Religious Education & Retreats
Our Marist Mission at Assumption College
In the same way that Saint Marcellin Champagnat, founder of the Marist Brothers did, we strive to help our students become ‘good Christians and good citizens’. This Marist vision underpins all aspects of Religious Education and faith life at Assumption College.
This involves heightening their awareness of social justice, ecological issues and Indigenous connections, integral to making the Gospel relevant to our living faith community. Students are encouraged to see faith as active and lived, both within the College and the wider community.
Students raise funds for Caritas, Australian Marist Solidarity (with an emphasis on helping the people of Timor-Leste) and St Vincent de Paul’s Winter and Christmas appeals.
Religious Education at Co-Ed Catholic High Schools, Melbourne
Our formal religious education program is based on the curriculum framework for religious education in the Archdiocese of Melbourne. This framework supports the development of faith through learning, reflection, and engagement with contemporary life.
Religious education recontextualizes the Gospel with relevance to the lives of students. The Gospel message is at the heart of everything we do at Assumption. Students are invited to explore how Gospel values shape identity, purpose, and ethical decision making.
Teachers foster critical and reflective thinking and ethical decision-making. They encourage students to question, reflect, and respond thoughtfully to the world around them.
They invite students to make sense of their world and their lives within a College that is faithful to the mission of Jesus, modelled through the example of Saint Marcellin Champagnat and Mary.
Liturgies and Community Life
The College celebrates together through significant liturgies which mark important occasions for our College community. These celebrations strengthen connection and shared identity across students, staff, and families.
Religious education is complemented by liturgies marking important occasions such as our opening school Mass and year 12 graduation.
As a Marist Catholic school, we also observe dates on the Marist calendar such as St Marcellin’s feast day on the 6th of June and the feast of the Assumption on the 15th of August.
These moments provide opportunities for reflection, celebration, and renewed commitment to Marist values.
Retreats, Immersions and Youth Ministry
Students, staff and families are involved in enriching the faith life of our community through immersions, retreats and Marist youth ministry programs, such as Game Changers. These experiences allow students to step away from daily routines and engage more deeply with faith, self, and community.
There are immersions, reflection days, retreats and Remar/Game Changers, a Marist youth ministry.
The ministry facilitates a personal and faith development program from years 9 through 12 focused on leadership and community. These programs provide catholic school students with opportunities to grow in confidence, responsibility, and service.
Our youth ministers, who are former students, are closely involved in these activities. Their involvement offers relatable role models and strengthens continuity within the Marist community.
Faith Formation and Leadership
Our Faith Team facilitates personal and spiritual development for all students, nourishing their sense of community, strengthening leadership skills and engaging them with wider social issues from a Marist, Catholic perspective.
Faith formation is supported through structured programs, lived experiences, and opportunities for service.
A Living Faith Community
Assumption College draws from the ways of St Marcellin Champagnat, founder of the Marist Brothers, striving to help our students become good Christians and good citizens.
Faith is expressed not only through learning, but through action and service.
This involves heightening student awareness of social justice issues and engaging them in good works, integral to making the Gospel relevant to the here and now.
Students raise funds for Caritas, Marist Solidarity with an emphasis on helping the people of Timor Leste as well as the Vinnies winter and Christmas appeals. Through the Champagnat Ministry, students are actively involved in Christian service both within the Catholic school environment and their local communities.
Nurturing Faith, Values, and Personal Growth
Our religious education and retreats provide students with the opportunity to step away from the everyday, reflect on their journey, strengthen their faith, and build lasting bonds with their peers in a supportive and inspiring environment.
Contact us today on +61 3 5783 5125 or email reception to learn more about our religious education programs and retreat opportunities for your child.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Assumption College differ from other Catholic high schools in Melbourne?
Assumption College is a Marist, Catholic high school. While all Catholic schools share a foundation in faith and values, Marist schools are guided by Saint Marcellin Champagat’s vision and five key values:
- Presence: Being genuinely present and building meaningful relationships
- Value Simplicity: Living with honesty and humility, doing good quietly without pretence
- Family spirit: Creating a warm, accepting, and respectful community
- Love of work: Valuing effort, perseverance, and teamwork
- Achieved ‘in the way of Mary’: Following Mary’s example of courage, compassion, and faith
Among Catholic high schools in Melbourne, Marist schools are especially recognised for fostering inclusive and transformative communities.
Is Assumption College co-educational?
Yes. Assumption College is one of the only co-ed Catholic high schools in Melbourne. We are passionate about promoting diversity, collaboration, and the development of strong friendships across the whole College community.
Our coeducational boarding facility offers families the convenience of keeping both sons and daughters together in one location, however, there are clearly defined and restricted areas for male and female boarders to ensure privacy and comfort.
What role does Catholic faith play in daily school life?
What is the Game Changers Youth Ministry, and how does it benefit students?
What religious retreats and events can students participate in?
At Assumption College, we offer a wide range of social activities and events for students to develop their faith. Students at our catholic high school are invited to participate in:
- Game Changers: A co-curricular youth ministry offers a variety of events, such as Regional Retreat Day, Twilight Retreat and the Marist Youth Gathering.
- Timor Leste Connection: Students raise funds to support the communities in Timor Leste while building relationships, values and beliefs.
- Social Justice programs: Students can contribute positively to the wider community through events, such as Project Compassion, Vinnies Winter Appeal, and the Vinnies Christmas Appeal.
For families comparing co-ed Catholic high schools in Melbourne, these opportunities to participate meaningfully in the wider community and make a real difference while growing personally, educationally and in faith are a real game changer.