From the Head of College

Mr Michael Newman

Enlightening Perspectives

When visiting my little brother in hospital, my mother, in desperation and grief, prayed, and promised God that she would say the rosary every day if her critically ill son recovered from Meningitis. To the doctor’s amazement, he did and her perspective, faith and the way she viewed the world changed at that very moment.

In recent weeks, a police officer picked up a little girl into his arms and asked her, “What’s your name?” She replied, “My name is Cleo.” And with those words, ended an 18-day search for a four-year-old girl who disappeared from her family’s tent at a campsite near Carnarvon in Western Australia. Detective Sergeant Cameron Blaine, one of the officers who found Cleo, said it was the best moment of his career. A moment he will never forget. The way he perceived life had changed forever.

Some people talk of such moments of trial and adversity as providential; others call them faith-filled moments whilst some might say, they are just part of life’s journey. One thing is for certain, we will all be faced with incredibly difficult moments throughout our lives. Death, loneliness, failure, rejection, divorce, illness, unemployment, and the like will confront all of us at one moment or another. These experiences require a resilience to endure, courage to take on and sometimes, time to heal.

In Sunday’s readings, we reflect on the apocalyptic ‘end of days’. We can view this, not as the end of the world but as an end to these challenging days. Through our ‘little deaths’ faced in life, we can develop a change in perspective and growth of our own faith. All of these ‘little deaths’ may pose challenges and cause great pain, but viewed through the lens of God, can lead us to new growth, new life and hope, even new and enduring perspectives. Through these ‘little deaths’, new life comes.

“Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.” (Psalm 15(16):5,8-11)

God of the journey, continue to walk lovingly with the Marist College family to enlighten our perspectives. Amen.

End of Year Examinations

Best wishes to all boys as they commence their end of year examinations this week. Our Primary boys are completing assessments and exams in class. Year 7-9 commenced exams on Monday and the Year 10-11 boys commence their exam block today (Tuesday). There will be no exams on Friday due to graduation. A reminder to the Year 10-11 boys to wear their full school uniform appropriately for these exams and to travel and from home directly. Best wishes to all boys with their study and preparation for these exams both at home and school. Good luck, gentlemen.

Final Invitation - Marist College Ashgrove Christmas Appeal

The Marist College Ashgrove Christmas Appeal, which supports St Vincent de Paul and the Downs & West Community is running from Monday, 25 October until Friday, 12 November. Students and staff are encouraged to donate to this appeal by providing a gift card or donating via ‘Monitor’. Preferred gift cards are Coles (not Coles-Myer), Woolworths Essentials (not Wish), IGA and Bunnings.

To donate via ‘Monitor’ please follow this link: http://bit.ly/MCA-FR

Your generous donations are appreciated to support those less fortunate. All money and gift cards will be distributed to our local conference St Vincent de Paul Charities who will distribute to those people most in need, this Christmas. In anticipation, thank you.

Boarding Parents Dinner

We welcome back to the College all our Year 12 boarding parents, as they join their son for a final meal at what has been his home for the past 6 or less years – Marist College Ashgrove. Boarding parents certainly make a huge commitment, both emotionally and financially, to educate their boys at a College often hundreds and even thousands of kilometres from their homes. We certainly feel a great sense of responsibility for the trust you place in us to care for and educate your sons. This dinner is our chance to celebrate both with your son and with you for this very significant commitment and partnership over your time here at the College. I look forward to thanking and celebrating with you all personally on Thursday 18 November at 5:30pm in the Champagnat Centre.

Graduation Ceremonies

It is that joyful, and yet, sad time, where we farewell our seniors of 2021, as they leave us for life beyond the gates of Marist College Ashgrove. I am sure the Marist boys are ready and well prepared. We thank the Year 12 men for their commitment to all aspects of their schooling and the way they have led the student body throughout 2021. This Friday 19 November, we will celebrate with them during their final College Graduation Mass at 10:00am, morning tea, guard of honour (11:30pm), oval celebration (12:30pm) and concluding with the Graduation Dinner at the Brisbane Convention Centre at 6:00pm. Well done and God’s blessing, Year 12 graduands of 2021.

Final School Day of the Year

A reminder that the final day of the academic year is Thursday 25 November. Students are expected to attend school on this day up until 3:10pm. Post examinations, these final days of term are important classes to provide feedback for learning from the various assessments and examinations undertaken at the end of term. If there is an urgent need for an early exit, students are required to obtain an early exit form from the Studies Office and have it signed by their teachers, Acting Head of Students (Mr Adam Knight) and Deputy Head of College (Mr Bruce McPhee). At Thursday’s assembly, we will be celebrating the International Day for an end to all violence against women, a most important topic for all boys to be cognisant with.

Primary Mass

This Wednesday 17 November at 8:00am, the College invites all primary students, staff, and families to join us in the College Chapel for the final Mass of the year. The Mass celebrated by our College Chaplain, Fr Alatini Kolofo’ou is an opportunity to pray in thanks for the year that was and to ask God’s blessing on a safe and refreshing Christmas holiday for all. I hope that members of the primary school can join with us on Friday.

Queensland Ballet’s Performance of Dracula

Congratulations to Aidan Phillips (8S) who has secured a role in Queensland Ballet’s Performance of Dracula. Dracula is playing from 24 November to 4 December at the QPAC’s Lyric Theatre. Great job Aidan! We wish Aidan all the very best for his upcoming performances.

Australian Honours Ensemble Program

In the September holidays, Samuel Mead was given the opportunity to participate in the Australian Honours Ensemble Program (AHEP) - Vocal Ensemble. Facilitated by the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, this program gives students across Australia the opportunity to come together to excel in their chosen instrument at an advanced level under the direction of nationally acclaimed conductors and accompanists. Well done, Samuel!

Qld Track and Field Merit Team Selection

In the absence of an Australian Schools Championships for 2021, Queensland Athletics have recognised the performances of those who competed at the Queensland All Schools in what has been another challenging year for our school athletes.

Congratulations to the following students on their selection in the QLD Track and Field Merit Team. Athletes who have been named in this team also receive an automatic qualifier as part of the Queensland team to the Australian Junior Athletics Championships.

Lee Martin - Gold Medal 15 Year Shot Put (15.95m), Bronze in 15 Years Javelin (52.16m-national qualifier)
James Prole - 15 Years 800m Silver Medal 2.02.95
Isaac Roach - 15 Years 800m Bronze Medal 2.03.15
Tom Prole - 17 Years 800m Bronze Medal 1.58.95
Daniel Drew - 17 Years 110m Hurdles Bronze Medal (15.2s)
Jonah Miles – 14 Years Javelin Silver Medal (45.93m)
Elliot Aldridge – 14 Years Discus Bronze Medal (45.91m)

Congratulations to all boys for their selection to the Queensland All Schools Merit Team and best wishes with your training and preparation for the Australian Junior Championships in 2022.

Year 7 Immunisations

The Year 7 Immunisation Program will conclude on Tuesday 23 November where the boys will receive their HPV immunisation. Girls and boys aged up to 19 can receive two doses of the HPV vaccine free of charge as part of the National HPV Vaccination Program. These vaccinations are routinely given in school-based programs at age 12–13. Thank you to Adam Knight (Acting Head of Students) and Kelly Byrnes (Personal Assistant to the Head of Students) for arranging this immunisation program for the boys. The immunisations will be administered in the Draney Theatre during periods 1 and 2.

The Des Connor Oval (‘Flats’)

The following was contained in the Term 2 Week 3 Newsletter. As a reminder to all members of the Marist College family, the new fencing and signage will be undertaken around the College flats and leading to the ‘Tower’ over the holidays.

Marist College is blessed to have seven fully-functioning ovals on the school site. Not to mention, the many tennis, cricket, swimming, basketball and gym facilities that are also available on College grounds. These are wonderful facilities and allow our boys to move quickly from their studies to sport each morning and afternoon. Further, they enable all parents to do one simple drop-off and pick-up each day. Thank you to the Marist Brothers for having the foresight to purchase this large expanse of land for the College and to the many parents and friends of the College who have laboured to make these ovals and amenities enjoyable to all who use them today.

The Des Connor Ovals (‘The Flats’) provide an excellent playing surface for the boys. In the past two years, the College has greatly improved the drainage and surfaces of these ovals at a significant expense (to the College). These beautiful ovals and surrounds also double for the wider Ashgrove community to use at their leisure. The College feels proud to enable this partnership with the local community to take place.

Marist College will continue to maintain these ovals including an upgrade of signage and fencing that will occur in future weeks. However, I do wish to remind all community members who use these ovals, that they do so at their own risk and the College asks, that as a courtesy and requirement, any businesses who do use these ovals, to please contact the College prior, so as to check insurance and organise any other arrangements. It is not appropriate for outside businesses to profit from the free use of any Marist College ovals, including the Des Connor Ovals. We trust that the Des Connor Ovals will always be an opportunity for Marist College to maintain close links with the local community but at the same time, we must also ensure the safety of the ovals and that the use of these ovals remain beneficial to our College and primarily, our students.

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