The Eagle 23 February 2024
Principal's Report
Dear Members of the Marcellin College Community,
Our students are settling in well as they begin to establish their routines for 2024. However, the weather has been anything but routine! From heavy downpours and wild winds to sweltering heat this week, it is important that the boys remain attentive to the conditions. We have placed a high priority on student safety, issuing regular announcements to remind them to stay hydrated, use sunscreen available from student services and seek shade when outside.
Our Year 12 students completed their retreats last week and it was a privilege to spend time with them at their various sites. Despite the unexpected challenges posed by some severe storms, which resulted in power outages at two of our scheduled sites, the resilience and spirit of our community shone through. Thanks to the swift action and dedication of Ms D'Intinosante, we secured two alternative venues on the very day the retreats were to commence. Her efforts ensured that our students' experience remained uninterrupted, allowing them to engage in self-reflection and personal growth. Thank you to those who led the retreats and worked with our students. And to our alumni who also attended and supported the Class of 2024 on this important formative experience.
We also saw our Year 7 students venture out on their first camp together. When I visited them, there were some tired eyes as they prepared to share a meal together. The camp was abuzz with activities, conversations and laughter as students laid the foundations for lifelong friendships and memories. I chuckled as a few boys asked me if I was going to try the flying fox across the lake…needless to say, I was unable to make it to the start of that activity!
It will be important for our community to continue to speak out against the newly imposed payroll tax for what will be an increasing number of schools. Our College is moving closer to the $15,000 figure that the Victorian Government has set – without indexation – on all schools across Victoria. Mr Moloney (Deputy Principal Staff) and I attended a dialogue session with the alternative government of Victoria, Mr John Pesutto, Leader of the Victorian Opposition and Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs, alongside Mr Brad Rowswell, Shadow Treasurer and Ms Jess Wilson, Shadow Minister for Education and Finance. These interactions are crucial as we advocate for our College's interests, particularly concerning the Victorian Government's payroll tax.
As we move into the last weeks of our Summer Sport program we wish all our teams the best as they finish the season. Also to the many families who continue to support our boys on Saturdays, it’s wonderful to see the community spirit shining brightly again.
I have enjoyed meeting with parents and carers from different year levels at the recent morning teas our community team have put together. I welcome everyone's attendance and the opportunity to listen to you and share more about what is coming up at the College including building works and program updates. More information about the upcoming year level morning teas can be found below.
God bless.
Marco Di Cesare
Principal
God of the Journey,
As we begin this Lenten season, we embrace the challenge of surrendering all that does not come from You.
Help us to remove the clutter and distractions, focusing on the simple truth of Your love.
May we see your goodness and your glory in new ways throughout this season of Lent. May we know the depths of your love for us more fully.
May we find resurrection life springing up from this old dusty ground, and may we be surprised by joy in all of it.
In you, we find our truest joy, Jesus.
Amen
Faith & Mission
Ash Wednesday
Last Wednesday marked the commencement of Lent with Ash Wednesday, a season of the Church which continues until the evening of Holy Thursday when the Easter Triduum begins. The College community gathered in Pastoral groups to pray, to receive the ashes on our foreheads and to contemplate the Lenten journey's challenges. During these 40 days, we are urged to pause and to reflect on our divine calling to be fully human in God's love.
Reflecting on Lent, Sister Joan Chittister O.S.B. writes: Ash Wednesday signals the beginning of that season of the church year that is most commonly associated with penance. But there is a danger lurking in that definition… Lent is a much greater moment in life than that. Lent is a call to weep for what we could have been and are not. Lent is the grace to grieve for what we should have done and did not. Lent is the opportunity to change what we ought to change but have not. Lent is not about penance. Lent is about becoming, doing and changing whatever it is that is blocking the fullness of life in us right now. Lent is a summons to live anew. From A Summons to Live Anew: Lent 2024.
As we walk towards Jesus' death and resurrection, we are invited to meditate on our God of compassion, what that means for how we act in the world, and for what God calls us to be.
Project Compassion (Caritas)
The Game Changer students supported by the Faith and Mission team will be hosting a series of fundraising events throughout Term 1 to support the work of Caritas. This is one way in which our community can support the most vulnerable. On Shrove Tuesday, we sold pancakes to students and staff for a gold coin donation. We hope you can support us in other fundraising endeavours that will be launched throughout the term. More details of how you can support us will be made available in the next few weeks.
Year 12 Retreats
Last week, the Year 12 students went away for three days on their retreats. Despite facing unexpected challenges stemming from extreme weather conditions. The retreats proved to be a valuable experience for the students, offering a pause amid the busyness of their final year of education to reflect on their lives. Centred around the Gospel story of the ‘Road to Emmaus’ from the Gospel of Luke, the retreat theme metaphorically depicted the diverse journeys the Year 12 students are embarking upon in life. The road, like life itself, is filled with lessons, hardships, joys, and special moments that shape our individual purposes. Much like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, the journey is not always smooth, presenting challenges that test our courage, strengths, weaknesses, and faith. Students were invited to reflect on the importance of remaining hope-filled even during life's challenges and on the importance of families, friends and faith that can support them during their life-journey. The people we meet along our journey play a significant role, often making a lasting impact and imparting invaluable life lessons.
Game Changers Servant Leadership Day
Yesterday, Game Changer students participated in a Servant Leadership Day.
The leadership day encouraged the development of these goals:
EMPOWERMENT – to help our students learn more about their Catholic Marist faith and the Marist charism so as to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in our world today;
PARTICIPATION – to invite them to responsible participation in the life, mission and work of the Catholic Marist faith community through faith-in-action;
GROWTH – to encourage the total personal and spiritual growth of each young person.
Through a range of interactive and discussion activities, the leadership day encourages the formation of strong friendships between the students which, in turn, enables the creation of a community of young people who can journey together in faith.
Students were invited to reflect on what it means to be a servant leader. Recalling the words of Jesus – “Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant”– our students were presented with a vision of leadership that forms them to be authentic ‘game changers’ who treat others respectfully, care of the needs of others and seek what is best for them.
Geralyn McCarthy
Deputy Principal Fatih & Mission
Student Wellbeing
Teenagers and Sleep
Recent research suggests that most teenagers need about 10 hours of sleep per night. However, most are only getting about 6.5-7.5. This lack of sleep can significantly impact their ability to perform optimally in class and in their co-curricular activities and may result in absence from school as well.
Here at Marcellin College, our staff get lots of questions from parents about teenagers and sleep. We know that at times our students can lapse in their punctuality and concentration in class and many experts believe that this is directly related to not getting enough sleep. The following are some practical tips for parents and carers from some of the leading voices in this area including Dr Michael Carr Gregg (author of Surviving Year 12), Helen Emsellem (author of Snooze or Lose) and Matthew Walker (author of Why We Sleep).
- Avoid arguing with teenagers about bedtime, instead discuss the issue with them.
- Encourage early nights on Sundays.
- Set negotiated time limits for screen time and homework. e.g., lights off at this time.
- Avoid overcrammed schedules and make time for sleep.
- Have a consistent bedtime routine. Perhaps use a mindfulness app to help them calm down. Note that bedtime routines can take about four weeks to develop.
- Maintain a cool (not overly heated) bedroom.
- Encourage high levels of activity throughout the day to promote tiredness.
- Keep their bedroom dark at night and make these rooms device-free.
All the best in supporting your child to sleep more effectively so that they perform more optimally here at school.
Rocky Gentile
Deputy Principal Student Wellbeing
From our Learning Areas
Catholic Education Week Creative Arts Exhibition 2024
A huge congratulations to our very talented students who will have their artworks on public display at the Catholic Education Week Creative Arts Exhibition:
Thomas Lawless, Corey Harrison & Daniel Duvnjak
Charlie Gray, Sam Prato, Xavier Comito & Evan Lazopoulos (group artwork)
Marcus Veal, Antonio Potenza & Zach Colaneri (group artwork)
Each year, student artworks are entered into the exhibition and go through a formal selection process. It is wonderful news to have had all our student entries accepted! The exhibition runs during Catholic Education Week with details below.
The exhibition will be in Celtic Hall, Catholic Leadership Centre, 576 Victoria Parade, East Melbourne and is open for public viewing on the following days and times:
Tue 12 March: 9am - 4pm
Wed 13 March: 9am - 7pm
Thu 14 March: 9am - 4pm
Fri 15 March: 12pm - 7pm
Sat 16 March: 11am- 4pm
School groups and family groups are welcome. Bookings are required through the trybooking link. Entry is free. Once again, congratulations to our wonderful Visual Arts students representing our College! I hope to see you all there!
Marina Sipos, Learning Leader - The Arts
In December, four of our students who are studying Chinese spent a month at Shanghai Industry & Commerce Foreign Language College, learning Chinese and experiencing the culture. They were carefully cared for by the school and their learning is becoming apparent as they continue their studies. Here is a lovely story about one of the four students, Gabriel. This is an extract from a letter to Shanghai I and C from Gabriel's parents:
Last Saturday, 10 February our Parish had a Lunar NY Mass, with various prayers said in Mandarin, Indonesian, Malay, and other cultures who celebrate Lunar NY. Our priest couldn't find a young person to say a prayer in Mandarin, so he asked Gabriel. With help from our Chinese neighbours and expert help from Miss Vanessa Zhang, Gabriel read the following:
- 我们为所有国家领导人祈祷
Wǒmen wèi suǒyǒu guójiā lǐngdǎo rén qídǎo. - 愿他们共同努力，促使和平、正义和平等成为现实，
Yuàn tāmen gòngtóng nǔlì, cùshǐ hépíng, zhèngyì hé píngděng chéngwéi xiànshí, - 特别是为我们世界上的贫困和流离失所的人们。
tèbié shì wèi wǒmen shìjiè shàng de pínkùn hé liúlí shīsuǒ de rénmen.
Gabriel was congratulated afterwards by our Chinese parishioners as they understood him perfectly! One said, "Better than my children can speak."
The main point is that Gabriel's knowledge, confidence, and pronunciation have grown immensely since he visited your wonderful teachers and your fabulous school! Thank you yet again!
Strengthening Your Online Security - Strong Password & Two-Factor Authentication
In today's interconnected world, protecting our online presence is paramount. Strong passwords and two-factor authentication (2FA) are essential tools in this endeavour. A strong password acts as a barrier against cyber threats, while 2FA adds an extra layer of security.
A strong password comprises a combination of upper and lower-case letters, numbers, and special characters. For example, "P@ssw0rd!2023" is robust, while "123456" or "password" are weak and easily guessed, obviously do not use these suggested passwords. Also, avoid using personal information and opt for passphrases instead; but be wary of online surveys that ask you questions about your favourite things, events and preferences, these can be data harvesting bots designed to work out your passphrases. And do not include any dictionary words as a password as these are used for dictionary-based brute force attacks.
In addition to strong passwords, 2FA is highly recommended. This method requires not only a password but also a second form of verification, such as a code sent to your mobile device. Even if your password is compromised, unauthorised access can be prevented.
Password hygiene is crucial. Avoid reusing passwords across multiple accounts, as this increases vulnerability. Utilise a password manager to securely store and manage your credentials.
In conclusion, prioritise strong passwords and 2FA to safeguard your digital identity. By adopting these practices and remaining vigilant against cyber threats, we create a safer online environment for ourselves and our loved ones.
Stay safe online!
Nathan Hutching, Digital Literacy Leader
Student Leadership
AGSV Leadership Conference
Tuesday’s AGSV Leadership Day was an incredible opportunity to network with student leaders from schools around Victoria. We had the fantastic opportunity to discuss how true leadership requires open and honest communication. We were joined by the boys at Speak & Share who prompted open dialogue with some challenging and thought-provoking questions. The day offered us an opportunity to exchange ideas with fellow captains on how to effectively lead the student body. My key takeaway was how communication is fundamental in fostering strong relationships with my vice-captains. In the words of Nat Turner, “Good communication is the bridge between confusion and clarity.”
Andrew E, College Captain
Zoe Shultz, Student Leadership Coordinator
Pastoral Program
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
Year 10 Immunisation
Every year the College facilitates a School Immunisation Program in partnership with the Manningham Council which is run here on site.
This year it has been scheduled for Tuesday, 19 March during periods 1 & 2. For your son to be immunised, parents and carers must give consent. This is now an online process (there are no longer cards that get lost in the bottom of school bags).
All information on the vaccine given and how to give consent was sent to Year 10 parents and students last week via Compass.
Please take a few minutes to complete and give consent by Friday, 15 March as your son will not receive the vaccination if no consent is provided.
Gaye Viney, College Nurse
Staff Profile
Hello, my name is David Bellis and I have been working at Marcellin College for 10 years. I am a Health and Physical Education teacher, the Gifted and Talented Coordinator, and Teacher in Charge of Swimming. I am very passionate about providing the best environment for learning to take place to create a culture of lifelong learning. I have built some amazing connections and relationships with colleagues throughout my time here and I look forward to what the evolving landscape at Marcellin College will be moving forward.
When I am not at the College, I love to play with my son, Sammy, and I do appreciate a nice green lush lawn.
David Bellis, Health & PE Teacher and Gifted & Talented Coordinator
Student Profile
Hi, my name is Emilio and I’m in Year 7. I am in Kenny House and I like being in Kenny House because I like the colour red and because my dad was in Kenny House too!
What I love most about Marcellin College is the great learning opportunities and the independence it brings compared to my experience in primary school. My first weeks in year seven have been positive and I really enjoyed going to camp and meeting new people and making new friends. My favourite thing about camp was the leap of faith activity. It involved climbing up a tall pole to a platform where you needed to jump off from.
When I’m not studying, I enjoy playing sports, being with my family and playing with my boxer dog Winston. I am involved in a few sports like basketball, football and water polo; which is my favourite sport by far. I play for a great club and have made some great friendships in my team. Water polo is fun because it mixes swimming and shooting goals in the same sport.
In the future, I hope to be a marine biologist because I love the ocean and helping the environment and the sea creatures that live in the oceans.
Emilio, Year 7 student Kenny House
Community News
Year 7 Parents / Carers Social Night
Save the date! On Saturday, 23 March, Year 7 parents and carers are invited to attend a welcome to the community evening in our Functions Room. Details will be posted on Compass early next week. We hope to see many of you there.
Morning Tea with the Principal
Parents and carers in Years 10 – 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 10 Morning Tea – Tuesday, 27 February. Book here.
Year 11 Morning – Thursday, 7 March. Book 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
Help spread the word! 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
Do you know families looking for information about selecting a secondary school?
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.
Volunteers Information Evening - Tuesday, 12 March
Marcellin College values the integral role volunteers play in supporting our young men during their time at the College. The volunteers in our community have established a proud link between families, students and the College which continues to provide enormous benefits. Join us on Tuesday, 12 March at 7pm in the Hermitage Atrium for an information evening where you can learn more about how to get involved, as well as register to volunteer in 2024 and beyond. Register your attendance here.
Second Hand Uniform Shop
The second-hand uniform shop will be open on Friday, 2 March from 9.30am to 12.30pm. The store is located at the rear of Marist House. This will be the last one for Term 1, so it will be a great opportunity to stock up on winter uniform items for your son.
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.
Careers News
Careers at Marcellin – Service Notice
Earlier this week, we outlined all the career services we offer, via a Compass notification. Parents and students should save this document to take full advantage of the services offered at the College.
Carlton College of Sport- Career Expo
Last Friday, Year 11 Sport and Recreation students attended the Carlton College of Sport Career Expo at IKON Park.
The expo was designed to provide aspiring sport industry professionals the opportunity to deepen their understanding of careers in sport.
Students heard from various presenters, including professionals from a wide range of sports including the Carlton Football Club, South East Melbourne Phoenix, the Northern Knights, Kelly Sports, the Hawks VNL, and La Trobe University.
Students were presented with a range of career paths and were able to speak directly with La Trobe University about tertiary study options to further a sport career.
My Career Insights (Morrisby Career Profile)
On 27 & 28 February, all Year 10 students will complete their Career Profile. This is an online careers and aptitude assessment.
The Career Profile will assist your child to find their true career direction using profiling of abilities, personality, interests, and motivation to help them discover their own unique characteristics.
What is involved?
Students will be asked to complete timed assessments and questionnaires. These are taken under exam conditions – but this is not an intelligence test and there is no need to revise.
If students wish to complete some practice questions in advance of the session they are available here.
Results will be released to students on the night of the assessment.
Kevin Kelly, Careers & Further Education
Camp, Sports and Excursions
Families holding a valid means-tested concession card or temporary foster parents are eligible to apply. A Special Consideration category also exists. Schools can receive applications from families over terms one and two.
Families can list more than one student on the application form if they are attending the same school.
Please lodge the CSEF application form at the College. Closing Date is Friday, 28 June 2024.
Click here to access to application form. For more information about the CSEF visit.
Sport Report
Men’s Health Awareness Round
It is time to make your health a priority. What can you do to help you and your loved ones?
The Sport program at Marcellin College prides itself on creating an environment that focuses on sportsmanship whilst developing physically, mentally and social skills of all our boys. This weekend all 1st teams will look to take the next step and make an impact on all males within our community. Sport can be a fantastic vehicle to educate the broader community and this weekend we aim to highlight the importance of Men's Health, an issue that the Sport and Health and Physical Education departments have promoted for many years.
All boys representing Marcellin College in 1st Basketball, 1st XI Cricket, Open Squash, 1st Tennis and 1st Volleyball will all wear light blue socks to create a talking point for all players, officials and spectators. The 1st XI cricketers will also don light blue baggies.
The aim is for males to take more care in their everyday health by making simple changes in their behaviour. We want our students to educate older males in their lives to:
- overcome the fear of visiting their GP and make an effort to visit them regularly
- make physical activity a priority in their life
- eat healthy and reduce portion sizes.
- stop smoking
- reduce alcohol intake
- pick up the phone and talk to their mates.
Change is always hard but is easier with the help of others. We encourage sons, fathers, uncles, grandfathers, wives, sisters, grandmothers and daughters to all support the males in their lives to make their health a priority.
Ben Reynolds, Head of Sport
