From the Head of College

Mr Michael Newman

Journeying in 2025

On Thursday, as part of their orientation tour, I invited each Year 5 class with their teacher to meet with me and tour the Tower. They explored the reception, function room and board room - where they were told all the decisions are made! - and my office. Their eyes were wide open with excitement and discovery. They were given a bookmark with the statue of St Marcellin Champagnat – founder of the Marist Brothers and spirit of our college. This same statue stands at the Vatican opposite the Pope’s residence. I told the Year 5 boys how the Pope explained to the Marist Brothers that he sees the statue of St Marcellin Champagnat each morning on the way to breakfast and says a prayer to him. The boys then had a chance to ask me questions – “What is my favourite meal?” “How do I like my steak cooked?” and “Are you fine with me taking over as Principal when you are finished?” One boy even pointed out to me a historical photo on the wall that showed the first ever assembly of students that had occurred on the same day – 30 January 1940, some 85 years ago! One boy exclaimed, “That’s today sir!” It was wonderful to see these inquisitive, enthusiastic and excited young men, full of anticipation for a future of Marist education.

In this same enthusiastic and inquisitive spirit, we enter into our theme for 2025 - “Pilgrims of Hope”. This is the same theme launched by the Catholic Church in this, the Jubilee Year. The Jubilee Year usually occurs in the modern era every 25 years, offering each of us a personal invitation – the door being opened to accept new ways of living and new relationships. As our Assistant Head of College Mission - Anna Nasr explained in the newsletter last week, Pope Francis opened the doors of St Peter’s Basilica in Rome this year, signifying the welcome to all pilgrims (of hope) who are journeying to seek the mercy and forgiveness of God. The destination of our journey is important but also the journey of encounters with God and others along the way, in often unexpected and surprising places, leading us to hope.

God of the journey, may all members of the Marist College family, enter this Jubilee Year in anticipation and as pilgrims journeying in hope through your gracious love and mercy. Amen.

College Mass

The celebration of the Eucharist is fundamental to a Catholic school. We are very fortunate to have our own College Chaplain – Fr Alatini Kolofo’ou (sm) who celebrates the Eucharist with us throughout the year. During each week, the boys can attend mass in the Chapel of Our Lady and St Marcellin on a Monday at 11:40am, Wednesday at 8:00am and Friday at 11:40am. Weekly, the boarding students will attend mass usually at 6:00pm on a Sunday evening – times can change due to long weekends etc. All boys are encouraged and welcome to attend.

Boarder Parent Network Meeting

All boarding parents covering the areas of NSW, Queensland, Northern Territory, Tasmania and overseas are welcome to join us online for the first parents meeting for 2025. This Boarder Parent Network Meeting is an opportunity for our families to meet via technology to discuss issues prevalent to their sons in the boarding school. I thank our Chair - Mrs Susan Shay, who organises, facilitates and specifies the agenda at these meetings. The Assistant Head of College Boarding - Mr Jim Noble, and I will be active participants at the meeting. This online meeting will be held on Wednesday 5 February at 5:00pm. I look forward to meeting as many boarding families online as possible.

Years 11 and 12 Parent Information Night

This Monday 10th February, all parents in Years 11 and 12 are invited to join their sons for the annual parent information evening to be held in the Draney Theatre. This evening is important to gain a thorough understanding of the academic program, expectations and rules around undertaking a senior pathway of study. This includes those boys undertaking an ATAR pathway or a Vocational Education Pathway. I highly recommend the participation of all parents and boys – the information sessions will be as follows –

Year 11 - 6:00pm to 7:00pm

Year 12 - 7:00pm. To 8:00pm

The evening will also explore careers and a suitable study/life balance for each boy.

Year 11 Presentation – Brent Saunders

This Thursday, 6th February, Brent Saunders will be presenting to our Year 11 students his Life Choices for Young Men course. This presentation covers the important topics of: consent, taking responsibility for yourself and your actions, life choices and the importance of respect and self-discipline. The course also includes an in-depth discussion around sexual assault, indecent assault, and respect within relationships.

The key elements of the presentation will be wrapped up in powerful, hard-hitting real-life stories and analogies.

Brent is one of Australia’s most respected communicators in the field of workplace harassment, bullying and discrimination. He also presents lectures throughout Australia on sexual crime, criminal profiling and personal safety in senior secondary schools and universities. My thanks are extended to members of our Student Welfare team - Mr Phillip Holding (Assistant Head of College – Students) and Pastoral Leaders - Mr Tim Walker and Mr Gareth Kolkenbeck-Ruh for organising this important presentation.

Student Monitoring – Years 7 and 8

Our boys from Years 7 and 8 will engage in Student Monitoring over the coming week. Parents are invited to review their child's academic goals for the term, which have been entered into our Learning Analytics Program on their school computer. The boys will have the opportunity to discuss these with their Pastoral Group teachers over the next fortnight. I encourage parents to understand and discuss these goals together with their son, so as to collectively support and motivate him toward achieving his academic milestones. My thanks to Mrs Leigh Jackson (Assistant Head of College Learning and Teaching – Middle Years), Mr Ashley Hutchings (Middle School - Academic Care), Ms Kathryn Badini (Senior School – Academic Care) and for their organisation and facilitation of this important academic initiative.

AIC Sport Commences

This Thursday 6th February, the AIC Sporting Competition commences with an Ecumenical Service, hosted by Villanova College in their College Chapel. Our senior leaders will be joining students from other AIC schools for this prayerful gathering to launch the season. Mr Derek Lennon (Head of Sport) and I will join the boys for this service.

Round 1 of Term 1 AIC sports will commence this weekend 7th and 8th February. Swimming and AFL will be held on Friday evening, with Cricket and Volleyball being held on Saturday. Round one fixtures are versus Iona College. Throughout Term 1, fixtures will be home and away so please check Parent Orbit for details. Week 1 vs Iona College is a home game, meaning we are hosting the First teams at Marist College Ashgrove and our home venues.

A reminder to all participants, coaches and spectators (parents, family members and friends) of the AIC Code of Conduct expectations. I state them below as a minimum standard of expectation for Marist College Ashgrove.

AIC Code of Conduct

Marist College Ashgrove and the AIC are committed to providing a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment for students, staff and community members. Expectations for players, coaches, officials and spectators are very clear in the AIC Code of Conduct. Everyone in the community should be aware of their obligations and expectations in line with this code.

The Code of Conduct is available on the AIC website as well as on the individual sports pages in the College App.

Expectations

Fellowship Expectations

Be welcoming to everyone and treat them with the greatest levels of respect, protecting the rights, dignity and worth of every person regardless of their gender, ability/disability, sexual orientation, cultural background, or religion.

Be welcoming

By having opposing captains meet before each game.
Acknowledge opposition before and after the game - handshake and thanks.
Coaches and officials meet before and after the game.
College captains or leaders meet before cheering commences.
Host colleges welcome opposition and show them to their allocated seating.
Host colleges allocate defined seating positions for student spectators.
Providing adequate and designated staff supervision.

Be respectful

To the good name and values of your College and the AIC, in all your interactions.
To the integrity of AIC sport and the paramount importance that fellowship, and human dignity plays in healthy competition.
Of referees, officials, and their decisions.
By always acknowledging positive acts of sportsmanship, discouraging all instances of foul or illegal play.
By always communicating positively, including social media before and after games.
Of the venue by leaving it tidy and following all directions of the venue official.
Of the AIC behaviour standards - this includes parents, coaches, officials, and players.

Code of Behaviour - Parents and Spectators

Fundamental to the AIC, is our belief in inclusion and fellowship. This means that as a parent, or a spectator you are welcoming to everyone and treat them with the greatest levels of respect, protecting the rights, dignity and worth of every person regardless of their gender, ability/disability, sexual orientation, cultural background, or religion. As a parent/guardian of a student who will be representing their college and playing under the auspices of AIC, you play an important role in upholding the values of the AIC and the College that your son attends.

Parents and spectators need to demonstrate the following behaviours regarding their conduct during any AIC sporting activity:

Be welcoming of other competitors and spectators and always model respectful interactions.
Respect referees and officials' decisions and teach your son to do likewise.
Remember that your son participates in sport for their own enjoyment.
Remember that this is a schoolboy game, and all coaches and match officials are volunteers.
Show appreciation for the coaches and teachers - including the opposing team. Without them, your son could not participate.
Encourage your son to participate, do not force them. Focus on your son's efforts rather than his performance or the result of the game.
Remember that all correspondence around sport should be respectful and appropriate, and directly through your son's College.
Never ridicule or yell at your son and other boys for making a mistake.
Be a positive role model. Remember that boys learn best by example. Appreciate good performance and skilful play by all participants.

AIC events are not an appropriate space/venue for matters involving family disputes. This includes ensuring all parties follow appropriate court orders around visitation and attendance at activities.

The AIC supports all efforts to remove poor behaviour from sporting events. In the event that a parent feels the need to notify the AIC of inappropriate behaviour, they should firstly notify the venue official/College representative at the venue. Following this, any complaint should be then directed to their son's College's Head of Sport or the appropriate member of the College Leadership Team.

Old Boys AGM

The Old Boy’s Association is a group within the College that offers its services to enhance positive outcomes for students. Membership is open to any Old Boy. The Old Boy’s Association financially supports some of our boarding students, creates links with present students and offers events for old boys including young and more senior reunions. The AGM of the Old Boy’s Association will be held on Tuesday 11 February. All Old Boys are welcome to attend. Further dates of Old Boys meetings and events can be found in the College calendar and on the Old Boys Facebook page.

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