From the Head of College

Mr Michael Newman

Accompanied

Welcome back for Semester 2.

Once again, Australia is in the grips of the COVID-19 pandemic. The holidays in Queensland began with a lockdown and now an accelerating rate of cases are being recorded in New South Wales. As our neighbouring state grapples to contain the spread of the virus, Queensland remains in a state of caution and apprehension as we hear the daily announcements of new cases. We are wary as we know the number of cases and deaths worldwide caused by this pandemic – some 187,265,506 cases with 4,042,675 deaths. It’s a difficult time. Marist College Ashgrove will continue to provide you with any relevant and related school information, if, or when it comes to hand. We continue to stay alert and in management mode with sign-in registers, 1.5m social distancing and mask-wearing where mandated, but in the meantime, we are reminded of our own mortality and are reflective of our loved ones and acquaintances who have died in recent times. The mystery of life and death surrounds us every day.

On the weekend, Matthew 10:24-33 attempted to bring light to this mystery of life and death. This passage is often translated as, “not one of (the sparrows) will fall to the ground without the Father knowing.” Yet, the word “knowing” is nowhere to be found in the original Hebrew text. Rather, the translation should read something like, “not even a sparrow falls to the ground without the Father.” In other words, God’s love for us all is symbolised by the fact that he will always accompany each one of us, in that wrenching part of body and soul which is death. Death is a mystery of life. We can take great comfort from the fact that the Father will accompany and be with us in that very moment.

God of the journey may all members of the Marist College family, united with our sisters and brothers, be each aware of your loving and accompanying presence at every moment. Amen.

COVID-19 Update

The College continues to be informed regularly by Queensland Health through the Queensland Catholic Education Commission regarding all issues relevant to the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff, parents, students or associates who have visited COVID-19 hotspots are to follow all mandated Queensland Health regulations. Regarding Marist College Ashgrove, the latest information will be the resumption of Term 3 under similar conditions to those put in place at the end of last term. The major change being that masks are mandatory for staff who cannot socially distance from other adults in the workplace. However, masks are not required by students, people engaged in work that requires clear communication or visibility with your mouth – e.g. teaching and broadcasting and/or anyone in the workplace or outside who can maintain 1.5 metres distance from others. Parent visitations to the college campus will require social distancing, mask-wearing and the completion of the Queensland Check-in App. External venue visits by students and staff will require: one person per 4 square metres (indoors) and 2 persons per 2 square metres (outdoors) - 100 percent capacity with ticketing and allocated seating is allowed. All Queenslanders should carefully consider the need for interstate travel, especially to NSW.

Marist College Ashgrove receives regular updates from Queensland Health and QCEC and will keep all parents informed of any school changes. We are ready for any immediate lockdown which may occur and can readily evacuate the campus and switch again to on-line learning - as was the case at the end of Term 1 2021 - if required. Until then, we remain steadfast and hopeful of no further interruption.

Holiday Improvements

I thank our big team of generous staff who have continued to work diligently over the holidays to improve the surrounds and environment for your son on his return. Over the holidays, the following improvements and undertakings have occurred: new gardens surrounding the driveway from Glenlyon entrance to the Tower, outside the Gubbins Room and the repaving and gardens outside the Primary classrooms, readying of the playing fields for Term 3 sport, improvements to the student administration and the commencement of the extension wing for the music classrooms and electrics for the Trade Training Building, end of year financials completed, staffing undertaken, improvements to the boarding houses and general learning areas, cleaning of outdoor areas, pathways and monuments, new photocopiers installed throughout the whole college, stakeholder and letter drop engagement to our neighbours regarding the Master Plan (followed by an information evening, Tuesday 13 July, 5:30pm, in The Tower), a deep clean of the College premises and some venue hire – theatre and boarding houses. My special thanks are extended to Mr James Fox (Business Manager) and to his team of maintenance, grounds, and gardens, financial, boarding, HR, kitchen, and administration staff. The College is in order and ready to commence a full and exciting Term 3.

Year 12 Retreat

One of the highlights of a boy’s education at Marist is the Year 12 Retreat. This is a wonderful opportunity for the boys to reflect on their past and future with God, their families and each other. This year the Year 12 boys will be divided into five groups venturing to – Bornhoffen, Glendalough, Lake Perseverance, Luther Heights and Toowoomba. I thank the Mission Team of – Luke McMahon and Liz Spry for all their preparation and to our group leaders – Steve Littleton, Jacqui Klowss, Scott Minogue, Chris Bathersby and Luke McMahon. Thank you also to the many generous staff who will be absent from their own families for these three days to accompany the boys during this experience. Gentlemen, do enjoy this time of reflection, slowing down, contemplation and dreaming, prior to returning to enter into your final journey through the College. I look forward to joining with the Glendalough group – God’s blessing to you all.

Naidoc Week 2021

On Tuesday 13 July, at the College Assembly, we will be celebrating Naidoc Week and our Indigenous students with their rich history and culture. The theme of this year’s Naidoc Week is “Heal Country” which focusses on our country being more than just a place. Our country is inherent in our identity and sustains our lives in every aspect. We acknowledge all our Indigenous families and their elders at Marist College Ashgrove and trust that all feel a sense of our family spirit and unity. We also welcome to Marist College Ashgrove, Mrs Melissa Orcher our new Indigenous Support Officer who commences her work this term. Happy Naidoc Week!

Subject Selection Evening – Year 9 into 10, Year 8 into 9, Year 7 into 8

On Monday 19 July, Marist College Ashgrove will be holding its annual Year 9 into 10 Subject Selection Night. On this evening, you will hear about the subjects that are compulsory for your son to complete in Year 10 and the subjects that he can choose as electives. The night will be presented in two ways due to COVID-19 restrictions: You can watch the presentation live-streamed into your home or a seated allocated live presentation with your son in the Champagnat Centre (total number of 300 people to be accepted – masks and social distancing is required with one parent and son only able to attend - for bookings https://www.trybooking.com/BSYNK). The usual subject displays will not be possible due to the COVID-19 restrictions, so each subject and the offerings available will be explained in a handbook. At the completion of the evening, we hope that all boys will have the information required to choose their most favoured subjects to enter and study going forward into Year 10 next year. Year 10 is a preparation year for the boys’ senior years of study. I thank Mrs Roxanne Rosenberg Head of Middle School Curriculum (Years 7-9) and Ms Jennifer Smeed Head Senior School Curriculum (Years 10-12) for preparing and presenting this evening and to the generous and professional Subject Leaders.

Further on Monday evening 19 July, we will be sending out the relevant materials for all Year 8 students to choose their electives moving into Year 9 and Year 7 students to choose their electives moving into Year 8. Parents, please ensure you have had a discussion and have agreed to the subjects your son has chosen. Following this, all students in Years 7, 8 and 9 will be discussing their subject choices with their Heads of House.

If you have any questions post the evening or after reading the supplied materials, you can contact staff via email – surnamefirstinitital@marash.qld.edu.au.

Enjoy the evening and the relevant materials. Best wishes with your subject selections with your son.

SET Plan Interviews

The discussion and writing of the annual Year 10 Senior Education and Training (SET) Plans will occur for two weeks from Monday 19 July. Meetings will be for approximately half an hour between the parent, your son and an allocated teacher. The aim of the SET Plan is to map a plan of study for each boy moving positively forward into the future. These meetings will discuss among other things: career plans, subjects of interest, past results, pre-requisites for university, any school-based apprenticeship aspirations, certificates and TAFE courses and so on. At the conclusion of the meeting, each boy should have a better idea of where they are headed in their studies and future employment. I thank the following staff who will be joining with me to undertake these important SET Plans for each individual Year 10 boy – Roxanne Rosenberg, Bruce McPhee, Peter Gaiter, Tara Franklin, Jacqui Klowss, Adam Knight and Jen Smeed. Good luck gentlemen.

Careers Link Networking Evening

On Thursday 22 July from 6:00pm, Marist College Ashgrove will be holding the Inaugural Careers Link Networking Evening in the Champagnat Centre for all boys from Years 11 and 12. The Careers Link evening will see some of our leading Old Boys and community professionals visit the school to support and guide this year’s Seniors as they prepare for life beyond Marist College Ashgrove. This evening may provide wonderful work experience, mentoring, or even employment opportunities for our students.

Jon Ahlberg (1998) and Jeff White (2003) of Morgans Milton and Morgans Springfield-Ipswich who specialise in providing Financial Advice and Wealth Management, told the OBA “We couldn’t be prouder to help the young Ashgrove men of today. Our experiences and connections with the College were brilliant and have provided so many benefits both in life and business. As proud Old Boys, we will be there to help in any way we can."

In addition, some of the following industry specialists who will be attending, include: Clinton Mohr, one of Queensland’s top specialist property lawyers; Dominic Price, Senior Consultant Electricity Market Modelling- Ernest and Young; Alex Heinke and Michael Hutchinson, Channel 9 television reporters; David Devlin, an international pilot who has flown all over the world; Dr Richard Laherty, Neurosurgeon; Lou Giaccio, local plumbing business owner; Pat Howard, previous head of Cricket Australia; Liam Beatty and Zach Woodward - Primary Teachers.

We very much look forward to sharing the experiences of these most capable and successful Old Boys in their chosen field of occupation.

RSVP Now

2021 Careers Link Invitation.pdf

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