Emmaus College North Rockhampton welcomes New Principal

Following the retirement last year of Mr Eamon Hannan who was Principal at Emmaus College for 9 years, the college has this year welcomed Mrs Marie Martin as their new Principal.

Following the retirement last year of Mr Eamon Hannan who was Principal at Emmaus College for 9 years, the college has this year welcomed Mrs Marie Martin as their new Principal.

Mrs Martin who has 30 years of experience in education said she was delighted to be able to return to a position within a Catholic College setting.

Having spent most of her professional life educating young people in Biloela, Monto, Longreach and Emerald, Mrs Martin said she has had the pleasure of teaching for both Education Queensland and Catholic Education, gaining valuable lessons from two very different but competent education systems.

“I am a secondary English, Humanities and Religion teacher, but have also taught Prep to Year 12. I was in senior leadership at Marist College, Emerald for 15 years and 7 as Principal before moving to the Catholic Education Office in Rockhampton where for the past 8 years I have been assisting our Catholic Colleges in Mackay, Rockhampton, Gladstone, Bundaberg and Emerald with curriculum implementation vocational education (apprenticeships, traineeships and certificate courses) and pathways for young people (university entrance),” Mrs Martin said.

“Emmaus College is an authentic Catholic community with a 'big heart' and having had the opportunity of engaging with the College staff prior to students returning for the academic year, the staff have impressed me as a committed, positive teaching team with a focus on great teaching and learning and, most importantly, a healthy valuing of our diverse student population.”

“As a Catholic, I am drawn to the oft quoted phrase, Preach the Gospel at all times, and, if necessary, use words.” Mrs Martin said.

Describing herself as an imperfect follower of Jesus Christ, in the Catholic tradition, Mrs Martin said she believes actions must reflect values. She said this was one of the main reasons she was drawn to applying for the Emmaus College principalship.

“Emmaus College exudes an authentic Catholicity, welcoming all ability levels and faith persuasions with a commitment to spirituality and student success. There is also a clear strategy to walk with young people, as they mature into more responsible ways of behaviour, with a focus on the restoration of relationships – you can’t get more Christian than that,” Mrs Martin said.

Mrs Martin who has 30 years of experience in education said she was delighted to be able to return to a position within a Catholic College setting. Having spent most of her professional life educating young people in Biloela, Monto, Longreach and Emerald, Mrs Martin said she has had the pleasure of teaching for both Education Queensland and Catholic Education, gaining valuable lessons from two very different but competent education systems. “I am a secondary English, Humanities and Religion teacher, but have also taught Prep to Year 12. I was in senior leadership at Marist College, Emerald for 15 years and 7 as Principal before moving to the Catholic Education Office in Rockhampton where for the past 8 years I have been assisting our Catholic Colleges in Mackay, Rockhampton, Gladstone, Bundaberg and Emerald with curriculum implementation vocational education (apprenticeships, traineeships and certificate courses) and pathways for young people (university entrance),” Mrs Martin said. “Emmaus College is an authentic Catholic community with a 'big heart' and having had the opportunity of engaging with the College staff prior to students returning for the academic year, the staff have impressed me as a committed, positive teaching team with a focus on great teaching and learning and, most importantly, a healthy valuing of our diverse student population.” “As a Catholic, I am drawn to the oft quoted phrase, Preach the Gospel at all times, and, if necessary, use words.” Mrs Martin said. Describing herself as an imperfect follower of Jesus Christ, in the Catholic tradition, Mrs Martin said she believes actions must reflect values. She said this was one of the main reasons she was drawn to applying for the Emmaus College principalship. “Emmaus College exudes an authentic Catholicity, welcoming all ability levels and faith persuasions with a commitment to spirituality and student success. There is also a clear strategy to walk with young people, as they mature into more responsible ways of behaviour, with a focus on the restoration of relationships – you can’t get more Christian than that,” Mrs Martin said.

“School is a great melting pot of opportunity. Sometimes young people just ‘do’ school, as a necessary phase before their release into the world of adulthood. It is our job, in partnership with parents, to challenge that culture. As a team, we need to give students energy to do their best and a sense of hope in their future.”

“I am looking forward to working with Emmaus families and our young people to have a focus on student pathways, be that university entrance, employment and/or apprenticeships and traineeships. I am looking forward to having a focus on student success, whatever that looks like, be it turning a C into a B, completing certificate courses or learning to behave more maturely.”

“I look with excitement to the years ahead,” Mrs Martin said.