_HR%20(1).webp)
Secondary boys college Est. in 1950
News
Principal's Update 18 September 2026
Dear Members of the Marcellin College Community,
As another busy term draws to a close, there is much to celebrate and much for which we can be grateful. Across our classrooms, sporting fields, performing arts, faith life and the many activities that make up a Marcellin education, our young men have continued to achieve, contribute and grow.
For me, the past week has also provided an opportunity to reflect on the people whose lives and leadership have helped make Marcellin College the community it is today.
Last week, I had the privilege of representing the College at the Catholic Religious Victoria dinner, where Br John McMahon FMS, a former Principal of Marcellin College, was recognised as a Wisdom Leader in Catholic Education for his long-standing and significant contribution to Catholic education.
Then, on the weekend, I attended another special celebration where Br Julian Casey FMS was recognised for an extraordinary 70 years of Marist life as a Brother.
Both occasions caused me to reflect personally. Br Julian was one of my former principals, and both Julian and John were significant influences during my formative years as a young teacher and emerging leader. I learnt much from them, although I suspect I understand some of their wisdom considerably better now than I did at the time!
Even today, there are moments when I can almost hear their voices in my head. Their resilience, wisdom, calmness and deep commitment to young people have remained with me and continue to influence how I approach leadership and challenges.
That, perhaps, is what legacy really means.
It is not simply having your name recorded in the history of a school or being remembered for a position you once held. Legacy is what remains in other people - the values they carry, the lessons they remember and the example they choose to follow.
For Marcellin College, the legacy of the Marist Brothers is profound. Generations of Brothers devoted their lives to educating young people with faith, determination and generosity. More importantly, they handed on a particular way of educating, inspired by St Marcellin Champagnat and grounded in relationships, simplicity, hard work, family spirit and a deep belief in the potential of every young person.
Our College looks very different from the Marcellin of earlier generations, but our responsibility is not simply to preserve that legacy as history. Our responsibility is to live it and carry it forward.
Celebrating Champagnat Day
That connection was particularly evident in our Champagnat Day celebrations last week. It was wonderful to see our community come together to celebrate the person whose vision continues to shape our College more than two centuries later.
Days such as Champagnat Day require enormous planning, preparation and goodwill. I extend my sincere thanks to the staff and students who contributed to the liturgy, assembly, activities and organisation of the day, particularly those who worked behind the scenes to make it such a wonderful celebration of our Marist identity.
Champagnat Day should be joyful, but it should also remind us of something deeper. The Marist Characteristics of Presence, Simplicity, Love of Work, Family Spirit and In the Way of Mary describe a way of being with one another. They find further expression at our college through our Marist HEART virtues of Humility, Excellence, Acceptance, Resilience and Trust, and connect strongly with the message I continue to share with our young men: be 10% Better and 10% Braver.
Finishing the Term Well
As we finish the term, I congratulate our students on all they have achieved and thank our staff for the energy, care and professionalism they continue to bring to their work. I also thank our families for the many ways they support their sons and our College.
Buildings change, programs evolve, and generations come and go, but the values we hand from one generation to the next endure.
Br John and Br Julian received those values from the Brothers who came before them. They lived them, shaped them and passed them on to people like me.
Now they are ours to carry.
I wish all members of our Marcellin family a safe, restful and enjoyable term break.
St Marcellin Champagnat, pray for us.
Mary our Good Mother, pray for us.
And let us remember to pray for one another.
Marco Di Cesare
Principal
