Faith and Mission

Year 12 Retreat

The Victorian seaside community of Anglesea hosted our Year 12 Retreat once again. Our Year 12 students had the opportunity to take a break from their academic work on Thursday 8 and Friday 9 June, to explore the picturesque bush and coastal landscapes that make up the Anglesea region at Camp Wilkin. We have developed solid traditions and enduring experiences for our senior students during the many years we have been conducting this Retreat, and the time away is an important rite of passage for our graduands.

The theme of the Retreat was based on the Last Supper where Jesus reminds us that everyone is welcome at his table. Therefore, we offered the same to our senior students - Courageously come together at the Table to share stories, friendship, food and laughter. 

It was such a pleasure to work alongside our Marian Staff in facilitating the two day Retreat. We all commented on how incredibly impressed we were with the Year 12 students and the way they engaged in the reflective activities of sharing their life stories, memories and future endeavors. 

The program included contemplative prayers, sharing of life stories and reflecting on who we are. Lamp Bearers Eleni Karagiosis and Vy Pham set the scene with a poignant reminder on the importance of retreating for physical, mental and spiritual time away from the enduring demands of Year 12. 

Liturgy Leaders Aleena Nelson, Par Ngun and Chantel Formosa planned and led a prayerful liturgy thanking Mr Pisani for his dedication to both the College and their education over the past six years. They noted he had watched them grow from nervous Year 7 students into confident young adults who enact a sense of strength and kindness when building relationships and planning for their future. Each student was given a candle to decorate with a symbolic ribbon, which was then lit from a candle gifted to Mr Pisani in recognition of this final Yr 12 Retreat after 17 years at Marian College.

I would like to thank our College teachers and leaders who joined me in facilitating the faith formation experience for our young adults over the past two days: College Principal Raymond Pisani, Senior Leader Pasqualina Piccone and our supportive Year 12 teachers Amy Ngo, David Ha, Kelly Deliopoulos, Anne Daunt, Rajni Sharma, Kirsty Cogdon, Nathan Kennedy and Nhu Quynh. Thank you to Senior Leader Kim Dixon, and staff Dorothy Guiney, Diane Reynolds and Mary Attard who supported us behind the scenes.

Lamp Bearers, Eleni Karagiosis and Vy Pham summed up their experience of the Retreat with the following: “Students not only developed their bonds with their peers and staff, but listened to touching stories, had insightful conversations and got to learn about different individuals in the community. The retreat was also an amazing opportunity for students and staff to recharge and feel motivated in working hard for the remainder of 2023.” It was noted that many students reflected saying  “It was the perfect time to break from our studies and experience a wonderful celebration of who we are as members of the Marian community.” 

We wish our Year 12 student the very best for their studies and endeavors for the remainder of the year.

Bernadette Casey

Assistant to the Principal - Faith and Mission