THE NEW school year will herald a new era and new principal at Marian College in Ararat.
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After six years at the helm John Crowley has passed the leadership baton to his assistant of three years, Carmel Barker.
In that time Mr Crowley has overseen massive development, enormous change and a sharp rise in enrolment at the secondary school.
Far from denying how taxing it could on occasion be, continuing to live in Ballarat, while commuting to Ararat every day, Mr Crowley said he felt privileged to have held such an important role in the school community.
"I have been feeling really nostalgic, because I am going to miss this wonderful and welcoming community," he said.
"I have been blessed to work at this school alongside all of the dedicated teachers and I also thank the parent community for their support."
There have been many highlights throughout Mr Crowley's six year tenure, they include the construction of a $2.6 million multi-purpose gymnasium and $1 million Trade Training Centre.
Mr Crowley said he also enacted a refurbishment of the entire school grounds and set up a state of the art Applied Learning Centre at the site of the old Kings Cars building.
"I have been lucky enough to work with such wonderful young people," he said.
Mr Crowley said he is also proud of the increase in enrolment. Appointed principal in 2009, at that time 470 students between the years of seven and 12 were educated at the school, in 2015 that will be 605.
"Our increase in enrolment is really a testament to the hard work of our teachers and I have just been lucky enough to share in that," he said.
"Parents out there should know that Marian College is a wonderful place to send your son or daughter."
Mr Crowley said the school community can look forward to continued growth and prosperity under new principal Barker.
"I have no doubt Carmel will do a fantastic job, she is a fine educator and I wish her all the best," he said.
Mr Crowley was appointed the new headmaster of St Patrick's College Ballarat in August following the retirement of Dr Peter Casey. He will take on the position from the beginning of next year.