From the Head of College

Mr Michael Newman

Mixing the Practical Application of Life with the Spiritual

Br Michael Green fms has written extensively on the life and thoughts of St Marcellin Champagnat, translating this into what Marist education should be today. He speaks in-depth about the phrase used frequently by St Marcellin that underpins the purpose of his educational mission that was first established in Southern France - to be “good Christians and good citizens.” Born during the French Revolution, Marcellin witnessed the ongoing effects and upheaval the revolution had on French society. He was obviously a very practical person who was acutely aware of the needs of people at this time so he sought an education for young people that would liberate them and enable them to embrace the best of what both the Gospel and the Enlightenment period offered.

St Marcellin wanted an education that was Christ-based and relevant. Such an intent offered young people a practical purpose and hope filled possibilities. This intent didn’t confine them by what is but opened and empowered them to pursue what could be. Br Michael states – “for Marcellin, his sure foundation was anchored in two core convictions: first, a belief in the potential and possibility that are innate in all young people in their society of the day; second, a closeness to the God of love, the God who is love. For him, one was a correlate of the other.” If Marcellin could not achieve this intent, he used the French verb ‘affliger’ meaning it cut him to the core, it broke his heart not to be able to explain God’s love moving in their lives and the world - to give hope and inspire young people in the world they lived.

So it is, in Australia today, that we work to achieve what St Marcellin wanted - a Christ-based education that seeks to help young people develop a personal relationship with God that they can integrate into their role and responsibilities in society - to be ‘good Christians and good citizens’.

God of the journey, may we as members of the Marist family embrace your word - the spiritual with the practical application of life. Amen.

Changes to Examination Periods post Cyclone Alfred

In response to the challenges experienced by some students during Cyclone Alfred we have announced some changes to the assessment and reporting timelines for Term 1.

They are as follows:

Year 8 English moved to Friday Week 9 in the afternoon
Year 9 Maths moved to Monday Week 10 in the morning
The Year 12 exam block will now begin on Thursday 27 March and finish on the Friday 4 April. This has meant a shift of some exams:
- Economics has been moved to Wednesday morning Week 9 (not in exam block – Year 12s are still required in lessons during the day, Economics students to return to class from Period 4).
- English moved to Thursday Week 9 (first day of exam block)
- General Maths and Maths Methods moved to Friday morning Week 9
- Literature moved to Monday morning Week 10
- French moved to Tuesday morning Week 10
- Engineering remaining on Wednesday morning Week 10
- Specialist Maths moved to Friday morning Week 10 (last day of exam block)
- All Year 12 students are required at school on Wednesday 26 March

Thanks to all teaching staff for their flexibility around these changes as we ensure our students have every opportunity to achieve their potential academically in Term 1. My best wishes are extended to all students for their preparation and undertaking of these actual assessments.

Date Changes Post Cyclone Alfred

Years 5, 7 and 9 NAPLAN - Conventions of Language – Wednesday 19 March

Years 5, 7 and 9 NAPLAN – Numeracy – Thursday 20 March

AIC Swimming Carnival – Friday 21 March

Head of College Tour – Thursday 3 April

Anzac Day Ceremony – Wednesday 23 April

Lenten Fundraiser – Thursday 24 April

Year 6 Retreat – Sunday 2 June

AIC Swimming Championships 2025

Best wishes to our swimmers who will take their place in the 2025 AIC Swimming Championships this Friday 21 March at the Sleeman Sports Complex, Chandler – Brisbane Aquatic Centre from 4:00pm-8:00pm. The boys have been preparing throughout the year for this event, including numerous lead-up meetings. Unfortunately, our own pool was out of action for most of last week due to the cyclone, so we are grateful for the parent travel involved in getting the boys to Ithica Creek and Ashgrove State Schools, Newmarket and Chermside pools during this time. We have now returned to the college pool and are back on track with our preparation. We wish every boy the very best of luck on Friday. Our Year 12 and Boarding students have been invited to attend to cheer on the Marist Swimming team. My thanks are extended to their wonderful coaching staff: James Boyce (Head Coach), Damien Bromley, Cath Geraghty, Anntoinette Restell, Lachlan Gough, James Leigh, Bailey Skinner, Riley Mathers, Joel Stopforth, Jade Ritchie and David Meehan.

Good luck, gentlemen.

NAPLAN Continues

The NAPLAN exams continue this week having started well with Writing and Reading on Monday and today respectively. We now look forward to Spelling, Grammar and Punctuation (Conventions of Language) on Wednesday and Numeracy on Friday. This will be followed by the opportunity for catch-up exams for those who were absent. My thanks are extended to our professional staff who have prepared and those who are facilitating these exams namely – Mrs Leigh Jackson, Mr Adam Knight, Ms Kathryn Badini, Mr Ashley Hutchings, Mrs Catherine BarnettMs Alicia Lee and Ms Samantha La-Chiusa. Best wishes to all our Years 5, 7 and 9 students as you continue these exams.

Fathers and Old Boys Retreat 2025

This Sunday 23 March, all Old Boys and Fathers of the Marist College Ashgrove are invited to attend the annual Old Boys and Father’s Retreat to be held at the Marist Centre. This calendared retreat facilitated by Br Neville Solomon fms is a great opportunity for the Old Boys and dads of boys from the college to have some quality time together, in reflection and contemplation. It is a most enjoyable day and to be highly recommended. We look forward to welcoming Old Boys back to the college and our present fathers to the Marist Centre this Sunday from 10:00am-1:30pm. Tickets include morning tea and lunch. To reserve your spot, simply click this link.

FareShare

The Ashgrove Chapter of the Marist Association is bringing together a group of Marist staff on the evening of Wednesday 19 March from 6:00pm-9:00pm to volunteer their time at FareShare. FareShare collects surplus food from farms and supermarkets, donated through organisations like Foodbank, to cook meals for disadvantaged groups across Australia. Each year FareShare transforms rescued, donated and homegrown food into millions of delicious, healthy meals that feed the dignity and wellbeing of Australians experiencing hardship. A homestyle meal shows that somebody cares and has an immediate impact. Our staff will be helping assemble meals that have been prepared in the FareShare kitchens for people in need across Brisbane. This outreach is just one way our staff and students seek to be of service to others at Marist College Ashgrove. Thank you, staff.

French Dinner 2025

On Tuesday 18 March, Marist College Ashgrove French students will welcome to the college their peers from Stuartholme, St Joseph’s Gregory Terrace, Mount St Michael’s, St John’s Fisher and All Hallows for the 2025 French Dinner. The new Cyprian Pavillion provides the perfect backdrop for much confraternity, learning and common interests between the students and staff at each of the schools. Well done to the Marist Hospitality students who will provide the meal and service, facilitated by Mrs Sue Going. The night will include a quiz, good company and obviously French conversation. My thanks are extended to Mrs Lucia Del Vecchio for her organisation and facilitation of this event. Enjoy gentlemen.

The Marist School Cyclic Inquiry (MSCI)

On Monday, a letter was sent to all parents communicating the upcoming Marist Schools Cyclic Inquiry. Every four years, this Cyclic Inquiry process is undertaken Australia-wide by all 12 Marist governed schools.

The Marist Schools Cyclic Inquiry (MSCI) process is an evidence-based, data-informed inquiry focusing on the growth in the culture of the school as a faith and learning community. The aim of the inquiry is to identify a limited number of strategic improvement priorities for the next College Strategic Improvement Plan.

I encourage all families to complete their personal feedback in the form of two surveys – the Enhancing Catholic School Identity - ECSI (Catholic School Survey) and the Diagnostic Inventory of School Alignment – DISA (Educational School Survey) later in Terms 1 and 2, respectively. More information with be communicated soon. In anticipation of your participation, thank you.

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