PRINCIPAL'S PEN 

Honouring Our Marist Legacy

We were privileged to welcome a very special guest in Br Roger to our Champagnat Day celebrations last Friday. With the exception of our Year 7s, many in our community know Br Roger well from his time at the College, and it was wonderful to have him back with us representing the Marist Brothers.

His presence this year holds particular significance. For the first time since Saints was founded in 1930, we do not have Marist Brothers living and working on site. After 96 years of shaping who we are as a community, this marks a notable moment in our history.

While this transition is significant, it is not unique to St Augustine’s. Many Marist schools across Australia with long-standing traditions have already moved to a lay-led model. In fact, St Augustine’s has been among the last to experience both a lay principal and the departure of a resident Marist Brothers' community. Through strong connections with other Marist schools, we know these communities continue to thrive – remaining vibrant and deeply grounded in the Marist tradition, just as we are.

This was strongly affirmed during our recent comprehensive ACER review in Week 4. It highlighted the strength of our culture, noting that the charism of the Marist Brothers is clearly evident in the relationships and interactions across our entire community – staff, students and parents. Importantly, the review also recognised the commitment of our staff to preserving and living out the Marist tradition, which we cherish. 

Together with what we witness daily in our college community, we can be confident that Marist spirituality is not only enduring but remains deeply embedded in the life of St Augustine’s.

As we celebrated the feast day of St Marcellin Champagnat – the founder whose mission was to make Jesus Christ known and loved – we were reminded that his vision continues to live powerfully among us. More than 200 years on, the Marist story is shared across a global network of over 600 schools spanning five continents, including 58 in Australia. As a Marist school, we are part of this wider family, united in mission and spirit.

We acknowledge with deep gratitude the 191 Marist Brothers who have served at St Augustine’s for nearly a century. Their generosity, faith and dedication have shaped generations of students and staff, and their legacy continues to guide us today.

We are especially grateful to Br Roger for joining us and representing that enduring legacy.

Click below to see highlights from Champagnat Day.