As we continue to live into our 2026 College theme, Justice, it feels especially poignant in light of the current suffering and conflict we witness in our world, particularly in the Middle East. As a faith community grounded in God’s love and shaped by our Kildare values of Compassion, Justice, Hope, Hospitality, Wonder and Courage, we cannot remain indifferent. At Marian, Justice is not simply a word we name; it is a Gospel call to empathy, prayer and action. Justice calls us to make the needs of the vulnerable paramount , to stand with strength and kindness, ensuring that our compassion is not passive, but active, courageous and deeply rooted in faith.

Learning for Justice

At our recent Marian Staff Conference, we came together as a whole staff community to deepen our understanding of the Science of Learning and its powerful implications for our classrooms. Every member of staff was involved, united by a shared commitment to strengthening our practice and enhancing student growth. Grounded in research and aligned with our vision for excellence in girls’ education, the day invited us to reflect, refine and recommit to teaching approaches that maximise learning for every student.

A particular highlight of the day was hearing from our very own students. A student panel, representing each year level and a range of learning styles, generously shared their experiences of what helps them learn best. Their insights were thoughtful, honest and deeply affirming, reminding us that student voice is not only powerful, but essential in shaping effective teaching and meaningful learning.

The Staff conference reminded us to design classrooms where the needs of the vulnerable are paramount and where diversity of learning is recognised and valued. In this way, academic excellence becomes an expression of strength and kindness. empowering young people to contribute to a more just and compassionate world.

When we strengthen our teaching, respond to student voice and ensure every learner is seen, supported and challenged, we are living our call to make the needs of the vulnerable paramount. High-impact teaching is not simply about academic excellence; it is about creating classrooms where strength and kindness shape opportunity for every student.

College Newsletter

Our Newsletter is the College’s primary communication with families, so we encourage you to read it carefully each month. It is distributed electronically and also published on our website for easy access. Please ensure the College has your current preferred email address and notify Reception promptly of any changes to your contact details. 

Walking the Lenten Journey Together

We find ourselves just two weeks away from Easter Sunday. Throughout this sacred season, we have been invited into prayer, reflection and sacrifice, not simply to give things up, but to create space within our hearts for renewal.

Lent calls us to clear away distraction and draw closer to the heart of the Paschal Mystery: that the reality of the Cross is inseparable from the hope of the Resurrection. We walk this journey together, trusting that light always follows darkness and that Easter’s promise of new life is drawing near.

Like me, I hope you are using this Lenten season to pause, to pray and to reflect, as we prepare for the gift of the Resurrection that awaits us.

Jesus (c. 6–4 BC – AD 30–33) was a 1st-century Jewish teacher and religious leader who is the central figure of Christianity. Revered by Christians as the Son of God, the Messiah, and the incarnation of God, he was born in Bethlehem, lived in Nazareth, and was crucified in Jerusalem under Roman authority. His life, ministry, and resurrection are recorded in the New Testament. 

Key Details About Jesus

• Life & Ministry: Jesus was a Jewish preacher in 1st-century Judaea who taught about God's kingdom, performed miracles (healing the sick, raising the dead), and emphasized love and compassion for the marginalized.
• Death & Resurrection: He was crucified by Roman authorities around AD 30–33. Christians believe he rose from the dead three days later, overcoming sin and death to offer salvation.
• Identity: Christians believe he is God in human form (the Trinity).
• Significance: He is the central figure of Christianity. 
• Historical Context: Modern scholars agree that Jesus was a historical figure who existed in the Roman province of Judaea. 

Teachings & Legacy

• The New Covenant: Jesus initiated a "new covenant" in the Jewish tradition.
• The Church: He is credited with establishing a body of believers, known as the Church.

Impact: His life and teachings have had a massive, enduring influence on world history, culture, and religion.
 

PRAYER TO JESUS

Lord Jesus Christ

Son of the Father, send forth now Thy Spirit over all the Earth. 

Let the Holy Spirit live in the hearts of all Nations

that they may be preserved from moral decline, disasters and war. 

May the Lady of all Nations who is Mary, be our Advocate. 

Amen

Parent–Teacher–Student Conferences (PTSC)

We warmly invite families to participate in our upcoming Parent–Teacher–Student Conferences (PTSC). These conferences are a valuable opportunity for students,
parents/guardians, and teachers to come together to discuss learning progress, celebrate achievements, and identify areas for growth. They also play an important role in strengthening the partnership between home and school, supporting each student’s learning and wellbeing.

This year, conferences will be held across two days:

• Wednesday 1 April – 3:00pm to 8:00pm
• Thursday 2 April – 9:00am to 2:00pm
   

All conferences will be conducted online via Google Meet. This allows families to connect with teachers from home while still having meaningful conversations about
student progress. Bookings are made through the Booked online system and are now open. They will close on Monday 30 March at 3:00pm.

Please click here to make a booking

Once logged in, you will be able to view your child’s teachers and select from the available interview times. For step-by-step instructions on how to make a booking, please refer to the earlier communication sent to families, which includes a Parent Guide to the booking process.

If you require an interpreter, please select your preferred language when making your booking so arrangements can be made. We strongly encourage students to attend the conference alongside their parent or guardian, as this supports them in taking an active role in their learning.

If you experience any difficulties accessing the booking system, please contact the school office on 9363 1711 or email itsupport@mariansw.vic.edu.au.  

We look forward to partnering with you to support your child’s continued growth and success.

Where we are at

As we enter the second part of Term 1 and the weather seems to have taken a cooler turn it is appropriate to acknowledge all that has happened since we were last here.

Child Safety Presentation to Staff

In the first week of March, the staff participated in two presentations on Child Safety that continues our focus in this space.

On the second day of the Staff Professional Learning Conference, Ben Tallboys – a lawyer who works in the school space spoke to the staff about professional boundaries and the importance of always using Common Sense when working with our young people.

Following on from this presentation on Tuesday 4th March all staff participated in a presentation around the Child Safety Standards by Sarah Morgante from the organization RED APPLE that works with staff about raising awareness and understanding. This presentation was engaging and continues our work in this space, and we work towards this being a focus for all we do in our day-to-day work. We will continue this focus over the course of the year and look forward to keeping you informed in this area.

Child Safety Parent Sub-Committee

Thank you to those parents who have volunteered to join this committee.

We will reconvene the committee at the beginning of Term 2 and we look forward to sharing our work with the entire community as we ask our parents to review our work in the Child Safety space. The Child Safety standards have a focus on parents being part of the process and this committee allows our parents to have a seat at our Child Safety table. 

Work of our Student Leaders

Our Lamp Bearers and CAPtains of Change have been meeting regularly over the course of this term with the Student Representative Council with a focus on planning events such as Cultural Diversity week and events for the next couple of months such as our Athletics Carnival.

We look forward to sharing updates of their work over the course of the year.

Medical Update 

Since the later part of 2025 we have made considerable progress in the medical space thanks to our Nurse – Sabrina Cornally.

This has involved day to day care of many of our students, significant care for a number of our students that have medical conditions such as Diabetes and Epilepsy and work in the policy and procedure space.

One of the new areas of development has been in the concussion space and so we ask that all families where their child may have experienced concussion due to accidents that occur from time to time, that they contact the school and inform our nurse about this. When this occurs, as part of our protocol’s students cannot return to school until they have received medical clearance from either their doctor or a hospital.

This is very important as the symptoms of concussion can go on for a period of time and we want to ensure the appropriate care is taken for all our student at the College.

Family Information and our Excursion Process

As all of our families are aware at the beginning of the year Operoo which was the system that we and many other schools used for family details ceased operation.

Moving forward all families need to be aware that if they wish to change any of the details associated with your child’s profile such as addresses, phone numbers etc. that they now need to do this through their SEQTA portal.

This is the same process when your child is attending an excursion – this information will appear in your profile on SEQTA Engage – within the excursion tab and this is where you can grant consent or decline the excursion or activity.

Our office staff have worked tirelessly to contact families to ensure that they are aware of where they can find the information and complete the process.

We thank our families for their patience in this space as we as well as many other schools navigate this transition to a new system

As we approach the last part of the term and near the Easter season may be remember the sacrifice made by the LORD so that we can see the light and HOPE associated with the resurrection and the new beginning that it offers us all. 

Musical 2026

Rehearsals for The Addams Family - Young@Part are now in full swing. Thanks to our students and families for their enthusiasm and support. The show will be presented in the first week of August - watch this space for updates.

Creative Music In Schools

Roberto Salazar teaches piano/keyboard, singing, guitar, and drums. Information brochures are available from the Performing Arts office at Recess and Lunch, or from Performing Arts teachers. His places are nearly full!

Marian College Choir

New members have been welcomed to Choir rehearsals, and our next intake will be at the start of Term 2. The Choir runs every Monday at Lunchtime in AD51, and is open to everyone. Any questions please DM or see Ms Eleanor. 

Concert Bands

The Lunchtime Concert Band and the Senior Concert Band will resume rehearsals in the last week of February, and will rehearse on alternating Thursdays for this year. Students who play flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, or bass guitar are welcome to join. An instrumental program for Year 7 students to learn Wind or Brass instruments is in the pipeline, and more information is to come. Students and parents can also contact me at the Performing Arts Office.

Play Ukelele!

This ensemble will resume part way during Term 2 when our Year 7 students have completed the Ukelele lessons component of the Year 7 Music curriculum. Watch this space for more information, or ask a Music teacher.

If you have any questions feel free to contact me at the College.

Social Justice Seminar

We were delighted to have two of our student leaders, Zaina Khurrum and Marysatty Shwenke represent the college at the Social Justice Seminar hosted by Kildare Ministries. Always thought provoking and reinvigorating being with other Kildare schools and other students passionate about social justice. Looking forward to seeing some ideas to life here at the College. 

KEM Social Justice Camp

At the KEM Social Justice Camp, we heard from Hana Assafiri, a social activist and owner of the popular Moroccan Soup Bar restaurant, about her faith based call to work for justice and how her restaurant creates a space for people from diverse cultures and beliefs to have meaningful conversations. Her message encouraged us to think about how we can continue strengthening the inclusive and diverse community at Marian by listening to different perspectives and supporting one another in working for justice.

"During the social justice camp, something that sparked my interest was when our guest-speaker , Hana Assafiri said that sometimes our silence can be an act of protest and advocacy. Our voices can be used as a weapon but also as a tool to help others , and when we feel that our voices are drowned out by the sound of others - its important to know that our voice is still present even in the loud crowd. its our way of advocacy and our identity, and something that belongs solely to us , something that is inherent at birth. "

Marysatty Schwenke - Faith Captain

We also learnt about the work of Kildare Ministries Community Works and its groups especially the Bridgerdine assylum services project (BASP) that advocate for regugees seeking assylum in Australia . This showed us how our fundraising and donations at Marian can make a real difference by helping provide support and opportunities for people seeking asylum. It reminded us that even small actions from our school community can contribute to building a more just and compassionate world.

Zaina Khurram - Justice Captain

LEOS BBQ

Our LEOs group was once again present in our fundraising efforts with the once a term sausage sizzle. Over $400 was raised for BASP. Thank you for their work and enthusiasm.

Until next term! 

The Resource Centre has enjoyed a vibrant start to the year, with a range of activities and initiatives designed to support student learning and engagement. Recently, the Resource Centre celebrated International Women’s Day, recognising the achievements and contributions of women throughout history and across many fields. A curated display of literature highlighted influential women in areas such as science, literature, politics, sport and the arts. Students were encouraged to explore these texts and learn about the stories of women who have shaped our world. During recess and lunch, students participated in various activities that celebrated notable female leaders. Students were also invited to contribute to a reflective display where they could write the name of a woman who inspires them and explain how they have inspired them. These activities provided students with the opportunity to reflect on themes of equality, empowerment and respect while acknowledging the important role women play in our communities and beyond.

The Resource Centre also recognised Chinese New Year, celebrating the rich cultural traditions associated with this important festival. A themed display introduced students to the customs, symbolism and stories connected with Lunar New Year celebrations. Students explored books featuring Chinese folklore, cultural traditions and contemporary stories written by Chinese authors, as well as informational resources about zodiac animals and the significance of the Lunar New Year. The display encouraged curiosity and provided students with an opportunity to engage with diverse cultures through literature and learning.

Supporting teaching and learning across the school remains a key focus for the Resource Centre. Teachers have been invited to submit requests for additional materials that support curriculum delivery, classroom learning and professional development. The purchase of these resources includes reference materials, teaching guides and subject specific texts designed to assist staff in delivering engaging and effective learning experiences. By continuing to expand our professional collection, we aim to ensure that staff have access to high quality resources that enhance both teaching practice and student learning.

The Resource Centre has also continued to expand its student collection with the purchase of new and contemporary literature. These additions include a variety of genres such as fantasy, mystery, historical fiction, graphic novels and non-fiction texts to cater to the diverse interests of our students. Maintaining a vibrant and engaging collection encourages students to read widely, discover new authors and develop a lifelong appreciation of reading.

Installation of Flag Poles 18 May 2006

In 2006 Marian College received federal government funding for two flag poles. Here is the write-up from the Marian News 2 June 2006: 

Our lawn near the Year 10 Centre now has two new flag poles.  These flag poles (one of which was a gift from the Federal Government) fly the Australian and Aboriginal flags.  The flags were officially dedicated at a ceremony with Co-Principals Elaine Dudgale-Walker and Kerrie Williams along with student leaders and other staff and students.  After speeches by Year 11 SRC representatives Marlene Fenech and Natasha Korbut our two new flags were raised for the first time while those present sung our national anthem.  We hope having the two flags side-by-side will not only be a symbol of national identity, but will also be a constant reminder of the role we all play in actively encouraging reconciliation between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians.

It’s lovely to see how beautiful the Marian College grounds are twenty years later. We also have an extra flagpole – for our own flag!

We have had a great start to the year in the Performing Arts department. The launch of The Addams Family School Musical was a memorable moment at the Opening Assembly, and now rehearsals are in full swing.

We have welcomed two new staff members to the Performing Arts team. Elisabeth Luke is a Drama/Dance teacher who brings a wide variety of skills and expertise to the department. Chloe Smedley is our AFL trainee who specialises in theatre production and arts administration.

VCE Theatre Studies students are working on their class production of Radium Girls by D.W. Gregory. This is a poignant, true-story play about 1920s factory workers who develop radiation poisoning from painting watch dials with luminous paint. It explores corporate greed, the fight for justice, and the human cost of industrial progress.

Students are working hard in their two production roles, designing, directing, and acting in the play. The show will be on Tuesday, May 12th at 7:00 pm. Stay tuned for booking details. Not only is this a formal assessment, it will also be a wonderful celebration of the students’ skill and talent.

The corridor is alive with the sound of the Year 9/10 elective classes exploring, composing, refining, and rehearsing. Students’ performance skills continue to improve, and each lesson we are humbled by the creative risks they take.

Year 7 Music students have started well, working on their rhythmic skills on various percussion instruments. They have loved improving their singing skills, learning movement sequences to enhance the lyrics. Students are just about to learn the Marian School song. The Year 8 Rock Band Program has shown us that we definitely have some rock stars in our midst!

Year 7 and 8 Drama students have committed wholeheartedly to improving their collaborative team skills while learning about comedy and mime. The students’ support of one another is never-ending, and the sound of applause is a regular feature in our lessons.

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Congratulations to Leikny Heimdal Reed and Mikayla Connolly for their involvement in the sold-out season of Altona City Theatre’s production of Cinderella.

Nikki Kihumba and Leikny Heimdal Reed have also successfully secured lead roles in an upcoming community production of Legally Blonde.

SPECIAL MENTION
Another piece of wonderful news is that Leikny Heimdal Reed has been selected to represent Marian College as the Melbourne Theatre Youth Ambassador. We will have updates later in the year about this program.

Thank you to all the Performing Arts staff  who are keeping the spirit of the arts alive! 

We are looking forward to our annual Mother's Day Breakfast for 2026, make sure to RSVP by clicking the below picture!