In fact she has been involved in the life of the school and Singleton’s Catholic parish for many years.

Her appointment is more of a coming home for this former student and a chance to live and work in Singleton.

“I have been travelling to work for more than 20 years so I am really looking forward to being based in town,” she said.

A trained primary school teacher Mrs Marzol is proud of her achievements working with those aged children. 

In her last post as principal of St James Primary in Muswellbrook, working with the entire school community, she said they were able to lift an under performing school to make it shine and be recognised for its achievements.

“One of the attractions of this position is the challenge of working across a child’s entire school life from kindergarten to Year 12,” she said.

“My first priorities are getting to know our students, staff and parents and discovering what they love our St Catherine’s.

“At the same time I want to hear about what people think will improve the school and make it sustainable  while remembering that learning comes first.”

Mrs Marzol arrived in Singleton from Northern Ireland as a 15 year-old. Her family made the decision like so many immigrants to this country that life here offered as much more.

“At the time it was difficult living in Northern Ireland as a Catholic due to sectarian violence so we came to Singleton as my mother had a sister living in the district,” she said.

Mrs Marzol attended St Catherine’s for years 10-12 before studying teaching at the Australian Catholic University and Charles Sturt University.  Working at Catholic primary schools in Singleton, Lochinvar and Abermain before Muswellbrook have been a joy she said.

“One of the great things about returning to St Catherine’s is working alongside teachers like Robert Parsons who was assistant principal when I attended this school,” she said.

“My children are in Year 12 and Year 7 at the school – so the tradition continues.”