Principal's Update 24 February 2023

Dear Members of the Marcellin College Community,

It is hard to believe that we are nearly at the half-way point for the term. There is much to celebrate and I have enjoyed the various parent/carer sessions and the opportunity to meet many of you over the last few weeks.

Our Year 7 students are settling into the routine of life as a student at Marcellin College. These coming weeks and months are important as they begin to develop routines both at the College and at home. Please speak to your son about a regular homework routine – this needs to be balanced with other activities. However, it will be important for us to work together to ensure that each of our young men follow our College theme, “strive for the highest“. Please speak to your son’s Pastoral Leader if you have any concerns or feel that some information needs to be shared.

Our students have begun preparations for this year’s Inter-House Swimming Carnival. This is always a highlight of the term and our students work hard to create a positive and celebratory atmosphere. There is also a strong sense of competition and our students always strongly engage in the day. There have been some suggestions by our Year 12 students on how we can continue to strengthen House spirit and I look forward to some of our student leaders sharing these in upcoming newsletters.

I had the privilege of running one of our Year 12 retreats this year. In the past I visited each site and managed to spend a few hours at each one. This year saw me overseeing the program for Kenny and Marlhes House. Despite some challenges with the weather, the students entered into the spirit of the retreat and it was a rewarding experience for all. Congratulations to all our Year 12 students and a big thank you to the staff who gave up their family time to support our young men on this year’s retreat.

Our newly refurbished Chirat Learning Centre is nearing completion. As we work to upgrade many of our facilities over the coming months and years, the Chirat Learning Centre will be a place of service for our students. It will be well appointed and modern, housing our Careers Practitioners, Learning Support Officers and College Counsellors. Learning Diversity and our Gifted and Talented Education program, SOAR, will also move into this area. I know that our Learning Diversity Leader is excited about the move as we begin to plan to demolish Marian House.

As we begin the season of Lent, we continue to invite our community to embrace our College motto and theme, strive for the highest. Let’s set our sights on spiritual growth and transformation. Lent is a time to challenge ourselves, to push beyond our comfort zones, and to aim for the highest ideals in ourselves and faith journey. As we received the ashes on our foreheads, we are reminded of our mortality, but also of the infinite potential within us to live a life of humility, simplicity and modesty. Let us use this time to renew our commitment to be more faithful, to deepen our relationship with God, and to strive for the highest in ourselves and in those around us. May we approach this Lenten season with a sense of joy and anticipation, as we prepare ourselves to experience the fullness of God’s grace and love at Easter.

Mr Marco Di Cesare
Principal

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