From the Head of College

Mr Michael Newman

Faith as our Constant

Recently, I sat with a relative in hospital who was seriously ill. Not knowing what to say to her, I asked if she would like to recite the ‘Hail Mary’ with me. Although feeling poorly, she uttered the words with me – they obviously meant something special to her. A prayer as simple as this may seem inconsequential, yet the words were soothing and comforting and provided her with a sense of calm. In Sunday’s readings the psalmist (Psalm 118) speaks of the delight we experience with God’s presence in our lives and steadfast love. The Gospel (Matthew 13:44-52) goes on to describe our faith and lives with God as a treasure… “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field.” All in all, we are blessed to have religion and a faith as the constant in our lives and there to call upon in times of need.

People throughout time have cherished their faith and religion, as the strength and mainstay of their lives. Henry Ford, the business magnate who founded the Ford Motor Company was once quizzed on the enormous company he ran, and the pressures involved. He responded, “I believe God is managing affairs and that he doesn’t need any advice from me. With God in charge, I believe everything will work out the best in the end. So, what is there to worry about?” When we have faith, we can place our lives in God’s hands and rest with some assurance that he will help pave our way or steer our course.

The Marist College Ashgrove prayer reflects on a faith that is the constant of our lives. This prayer describes a God who is part of all that we aim to achieve. In this prayer, God is the essence of our lofty goals and courageous ambitions. Through the centrepiece of his love and inspiration, he teaches us to act in a Marist way. Let us join together and pray our college prayer which was written by the intellectual, prayerful and thought-provoking Br Michael Naughton fms. It is a prayer for our lives and faith that is our constant.

Teach me, O Lord to aim high and not to be content with mediocrity;

to set my sights on noble goals;

to have a brave heart and a clear vision;

to prize the things that are worthwhile;

to always have the courage to choose what is right;

to despise what is petty, to shun all selfishness;

to have a heart that is strong and brave, pure and happy, docile yet courageous,

so that under your guidance and with your grace I may always and in all things have as my motto

Viriliter Age – Act Courageously

Feast of Mary Mackillop

Next Tuesday 8 August we celebrate the first Australian Saint, Mary of the Cross Mackillop. Better known as the founder of the Australian order - Sisters of St Joseph. Many of us were educated by the Sisters of St Joseph in schools throughout Australia.

Mary Mackillop paved the way for the education of poor children, especially in the country and a variety of ministries that addressed the needs of 19th-century Australia. Mary MacKillop encourages us to be people of justice, to be courageous, forgiving, compassionate and hopeful, and to have a deep faith in our God who provides. Her legacy continues today in countless ways. The college prays to Mary Mackillop in our litany which concludes all our prayers. I attach the painting commissioned by a Brisbane-born artist, Jan Williamson, which hangs in the college chapel of Mary our good mother and St Marcellin Champagnat. This painting was purchased for the chapel from the exhibition of Mackillop Art commissioned for the Papal visit in January 1995.

Year 12 Academic Study Timetable

The Year 12 IA3 exam block originally scheduled for Monday 31 July – Wednesday 2 August has been rescheduled to now take place from Tuesday 8 – Thursday 10 August 2023. Year 12 Sport and Recreation students will complete their make-up exams on Monday 14th August.

The Year 12 mock exam block will now be held from Monday 28 August to Wednesday 6 September and will include a mock external exam for every General subject. Students will return to normal classes from Thursday 7 September until the end of the term at 3:10pm on Thursday 14 September.

Year 12 night study sessions will occur each Wednesday in the Br Mark Farrelly Senior Library from 5-8pm. Over the September holidays the Br Mark Farrelly Senior Library will be open for Year 12 students to access a quiet study space in preparation for their final assessments in Term 4.

In Term 4, the College will run Masterclasses for General subjects as well as a VET (Vocational Education and Training) program across the first three weeks prior to the commencement of the external exam block. All students are expected to be at school for these first three weeks.

Australian Mathematics Competition

The Australian Mathematics Competition which commenced in 1978 is the longest-running, largest and most well-known mathematics competition for school students. Marist College Ashgrove will have some 160 students competing from Years 5-10 on Thursday 3rd August in the Champagnat Centre. My thanks are extended to Colleen Robertson for organising this competition for the boys. Good luck, gentlemen.

Vinnies Winter Sleepout

On Friday 25 August, our St Vincent de Paul Group will be leading a Vinnies Winter Sleepout for Year 5 and 6 students who are interested in becoming a part of our St Vincent de Paul Group – available to join once students progress to Year 7 and beyond. Annual sleepouts raise awareness of the growing issue of homelessness and the care of people who are homeless. On this evening our Vinnies students will lead activities by preparing soup, pitching tents, collecting water, having discussions about homelessness in Australia - rooflessness, insecure housing, houselessness and inadequate housing. Donations will be made up of blankets, hygiene and toiletry products. My thanks are extended to Bec Wong (College Youth Minister) for her organisation of this event.

Environment Awareness Week

The Marist College Ashgrove Environment Awareness Week will be held from Monday 31st July – Monday 7th August. This year we are focusing on the theme of ‘food waste’ supporting an organisation called FareShare. They collect surplus food from farms, supermarkets, donated through organisations like Foodbank, to cook up meals for disadvantaged groups across Australia. On Monday, we are asking students to either donate money or food staples – namely, tinned tomatoes, cooking salt, rolled oats, or canned pulses (lentils, chickpeas…) – to FareShare. During the break, our Year 10 LMYELN boys will be selling garlic bread and soft drinks, raising money to build a ‘sustainable food forest garden’ behind the Science building. The boys will learn all about food sustainability and food waste during Pastoral Group. The week concludes with a Free Dress Day on Monday 7 August. My thanks are extended to Kathryn Badini and Ellie Kenny for their organisation of these activities.

QATSIF Creative Arts Competition

QATSIF, in partnership with Griffith University, held its 6th annual Creative Arts Competition this year.

The competition is open to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in Queensland secondary schools. One of our Year 12 students – Gabe Dineen, has won first place in the Year 12 Sculpture section for the QATSIF Creative Arts Competition. Gabe’s artwork consists of the large stepping stones that were on the grass at the Tower Art Show as pictured below. Congratulations Gabe! A fantastic achievement.

Lord Mayor’s Photographic Awards

The Brisbane City Council's Lord Mayor's Photographic Awards is an annual photographic competition open to anyone who lives, works, or studies in Brisbane. This year entrants were asked to 'Rediscover Brisbane' through a new lens. One of our Year 6 students, Sonny Spencer has been shortlisted for the People’s Choice Award in the Lord Mayor’s Photographic Awards with his picture below. Sonny was the winner of our Primary section in ASHCam. Congratulations, Sonny!

Sonny’s caption reads:

Taken at my grandparent’s pool which has three portholes. This underwater photo of my brother looks like he is swimming into the unknown.