From the Head of College

Using our Gifts Joyfully…

I extend a warm welcome to all new parents and boys to the Marist College family and welcome back to the College our past parents and boys. I trust that you all had a restful, rejuvenating, and joyous time with your family and friends over the Christmas and New Year break. In the spirit of Christmas, as we celebrate the birth of Emmanuel, which means – ‘The God who is with us’, let us be open to our loving God in our every action, thought and undertaking at Marist in 2022.

Over the holidays, I too, enjoyed time with my family and was able to reconnect with friends. I also had some time to reflect as I learnt of the death of Marist Br Emery Nash fms. He was my teacher and boarding supervisor at Joey’s in Sydney. I recall him as a quiet, yet strong, disciplined, and respected year coordinator. You certainly didn’t ‘play-up’ on Br Emery. He was a man who wasn’t big on small talk with students, but he instilled strength of character and modelled generosity. One of my favourite school memories is of Br Emery passing me on a large flight of stairs. It was just he and I on the stairwell and as he passed me, he said two words, “Bong Bong”. This was a nickname or an association if you like to my hometown in the Southern Highlands. The moment has always resonated with me because at the time, I was terribly homesick and struggling to stay at boarding school and evidently, Br Emery knew this. His remark, “Bong Bong” was his simple but kind gesture to me. It was his indiscreet way of telling me that he knew who I was and that I was struggling. As a young boy who looked up to him, I was chuffed that, in a large school of some 850 boys who were all boarders, he had taken the time to not only know who I was but show me kindness and empathy. It was a gesture that comforted me and that I so appreciated and have never forgotten. 

Sunday’s second reading (Nehemiah 8: 2-6,8-10) states ‘the joy of the Lord is your strength.’ I believe this is one very important ingredient of people like Br Emery. They have joy and confidence in the Lord. They in turn convert this joy and confidence into ways to help others. They are deeply aware of their God-given goodness and God’s unwavering support of them and so, lovingly reciprocate this support to others. They make you feel special in their presence because they are thoughtful, engaging and generous. They are such positive contributors to the world. Sunday’s reading goes on to challenge us all to use these God given gifts to make the world a better place. (Corinthians 12:12-30) Jesus reminds us of His support and challenge to do just that; “the spirit of the Lord has been given to me.” (Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21)

God of the journey, may all members of the Marist College family live in the joy of the Lord as they use their God-given goodness and gifts for all. Amen.

ATAR Results 2021

Congratulations to our Year 12 Graduands of 2021 for their outstanding academic results.

I attach a summary below.

• 40% of our boys achieved over 90
• 65% of our boys achieved over 80
• 12 boys will receive QCAA’s Academic Commendation Award for exiting Year 12 with six A’s in General subjects
• The following boys completed Unit 3 and 4 on 100%

                 - Julian Murphy – Drama

                 - Hugh Torpie – Mathematical Methods 

                 - William Curr – Mathematical Methods and English

• 99.1 % QCE attainment rate 
• 10 boys (6%) achieved an ATAR of over 99.00

In Vocational Education Studies (which includes students who received an ATAR) the following results were achieved:

• 123 boys (over 50% of the cohort) successfully completed VET qualifications with 100% completion rate

                       - 15 boys complete 2 certificates

                       - 3 boys completed 3 certificates 

                       - 1 boy completed 4 certificates 

• 28 boys transferred from school-based to full-time apprenticeships. Apprenticeship/VET study areas include: Plumbing, Agricultural, Barbering, Nursing, Electrical, Carpentry, Aircraft mechanical and Lab and Sampling

I congratulate all boys in the Year 12 cohort for 2021 and a special thank you to their professional and generous expert teachers. Overall, as a College, our Year 12 results have improved significantly with 40% with an ATAR above 90 compared to 26% the previous year. Our highest ATAR achieved was 99.90 compared to 99.70 the previous year. 6% of our students received an ATAR above 99 compered to 1% in the previous year. 99% of students received their Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) compared to 96% the previous year. These results have been due to a consistent and diligent improvement approach undertaken by our staff and students. We look forward to further improvement in the years ahead. Well done Marist graduands of 2021!

COVID-19 Update

Online learning will recommence on Monday 31 January for Years 8-12. If absent, call or email the absentee line (studentabsentees@marash.qld.edu.au). Year 11 and 12 students may receive pre-reading and introductory activities from their teachers from today - Tuesday 25 January. At this stage, we await Queensland Health’s protocols for the return to school of ALL students (regardless of vaccination status) on Monday 7 February. No student is to present to the College with any COVID-19 symptoms or parents will be contacted to collect their son immediately if any symptoms present. Day and boarding boys of essential workers can attend school from today - Tuesday 25 January (contact seronep@marash.qld.edu.au). 

At this stage, the Leadership Team is examining and preparing for all possible return to school scenarios. We will advise all parents as soon as we are instructed formally by Queensland Health and the Queensland Government; however, like in most cases, we would assume this will be communicated to the media initially. 

Many non-teaching staff have continued working over the holiday period, with Leadership recommencing formal in-servicing on Wednesday 12 January and new teaching staff returning for in-servicing and preparation since Monday 17 January. All teaching staff recommenced on Wednesday 19 January and this will include significant extra work preparing for online learning, continuing up until Monday 31 January. 

A reminder that parents need to be in masks when visiting the college. All college functions need to be in masks with proof of double vaccination. COVID-19 protocols will apply.

I list below a few other updated specific details:

The Inaugural Mass and Investiture of Leaders and Year 12 Students with Archbishop Mark Coleridge BA DSS has been transferred to Wednesday 16 February at 9:00am. The College will be in contact with the Year 6 leaders and all Year 12 parents in the coming days with further information regarding this revised COVID-19 safe event.

Boarding: New boarders to the College will arrive back on Saturday 5 February and are invited to a welcome event for new families from 6:00pm in the Tower Courtyard. Returning boarders will arrive back on Sunday 6 February. All boarding parents and families are invited to an afternoon tea from 3:00pm-5:00pm on Sunday 6 February. 

Boarding students are asked to please have completed a negative RAT test prior to returning to the College. If returning by public transport or aeroplane, the College will arrange a RAT test. Protocols are being set up for boys who contract COVID-19 in the boarding school.

New Students: The welcome and orientation of all new students will occur on Monday 7 February.

Music Lessons: Re-commence in person on Monday 7 February. 

Sport: Training and trials have commenced for first Cricket, Volleyball and AFL. The Marist Swimming Club continues to function under COVID-19 guidelines. The trials set down for Saturday 29 January are the First Trials only verses Iona College - 1st Cricket 9:30am (A); 1st Volleyball 9.00am (H). The first competition sporting fixture on Saturday 5 February verses St Laurence’s College has been cancelled, with Cricket and Volleyball firsts only playing trials instead. The first competition match will now be Saturday 12 February verses St Edmund’s College. The Years 7-12 house swimming carnival will occur on Thursday 17 February. The AIC Swimming Championships will still be held on Tuesday 8 March. 

Camps and overnight activities: These have been cancelled and are being reviewed regarding the possibility of rescheduling them in some form. This detail will be communicated by co-ordinators as it comes to hand. 

The College is committed to organising a series of days for Year 7 involving team building, belonging and celebration activities for the boys with the use of outside providers. This is planned to take place in Term 2, replacing the Year 7 camp.

The Music Camp will now occur on Friday 11 March – Sunday 13 March. The students will be leaving at lunchtime on Friday and the College will be making provisions for boys involved in AIC Sport.

The Year 7 and 10 Laptop Information Night will occur online on Monday 7 February at 6:00pm. A link will be sent to parents to access this live-streamed event. A handbook has also been uploaded onto Parent Lounge with the Terms and Conditions which all parents will need to read and accept. 

The Year 5 Information Meeting and Welcome Drinks will occur on Wednesday evening 9 February.

The Year 7 Information Night will occur on Monday 14 February.

Bus Service: Our Marist College Ashgrove bus services will resume on Monday 7 February 2022.  There are currently no capacity issues and your son can utilise the services at any time. For further information on routes and cost, please see our website - https://www.marash.qld.edu.au/college-life/getting-to-ashgrove/

In summary, the College is in full preparation for 2022. We very much look forward to recommencing with Years 8-12 students online and then all students in person. Do keep yourselves, the boys and all members of your families and loved ones safe and healthy at this challenging time.

Welcome New Teachers

A very warm welcome to our new teaching staff to the Marist College Ashgrove family. Our new staff join Marist with much experience, positive attributes and energy for the boys. 

Sandra Cartwright – Maths Teacher, Richard Coles – Primary Teacher, Meagan Cook – Science Teacher, Sharon Davidson – Maths Teacher, Chris Daykin – Business Teacher, Lucia Del Vecchio – French Teacher, Chrystal Frans – Curriculum Leader Maths, Derek Lennon – Head of Sport, James Lidstone – Primary Teacher, Sharon Mathieson – Teacher Librarian, Stewart Moore – Economics Teacher, Ashleigh Morrison – Curriculum Leader HPE, Jim Noble – Head of Boarding, Sarah Palmer – Business Teacher, Colleen Robertson – SOR Teacher, James Trebbin – Primary Teacher, Zubin Varghese – Engineering Teacher, Rick Waldron – Maths Teachers and Shane Wheeler – Primary Teacher.

We trust that you find Marist College Ashgrove a rewarding and exciting place to be as you commence your new commitment to the College. Best wishes and prayers for the future.

College Improvements undertaken over the Holidays

I wish to thank our many and various staff who have worked over the holidays to ensure that the College continues to function efficiently, looks good, is maintained and makes us proud. I list below their accomplishments and sincerely thank all staff for their dedication and hard work over these hot summer months - 

• Fencing of Flats and College drives
• Signage around College and Flats
• Champagnat Centre external repaint (funded by the Parents and Friends Association through the College Walkathon)
• Admin Building external repaint 
• General maintenance
• Boarder's dining room refurbishment
• Music room extensions (WIP)
• Draney Theatre floor replacement
• AV replacement in 20 classrooms
• Full refurbishment of classrooms 501, 502 and 503
• Phones installed in classrooms
• External Hire Provisions – laundry, food….
• Imaging of 520 laptops for 1:1 program
• Pool carpark reorientation and drop off zone 
• Viriliter Age sign outside Admin Building refurbished
• Oval preparations and renovations 
• New gardens Moola and Frasers Road entrances 
• Testing and tagging of RCDs and equipment 
• Servicing of air conditioners 
• Testing of canteen equipment 
• Council food safety audit 
• Interim external financial audit
• Staffing
• Enrolments

I am sure all parents would agree that there are some wonderful improvements to the College for the boys in 2022. Well done, Marist staff. The College is looking first-class to commence the College academic year!

Change of Traffic Flow Glenlyon Drive Entrance

The students and car activity and congestion once over the bridge, around the car park and around the swimming precinct has been a cause of concern for some months. To ease this congestion and to allow a safer environment for the students and visitors to the College, the following changes have been implemented. As stated in the improvements undertaken over the holidays at the College, one obvious change is to the travel flow once you have travelled over the Glenlyon Bridge entrance. The traffic flow has changed in direction (see new map below). A drop off zone for visitors to the pool has been established. New fencing, a pedestrian crossing and a new footpath has been built for added safety. We trust that this will allow a more efficient and especially safer environment for all involved. 

Please remember that once in the College grounds, the roads are a shared zone with children where travelling speed is only 15km per hour. Hazards lights are also to be used when travelling on the road inside the boom gates. The safety of all students is paramount. 

Finally, this entrance is not for student general drop-off and set-down, but for entry to administration and the swimming pool only. All other visitors are to enter via Fraser and Moola Roads. This is due to the narrow one-lane bridge access into the Glenlyon Drive entrance which makes large volumes of traffic impossible to cater for. With thanks, as we ensure the safety of all students and visitors to the College is paramount. 

Previous Orientation and Traffic Flow

New Orientation and Traffic Flow

2022 Fees and Notice Required for Withdrawal from the College

I would like to remind parents of the College’s Fee Policy and the requirement to set up a payment schedule in Parent Lounge if the account is not paid in full by the noted due date. Please ensure that you organise and set up your payment schedule before 28 February.

I would also like to take the opportunity to remind parents of the College’s student withdrawal procedure to ensure the continued planned financial commitments of the College are managed:

When a student is to be withdrawn from the College, or if an enrolment is to be cancelled by the parents, they are required to give the Head of College one term’s notice, in writing, before the withdrawal or cancellation date. However, if withdrawal is to be effective at the end of the College year, written notice must be given by the end of Term 3. Parents / guardians who do not give such a period of notice will be liable to pay the College an amount equal to one term’s fees in lieu of such notice.

In anticipation of your co-operation, thank you.

International Day of Education

On January 24, the world celebrated the 4th annual International Day of Education. It focuses on the accessibility and importance of education for all. Education is the foundation of profound change for the world’s future. Strengthening education enables the global common good to make a peaceful, just and sustainable world. I thank our College Foundation who continue to provide support to assist families to obtain a Marist education. In turn, I thank the many contributors who have supported our student from East Timor, Dino Lopez, to provide him with a future beyond the gates of Marist. I continue to encourage our families to support our Lenten Appeal which will provide practical financial assistance to Marist Solidarity, which in turn supports Marist educational projects in developing nations in the Asia-Pacific region. On the home front, I thank all teachers and support workers who have continued to educate our young men under these threatening and trying circumstances during this Covid-19 pandemic. This situation has certainly highlighted the important job our teachers and support staff undertake daily. 

Happy Australia Day!

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

Wednesday 26 January

• Australia Day Public Holiday

Saturday 29 January

• Term 1 AIC Sports Trials v Iona (1st XI Cricket 9:30am (A); 1st VI Volleyball 9:00am (H))

Monday 31 January

• Year 8 to 12 Students Commence Term 1 Online (Summer Uniform)

Tuesday 1 February

• Primary Parent/Teacher Meet and Greet Meetings - start
• Old Boys’ Association Meeting

Wednesday 2 February

• College Assembly – Live Stream for Year 8 to 12 students

Saturday 5 February

• Year 7, 12 and New Boarders Arrive
• New Boarding Parent Function
• Term 1 AIC Sports Trials v SLC (1st Cricket 9.30am (A); 1st Volleyball (A))

Sunday 6 February

• Year 8 to 11 Boarders Arrive
• Boarders Mass’ (Chapel) - 6:00pm

Monday 7 February

• All Students Return to Learning On Campus (Summer Uniform)
• Years 5, 7 and New Student Orientation
• Year 7 and 10 Computer Roll-Out Evening (Online)
• Year 7 and 10 Computer Distribution
• Music Lessons - recommences
• MCA Bus Services - recommences
• Foundation Meeting

Wednesday 9 February

• Year 5 Information Meeting and Welcome Drinks

Monday 14 February

• Year 7 Information Night

Wednesday 16 February

• Inaugural Mass and Investiture of Leaders and Year 12 Students

Thursday 17 February

• Years 7-12 House Swimming Carnival