From the Head of College

Mr Michael Newman

Do What you truly believe is Right to Bring About Positive Change

At some stage or another, we have all had to stand-up for what we believe is right at the risk of being labelled different, strange, ignorant, or controversial. Being authentic to what we believe is central to our character. Being true to ourselves and someone who lives and stands strongly by what they believe to be true, is not easy. Living and witnessing to that which you believe is just and faithful is especially difficult when public opinion moves against you. Sunday’s Gospel (Luke 4:21-30) reminds us strongly of this dilemma as Jesus was rejected by his own people when he proclaimed ideas they didn’t want to hear and were counter to their own world and beliefs… “All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill…to throw him off the cliff. But he walked right through the crowd and went on his way.”

One of the most anticipated announcements annually is the Australian of the Year. In 2022, the award was given to Dylan Alcott. Dylan was born with a tumour wrapped around his spinal cord which was removed successfully at a young age, but left him a paraplegic. Today, Dylan is a fine example of someone who has challenged the status quo by standing up for what he believes in to influence change and bring about justice and equity. He retells his story of initially playing wheel-chair tennis in front of an empty stadium with some five people at his first Australian Open. At the time, the popularity of this sport showed it was seemingly, never going to work. How many people were really going to go with this noble ideal? In his efforts to change people’s perceptions and open opportunities for sportspeople with a disability, he faced much cynicism and belittling. However, he has always remained steadfast in his campaign to make wheel-chair tennis on par with mainstream tennis. “For every one idiot to give you a hard time, there are 10,000 others worth your time.” Last Friday, Dylan Alcott played in front of a packed arena and a further 2.1 million viewers on TV. He explained that his reasons for training incessant hours to perfect his game and to win the 4 majors in one calendar year and a singles Paralympic gold medal, "Is not to win tennis tournaments; it's to change perceptions so people with disabilities can live their lives the way they deserve to live.” After being named Australian of the Year, he commented, "to be named Australian of the Year and to get it for not just being good at tennis, but for my work off the court … my purpose 10 years ago, yesterday, today and as Australian of the Year, it's never changed.” Dylan Alcott is certainly respected as a tennis player, but most importantly, he remained true to his beliefs and as a result, has transformed the landscape for those who live and those who play sport with a disability. I think we would all agree he is courageous, extremely giving and a most worthy recipient of our national award.

God of the journey, bestow upon each member of the Marist College family the gift of courage to be authentic and live out what we truly believe to be right. Then, embrace each one of us as we stand up for that which we believe is good, fulfilling, right and just, even when our actions challenge the norm. Amen.

Online Learning Commences – Years 8-12

Well done to our Year 8-12 students who have commenced online learning in such a positive manner this week. Our teachers report most positive engagement and commitment. Well done boys, and thank you to all parents for your ongoing support. The online learning follows our normal school timetable. We look forward to face-to-face teaching and learning at the College from next Monday 7 February. My thanks to our generous and professional teaching staff.

COVID-19 Update

All families should have received a personal letter update yesterday on Marist College Ashgrove’s response to the latest ‘return to school plan’ presented by the State Government. I ask all members of the Marist College Family to please follow this response. Each week in the newsletter, I will provide details of any COVID-19 cases being managed and the latest expectations and guidelines as directed through Queensland Health. I thank you all for your understanding and care for each other during this difficult and uncertain time. Let us all stay healthy and safe, as we continue to be considerate of one another.

Welcome Non-Teaching Staff

Marist College Ashgrove is a large enterprise with some 500 full-time, part-time and casual staff employed. We welcome the following newly appointed non-teaching members of staff. You are very welcome to the Marist College Ashgrove Family.

Kevin Berry – Head of IT, Willem Baines, Dan Cranitch, Joshua Dennis, Josephine Gracey, Isaiah Locke, Braydon O’Sullivan, Angus Sutherland, Nicholas Joy, Nick Lynch – Boarding Supervisors, Kieran Donnelly – Archivist, Nimmi Jose – Laboratory Technician, Genevieve Long – Psychologist, Samuel Permal – Payroll Officer, Elizabeth Valer – Laboratory Manager and Cheryl King – Student Administration Officer/Student Absentees.

I trust that you feel welcome and settle in well to the exciting and active place that is Marist Ashgrove. Best wishes and enjoy!

Round 1 – 1st Cricket and Volleyball

Best wishes to our 1st XI Cricketers and 1st VI Volleyballers who commence their competition matches versus St Laurence’s College this Saturday 5 February. Cricket will be played at St Laurence’s fields and volleyball will be at Marist. We wish the boys well after trials versus Iona College on Saturday. I thank our Head of Sport, Mr Derek Lennon and the co-ordinators and coaches, Mr Mitch Reid and Mr Chris Hynes (cricket) and Mr Adam Knight and Mr Kiall Rudder (volleyball) respectively, for their efforts preparing the boys these past two weeks.

The Importance of Reading the Newsletter Each Week

The weekly newsletter is the most informative source of communication at the College. I remind parents of the importance of reading the Head of College section of the newsletter each week. This section will provide information about upcoming events, changes, decisions, expectations, invitations, and achievements at the College over the year. Reading the newsletter weekly will keep you informed and involved in all that Marist has to offer. Failure to read the newsletter weekly can lead to misunderstandings and frustrations for you and your family.

Other sections of the newsletter are also very informative – from the Deputy Principal news, curriculum matters, spiritual reflections, opportunities for your son, caring for the welfare of all boys, primary and boarding news, sport, finance, culture, and community events. I encourage all parents to read these matters, or at very least, those which apply to you and your son directly. Good communication is only as good as those who are open to receive it. Marist’s fullest source of communication is the newsletter, followed by letters, emails, other social media devices and publications, which contain snippets of this information. As always, thank you for the positive way you engage in all matters of the College for your sons.

Drugs and Vaping

No doubt you are aware of the public concerns surrounding young people and vaping. The Courier Mail has just published a series of articles around this problem in the week of 7 January 2022. It is for the reasons of safety and duty of care, that Marist prohibits the use of vaping at the College or in College uniform or associated events. This is a similar stance to drugs. I have no doubt that parents send their son to the College with the expectation that their son is safe and not exposed to vaping or drugs. Marist College Ashgrove proactively educates boys around the dangers of vaping and drugs in class and during assemblies and following this, takes a strong practical stance prohibiting there use for the safety of all boys at the College. I refer you to the article by the Deputy Head of College, Mr Bruce McPhee, in this week’s newsletter, for further details and explanation.

Uniform Expectations upon Return

I remind all parents of the letter I sent at the end of last year regarding expectations with the manner in which the boys wear their uniform each day at the College and to and from school. Boys are always expected to wear their uniform fully and appropriately. I direct you to the article by the Head of Students, Mr Peter Serone, in this newsletter which outlines again the clear uniform instructions that were contained in this letter. I thank all parents who continue to ensure their son is dressed in the correct, well-fitted and full College attire.

Attire Representing the College

Boys in Years 5-10 can borrow blazers from Administration when representing the College at the instruction of their respective teachers. Blazers can be borrowed on any day, to be returned clean on the following day at no personal cost to families. Boys can wear their winter uniforms and ties with these blazers. This may include for representative duties including such events as – debating, chess and when representing at external dinners and functions with dignitaries – e.g. Parliament House. We trust that being able to borrow these blazers will assist all families financially and enable our boys to dress at a standard more commensurate with students from other state and private schools.

Boarding Students Return

Our boarding College is excited to be welcoming back to Marist all boys for the start of the academic year from Saturday. All new boys will return Saturday 5 February, followed by an information session and individually prepared meals in the John Eales Grandstand. Our existing returning boarders return on Sunday 6 February. Unfortunately, the afternoon tea to follow has been cancelled due to the new COVID-19 restrictions announced by the State Government. The exciting news for our boarders is that the boys will return to a newly refurbished dining room area, both senior and junior. I thank all our boarding staff for their preparation and having these new facilities and improvements ready for day one. We look forward to your return, gentlemen.

Champagnat Trust Sports Lunch

The 18th annual Champagnat Trust Sports Lunch will be held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on Friday 20 May 2022. Tickets will be on sale from 9:00am on Friday 4 February.

As one of the flagship College events, the Sports Lunch raises money for Champagnat Trust bursaries, providing the opportunity for boys to attend the College who would be otherwise unable to financially afford to.

The College, the Foundation and Patron Old Boys’ John Eales and Matt Hayden welcome all, including parents, Old Boys’ and friends to this annual event.

Tickets can be purchased from 9:00am this Friday from the following link:

https://events.humanitix.com/2022-champagnat-trust-sports-lunch%20/tickets

Please contact Ellen Kassulke at events@marash.qld.edu.au with any event or sponsorship enquiries.

Safe Driving and Parking Around the College

Just a reminder to all parents, students and staff to practice safe and careful driving through and around our College. Please remember that once in the College grounds, the roads are a shared zone with children where the travelling speed is only 15km per hour. Hazard lights are to be used when travelling inside the boom gates. Please acknowledge the speed limits and yellow lines that prohibit parking. The safety of all boys, your sons, is paramount.

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