Message from the Principal

31 October 2025

Dear Parents/Carers

Tuesday this week, our College community gathered for a truly uplifting occasion — the Leadership Induction and Year 11 Academic Awards Assembly. It was a celebration of excellence, commitment, and the spirit of service that defines Marist College Eastwood.

We honoured the academic achievements of our Year 11 students, recognising their dedication and perseverance. We also welcomed our newly elected student leaders, whose passion and vision for the College were beautifully articulated during the assembly.

One of the most moving moments came from our newly elected College Captain, William Della Vedova, who shared the 2026 Leadership Team’s vision. Grounded in the Marist pillar In the Way of Mary, Will’s speech was a powerful reflection on faith, resilience, and servant leadership — values that lie at the heart of our community.

We invite you to read Will’s speech below and join us in supporting our student leaders as they guide the College with strong minds and gentle hearts.

Yours faithfully

Ms Silvana Rossetti

Principal

“Good Morning, Ms Rossetti, Mr Fallico, Staff, Parents and fellow Students.

I stand up here today, to share with you all the Leadership Team’s Vision for 2026. A vision shaped by the community we wish to build in the upcoming year. 

Each Year, the Leadership team is asked to pick one Marist pillar which will be the focal point of their vision. Last Year, Rocco and his team chose the pillar of Family Spirit, focusing on building a sense of community where each student feels connected to each other, united by the College. This Year, the leadership team and myself have decided to build our vision on the pillar “In the Way of Mary”

Mary is a key symbol of faith, when she was called upon by God to bear his Child, she said yes, trusting in God’s plans for her, representing faith in action. In the Way of Mary is embedded in this College, with the first line of the Sub Tuum translating to We fly to thy patronage, O holy Mother of God. In the way of Mary is not just lived out through faith and mass but through the constant challenge of embodying her values. 

We are called to embody Mary’s resilience, as she was constantly tested with hardships, witnessing her own son be mocked, tortured and crucified, but remaining present through the heartbreak. We are challenged to embody Mary’s kindness, as she serves as an example of servant leadership, helping others with not just words but action. 

Attempting to live in the way of Mary is like Sisyphus pushing the boulder up the hill. Despite our constant attempts to push the rock up, to live like Mary, we all will eventually slip up, laugh at an inappropriate joke or say something rude. But unlike Sisyphus our boulder won’t roll to the bottom of the hill unless you let it fall, you can always pick yourself up and live out Mary’s values as she embodies what humanity can be when love is placed at the centre.

This laid the foundation for our 2026 Vision which is: Leadership that nurtures strong minds and gentle hearts, sustained through the translation of values into meaningful practice, where capacity is built and service becomes a lived action.

Let me walk you through what this vision means for all of us:

• “Strong Minds” are not just focused on strong academics, but have the courage to stand up for their beliefs and the resilience to push through the tough times and setbacks
• “Gentle Hearts” refers to our abilities to remain as a kind, calming presence for those who may need us, whether it’s being a shoulder to cry on or providing help for someone in need
• “Translation of values into meaningful practice” challenges us to remain true to the values we wish to live out. Mutual respect is shown through leadership that listens. Resilience leads to embracing challenges and overcoming hardships. 
• “Capacity is built and Service becomes lived action” Capacity, in the Marist context, means nurturing the potential within each individual to craft authentic, compassionate leadership across each and every year group

While crafting this vision, we realised that it cannot be achieved by the leadership team alone, each and every student and staff member will play a crucial role in the attainment of our vision. Because Leadership isn’t a badge you wear or an award you obtain, Leadership is a choice you make, it is an action that each and every one of us has the capacity to choose. 

This was made evident just last week, where both Year 10 and Year 12 boys ran numerous vertical homeroom sessions. As I went through classrooms, I saw leadership in each student running these lessons, I saw groups adapt when their computers couldn’t connect, saw leaders adjust to a student who was struggling to focus and most importantly saw boys who were being gentle with the younger, more nervous students, building connection in the way of Mary.

Everyone has the power to make a difference. As we shift into 2026, I hope that all of us, whether you’re a Year 7,  Year 12 or a staff member,  can all answer the call to lead through our everyday actions. Let’s push our boulders up the hill, let’s lead together with Strong Minds and Gentle Hearts.”