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Secondary boys college Est. in 1950
News
Principal's Update 17 October 2025
Dear Members of the Marcellin College Community,
Welcome back for the start of Term 4 and thank you for your warm welcome! After six weeks of long service leave, it has been a joy to return to our vibrant community. I hope to share with you some of the many highlights from this past week, as together we continue to build our story at Marcellin College.
A Personal Note of Gratitude
My time away was restorative. I was fortunate to travel with family - two weeks in Ireland, two weeks in Spain and a week in Singapore to enjoy the F1 Grand Prix. Travelling with extended family always brings its own adventures, laughter and memorable moments. As much as I enjoyed the break, I must say it felt right to come home - to our College, our improvements and the shared energy of the Marcellin community.
We have much to celebrate over the past fortnight and here are just a few highlights.
Marist Schools Australia Regional Mass & Dinner
On Saturday, 11 October we gathered for our annual Marist Schools Australia (MSA) Mass and Dinner, an occasion that allowed us to honour one of our own. Mr John Di Natale received a Marist Award for Service, in recognition of his deep commitment, leadership and years of service to our College.
John is renowned within our community for his passion, energy and unmistakable flair for culture and connection. As Learning Leader for Languages, his love of Italian and his gift for hospitality have transformed College life - from the joy of our Globalisation Staff Lunch to the fun and laughter of our Eurovision competition. His leadership of Italian educational immersion tours, care for students and presence across the College truly embody the Marist spirit of family and joy.
John’s ability to bring people together, often with humour, warmth and a little theatricality, has made a lasting impact on our community. We congratulate Mr John Di Natale on this richly deserved recognition for his outstanding service and contribution to Marcellin College.
75th Anniversary Music Gala Concert
On Sunday, 12 October we celebrated 75 years of music at Marcellin College in a spectacular concert held at The Centre Ivanhoe. From the opening performance featuring students from the 1950s through to the present decade, the evening was a moving testament to our history and our evolving identity.
It was particularly inspiring to see so many old collegians return to the stage, bridging generations of musical life at Marcellin. In my address, I offered thanks to the many who made the night possible — our Music Department, staff, students, alumni, families and all who have supported our music program over the years. We truly celebrated not only who we were, but who we are becoming together. Ms Natalie Carger oversaw the events – congratulations and thank you, Natalie. We couldn’t have asked for more!
Year 7 2026 Parent Transition Night
On Tuesday evening, we warmly welcomed our Year 7 2026 families to learn more about life at the College as we commence our transition program. The energy, curiosity and enthusiasm in the space was palpable. It is always inspiring to see future members of our community begin to connect with our mission. A sincere thanks to Mr Ryan Edwards and Mr Adrian Tomada for their leadership and oversight of the evening and preparing our newest families for the year ahead.
Year 12 Farewells & Celebrations
This Wednesday marked the final formal day for our Year 12 cohort. The students conducted themselves with dignity and exemplified the leadership they have shown throughout the year. With the traditional signing of shirts and reflecting on years past, it was a poignant moment for students, staff and families alike.
That momentum carried into Thursday, when our Year 12 parents joined us for a celebratory breakfast. I extend heartfelt gratitude to all Year 12 parents for their support over the past six years. As we now turn our thoughts to the upcoming Graduation Mass and Valedictory Dinner, we remain united in celebrating these fine young men.
Create25 – Art, Design & Technology Exhibition
On Wednesday evening, we held our annual Art & Design Technology Exhibition, Create25. Once again, I was left in awe of the creativity, innovation and skill on display. Our Visual Arts and Design Technology programs occupy a critical place in our College, because in a fast-changing world these creative capacities - design thinking, visual literacy, hands-on skills and innovation - are more important than ever. They complement our academic and spiritual learning by forming well-rounded young men who can adapt, imagine and contribute meaningfully in our society. My thanks to Ms Marina Sipos and Ms Annie McNamara for their leadership of these areas and for a wonderful night of celebrations.
A Word of Thanks
Over the past six weeks, I have had the privilege of handing the reins of leading the College to Ms Suzanne Farley, who served as Acting Principal. Suzanne’s calm, steady leadership and insightfulness were a source of strength for our community, and I thank her sincerely for her service and partnership.
As we move forward into this last term together, I look forward to continuing our journey of faith, learning and belonging. Thank you to every parent, student and staff member for your ongoing support and partnership in this great adventure.
God Bless,
Marco Di Cesare
Principal
