From the Head of College

Mr Michael Newman

Hope and Faith

There has been so much sadness in the world this past week. Once again, America has endured another senseless shooting rampage at a school. Complete devastation has amassed amongst the Texan community of Uvalde. The accounts and stories that have been told are tragic and deeply troubling, and naturally, the world is filled with anger. Similarly, we continue to hear about the heinous crimes occurring in Ukraine. Another devastating story was reported last week about an Australian man, Michael O’Neill who was killed whilst offering help as a humanitarian aid. Tragically, he leaves behind three children in Tasmania.

If you take into account these and other world events and lifestyle changes, it is no wonder the World Health Organisation estimates a dramatic decline in mental health all over the world. It is estimated that some 280 million people worldwide now suffer from Depression. The latest ABS National Health Survey figures have revealed higher levels of anxiety, psychological distress and depression amongst millions of Australians, especially young people.

On Sunday, we celebrated the Ascension of Jesus (Luke 24:46-53). This Gospel story holds great significance for the world, at this time. Jesus told the apostles, that although he would no longer be physically present, God would never leave them. Jesus encouraged the apostles to have faith. As Easter people, we too, need to remain strong in the belief that our God walks with us in the good times and in the tragedies. He is ever-present. We remain hopeful that through a life of love and service, the kingdom will come. Maybe our world needs this message from the Gospels more than any other time in the history of the world? Is communicating hope and faith and a God who will never leave us, a message that must be proclaimed this Easter? Catholic schools like Marist, will continue to teach and invite our students to listen, hear and respond to life with hope and faith.

God of the journey, we pray that all the young men of Marist College Ashgrove, will have you present in their lives, forever. Amen.

Marist College Ashgrove celebrates 150 Years of Marist Education

On Monday 6th June, all members of the Marist College family are welcome to join us at the College to celebrate 150 years of Marist Education. A Mass will be held at 11:00am in the Champagnat Centre in conjunction with the Feast of St Marcellin Champagnat, the founder of the Marist Brothers. This Mass will be celebrated by the Archbishop of Brisbane, Mark Coleridge (BA DSS). We will be joined by other dignitaries and special guests. To attend simply register on - https://events.humanitix.com/champagnat-mass.

The first Marist school was opened on April 8th in 1872 at St Patrick’s at the Rocks in Sydney. Four Brothers formed the staff: a Frenchman - Br Ludovic, 29 was leader; an Irishman - Br Jarlat, 25 was his assistant; a 21-year-old Scotsman - Br Augustine was teacher of the top class; and another Irishman - Br Peter, who was 25, was the cook.

Br Ludovic was the first leader of the Brothers whose main achievement was the recruitment of many local Australians into the Brothers. From 1883-1910, Marist Brothers ran a network of boys’ primary schools in the inner suburbs of Sydney. There was no government financial assistance to pay for lay teachers. This was left to the religious orders and necessary if the Catholic system was to survive.

This year, we celebrate the sesquicentennial of the Marist contribution to Catholic Education in Australia. For 150 years, this contribution has been steadfast in its commitment to Saint Marcellin’s vision – to make Jesus known and loved - through the work of thousands of faith-filled Marist Brothers and Marist lay teachers and staff, and hundreds and thousands of parents and students.

A prominent event to mark the Sesquicentenary will be the launch of the 150 Year History, prepared under the auspices of the Province Patrimony Committee, and written by Neville Solomon (fms – former Headmaster of Marist College Ashgrove), John Luttrell (fms), Julian Casey (fms) and Peter Rodney (fms). This book is being launched in Brisbane at the Marist Centre at 5:00pm, by the Provincial of the Marist Brothers and Old Boy of Marist College Ashgrove, Br Peter Carroll.

Of course, the most important event in Marist history was in 1940 with the establishment of our very own wonderful school, Marist College Ashgrove! We join to celebrate and thank all that the Marist Brothers have given to our college and the many lay staff, parents and friends who have made Marist College Ashgrove the fine educational establishment that it is today.

This Monday, we celebrate all that is Marist and our founder and saint, Marcellin Champagnat. We will celebrate with Mass, a prepared lunch for all the boys, with games and entertainment to follow.

Let us celebrate 150 years of Marist Education, Saint Marcellin Champagnat and Marist College Ashgrove!

Debating Finals

Congratulations to both the Marist Senior A and Year 10 Debating teams who have progressed to the finals of the Queensland Debating Union Competition for 2022. The Marist Senior A team defeated St Joseph’s Nudgee College on Wednesday and the Year 10 Team defeated Brigidine College to progress to the finals. We thank their generous expert coaches: Mary Stirling, Kathryn Badini and James Walton. Good luck, gentlemen in the finals.

AIC Cross Country

Best wishes to our Cross Country Team who compete in the AIC Cross Country Championships on Wednesday, 1st June at St Patrick’s College playing fields, Curlew Park. The boys have been training consistently for these championships despite the poor weather and conditions. I thank their professional coaching staff: Mitch Reid, Corey Lucas, Shane Ward, Harry Hunter, Liam Bacon, Brendon Saudners, Jordy Chugg, James Clarke, Harry Lyons, Tyler Newell, William Burkett and Fergal Apps. Our Year 11 boys will be invited to support the boys on Wednesday. With rousing war-cries, our Year 12 boys will farewell the cross country athletes onto the bus and acknowledge them at the College assembly on return. Good luck, gentlemen.

College Walkathon

The major annual Parents & Friends fundraiser is the College Walkathon. I thank all parents for encouraging your sons to go forth and find sponsors for this important fundraiser. There are wonderful prizes for the boys to win including 2 x premium double seat passes to the State of Origin at Suncorp Stadium. The Walkathon is a great community event for Marist. There is obviously the walk through the Ashgrove Barracks and then back at the College to enjoy the food stalls and the ‘Battle of the Bands.’ All monies raised go toward resource developments for the College. This is a fun day for all to be involved in and I look forward to seeing families gather on Sunday, 5th June.

Rosies

Marist College Ashgrove has had a long and proud tradition of supporting Rosies, an organisation that offers refreshments and company to our friends who reside on the streets of Brisbane. We look forward to being their guest again this Thursday, 2nd June from 5:15pm, at the Little Rock Church. I thank the senior boys who will be attending and Ms Sharon Davidson and the Mission Team. Well done, Marist.

Marist Connect

This Friday, 3rd June, Marist College Ashgrove will hold its annual Marist Connect Night. Facilitated by Marist Youth Ministry, the aim of these gatherings is to connect students from Marist schools of the same geographic area to create a sense of community. This evening will be for the Year 11 and 12 students. We thank the Marist Youth Ministry Regional Co-ordinator, Adam Burns and the Marist College Ashgrove Mission team for providing this opportunity for our senior students. Best wishes, gentlemen.

Marist Youth Forum

The Year 9 Marist Youth Forum will be held next Tuesday, 7th June from 10-2pm at the Marist Centre. The purpose of our Marist Youth Forum is to unite student voice on the key topics within the context of Marist identity and spirituality. The Year 9 forum is entitled, “More than Words”. Through hands-on activities and time for reflection, this forum creates a deeper understanding of Marist spirituality, leading students to identity concrete ways they can live out our Marist way. I thank Adam Burns (Youth Minister) and Mena McLean (Chaplain) who will be accompanying the boys. Enjoy, gentlemen.

Year 12 Mother and Son Lunch

On the last day of Term 2, Tuesday 21st June, I invite all Year 12 mothers and their sons to attend the Inaugural Year 12 Mother & Son Lunch. This event will be held at the Pullman, Brisbane King George Square, commencing at 11:30am. Our special guest who will address the luncheon will be Kathryn Greiner (AO). Year 12 boys attending the lunch will catch a bus from the College at 10:55am and be transported to the event.

To book please go to: https://events.humanitix.com/2022-year-12-mother-and-son-lunch

Creative Generation Excellence Awards

The Creative Generation Excellence Awards in Visual Art recognise and promote excellence in senior visual art education throughout Queensland state and non-state schools. We congratulate Marist Ashgrove Old Boy, Dino Lopes (2021) who was acknowledged as one of only 37 students to receive an excellence award from some 500 entries throughout Queensland. The exhibition runs until 21st August at the Gallery of Modern Art. You are invited to view Dino and other Queensland students’ visual artworks.

MCA Beehive

Well done to our grade 10 LMYELN boys, Jack Lowe, Jake Edye and Ash Bishop who addresses the College Assembly and then hosted a garlic bread and soft drink sale that raised over $1000.00 which will go towards purchasing new beehives for the College. There is further information contained in this newsletter regarding these beehives and the benefits ecologically for the College. Congratulations, Environmental Group boys and their generous teacher, Elizabeth Kenny!

Water Polo

On Friday, 27th May, Marist College Ashgrove competed at the School Boys' Water Polo Invitational Championships. Congratulations to the Middle School team who were undefeated in all 7 of their matches and won the overall competition in their division. Well done to Angus Cope (Year 9 Foley) who was awarded Most Valuable Player. The Open Team placed 6th overall. Thank you to Anita Cope who managed the Middle Years Team and Old Boy, Will Valentine who coached the Opens Team. Well done, Marist Water Polo!

Parliament House Visit

As a follow on from the Careers Link Networking evening, students who participated in the Politics information session were specially invited to Parliament House to meet with Jonty Bush, Member for Cooper and Jimmy Sullivan, Member for Stafford. The boys enjoyed a tour of Parliament House and watched a parliamentary sitting. They were fortunate to watch a speech delivered by Jonty and met Deputy Premier, Steven Miles. My thanks are extended to our Careers Counsellor, Tara Franklin who organised and accompanied the boys on this visit. #mcacareersindustrynetworking

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