11 March 2022
Dear Members of the Marcellin College Community,
This week as a College we celebrated International Women’s Day (IWD). Students participated in a number of activities, including an online presentation by Lisa Jacobs, Chair of the Amy Gillett Foundation about breaking this bias in sport and life. It was fantastic to see this initiative being recognised particularly in an all-boys environment. A wall of gratitude messages giving thanks to all the important women in our lives has been erected, purple ribbons were worn that morning as a general acknowledgement of the importance of this day for all of us. Whilst all these activities are great, our actions are what drive change. In line with our 2022 Theme – Connect, Respect, Grow – we all need to work towards a world free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination. I encourage you to visit the IWD2022 site to learn more.
On Thursday, 10 March we held our 2022 Swimming House Carnival. It was a great day and a wonderful opportunity for us to come together. Congratulations to all students who participated in the various events, and whilst I was hoping for a Marlhes House win, congratulations to Kenny House for a clean sweep in winning both the Junior and Senior Trophies. Please enjoy this clip from the Swimming House Carnival.
As we come closer to the end of Term 1, it is important that we all maintain our focus on learning and teaching at the College. Our Home Study Club on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the library is open to students from across all year levels. In addition to getting assistance in different learning areas, the Home Study Club is also about sharing and learning best study habits to maximise learning. I know my sons have appreciated the opportunity to pop in over the past few weeks.
We can all be forgiven for feeling a sense of hopelessness when we turn on the news lately – from the devastating floods in Queensland and NSW to the unimaginable war in the Ukraine. Yet, let us remember that Lent is a season of hope and renewal. We are asked to find patience and love within ourselves – by restraining our strongest desires, forcing us to relive the steps of Jesus as he walked towards his crucifixion. Even knowing what lay before him, Jesus continued to be patient and loving towards others. Jesus’ last words to his disciples were recorded in Matt. 28:19-20: Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. We must find patience and love within us to show support for each other. As a College we are showing our support to those who have suffered from floods, praying for those displaced because of wars as we continue to follow in the footsteps of Saint Marcellin Champagnat and Jesus.
Marco Di Cesare
Principal