MARCELLIN COLLEGE
RANDWICK
AETERNA NON CADUCA
The Eternal not the Transitory
From the Headmaster
5 SEPTEMBER 2016 | NO. 14
A wonderful source of professional and personal reading each fortnight for those of us in Marist schools is the Marist Schools
Australia (MSA) Newsletter.
Br Michael Green FMS is the National Director of MSA and his editorials in the newsletter are always engaging and thought
provoking. Br Michael’s recent contribution on the morality and educational purpose of punishment is a particularly timely
piece and worthy of a broader audience. For this reason, I have included it as our newsletter editorial for this fortnight. I highly
recommend it to you.
Mr John Hickey
Headmaster
Originally published
9 August 2016
http://msa.edu.au/msa-newsletters-2016
Dear Brothers, Colleagues and Friends
What is the moral basis for an educator to use punishment
as a means of achieving his or her ends? Is there one? No
doubt, some ethicists and moral theologians would be able
to provide us with possible principles, or even mount some
arguments that favour it. Did you know there’s a whole field
of study called penology?
But they could be standing on thin ground.
how the world works? About justice? What are the values he
is being taught?
It is salutary for you and I as Marist educators to recall that it
was his abhorrence to an incident of physical violence by is
own teacher that had a defining influence on what Marcellin
Champagnat came to imagine good teaching should be.
The heart-sickening footage of the treatment of children in
the Northern Territory’s juvenile justice system which was
aired two weeks ago now has rightly unsettled us. It should
have. It has also embarrassed and shamed us as Australians.
Spit-hoods, uninhabitable detention cells, restraining chairs,
verbal and physical abuse, psycho-emotional torture. Really?
It was extreme stuff. Pavlov treated his dogs better.
For the Founder, there was no circumstance where a teacher
should strike a child. None. But the Founder’s convictions
went further than that. For him there was no justification for
a teacher ever to act angrily or capriciously towards a young
person, or to speak harshly, or to instil fear, or to be vengeful,
or to run a class or a school on a command-and-control basis
All of this reflected immaturity and insecurity on the part of
a teacher.
“That’ll learn you,” spat out one the correctional officers
as he brutally threw Dylan Voller into his cell. Leaving aside
the obvious comment about the guard’s moral authority as
an educator being ironically undermined by his own poor
grammar, let us go to some deeper questions and issues: What
is Dylan actually learning? What is he learning about himself?
About his worth and his rights? About his personhood? About
For Marcellin, the means of teaching young people were not
to be punitive. Nor retributive. Nor prompted by deterrence.
The starting point was love; the means were respect,
example, affection, inspiration, reward, affirmation, calmness,
understanding, patience, kindness, humour, and life-giving
relationships. The Teachers Guide published in 1853 is replete
with words such as these. What should love look like for a
www.marcellin.nsw.edu.au | [email protected] | Ph: (02) 9398 6355 | Fax: (02) 9398 9049
Marist educator? Marcellin directed his first Brothers to 1
Corinthians 13.
While it is easy for us to condemn the cruel treatment
inflicted on some young offenders in correctional facilities,
it may be more unsettling for us to self-evaluate some
of the underpinnings of our own student management
practices. To what extent are they punitive rather than
restorative? To what extent blindly consequential rather
than truly educative? To what extent personal rather than
dispassionate? To what extent informed by knowledge
and understanding of child and adolescent emotional and
mental development? To what extent founded on the basic
Christian anthropology of goodness at the heart of every
person, and the Christian teacher’s duty to nurture that?
Good questions to revisit from time to time. And most
especially when confronted with young people who are
most broken, needy and challenging in their behaviours.
Nisi Dominus
IMPORTANT DATES
6 - 16 Sep
Year 11 Examinations
Thu, 22 Sep
Year 12 Graduation / T3 concludes
Mon, 10 Oct Term 4 commences
From the Acting Deputy Headmaster
Thu, 13 Oct
Year 12 HSC exams commence
Last Saturday I attended the annual Ex-Students’ Mass and
lunch. This is one of the great events of the school calendar.
Father Greg celebrated a wonderful Mass at the College
which also served as an opportunity for the Old Boys to have
a look around a school that has seen much change since
many of them had walked through the gates as students.
Then, on a glorious winter’s day, we gathered at Coogee Surf
Club to enjoy lunch and listen to the College Captain Bobby
Nader give a summary of the many successes achieved by
the students during the course of the last 12 months.
Our Headmaster Mr Hickey then outlined his visions and
plans for the College. With exciting times ahead, everyone in
attendance was greatly reassured that MCR will continue to
go from strength to strength. There was a wonderful feeling
of gratitude emanating from ex-students of all ages towards
their old school, their former teachers and in particular the
Marist Brothers for instilling the values which continue to
steer these men through their lives.
As well being a fantastic social occasion, over $2,000 was
raised for the John Hennessy Bursary, a fund that benefits
the families of students who are struggling financially.
There is often much written about the traditions and school
spirit that exists at Marcellin College. Last Saturday was a
wonderful reminder that these traditions and spirit live and
breathe with both the past and the present.
Mr Paul Daley
Acting Deputy Headmaster
2
Above: the annual Old Boys’ Mass and Luncheon is a
wonderful opportunity to gather and celebrate MCR.
More photos on Page 5
MARCELLIN COLLEGE RANDWICK NEWSLETTER
College Captain’s Charitable Initiative
As Mr Hickey commented to the Ex-Students last Saturday, the College is
blessed with students who not only actively involve themselves in the wider
community but also work hard to support those in need. In the words of
the Headmaster, there is no finer example of selflessness than the current
College Captain, Bobby Nader who has set up his own charity initiative. The
following is Bobby’s explanation of what he has achieved to date.
Teens 4 todds
teens4todds.com.au
'Teens 4 Todds' is my charity initiative raising money for the Sydney Children's Hospital Foundation. I
recruited students from local schools including OLSH Kensington and Brigidine Randwick and began
my quest for raising as much money as I could for the foundation. It began as simple as a raffle draw,
including great prizes such as $1000 cash, sports memorabilia etc, but has now spread and expanded
into various other initiatives such as the Fundraising Day at Coogee Beach, where we partnered with
Schibello Caffe and the Bearded Bakers in donating all funds collected from the day towards the
initiative. We managed to raise around $15,000, bringing us to an unconfirmed tally of approximately
$20,000 - $25,000.
With the funds at the conclusion of the charity initiative on
13 September, the foundation will then allocate the funds
towards the specific needs of the hospital with the view of
supporting the sick and injured children. Below are some
examples of what raised funds can do:
• $50 can buy a petrol voucher for a regional / rural
family who need to drive a long way for their child’s
medical treatment
• $590 could purchase a portable baby weighing scale
for home visits and outreach clinics
• $750 could buy an oxygen monitor for babies and
children in Intensive Care
• $1,800 can buy a sofa bed for parents to sleep by their
child’s bedside
Above: fundraising for the Sydney Children's Hospital at
• $5,000 will allow us to provide 100 child life therapy
Coogee Beach
sessions for an individual child or small group
• $7,000 will fund a humidifier breathing support system
- to deliver crucial oxygen therapy to newborns and
children with breathing problems
• $12,000 could fund a defibrillator
• $25,000 funds innovative research study into rare diseases that could change or even save lives
• $40,000 could fund equipment that monitors children’s vital sign
• $60,000 can buy life-changing medical equipment, such as a special newborn training manikin that acts just like a real
baby would in life-threatening medical situations. Using life-like training manikins in special training programs ensures
that our dedicated nursing and medical team deliver the best possible care to our youngest patients.
• $100,000 could fund a clinical trials research coordinator to work on studies to improve diagnostic and treatment
options for children. This gives hope to children and their families when all other treatments have failed.
We have created a website allowing and encouraging individuals and businesses to donate to the charity, further
supporting the cause.
Also many thanks to the Bearded Bakers: http://knafeh.com.au
and Schibello Caffe: http://www.schibellocaffe.com
5 SEPTEMBER 2016
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India Weekend
Just as Kolkata celebrated what would have been the
106th birthday of Mother Teresa on 26th August, and as
Rome prepares for her cannonization, six students headed
to Mittagong for a weekend away to prepare for their
immersion to West Bengal in India.
Visiting the ‘Mother’s House’ and the Missionaries of
Charity is one of the many high points of the Immersion, so
it is fitting that the students gathered together just as the
Sisters in Kolkata gathered to celebrate and remember her
life and work.
Throughout the weekend, students worked on the activities
that they will do with the children in the villages and hostels
that we visit, as well as the HIV clinic where we have the
opportunity to share the children’s lives and be invited into
their school. The boys organised the lessons that they will
present at a local school in West Bengal and got to know
some more about Indian culture. They even cooked the staff
dinner - thank you!
The teamwork and initiative shown by Eamon, Dylan,
Lachlan, Nick, Tim and Paul on the weekend away was
outstanding. Well done to the boys and their involvement
with Marist solidarity.
Ms Annette Emms - English Coordinator
Above: Tim Lawson, Lachlan Falato, Nicholas Cartmer,
Dylan Licari, Eamon Anderson and Paul Escorrido
preparing for their immersion to India this month
STARS Science Program
The STARS Science enrichment program for Year 9 students
across the region has been hosted this year by Marcellin
College. Staff from Sydney Catholic Schools have guided Year
9 students from eight schools across the region to work on
a Guided Inquiry Project solving transport issues in Sydney.
The students have been working together in groups
investigating a variety of ideas and concepts to solve
the difficulties faced by Sydneysiders moving around a
congested city. Many thanks to Gary Carey and his staff
from Sydney Catholic Schools for organising and facilitating
this innovative project. Thanks also to Ms Jeannie Scevity,
Mr Thomas Gardiner and the group from Year 9.1 Science
enrichment class for their participation.
Ms Jenny Dove - Diverse Learning Coordinator
We acknowledge the traditional owners and custodians of the land on which we
stand. We walk on a land once occupied by the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation.
May we continue to love and respect the land as they have.
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MARCELLIN COLLEGE RANDWICK NEWSLETTER
Old Boys’ Mass Lunch
Above: Old Boys gathered at Coogee Surf Club on Saturday
27 August to reminisce on their time at Marcellin College
and hear of the future plans for the school
Careers
UNSW Open Day - Saturday 3rd September
UNSW’s Open Day is on this Saturday. UNSW is a very popular
option for Marcellin graduates and all students thinking of
applying to UNSW are encouraged to attend.
https://www.futurestudents.unsw.edu.au/open-day
Become a CPA
To become a CPA, you first need an accredited degree
in accounting, commerce or business. Further study is
then required. Search accredited courses to see if your
intended Bachelor degree is accredited by CPA Australia:
5 SEPTEMBER 2016
https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/ManageApplications/
AccreditedCourse.mvc/SearchAccreditedCourses.
New information sessions are coming soon to Sydney
https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/become-a-cpa/attend-aseminar/
Defence Jobs Australia
For Army, Navy, Air Force, ADFA Defence Academy events on
various dates and locations around NSW go to:
https://www.facebook.com/DefenceJobsAustralia/events
Mr Anthony Noyes - Careers & VET Coordinator
5
P & F News
MCR Mothers Mittagong Trip
On Sunday, 21 August, a coach of MCR Mothers past
and present and friends of the College left Randwick
for a beautiful day in the Southern Highlands to visit The
Hermitage. The Hermitage is a working property of about
383 acres supporting cattle, sheep and 13 hectares of grape
vines, along with an orchard, olive grove, citrus grove and a
poultry farm. Named in honour of the Mother House of the
Marist Brothers in France, built by Marcellin Champagnat,
the Hermitage is a very popular retreat and spirituality
centre which our boys all have the opportunity to visit.
Our wonderful hosts Br Bill Sullivan, Br Robert Aitkin and
Br Anthony Robertson ensured that we had a great day.
We arrived to a beautiful morning tea, a walk around the
property followed by a very entertaining wine tasting with
Brother Anthony, a delicious lunch and more wine and a trip
to the shops in Bowral. Br Bill was especially delighted to
host the return of the MCR Mothers to Mittagong, a trip
which was an annual event during his time as Headmaster
of Marcellin and hopes that we can continue the tradition.
Sincere thanks to Jane Evans and Marnie Mayes for
organising the event and ensuring we all made it home
safely.
Gingerbread House Night
We will once again be holding the Marcellin Family
Gingerbread House event on Wednesday, 7 December
commencing at 6.30 pm, so please mark this date in your
diary. Get a group together for a fun night, all welcome.
Further information will be provided in Term 4.
Gabrielle Jackson - P & F Committee
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MARCELLIN COLLEGE RANDWICK NEWSLETTER
From The Sports Coordinator
Headmaster’s Assembly - Special Guest
ATHLETICS
The Marcellin Athletics Squad competed at the MCC Carnival
on Thursday 25th August at Sydney Olympic Park Athletic
Centre. The team finished the carnival in 6th place in the
Aggregate division. There were a number of outstanding
individual results on the day with the following boys winning
their events:
Olympican Natalie Saville
Attending our Winter Sports Assembly last week was
local athlete Natalie Saville, who has achieved at both the
national and international level. Ms Saville is someone who
has demonstrated the value of hard work and commitment
in the pursuit of sporting excellence. She competed at
a National Level in Athletics (race Walking and middledistance running), Cross Country, Swimming, Surf Lifesaving
and Triathlon. She still holds National Race Walking records
for both the U20 5km and U20 10km events.
U/12 Shot Put
Ositadimma Ahamefule
U/13 High Jump
Ignatius Mitchell
U/13 Triple Jump
Ignatius Mitchell
U/16 400m
Lachlan Golsby
Opens High Jump
Thomas King
Opens Relay
Bailey Alchin, William Harrison, Nicholas Mougios,
Jonathan Mitsias
Thank you to Mr Ross, Mr James, Mr Webber, Mr Dunne
and Mr Leary for their efforts in coaching the team this year.
Our overall results were:
Juvenile Trophy
6th
Junior Trophy
7th
Senior Trophy
4th
Aggregate Trophy
6th
Mr James O’Shea
Coach
SUMMER MCC TRIALS
Trials for our Summer sports of Basketball, Cricket, Tennis
and Touch get under way this week and will continue for
the remainder of Term 3. If any details regarding these trials
require clarification, please contact the relevant coach listed
below:
BASKETBALL
A – Ms Dove
B – Mrs Spencer
U15 – Ms Clarke
U14 – Ms Dagasso
CRICKET
A – Mr Gibbons
U16 – Mr Broe
U14 – Mr James O’Shea
5 SEPTEMBER 2016
TENNIS
Mr Lee
Ms DeFrancesco
TOUCH
A – Mr Noyes
B – Mr O’Shea
U15 – Mr Fitzgerald
U14 – Mr MacNamara
Photos: Ms Natalie Saville (above and below left)
interviewed by Sport & Spirit Prefect Nathaniel Sharpley
Ms
Saville
has
represented Australia
on many occasions:
World
Junior
Championships 1994 &
1996 (in the 5km Race
Walk event)
- World Race Walking
Cup (senior team)
1997, 2002, 2004,
2006, 2008
Photo source: Daily Telgraph
- Commonwealth Games in Manchester (2002) and
Melbourne (2006) where she won the Silver medal in the
20km Walk
- Athens Olympics 2004 20km Walk
We thank her for taking the time to speak to the boys at the
Assembly last week.
Mr Luke MacNamara
Sport Coordinator
7
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER
@MCR2031
The Marcellin Graduate
#2 A RESPECTFUL MAN
At the heart of the Marcellin Graduate is a love
for God and a deep sense of respect for others,
self, family, friends and all those in the College
community...
Cyber Safety - Think U know?
What families don’t know will hurt them
Please join us for a trivia night to raise funds for our upcoming immersion trip
to the Santa Teresa community in the Northern Territory.
Friday the 9th of September 2016 7pm
The Thomas Becket Hall, 3 Thomas Street, Lewisham
$25.00 per person! (guests must be over 18 years of age.)
Teams of up to 10 people. BYO drinks and nibbles.
Loads of games and prizes!
Including a Silent Auction for a ‘Roar and Snore’ overnighter for 2 people to
Taronga Zoo!
Lucky door prize, raffles, heads and tails, coin toss and
a prize for the best decorated table!!
Wednesday 7 September 2016
6:00pm - 7:30pm
What is Cyber Safety?
Is the safe and responsible use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). NetSafe's approach to
SPEAKER:
cyber safety is founded on: Maintaining a positive
Senior Constable Rebecca Leo
Youth Liaison Officer
Botany Bay LAC
approach about the many benefits brought by technologies.
Encouraging the public to identify the
risks associated with ICT.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
Topics that will be covered:
RSVP by 1st September to Katie
[email protected]​ or 9560 9260 VENUE:
Eastgardens Library
Westfield Shopping Centre Eastgardens
Ground Floor, Banks Avenue
Eastgardens
 Cyber Crime

Bullying
 Offences

Safety
 Cyber Luring

Sexting
 Social Media Apps

Resources for Kids
and Parents
Youth Workers, Parents, Grandparents,
Carers, Child Care Educators, OOSH
Staff, School Teachers and Primary and
High School Students.
RSVP to Community Services:
9366 3889
or
[email protected]
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MARCELLIN COLLEGE RANDWICK NEWSLETTER