_HR%20(1).webp)
Secondary boys college Est. in 1950
News
Principal's Update 24 June 2026
Dear Members of the Marcellin College Community,
The opening fortnight of Term 3 has reminded us how quickly the rhythm of College life returns. Classrooms, rehearsals, sporting fields, meetings and College events have once again been filled with activity, energy and purpose.
At our staff gathering at the beginning of the term, I reflected on some of the lessons of walking the Camino de Santiago. A pilgrimage does not remove uncertainty or difficulty. Rather, it asks us to continue moving forward with trust, hope and openness to what each new day might bring.
That same sense of hope is important in our work with young people. The world they encounter can sometimes appear unpredictable or divided. Our responsibility is not to pretend that challenges do not exist, but to help our students believe that their choices, relationships and contributions matter. Hope is not simply optimism; it is the decision to keep walking, keep learning and keep working for something better.
Mid-Year Academic Awards Assembly
On Thursday, we gathered as a College community for our Mid-Year Academic Awards Assembly. It was an important opportunity to recognise students who have demonstrated academic excellence, sustained effort, significant improvement and a genuine commitment to their learning throughout the first semester.
While an award acknowledges an individual student, achievement is rarely an individual undertaking. Behind each student are teachers who have challenged and supported them, families who have encouraged them and classmates who have contributed to their learning environment. I thank our staff for the many ways they help our students discover their abilities and strive towards their potential.
The assembly was also an opportunity to remind every student that success is not reserved for a particular group of people. It grows through habits: attending consistently, completing work carefully, asking questions, accepting feedback and having the courage to persist when learning becomes difficult.
Our College motto, Virtute Ad Altissima, does not ask every student to achieve the same result. It asks each young person to take responsibility for becoming the best version of himself. Sometimes that begins with being just a little braver, a little more disciplined and a little more willing to improve.
Congratulations to all students recognised today. I hope their achievements inspire others to consider what they might accomplish during the semester ahead.
Marcellin on the International Stage
Over the break, Marcellin College was represented at the International Boys’ Schools Coalition Conference in South Africa.
Mr Rob Aston presented Curating What Counts: From the Right Data to AI-Supported Action. His presentation shared the College’s developing work in using data more purposefully to support student learning, engagement and improvement.
Mr Richard Liistro also attended the conference, engaging with educators and leaders from boys’ schools around the world. Conferences such as this provide an opportunity not only to share our own work, but also to listen, learn and bring new ideas back to our College community.
It is significant that Marcellin College is contributing to this international conversation. Our work in boys’ education, data-informed practice, student agency and the responsible use of artificial intelligence is increasingly being recognised beyond our own community.
I congratulate Rob on being selected to present and thank both Rob and Richard for representing the College. Mr Aston will also be presenting in Perth next week.
Supporting Our Students
This afternoon, our junior rugby players will participate in an exhibition match at 4:30 pm, while our First XVIII Football Team will compete in an important semi-final on our College oval at 5:30 pm.
These occasions provide an opportunity for us to demonstrate the family spirit that sits at the heart of a Marist community. Whether students represent the College through football, rugby, music, the arts, academic competition, social justice or one of the many other opportunities available to them, they deserve to feel that their effort and commitment are valued.
I encourage students, staff and families who are able to attend to support our teams and contribute to a positive and spirited atmosphere. Our students notice when their community stands behind them.
Full of Grace
Our Marist theme for 2026 calls us to be “Full of Grace - Transform the World with God’s Love.”
Grace is often found in ordinary moments: a teacher taking additional time to help a student, a young person encouraging a friend, a colleague offering support or a community gathering to celebrate the achievements of its members.
These actions may appear small, but they shape the culture of a school. They remind us that transformation does not always begin with grand gestures. More often, it begins with presence, kindness, courage and a willingness to take the next step.
As we continue through the term, may we remain people of hope. May we recognise the grace present within our community and help our students understand that they, too, have the capacity to transform the world through the way they learn, serve and care for others.
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
