From the Principal

It's hard to believe that we find ourselves at the end of Term 1, Week 2 already! But from the 27 January when the first boys started returning for the year, the grounds of the College have started to look and feel and sound like a school again.

Our Year 7 and Year 12 Boarding students have safely travelled distances and arrived, our remaining Boarders have also farewelled their families and joined us, we’ve welcomed our Year 7 and Year 12 students and new students to Years 8-11, Year 13 students have supported Year 7s in their transition to high school, and finally our Year 8-11 students have filled the campus, and 2026 is in full-swing. Boarding rooms have boys in them again, lockers have been filled, courts and ovals and four-square courts are buzzing, the Chapel has already hosted many Masses, and the Canteen is once again nourishing boys twice daily.

The boys have had a number of important group gatherings in this short period of time and also managed two College Assemblies on successive days. The summer heat wasted no opportunity to rise into the 40s in the first week of school and test all of us.

In my very first Welcoming Address as a Principal to your sons, I wanted them to know ‘that this year is especially significant as we celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the opening of the Mazenod College day school and next year we will celebrate the 60th Anniversary of Boarding. For six decades, young men have walked this campus, inspired by the vision of St Eugene de Mazenod and the mission of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate - to serve, to lead, and to live with hearts open to others. As we honour our past, you, our students of 2026 are the living legacy of that important vision and continue to shape and create the next chapter of this remarkable future’.

And at the following day’s Academic Excellence Assembly I shared our commitment to their efforts and personal excellence by letting them know ‘that every path is valid and every path is as valued as the next. And when you apply yourself and when you’re proud of yourself and your efforts we’ll celebrate and be proud of you too. In your time at Mazenod, it’s my hope and prayer for each of you that you have the opportunity to have your name announced and for you to walk across this stage for all of us to recognise your personal best and congratulate you on your efforts. I will do my best to catch you being good and great!’

Thank you for the incredibly warm welcome that I’ve received from so many of you and from so many of your sons.

We have an exciting and positive year ahead of us and I look forward to all that it offers our community and your sons.

‘Leave Nothing Undared for the Kingdom of God’

God Bless. Our community remains in my prayers.

Sabrina Hughes

Principal