From the Head of College

Mr Michael Newman

Closeness of Heart

On Friday, a ten-day-old baby was freed after spending almost half its life trapped under rubble of the earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria. His eyes wide open, Yagiz Ulas was wrapped in a shiny thermal blanket and carried to a medical centre in Hatay province. His mother was also carried on a stretcher.

The death toll from the catastrophic earthquake in Turkey and Syria is expected to double, a UN aid chief has said. Fatalities from the earthquake are expected to exceed 50 000.

Experts say that what happened in the area around the epicentre of the quake was one of the worst natural disasters to hit the region in a century. “It’s deeply shocking... the idea that these mountains of rubble still hold people, some of them still alive. We haven’t really begun to count the number of dead,” the UN emergency relief coordinator said.

At Marist, we continue to pray and reach out to our neighbours in Turkey and Syria with a closeness of heart. Pope Francis’ prayer is one we can all say, “With emotion I pray for them, and express my closeness to these peoples, to the families of the victims and to all those who are suffering from this devastating calamity. Let us pray together that these brothers and sisters of ours may move forward in the face of this tragedy and let us ask Our Lady to protect them: Hail Mary…”

As a Marist family, let us pray with hearts combined for the people of Turkey and Syria.

Social Justice Activities

As the founder of the Marist Brothers witnessed, St Marcellin Champagnat started an order of brothers to teach the youth of Southern France, giving them knowledge and hope, especially educating them about the love of God. Our heritage is born from this initial intent, so, in line with this social justice objective, we too aim to educate each young man, especially in their faith development.

Social Justice is therefore a fundamental educational aim of Marist College Ashgrove. There are four elements to a good Social Justice Program. Firstly, the need to fundraise for a special cause. It is important for the boys to open their hearts to financially assist those in need. At present, we need to raise much needed funds for those affected by the earthquake in Turkey and Syria. Secondly, the boys are challenged to undertake works of practical justice - such activities include: feeding the homeless, assisting the elderly with their gardens and mowing, facilitating camps for those young people with disabilities and so on. These activities require the boys to be guests and to genuinely and actively engage with the other. Thirdly, the boys can choose to be immersed in the world of another for a lengthier period. This may involve travelling to a destination or country where other people live seemingly disadvantaged lives. At Marist this has included immersions to Cambodia, East Timor and Indigenous townships. These visits require maturity and the ability for the boys to be empathetic, listening and compassionate. Finally, the Social Justice Program calls upon the boys to enter the stage of advocacy. This involves the boys standing up in support of those who are the least advantaged. Advocacy enables one to give voice to another in need. This may lead to activities such as: education forums, letters to authorities and speaking with politicians in support of those least favoured.

We trust that all boys will have an opportunity to be part of these Social Justice activities at Marist College Ashgrove. We look forward to much involvement and recognising many boys who undertake various hours of Social Justice activities – these are called the MATES hours. Best wishes to all boys.

Presentation on Consent, Right relationships

On Monday 13th February, all Year 11 boys listened to a presentation by Brent Saunders. After a distinguished career in the Police Force, Brent lectures around Australia to schools, universities and businesses in the area of sexual crime, criminal profiling and personal safety. Brent presented on the important topics of consent and right relationships with the boys. He presents in a straightforward and honest manner and the boys certainly hear him, loud and clear. I thank Mr Peter Serone, Head of Students who organised this opportunity for the boys.

Boarding Staff 2023

May I take this opportunity to introduce and thank our professional and caring boarding staff at Marist College Ashgrove.

We wish all our boarders well for 2023.

New Parents and Friends Committee

I congratulate our new Executive of the Marist College Ashgrove Parent's and Friends Association who were elected last night. The Marist College family offers you our full support - President: Donna Lynn, Vice Presidents: Kim Rabie, and Mark Hourigan, Secretary: Paege Bellett, Treasurer: Richelle Power. We thank our outgoing Executive led by President Jim Gordon. The Parents and Friends Association undertake many activities throughout the year, which I encourage all parents to be involved with.

Elevate

Each year, over 1500 Australian high schools choose Elevate Education to provide students with worthwhile study skills. Personally, I find the Elevate presenters provide the boys with sensible practical tips on how to study which are hands-on and very useful. Elevate’s study skills seminars are designed to achieve behavioural change amongst students. They are more than simply understanding what they need to do in their study but rather how to apply the skills they learn. Elevate directs students to use the skills from its seminars by using an integrated process that works. All boys in Year 9 had Elevate presentations on Monday 13 February and Year 11 boys will have Elevate presentations on Wednesday 15 February. Throughout the year, every boy from Years 7-12 will have an opportunity to be encouraged, improved and inspired by these Elevate presenters.

Year 9 Literacy and Numeracy Development

The Academic Care Team are continually looking to further enhance the learning outcomes of our students. As literacy and numeracy are foundational to this, we are inviting Year 7 and 9 students to a Literacy and Numeracy Development afternoon. During the one-hour session between 3:15 and 4:15pm, the boys will be provided with strategies to further develop their reading, writing and numeracy skills. We will go into greater depth regarding specific literacy and numeracy strategies (such as, Fly/Hunt and Drop and Write) used in their Marist College Ashgrove classes. We expect these classes to be most helpful and will in turn, initiate further classes throughout the year to support the academic success of our middle school students.

Foundation

Next Monday 20 February, the College Foundation Committee meets. This generous group of Marist supporters oversee the fundraising and bursaries of the College. Always acting in a most professional and confidential manner, this group ensures that all donations to the building and bursary funds are managed in a most responsible manner for the good of the College. I sincerely thank all members of the Foundation for their generous voluntary application and undertakings - Langton Clarke (Chairman), Tim Galligan, Sandra Poon, Tim Heenan, Kath Nolan and Br Daniel Hollambie. The beneficiaries are our boys and their families. Best wishes and thank you.

The Inter-House Swimming Carnival

Best wishes to all secondary boys as they compete in the Year 7-12 Interhouse Swimming Carnival this Thursday 16 February. This carnival will be a house competition for points towards the overall House Champion which includes various sports and fun events throughout the year. This carnival will be held at the Marist swimming pool where the canteen will be open throughout the day. The program has been modified this year to complete the event in one day Years 9 and 10 (Periods 1 and 2), Years 8 and 11 (Periods 3 and 4), Years 7 and 12 (Periods 5 and 6).

We wish all Year 7-12 boys, and all Houses the best of luck for this annual Interhouse Swimming Carnival. May the best "House" win!

Smart Rugby

Whilst an optional pre-season Rugby Union Program has been running for the Years 10-12 students since Term 4 2022, behind the scenes preparation for coaches is also underway. Marist College is fortunate to have a dedicated group of outstanding Rugby coaches. Whilst a number of our coaches have the highest coaching accreditation in the country – Level 4, all coaches are required to hold a Smart Rugby accreditation. This year the College has partnered with the QRU to deliver two Smart Rugby accreditation opportunities. The first on Sunday 19 February is a face-to-face workshop, whilst the second on Sunday 5 March will be presented in an online format.

Smart Rugby is Rugby Australia’s “Work, Health and Safety” program. It is a minimum requirement for every coach, referee, and referee coach participating in rugby where there is a tackling component. Smart Rugby is mandatory and requires re-accreditation every two years. There are no exceptions to this.

The 2023 Rugby Program at Marist College Ashgrove will:

Offer a safe and inclusive sporting environment.
Develop player resilience, teamwork, trust, analytical thinking and identity.
Support, educate and develop our coaches, referees and age co-ordinators; developing a high standard of expertise and understanding.
Work within a rugby curriculum established by the Director of Rugby parallel to Rugby Australia’s Long-Term Player Development Framework.

I thank the Marist Director of Rugby / Track and Field, Richard Graham for organising this opportunity for all coaches.

P.A.R.T.Y. Program

As part of the ASH Program, interested Year 11 boys will be able to participate in the P.A.R.T.Y. Program on Wednesday 15 February. In Australia, traumatic injury is the leading cause of death in people under the age of 45. Young people in this age group are grossly over-represented in injury and trauma statistics, both in terms of death and long-term disability. Road trauma is still one of the most common causes of mortality and catastrophic injury in youth. In this P.A.R.T.Y. program the boys will see what it's really like to be a trauma patient. Through DVDs, PowerPoint presentations and interactive simulated clinical scenarios, participants will meet health professionals, emergency services personnel (e.g. ambulance officers), and people who have experienced trauma and survived, often with significant disabilities. This is a confronting yet, valuable presentation for the boys to experience. I thank Mr Peter Serone (Assistant Head of College – Students) and Mr Phil Holding (Senior Pastoral Leader) for organising this important presentation for the boys.

Parent Support Group – Neurodiverse Learners

I thank the Parents and Friends Association, with the leadership of two parents - Michelle Lawson and Jennie Nowers - who have created a support group for Parents of Neurodiverse Learners at Marist College Ashgrove. Parenting neurodiverse boys comes with its own set of challenges and the constant advocating for their sons can be overwhelming for parents. Understandably, many neurodiverse students, and their families feel isolated and anxious trying to navigate school life.

It is hoped that this parent group, and the planned social catch-ups, will provide a positive, private and safe space where parents can provide support to one another. If you are interested in joining this group, please contact either Michelle or Jennie - both can be found in the ‘Marist Mums and Dad’s’ Facebook group - they will then send you a link to join the private Facebook group.

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