Marian College - Our Story
‘If I could be of service… in any part of the globe,
I would gladly go there’
Nano Nagle (1718-1784) was born into a wealthy family in Ireland. English laws at the time prevented Catholic children from attending school.
Nano secretly taught children of the poor and used her wealth to build schools for them. She educated them in literacy, mathematics and their faith.
Nano also visited the sick and elderly bringing them food and carrying her lamp along the winding alleyways. Nano became known as the ‘Lady of the Lantern’.
She established the Presentation Sisters in 1775 in Ireland. In 1968, the Presentation Sisters founded Marian College. We are now their story.
Marian College continues to live the vision of Nano Nagle
‘In Deeds Not Words’
‘New Day, New Hope, New Beginnings’
Designed by Year 12 student Isabelle Cooke
This Year’s College theme is ‘New Day, New Hope, New Beginnings’. It is a recontextualisation of the passage from Revelations, ‘Behold, I make all things new’. The design for our banner was developed by Isabelle Cooke, one of our very talented Visual Communication and Design (VCD) students. College leaders worked alongside the VCD class to create wording and images that would ‘speak’ to the students in our school community. The class developed some outstanding designs! Isabelle’s was chosen for its simplicity, clarity and interpretation of the theme, which also links closely to the Gospel story, ‘The Parable of the Sower’.
As part of the process, students discussed the meaning of the text and what it meant for them. Some of their comments were:
· ‘It doesn’t matter if you make a mistake, tomorrow is a new day, so you can always start again’
· ‘Every new day is a blessing from God’
· ‘Make the most of all the opportunities that come your way’
· ‘Bring your best self into each day’
· ‘Ask for forgiveness when you need to put things right’
· ‘Help other people to start over when they need a new chance’
· ‘Be forgiving’
Marian College Community Patrons
Sister Issie Gomez
Sister Issie was a Presentation Sister. At 17 years of age, with her parents permission, she became a Sister and came to Australia with other Sisters. She came to Myrtleford briefly in 1947, then returned in 1975 and stayed until 2009.
In the early days Sr Issie cooked for 40 school boarders and fifteen Presentation Sisters and was renowned for the toffee apples that she prepared for the school fetes. Sr Issie always had a twinkle in her eye and she certainly spoke her mind.
In 2007 Sister Issie was named Myrtleford Citizen of the Year for all her commitments to the community over a full lifetime of work.
In 2008 as a Paul Harris Fellow, she was recognized for her warmth, patience and kindness in dealing with people from all walks of life.
Oscar Romero
Romero was a powerful leader and used his position as Archbishop of San Salvador to speak out for the oppressed and the vulnerable. He became a voice for the voiceless by challenging the unjust government of his country.
He modeled his life on Jesus, and because of his relentless pursuit for justice and peace for his people, Romero was murdered (while saying mass).
He ignored the constant threats from fellow bishops or Government and continued to voice his disapproval and speak about the need for the Church and Government in El Salvador to bring the gospel values to life.
Romero’s tragic assassination continues to triumph as it fuels human rights and social justice movements in El Salvador and the global community.
Nano Nagle
Born to wealth and privilege but a woman determined to find a way to help those less fortunate than herself.
Against opposition opened her first school in 1754, beginning her great work in education and saving the Irish culture.
Pioneered a courageous ministry to teach and tend to the poor. (She taught during the day and at night nursed the sick / became the Lady with the Lantern – a symbol for Presentation Sisters Worldwide)
Founded the Presentation Sisters in 1775 an order devoted to continuing her work … in deeds not words.