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Secondary boys college Est. in 1950
News
Principal's Update 6 March 2026
Dear Members of the Marcellin College Community,
One of the great privileges of leading a school community is witnessing the milestones that shape a young person’s journey. Over the past fortnight, I have again been reminded that formation at Marcellin College happens not only in the classroom, but through the experiences, relationships and challenges that help our young men grow.
From our newest students beginning to find their place in Year 7 to our Year 12 students stepping away from the pace of school life during their retreat, these moments are important markers in the life of our College. They allow our boys to build friendships, reflect on their values and strengthen their sense of belonging within the Marcellin College community.
The past fortnight has offered many examples of these milestones across the College and I am grateful for the many ways our staff, parents and wider community continue to support the growth and development of our young men.
Principal Morning Teas
Over recent weeks, I concluded my series of Year Level Principal Morning Teas with parents. I am very grateful to the many parents who made the time to attend.
These gatherings provide an opportunity to share news about the College, discuss priorities for the year ahead and hear directly from families about their experiences. The partnership between school and home remains one of the most important factors in the success of our students and I always value the opportunity to listen and learn from our parent community.
Year 7 Camp
The energy at Campaspe Downs during our Year 7 Camp was truly palpable. It was wonderful to see our newest students coming together as they navigated the many challenges and activities the camp offered.
Archery, raft making, rock climbing and the flying fox were just some of the activities that encouraged our boys to step outside their comfort zones and support one another. These shared experiences help build friendships and a strong sense of belonging.
Year 7 is such an important year in a student’s journey and experiences like camp play a vital role in helping our boys come together as a cohort while getting to know both familiar and still emerging faces in their community.
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Thrive Week
This year, we introduced Thrive Week, bringing a number of our term activities together across the same week in order to minimise interruptions to classroom learning.
During the week, students in Years 8 - 11 participated in a range of speakers and activities designed to support their personal development and wellbeing. As with any new initiative, the experience has provided valuable insights that will help us continue to refine the program in the years ahead.
My thanks to our staff, students and parent community for their support as we introduced this new initiative.
Year 12 Retreat
I had the privilege of visiting our four Year 12 Retreat sites, where students spent three days stepping away from the routines of school life to reflect on their journey and the year ahead.
The retreat is an important milestone in the Year 12 experience, offering students the opportunity to reflect on their values, their relationships and the legacy they hope to leave at the College. It was encouraging to see our young men engaging thoughtfully in the program and I know our staff were equally enriched as they accompanied them over the three days.
Experiences such as these remind us that education is not only about academic achievement, but also about the development of character and community.
Swimming Sports
By the time you read this newsletter, our 2026 Inter-House Swimming Carnival will have taken place. These are always wonderful days in the life of the College, where House spirit is on full display and students proudly represent their Houses in the pool.
Records are often broken, rivalries renewed and friendships strengthened. My thanks in advance to Mr Ben Reynolds and the team for the significant work that goes into organising these events and ensuring they remain such a highlight of the College calendar.
A Season of Renewal
As we continue through the season of Lent, we are reminded that this time in the Church’s year is about renewal. While many people associate Lent with giving something up, its deeper invitation is to pause, reflect and refocus on who we are becoming.
In recent assemblies, I have spoken with our students about striving to be 10% braver and 10% better - taking small but meaningful steps each day in their learning, their relationships and the way they contribute to the community around them. Lent calls us to that same spirit of growth: small acts of courage, kindness and commitment that shape our character over time.
Recently, I also gathered with fellow Marist Schools Australia (MSA) principals, where we shared ideas and strategies to strengthen our schools and better serve our students. A common theme from our discussions was that education in the Marist tradition is always about formation - helping young people grow not only in knowledge, but also in character, faith and service.
As a community, may this Lenten season encourage each of us to take those small steps; to be just a little braver, a little better and more mindful of the good we can bring to those around us.
God bless.
Marco Di Cesare
Principal
