Dear College Community
Firstly, it is with deep sadness and sympathy that I acknowledge yesterday’s tragedy that occurred at Hillcrest Primary School, Devonport. It is hard to imagine the heartache experienced in the school community, the families, school students and staff, emergency workers and those professionals who will provide ongoing support. We offer our prayers also to the proprietor involved. Irrespectively, most are filled with a sense of grief, regardless of a direct connection. I know I certainly am.
At this time, as a Marist Regional College community, we offer our thoughts, prayers and deepest sympathy to all involved. Leaning into prayer during these times is important.
Lord, we pray for those who have been devastated by yesterday’s tragedy. We pray for those young children who have lost their lives so suddenly, on a day that should have been about celebrating.
We hold in our hearts the families and staff, forever changed by grief and loss. Bring them consolation and comfort. Surround them with our prayers for strength. Bless those who have survived and heal their memories of trauma and devastation. May they have the courage to face the days ahead.
Help us to respond with generosity in prayer, in assistance where possible, and in comfort to the best of our abilities. Keep our hearts focused on the needs of all the community. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Staffing 2022
The years seem to go more quickly as we age! It’s hard to believe that 2021 has come and almost gone.
Firstly, I would like to communicate some staffing changes for 2022 as follows:
(Acting) Principal: Mr Noel Nethery
(Acting) Deputy Principal: Learning and Teaching: Mrs Emily Sass
(Acting) Deputy Principal: Pastoral Care and Wellbeing: Mr John Hamilton
We welcome Mr Noel Nethery as Acting Principal for 2022. Noel is a very experienced and professional leader, returning to Marist Regional College, where he once taught as a beginning teacher. Noel is relocating back “home” from Townsville, where he was a Head of Campus at Townsville Grammar.
Mrs Emily Sass moves from the Director of Faith and Ministry role to Acting Deputy Principal: Learning and Teaching. Emily has been a pivotal leader at the College in 2021 taking on additional leadership responsibilities, leading a review of Student Support. Emily has started and progressed many conversations at our College and her work will only further foster growth and improvement in learning and teaching for all.
With 35 years’ experience at Marist Regional College, Mr John Hamilton has been appointed as (Acting) Deputy Principal: Pastoral Care and Wellbeing for 2022. John has previously undertaken this significant role and will provide some stability and corporate knowledge with an incumbent Principal.
We thank Mrs Tracey Rogers for her work over the last four years as Deputy Principal: Pastoral Care and Wellbeing, who will now take on a key role as a Literacy Key Teacher. This is a key area for the College and we look forward to Tracey’s leadership in this area.
We also thank Mr Wayne Gale for his efforts as Acting Deputy Principal: Learning and Teaching in 2021. This was hugely appreciated. Wayne will continue to play an active role in leading at MRC, particularly the Reaching Out to Make a Difference Project for our students of Circular Head, in the position of Lead Teacher.
Ms Andrea Kelly will also take on a similar role as Lead Teacher, particularly in the advancement to the State Government’s 9-12 Project for senior secondary school in Tasmania.
Further movement has transpired with our Year Level Coordinators receiving new contracts as listed below:
Year Level Coordinator Year 7: Mrs Helen Cox
Year Level Coordinator Year 8: Mr Damien Gale
Year Level Coordinators Year 10: Mrs Jess Magee and Mr Luke Wescombe
Senior College Year Level Coordinators: Miss Leah Englund and Mr Steve Eddington
Our Year 9 Coordinators continue to be Mr Sam Johnstone and Mrs Rachael McFarlane-Shires.
Furthermore, we have new appointments in the following key roles:
Head of Art: Ms Celena Laing
(Acting) Head of Science: Mrs Donna Scott
Head of Health and Physical Education: Mr Alex Johnstone
Aboriginal Student Success Coordinator and Student Success Teacher Senior College: Mrs Rachael Koop
Aboriginal Student Support Teacher Years 9/10: Ms Karina Lemon
Aboriginal Student Support Teacher Years 7/8: Mrs Maxine Neaton
TASC Coordinator: Mr Brett Argent
LOTE/French Teacher: Ms Yolanda Juen
We warmly welcome the following “new” teachers to our College Mrs Maxine Neaton (Middle Years Religious Education), Mrs Jordan Turale (Drama), Mr Toby Skene (Vocational Education and Training: Construction), Miss Linh Pham (Middle Years Maths/Science).
Mr Charles Duff (IT Support Technician) and Mr Danniel Haines (Utility/Cleaner) join our Business Services team.
We congratulate all newly appointed staff in their respective roles.
We would also like to announce the following departures from ongoing employees in Mr Brendan Schmidt (15 years), Mrs Wendy Horniblow (19 years), Mr Tim Horniblow (32 Years) and Ms Denise Milburn (4 years). All staff have generously served the community for a considerable period and are looking forward to new adventures in the future.
Student Achievement
On Wednesday morning, I received confirmation from TASC that the following students at our College have achieved a Tertiary Entrance Score in the Top 100 of Tasmanian students.
We extend a hearty congratulations to Sienna Thorp, Manuthi Wijayasinghe and Nethmini Wijewardhane.
We are very proud of the commitment and excellence from our students. Additionally, we pay tribute to their teachers and the positive partnerships from their families. Congratulations girls!
Overall, our initial results indicate that from 99 Year 12 students, 96 achieved their TCE. The College will continue to work with those three students to assist them in reaching this goal.
Furthermore, early data indicates:
- 61 achieved an ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank, a number between zero and 99.95 that indicates where the student ranks in their year group)
- 33 above 80
- 17 above 90
- 8 above 95
From the above data, this illustrates that approximately 25% of our graduates achieved results in the nation’s top 10%. Again, one third of our graduates achieved in the nation’s top 20% of performers.
Additionally, four of our students were awarded a TASC Outstanding Achievement in VET for 2021: Noah Beskin-Clark, Alana Porro, Brooke Scott, Macey Wolfe
From a personal perspective, I would like to wish all our staff, students, and the broader community every success for 2022. As you would be aware, I have decided to apply my long service leave for next year. I have accrued this leave “twice over” as well as an additional leave for principals known as “Renewal Leave.” This is an entitlement to be taken after seven years’ service as a principal, with seven weeks leave. However, next year is my 10th year and as you have read, I am well overdue for an extended break.
On behalf of Marist Regional College, we wish you a happy, safe and Holy Christmas and new year with your loved ones.
In partnership
Gregg Sharman
PRINCIPAL
Uniform Policy Review Working Group
The College has established a Uniform Policy Review Working Group.
The group is currently made up of a small number of staff and parents and has met on two occasions to date.
The purpose of the working group is to refresh the uniform policy, whilst maintaining a high standard of personal presentation for students of the College.
We are now seeking expressions of interest from parents/guardians who would like to be involved.
If you are interested, please complete the Expression of Interest Form via the link: Expression of Interest Form
If you would like further information, please call the College on 6432 7600.