Principal's Domain

Dear members of the Marcellin College family,

Last Saturday Marcellin College held its annual Open Day. As part of the program for this important day in the College calendar I had the opportunity to speak to prospective families about the benefits of having their sons educated in an all boys setting. I explained that boys’ education had come a long way in the past thirty years. I spoke of the concept of multiple masculinities - that there are many positive and legitimate pathways toward manhood and that boys at Marcellin are provided with numerous opportunities to explore and embrace these pathways. My task was made dramatically easier as I drew on the events of the past week as examples of this idea.

Firstly, I spoke about the Remar Gold Graduation dinner that was held the previous Tuesday evening. The Remar program of faith, service and leadership development is the best of its type I have seen anywhere. It assists young men in their growth and development towards what St. Marcellin Champagnat would describe as Good Christians and Good citizens. It particularly helps them to realise their potential as leaders in service of others especially those in greatest need. Congratulations to Tim Hannah, Luke Cardamone, Jesse Ruse, Tim Conroy, Kalem Ortiz and Alex Rathbone for completing all three years of Remar and to Mr. Mario Frazzetto for his helmsmanship and coordination of this worthwhile program.

I then went on to speak about the College’s Arts Expo which was opened the following evening. This night provided an opportunity for boys from across the College to showcase their artistic and technological talents. Many parents commented to me that they were astounded as to the quality and creativity of the works on display as was I. This is a great testament to the talents and hard work of the students as well as the skills, enthusiasm and commitment of their teachers. I would like to thank all those who made this event such a success. Particular thanks need to be extended to Mrs. Carolyn Easdale (Learning Coordinator - Visual Arts) for her professionalism and attention to detail in coordinating the Expo.

Finally, I spoke about the College’s Junior School Production which also opened in the same week. As you may be aware M2 is a collaborative effort between the students of Our Lady of Mercy College and Marcellin College. This year, apart from our major production of The Wiz, the group also decided to produce a junior production for students in Years 7, 8 and 9. For their first effort they took on the challenging task of bringing to life Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Nights Dream.” I recall studying Shakespeare when I was at school and I found it a very difficult exercise. These young boys and girls presented themselves as seasoned Shakespearean actors who demonstrated a maturity of performance, characterisation and stagecraft well beyond their years. Congratulations to all those involved. I would particularly like to thank Mrs. Natalie Ciardulli and Miss Melissa Rapinett for their courage, foresight, skill and a belief in the theatrical capabilities of our students.

In speaking to the parents on this diversity of events I was aware that as they entered the driveway of the College that morning they would have also passed the many sporting ovals at the front of the school which were filled with students involved in Round one of the AGSV Summer Sport competition. I was aware too that they had just finished a tour of the College led by Marcellin College boys who spoke from the heart about their love of the school and the many opportunities they have been provided to shine in their time here. On the tour the boys would have pointed out the many opportunities for boys to achieve their best and find their niche as members of the Marcellin College Community.
You can see therefore why my task of presenting Marcellin College as a well rounded all Boys’ School where students have an opportunity to shine in a multitude of areas was not a difficult one. I would like to thank all those who supported our Open Day especially the vast number of teachers, students and parents who gave up their precious Saturday in support of the College. I would particularly like to thank Mr. Adriano Di Prato for his coordination of the day.

Yours sincerely,


Mark Murphy
Principal