From the Head of College

Hearts and Hands Make the World a Better Place

This year, I was very fortunate to have participated in a general audience with Pope Francis just after the Easter break in Rome. I attended in St Peter’s Square standing alongside some 15,000 people. I believe we all felt a great sense of unity that day as we listened to a charismatic Pope Francis and joined together in faith and hope.

Last month, Pope Francis gave an inspiring address to a similar general audience where he referenced the first Australian saint, Mary Mackillop. At Marist, we finish our prayers with a litany that includes our Australian saint - Mary our Good Mother, pray for us; St Marcellin Champagnat, pray for us; St Mary of the Cross Mackillop, pray for us and let us always remember to pray for one another. Pope Francis spoke about the relevance of Catholic schools in the world today, referencing the insight of Mary Mackillop who believed that education forms each student in a holistic sense to become a good citizen. Catholic schools are places where not only knowledge is obtained but where human and spiritual growth are also encouraged among students. Pope Francis stated:

Mary MacKillop was convinced that the purpose of education is the integral development of the person both as an individual and as a member of the community; and that this requires wisdom, patience and charity on the part of every teacher. Indeed, education does not consist in filling the head with ideas: no, not just this. What does education constitute? Accompanying and encouraging students on the path of human and spiritual growth, showing them how friendship with the Risen Jesus expands the heart and makes life more humane. Educating and helping them to think well: to listen carefully (the language of the heart) and to do good (the language of the hands). This vision is fully relevant today, when we feel the need for an “educational pact” capable of uniting families, schools and society as a whole.

(Pope Francis – Rome 29/6/23)

The Mission and Ministry Program at Marist College Ashgrove reflects this intention, aiming to nourish each boy’s human and spiritual growth. The boys are educated in faith and solidarity through an engaging Religious Education curriculum that develops their religious literacy, in light of the Catholic tradition. The College also offers an integrated program of retreat and reflection opportunities for students from Years 5-12, regular opportunities for prayer and liturgy including Wednesday, Friday and Boarders' weekly Mass, pastoral group and class prayer, assembly prayer and reflection. There are service and ministry groups such as St Vincent de Paul, Caritas and GreenAsh, extensive ministry and outreach opportunities through the MATES Social Justice Program including weekly barbecues with the homeless, visits with the elderly and people living with a disability in the community. There are also immersion programs where we are guests, listening to our Marist neighbours in other cultures and countries, and an exciting Youth Ministry Program ('Game Changers') for the boys to partake in. Each boy’s human and spiritual development enables them to be better citizens.

God of the journey, may Marist College Ashgrove be a place where all boys befriend the risen Christ, listening with their hearts and responding with their hands, making the world a better place. Amen.

Boys’ Education

On Monday 24 July, Dr Ian Lillico addressed parents at the College. Ian has a PhD in Education, is a Churchill Fellow, Founder and Executive Director of the Boys Forward Institute and a Life Member and National Fellow of The Australian Council of Educational Leaders (ACEL). He is a former high school Principal and is now an international consultant in gender research, education, homework and middle schooling. 

Ian spoke to parents about boys and the way they learn and live, in a spirit of support and encouragement. He outlined strategies for parents to assist in their son’s development from birth to 25 years of age, focusing on their relationships, needs, feelings and learning styles. Ian gave many practical strategies to parents so as to better engage, improve functional literacy and grow their sons into fine young adults. This was a most thought-provoking and insightful presentation. We are most grateful to Mr Peter Serone (Head of Students) who organised this presentation for all parents.

Theatre Ash Production

Best wishes to our Theatre Ash performers who will be staging ‘Murder on the Menu’ in the Draney Theatre this Wednesday 26 July at 7:00pm. As the name suggests, this play is about Artemis Ward, the proud owner of Ward Books, who is murdered in his favourite restaurant while waiting for a mysterious dinner guest who never arrives. Everyone’s a suspect including his own son and daughter, his nephew, the restaurant owner, and many others who crawl out of the woodwork. Can the conveniently-placed coroner and his reporter friend solve the crime without the aid of the police? Why does the list of suspects just keep growing? All members of the Marist family are welcome to this Theatre Ash production of “Murder on the Menu” by Bill Hand. You might even win a prize for guessing “whodunnit”. I thank our Drama teachers - Rebecca Taylor and Victoria Sparrow who have prepared and coached the boys for this performance. Good luck, gentlemen. 

Boarding Visits to the Country

On Saturday 22 July, our Assistant Head of College Boarding - Jim Noble and Boarding Leader of La Valla residence - Pierce Hardy represented Marist College Ashgrove at the Boarding Schools Expo in Narrabri and on Friday 21st hosted a function for Marist parents in Moree. 

On Tuesday (today) 25 July, Ty Casey is travelling to Darwin to attend the ICPA (Isolated Children’s Parents’ Association) Federal Conference and to display our wonderful Boarding opportunities at a trade stand. Ty will attend the Darwin Show after this conference where Marist College Ashgrove will also have a trade stand.

This Thursday 27 July, our Assistant Head of College Boarding - Jim Noble, Boarding Leader of Br Terence residence - Anthony Mathison and Acting Boarding Recreation Co-ordinator - Mal Grealy are travelling to Emerald with two Rugby teams to compete in the 2023 Western 7s. This is the largest regional school Rugby 7s tournament outside the Queensland Southeast corner, hosting some 71 teams from 27 schools. We wish our teams all the best at this Rugby carnival. We look forward to meeting up with many Marist families.

The Marist Boarding family has so much to be proud of!

Jumpers and Jazz

The Jumpers and Jazz Festival in Warwick will enjoy a performance by the Marist College Ashgrove Big Band 1 and 2 on the main stage this Sunday 30 July. This festival brings together jazz bands from throughout Australia. This performance opportunity will provide a great musical experience for students to play for the wider community as well as represent the College by showcasing the Music Department. It is also a great honour to be one of the few schools invited to perform in the main event. My thanks are extended to Andrew Butt, Janelle Lee Long, Megan Harmston and Alex Hides for preparing and accompanying the boys for this performance.

Year 10 Immunisations

The Queensland Health Schools Immunisation Program continues at the college next Friday 28 July. Year 10 students who have parent consent to participate in the immunisation program will be receiving their meningococcal ACWY vaccine. If you have not yet provided consent but would like your son to receive the vaccination, it is not too late. Please ask him to come to Student Admin to collect an immunisation pack. My thanks are extended to Kelly Byrnes for organising this immunisation for the boys.

Year 9 Parent Function 2023

Our Year 9 Parent Function for 2023 will be held at the Tower between 6:30pm-9:00pm this Friday 28 July. We trust that parents purchase their tickets to what always is an enjoyable and relaxing evening together with friends. This parent function includes a light meal with drinks and a short address from the P&F President and myself. I thank our Parents and Friends Association for their preparation of this event, especially the Amity Group, as well as the College catering and events teams. I look forward to meeting parents on Friday.

AIC Golf and North West Track and Field

The annual AIC Golf Championships will be held at Keperra Golf Course on Monday 31 July from 6:30am – 2:30pm. Best wishes to the following boys who will represent Marist College Ashgrove: Jackson Williams, Thomas Williams, Samuel Lewis, William Nickelson and Flynn Connolly. Thanks to Andrew Fogarty (Middle Leader – Science) who will be accompanying the boys on the day. Good luck, gentlemen. 

The North-West District Primary Track and Field Championships will be held at Marist College Ashgrove on McMahon and Hayden Ovals this Thursday and Friday, 27-28 July. We wish all our boys competing the very best of luck. Thank you to all staff for convening and preparing for this carnival, namely: John Lambourne, Mitch Reid and Corey Lucas.

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 25 July

• Book Week - continues
• Year 10-12 Student Monitoring Week - continues
• Year 9 Performance and Pathways Conversations - continue
• Study Hall – Senior Library
• Primary Morning Study – Primary Computer Lab
• Reconciliation – Chapel
• House Meetings Years 5-12
• Year Level Assemblies: Years 8, 10, 12
• Year 10 Visual Art Incursion
• St Vincent de Paul Meeting – Mission Office
• Slattery 7s – Semi-Finals
• College Assembly

Wednesday 26 July

• Boarding Visit to Darwin - ICPA (Isolated Children’s Parents’ Association) Federal Conference
• GreenAsh
• Mass in Chapel – All Welcome
• Primary Morning Study – Primary Computer Lab
• Photos - Portrait Catch-Up Photos
• Slattery 7s – Grand Final
• Shake and Stir Year 12 Macbeth Performance
• Hockey MCA vs St Edmunds – State Hockey Centre
• Theatre Ash Performance – ‘Murder on the Menu’ – Draney Theatre
• Astronomy Club
• Year 12 Night Study Session

Thursday 27 July

• North West District Track and Field (MCA Hosting)
• Western 7’s Rugby Trip - starts
• GreenAsh
• SVdP Sausage Sizzle – Main Yard
• Study Hall – Senior Library
• Primary Morning Study – Primary Computer Lab
• Game Changers Meetings
• Year 12 Student Leaders Photo - The Tower
• Queensland Catholic Colleges Music Festival (QCMF) Rehearsal

Friday 28 July

• Year 10 Immunisations
• North West District Track and Field (MCA Hosting)
• Construction Immersion
• Year 12 Rec Studies Mountain Biking Excursion
• Year 12 Rec Studies Rock Climbing Excursion
• Round 2 Primary Basketball
• MCA Hockey v Padua – Burringbar Park
• Year 9 Parent Function

Saturday 29 July

• Co-curricular Photos - Tennis, Basketball, Rugby League - Science Centre Foyer
• Round 2 - Rugby League @ MCA
• Round 2 - Tennis/Basketball v Padua (H)

Sunday 30 July

• Jumpers and Jazz Festival (Warwick)
• Boarders’ Mass (Chapel)

Monday 31 July

• AIC Golf Championships
• Primary Morning Assembly

Tuesday 1 August

• Study Hall – Senior Library
• Primary Morning Study – Primary Computer Lab
• Reconciliation – Chapel
• Chess Tournament
• Year 9 Visual Art Excursion – Brisbane Powerhouse
• House Meetings Years 5-12
• Primary Awards Assembly
• St Vincent de Paul Meeting – Mission Office
• College Assembly
• Old Boys’ Association Meeting

Wednesday 2 August

• MCA Hockey Training with All Hallows – Burringbar Park
• GreenAsh
• Mass in Chapel – All Welcome
• Primary Morning Study – Primary Computer Lab
• College Assembly
• Year 11 Information Session for Extension English and English Literature Course
• Year 12 Night Study Session

Thursday 3 August

• GreenAsh
• SVdP Sausage Sizzle – Main Yard
• Study Hall – Senior Library
• Primary Morning Study – Primary Computer Lab
• Primary Morning Assembly
• Pastoral Group Paper Recycling
• Australian Mathematics Online Competition - Champagnat Centre
• Year 11 Visual Arts Excursion to Reverse Garbage and Gallery of Modern Art
• Co-Curricular Photos - 1sts Teams and Captains - The Tower
• Co-Curricular Photos - Various Groups - Science Centre Foyer
• Environment Group Meeting – Room 206

Friday 4 August

• National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day
• Environment Group Free Dress Day
• Year 10 Rec Studies Excursion – Urban Climb
• Peter Marsh Walk for Innocents
• MCA Hockey v Grammar – Burringbar Park
• Round 3 Primary Basketball
• Vinnies Winter Sleep Out

Saturday 5 August

• Co-curricular Photos - Tennis, Basketball, Rugby League - Science Centre Foyer
• Rd 3 Tennis/Basketball v Iona (A)
• Rugby League (Villa)

Sunday 6 August

• Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord
• Year 11 Sport and Rec Mountain Bike Expedition
• Boarders’ Mass (Chapel)