Principal News

Dr Penny Ludicke

Dear Marian Catholic College Community,

Last week, I was very fortunate to be able to attend the Charles Sturt University Regional Principals’ Breakfast along with the Principals of St Francis de Sales, Kildare and Mater Dei Catholic Colleges and those of many public schools from the Riverina. We were addressed by Vice Chancellor Professor Renae Leon PSM, and Professors’ Graham Brown, Lewis Bizo, Megan Smith and John McDonald .

A keynote address was made by Ms Tyla Cavallaro, a graduate Education student formerly from Parkes, now employed as a secondary PDHPE and Maths teacher in the diocese. The venue Food-I-am provided an inspired setting and magnificent food, most of our inspiration came from the words of the young graduate teacher. Tyla spoke passionately about her love of regional country life and her desire to make a difference to young people in the Riverina through teaching and education.

All principals were able to connect to key stakeholders at the University to strengthen essential partnerships between schools and universities. This allows us to provide university pathways and entries for our Year 12 graduates. It also allows us to advocate for further support for teaching vocations and courses, to encourage education majors back into teaching roles in our schools to make the wonderful difference to our students that we know they can!

Photo of the CSU Principals Breakfast Guests, VIPS and CSU Staff in Springvale, NSW.

Transitions and Pathways

Thank you to Mr Seers and the many leaders who have supported Year 10 students in their subject selections including the interviews held with students, parents and teachers on Friday 16 of August.

Year 10 Students with their parents at the Subject Selections interview

To make contact with the school easier, we have created an email that will be monitored by a team who can respond to individual inquiries or direct them to the most appropriate staff member.

The email MCC Transitions and Pathways can be used by parents and students who may have inquiries related to Transitions and Pathways. The email operates as an online form to assist you and the team to access the information you need. A letter will be sent to parents of students in Years 9-11 with this information and the link in the next week.

The link to the form is below: https://forms.gle/takoc694ptJCdkD36

Senior Students

Year 12 Trial exams are now completed. We thank Exam presider Mrs Kate Norris and the team, as well Mr Seers, Mr Herb, Mr Summerville, Mrs Segrave and all of the teachers and support staff providing behind the scenes support for students and exams. Special thanks to Year 12 Pastoral Leader Mr Albert Alexander for his encouragement of our Year 12 students.
The College and team are now gearing up for Year 11 Preliminary Exams, to be held later this term, while Mrs Centofanti, Mrs Segrave and the Year 11 students are preparing for College and House Captains and other important senior student leader roles in 2025.
HSC teachers and KLA leaders have received final dates for practical exams to be held towards the very end of this term and will be sharing this information with their students shortly.
Best wishes to everyone, students, staff and parents during this time. Remember that self care strategies really help to boost study skills and preparation. (Regular consistent and manageable study, good nutrition and hydration, sleep hygiene, exercise, social support through family and friends, and fresh air.)

National Week of Action 12-16 August-Bullying No Way. Thank you to Mrs Star, Pastoral leaders and teachers for their promotion of Bullying No Way information and activities this week. The theme this year is Everyone Belongs!

“When we all feel like we belong, bullying struggles to find a place…Belonging means we all have a role in preventing bullying. We're encouraged to speak up and create a safe place where everyone feels supported and respected, and our voices are heard and valued.”

Safeguarding: In Week 6, all staff at the College will attend a diocesan safeguarding training course presented by Catholic Education-Diocese of Wagga Wagga Safeguarding team. This mandatory training is being completed by all schools and members of the diocese and is inline with the Australian Principles for Child Safe Organisations under which we all operate. This link takes you to the National Guidelines.

Newsletter: After a trial and period of 6 months, we will be returning to fortnightly newsletters being published at the end of each week 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10.

Dr Penny Ludicke

Principal