From the Head of College

Ensuring the inherent dignity of all through change, like AI

Br Darren Burge, Provincial of the Star of the Sea Province and Leader of the Marist Association of St Marcellin Champagnat recently reflected on the latest encyclical of Pope Leo XIV and the life and times of the founder of the Marist Brothers, St Marcellin Champagnat on whose feast day we celebrated on Saturday 6th June.  I share a summary of Brother Darren’s words with you - 

He commenced by explaining the context to which St Marcellin lived - born amidst the upheaval of the French Revolution, when political, social and economic change transformed every aspect of life and profoundly reshaped the relationship between the Church and society. Br Darren explained how this is like the change and disruption shaped by the technological revolution, especially the rise of artificial intelligence (AI). This change creates uncertainty and prompts deep questions about our lives, our world and where it is all leading.

Pope Leo XIV new encyclical Magnifica Humanitas focuses on safeguarding the human person in the era of technological change and the creation of AI. It is probably no surprise that Marcellin also had similar questions that Pope Leo today tries to ask through his encyclical: Where are we going? What kind of society are we building? What kind of people are we becoming?

The Holy Father makes it clear that technology is not inherently evil, but rather AI is a tool. The impact of AI depends entirely on those who create, control and use it. If left unchecked, AI can reduce people to data points, weaken relationships, distort truth and concentrate power in the hands of a few. The real challenge is what kind of society we choose to build with the emergence of AI. A similar comparison is Marcellin’s response during the French Revolution where he did not fear the future or resist progress, instead, he dedicated himself to forming young people who could navigate it with faith, wisdom, and courage. His answer to a changing world was an education grounded in the Gospel and centred on the dignity of every person. Marcellin’s vision of forming “good Christians and good citizens” remains especially relevant today. Similarly at Marist College Ashgrove, we aim to form whole persons - young people with strong minds, compassionate hearts, and the courage to use their gifts in service of others. 

Perhaps one of the most powerful sections of the encyclical is Pope Leo’s warning against measuring human worth solely through efficiency, productivity and usefulness. AI can unintentionally reinforce this mentality. It forces us to ask questions such as: What can this person produce? How efficient are they? What value do they add? AI risks creating a worldview in which people are valued primarily for what they can do rather than for who they are. Marcellin’s vision points us in a very different direction. Instead of asking what a young person can produce, Marcellin encourages us to ask: Who is this child? How can we help them flourish? How can we nurture their spiritual, emotional, social and intellectual growth and wellbeing? His famous saying that “to educate children well, we must love them and love them all equally” reminds us that every child possesses dignity long before they achieve, perform or succeed. 

Recognising the inherent dignity of every person also shapes how we build communities, fostering collaboration, participation and shared responsibility. The challenge in the years ahead will be ensuring that technology continues to strengthen communion rather than erode it. Our task is to ensure that technology serves our relationships and enriches our diversity rather than diminishing it. Technology at its best enables building human connection and serving human relationships. While technology has the power to unite, it also has the power to exclude, and the digital divide remains a significant concern but the core message and mission remain the same, whether it is post-French Revolution France or a world grappling with AI - to build a world where every person is known, valued and loved.

God of the journey, may all the young men and family members of Marist College Ashgrove continue to interpret the change in our world, including AI, through the eyes of your Gospel, ensuring the inherent dignity and love of all people. Amen. 

Cross Country Champions 2026

Congratulations to our AIC Cross Country team who were victorious at the Annual AIC Cross Country Championships held last Wednesday at Curlew Park, Shorncliffe. Our senior boys won the secondary aggregate shield by a decisive 10 points, placing first in the 15yrs, 16yrs and Opens age groups. Our Primary team were placed on equal points with Iona College having won the Year 5 Age Group, sharing the primary aggregate shield for 2026. Congratulations to all boys for their efforts last Wednesday and their commitment and dedication towards the program over the season! Thanks must be passed on to squad supervisors - Zac Milligan, Asher Parkin, Brendan Jansons, Brendan Saunders, Emmanuel Geu, Matt Pimm, Sasha Sofronoff, Ben Adams and co-ordinators - Marcus Schrader, John Lambourne and Matt Millward and finally, our Head Coach - Tom Prole, whose leadership and energy this season has been first class. Marist has now been victorious in six of the past seven AIC Cross Country Championships. Well done Marist on this fine achievement.

Examination Block: Years 7-10

Best wishes to all boys as they complete their final assignments and assessments for Semester One. This will lead into the final Exam Block for the semester which will be held from this Friday 12th June to Thursday 18th June. These assessments and examinations are very important, accounting for the majority component of their Term 2 assessment grades. I wish all boys the best of luck for their studies in preparation for these exams. I thank our generous and professional teachers who are preparing the boys for these exams, will set, correct and provide helpful feedback to each boy and his parents. Good luck, gentlemen in your all-important final studies and examinations for Semester One. 

School Officers’ Day

We acknowledge School Officers’ Day this Wednesday 10th June. I would like to express my sincere thanks for the many contributions made by our school officers every day at the College.  Your dedication, care, and quiet commitment underpin so much of what we do. In countless ways, often unseen, you support both staff and students, helping to create a community where people feel cared for, supported, and able to thrive. Quite simply, our college could not function as it does without you. Thank you for all that you do and for the difference you make in the lives of so many at Marist College Ashgrove. 

Champagnat Trust Marist Sports Lunch 2026

We look forward to the upcoming Champagnat Trust Marist Sports Lunch on Friday 12 June, a highlight on the College calendar. This special event, now sold out, is a fundraiser to raise money in support of means-tested bursaries we offer families who would not otherwise have been given the opportunity to enjoy a Marist education. We thank our supporters and sponsors for their continued enthusiasm and generosity in making this event so successful. We appreciate our Old Boy patrons Mr John Eales and Mr Matthew Hayden for their continued support. This year we welcome guests Fletcher and Hindmarsh, David Boon, Phil Waugh and Cooper Woods. May the spirit of St Marcellin Champagnat continue to permeate our college through this wonderful gift of education from our generous community. 

Super Saturday Sport

Our biggest supporters sporting event of the year is almost here—Super Saturday, 13 June. On Saturday, we welcome many Old Boys and Parents to the college for the last Football and Rugby game of the season, this year versus Padua College. The day also brings together two special occasions, Old Boys Reunion Day and our Boarding Family Fun Day, making it a true celebration of the Marist community. Saturday promises to be an outstanding day of school sport, community spirit, and celebration, featuring more than 60 rugby union and Football matches throughout the day. In the Firsts Competition our Rugby First XV team sits first on the competition table and our Football First XI sits second, one point in arrears of St Laurence’s College, making Saturday an exciting day.  Best wishes to our Chess teams who compete on the Friday prior, in the Cyprian Pavillion. We look forward to meeting many Old Boys and Parents on Saturday. Best wishes to all boys and their coaches for the final round of competition. 

Boarding Family Afternoon

We look forward to welcoming our boarding families to the Boarding Family Afternoon this Saturday 12th June. The Boarding Afternoon gathering will be held from 4.30pm following the First XV Rugby Game in a Marquee in the car park above McMahon Oval. This special gathering is a wonderful opportunity to connect, relax, and enjoy time together as part of our close-knit boarding community. We thank our boarding families for their ongoing support and look forward to a memorable afternoon. Thanks to Mr Jim Noble (Assistant Head of College – Boarding) and each of our Boarding Leaders, namely: Ty Casey (Year 11/12), Jake Platen (Year 10), David Finch (Year 9), Shane Ward (Year 8) and Pierce Hardy (Year 7). Thanks also to Meagan Loane (Director of Enrolments – Boarding & International) for her effort and support with boarding engagement and enrolments. I look forward to catching up with our boarding families on Saturday afternoon.

Champagnat and Service Awards

The College community gathered in the Champagnat Centre on Friday, 5th June for the Annual Champagnat Day Mass. At the conclusion of the liturgy, we proudly recognised and celebrated members of our community whose dedication and service exemplify the Champagnat spirit. We congratulate our 2026 Champagnat Award recipients:

• Student – James Milasas, a humble and service-oriented Year 12 student and boarder who quietly supports others, contributes wholeheartedly to college life, and embodies the Marist qualities of simplicity, modesty and a genuine love of work.
• Staff – Kathryn Badini, Head of English, whose tireless commitment to students through academic leadership, co-curricular involvement, immersion experiences and environmental initiatives reflects a deep dedication to Marist education.
• Community – Jane Wilcox, a long-serving and selfless parent volunteer who has led initiatives such as Marist Family Support and the Christmas Hamper Appeal, providing meaningful care and assistance to families in need.

We also acknowledged the following Service Award recipients:

Marist Service Awards

10 years of service to Marist Education:Laurence Boustead; James Boyce; Robyn Brown; Daniel Bull; Lena Crowley; Lucia Del Vecchio; Brian Dougherty; Meredith Howse; Brendan Jansons; Rachel Rainbird; Meaghan Round; Sanisa Sonsamrong; Scott Tarrant; Steven Thornely; Elizabeth Walsh; James Walton; Shane Ward and Julia Wilken

20 years of service to Marist Education:  

Dane Rowe and Damien Zoomers

25 years of service to Marist Education:  

Alison Barlow

Catholic Education Service Awards

10 years: Adrian Brown 

25 years: Paul Blinkhoff

30 years: Jim Midgley

35 years: Brendan Kiernan

Combined Marist and Catholic Education Service Awards

Bonita Gerry (10 years Marist; 25 years Catholic Education), Caroline Smith (20 years Marist; 30 years Catholic Education), David Brown (25 years Marist; 30 years Catholic Education)

Congratulations Champagnat and Service Award recipients 2026.

Change to Interhouse Athletics Carnival

Due to the Confraternity Shield and the need to prepare our ovals for this event to be held in the first week of the holidays, our Interhouse Athletics Carnival dates have been changed. Parents are welcome to attend on the following dates and for the following events:

Secondary Athletics - an adjusted carnival will be held on Friday 19th June, Week 10, Term 2. We will have a limited track schedule; however, the rest of the day remains the same. Further optional track events such as the 200m, 400m, 800m and 1500m will take place in Week 1, Term 3.  Primary Athletics will now be held on Thursday 16th July, Week 1, Term 3.

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

Upcoming Events

Tuesday 9 June

• Year 10 HPE - Biomechanics Excursion
• Tutoring - Specialist Maths, Maths Methods, Chemistry, Physics Middle Years Maths/Science
• Green Ash
• Study Hall – Senior Library
• Primary Morning Study
• House Meetings
• Year 11 HPE Golf - Driving Range and On Course

Wednesday 10 June

• School Officer Day
• Tutoring - English/Literature Extension, Economics, French, Chemistry, Study of Religion
• Community Mass - College Chapel (all welcome)
• Primary Morning Study
• College Assembly
• Mission Captains Meeting (Mission Office)
• Tutoring - Specialist Maths, Math Methods, Physics, Middle Years Maths

Thursday 11 June

• VET Industry Breakfast
• Study Hall – Senior Library
• Green Ash
• Primary Morning Study
• Primary Morning Assembly
• Break 1B Environment Group – Room 801
• Tutoring - English, Economics, Chemistry, Study of Religion, Middle Years Maths/ Science/English

Friday 12 June

• Champagnat Sports Lunch
• Year 11 Subject Change Deadline
• Years 7-10 Exam Block - starts
• State Honours Ensemble Program - Brisbane
• Year 12 Sport and Recreation - Mountain Biking
• Primary Morning Study
• AIC Chess Round 7 v Padua College
• All Abilities Rugby

Saturday 13 June

• Super Saturday
• Old Boys Reunion
• Boarding Family Afternoon
• Rugby Union and Football Photos
• AIC Rugby Union and Football - Round 7 v Padua College

Sunday 14 June

• School of Rock Rehearsal – Draney Theatre
• Boarder Mass

Monday 15 June

• Years 7-10 Exam Block - continues
• Photos - Draney Theatre Foyer: 1st VI Volleyball, 1st XI Football, 1st XV Rugby Union, Term 1 and 2 1st Team Captains
• Primary Morning Study
• Primary Morning Assembly
• Environment Group Meeting - Break 1B
• Rosies Outreach

Tuesday 16 June

• Year 10 HPE - Biomechanics Excursion
• Tutoring - Specialist Maths, Maths Methods, Chemistry, Physics Middle Years Maths/Science
• Green Ash
• Study Hall – Senior Library
• Primary Morning Study
• House Meetings
• Year 11 Sport and Recreation
• Timor-Leste Immersion Commissioning

Wednesday 17 June

• Tutoring - English/Literature Extension, Economics, French, Chemistry, Study of Religion
• Community Mass - College Chapel (all welcome)
• Primary Morning Study
• Year 11 Sport and Recreation
• Mission Captains Meeting (Mission Office)
• Tutoring - Specialist Maths, Math Methods, Physics, Middle Years Maths

Thursday 18 June

• Study Hall – Senior Library
• Green Ash
• Primary Morning Study
• Primary Morning Assembly
• Environment Group – Room 801 - Break 1B 
• Tutoring - English, Economics, Chemistry, Study of Religion, Middle Years Maths/ Science/English

Friday 19 June

• Interhouse Athletics Carnival
• Vinnies Winter Sleepout
• FQ School Futsal Championships U15
• Primary Morning Study
• All Abilities Rugby
• Years 9 and 10 Parent Function

Saturday 20 June

• Rugby League/Tennis/Basketball Trials

Sunday 21 June

• Boarder Mass