From the Head of College

Mr Michael Newman

The Gift

One of the most respected (now sadly deceased) Marist theologians was a Brother by the name of Fergus McCann. I really enjoyed listening to his words, insights and reflections during my studies. On one occasion, following one of his engrossing lectures, I asked Brother Fergus the question: “Do you think there is a heaven?” He smiled and replied cheekily, “Well, if there isn’t, then there are a lot of us, over many centuries, who have been pretty stupid.” Then I asked him, “Well, what do you think heaven will be like when we die?” His reply, with his usual grace and aplomb, was: “I think it will be an experience of God’s unfathomable love, which, so far, we have only captured a glimpse of.”

In Sunday’s Gospel reading from Mark (8:27-35) Jesus asks, “Who do you say I am?” That’s a good question for each of us to reflect upon every single day of our lives. Is God here and now? Is God present at the hour of our death or that of a loved one? Is God in our sadness? Is God in our happiness? Is God in our loved moments as Br Fergus suggested? Can God be found in our friends and acquaintances? Is God there in the rising out of our struggles? Is God in nature and beauty? Is God in peace and tranquillity? Who do we say God is, and how do we open ourselves up each day to experience God? Does Br Fergus’s reflection resonate with you?

“Christ with me,

Christ before me,

Christ behind me,

Christ in me,

Christ beneath me,

Christ above me,

Christ on my right,

Christ on my left,

Christ when I lie down,

Christ when I sit down,

Christ when I arise,

Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,

Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,

Christ in every eye that sees me,

Christ in every ear that hears me.”― Saint Patrick

Composer and singer, Bernadette Farrell sings a hymn about God’s presence in the everyday and in the well-known, “Everyday God” … “Everyday God, in our dreaming and in our resting, God of laughter, God of sorrow, oh spirit.” God of the journey, we pray for the gift of faith. The gift to be open and surrender to your presence as we answer the question – “Who do you say I am?”

Interim Reports

In response to feedback that the college has received, we are introducing an extra report at the end of Terms 1 and 3. This report will be in the form of an interim progress report for the halfway point of each semester. Providing full and updated reporting is vital to ensure the best possible partnership with you as the parent to enable strong academic outcomes for your son. This, along with the up-to-date parent portal (which provides feedback on each assessment your son completes) and the parent-teacher interviews throughout the year, are vital in the communication of academic progress. These interim reports will be distributed on Friday 17 September and will contain up-to-date results, progress in relation to the whole class and a standard for your son’s attitude and aptitude towards his studies. I trust that you will appreciate the added efforts our generous staff are placing into this extra communication for all parents.

Year 12 Studies

Our full support is with our Year 12 boys as they enter their final passage of studies leading up to the external ATAR exams which commence on Friday 22 October. The boys are encouraged to bunker down with their intense studies over the holidays and into the first 3 weeks of Term 4. Good luck as you approach these all-important exams, gentlemen.

To the boys who are not undertaking general subjects, they will be completing a vocational education course of study in life and job skills, as well as completing any outstanding certificate course competencies and/or projects over the first three weeks of Term 4. Best wishes also to the senior boys who will be undertaking work experience over this period.

College Bullying Policy

On the 10 August this term, Mr Peter Serone (Head of Students) and I launched the new Bullying Policy for Marist Ashgrove, at the College Assembly. This was followed by (on the same day) Mr Serone’s article to parents explaining this policy, in the newsletter. I attach the details for your information.

In general, Marist College does not condone in any way, any forms of bullying. Students are encouraged to advise any teacher, head of house, or leadership team member when they are being bullied. In response, this policy will be enacted ensuring an end to any form of bullying or potentially the inability of the student responsible to remain at the College. Any retribution or retaliation for advising a staff member about bullying will lead to the further advancement and escalation of this process. The safety of your son is paramount for all staff at the College and we trust that you will encourage him to report any form of bullying, so that, we can, dutifully respond, appropriately. In anticipation of your positive involvement in this policy, thank you.

2021 Anti Bullying Brochure.pdf

Track and Field Camp

From Thursday 16 – Saturday 18 September, Marist College Ashgrove will be conducting the annual Track and Field Camp. This program of training and fine-tuning of our athletes forms a very important part of the preparation toward the AIC Athletics Carnival to be held on Friday, 8 October, and Saturday 9 October at the Queensland State Athletics Centre. I wish all boys the best of luck during these days and look forward to some excellent performances next term. Many thanks to our generous Athletics staff who will be facilitating the camp, namely - Jon Fitzgerald (convenor), Andrew Fogarty, Maddie Spann, Ellie Kenny, Laurie Boustead, Josh Mulligan and Luke Caplick. Thank you also to Mitch Reid and Corey Lucas for their preparation behind the scenes. Enjoy and good luck, gentlemen.

Art Show

The Tower Art Show hosted by Marist College Ashgrove was a great success over the weekend. The quality of Artworks was stunning with entries including the first prize recipient of the EKKA Art Show, Fellow of the Queensland Art Society and guest artists from Channel 9’s ‘the Block’. It was most pleasing to see the participation and high quality of artworks entered by our students.

Many thanks to our generous and tireless Marist College Tower Art Show committee members, namely: Clare Mapledoram, Sam Matthews, Jo Russo, Meredith Howse and Christine Larson. Very much appreciated was the support of our Marist staff - Ellen Kassulke, Bethany Halpin, Sophie Tuffley, Matthew Tarlington, Dane Rowe, Matt Darch and Aaron Smith. Thanks goes to our volunteers - Majella Adams, Amy Rosanoski, Karla McKinnon, Nikki Newman, Cameron McKinnon, Amanda Lane, Michelle Lawson, Kylie Torrens, Megan Smyth, James Smyth, Leza Allen, Phil Allen, Rosemary Wilson, Saskia Vanderbyl, Roberta Bannah, Lachlan Howse, Andrew Howse, Rebecca Jorquera, Chantelle Cleary and Ange Lundberg.

Well done to our Year 11 student Jazz Band who played on Saturday and Sunday – “The Blue Suits Quartet” - Jeremy Vanderbyl, Tom Horton, Sam Patterson, and Rohan Sweeney.

Thank you - Clare Mapledoram, and Sam Matthews for the free social media advertising.

Lastly, thank you to our sponsors - Old Boy Mike Mitchell from Mitchell Fine Art Gallery, Nikki Patterson from ‘Styling You’, Taleah Pickering from ‘Savvy Hair Artistry’, ‘Jubilee Framers Ashgrove’, ‘Luxe’, ‘Ruby Red’, ‘Wheel of Brisbane’, ‘U Create Art Studio’, ‘Corn Street’, ‘Wine Experience’, ‘The Plant Bunker’, ‘Eckersley’s’, Anthony Herbert from GPS Rugby and ‘All Sports Physiotherapy’. As an aside, Mike Mitchell has kindly agreed to donate 10% of the price of any purchased painting from Mitchell Fine Arts Gallery towards the Foundation, if you mention the Marist College Ashgrove Art Show. Many thanks, Mike, for your generosity.

Financially, the Art Show raised some $14,500.00 which will go towards the Foundation. The Foundation provides opportunities for financially challenged families to obtain a quality education at Marist. Congratulations on a successful Marist Art Show. We look forward to the 2022 edition!

Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews

On return after the holidays, Tuesday 5 October, the College will be holding the semester two, face-to-face Interviews between teachers, parents and boys. I reiterate the importance of these interviews in enabling the best possible communication and academic progress for your son. These follow our online interviews held last week. To book an appointment, you are required to go to the Parent Portal (www.marash.qld.edu.au). If you experience any difficulty logging into the MyMarash or Parent Portal, please contact the IT Help Desk - computerservice@marash.qld.edu.au.

1:1 Laptop Program

Marist College Ashgrove is pleased to announce a new laptop program into the future. After listening carefully to feedback from parents, the College Leadership Team has decided to implement a 1:1 Laptop Program throughout the College, to be rolled out over the next three years. Over the next three years, HP laptops will be distributed to all boys in Years 7 and 10 and in the second and third years to Year 5 classes. The only increase in costs to parents will be $100.00 which will include a three-year warranty on these laptops and insurance covering accidental damage over the three years, to the boys who receive these new laptops. The reason for this decision is to ensure that all laptops can be better monitored, parents get better value for money with their IT levy paid each year and to ensure that the staff can aptly ensure that your son is using their laptop in class time for learning purposes only. The laptops will be in the ownership of the College for the three years, as the levy is used to gradually pay them off. After the three years, the laptop becomes the property of the boy and parents. Early in Term 1 of 2022, these laptops will be distributed and all details including insurance will be explained to parents, with the necessary contracts to sign. We trust that this decision is a good one for the boys’ learning at the College.

CBSQ Basketball Tournament

The Champion Basketball School of Queensland Championships (CBSQ) will be held from Thursday 16 - Sunday 19 September. I wish all senior and primary basketballers the best of luck in these championships. Special mention to their generous coaches, Mr John Lambourne and Mr Michael Connolly who will be accompanying the boys during this competition.

End of Term 3

Term 3 concludes at 3:10pm on Thursday 16 Sept 2021. All students are expected to attend school up until this time. Thursday is also a travel day for our boarders as they head home. Some of our borders are travelling very long distances, to commence their school holidays. I especially thank the boarding families who have had to make alternative holiday arrangements due to COVID-19 restrictions. Many thanks for your flexibility and goodwill around these arrangements. I thank our Head of Boarding, Mr Ty Casey for his communications and arrangements in supporting families during this difficult and uncertain time.

School Resumes

School resumes for Term 4 on Wednesday 6 October. Boarders return a day earlier on Tuesday, 5 October. All staff will be undertaking professional development and conducting parent-teacher-student interviews on this Tuesday. I trust that the holiday period is a restful and re-energising time with your sons. I look forward to the many exciting activities and learning experiences planned for Term 4.

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