Catholic Identity Statement

Context

Marymede Catholic College opened in 2006 as an Archdiocesan Prep to Year 12 co-educational school in the suburb of South Morang. Eighteen years later, in 2024, the College officially opened the Doreen Campus for Year 7 students, with a secondary school curriculum up to Year 12 to be offered over successive years. 

The College is governed by Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools. 

The grounds of each Campus are situated in environments where the Plenty River runs through, giving life and sustenance to this bountiful area of the northern suburbs. These are the traditional lands of the Wurundjeri-willam clan of the Woiwurrung people. The College invites students to understand the spiritual and cultural traditions of First Nations people and we commit to the continued care of the lands and waterways that enrich our learning environments. 

Our College Name and Patron
 

Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.” (John 4: 13–14)

Jesus spoke these words to a Samaritan woman whom he encountered at a well in Sychar. It is this scripture passage that inspired the College’s vision for its founding years. Expressed metaphorically, the College was to be a ‘well’ where students have their thirst for learning and faith quenched as they grow. Jesus becomes the ‘living water’ for our students and all in the community. 

The name Marymede is an amalgam of Mary and Meade, where Meade refers to a meadow. The name honours Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and is also inspired by the surrounding lands on which the College was established. 

The College’s motto is In the Way of Mary. She inspires us through her saying ‘Yes’ to God’s request in giving birth to Jesus as a gift to humanity for all time. This ‘Yes’ had elements of surprise, risk and unknowns. At the same time, it offered an openness to faith and trust in God. Mary’s ‘Yes’ was not a single moment but represented an ongoing commitment to God’s call for her. 

At Marymede Catholic College, all members of the community are invited to embrace this ‘Yes’: to be open to the movement of God in our lives, where nothing is impossible. The College echoes Mary’s phrase, first spoken in the prayer of the Magnificat, ‘Let it be done, according to your word’. The College also seeks inspiration and guidance from Mary through living six exemplary virtues she displayed: 

• Discipleship
• Faith
• Humility
• Selflessness
• Strength
• Trust

Our Catholic Identity

We offer the following statement to express who we are, what we believe and what we do to honour and celebrate our Catholic identity.

As a Catholic school:

• We embrace our commitment to the mission of the Church which, in the name of Jesus Christ, proclaims and celebrates the Good News of faith, hope and love.
• We extend the invitation of Jesus to ‘Come to me to have life’ (John 5:40). Vital to this invitation is an authentic welcome to all students and their families and a strong respect for the inherent dignity of every person as being created in the image of God.
• We believe that dialogue is an integral element of ensuring that the dignity of each person is upheld. We are guided by three fundamental principles for dialogue, namely: ‘the duty to respect one’s own identity and that of others, the courage to accept differences, and sincerity of intentions.’ * 
• We are inspired by the Scripture passage: ‘I have come that they may have life and have it to the full’ (John 10:10). With this in mind, we create learning environments that nurture the whole person and that address all aspects of human development (cognitive, emotional, social, physical, creative, and spiritual).
• We recognise that the Gospel further calls us to act for a just society. ‘Tell the people the full message of this new life’ (Acts 5:20). We actively promote Catholic Social Teaching to inspire our students to become good citizens with a particular commitment to compassion and justice for all.
• We draw on the Catholic Church’s intellectual tradition and invite students to engage with this through prayer and liturgical celebrations, art, music, literature and architecture, and all other avenues that are part of the school’s life and curriculum.

Realising our Catholic Identity

With our students at the centre, the College commits to realising our Catholic Identity through:

• Recognising our role in the broader mission of the Church to be missionaries of God’s love
• Offering a Catholic Education for all those who choose to learn at this school
• Being open to the wisdom of scripture that nourishes faith and a sense of hope
• gathering for opportunities that include prayer, liturgies and Eucharist 
• Providing opportunities to journey with the First Nations people and committing to reconciliation
• Preserving the dignity of the human person, fostering the common good and our shared humanity
• Providing quality holistic education for all
• Being a visible presence through our relationships with each other and the world
• Engaging students in Religious Education alongside our commitment to academic endeavour
• Cultivating leaders who embody Jesus’ call to servant leadership
• Fostering a positive partnership with our local parishes
• Providing opportunities for community members to engage in social justice initiatives
• Engaging in interfaith dialogue to foster understanding and acceptance
• Ensuring that the form of our buildings and other symbols reflect a visual representation of our Catholic identity and express our commitment to evangelisation.

*Congregation For Catholic Education (2022), The identity of the Catholic School for a Culture of Dialogue, no. 30.

Catholic Identity Program  

At Marymede Catholic College, our Catholic Identity is central to the life of the school. Inspired by the way of Mary, we strive to nurture a passion for life, a love of learning, and a deep commitment to serving others.

Religious Education is part of the curriculum from Prep to Year 12. 

Primary School (Prep – Year 6)

In the Primary years, Religious Education helps children make sense of their everyday lives through the lens of faith. Rooted in the Catholic tradition, students are introduced to the stories, teachings and practices of the Church in ways that are relevant to their own experiences and cultures.

Our program supports students to build a relationship with God, form respectful relationships with others, and develop a love for the Church. Students are prepared to receive the Sacraments with the support of our dedicated teachers and College Chaplain:

• Reconciliation in Year 3
• First Eucharist in Year 4
• Confirmation in Year 6

Secondary School (Years 7 – 12)

In the Secondary years, Religious Education continues to deepen students’ understanding of faith, Scripture and Catholic teachings. 

In Years 7-10, students are able to broaden their engagement with their faith through Reflection Days. The Year 11 and 12 students take part in Leadership & Faith developing retreats. These experiences provide time for the students to reflect on the role of prayer in their lives and to hear from inspirational speakers.

In Senior Secondary School, the Religious Education Program provides significant leadership opportunities for students. All leadership roles take on a faith development element, with Captains and Leaders of Catholic Identity and Mission leading the way.

With our study and immersion in faith, our students are empowered to head into the world as courageous and compassionate members of society.