A safe, welcoming space to rediscover and re-engage with learning
Marist Learning Zone (MLZ) is committed to building a world where every young person - no matter their background or challenges - is empowered with dignity, hope, and the opportunity to learn, strive and thrive.
At MLZ, students who have disengaged from their learning are given the opportunity, tools and support to rediscover a love of learning and are nurtured academically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually.
"Children are God’s precious gifts entrusted to you. Walk in their shoes. See with their eyes."
St Marcellin Champagnat
Our story
MLZ was established in 2016 as a partnership between Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD) and Marist Schools Australia.
Aimed at supporting students struggling in mainstream education, MLZ was created to offer alternative education pathways for some of the Diocese’s most vulnerable students, helping them re-engage with learning, develop life skills, and plan for positive future pathways.
From its beginnings, MLZ has worked closely with Dioceasen schools, to help maintain schooling for students while offering specialist teaching, counselling, and case management to meet students' unique academic, social, emotional, and spiritual needs.
Our learning space
Marist Learning Zone (MLZ) offers a flexible learning environment with mainstream classrooms, open spaces, and specialised areas including a kitchen, counselling room and calm space. Students have access to ICT resources and outdoor areas, including bush tucker and kitchen gardens, supporting learning and wellbeing. This dynamic setting helps students re-engage with their education in a personalised, intentional way.
Our learning space
Our students
We work with students from across Years 7-10 from any CSPD secondary school. Students referred to MLZ must have an active case with either the Behaviour Support Team or Attendance Team, ensuring coordinated support.
MLZ is a short-term intervention program and not a standalone school, students must maintain current enrolment at their Diocesan school. Attendance at MLZ is not full time. Students attend between one and four days per week, depending on their individual needs and goals.
Our students
Student Testimonials
‘School was a huge problem, MLZ helped me find the fun in learning and build my interest back up. To learn and grow.’
MLZ has made me realise that I have a lot more potential in myself - before I was really doubtful that I would go far - MLZ gave me faith and hope.
MLZ helped me push myself, to build social skills, boost my confidence and attend school - to get back on track. I am thankful for that because now I know what I want to do in the future - Thank you guys.
Our staff
Our team provides tailored learning and emotional support to help students get back on track and move forward in life.
The MLZ team is made up of qualified Behaviour Specialist teachers and a full-time counsellor. Each student has a case manager and access to other specialist professionals as required. Our team includes Marist teachers from the Lavalla200> community who enrich the life of MLZ with their wide knowledge of Marist education and international experience.
Our collaborative approach involves partnerships with the Behaviour Team, Attendance Team, Inclusive Learning Team, Post-School Options Team and Jarara Cultural Centre, alongside the student's home school and relevant external professionals. MLZ teachers use a range of student-focused methods that follow the curriculum and syllabus. Students complete work from their referring schools, with extra support through tailored teaching and small group settings.
Special programs
Marist Learning Zone (MLZ) offers specialised programs to support students’ wellbeing, cultural connection, and personal growth. These include Wonders of Wellbeing, Yarning Circle, Kitchen Garden, Cultural Group and Sista Group, each designed to build skills, confidence and community. MLZ also celebrates Champagnat Week, honouring our Marist values and strengthening student engagement and spirit.
Our mission
Guided by the Marist Pillars
Saint Marcellin Champagnat (1789–1840), founder of the Marist Brothers and Marist education, envisioned schools as families where everyone is valued, relationships are warm, and guidance is kind and forgiving. At Marist Learning Zone (MLZ), we follow his inspiration by creating a welcoming environment where students feel at home, are supported to grow, and are guided with clear standards and compassion. Our mission is to form "good Christians and good citizens," nurturing young people to live with faith, love, justice, compassion and hospitality. These values are at the heart of everything we do at MLZ.
Our commitment to every student
MLZ is guided by the child-safe practices of Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese, which underpin our own policies and procedures.
Refer a student
Referrals to MLZ must come through the Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD) Behaviour or Attendance Teams.
For more information on referral pathways, please speak to your school counsellor or CSPD case manager.
Our Contact Details
Visit us
Marist Learning Zone (MLZ)
Aengus Kavanagh Centre
59 Railway Street, Rooty Hill NSW 2766
Talk to us
Site: 0461 479 511
Coordinator (Ben Di Ienno): 0458 544 237
Bdiienno@parra.catholic.edu.au
Operating Hours
Monday – Friday | 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
General Enquiries
For all enquiries about Marist Learning Zone, student referrals, or program information, please contact Ben Di Ienno (Coordinator) directly by phone or email.
Latest Updates More news
13 Nov 2020
NAIDOC Week at Marist Learning Zone
The Marist Learning Zone have a number of aboriginal students at Marist Learning Zone. So it was important for us to celebrate NAIDOC Week in a meaningful way.
02 Nov 2020
Pioneer Marist Learning Zone teacher returns to school
After three years of dedicated education for disadvantaged students in Western Sydney, Danial Moran, a pioneer member of the Marist Learning Zone (MLZ), is returning to Gilroy Catholic College.
21 Jul 2020
End of an Era - Marist Learning Zone farewells Argie and Rodrigo
On July 3, the last day of Term Two, the Marist Learning Zone farewelled pioneer staff members Argie and Rodrigo, who are returning to Mexico in early August to resume their life and work in their home country.
21 Jul 2020
Visit of Brother Jeff Crowe
This week, Brother Jeff Crowe, the coordinator of the Lavalla200> world-wide communities, visited Marist learning Zone. He reminded our staff that we are called to be game-changers for vulnerable young people.
21 Jul 2020
Another successful term ends at MLZ
Term Three has been a busy one for us at Marist Learning Zone. We have had success in improving school attendance for our students, and arranging placement in new schools for some. For others, it is a work in progress!
21 Jul 2020
A year of success at Marist Learning Zone
As term begins, we are reflecting on the success of our project. A total of 33 students have passed through our centre over the past year. Of these, many have returned to school and are achieving success, both with maintaining good attendance and making academic progress. 15 students are currently attending MLZ, some full time, others for some days each week, according to their individual attendance plan. We continue to have strong support from the students' schools, CEDP teams and Marist Schools Australia.
21 Jul 2020
Exciting Shared Project with Grounds for Learning
Marist Learning Zone and Grounds for Learning are sharing a garden project. The students from Grounds for Learning sell garden produce as a learning exercise in retail. This year, they have decided to expand this activity by growing their own vegetables. The Grounds for Learning students will use some of the MLZ garden plots to grow their produce.
21 Jul 2020
Big start to the 2019 School Year
Already we have six students attending MLZ with several more about to begin. Visitors to our centre this month include John Robinson from Marist Schools Australia, Mary Creenaune from CEDP and Brother Tony Clark, visiting from South Africa. Tony is a member of the Marist Lavalla200> community in Atlantis, where he is working with disadvantaged youth. Tony gave a lively presentation to our students, sharing facts about South Africa and his work there. We discovered there are many similarities between the multicultural situation in South Africa and our own suburb here in western Sydney.