From the Head of College

Mr Michael Newman

Synodality and Assembly

This is a very exciting time for our church. The word “Catholic” means universal and therefore, we are all important players in the Catholic Church. At present, the Catholic Church is in the midst of a synod. On the 9th and 10th of October, Pope Francis announced a journey towards a celebration of the Synod, reaching out to the wider community of the baptised throughout the world – that’s you and I. “Synodality” refers to the process of fraternal collaboration and discernment. Synodality invites us to a greater responsibility within the Church. It is about uniting us all together on the way to the kingdom here on earth. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, synodality requires a sense of boldness, to listen and discern. Groups have gathered throughout Australia and have presented submissions on the way and the manner in which they believe the Church should move into the future. Pope Francis stated, “It is precisely this path of synodality which God expects of the Church of the third millennium. This journey, which follows in the wake of the Church’s renewal proposed by the Second Vatican Council, is both a gift and a task.”

In this same spirit of Synodality, the Marist Assembly is presently being held, meeting on Wednesday for the first of a series of gatherings throughout 2022. All Marists have been invited to assemble so as to offer their thoughts, prayers and insights. Marists are being encouraged to boldly listen to each other and discern in the spirit of prayer and unity, creating a new way forward that is authentically Marist today. Marist Schools Australia, the governing body for all Marist schools, is an important component of this Marist mission along with other ministries like Marist Youth Ministry that provides youth ministry to young people between the ages of 15-25, while Marist 180 empowers young people with education, accommodation and employment and Marist Solidarity provides international aid and development.

The key to Marist governance is its spirituality. All Marist ministries are informed through a rich spirituality. Likewise, all Marist schools aim to bring faith to life. The spirituality of schools, like Marist College Ashgrove, is a gift to the Church and the world. Spirituality is so important in the Catholic tradition and throughout its history. Through the Marist Assembly we are encouraged to grow our spirituality and make it more contemporary and more engaging at the local Ashgrove, Queensland and Australian levels. The future of Marist spirituality will be what we make it. We are encouraged to wholeheartedly embrace our Marist spirituality and make it infectious. To be part of the Marist Association and future Assembly meetings, please contact Matthew Jones: jonesm@marash.qld.edu.au

God of the Journey, may each member of the Marist College family embrace and be sustained through their shared spirituality. Amen.

Champagnat Awards 2022

A wonderful tradition of Marist College Ashgrove is the announcement of the annual Champagnat Awards at the Champagnat Day Mass. This year we had four recipients. Our Community Award went to Mrs Heather Ryan and Mr Les Brown. Heather and Les have given many years of service to the boarding students and staff, working in the boarding laundry. They are most generous and professional with their work while offering many a kind and compassionate ear. Mrs Christine Larsen received the Teaching Staff Award for her leadership and generosity in the Art department at the College for some seven and a half years. Christine is always professional and a wonderful role model to the students and her colleagues. The Student Award was granted to Year 12 student, Jack Christensen. Navigating difficulties successfully throughout his time at the College, Jack is always a friendly, generous and excellent role model to his peers. The final Champagnat Award was presented to our Head of Mission, Mr Luke McMahon. After 7 Years at different Marist schools, 7 years at Loreto College Coorparoo, followed by 26 years at Marist College Ashgrove, Luke’s service, commitment and generosity are not only greatly admired but extremely valued. Congratulations Champagnat recipients for 2022!

Year 12 Mother-Son Luncheon

Marist College Ashgrove is pleased to host our inaugural Mother-Son Luncheon for the Year 12 boys and their mums. This luncheon will be one of the last opportunities the boys have to acknowledge their mother at school and spend some personal quality time with her prior to their graduation. There is much to be thankful for and no doubt some good conversations to be had. We welcome to Marist College Ashgrove, special guest, Kathryn Greiner AO, a former alderman of the city of Sydney, Australian politician and social advocate. More recently you may have seen and heard Kathryn on ABC’s “The Drum”, as well as Channel 9 and on radio station 2UE. Kathryn will address the luncheon from a personal perspective, touching on the areas of respect for women and right relationships. The luncheon will be held at the Pullman Brisbane next Tuesday, 21st June from 11:30am-2.30pm. I trust this luncheon will be cherished.

Final Days of Term

This week, the boys in Years 7-10 conclude their important exams and assignments. Marking will continue and report writing will be undertaken by the teachers when the boys depart. Tuesday 21st June is the final day of term with all day boys concluding school at 3.10pm and the boarders having their travel day. It is the expectation that all boys conclude school on Tuesday 21st June. Teachers will be revising, completing extension work, going over assessments or commencing new work over these final days of term. For any leave outside this expectation, please contact the Head of Boarding, Mr Jim Noble or your son’s Head of House.

2022 College Athletics Carnival

The annual College Athletics Carnivals will be held on Thursday 16th June & Friday 17th June for the Primary and Secondary students respectively, on McMahon oval. These are two most enjoyable days for the boys and staff. The two days enable the boys to show their talents, prepare for future carnivals, unearth future talent and to have a fun social day together in their houses. My thanks are extended to John Lambourne (Primary) and to Derek Lennon (Secondary) for their organisation and facilitation of these days. All parents, family members and friends are welcome to attend.

Head of College Tour

Due to popular demand, Marist College Ashgrove is holding its first weekend Head of College Tour this Sunday, 19th June. Participants have asked for a weekend tour due to their unavailability during weekdays. I thank the many staff and students who have volunteered to help out on the day and to outline to prospective parents all that Marist College has to offer. My special thanks are extended to our organising team and staff – Meagan Loane (Registrar), Carmen Mapri (Assistant Registrar), Jen McNamara (Assistant Registrar), Bruce McPhee, Jen Smeed, Peter Serone, Jim Noble, Roxy Rosenberg, Liam Beatty, Luke McMahon, Andrew Butt, Mary Stirling, Derek Lennon, Andrew Devoy, Michael McLaughlin, Gary Keown, Christine Larsen, Pierce Hardy, Liz Walsh, Scott Minogue, Bethany Halpin and Sophie Tuffley. I trust that these tours are useful to prospective parents. Thank you all student helpers for generously offering your time and expertise for these Head of College tours.

Term 2 Sports Dinner

The Senior Team Sports Dinner will be held at the Gabba this Wednesday 15th June. This is an opportunity to acknowledge all boys and their families for their efforts and support of the senior sports teams this season. This term we recognise the efforts of our Chess, Rugby Union and Football open teams for term 2. We gratefully acknowledge the efforts of our Open coaches and managers for their committed involvement and preparation of the boys, namely - Corey Brown & Corey Lucas (Football First XI), Anthony Mathison & Tim Sedgwick (First XV Rugby), Shane Ward (Cross Country) and Daniel Bull and Tim Humphry (Chess). During this evening we will be identifying the efforts of all teams and celebrating our 6th straight AIC Cross Country Championship. My thanks are extended to Derek Lennon and Mitch Reid for organising this event. I trust this will be an enjoyable evening together.

Year 5 Band and String Concert

Our wonderful music program of concerts continues this Thursday 16th June with the Year 5 Band and String Concert in the Draney Theatre. We will listen to performances from Year 5 Strings, Wind, Brass and Percussion Bands. I thank their professional, talented and generous teachers and staff, namely: Andrew Butt, Catherine Wasserman, Janelle Lee Long, Megan Harmston, Melanie Stewart, Enrico Le Mura and Vanessa Mitchell. The boys continue to improve and are looking forward to demonstrating their growing talents. The concert commences at 6:00pm. I look forward to joining parents on Thursday evening.

Legal Implications and Respectful Relationships Seminars

Today, the Year 12 students will be listening to a presentation from Mrs Wendy Mulcahy who has a background as a solicitor. Wendy will be presenting to the boys regarding the pitfalls of youth that she commonly deals with in her position and the many associated legal implications. Wendy offers the boys advice on how to avoid making such mistakes when leaving school and living in the broader community.

On Monday 20 June, the Year 10 boys will partake in a Respectful Relationships Seminar by Your Choicez. This presentation will focus on relationships, sexual decision making, pornography, consent and sexual ethics, identity and love.

I thank Mr Peter Serone (Head of Students) for continuing to arrange these important and very helpful educational seminars for the boys.

Da Vinci Decathlon

Last week, on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, groups of students from Years 5 –11 participated in the 2022 Queensland da Vinci Decathlon. The da Vinci Decathlon is an academic competition designed to challenge and stimulate the minds of participating school students. Students compete in teams of eight across 10 disciplines: engineering, mathematics and chess, code breaking, art and poetry, science, English, ideation, creative producers, cartography and legacy. Some 1000 students made up each age group.

Congratulations to the Marist boys in different year levels who had some very pleasing results, winning 4-year levels, in different categories:

Year 8 - 1st in Science
Year 9 - 1st in Code Breaking
Year 10 - 1st in Ideation & 1st in Engineering
Year 11 - 1st in Engineering & 1st in Code Breaking

My thanks are extended to Majella Stevens (Gifted and Talented Co-ordinator), Anntoinette Restell and Brett Carroll for organising this extension activity for the boys. Well done gentleman.

Brendan Moon AM

Congratulations to our famous Old Boy Brendan Moon (1976) who was named in the Queen’s Honours list for 2022. Brendan Moon AM ASM (born 10 October 1958) is an Australian former rugby union winger who played for the Queensland Reds in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Moon played 100 games for Queensland and also played in the premiership winning Brothers Old Boys team of 1978, 1980–1983. Brendan represented Australia in 35 tests and was considered one of the best finishing wingers in the game with excellent positional play and terrific acceleration. For a number of years, Brendan Moon has been helping the development of rugby union in Papua New Guinea, which he made his home before returning to his native Queensland. Congratulations Brendan Moon.

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