QUICKLINKS
QUICKLINKS
QUICKLINKS
I thank you for the warm welcome I have experienced since starting at the College in recent weeks, and it is with great pleasure that I also welcome you to our community for the 2025 academic year. Although I have been at the College since 20 January, the place truly came alive when the students returned, giving life to the beautiful buildings and open spaces. I thank the students, staff, and the parents who have made me feel very welcome so far, as I've started my role as principal within the wonderful community that is Caroline Chisholm Catholic College.
Students
On Thursday 30 January, we welcomed Years 7, 10, 11 and 12 students. There were assemblies held for the students, creating a significant start to the year. Years 8 and 9 joined the College on Friday 31.
Year 7 students were welcomed to the College by staff and parents, who were encouraged to light a candle and join in prayer so that our partnership could be symbolically established. It was a great way to welcome our young Year 7 students who begin a journey as members of this wonderful community.
Staff
Our staff celebrated Mass together on Tuesday 28 January at the Christ the King Parish Church. The Mass served to celebrate together the beginning of the new school year whilst each new member of staff was welcome and received a House Badge. I welcome our staff to 2025 with great excitement. I would like to welcome the following staff members to this wonderful community for the first time:
Aldo Corpuz
Andrew McDonald
Belinda Foster
Blake Mifsud
Brooke Evans-Brookes
Chong Hin Law
Claire Hale
Colette Deschamps
Diana Maddox
Eder Ramos
Eliza Bourke
Emilia Muollo
Emma Irving
Fernando Ly
Hazel Ann Gard
Jack Binns
Joseph Nguyen
Kate MacCubbin
Kiara Klempel
Laurie Yaxin Liu
Leon Comino
Lisa Holmes
Louise Crossley
Louise Curtis
Mario Bernardo
Michael Chesser
Mike Chadstone
Minh Nguyen
Rina Handemir
Robert Aduer
Samantha Sacco
Sarah Toto
Shajjia Ali
Shanelle Sertic
Stefans Linares
Tim Taylor Scott
Tony Muller
Viktoria Grzybowicz
William Laracy
About me
My name is Napoleon Rodezno and I am a proud husband, father, son and brother. I was most recently teaching at Aquinas College in Ringwood, where I served as a Deputy Principal. I have held Deputy Principal and Assistant Principal roles since 2010 and have teaching experience which extends to 29 years. I am a Western Bulldogs supporter, play Masters Football (AFL) and, play basketball recreationally with my son and friends. I am an avid reader, I like walking my dogs, a good meal, a good conversation and attend the St Joseph’s Parish in Newport, and the Our Lady of Fatima parish in Rosebud.
I arrived in Australia as a refugee at the age of 15 after fleeing the El Salvadorean civil war. I was educated at Salesian schools in El Salvador from the age of 4 and graduated from Salesian College in Chadstone in 1989. My vision for education is that everyone deserves an opportunity, and that each student should aspire to achieve. My parents taught me the importance of faith, compassion, devotion and love, and those values have been instrumental to my development as an educator and leader since the early stages of my life. Jesus Christ is central to my faith, and I practise theology for the purpose of liberating, in actions that reflect faith, love and compassion through servant leadership.
My aspirations are that as a faith leader, with my relevant knowledge, experience and skills, I will offer a strong foundation in leading our faith-filled learning community. I believe that in partnership, families and the College must encourage our students to always be the best version of themselves in all their human dimensions: spiritually, socially, emotionally, physically and academically. I am principal of this College because I am motivated to lead an inclusive institution committed to social justice, Catholic social teaching and the empowerment of each person as a dignified child of God.
Commissioning Mass and Assembly
On Thursday 6 February, the College celebrated the Commissioning Mass and Assembly as a community. The ceremony marked a significant milestone for the community, as it was the first whole school event for 2025. Thank you to each one of the students and staff in attendance for their participation, and thanks to the many speakers, presenters, recipients, musicians, liturgical ministers, and especially, Fr Silvio, for his role in saying Mass. A special thanks to the organisers of what was a great event.
I mentioned in the Principal address at that time that our College is built on faith, aspiration, trust, learning, and community because we aim to be a home for growth, discovery, and transformation, where everyone’s minds will be nurtured to become future leaders, guided by the values of faith, acceptance, compassion, and excellence. This celebration illustrated the commitment by our College to enable this for each person, where leaders where commissioned to lead and the rest of the community encouraged to give their best.
I encouraged the students to also build their capacity to extend their hands to those in need through education. Education is the most powerful tool young people will have at their disposal if committed to follow on the example of Caroline Chisholm and the Ministry of Christ when working with the underprivileged. Education breaks barriers, gives life meaning, and makes people powerful in the quest to make the world better.
Our students are the heart of the College, and this is their place to dream, to challenge themselves, and to be compassionate and empathetic individuals. The staff will continue to create an environment where students feel safe, valued, and encouraged to reach their highest potential, where they can walk within and outside of the school with pride and charge towards achievements and success.
I mentioned to the students that to be successful, they must be courageous. To be courageous does not mean to be aggressive, to have the last word, or have the loudest voice. To be courageous is to serve with dignity, to seek peace, to listen, to accept and learn from mistakes, and to care for our brothers and sisters unconditionally.
I challenged students to take a chance and be accountable. To be courageous and take the road less travelled. As adults we know that it may lead the young person in a path that will be worth the risk.
Working in Partnership
The trust and partnership that we receive from our families is invaluable so, I ask that you please engage with your child’s teachers, pastoral leaders and other relevant staff. It is essential that you monitor your child’s progress and actively engage with teachers so that you can positively impact the learning, progress and development of your child.
A message from the Maribyrnong Council
Please be advised that police and the council parking officers will be patrolling for illegal parking during pickup and drop-off times next week. Can you please pass this information on to parents to ensure they park legally and avoid potential fines.
Thank you for your cooperation.
