SOME 400 students make up the Catholic College Bendigo cohort this year - the biggest in the history of the school.
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About 100 of these students will only remain at the college for a year before moving onto Marist College - Bendigo's newest Catholic education provider.
The students will wear the Marist College uniforms and will make up Marist House - one of the seven college houses.
Principal Michael Chalkley said while it was unusual to have students in different uniforms, it was a decision made in the best interests of families.
"Initially we thought they should wear Catholic College Bendigo uniforms," he said.
"However what that would of meant, is parents would have had to buy a Catholic College uniform for 12 months and then they would of had to fork out for a Marist uniform.
"We believe that was not practical."
Mr Chalkley said the college would work in partnership with Marist College, as the two leading providers of Catholic education in Bendigo.
"We certainly see this as a collaborative relationship - the best thing for Catholic education in Bendigo," he said.
"We are already working in cooperation and we hope that continues."
Mr Chalkley said students resumed classes yesterday.
"Everyone was happy to return to school and there were no issues," he said.
"All the kids were mingling with each other."
Sharni Barker will be among the first students to study at Marist College.
Sharni will complete year 7 at Catholic College Bendigo before beginning studies at Marist College in 2015.
Sharni said she was looking forward to moving to the new college.
"I am looking forward to having my own campus, meeting new people, getting used to the teachers and having fun," she said.
"It will be fun.
"I am really looking forward to it - it will be good."
Sharni's friend Brehana Danger said she was looking forward to joining her best friend at the college in 2015.
"It'll be good to meet new people," she said.
"I'm a bit nervous but excited."