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Secondary boys college Est. in 1950
News
Principal's Update 13 November 2026
Dear Members of the Marcellin College Community,
There is something wonderful about this time of year at Marcellin. As the weather begins to improve and the days grow longer, there is a renewed energy around the College. Our grounds are looking particularly beautiful and I was reminded of this on Wednesday evening as I watched some of the T20 cricket being played here at the College.
Watching our students compete, surrounded by the magnificent grounds we are fortunate to enjoy, reminded me of the many opportunities our young men have to learn and grow. Whether in the classroom, on the sporting field, on stage or through the friendships and relationships formed each day, these experiences all contribute to their formation.
The return of the sunshine also seems to bring with it a renewed sense of optimism. As we approach the final weeks of the school year, there is still much to achieve, much to celebrate and much for which we can be grateful.
Our Year 12 Students
Our Year 12 students are now approaching the conclusion of their VCE examinations. For many, this represents the culmination of years of learning, perseverance and commitment.
We continue to keep these young men in our thoughts and prayers as they complete their final examinations. I hope they can look back with pride on what they have achieved, knowing that their worth extends well beyond any examination result.
As I reminded them at their Valedictory, the measure of their success will not simply be what they achieve, but the people they become and the difference they make in the lives of others.
We wish them every success as they take these final steps in their secondary education and prepare for the exciting opportunities that lie ahead.
Celebrating the Performing Arts
This week marks the beginning of our Junior Musical Production, I Hate Shakespeare!, presented in partnership with Our Lady of Mercy College (OLMC).
Productions such as these are a wonderful example of the opportunities available to our students beyond the classroom. They require creativity, collaboration, discipline and, perhaps most importantly, the courage to step outside one's comfort zone.
For many of our younger students, taking to the stage is no small achievement. It takes confidence to perform in front of an audience, and I am always impressed by the growth we see in students who embrace these opportunities.
I congratulate all students involved, along with the staff from both Colleges who have worked so hard to bring the production together. I encourage our families to support these young performers and enjoy what promises to be a wonderful production.
Remembrance Day - Choosing Peace
On Wednesday, our College community gathered to commemorate Remembrance Day, an important opportunity to pause and remember those who have served, suffered and sacrificed in times of war and conflict.
In speaking with our students, I reflected on the importance of peace in a world that can often appear increasingly divided.
We hear so much about conflict, disagreement and division. Yet peace is not simply the absence of war. It begins in the way we treat one another, in the words we choose, in our willingness to listen and in the courage to stand up for what is right.
I reminded our young men that they have the capacity to be a positive influence in their own communities. Sometimes the smallest actions - a kind word, an act of forgiveness or choosing not to participate in the exclusion of another - can make an enormous difference.
As a Catholic Marist community, we are called to be people of hope. Our faith challenges us not simply to speak about peace, but to live it through compassion, respect and service to others.
It is a message worth remembering well beyond 11 November.
The Victorian Election - An Informed Community
With the Victorian State Election approaching on Saturday, 28 November, I believe it is important that we, as a College community, consider the issues that will shape the future of education in our state.
Let me be clear: Marcellin College does not endorse any political party or candidate. Our responsibility is not to tell families how to vote, but to encourage them to be informed about the policies and decisions that affect their children and their education.
Education is one of the most significant investments we make in the future of our society. As parents, you have made a deliberate choice about the education you wish to provide for your sons, often involving considerable financial commitment and sacrifice.
There are important matters worth considering as we approach the election, including the affordability and sustainability of non-government schools, fair and equitable funding arrangements, investment in school facilities and the impact of government policies on school operating costs and, ultimately, family fees.
One particular concern across the Catholic and independent education sectors is the application of payroll tax to some non-government schools. Alongside rising operational costs, such policies place additional financial pressure on schools and the families they serve.
These are legitimate matters for families to consider and to raise with their local candidates, regardless of political affiliation. I encourage parents to understand the education policies being presented, ask questions and consider what these decisions might mean for their families and the broader community.
Importantly, advocating for our own schools should never mean diminishing the importance of others. Every young person deserves access to a quality education, regardless of the school they attend.
An informed community is an empowered community and I encourage all families to approach the coming election with thoughtful consideration.
Looking Ahead with Gratitude
As the sunshine returns and we enjoy the many activities that characterise this time of year, I am reminded of how fortunate we are to belong to this community.
There is much that is good happening at Marcellin. We see it in our classrooms, on our sporting fields, through our performing arts and, perhaps most importantly, in the everyday interactions between students and staff.
As we approach the final weeks of the school year, I encourage our young men to remain focused on their learning, to embrace the opportunities before them and, importantly, to continue looking out for one another. It is through these everyday actions that we bring our Marist HEART values to life and continue the mission of Saint Marcellin Champagnat.
God Bless,
Marco Di Cesare
Principal
