The end of the School Year is a busy season for students and families, and it was not any different this year after a year back together.

Our Year 12 students celebrated their last day on the 19th of October. Those studying their VCE subjects then went into the world of exams. We congratulate them all on their efforts and achievements. On Thursday 24th December, Fr Jude Pirotta presided over their final school Mass and we congratulated each student as they received their graduation certificates, a silver Brigidine cross and a special book kindly donated to each student from Marina Brbot. Marina has interviewed and compiled 30 inspirational life stories of Australian women from varying backgrounds and experiences who followed their dreams to work for the good of others. Marina’s message to our Year 12 students was simple yet powerful.

Don’t be pushed round by the fears in your mind.

But be led by the dreams in your heart.

We at Marian College wish all our graduating students the very best for their future endeavors and send them off with many blessings for their next journey. Staff and families had a wonderful celebration at Sheldon Reception Centre where fun was had by all.

Our 2023 Year 11 and 12 students and staff completed their commencement classes on Thursday 1st December with a traditional End of Year Liturgy run by Mrs Joan Fabbian and Ms Pasqualina Piccione. The students were led through a contemplative prayer service with a focus on their 2022 journey and an emphasis on the Season of Advent. We are very proud of all their achievements and look forward to their return after a safe and happy break.

Our Year 7, 8 and 9 students and staff concluded their 2022 school year with a reverent Mass held in St Paul’s Church on Tuesday 6th December. Fr Barry Hughes presided over our Mass with a homily that reminded us to look at ways we can be compassionate towards all those around us. He asked us to reflect on how others already show compassion towards us. Fr Barry explained that compassion can be every day small acts that help when help is needed. He sent us off with the challenge to continue this work during the Christmas period.

To all our Marian students and their families, may you all have a very happy, safe and Blessed Christmas and New Year.

Compassion, Walking with and having Empathy for all

I recently caught up with an Alumna of Marian College, Courtney Gatt. I should note that I taught Courtney in Grade 2 in 2007 at Christ the Priest Catholic Primary School, so it was wonderful to hear that she graduated from Marian in 2017. Courtney explained that after leaving Marian, she went on to follow her passion for paramedicine and graduated with a Bachelor of Paramedicine in 2021. This year, Courteney’s dream of becoming a paramedic was achieved and I had the absolute pleasure to ask her a few questions about her journey.

What inspired you to study Paramedicine?

There were a few reasons why I went on to study Paramedicine. Having grown up with grandparents needing medical care, I gained an inquisitive mind to learn and understand more about their medical needs. I knew I was not cut out to be a doctor, but the area of paramedicine really grabbed my attention. This career choice also enabled me to serve the people in our community, something that Marian College has always instilled within us over the years.

So, it ticked off all the boxes: Learn about the medical side, giving back to society and offering a very good level of care to people at their most vulnerable time.

What did the study entail?

The course took me on a journey that explored medicine and involved placements. I had a placement in Portland and another in Maryborough. They were a world away from my own life experiences and I lived away from home for the first time. However, I delved into the fast-paced world of being in an ambulance and supporting people with first aid in their home, on the street and in a wide range of places.

The ‘hands on job’ in real life is where I learnt so much. Case studies at university helped us both with reading and understanding situations. Theoretical and practical aspects were both explored at university also. However, being at university and exploring a case study in a practice room meant the situation was still controlled. Real world distractions, dealing with unconscious people, having environments and situations changing, dealing with the raw emotions of family and friends is part of the whole real-life side of the job. It is important to how you deal with them and learn how you will cope in each situation.

Australian Catholic University has many courses that involve placements. Placements are incredibly powerful learning experiences and are the best opportunity to gain work experience whilst on the job. You work alongside experienced colleagues, so ask as many questions as you can and really see if this is the perfect job for you.

What advice do you give other students who want to study paramedicine?

Don’t be shy, ask lots of questions.

The classroom doesn’t always translate to real work.

Don’t be scared.

You may do great at university in relation to coursework, but you may get stumped when on the job placements, so get as much help as you can.

Enjoy university because the real world is very different.

Get as much support from educators / lecturers/ tutors as you can.

Make networks and friends whilst at university and on placements because they become good support while you're studying and become great support when you’re out on the road and seeing real life situations.

Why was Marian an important part of your journey?

Marian taught us the importance of helping people in need and this became a deep seeded passion of mine. By serving others, I feel it builds a sense of community. It is about showing people mercy without judging them. I believe you don’t learn to be a compassionate person; you learn to live in a compassionate way and in doing so, it becomes second nature. Any job where you're helping others is rewarding.

What stands out to you the most?

One day I’m having coffee at the branch and the next minute I’m in someone’s living room.

It was such a pleasure to hear from one of my past Year 2 students and a past alumna of Marian College. We all wish you every success in your chosen career Courtney and hope to one day see you on campus inspiring our future Year 12 students with your life changing career.

Religious Education (RE) Curriculum in Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Melbourne Survey

Dear Parent/Guardian,

I am writing to seek your input into a review being undertaken on the Religious Education (RE) Curriculum in Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Melbourne. The Review is being led by Ms Netina Giacco, Professor John Haldane and Professor Gerard O’Shea.

A crucial part of this review is learning from the perspectives of school parents. To gather that input, I warmly encourage you to complete a survey on RE in Catholic schools.

The survey can be accessed and completed via this link: https://onlinesurvey.cecv.catholic.edu.au/surveys/2022-RE-Curriculum-Review-Survey

The survey questions are broad and open-ended, in order to allow you to provide as much or as little input as you feel appropriate. You can complete it with any, and varying, level of detail - as you see fit.

Contribution to the survey will be anonymous, although the survey does request some demographic information about you, in order to contextualise results.

In acknowledging the challenges and pressures on everyone at this time of year, the deadline for responses has been set to 20 December 2022.

I am grateful for your assistance and support in this important work.

Bernadette Casey

Assistant to the Principal - Faith and Mission

Term Dates