The Eagle 9 February 2024

Principal's Report

Dear Members of the Marcellin College Community,

As we step into a new academic year, I am filled with excitement and hope for what lies ahead. We finished 2023 with some of our best-ever VCE results. Our College DUX achieved a perfect ATAR of 99.95 and our Proxime Accessit 98.85. Congratulations to the Class of 2023 for an outstanding year.

Our 2024-2027 College Improvement Plan is centred around the theme: Grow, Learn, Lead: Becoming Who You Were Meant to Be. This will be our manifesto and focus at Marcellin College as we move forward. It is a commitment to this community’s journey of personal and collective growth. I look forward to sharing more on this in the coming months.

We extend a heartfelt welcome to our new Year 7 students, those joining us at other levels and new members of staff. They are now part of a family dedicated to excellence and supporting each other in our quest to become our best selves. There was a little nostalgia for me last week with our new Year 7 and 12 boys commencing. It only seemed like yesterday that I was standing where our Year 7 parents were standing. As I looked out, I saw my two sons who are now in Year 12 greeting our newest students. I recognised the angst, the concerns, the hopes and the sheer relief on many of the faces.

This week we came together as a College community to celebrate mass and the achievements of our students from 2023, whose dedication continues to set high standards for our community. Our student leaders have been recognised, embodying our theme and being commissioned to guide their peers with a sense of responsibility and care. We also launched our Marist HEART, which symbolises our core values of Humility, Excellence, Acceptance, Resilience, and Trust. These values will guide us in our daily actions and decisions, reminding us of who we are and who we aspire to be.

As we embark on this journey together in 2024, I am challenging each student to grow beyond their limits, to learn with curiosity and an open heart and to lead by example. Our focus on leadership extends beyond titles, recognising that every act of kindness, every effort to stand up for what is right, and every initiative to support our peers is a step towards inspiring change.

I encourage all members of our community to get involved in our College and support one another. I am grateful for the dedication and commitment to our shared mission – to educate and prepare our students to strive for their highest in a faith-filled and inclusive community. Here's to a year of growth, learning, and leadership. Together, let us become who we were meant to be.

God bless, and here's to an exceptional year ahead.

Marco Di Cesare
Principal

Loving God,
create in us a loving heart,
a heart that is open to all,
a heart that gives unconditionally and asks nothing in return.
Call us to act with justice and peace, and love tenderly,
especially those experiencing hardship and poverty in our world today. Amen.

Mary Our Good Mother... pray for us
St Marcellin Champagnat... pray for us
St Mary of the Cross Mackillop... pray for us
And may we always remember... to pray for one another

Faith & Mission

Marist Theme for 2024

I would like to extend a warm welcome to all College families and friends for 2024.

The 2024 Marist Theme is: First Light – Reveal the Spirit. This theme centres on the recognition of the world and our lives as the space where God's Spirit is present and discovered. Drawing from the biblical notion that God's first words were, Let there be light, the text suggests that the beauty and goodness found in the world manifest God's Spirit. This divine presence can be experienced in various ways, from the gentleness of a breeze to dramatic bursts of light, or even in small acts of kindness. Even in the darkest times, the smallest light within us can shine brightly and transform everything into light.

This light is the dwelling of the Holy Spirit within each person. By recognising the goodness and beauty within ourselves, we become a source of God's light for the world. The transformative power of God's Spirit is highlighted through the words of St. Paul, encouraging each and every one of us to become aware of the goodness within and allow it to emerge. The Holy Spirit illuminates our minds and hearts, transforms lives and makes God's presence known in both extraordinary and ordinary encounters.

Induction Mass
Last week, we celebrated our Induction Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral, officiated by Archbishop Peter Comensoli. On this significant occasion, we welcomed to our College all students who are joining Marcellin College for the first time and to mark the beginning of a significant journey in the lives of these young men, as we gathered in prayer, reflection, and celebration.

Commencement Mass
Yesterday, the College community gathered to celebrate our Commencement Mass, celebrated by Fr Steven Rigo, parish priest of St Thomas the Apostle, Greensborough North; St Mary’s, Greensborough; and Sacred Heart, Diamond Creek. During the Mass, which preceded the High Achievers’ Assembly, Fr Phuong blessed and commissioned our College Captains and all other Student Captains in the College as they undertake the role of leader in 2024.

Our Marist Heart
At the Commencement Mass, we also introduced into the College community a new artifact which will become part of our Marist story here at Marcellin College: our Marist Heart. The heart spirituality is a symbol deeply embedded in Marist tradition and so holds a special place in our heritage. In his writings,  our founder, St. Marcellin Champagnat, continually invited his followers to embrace what he called a 'heart spirituality': Like Mary, who formed and carried the heart of Jesus, we too are called to bring Christ-life to birth through the way in which we live in community and live our love in action.

St Marcellin commenced a tradition of enclosing the names of the Brothers, staff and students within a specially made heart – we present to you our new Marist Heart which will have enclosed the names of all our students and staff. May our Marist Heart serve as a constant reminder of the love and care that envelops each member of our community, fostering a sense of belonging, and of being known and loved.

Geralyn McCarthy
Deputy Principal Fatih & Mission

Student Wellbeing

We hope that this message finds all members of our community well-rested after the Christmas and New Year period. The return of all of our students for the 2024 academic year has brought everyone in our community great joy. We also welcomed the newest members of our College community, our Year 7 students and a number of students in other year levels also commenced their journey at the College. We extend a warm welcome to all of these new Marcellin College students and hope that their time at the College provides them with rich learning experiences, lifelong friendships and a wonderful connection to our faith community.

The start of the school year is always an exciting time as we witness the enthusiasm and energy of our students filling the hallways once again. It's heartening to see familiar faces and embrace the opportunity to build new connections with those joining us for the first time. We hope that each student has settled into the rhythm of the academic year smoothly. As many of you would know, Marcellin College is not only a place of high expectations but also one of unwavering support and care. This year, we are eager to continue fostering an educational environment that aligns with our school motto - striving for the highest. Our commitment to providing a well-rounded education extends beyond the classroom, encompassing the holistic development of each student. At Marcellin College, we understand that academic success and each student 'striving for their highest' depends on us working with parents and carers to nurture their well-being and character. To achieve this, we have a dedicated team of Pastoral Leaders, House Leaders, and College Counselors who work collaboratively with our students and families to create a supportive and nurturing community. They are here to guide, encourage, and ensure that every student feels valued and understood. We encourage you to work closely with these dedicated educators in support of your son.

As we embark on this new school year, we encourage all students to embrace the challenges and opportunities that come their way. Marcellin College is not just a place of learning; it's a community that values humility, excellence, acceptance, resilience and trust.

I’d like to share some tips with our families from renowned adolescent psychologist Andrew Fuller that may provide some great tips for setting each student up for success.

Wishing everyone a fantastic start to the school year!

Rocky Gentile
Deputy Principal Student Wellbeing

Learning & Teaching

A warm welcome to the 2024 academic year, to both our returning families and those who are new to our school community.

Success at Top Acts and Top Designs
The VCE Season of Excellence is a five-month annual festival showcasing outstanding senior secondary student work from Victorian schools. The Season presents work created by VCE and VET students in design, technology, research, multimedia and cinematic, visual and performing arts through exhibitions, screenings and performances supported by education talks, forums and panel discussions, catalogues, programs and online material.

Only a limited number of students are invited to audition and be a part of the Season of Excellence and this year, I am delighted to share that three of our students have been recognised.

2023 Year 12 student, Riley Brennan, and current Year 12 student, Daniel Perera, were both invited to audition for Top Acts recently. Only students who receive an A+ on their performance exam are invited to audition, making this a rare and highly sought-after honour.

It has been at least 10 years since a Marcellin College student has been invited to audition so we extend the deepest congratulations to Riley and Daniel. We keep our fingers crossed that they will be selected to perform.

Top Designs is an annual exhibition showcasing outstanding design works made by VCE and VCE VET students from schools across the state. This year, only 92 works were selected for the exhibition from over 1,000 applications, and Marcellin student Luca Cimino was among them. Congratulations to Luca!

The Top Designs exhibition runs from Saturday 23 March - Sunday 14 July at Melbourne Museum.

Home Study Club
Though I know some students have already been using our Library to study after school, our Home Study Club will officially resume next week (Tuesday, 13 February).

The Home Study Club is open to all students, at all year levels, and runs on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 3.30pm-5.00pm.

The Home Study Club provides an opportunity for students to receive assistance from teachers and tutors in a variety of learning areas. Mathematics support is available.

Please click here to access a reminder of the College’s Home Study Policy:

Compass
Compass has officially replaced MyMC as the College’s family communication and learning management system.

A reminder that the Compass App can be downloaded wherever you download your phone apps, including Apple’s App Store and Google Play.

A note to families that while we implement our use of Compass, not all functions in the App are yet available. For example, the ‘Canteen’ tile is not yet available. Student canteen accounts can be updated via the ‘School Favourites’ however,  the ‘Canteen’ link will take you to the Canteen login page.

Upcoming Parent Information Nights
Please look out for further details on some upcoming Parent Information Nights. These will provide families with information about the year to come including key events, important processes and procedures, as well as tips for a successful year.

• Year 7 Parent Camp and Information Night – Tuesday, 13 February
• VCE Parent Information Night – Monday, 19 February

Suzanne Farley,
Deputy Principal Learning & Teaching

From our Learning Areas

Art Club

All students are invited to participate in Art Club which will run every Wednesday lunchtime in F02. This is an exciting opportunity as part of the Beyond the Classroom activities offered at the College. Students will participate in student-led projects, experimenting with their choice of materials and themes whilst developing their creative skills. Artworks will be exhibited in a public setting later in the year and I hope to see many of our wonderfully talented students get involved!  

Marina Sipos, The Arts Learning Leader

Pastoral Program

Safer Internet Day | Tuesday, February 6 2024 
This week, we acknowledged Safer Internet Day - an initiative created by the Australian Government in conjunction with the eSafety Commissioner.

In Pastoral, we reminded students about the importance of:

• creating secure passwords and keeping them private
• reporting online bullying to the eSafety Commissioner
• engaging online with family and friends that they know, and not with usernames/accounts they do not recognise
• ensuring you have permission before uploading pictures and videos with friends

To find useful resources pertaining to safe internet use and parental controls, access the eSafety Commissioner here.

Mothers of Marcellin College,

We'd like to invite you and your son to be involved in a short montage of interviews for International Women's Day (IWD) 2024. Please contact Christina Cammarano if you would be interested in being a part of our celebrations of the special women within our college community.

Christina Cammarano, Student Wellbeing Coordinator

Health Centre

Welcome back! As we start the new school year, here are a few reminders to keep in mind:

• Students with medical issues such as hay fever/asthma/allergies should have action plans reviewed and updated by the G.P. links attached
• If a student is unwell they should stay at home and not attend school
• If a student has COVID they must stay at home for 5 days, notify the College and return provided they are symptom-free. This is for the protection of both students and staff within our community, a link for the Department of Education guidelines is attached.
• We ask that boys continue to wash their hands after breaks and use hand sanitiser to help stop the spread of COVID, gastro, coughs and colds
• If a student contracts chicken pox, or measles please inform the College as we have students who are immune suppressed and need to be considered.

Links

• Covid 19 - updated November 2023
• Asthma Plan
• Allergic Rhinitis (hay fever)
• Allergy Plan

If you have any questions, please contact the college nurse at 9851 1517.

Gaye Viney, College Nurse

Staff Profile

Hello, my name is Liana Colaluca. I am a new member of the Marcellin College community, and proud to be joining as the Redden House Leader. I am also teaching Legal Studies, Religion & Society and VCE VM Literacy. What I enjoy most about the College is the kindness and warmth of every staff member and student who have made Marcellin a very welcoming environment.

When I’m not at the College, I love spending time at the beach, swimming, doing reformer Pilates, spending time with family and friends by cooking or going out for a nice meal and getting very competitive with a good board game!

Liana Colaluca, Redden House Leader

Student Profile

Hi, my name is Bailey and I’m in Year 12. What I love most about Marcellin College is its extracurricular activities. It gives boys a chance to express themselves around their peers whether it be playing a musical instrument, participating in sport or making art. Every student has a place and activity that suits them. I particularly appreciate the variety of classes offered to students, especially from Years 9 to 12, as it allows them to make informed decisions on what classes to pursue to lead to their future careers. At Marcellin College, boys from all year levels can come together and create lasting friendships through Pastoral. It's an opportunity for older boys to offer guidance and support to younger students on both academic and personal issues, from the perspective of someone closer to their age.

When I’m not studying, I enjoy hanging out with friends. Whether it be an online call where we play games and have a laugh or in person going places. I also like to play my saxophone much to the dismay of everyone else in the house. I also like to research space, as it is one of the most intriguing things filled with violence and beauty. In the future, I hope to become a music teacher by completing a music and teaching double degree at Monash University.

Bailey, Year 12 student Kenny House & 2024 Publications Captain

Community News

College Bus Driver Job Opportunity
Are you ready to steer your career in the right direction? The College is seeking a Bus Driver to support its transportation requirements.

Become a vital part of our community, transporting students safely and efficiently while enjoying a fulfilling vocation. As a bus driver, you will be the friendly face our students rely on, providing exceptional customer service with every mile. For further details and a position description, please click here.

Yarra Valley Wine Tour
On behalf of the Parents & Friends Group parents and carers are invited to our first social event of the year, a Wine Tour through the Yarra Valley on Saturday, 2 March. The bus will depart from the College at 8:30am and return approximately 6pm.

It's a great way for you to make connections with other families as you visit award-winning wineries and taste a number of select wines, enjoy a two-course lunch, explore the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and more… Bookings close soon, so don’t miss out. Click here to book.

Morning Tea with the Principal
Parents and carers in Years 8 – 11 are invited to a morning tea with the principal in Rivat House (enter via Sandra Street). Below are the dates and registration links. We hope to see as many of you there as possible:

Year 8 Morning Tea – Tuesday, 13 February. Book here.
Year 9 Morning Tea – Thursday, 22 February. Book here.
Year 10 Morning Tea – Tuesday, 27 February. Book here.
Year 11 Morning – Thursday, 7 March. Book here.

Year 12 Parent & Son Breakfast
On Thursday, 29 February the College is hosting its annual Year 12 Parent & Son Breakfast to mark the start of their final year at Marcellin College. Now in its second year, you will hear from graduates and parents from the Class of 2023. They will provide insights, tips and practical ways to make 2024 a memorable and successful year. Join us by registering your attendance here.

Year 7 2026 Enrolments
Enrolments for Year 7 2026 are now open and will close on Friday, 16 August 2024. To submit an application and secure your place, please visit marcellin.vic.edu.au/enrolments.

If you have a child presently in Grade 6 and have not yet enrolled for Marcellin College in Year 7 2025, please do so using the above link.

Open Day
Mark your calendars! Our 2024 Open Day is on Sunday, 17 March 11am – 2pm. Prospective families are invited to explore, discover and learn what makes Marcellin College a leader in boys’ education. For further information visit marcellin.vic.edu.au

Choosing A Secondary School for Your Child Information Evening
Deciding on where to send your child can be daunting. Marcellin College welcomes prospective families to attend an information evening on Choosing a Secondary School for Your Child. The evening will cover a host of topics to assist you in making an informed decision. Registration is free and can be completed here.

2023 Ad Altissima
For any students who did not receive their 2023 yearbook, they can collect a copy from Main Reception (Marist House) during school hours.

Also, for any 2023 Year 12 students who haven’t registered as an alumni, you can do so by clicking here. Being registered means you won’t miss out on reunions, upcoming events and staying in touch with the College.

Follow us on Facebook & Instagram!
Be sure to like and follow the College’s Facebook and Instagram pages where you can view all things about College life including feature news, photos and upcoming events. Stay in the know with all the latest happenings! Click here to access and follow our page.

Sport Report

Summer Sport Recommences
Well done to all the students and coaches who re-commenced their summer season last Saturday. It was great to see so many of our families at fixtures supporting their sons. I wish all involved well for the remaining games of the season.

Swim Squad Back in the Water
Good luck to all our swim squad who started their training this week. Training is before school each Tuesday and Thursday with trial meets against opposition schools each Friday. The season concludes with the AGSV Swimming Championships on 15 March.

Winter Sport Selections
Planning has started already for the 2024 Winter Season. The first part of this planning involved all boys completing their Winter Sports Sign-Up form. This week every student in the College was sent an email and information was shared via Compass asking them to complete the questionnaire. This information is critical for students to be entered into the correct teams at each year level. Winter Sport options for all boys are Australian Rules, Cross Country, Hockey, Rugby and Soccer.

Once each student has completed the sign-up, they received an email confirming completion which also contained some logistical information. Boys were asked to share this information with parents. Parents are asked to speak to their son to ensure this form has been completed.

Welcome Patrick Benson to the Sport Department
Patrick joins Marcellin College this year in his role as sports administrator and coaching co-ordinator. Patrick will be working with the sports department to enrich the experiences of our students in their chosen sports and foster participation within the co-curricular offerings at the College. Patrick’s experience in school sports is underpinned by his six-year tenure at Carey Grammar working with their football team along with helping the Marcellin College Year 7 & 8 football team over the last three years. Patrick worked at Marcellin College in 2019 as part of a school initiative to enhance the wellbeing of teachers by providing open training sessions in the gym before school and continued involvement in our community in 2021 with the commencement of the High-Performance Program. Patrick is passionate about junior sport and development and will continue the great work by the sports department in providing a top-quality sporting program and fostering positive relationships between staff and students.

Ben Reynolds, Head of Sport