Principal News

Dear Marian Catholic College Parents/Carers and Community,

Since our last newsletter publication much has happened at the College. Cabaret held on Friday and Saturday has wowed community audiences with spectacular performances, food and hospitality. Cabaret is a holistic event that only happens thanks to the energies, talent and passion from many staff, students and external parties. A huge acknowledgement needs to go to the following (and an acknowledgement that many others have assisted who may not be personally mentioned here):

 Matthew Segrave and Belinda Aventi, Maureen Shannon, Lucia Dickie, Jesse Avieu, Louisa Patten, Lee Summerville, Stephen Munro,Brooke Jarvis-Dempsey, Ashton Taylor, Lara Calabria, Hellen Panarello, Alison Carlyle, Romina Tappi, Wendy Brooker, Michelle Swan, Rebecca Jensen and Simon Aventi and Kieron Edwards, as well as  the College Administrative team and all supporting staff . 

However, it is our students who truly shine in this with their magnificent performances and stellar service in the hospitality section. Special thanks to special guests including the Mayor, Doug Curran and his lovely wife Darrelea, Father Connell Perry, Betsy Farrugia (representing Helen Dalton) and Annette Reginato and Marie Salvestro from St Mary’s Yoogali. Thank you also to our sponsor Calabria Family Wines and sound, lighting and staging expert Mark Macedone. Sincere apologies from Dr Andrew Watson (CEDWW Director) who was hoping to attend but unfortunately was ill with Covid at the time.

The Athletics Carnival held on Tuesday 21 M and  expertly organised by Nadine Johns, supported by all staff,  was another shining moment which saw a large number of students participate in the beautiful crisp Autumn weather again achieving some outstanding results. Amongst a range of sporting rosters and events, we need to congratulate teams competing in the Bill Turner Cup and congratulate all involved. The majority of the College got to cheer on the team playing TRAC (The Riverina Anglican College) on home ground on Founder’s Day with MCC taking the victory laurels with a score of 6.1!  A full College assembly held in Week 9 will give us an opportunity to publicly acknowledge all of our excellent athletes, sports champions and competing teams in recent sports events. 

While the constant focus on learning, teaching and wellbeing has continued throughout, this term we have also had special days to add to the excitement, including House and School Founder’s Days and Masses, and the whole staff professional development day  this Friday June 7th. All staff are invited to participate in “First Light”, led by the Marist Organisation, and hosted at our sister school, St Francis de Sales Regional College, Leeton. (Staff rostered on for the day will attend with part-time staff who are not usually working on this day invited to attend if able.) The College’s sincere thanks to staff involved in organising, including Gabriel Abdala, Jonathon Morris for transport services and our colleagues at St Francis De Sales for their hospitality. During this time, we hope our students enjoy a well deserved opportunity to rest over the long weekend.

In recent weeks, Year 12 student leaders have participated in a Student Leadership Workshop, Burn Bright workshops and Barbecue breakfasts, the entire College attending  SafeonSocial Presentations, public speaking competitions, Maths, Chess and sports competitions and the careers focus on Work Readiness for Year 10, presented  by Compact. Year 11 has sadly  farewelled much loved exchange student from Luxembourg, Lea Petesch. 

Commendations to Shirine Nehme and Anna Ooi(and coach Samantha Malagre)  for their participation in the NSW Regional Public Speaking Finals. Shirine won her event and  will now progress to the Sydney finals later this term.

College enrolments for Year 7 2025 have commenced and we look forward to meeting all families intending to apply for Marian next year, and seeing the students in the Transition Program organised for Week 9 this term. Many thanks to Julie and Janine and the Admin team for their warm welcome and organisation of this process and to Lora Segrave for her superb organisation of Transition along with supporting staff.

The MCC College Advisory Council thanked and farewelled Council Chair Ralph Twaddell and Secretary Anthony Salmon who stepped down from their roles after many years of exemplary service and congratulate Michelle Rosano (Chair) and Denise Scarfo (Deputy Chair) for volunteering  their service on council over coming years. We also welcome Father Connell Perry as ex-officio and Michelle D’Aquino to the Council as a newly elected parent representative. The MCC School Annual 2023 School Report is completed and awaiting final approval from CEDWW, at which point it will be available for all on the College website.

As you can see from this overview that only briefly touches on the doings of the College since Week 2’s publication, alongside the regular teaching and learning and pastoral support, a huge number of events have been enriching the lives and education of our students. None of this would occur without the dedication and passion of senior and middle  leaders,  teachers and support staff and the support of yourselves, our parents and carers. On behalf of the school, I would like to acknowledge this work here and thank everyone for working in partnership to provide an excellent faith-filled education in a safe and supportive environment, living the Marian way.

Dr Penny Ludicke

Principal