anniversary events in 2026 and 2027, but in the main, will watch from a short distance and revel with pride in the success and continued achievements of Mazenod College, a community that will always hold a deep and special place in my heart.

God bless. 

Simon Harvey

Principal