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Secondary boys college Est. in 1950
News
Principal's Update 15 May 2026
Dear Members of the Marcellin College Community,
As many in our community would be aware, I have spent the beginning of this term on enrichment leave. I would like to sincerely thank Ms Suzanne Farley for her outstanding leadership as Acting Principal during my absence. Suzanne has led the College with great care, wisdom and calm professionalism, ensuring that the term continued with both purpose and energy. I am deeply grateful for her stewardship of our community during this time.
During my leave, I had the privilege of undertaking the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage, beginning in Porto, Portugal, and culminating in Santiago de Compostela, Spain, with arrival and Mass at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. Covering close to 290 kilometres, the Camino was both physically challenging and deeply enriching - and I am pleased to say, “I made it.”
The Camino pilgrimage dates back many centuries and follows the path of pilgrims travelling to the tomb of St James. While many people know of the Camino through travel documentaries or stories from friends and family, a pilgrimage is much more than tourism. There is a spiritual dimension to the experience - a rhythm of walking, reflection and simplicity that allows space to think differently and to see life with greater perspective.
For me, one of the most powerful aspects of the journey was the daily routine of walking and focusing simply on the path ahead as we worked towards our destination each day. In many ways, there is a lesson in this for all of us. Progress is rarely about dramatic moments; more often, it comes through consistency, perseverance and continuing forward one step at a time, even when the destination still feels far away.
Since returning, I have had little opportunity to spend time in my office or work through emails, as my walks around the campus have been filled with students and staff warmly asking about the Camino and how the journey unfolded. These conversations have reminded me once again of the genuine friendliness, curiosity and warmth of our boys and staff. It is something I never take for granted and one of the many qualities that makes Marcellin College such a special community.
I would also like to thank several members of our community who generously shared advice and encouragement as I prepared for the pilgrimage, especially Leica Fogarty, whose guidance was greatly appreciated.
While it has been a busy first week back, I thoroughly enjoyed the energy, enthusiasm and genuine sportsmanship displayed throughout our Inter-House Athletics Carnival. Once again, our student leaders were exceptional in the way they supported the event and led their Houses with pride and encouragement. The wide variety of events ensured that many students had the opportunity to participate, contribute and shine in different ways. Days such as these are always wonderful reminders of the spirit and culture of our College community. However, when events like this occur, we often forget about the enormous amount of planning and preparation that is needed. My thanks to Mr Ben Reynolds for his leadership of these important community-building days.
Another highlight of my return has been seeing students actively using our newly created space between the Placidus Building and Champagnat Chapel. It has quickly become a vibrant gathering place for students throughout the day. In the coming days, our Flyover Art Gallery will also come into operation, providing another important opportunity to celebrate creativity and student voice within our community. These spaces reflect our ongoing vision and mission as a College, ensuring that we continue to create environments where students are supported to learn, connect and work at their best.
Finally, I would like to acknowledge the tragic accident that occurred recently in North Melbourne involving a student from St Aloysius College. Such events impact the wider Catholic education community deeply and remind us all of the fragility of life. Our thoughts and prayers are with the young man, his family, friends, fellow students and the entire St Aloysius College community at this incredibly difficult time. I have made contact with the St Aloysius community to let them know they have the support and prayers of the Marcellin community at this difficult time.
Marco Di Cesare
Principal
