From the Acting Head of College

Mr Charles Brauer

All you need is…

As a science teacher, I understand seasons - the summer, the autumn, the winter, the spring. I understand the changes in light and dark. I understand the warm and the cold. I understand the flurry of life and the dormancy of hibernation. If we consider the seasons of our humanity, I'm not convinced I understand any of these! A seasonal approach to life can enable the discovery of the extent of our humanity. The extent to which one can endure hardship. The extent to which we can give to others. The extent to which we can love.

A wonderful gift of our Catholic faith tradition is the gift of a seasonal approach to our lives to discover what truly matters, all that we truly need. Tomorrow is the commencement of the sacred season of Lent. Marked by Ash Wednesday. Marked with the cross, we will be called to humbly give of ourselves, quietly reflect and peel away the noise of our lives to centre ourselves on love.

At tomorrow's Ash Wednesday Liturgy, we'll from St Matthew in the Gospel reading. In this story, we'll hear three clear messages from Jesus.

The first being almsgiving. Simply, we are called to give all we can to others in need. Sharing generously without the expectation of receiving anything in return. Do it humbly and quietly.

The second Gospel message will invite us to take quiet time, to reflect, to pray. St Matthew reminds us that prayer is not ‘for show’ but is a genuine time for reflection, for quiet and for connection with self, family, community and our spirituality.

The third opportunity to join the Lenten journey is to fast. To quieten the noise in our lives, to rid ourselves of the unnecessary. To liberate ourselves so that others may be liberated.

Responding to the mark of the cross, calls us into a foreign place. A tougher-than-usual place. An arid place. The metaphor of the desert will resonate in our stories tomorrow and for the next 40 days. In essence, for us to be enriched through the season of Lent it’s got to hurt a little, we need to be put out of our comfort zone. Furthermore, embrace this discomfort!

As previously mentioned, Reuben Simpson (Year 10) met the Prime Minister yesterday! As the winner of the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation (AIEF) ‘If I was Prime Minister’ competition, Reuben was flown to Canberra to meet Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese at Parliament House.

Together they discussed challenges such as healthcare, education and social inequality. Reuben was also fortunate to meet Minister for Indigenous Australians, Linda Burney, Minister for the Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek and Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians, Jacinta Nampijinpa Price. We thank David Finch (Hermitage Boarding Leader) for accompanying Reuben on this special trip.

We are so proud of Reuben for this incredible accomplishment and look forward to hearing all about his experience when he returns to school.

We have welcomed the new staff to the College this week. Josh Robson will enter our English and Arts Faculties for the term, with Amy Lukritz and Belinda Kerwin joining our School Officer Team at our College Reception. Andrew Fogarty (Curriculum Leader - Science) has been appointed to the Head of Science role at Toowoomba Grammar School from Term 2. We wish Andrew and his family all the very best in the coming months with their decision to return to Toowoomba to be with family.

As our learning teaching program steps further into normal routines, we continue to provide an array of enriching experiences for our students. Namely, Student Monitoring for Years 11 and 12 the Inter-House and Primary Swimming Carnivals on Thursday and Friday, respectively, fundraising for Australian Marist Solidarity with our Lenten Fundraiser and Free Dress on Friday, guest speaker programs for Years 11 and 12 on the important issue of consent and safe driving. I encourage your son to fully embrace these opportunities which are all vital to a full and whole education. Be sure to refer to the newsletter segments of members of the College Leadership Team for further information on these.

As we are marked with the sign of Jesus, the cross on our forehead, tomorrow, may we respond to the call to begin a new journey. When we hear the ritual words of ‘Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel' may we give humbly, reflect quietly, keep it simple. These three Lenten steps will take us closer to all we need - love.

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