From the Head of College

Mr Michael Newman

Constancy

This week our attention has turned to England to farewell a beloved queen, and leader of the modern world, who has been a constant in all our lives. On Thursday, Queen Elizabeth II, died at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, aged 96. There have been many words used this past week to describe her - strong, resilient, stable and generous - but one of the most applauded and heralded aspects of her life is surely her unwavering sense of duty to Britain and the Commonwealth nations. In 1952, at the young age of 25, she acceded the throne, much earlier than she expected due to the early death of her father, King George VI and in some ways, by default, as a result of her uncle’s abdication. By her own admission, the young Elizabeth Windsor would have preferred to have lived a quiet life as a mother and wife. Yet, she accepted her role wholeheartedly and with dignity. Her famous mantra will stay with us, “keep calm and carry on.”

Alongside her sense of duty and her commitment to tradition, Queen Elizabeth was also a leader for the modern times. She remained strong in her convictions and was not afraid to oppose viewpoints or change her mind. Yet, from all accounts, she was open-minded, forward thinking, willing to listen and accept advice. In her attempts to stay relevant and connected to a fast-changing world, she agreed to have her coronation televised as well as her famous annual Christmas message. She shared with us her wry sense of humour. Who can forget her simulation of parachuting from a plane with James Bond as part of the London Olympics Opening Ceremony, her appearance in the ‘boom’ promotion of the Invictus Games with grandson, Harry and more recently, her touching skit with Paddington Bear which she insisted on starring in, as herself. In more recent times, Queen Elizabeth reassured people, during the COVID-19 outbreak, through a rare television speech. She thanked health workers and people who were staying at home, calling on them to strengthen their resolve, reminding them of the challenges they had overcome in the past and that with our friends and family, “better days lie ahead.” And then there were the pictures of her, just two days before she died, being dutiful to the end, swearing in her last Prime Minister.

In her faith, Queen Elizabeth was also unwavering and constant. Right from the beginning of her life, early photographs depict a young Elizabeth attending church with her parents – the Queen Mother and King George VI. During her Christmas address at the new Millennium, Queen Elizabeth reminded us that “today we are celebrating that Jesus Christ was born 2,000 years ago; this is the true millennium anniversary.” She went on to say that, “for me, the teachings of Christ and my own personal accountability before God provide a framework in which I try to lead my life. I, like so many of you, have drawn great comfort in difficult times from Christ’s words and example.”

Loving God, we join together as members of the Marist College family to pray for the repose of the soul of Queen Elizabeth II. Let us take a leaf from her life story and example, to have constancy as a mainstay of our lives, including in our faith, personal accountability, comfort and hope in you. Amen.

Study Extension Holiday Program

In preparation for the External Examinations, all Year 12 boys are invited to participate in an extension study program over the holidays. From 21st September – 28th September (excluding the public holiday and weekend), Year 12 boys will have the opportunity to complete extra study in the library during the holiday period. The study extension holiday program will be supervised and attended by boarding staff and teachers. Resources and some extra assistance can be sourced over this week of study. Boys can study individually or in small groups on revision in preparation for their external examinations.

Whether available for this Study Extension Holiday Program or not, I encourage all Year 12 boys to continue their revision for the external examinations over the holiday period. The External Examinations for Year 12 run from 24th October – Tuesday 15th November. The schedule can be found on the QCAA website. In the first three weeks of term 4 prior to these examinations, boys are expected to complete either the masterclasses in preparation for these examinations or the VOC classes covering life skills required after school. My best wishes and prayers are with the Year 12 boys as they progress in their studies and experiences over the future weeks.

Tournament of the Minds Success

Last weekend the Tournament of the Minds State Finals were conducted at The Southport School. This wonderful competition adds so much value to the creativity, learning and confidence of the boys. Marist had five teams competing, having won their divisions at the regional finals. Congratulations to the Secondary Arts, Language and Literature and Social Science teams and the Primary team - All four teams won their State finals. An outstanding result! Well done also to the Secondary STEM team who were runners-up. My thanks are extended to their coaches – Andrew Devoy (Technology), Bonita Gerry (ARTS), Lucy Naughton (Language and Literature), William Burkett (Social Science) and Rhonda Carson (ARTS). Congratulations, gentlemen and to our Gifted and Talented Co-ordinator - Majella Stevens. We look forward to the National Finals in Week 2, Term 4 2022.

Track and Field Camp

The Marist College Ashgrove annual Track and Field Camp will be held at the Gold Coast Performance Centre, Runaway Bay between Thursday, 15th – Saturday, 17th September. The aim, of the camp is to galvanise and prepare the boys for the AIC Athletics Championships to be held on Thursday, 6th and Friday, 7th October. My thanks are extended to the following staff who have organised, planned and will facilitate this camp, namely: Rob Martin, Derek Lennon, Mitch Reid, Corey Lucas, Meagan Cook, Maddie Spann, Laurie Boustead, and Josh Mulligan. Also, during the holidays the boys are invited to participate in two Track and Field meets on Thursday, 22nd and 29th September at UQ. Best wishes for your final preparations, gentlemen.

Grandparents Day 2022

Grandparents are welcome to Marist College Ashgrove this Thursday, 15th September for the Annual Grandparents day to be hosted by your grandson/s. The events of the day will include a concert, speeches and prayer commencing at 9:50am in the Champagnat Centre and morning tea in the courtyard from 10:55am to follow. After this, the boys will have the opportunity of showing you around the College and sharing some quality time, while thanking you for your constant support and love. Parking will be available at GPS (Yoku Rd, Ashgrove). Transportation from GPS to the Champagnat Centre, via shuttle buses, will be available from 8:30am and back to GPS until 12:30pm for those requiring assistance. If any grandparents missed out on a ticket for this event contact - events@marash.qld.edu.au. I look forward to meeting many grandparents on Thursday and enjoying the day with you all and your grandsons.

Annual Soiree

All families are welcome to enjoy the Marist College Ashgrove Soiree. This evening will see performances from the Marist Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Strings, Senior Strings, String Ensemble, Wind Orchestra 1, Wind Orchestra 2, Wind Ensemble, Performance Choir, Chamber Choir, Marist Voices, Big Band 1, Big Band 2, Big Band 3, Percussion Ensemble 1, Percussion Ensemble 2, Percussion Ensemble 3, Guitar Orchestra 1, Guitar Orchestra 2 and Guitar Ensemble. I thank our many staff who will assist on the evening namely: Andrew Butt, Ms Megan Harmston, Mrs Catherine Wasserman, Ms Janelle Lee Long, Ms Rhiannon Fenn, Ms Melanie Stewart, Ms Alison Braidwood, Mr Brodie McAllister, Mr Caleb Colledge, Ms Carmen Hooper, Dr Jamie Kennedy, Mr Joseph Rabjohns, Mr Sean Flynn, Mr Laurent Dubois, Mr Monash Lal, Mr Alex Hides, Mrs Vanessa Mitchell, Mrs Sharon Ortiz, Mr Damien Nelson, Ms Christine Larsen, Ms Rebecca Taylor, Mrs Majella Stevens, Mr Michael Travers, Mrs Tara Franklin, Mr Luke McMahon, Ms Mena McLean and Ms Sharon Davidson.

Do come along and enjoy the talents of our wonderful young musicians and the company of friends and family over a light supper and drinks. The Annual Marist College Ashgrove Soiree will be held on Thursday evening 15th September from 7pm, in the Champagnat Centre. This is always a wonderful night of music and celebration for the boys and the college. We wish our Year 12 musicians every blessing as this is their last official full performance.

ASX Sharemarket Game

The ASX Stockmarket Game gives students the opportunity to learn about the stockmarket and how it works. Each participant is allowed $50 000 virtual cash to invest on the stock market – and what an exciting and practical way to learn! Congratulations to Year 10 Economics student Ashleigh Bishop who is currently ranked 1st out of all Australian school students (16 303 students) participating in the ASX Sharemarket Game. Year 10 student Henry Purcell, also participating, is currently 20th in Australia and 4th in Queensland. My thanks are extended to Elizabeth Walsh (Head of Financial Studies Department) for her encouragement and organisation of this competition for the boys. Well done and good luck, gentlemen!

CBSQ Open Basketball Tournament

Best wishes to our First V Basketball Team who will compete at the Champion Basketball School of Queensland (CBSQ) Basketball Championships between Thursday, 15th September – Saturday, 17th September on the Gold Coast. The Marist Development Squad will be representing the College at this Carnival. This tournament which commenced in 1974 involves competing against some 120 boys’ and girls’ school teams throughout Queensland. We wish our boys much success and enjoyment at this carnival. My thanks are extended to James Lidstone and John Lambourne for their coaching and organisation of the boys for this carnival.

Queensland Catholic Education Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Graduation Liturgy

On Friday, 9th September, Queensland Catholic Education hosted a Graduation Liturgy and Celebration for Year 12 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students at the Cathedral of St Stephen. Congratulations to Cadell Hendriske, Chastyn Creek, Jackson Tallis and Orlando Leavy who are graduating from Marist College Ashgrove, in 2022. My thanks are extended to Mr Dallas Williams (Indigenous Support Officer) and Mr Zane Ratcliff (Indigenous Tutor) for arranging and accompanying the boys. Well done, gentlemen – Marist is proud of you!

Northside Martial Arts Academy

Goodluck to Caden Tucker (Year 8) and Corben Bramich (Year 8) who are representing Marist at the upcoming 2022 Judo Australia National School Championships on Friday, 23rd September at Runaway Bay. This is a great achievement to be representing Marist College Ashgrove and the State of Queensland at this National Schools Tournament. We wish Caden and Corben all the best at the National Schools Judo Competition.

Have a Refreshing Holiday

I trust that all boys have a refreshing holiday period commencing at 3:08pm this Thursday, 15th September. The Boarder Travel Day is Thursday, 15th September. Interim Reports will be distributed early in the holidays for all Years 5-10 and 12 students and for Year 11 students a Unit 2 Report, accessed online via the Parent Lounge. I trust that these reports and the parent/teacher/student interviews to follow on Tuesday, 4th October (in person) from 11:00am-5:00pm and Tuesday, 11th October (online), will provide all parents with an insight into your son’s progress and what is required for his future studies to enable further improvement.

Do have a safe, enjoyable and re-energising holiday with your son/s and loved ones. See you all for an exciting Term 4 which resumes for all boys on Wednesday, 5th October. All our boarders return on Tuesday evening, 4th October.

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

Upcoming Events

Tuesday 13 September

Year 7, 8, 10 and 11 Make Up Exams as Required
Co-Curricular Photos – Sport and Academic Catch Up
Study Hall – Senior Library
Reconciliation – Chapel (Fr Alatini Kolofo’ou)
Year 11 and 12 Design Incursion and Excursion – QUT
House Meetings Years 5-12
Year 7 2023 Parent Information Evening

Wednesday 14 September

Year 11 Cert III Business and Year 11 Business Excursion – Celebration of Entrepreneurship
Mass in Chapel – Primary School Mass
Primary Award Assembly
College Assembly – LIVE IN THE GYM
AIC Track and Field Meet Year 5 and 6
AIC Track and Field Meet #4
Year 5 2023 Parent Information Evening

Thursday 15 September