From the Head of College

Mr Michael Newman

Making a fool of yourself for the cause

This week, the nation woke to the news that Australia has qualified for the next FIFA Football World Cup. A notable player who has received much attention is the dancing goalie who has been dubbed the ‘grey wiggle’. The replacement shot-stopper was subbed on, in the 119th minute, specifically for the shootout and his successful attempts to distract the Peruvian penalty takers with his dancing antics have been likened to those of The Wiggles. Reserve keeper Andrew Redmayne who came on for the penalty shootout was dancing, swaying, throwing his hands up and down and side to side to distract his opponent so as to miss his shot at goal. Redmayne’s energetic hot potato dance along the goal line during the shootout and jig worked as he saved two of the penalties taking Australia to a 5-4 victory and securing a place in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The Wiggles have since released a video acknowledging the dance with Jeff the purple Wiggle re-enacting his now-famous save. When interviewed, Redmayne stated that he was happy to make a fool of himself to achieve something for the greater good - success for the team and what they had all aimed to achieve.

Similarly, making of fool of yourself can sometimes be what we feel when trying to do something for the greater good whether it be speaking up for what is right, sharing an unpopular opinion, advocating for someone, or, in this secular and consumeristic world, sharing our faith. Sharing what you believe in spiritually and with faith can sometimes lead to a quiet snicker, the rise of eyebrows or rolls of the eye from those around us. It with courage and conviction that we need to do this. On Sunday, we celebrated the Body and Blood of Christ which is a real faith expression as we say Amen or “I believe” when receiving the Body of Christ each Mass. Expressing to others a God who becomes a part of us at Communion and gives us nourishment for the journey of life ahead is a real faith statement. Spirituality is central to the human condition, faith is quintessential to believers and the gift of faith is such a blessing.

God of the journey, may all members of the Marist College family and every single Marist student be enriched and enlivened through the gift of faith. Amen.

Staff Week Wednesday 22-24 June and Monday 11 July

During the student holiday period, teaching staff will be participating in a number of staff in-service days. Topics and work to be undertaken include: Marking, Reporting, CPR Training, getting to know the learner in changed classes for semester 2 and reflecting on the progress of continuing students, NCCD evidence gathering and analysis, Year 10 SET Plans, curriculum and pastoral collaborative planning, strategic planning feedback and analysis, and academic faculty meetings. These are busy and important days for the staff and are most important to assure the best possible academic teaching and learning and general pastoral care outcomes for each boy.

SET Planning

The Senior Education and Training (SET) plans are a key component of the Marist Ashgrove Career Education Program for Year 10 boys. These plans map out an academic course of action to ensure students plan the best possible pathway for their future academic success, post-school education and work beyond the gates of Marist College Ashgrove. These plans will be undertaken between the teachers, students and parents during the holiday period - Friday 24 June and Monday 11 July. My thanks are extended to the teachers who will generously undertake these important interviews, namely – Steve Littleton, Mary Stirling, Jen Smeed, Adam Knight, Tara Franklin, Roxanne Rosenberg, Peter Gaiter, Bruce McPhee, Elizabeth Kenny, Liz Walsh, Rebecca Taylor, Sharon Davidson and Tim Sedgwick.

Best wishes Year 10 boys as you formulate these important plans for the future.

Confraternity Carnival

This year’s Confraternity Carnival will be hosted by St Patrick’s College Mackay from Sunday 26 June – Friday 1 July. Best wishes boys for this carnival of rugby league, Christian fellowship, friendship building and confraternity with students from some 58 schools. Some of Queensland's greatest rugby league players have emerged from this carnival, including - Johnathan Thurston, Matthew Scott, Matthew Bowen, Bob Lindner, Wendell Sailor, Daly Cherry-Evans, Michael Morgan and Cameron Munster. My thanks are extended to the generous coaching staff who will be assisting and caring for the boys at this carnival, namely: Ryan Apps, Mel Orcher, Peter McIntosh, Patrick Conn, Trevor Bailey and Wayne Treleaven. Best wishes Marist College First XIII Rugby League Team, 2022.

Holiday Sporting Camps

My thanks are extended to our generous coaches and managers of other Term 3 sports who will be preparing their senior teams over the holiday period. These camps and clinics are an important preparation for the season ahead.

Marist basketball holiday camp – Friday 8-9 July

Athletics – Ongoing Training over the holidays with Marist Staff

Tennis – Clinic 27, 28 and 29 July

Thank you coaches – Mike and James Lidstone (Basketball), Robin Martin (Athletics) and Andrew Ward (Tennis).

Goodluck in your preparation, gentlemen.

Holidays and Return to School

Term 2 concludes on Tuesday 21 June at 3:10pm. Reports will be issued on Friday 24 June via the Parent Lounge. Instructions on how to access these reports are contained in the Curriculum section of this newsletter. Parents will also receive an email to alert you that reports are being released. Term 3 commences on Tuesday 12 July.

I am heading to East Timor with Marist Schools Australia to be a part of the opening of a new school there. I will spend some time in the local community schools, with the Marist Brothers Community and together with other Marist colleagues. We plan to meet the families of past graduands from East Timor and a prospective new student for 2023. I will then head on to the Confraternity Carnival to cheer on the boys.

Have a great and safe holiday!

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