Angela Romano - Principal -
As we approach the final week of Term 3, I have been reflecting on our College theme of Justice and what it means for us as a learning community. Justice is often understood as fairness and equity; however, in our Catholic tradition, it calls us to something deeper. It challenges us to recognise the dignity of every person, to stand alongside those in need, and to ensure that our decisions and actions contribute to the flourishing of others.
Throughout the past month, I have been continually inspired by the many ways our students bring this theme to life.
Justice is perhaps most visible when we see students using their gifts in service of others. Throughout the term, students have continued to participate in a range of initiatives that support the wider community, demonstrating empathy, generosity, and a commitment to making a difference. Whether through fundraising, social justice activities, classroom advocacy, or simply the everyday acts of kindness that often go unnoticed, our students continue to remind us that leadership begins with service.
At the heart of everything we do are our students. Every strategic decision, every improvement initiative, and every community endeavour is ultimately about creating the conditions for young people to thrive. They are the reason we gather, learn, lead, and grow together.
Thank you to our students for the enthusiasm, compassion, and integrity they bring to our community each day. Thank you also to our staff and families for partnering with us in nurturing young people who are not only successful learners but also people of justice, courage, and hope.
As we approach the upcoming holiday break, I encourage our students to take time to rest, reconnect with family and friends, and enjoy a well-earned pause from the demands of school life. Holidays provide an important opportunity to recharge, reflect on the term's achievements, and return refreshed for the final stages of the year. Whether travelling, spending time with loved ones, pursuing personal interests, or simply enjoying some quiet moments, I hope our students find joy, balance, and renewal during this time. We look forward to welcoming everyone back ready to embrace the opportunities and challenges that await in the new term.
As we continue to reflect on our theme of Justice, I am reminded of the words of the prophet Micah:
"What does the Lord require of you? To act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8
Strength and Kindness
Kerrie Williams – Assistant to the Principal : Student Wellbeing -
As we approach the last week of Term 3 and we can see that the sunlight parts of the day are getting longer and the sunshine has a little bit more intensity, we can see the blossom on the trees we know that the change of season is around the corner and that is something to celebrate. We have a number of things to celebrate this term
Over the course of this term, Mrs. Stafford has worked tirelessly to begin the formation of the new CAPtains of Change for 2027.
The program consisted of students applying for one or more of the following roles:
Lamp Bearer
Learning CAPtain
Faith CAPtain
Sports CAPtain
Justice CAPtain
Arts CAPtain
Students were then interviewed for individual roles and for our students applying for Lamp Bearer then producing a short video of what they would bring to the leadership role. Finally, the whole school were given the opportunity to vote in the selection process.
A large number of Year 11’s applied for each of the roles and the quality of the candidates and their vision that they have for how they can make a difference to our community was inspiring.
Finally, at our Term assembly on Wednesday 8th September the leadership team for 2027 was revealed to the school community. The following Brigidine Women have been elected to the following roles:
Lamp Bearers: Danica Lobo and Sarah Lia Si
Learning CAPtain: Sophie Ha
Faith CAPtain: Mikayla Connolly
Justice CAPtain: Labeeqa Ikram
Sports CAPtain: Vivian Tran
Arts CAPtain: Ava Hudaverdi
Congratulations to all our leaders and to all the Year 11 students who put themselves through the process in the hope that they would be able to be leaders in our community. We believe very strongly that you do not have to have a badge or title to demonstrate leadership.
We look forward to sharing with you over the course of the next 12 months the work that this team will be doing to help make our School Community a better place.
We now begin the process of electing our House Captains and the Student Representative Council members from Years 8-11.
Our Year 7 leaders will be chosen in 2027.
The last day of term 3 has been transformed into our annual Brigidine Celebration Day that focuses on our core value for the year of JUSTICE
The day begins with our school community gathering for a School Mass which will be celebrated with Fr Jude.
We will then move into the middle part of the day – the carnival with rides, lots of food options including food trucks, DJ and photobooths and then finally we end the day with Marian has Talent.
What a great way to end the term.
Now that spring has arrived, the upcoming school holidays are the perfect opportunity to review your child's asthma and hayfever management in preparation for Term 4.
If your child's Asthma Action Plan or hayfever treatment plan has not been reviewed by their GP within the last 12 months, we encourage you to arrange an appointment during the holidays. Regular reviews help ensure management plans are up to date, enabling school staff to provide the best possible support for your child's health needs while at school.
Recent updates to Australian asthma management guidelines mean that some asthma treatments may have changed. Families may find it helpful to review information from Asthma Australia, which explains the latest recommendations.
Australian Asthma Handbook - Asthma Australia
Please provide the College with any updated Asthma Action Plans and ensure any medications supplied to school are current, clearly labelled, and have not expired.
We wish all families a safe, healthy and enjoyable school holiday break.
With the end of term 3 comes some reminders for the beginning of term 4
We ask that students prepare their uniform over the holidays in anticipation for the start of term 4.
As we end the term, we can continue to remind all of our families of the expectation of contacting the school if your child is going to be absent on any given day. This is not just a school expectation but a government expectation that all parents explain their child’s absence from school.
Finally, may the term holidays provide all of our young people with the opportunity to rest and start the preparation for the last part of 2026 and then the step-up program to their 2027 studies in November. For our Year 12 students it means preparing for the final exams that are just around the corner.
In the meantime – enjoy the well-deserved break and stay safe. Enjoy the warmth of the sun as we move towards the warmer months of the year.
We are thrilled to be hosting the Open Marian Alumnae Reunion again this year!
Following the incredible success of last year’s event, which saw more than 200 past students return to the College for an evening of laughter, memories and reconnection, we can’t wait to do it all again!
The reunion is more than just a chance to return to the College, it’s an opportunity to reconnect with old friends, reminisce about school days and rediscover the memories that made Marian special.
The evening will include catching up with former teachers, food and drinks, a journey through the Marian College Archives, old photographs and memorabilia, as well as displays celebrating the wonderful work of our current students. Guided tours of the College will also run throughout the evening.
Most importantly, the reunion is an opportunity to give back to the next generation of Marian students. Raffle proceeds and other donations will contribute to a dedicated fund supporting students who may need assistance with essentials including school uniforms and music lessons.
The event will be held Friday 21 November, at 6:30pm at Marian College.
The Alumnae Committee is proud to continue creating opportunities for our past students to reconnect, celebrate their Marian memories and make a meaningful difference to the College community today.
We can’t wait to welcome our alumnae back again.
Click here to book your place and join us for a night of memories, laughter and reconnection!
Brigid Cooper - College Archivist -
In 2026 we celebrate thirty years since the formation of the Marian College Stewardship Council. Stewardship Councils were formed at each of the seven secondary colleges owned and operated by the Brigidine Order in Victoria and South Australia to continue to strengthen Marian College as a place for educating young women within the tradition of the Catholic Church and the Brigidine Congregation.
The foundation members at the first meeting on 29 July 1996, and formally commissioned at Marian College by Sr Margaret Cassidy csb, Provincial Coordinator of the Brigidine Congregation, on 9 September, were: Annette Broadfoot; Gwen Christie, Sr Louise CIeary csb (Chairperson of the Council, Brigidine representative), Nerida Deguara, Fr Barry Hughes (Parish Priest, St Theresa's Albion), Sr Catherine Kelly csb (Brigidine representative), Marlene Monahan, Monica Parnis, Gerard Stafford (Principal, Executive Officer).
Now the Marian College Stewardship Council sits within the structure of the Kildare Ministries, formed by the Brigidine Sisters and the Presentation Sister in 2014. This relationship was formalised in 2017 when the school was entrusted to the Trustees of the Kildare Ministries.
Mari Eleanor - Performing Arts Programs Coordinator -
Year 7 students have the opportunity to learn a Wind (Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone) or Brass instrument here at Marian College as part of the Performing Arts Co-Curricular Program, with lessons being taught through Creative Music in Schools tutors. Instruments are loaned to students and lessons are provided by the College. The program is now up and running, and we welcome our two wonderful teachers into our College community – Izzi Smith (Brass) and Lucy Preece (Winds). Queries can be directed to myself at the College. There are some spaces available for clarinet, saxophone, and trombone.
The Performing Arts staff, cast and crew would like to thank the entire College community for your support of our production of The Addams Family Young@part. So many people were involved in supporting the show. The College Executive ensure that we had the resources and support we needed. Staff from all across the school supervised the cast and crew rooms on performance nights, helped out with make-up, costumes, props, sets, and backstage, and served our audiences with refreshments at the interval. Marketing made the ticketing and publicity happen, and Maintenance helped us get the set in.
We had staff students from the VET Makeup class, and a student crew who joined the staff backstage, lighting, and sound teams. Finally a big shout out to our wonderful audiences who bought tickets, attended performances, and gave so generously of their applause, and congratulations to the staff and students of the cast and crew for an absolutely wonderful show.
Senior Concert Band has resumed after school rehearsal on Thursday afternoons from 3.15-4.20pm. Lunchtime Concert Band has resumed weekly Lunchtime rehearsals every Thursday.
The Choir recently sang ‘Hail Mary – Gentle Woman’ to conclude the reflection on Mary at the end of term Assembly. They are finalizing preparations to support the Brigidine May Mass, and are already looking ahead to the upcoming Graduation early in Term 4. New members will be welcomed from Term 4 Week 3 – reminders will be posted in the Notices closer to the time.
The Ukelele Club is accepting new members any time. For more information students can contact our student leader – Zoe Brown. The club is mostly student-run, and open to all. If you can’t play you are still welcome – we’ll teach you!
The Performing Arts Co-curricular Showcase will toward the end of Term 4, after the Year 12 exams. Save the date -Thursday 26th November, 7-8.30pm, in the O’Neill Auditorium! Admission is free of charge and all are welcome
On 4 September, the College hosted its annual Father’s Day Breakfast, welcoming dozens of fathers, grandfathers and father figures for a morning filled with good food, great company and, naturally, plenty of dad jokes.
The morning kicked off with a special Father’s Day prayer and student acknowledgment, followed by a wonderful keynote from beloved father and staff member Mr Rob Herrera. Mr Herrera reminded us that fathers come in many forms, whether they are the ones who teach us not to call a professional to do a job he can do, or simply give us a laugh when we need it most.
Of course, no Father’s Day event would be complete without a little competition, with a round of ‘Guess Your Daughter’s Voice’! Dads faced the wall on stage while students took turns calling out, “Hi Dad!”
Let’s just say… some dads were impressively confident, while others may need to schedule a hearing test.
Students also presented their dads with a handy Father’s Day gift, because nothing says “I love you, Dad” quite like a present that is actually useful.
A huge thank you to Chris Nicholl and Sheridan Le’Toille for organising and setting up the event, and to our wonderful College Maintenance Team for the fabulous BBQ and all their hard work behind the scenes.
Thank you also to CalmerDays On Wheels for keeping everyone fuelled with their delicious food and coffee, and to Awesome Photobooth Melbourne for the spectacular photo booth that kept the smiles, laughs and questionable poses coming all morning!
It was a fantastic morning celebrating the dads and father figures who do so much for our students and our community.
Loving God,
Help us to be people of justice, compassion, and hope.
May we recognise the dignity of every person and seek to create a community where all feel valued, respected, and included.
Give us the courage to stand up for what is right, the wisdom to act with fairness, and the humility to serve others with generous hearts.
As we enter this holiday period, bless our students, families, and staff with rest, peace, and renewal.
May we return refreshed and ready to continue building a community where justice is lived through our words, our actions, and our care for one another.
Amen.
