Dear College Community  

It’s hard to believe, it’s the end of Term One already. Every day of every week is busy. Mostly, this is due to our own motivation to see our College move forward, grow and develop.  

Here’s a few observations from this week and Term One as well as some of our current thinking for the future:   

  • Last week we postponed our Enrolment Information Evening due to a power outage caused by inclement weather. Our RSVPs for this event totalled 364. This is by far the highest number in recent history. We have a lot to consider as we plan for the future.  
  • The College’s Building Committee continue to work with staff and seek advice from our College Advisory Board in relation to our capital resources. Planning remains at a conceptual level as we look to develop our facilities to improve spaces including those for our students in their senior years, as well as a priority to improve the spaces for Materials, Design and Technology. We make no apologies for having great ambitions for our students, staff and community.  
  • Our VET Contruction and Small Engines students have a new home this Term. We have built new maintenance sheds at the bottom of the property and refurbished our existing sheds to create a functional space for these two courses. 
  • VET Nursing has commenced this Term, along with Packages of Learning: Construction and Architecture for Year 10 students. 
  • The state final for the UTAS Science and Engineering Challenge was held in the Harcombe Centre last week and on Monday.   
  • The College has been working with State Growth and local bus contractors to provide an extra bus for the Ulverstone area. 
  • A Bush Walking Club has been formed for students and staff. 
  • A highly successful Athletics Carnival was held on Tuesday and Wednesday. 
  • The College participated in the Touch Football state final recently. 
  • The Senior College Ball on Friday evening – a great time was had by all. 
  • We are NSATIS Senior Girls Basketball champions for 2021! Congratulations girls! What about the atmosphere? The Harcombe atmosphere was brilliant.  
  • Key staff and our Board Chair, Mr Eddie Roberts, visited Smithton yesterday to meet with local community members to discuss how Marist Regional College can “reach out” to enhance the outcomes for current and future students.  
  • Staff have been working hard in recent weeks to provide interim student feedback to parents/guardians via MEL.  
  • Miss Emily Risdon’s coordination of the MRC Relay for Life team; thanks to everyone who contributed to the event. 
  • A Holy Week liturgy was held today in the Harcombe Centre for our students and staff. Tomorrow is the highpoint of our Christian calendar where we reflect on our Lenten journey, remember the ultimate sacrifice Jesus made for us motivated by his love, further considering how we might be “reborn” in the Easter season and beyond.  

On Sunday, we celebrate the Easter Resurrection. What has been your resurrection moment from the 40 days of Lent, or even this year? Have you witnessed transformational moments for the better? I have a few that I’d like to note.  

A young person who was previously enrolled at another school setting hadn’t been attending since last September. Through the support of our staff with the partnership of the family, we’ve been able to resurrect this child‘s education, including the perception of school, relationships with others and engagement in learning. 

On Saturday, 20 March, you would be aware of the Ritual of Lament that was held at the Emu Valley Rhododendron Gardens. Arguably, there wouldn’t be a more appropriate time of the year to host an event of this kind other than Lent. I’ve wondered about “survivors” this week and whether they have felt any comfort from our ritual. We can only hope and pray, not expect, for a form of “rebirth” for those who have suffered for so long.  

On Monday we held our Healing and Commitment Ritual at the College. Together, we gathered in prayer for justice and forgiveness. A plaque of remembrance was installed in the College Memorial Garden. 

We are pleased to announce our College Board members for 2021: Fr John Girdauskas, Mr Eddie Roberts, Mr Paul Campbell, Mrs Tia Poole, Mr Jonathan Cahill, Mrs Kim Bookarof, Mr Mitchell Smith, Mr Simon Angilley, and Mr Gregg Sharman. Congratulations to Mr Eddie Roberts on his re-appointment as the Board Chair. The Board Secretary is Ms Gabrielle Woods. 

We would like to thank Mr Robert Willis and Ms Bronwyn Folden for their commitment and contributions during their term with the Board. 

We welcome two new staff members to the College: Mr Rasheed Chowdhury (Accounts Receivable Officer), an accounting professional with experience in the education sector, and Mr Garry Gale (Teacher Assistant) who joins the Student Support Team at the LEC having 5+ years of experience in a similar role at Parklands High School. 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank our dedicated and professional staff for their work. 

Wishing everyone God’s blessing this school holiday period. May the hope and joy of the Easter resurrection be with you and your families. 

In partnership 

Mr Gregg Sharman 

Principal