From the Head of College

Mr Michael Newman

We Now Await Patiently

This Sunday, we celebrate the commencement of Advent in the Church’s calendar year. Advent is a time of waiting patiently and preparing – a time of making ready for the birth of the baby Jesus, or Emmanuel. As we enter into this season of Advent, we wait patiently and prepare for the birth of Emmanuel, which means God is with us. Let us be sure this Christmas season to allow God to be with us.

On Friday at Marist College Ashgrove, Bishop Tim Norton SVD, reminded us of the joy of Jesus’ birth saying – “Nothing can make God love us less and we can do nothing to make God to love us anymore.” This Christmas, let us imagine taking the baby Jesus into our arms, looking into his vulnerable eyes and allowing him to wrap us in his love. Regardless of our human failings and the world where we reside becoming more secular and humanistic, God is always there, loving us unconditionally, regardless. Let the baby Jesus’ vulnerable spirit reinvigorate and re-energise each of us, through a personal love that knows no bounds.

During this season of Christmas, let’s not miss this special opportunity to allow God to be close to us. May we allow the innocent baby Jesus to disarm our pride and allow us to be open to him, embracing his tenderness, humanity and fragility and engulfing us in his peace, equanimity, and unwavering and unconditional love.

May the joy of Christmas and the presence of Emmanuel, embrace all members and friends of the Marist College Ashgrove family this season. Amen.

Primary Captains 2023

Last week, I enjoyed reading the applications and listening to presentations by our prospective 2023 Primary Leaders for the College. All boys were outstanding and did themselves and their families proud. I particularly thank Mr Michael Connolly (Head of Primary) and Mr John Lambourne (Primary Sports Co-ordinator) who joined me for the final interviews. I now wish to announce and extend a warm congratulatory welcome to our newly elected Primary Captains for 2023.

Nic Cienfuegos

George Holland

Xavier Hunter

Will Hutchinson

Noah Watherston

Well done gentleman and be assured of our full support as you lead the primary student body in 2023. Good luck!

Year 6 Graduation Ceremony

Parents and family members of Year 6 are welcome to the 2022 Primary Graduation Ceremony. We congratulate and offer our best wishes to our Year 6 primary boys as they transition to the Secondary College in 2023. Our graduation on Friday 25th November will include a liturgy commencing at 12:30pm in the Draney Theatre, followed by speeches, a light afternoon tea and photos at the Tower. Please ensure you have booked your tickets for this event - ticket booking link. As people arrive at the graduation ceremony in the Draney Theatre, we will fill up from the front and when the theatre is full, guests will gather in the foyer to watch the ceremony on the screens provided. All guests will join in together for the celebrations at the Tower. We look forward to these graduation events and offer our full support as the boys now transition to the secondary part of their education, at Marist College Ashgrove.

Laptops for 2023

All Year 7 and 10 boys will return their laptops on Thursday 24th November (after Wednesday’s examinations) for a re-fresh and update over the holidays. On return to school in 2023, the college will be distributing new and free laptops to students in Years 7 and 10. Boys in Years 5 and 6 will also be able to use new laptops in the classrooms. These laptops are all-inclusive in the present technology levy which is being paid by all parents. Our hope is that every boy at Marist Ashgrove will have reputable devices that best able them to access all elements of the curriculum and are monitored by the college from 2024. My thanks are extended to the IT department led by Mr Kevin Berry and his team for their rollout of these computers.

Violence Against Women Day

The Marist College Ashgrove ‘Ash’ Student Welfare Program presents lessons to the boys about domestic violence. At Marist College Ashgrove, we say no to any violence against women. In fact, at last Friday’s Graduation Dinner, prior to the Year 12 boys departing the college for the last time, we reminded the boys of this very important message. This Friday 25th November is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Just this week, Queensland heard about the Queensland Police Force deploying additional staff to confront the scourge of domestic violence against women. During this Friday’s assembly, we will be addressing this topic with all boys present. Marist College Ashgrove strongly supports this day of action and education. I encourage all families to follow up this assembly presentation through a discussion with your son, on this important topic.

Christmas Liturgy

This Friday 25th November, Marist College Ashgrove celebrates its final assembly for 2022 with a Christmas / Advent Liturgy. This is the final time in which the boys will collaboratively unite, reflect and pray for 2022, and what a great theme to reminisce about – the birth of our saviour. I thank Mr Luke McMahon and his team who will lead us in prayer on this occasion. This Christmas Liturgy will be followed by our end to violence against women presentation and farewell to departing staff.

Ordination to Diaconate for Old Boy

The Marist College Ashgrove family congratulates Old Boy, Isaac Falzon, who, on Friday 18th November was ordained a Diaconate. Isaac graduates from the Holy Spirit Seminary, Banyo. It would be expected that Isaac will be invited to ordination later next year. Isaac is the third Marist College Ashgrove Old Boy who has been ordained in the past eight years. We are all is very proud. Congratulations, Isaac and our prayers go with you for the future.

Marist Cricket Carnival

The week of Friday 2nd December – Friday 9th December, Marist College Ashgrove 1st XI Cricket Team will venture to Canberra for one of the 2022 Annual Marist Cricket Carnivals. This carnival, hosted by Marist College Canberra, will also have in attendance: Bunbury Catholic College (WA), St Gregory’s College Campbelltown (NSW), St Francis Xavier’s College, Hamilton (NSW) and St John’s College, Woodlawn (NSW). We wish all our boys the best of luck at this exciting tournament and we thank their coaches and assistants - Mitch Reid and Tom Gibson.

Ashgrove was one of the original attendees at the inaugural Marist Cricket Carnival in 1973 and will be part of the original eight Marist schools in 2023 when they reunite at St Joseph’s College Hunter’s Hill for the 50th year celebrations. Best wishes Marist College Ashgrove 1st XI in Canberra.

Sports Camps – 2022/3

Preparations, tournaments and camps for the 2023 Term one AIC sporting competitions will be held during the Christmas holiday period, after school concludes and prior to school resuming.

The following camps will be held:

Volleyball 1st VI - Australia Schools Cup, 4th- 10th December. My thanks are extended to Adam Knight and Scarlett Rudder who will be coaching and accompanying the boys.
AFL - 1st XVIII training camp, January 20th – 22nd. My thanks are extended to Matt Beattie, Brett Gillett and Andrae Mackay who will be coaching and preparing the boys for the season ahead.
Swimming - Senior Camp – 8th- 10th January and Junior Camp – 13th January. My thanks are extended to James Boyce, Christine Baillie, Damien Bromley and staff who will be coaching the boys during this camp.

Best wishes to all boys and their coaches as they prepare for 2023.

Holiday Period

I wish all Marist College Ashgrove families a holy, happy and enjoyable Christmas season. May it be a time to refresh the soul, body and mind. The college office will be closed from Monday 26th Dec – Monday 9th January. On either side of this, the college office will be open and staff will be working in preparation for the 2023 academic year ahead. We very much look forward to an exciting year in 2023.

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