On Wednesday, we celebrated our Feast Day, coinciding with the Feast of the Assumption of Mary. It was a wonderful day for our College community, providing an opportunity to come together in celebration of our faith, our traditions and, most importantly, each other. Mary holds a special place in both our Marist and Mercy traditions. For the Marist Fathers, she is a daily inspiration and guide, while Catherine McAuley, founder of the Sisters of Mercy, encouraged the Sisters to look to Mary as their Mother and role model. Mary reminds us that faith is not simply something we talk about, but something we live through the way we treat others, serve those around us and respond when people need us. Throughout the day, our students and staff enjoyed Mass, food, music, activities and plenty of fun, while embracing the opportunity to strengthen our sense of community.  

Our Feast Day was a wonderful reminder that being part of a community means looking out for one another, making people feel welcome and ensuring everyone has the opportunity to belong. In doing so, we were able to live out our College Values of Hospitality, Respect, Justice, Compassion, and Responsibility. Like Mary, we are reminded that sometimes the most important things we do are the small things, an encouraging word, including someone, helping someone in need, or simply making another person feel that they belong. 

Also on Wednesday evening, we were delighted to officially bless and open the Marist Technology Centre, marking an exciting new chapter in practical and technology-based learning at Marist Regional College. This wonderful new facility reflects a bold vision to provide our students with contemporary opportunities to develop practical skills, explore their interests and discover what they can achieve. The Centre offers an outstanding learning environment where students can design, create, build, problem-solve and collaborate, while developing skills that will serve them well beyond the classroom. Most importantly, it will provide opportunities for students to discover their strengths, grow in confidence and begin to imagine pathways into engineering, construction, design, automotive, manufacturing, technology, and many other future careers.  

We acknowledge the vision and commitment of former Principal Gregg Sharman, our Technologies staff and the many staff, families, and community members who have helped bring this project to life. While the building and equipment are impressive, it is our staff and students who will truly bring the Centre to life. The Marist Technology Centre represents much more than a new building, it is a statement of belief in our young people, their talents and their future, and we look forward to seeing the opportunities, confidence and pathways it creates for generations of young Marists to come. 

Often parents talk with me about the troubles they are having with their children, and parenting a teenager can sometimes be challenging, particularly when it can feel difficult to understand what your young person is thinking, feeling or experiencing. The teenage years are a time of significant change as young people develop their identity, seek greater independence and begin to navigate the transition towards adulthood. It is natural for teenagers to want more freedom and to sometimes question the boundaries and expectations that have guided them when they were younger. At the same time, they still need the guidance, consistency and direction of trusted adults. 

Being a parent does not always mean being your teenager’s friend. In fact, some of the most important parenting moments can be the ones where we need to have difficult conversations, set boundaries and hold firm on expectations. Young people need to know that the adults around them care enough to provide structure and, when necessary, to say no. Clear and consistent boundaries can provide teenagers with a sense of security, even when they may not always agree with them. 

This can become particularly challenging when a young person is struggling with their wellbeing or there are concerns about self-harm. Parents can understandably feel torn between wanting to protect their child from distress and knowing that appropriate boundaries and consequences still need to be maintained. It is important to remember that showing care and compassion does not mean removing all expectations or avoiding difficult conversations. Parents can be both compassionate and firm, listening to their young person, acknowledging what they are experiencing and ensuring they know they are loved, while also maintaining appropriate boundaries and expectations. Where there are concerns about self-harm, safety and wellbeing should always be the priority, and families should seek appropriate professional support rather than trying to manage these concerns alone. 

One helpful resource for parents is the “Raising Children Network”, which provides practical, evidence-based information about parenting teenagers, setting boundaries, communication, wellbeing and supporting young people through challenging periods. Families can access the resource at Raising Children Network https://raisingchildren.net.au. 

Thanks, and have a great fortnight. 

Warm regards, 

Shayne Kidd 

Principal