Principal's Update 20 September 2024

Dear Members of the Marcellin College Community,

I write this newsletter from a unique setting in Cambodia, where I, along with Ms Sarah Carmody, our Augustine House Leader, and a group of our young men, are immersed in an enriching experience with the Catholic Mission. This immersion program offers our students an invaluable opportunity to step outside their comfort zones and engage with the Church’s call to service, guided by our shared Catholic values. As they walk alongside local communities, our students not only develop a deep appreciation for the blessings in their own lives but also a profound sense of empathy and responsibility. Through this journey, they are witnessing compassion in action, and learning about social justice and global citizenship. Our founder, St Marcellin Champagnat called on his schools to form “good Christians and good (virtuous) citizens’. I hope that the lessons and learnings we experience over our 10 days in Cambodia will stay with us long after this journey concludes.

Impending Exams
As we approach the end of Term 3, we extend our best wishes to our Year 12 students and those who are gearing up for their practice exams over the holidays, followed by their final exams beginning in October. This is a crucial time and we are confident that their dedication and hard work will be rewarded. We encourage them to stay focused, seek support where needed, and take care of their well-being as they prepare to conclude their VCE and high school journey.

Champagnat Day
We celebrated Champagnat Day on Tuesday, 10 September, which was a wonderful occasion to honour the life and legacy of our founder, Saint Marcellin Champagnat and reflect on our Marist charism. The day was made even more special by the induction of former student, Professor Peter Macdonald, into our Hall of Fame. A heart surgeon whose pioneering work on the 'heart in a box' technology has saved countless lives, Peter exemplifies the values of service, innovation and compassion that we strive to instil in our students.

As we wrap up Term 3, we wish all our students, staff and families a safe and restful term break. The final term of 2024 promises to be a busy and exciting one. We look forward to tackling it with the same energy, enthusiasm and sense of community that have made this year so memorable.

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God bless,

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Marco Di Cesare
Principal

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