From the Acting Head of College

Mr Charles Bauer

It's Easter, people! And it's Easter People! The former is a reminder that we continue to be within the season of Easter for the next 6 weeks. The latter is a reminder of who we are called to be for one another, Easter People.

As we welcome one another back to the school term and welcome new students and staff to our Marist Family, we are called to be the essence of Easter for one another. That is, a source of hope and life for one another. We all have experienced the wonderful gift of being full of life and hope. We all have also experienced varying degrees of the antithesis of these and how we rely on others for support and encouragement.

Marist Old Boy Fr John Hopkinson S.M has spent the past 23 years serving the Diocese of Tarija, Bolivia as a member of Marist Missionaries. In his Easter letter to our community, Fr John beautifully articulates the essence of Easter –

'The light of Easter illuminates us. Everything good, honest, beautiful and fair in our lives, in history and on earth, our family and our friendships.'

Staffing Update

Several staff are returning to the College from leave. We wish Sophie Tuffley, Danielle Lynch, Kylie Bowman, Peter Watts, Meaghan Round, and Yorker Williams the very best with reacquainting themselves with the College, particularly their colleagues and students.

We welcome a number of new staff to our Marist Family. Please be sure to introduce yourself to the following members of staff as the opportunity presents itself. We wish these new staff all the very best as they settle into life at the College.

Brodie Sheehan - College Psychologist

Greg Woodrow - Teacher – Design Technology

Rebecca Wong - Youth Minister

Mieken Augustin - Systems & Data Administration

Samantha Loli - Recruitment Co-ordinator

Theresia Nchendia - Laundry Assistant

Matt Dangerfield - Boarding Supervisor

Henrique Pereira - Laboratory Technician

Jade Bastiaan - Casual Receptionist

Tyler Cooney - Music Tutor

Reo Jenner - Assistant Canteen Manager

Jackeline Lopez - Casual Barista

Jordan McHugh - Gardens

Zoe Nguyen - Tennis Coach

Eddie Walker - Tennis Coach

Learning and Teaching

Parent-Teacher-Student Interviews commenced yesterday. A sincere thank you to our parents, teachers and students who wholeheartedly engaged in this vital occasion. These interviews are essential for affirming and enabling the parent-teacher-student relational triad. These interviews provide an important time for both parents and students to become more informed regarding specific areas for improvement, as well as strategies to enable this improvement. Our second round of interviews will occur online via Teams Meetings on Thursday 27 April. Parents are encouraged to make contact with their respective teachers if any further appointments aren't available.

Each Week of this Term has a strong educational theme aligned to it. From Academic Mentoring to the Tower Art Show and Walkathon to National Reconciliation Week to Careers Week to National Boarding Week to Creative Industries Week, we'll celebrate these weeks in a variety of ways including at College Assembly and standalone functions and events. These occasions provide an important point in time to acknowledge and celebrate the ongoing role each play in the holistic education for our students.

Boarding Update

It was wonderful to welcome back our boarding students and their families this week as the students reconnected with their home away from home. The College will continue to embark on a number of regional visits this term, including Goondiwindi, Julia Creek and Emerald this term. The Marist Extend program continues to experience success and be offered to Year 7 Day Students. Please be sure to be in contact with Mr Jim Noble (Head of Boarding) should you like to know more about this new and exciting initiative.

Co-curricular Update

Thank you to all involved in organising and participating in the camps and tours conducted over the holiday break. Our Marist Swimming Club featured strongly at last week’s national Swimming Championships, with both boys and girls giving of their best as they proudly represented our club. Congratulations to James Boyce and the many students, staff and parents involved in our swimming club. Our co-curricular offerings for students continue to be highly valued by our community. Knowing such programs are in safe and reliable hands as we prepare for Term 2 AIC competitions is heartening.

Winter Uniform Update

Winter uniform now applies for students. However, we have made the decision to delay the wearing of blazers for Year 5, 11 and 12 until the commencement of Week 2 due to the continuing warm weather we’re experiencing. Year 12s will require their blazer for their Year 12 Cohort Photo on Friday morning. Peter Serone and the Pastoral Team will share further details regarding uniform requirements.

Primary Building Update

I am pleased to provide you with an update as to the progress on the new primary building. Over the holidays our builders have been working hard as they enter the next phase of the building program. The site cranes when up early in the first week of the holidays allowing the builders to start to move beyond the foundations of the new building and allowing the structure to take shape. Shortly, the first concrete slab for the new building will be poured. This is an exciting time for the College and our Primary School. Should you have any questions regarding these works or other building programs around the College please contact Bethany Halpin via community@marash.qld.edu.au .

In closing, a warm welcome to Term 2, especially to those new to our Marist Family. Whilst our season of Easter remains with us for another little while may we carry with us the gift of being Easter People to one another in our Marist Family.

May our loving God with Mary our good mother and St Marcellin Champagnat walk with all members of the Marist College Ashgrove Family.