From the Head of College

Mr Michael Newman

The Loving Hands of our Good God

In the litany in which all Marist schools conclude their prayers, we say –

Mary our Good Mother – pray for us

St Marcelin Champagnat – pray for us

St Mary of the Cross MacKillop - pray for us

And let us always remember to pray for one another.

Mary is after whom Marist is called and whom we intercede to through her son Jesus; St Marcellin Champagnat is the founder of the Marist Brothers from Southern France and St Mary of the Cross MacKillop is the first Australian saint. St Marcellin prayed for each one of his fellow Marists by placing their names in the hearts of Jesus and Mary before they journeyed, and so we say – let us never forget to pray for one another.

On my desk are the daily sayings and prayer intensions to the first Australian saint – St Mary MacKillop. Today, as I write this reflection, the words read, “We are all in the loving hands of a good God.” Some people question these characteristics of our God due to the troubling incidents in our world today – wars, poverty, misuse of power, corrupt governments, natural disasters and the like. However, our faith teaches us that God gave us the world to respond and behave as we so feel the desire. God isn’t a magician dictating how we are to act but rather gives us the free will to live as we see fit. The message is for us to love, forgive, turn the other cheek, accept and treat all people with dignity, and to live in these ways are seemingly worthwhile, nourishing, fulfilling and satisfying - but it is still up to each of us individually how we choose to live.

To follow these ways requires us to form an innate relationship with God and to fully discover and embrace this message. This is clearly a very difficult thing to do, yet most important for each of the boys at Marist Ashgrove and we, as adults, to have a personal experience of the God who loves us individually – ‘Jesus Christ known and loved.’ If we can master this, we can be directed and assisted throughout much of our lives, in good times, and particularly, during difficult days.

What does this require? It requires time, energy, and faith. A relationship with the good loving God doesn’t just happen magically. It requires time and effort to build a relationship. This is the same as any relationship we build in our lives – they all require generosity and openness. At Marist, our aim is to provide each boy with the space, the opportunities and conditions to achieve such a relationship with our good loving God; we do this through the occasions of daily masses (Monday, Wednesday and Friday), Reconciliation (Tuesday), and retreats – all year levels culminating in the Year 12 retreat held over three days, social justice and immersion opportunities, College masses – Opening, Champagnat, Assumption and Graduation, prayers before class and weekly reflections and prayer in College Assemblies. St Marcellin Champagnat, the founder of the Marist Brothers in Southern France, was a priest and certainly valued the symbols and graces obtained from the cross, the mass, daily prayer, reflection and ritual. He spoke regularly about their importance as a way to sustain and empower us all throughout our lives.

Upon graduation, we recognise the Year 12s leaving the gates of the College for the last time by individually gifting them with their own personal cross to hang on the wall of each home they live in throughout their life. This similarly reminds them daily of the importance of continuing to develop and cultivate this loving relationship with our good God.

God of the journey, strengthen our faith to further develop our relationship with you our good God and so walk in your footprints. Amen.

The Footprints Prayer:

One night I had a dream…

I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord, and

Across the sky flashed scenes from my life. For each scene I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand; One belonged to me, and the other to the Lord. When the last scene of my life flashed before us, I looked back at the footprints in the sand. I noticed that many times along the path of my life, there was only one set of footprints.

I also noticed that it happened at the very lowest

and saddest times in my life

This really bothered me, and I questioned the Lord about it.

“Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you,

You would walk with me all the way;

But I have noticed that during the

most troublesome times in my life,

There is only one set of footprints.

I don’t understand why in times when I

needed you the most, you should leave me.

The Lord replied, “My precious, precious

child. I love you, and I would never,

never leave you during your times of

trial and suffering.

When you saw only one set of footprints,

It was then that I carried you.

AIC Primary and Secondary Track and Field Champions 2025

Congratulations to both the Primary and Secondary Athletic teams who won their respective Track and Field Championships on Thursday and Friday at the AIC Athletic Championships at QEII. The Secondary team has now won 11 championships in a row, and the Primary team won its 5th consecutive title. On the day, there were 10 trophies to be won, and Marist College Ashgrove won all 10 trophies (age and Championship Trophies) - an unprecedented performance for the College. The secondary team won by 315.5 points and the primary team won by 76 points. I congratulate all boys, not only on their wonderful performances on the day, but also on the way they conducted themselves with great energy and commitment to the team whilst being humble and appreciative of their competitors. Special mention should be given to the following students and teams who broke AIC records: Aaron Doyle 12yrs 100m 12.65 (previous 12.74) and 4x100m Open relay 43.00 (previous 43.21).

My thanks are extended to all coaches of Athletics - Rob Martin (Head Coach), Richard Graham (Manager), Bill Prole, Peter Loli, Matt Millward, Molly Keir, Tom Dempsey, Tom Prole, Brendan Saunders, James Prole, Asher Parkin, Lee Martin, Josh Dempsey, Paul Knight, Isaac Roach, Anthony Sharp, Joel Drew, Tim Castley, Connor Duggan, Eric Brown and Des Davis. Well done Marist College Ashgrove Athletics 2025.

Br Peter Carroll

Marist College Ashgrove is pleased to announce that Br Peter Carroll – an Old Boy (1976) - has been announced as the Superior General of the Marist Brothers in Rome. He was elected on the 30th September. Essentially, he is now leading the Marist Brothers and their ministries throughout the world. On behalf of Marist College Ashgrove, we are certainly proud of your achievements and this announcement Peter, and be assured of many prayers, blessings and best wishes from Australia during your time of service. I have attached a letter from Richard Quinn, Executive Director - Association of St Marcellin Champagnat.

Br Peter Carroll Elected Superior General of the Marist Brothers.pdf

Year 5 and 6 Primary

The Year 5 and 6 boys continue their QDU debating competition this Thursday 16 October. We wish them well with their preparation and competition against neighboring primary schools throughout SE Brisbane. My thanks are extended to Jen Little and Robyn Brown for their preparation and coaching of the Year 5 and 6 primary boys in debating.

The Year 6 boys are invited to morning Mass on Wednesday 15 October in the Chapel of Our Lady and St Marcellin Champagnat. This is an opportunity for the boys to gather in unity, praying for each other in thanksgiving at the conclusion of their primary years of education. My thanks are extended to Clare Locke, Anthony Graham, the Year 6 teachers and Fr Alatini (College Chaplain) for their preparation and celebration of the Eucharist.

Marist College Ashgrove Awards Night

On Monday evening the 13 October, Marist College Ashgrove celebrated the year that was and recognised the achievements of our students with awards, held at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC). We congratulate all boys who received awards covering the holistic opportunities on offer at the college - academic, spiritual, leadership, sport, and cultural. I take this opportunity to congratulate the following Year 12 boys who won the time-honoured special and major annual awards.

Special Awards

The Marist Brothers Service Award – Benjamin Mead
The Father Tom Maloney Medal for Marist Ministry and Service – Matthew L’Enfant
Eric Law Award – Troydan Ross
The John Batty Memorial Trophy for All-Round Effort in School Life – Owen Hair
The Honourable Sam Brassington Trophy for Leadership – Xavier Howard
The Brother Cyprian Memorial Prize for Conspicuous Effort in Study – Benjamin Hartfiel
The Brother Harold Carlson Prize for Applied Vocational Studies – Timothy Tully
The Brother Andrew Memorial Prize for Third Aggregate in Year 12 – Aidan Phillips
The Thomas Foley Memorial Prize for Second Aggregate in Year 12 – Cullen Fitzgerald
Cameron Baird VC MG Memorial Award – Luke Rabie
The Lions Club Public Speaking Trophy Primary – Charles Mackay
The Lions Club Public Speaking Trophy Senior – Connor Campbell
The J.P. Buckley Cup for Public Speaking – Matthew Rowston
The Joseph Stephens Memorial Shield – Braidyn Polich

Major Awards

The Father Walter Cain Memorial Trophy for Contribution to College Mission – Lachlan Vink
The Parents and Friends Association Award for Creative Arts – Overall – George Pollard
The Des Ridley Memorial Cup for Sportsman of the Year – Joseph Cervetto
The Doctor Alban J Lynch Character Cup – Lachlan Vink
The Brother Terrace Heinrich Memorial Prize for First Aggregate in Year 12 - Max Gallagher

New Boarders Sleepover

Marist College Ashgrove looks forward to welcoming our new boarders for 2026 over the coming weekend, Friday 17 October – Sunday 19 October. This is a wonderful opportunity for the boys who are moving into boarding in 2026 to enjoy a weekend at the College, form new friendships and acquaint themselves with life in boarding. Thank you to the Assistant Head of College – Boarding, Mr Jim Noble and his staff for their organisation of this opportunity for our new boarders. We look forward to welcoming our new boarders in 2026.

Night on the Green

This Friday night, 17 October from 6:00pm–9:00pm, the Marist College Boarding School will be holding its annual ‘Night on the Green’. This event held on McMahon Oval is celebrated with the boarding girls from Stuartholme College. The night involves musical performances on stage and good food, all in a relaxed social environment, as a celebration and culmination of 2025. We look forward to the annual Night on the Green and extend our thanks to Blair Whitlock and the team from Gower Productions for making this event possible.

Head of College Tour

The final Head of College Tour for 2025 will be held this Friday 17 October from 8:45am- 12:00pm. The Head of College Tour includes an exploration of the facilities led by students, an address in the Draney Theatre, a light lunch and the opportunity to see and hear all that Marist College Ashgrove has to offer during a normal school functioning day. If you are aware of any family who are considering Marist College Ashgrove for the education of their child, please encourage them to save their place for Friday. My thanks are extended to Jake Toulson and Holly Stevenson who have organised this day and all the staff, and parent organisers and contributors.

CBSQ Junior Secondary Basketball

Best wishes to our junior secondary basketball team who will compete at the CBSQ Basketball Championships from Thursday 16 October - Sunday 19 October. These Championships are the top statewide school competition with our junior secondary team 1 consisting of Years 9-10 students, playing in Division 3 at the Coomera Sports Complex on the Gold Coast. My thanks are extended to Mr James Lymer and Ms Samantha Davids for accompanying the boys.

Marist School Australia Leaders Conference and Dinner

From Saturday 18 October – Monday 20 October, all student leaders from Marist schools throughout Queensland, Northern NSW and the Northern Territory will be gathering for the 2025 annual Student Leaders Conference. This is an opportunity for the student leaders of all Marist schools to plan, brainstorm and build new friendships and contacts ahead of their new leadership responsibilities in 2026. My thanks are extended to Phillipe Sanders-Agius, Justin Golding, MSA Senior Leader – National Youth Ministry and Formation and the team at Marist Schools Australia for their organisation and facilitation of this event.

Associated with the Leaders' Conference is the annual Marist Schools Australia Mass and Dinner. This dinner is an opportunity for the Executive Director of Marist Schools Australia, Dr Frank Malloy to meet and thank Marist educators from Queensland, the Northern Territory and Northern NSW. At this dinner, we will be recognising two long-standing members of staff for their contributions to Marist College Ashgrove - Mr Michael Connelly and Dr Andrew Butt. Congratulations to Michael and Andrew on this significant recognition.

Graduating Arts Exhibition and Awards Night

Best wishes to our senior Visual Art, Drama and FTV students whose creative talents will be on display through an exhibition of artwork, drama performances and film viewings. This annual event is to be held next Monday 20 October in the Draney Theatre and foyer, commencing at 6:00pm. It is always an enjoyable night and one to be proud of for our senior arts students as we recognise their artistic achievements and present them with various accolades and awards. My thanks are extended to - Ms Stacey Finch, Ms Rebecca Taylor, Mr Pierce Hardy and Ms Christine Larsen for organising and facilitating this event for the boys. To attend - RSVP by Friday 17 October via email: mcaart@marash.qld.edu.au.

42 for 42 Challenge

Thank you to Jake Platen (Boarding Leader) who escorted the year 10 boarders to join in on the 42 for 42 Challenge at Suncorp Stadium. This event supports the families of fallen Afghanistan veterans as well as those who have returned from active duty. Marist College partakes in this event on behalf of Old Boy, Ricky Milosevic. The Boarders completed their leg of the walk between 4.00am – 5.00am on Saturday in honour of Ricky. Congratulations gentlemen.

Walk for Awareness

Thanks to Pierce Hardy and Shane Ward who escorted our Year 6, 7 and 8 Boarders to join in on the Walk for Awareness on Sunday morning at Kangaroo Point - this supports the mental health charity which was started by two Marist College Old Boys Wesley and Tudor Vasile. It is the third year in a row that the boarders have participated in this 9km event – well done gentlemen.

Community Environmental Event

The Marist Environmental Group is hosting another community event next Saturday, 9 – 11am at the grandstand carpark. Please spread the word! We are collecting: 1. Ewaste to be properly recycled with the Brisbane City Council. 2. Still working stationery to be recycled with Stationery Aid. We will also be selling the natives we have been raising at the Science Greenhouse for $3.00 – $5.00: Powderpuff Lilly Pilly, Midgen Berry, Swamplilly and Ribbon plants. We hope to see you supporting this community event.

Creative Generation Excellence Award in Visual Arts

The Creative Generation Excellence Awards in Visual Art recognise and promote excellence in senior visual art education throughout Queensland state and non-state schools.

Since 1990, this program has helped raise community awareness of the degree of sophistication in concepts, diversity of technical competence, and the high standard of visual art education in Queensland secondary schools. Each year schools from around the state are invited to submit up to 4 entries of senior student artworks. This year Cooper Seeto in Year 12 was one of 40 Excellence Award winners, selected from more than 500 entries. His work will be on display at the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) from May – Aug 2026. Well done, Cooper. Special thanks to Christine Larsen for her support and guidance.

Formula High School Challenge

On Friday, the Formula Senior Boys racing team won the Formula High School Challenge - a convincing win, four laps ahead of their nearest rival. The team lapped the field and completed 114 laps before engine trouble; however, it was enough to secure the win. Due to their success the team have secured an invitation to have the car put on display at the Gold Coast 600 in 2 weeks. Thanks to teachers Andrew Devoy (Curriculum Leader – Technologies), AJ Gray, Peter Ward and Brian Dougherty for their support of the boys.

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