Marian College’s new Head of Special Character Ella Malone is determined to create a school environment where the Catholic Special Character can be celebrated by students and their families together.

A devout Catholic, having been supported in her faith by her family and the St Peter Chanel Parish in the Waimakariri, Ella knows firsthand how important being able to celebrate faith at school is.

“I was at a non-Catholic primary school which was challenging, but because of my home life and my parish I was really grounded in my faith,” Ella said.

She began highschool at Rangiora New Life and moved to Marian at the start of Year 11.

“It was hard. Everyone had already established their own friend groups. Year 11 was also NCEA Level 1 year so I focused on that.”

Ella completely immersed herself into her study over the year and passed with Excellence as well as being awarded Academic Colours.

“Then at the start of Year 12 I overheard Ellen [Scott] talk about Bishop Lyons’ and I said I’m going too and she was like ‘No way!’. Through her friendship I joined the Special Character group, Young Vinnies and Rosary Group.”

Last year, when the student leadership positions were announced, Ellen and Ella were excited about the opportunity to be head and deputy head of Special Character.

“We weren’t really surprised when we got the roles. I didn’t have much faith that I would get it because I hadn’t been here that long, but Ellen knew, and we knew the dynamic between us would be really good.

“Ellen and I are very different people. I’m nothing like her but our faith is the common ground, our love of God, and our morals. Ellen would come up with ideas and I’d think more critically about how her ideas would actually work and so that worked out well.

Ellen left Marian last month to pursue a tertiary education, with Ella assuming the Head of Special Character role and Matilda Paterson becoming the deputy head.

“Matilda is amazing. She has a particular passion for service which is awesome while I have a particular passion for Special Character. She’s such a beautiful soul and I'm so blessed to work with her,” Ella said.

The head students decided at the beginning of the year that ‘Community’ would be the theme of the year and that has been a focus for Special Character as well.

“We’ve brought in fortnightly masses in the chapel which the community is welcome to attend, we also have Rosary group there and next term I want to bring in Adoration. We want to have it in the morning so parents can come as well. I know quite a lot of strong Catholic families who started this year who would really like something like that here.”

Marian College’s Director of Ministry Myra Fidow said she was excited about the leadership Ella and Matilda will bring to the Special Character role.

“Ella is a natural servant leader. Her kind, caring and friendly personality, enables her to work and relate well to all. She exemplifies the scripture quote from Matthew 4:19 - "Come follow me", Jesus said, "and I will send you out to fish for people". Ella is a genuine evangeliser of our Catholic faith. We are excited about her continuing her conscientious leadership alongside  Matilda.,” Myra said.

Article added: Wednesday 03 July 2024