From the Principal

Hospitality – Welcoming All

The beginning of a new school year is always filled with energy and excitement as we reconnect, set new goals, and embrace the opportunities ahead. This year, we celebrate our theme of Hospitality – Welcoming All, a reflection of our commitment to creating a warm, inclusive, and supportive community where everyone feels valued and at home. 

This theme calls us to embrace the deep Catholic tradition of radical welcome and inclusivity, inspired by the Gospel message. In Matthew 25:35, Jesus reminds us, "I was a stranger and you welcomed me" ; This scripture challenges us to see Christ in others and extend kindness, respect, and a sense of belonging to all who enter our community. For our students, this theme encourages a culture of compassion—whether through simple acts of kindness, supporting new students, or engaging in social justice initiatives. By fostering an environment where everyone feels valued and included, we nurture a school community that reflects the heart of Christ’s love, shaping young people who will carry these values into the wider world.

A Warm Welcome to Our New Staff and Families

This year, I am pleased to introduce several new members joining my Executive Team. I extend a warm welcome to Natalie Glenton (Business Manager), Nella Cirillo (Assistant Principal – Staff &Strategy), Belinda Flynn, (Assistant Principal – (Learning & Teaching) joining existing members with Bernadette Casey (Assistant Principal -Faith & Mission) and Kerrie Williams (Assistant Principal - Student Wellbeing), who bring a wealth of experience, passion, and dedication to their roles. As a team, we will work closely with staff, students, and families to uphold our values, strengthen our community, and ensure that every student has the opportunity to succeed and flourish. 

A special welcome to our newest Marian students and their families, especially our Year 7 cohort, who have begun their Marian journey with enthusiasm and a wonderful sense of curiosity. The transition to secondary school is a significant milestone, and it has been inspiring to see our new students already embracing our values with open hearts and minds.

Last week, we had the pleasure of welcoming our Year 7 families for a special gathering—a chance to connect, build relationships, and experience the Marian College community spirit firsthand. This event was a true reflection of our theme of hospitality,fostering a sense of belonging for both students and parents as they embark on this newchapter. Delicious food and warm conversations added to the welcoming atmosphere,making it a memorable evening of community, connection, and shared joy.Our partnership with families is key to student wellbeing and learning, and it’s beenwonderful to see so many parents and carers at the recent Years 7-11 InformationEvenings. We are committed to working with our community to ensure and promote a child safe environment for our young people where they can flourish, take risks and strive to be the best versions of themselves.

As a College we are pleased to welcome the following new staff for 2025:

VCE Academic Excellence Awards Assembly

Recently, we gathered for our VCE Academic Excellence Assembly, a grand celebration of achievement and dedication. We proudly welcomed back our top-performing students from the Class of 2024, including our College Dux, our VM Excellence Achiever and those who achieved a study score of 40 and above in their Unit 3 & 4 subjects. It was an inspiring event that highlighted the hard work and commitment of our students. Their success is a testament to the strong academic culture at Marian, and we take great pride in celebrating their outstanding accomplishments 

As we celebrate these achievements, I encourage our current students to embrace their own learning journey with dedication and perseverance. I wish them all the best for the year ahead and look forward to seeing their hard work and talents shine. 

Our current Year 12 students have begun their final year with focus and determination, already showing leadership and commitment as role models for younger students. Iencourage them to embrace each challenge with strength and kindness.

Opening School Mass

Our Opening School Mass was a special occasion where the entire Marian College community gathered in faith and unity to begin the new school year. Celebrated by Fr.Jude, the Mass was a time for reflection, gratitude, and renewal as we embraced thisyear’s theme of ‘Hospitality – Welcoming All’. It was a powerful reminder of our sharedmission to live out the Kildare values, fostering a community of kindness, respect, andinclusion. With students, staff, and families present, the Mass set a meaningful tone for theyear ahead, encouraging us to walk together in faith and service.

Celebrating International Women’s Day 

8 March 2025 Marian College proudly joins the global community in celebrating International Women’s Day, recognising the achievements of women and the ongoing journey toward gendere quality. This year’s theme, #AccelerateAction, calls us to drive meaningful change. As part of our celebration, we will host a panel of extraordinary women on Tuesday, 11 March, sharing their experiences and insights with our community.

For more information, please visit the website: https://www.internationalwomensday.com/

Key Events - Term 1 Event Date