A Culture of Respect
Respectful Relationships
“Respectful Relationships at Marist College Canberra are characterised by dignity, listening, empathy, compassion and love. They foster a culture of courage that supports freedom, safety, curiosity, inclusion and justice for all.”
This guiding definition, developed in collaboration with parents, staff, and students reflects the lived experience of our Marist community. It is brought to life each day in our classrooms, House Groups, liturgies, and co-curricular programs.
Our boys are supported to build relationships grounded in respect, both online and offline. These values are nurtured through both explicit teaching and everyday practice by staff, peers, Marist Mentors and the wider Marist community.
Together, We Create Fine Young Men
At Marist College Canberra, the formation of fine young men is at the heart of all we do. Through a whole school commitment to respectful relationships, we seek to nurture young men with gentle hearts and strong minds. We believe that positive masculinity is characterised by service, empathy, contemplation, forgiveness and love. This belief shapes how we teach, guide, and care for every boy in our community and is grounded in a deep sense of belonging.
Forming Fine Young Men Program
Alongside the Marist Wellbeing Framework, the Forming Fine Young Men program is a sequential formation journey from Year 4 to Year 12. Each stage focuses on a key theme: Years 4–6: Building a foundation of belonging, responsibility, kindness, and respect Years 7–9: Exploring character, wellbeing, community, and respectful action Years 10–12: Embracing leadership, discernment, accountability, and legacy Through these age-appropriate sessions, boys are invited to reflect on personal values, peer relationships, digital citizenship, consent, emotional literacy, and respectful communication. These are not isolated conversations, but part of a continuous journey toward becoming fine young men who are confident, compassionate, and committed to others.
Wellbeing at Marist
The Marist Wellbeing Framework supports the holistic development of each student through wellbeing sessions delivered by staff and senior students. In alignment with our vision for the Marist graduate, we ensure every boy is known and loved, and understood as: · A Spiritual Being who reflects, prays, and discerns · An Emotional Being who develops resilience, gratitude, and self-regulation · An Intellectual Being who is curious and aspires to learn with purpose · A Relational Being who values connection and kindness · A Physical Being who prioritises health and wellbeing Our approach is grounded in evidence showing that when these dimensions are nurtured together, boys are empowered to form respectful, meaningful relationships and develop a strong sense of identity and belonging. In developing a sense of belonging, our Marist boys are encouraged to value their encounters with others and accompany, the least, the lost and the lovely.
The Role of Marist Mentors
Senior students at Marist can nominate to become Marist Mentors, playing a vital role in walking alongside younger boys as they navigate adolescence. The mentors co-design and deliver the Forming Fine Young Men program through age-appropriate sessions that provide space for reflection, guidance, and growth. In these moments, boys learn from positive role models, explore questions of identity and manhood, and discover what it means to live with dignity and purpose.
Together, We Create Fine Young Men
Since 1968, Marist Canberra has been a part of and had its footprints on the land of the Ngunnawal and Ngambri peoples. As a College, we acknowledge the traditional owners and custodians of the land on which we stand. We pay our respects to them and for their care of the land. May we walk gently and respectfully upon the land. We are, as Marists, an inclusive and welcoming community. We acknowledge that all are created in the image of our loving God and called to live our lives glorifying the Lord. People of all faiths, gender, sexualities, and cultures are therefore welcome and respected equally in the Marist Catholic community.