Principal's Update 16 October 2026

Dear Members of the Marcellin College Community,

The Choices We Make and the Difference We Can Make
This week, I had the privilege of visiting the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre, a women's correctional facility in Melbourne, to attend a performance by women currently serving prison sentences. Presented by Somebody's Daughter Theatre, the performance, titled In Time She Will, was both moving and thought-provoking.

What struck me most was the realisation that behind every person, there is a story we may never fully understand. Research suggests that between 70% and 90% of women in Australian prisons have experienced abuse. It is a confronting statistic and a reminder that, for many, the journey to imprisonment is shaped by circumstances far more complex than any single decision.

As I watched the performance, I found myself thinking about the young men we educate at Marcellin College. What sort of men do we want them to become? Certainly, men who make good choices and take responsibility for their actions. But equally, men who treat women with dignity and respect, who recognise when someone needs help, and who have the courage to challenge behaviours that cause harm. Men who understand that their words, actions and relationships can make a profound difference to the lives of others.

Sometimes, being 10% braver means speaking up, reaching out or simply being present when it would be easier to walk away. These are the qualities we seek to nurture through our Marist HEART virtues and our commitment to educating young men who make a positive difference in the world.

Celebrating Creativity
On Wednesday evening, we officially opened Create26, our annual art, design and technology exhibition, celebrating the creativity, imagination and technical skills of our students.

It was wonderful to see our largest attendance of students and families to date, all coming together to celebrate the extraordinary work on display.

From impressive artistic works to innovative design and technology projects, the exhibition showcased not only the talents of our young men but also the creativity, persistence and problem-solving that sit behind each finished piece. What we see on display is often the culmination of many hours of experimentation, refinement and, no doubt, the occasional frustration along the way!

My congratulations to all students whose work was exhibited, and particularly to our Subject Captains, Rocco Ryan and Isaac Mullins, for their leadership and contribution.

I also extend my sincere thanks to our Learning Leaders, Ms Marina Sipos and Ms Annie McNamara, and their dedicated teams for the encouragement, expertise and opportunities they provide our students. Their work continues to demonstrate the importance of creativity and practical learning in a well-rounded Marcellin education.