Dear Marist Regional College Families,  

As we reach the end of the school year, we thank you for your ongoing commitment and partnership with your child’s education at Marist Regional College. We have had much activity within and outside of the College this term, with rituals and activities symbolising for some the end of this chapter of their schooling, and for others of continuing growth into older year levels.     

Much preparation has also been underway for 2025, with our Year 7-10 students experiencing a transition morning last Monday. This provided students a chance to hear from their 2025 Year Level Coordinators and to meet some of the key staff who will form their Pastoral Care Group Leaders in 2025. The groups students were placed in on this day did not necessarily reflect their Pastoral Care Groups for 2025 but was an opportunity to provide staff more information for class placements.     

End of Year Reports    

2024 End of Year Reports were made available to students and parents yesterday via MEL. MEL will be open to parents and students until Wednesday 18 December where access will then be closed for the annual roll over.    

2025 Class Lists and MEL Access    

On Wednesday 4 February 2025, access to MEL will reopen and at this time, students and parents will be able to access 2025 student timetables which will include allocated teachers.    

Please be assured there has been months of hard work and planning by teachers, coordinators, counsellors and Student Support specialist staff to organise class placements, taking into consideration a range of student needs and feedback.  Often, it is not possible to make changes without significantly impacting other students who also have compelling individual needs.     

As students prepare to transition to the next year in College life, they embark on an exciting journey of growth and new opportunities. While change can sometimes feel uncertain, the language we use as parents and caregivers plays a vital role in shaping their perspective. Focus on framing the transition as an adventure, emphasising the opportunities for learning, meeting new friends, and discovering fresh interests. Instead of dwelling on what’s being left behind, encourage discussion about what they can look forward to. We can help students build resilience and excitement for their next steps by modelling a positive attitude and nurturing enthusiasm towards change.    

2025 Transition Morning    

Some students have been identified as being able to benefit from an early Transition opportunity which will occur on Thursday 6 February. Parents/guardians of these students will be notified of this opportunity by tomorrow. If you do not receive this letter and believe your child is eligible, please contact our Director of Student Support, Ms Rebekah Taylor via email: rtaylor@mrc.tas.edu.au.      

When class lists are available, your child’s first points of contact at the College will be their Pastoral Care Group Leader, and the relevant Year Level Coordinator/s listed below.   

2025 Year Level Coordinators 
 
Year 7 – Mrs Helen Cox and Mr Tim King: hcox@mrc.tas.edu.au / tking@mrc.tas.edu.au   
Year 8 – Mr Damien Gale: dgale@mrc.tas.edu.au  
Year 9 – Mr Jack Filz: jfilz@mrc.tas.edu.au  
Year 10 – Mr Toby Skene and Mrs Lauren Shivvaan: tskene@mrc.tas.edu.au / lshivvaan@mrc.tas.edu.au  
Senior College – Mr Stephen Eddington and Mrs Renee French: seddington@mrc.tas.edu.au / rfrench@mrc.tas.edu.au     

These roles are heavily support by our Director of Middle School (7-8) – Ms Maxine Neaton (mneaton@mrc.tas.edu.au) and our new position of Director of Senior School (9-12) – Mr Aaron Humphrey (ahumphrey@mrc.tas.edu.au) who is returning from a year’s leave in the Tiwi Islands.    

Staffing Announcements    

We farewell the following teaching staff at end of 2024:  

  • Mr Gregg Sharman – As previously communicated, Gregg has resigned from his role as Principal. Gregg is looking forward to devoting more time to his young family. 
  • Mrs Fiona Hamilton – Following a year of Long Service Leave, Fiona will be commencing her retirement after an exceptional 37 years teaching at Marist Regional College.  
  • Mr Oliver Morgan – Oliver will be transferring to St Patricks College in Launceston.  
  • Ms Ruby Sun – Ruby will be transferring to MacKillop College in Hobart.  
  • Mr Luke Wescombe – Luke will be transferring to St Patricks College in Launceston.  
  • Mr Keegan Powell – Keegan is relocating to Queensland.    

We wish these staff members the very best in their future endeavours.  

Mr John Hamilton, Mr Wayne Gale and Mr Darren Cox will all be accessing extended Long Service Leave in 2025. Mrs Mollie Reeves will be on maternity leave from Week 4 of Term 1, 2025.    

We are welcoming the following teaching staff in 2025:  

  • Lauren Shivvaan – Year 10 Year Level Coordinator, Senior College Legal Studies and English/HASS teacher 
  • Marion Weeks – Careers and Pathways Advisor and HASS Teacher                                                            
  • Mark Modra – HASS and English Teacher   
  • Ellia Redman – Food and Fibres Teacher 
  • Amy-Rose Simpson – Mathematics Teacher 
  • Niamh Baly – Mathematics and Student Support Teacher   

2025 Start Dates    

Year 7 and Senior College: Friday 7 February  

Years 8, 9 and 10: Monday 10 February     

Please note that teaching staff are on leave from Friday 13 December until Monday 3 February. The College office will be closed from Thursday 19 December and will re-open on Tuesday 28 January.    

If your child is not intending to return to the College in 2025 and you have not notified us, could you please do so by contacting enrolments@mrc.tas.edu.au or 6432 7600.     

We wish you a safe and blessed Christmas season. Thank you again for your ongoing partnership and support.    

In the way of Mary, 

Emily Sass
Acting Principal