From the Head of College

Mr Michael Newman

To Face the Way of the Cross

As we enter the season of Lent, we are challenged to face the cross, i.e., to die to our own surplus wants, selfishness and sinfulness and be renewed to focus on the needs of our fellow sisters and brothers. We don’t need any reminder of the requirement to focus on the needs of others when we see the present difficulties life has thrown upon many people during the recent Cyclone Alfred weather event. Let us pray together for those who are struggling, post this natural disaster.

Pope Francis too, is facing his own cross with his personal health. Thankfully, after much struggling, he has moved to a stable condition in recent days. His prayer – ‘Way of the Cross’ reminds us of this Lenten season theme - to reach out this Lent in love and compassion to our brothers and sisters in need, rather than worrying about our own desires and surplus wants. I share Pope Francis’ reflection with you -

Way of the Cross

Lord Jesus, help us to see in your Cross all the crosses of the world: the cross of people hungry for bread and for love; the cross of people alone and abandoned even by their children and kin; the cross of people thirsty for justice and for peace; the cross of people who lack the comfort of faith; the cross of the elderly who struggle under the weight of years and of loneliness; the cross of migrants who find doors closed in fear and hearts armored by political calculations; the cross of little ones, wounded in their innocence and their purity; the cross of humanity that wanders in the darkness of uncertainty and in the obscurity of temporary culture; the cross of families split by betrayal, by the seductions of the evil one or by homicidal levity and selfishness; the cross of consecrated people who tirelessly seek to bring your light into the world and feel rejected, derided and humiliated; the cross of consecrated people who, along the way, have forgotten their first love; the cross of your children who, while believing in you and seeking to live according to your word, find themselves marginalised and rejected even by their families and their peers; the cross of our weaknesses, of our hypocrisy, of our betrayals, of our sins and of our many broken promises; the cross of your Church that, faithful to your Gospel, struggles to spread your love even among the baptised themselves; the cross of the Church, your Bride, that feels constantly assailed from within and without; the cross of our common home that is gravely withering before our selfish eyes, blinded by greed and by power.

Lord Jesus, revive in us the hope of resurrection and of your definitive victory over all evil and all death.

Pope Francis

May all members of the Marist College Ashgrove family look forward with hope in the resurrection, as we face the struggles of the cross each day. This Lenten season, as we struggle to break our personal bonds of selfishness, let us turn our energies toward our fellow sisters and brothers in need. Amen.

Changes of Dates due to Cyclone Alfred and Weather event

New date for the AIC Swimming Championships – Friday 21 March 4:15pm - 8:00pm at the Sleeman Centre, Chandler.

New date for Year 6 Retreat Leadership Day – Monday 2 June

Year 8 Pastoral Days – postponed until later in the year – date to follow

Assessments (including exam blocks) – which have been impacted by the closure of the College will be adjusted and communicated later today via email and posted on the Parent Portal. Any extenuating circumstances preventing students from completing assessments within these adjustments will require the students to follow the normal procedure and apply via the Academic Care Team for any further extensions.

NAPLAN

My best wishes are extended to all students in Years 5, 7 and 9 who will be undertaking the 2025 National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) starting next week. NAPLAN is a point of time test of your son’s aptitude in literacy and numeracy. NAPLAN assesses the literacy and numeracy skills that students are learning through the school curriculum and allows parents to see how their child is progressing against national proficiency standards. For the college, it is a good indication of a student’s progress assisting our understanding of what skills our students are achieving and what skills they require further instruction thus, directing our future planning and teaching. The literacy examinations include – Writing, Spelling, Grammar and Punctuation and Reading. There is one numeracy test. The new dates for these tests, following the aftermath of Cyclone Alfred, are as follows:

Writing – Monday 17 March

Reading – Tuesday 18 March

Conventions of Language - Wednesday 19 March

Numeracy – Thursday 20 March

My best wishes gentlemen and thank you to our generous and professional teachers who will accompany the students undertaking these tests. I ask all parents to have their sons well-rested, with a nourishing breakfast prior to these tests. Good luck gentlemen.

Blue and Gold Concert

The annual Blue and Gold Concert will be held on Thursday 13 March in the Draney Theatre. This high-class Marist College Ashgrove music concert will include performances by: Wind Orchestra 1 (Woodwind, Brass, and Percussion), and Symphony Orchestra and Chorus (Strings, Woodwind, Brass, Percussion, male and female voices). The concert will feature a variety of performances by current students, as well as several large-scale works that include both students and members of the college community.

We very much look forward to the Blue and Gold Concert.

My thanks are extended to Dr Andrew Butt (Program Leader – Co-Curricular Arts), Mr Alex Hides and the entire music department for organising and leading these performances. Tickets can be purchased via this link.

Year 11 Parent Function

One of the highlights of each year group is the opportunity for parents to meet and enjoy each other’s company. The Parents and Friends Association have organised a Year 11 parent function to be held at the Cyprian Pavilion this Friday 14 March. This is a great opportunity for Year 11 parents to come together, share common interests, enjoy a drink and some nice food in confraternity and to hear the latest news on your son’s cohort. Tickets can be purchased from this link. My thanks are extended to Jane Wilcox, Michelle Lawson, Jennie Nowers, Donna Lynn, Kate Zanre, Rebecca Sluarski, Daisy and Michael O’Keeffe, Jo Garbellini and Sophie Tuffley for their organisation and facilitation and to Rhys Quan-Sing and Juan Porras Monroy for their hospitality. I look forward to seeing parents on Friday.

Data Update

ACARA collects student background data to estimate ICSEA (the Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage) and SEA (Socio-Educational Advantage) quarters to identify statistically similar students for reporting NAPLAN results fairly on the My School website. The current collection period for schools is up until 14 April 2025.

So that our data is as accurate as possible, we would ask all parents to review their background details (Languages other than English at Home, School Education, Non-School Education and Occupation Group) and ensure it is accurate and up to date.

Updates can be made through either the Parent Lounge or the Parent Orbit app.

For parent background data updates please click on:

Student Details>General Details>MCEECDYA Details

In anticipation of any further accurate updates, thank you.

Brisbane University Showcase

Boys in Years 10, 11 and 12 will have the opportunity to participate in the Brisbane University Showcase before school on Thursday Morning in the Draney Centre. This will be followed by a Year 12 Presentation from 8:30am-9:15am. Students not intending to go in University will be required in the library. This showcase will provide much helpful information for our senior boys interested in a university pathway post school. I encourage all boys to have an open mind to all these tertiary possibilities and their future beyond the College.

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