From the Head of College

Mr Michael Newman

Faith Throughout History

Many Australians watched history unfold with the coronation of King Charles III on Saturday evening. A clear emphasis throughout this ceremony was on Christianity and faith. Throughout the ceremony, references were made to Jesus Christ, his message, the scriptures, and about the duty of the throne as responsible for maintaining these values. Similarly, my reflection after just returning from a pilgrimage to France, Rome and the Holy Land, is the worldwide passion, even fanaticism for the Christian religion worldwide. The fact that cathedrals, churches, statues, symbols and monuments adorn these countries is widespread and covers various eras of history.

Divine Word Missionary Priest and auxiliary Bishop for Brisbane, Tim Norton spoke to Brisbane Archdiocese staff recently about faith and a desire by people for something more than them. He said, “We are spiritual beings. We may not think we are religious, but indeed there is a part of us that yearns for something more.” He went on to explain that such a phenomenon is expressed in all sorts of ways across the world.

In Sunday’s Gospel, Phillip is asking Jesus for a further sign to show him the Father so that he can truly believe. Although we are searching as spiritual beings, as Bishop Norton suggests, we all doubt our faith sometimes. We need more certainty. There are many questions that we need to be answered to fully believe. We want another sign to be certain.

When I was studying Scripture and theology with Br Fergus McCann fms in my earlier studies, I remember asking him what I considered a decisive question after one lecture – “So how can you be so certain that there is a God?” His reply was simple – “If there isn’t, there are a lot of people over the years who have been pretty stupid.” He believed that, surely worldwide and centuries long faith and belief of so many interesting, brilliant, and significant people was proof enough that there must be such a thing as a God. Br Fergus McCann’s faith was secure.

God of the Journey, may all members of the Marist family and each young man at Marist continue to search for the spiritual and stay steadfast in faith. Amen.

Mother’s Day Mass

All Marist mothers are welcome to attend our Mother’s Day Mass which commences at 7:00pm this Wednesday night 10 June, in the Tower Courtyard, progressing to the College Chapel of Our Lady and St Marcellin Champagnat. Our wonderful mums are invited to share the Eucharist with their sons and pray together as we celebrate Mother’s Day this Sunday 14 June.

Thank you to the Year 12 Boarders, Andrew Butt, Alison Braidwood, Melanie Stewart, the Music Department and student musicians, the Events Team, Catering, Services and Mission Teams, and our readers for their preparation of this much anticipated liturgy. Special thanks also to our Head of Mission - Mrs Anna Nasr, and Director of Public Relations - Bethany Halpin.

Mother’s Day Breakfasts

Marist College Ashgrove welcomes all mothers to our annual Mother/Son Breakfasts which are being held in the Champagnat Centre from 7:00am – 8:15am this Thursday and Friday. We welcome our wonderful mums - to be hosted by their sons - to these breakfasts as we acknowledge and salute all that they do.

Thank you to Kath Nolan, a mum to an old boy of 2022 and a current grade 6 parent, who will be our guest speaker. Thanks also to our staff: Ellen Kassulke, Bethany Halpin, Anna Nasr, Mena McLean, Nathan Ayre and the Catering Team, Matt Tarlinton, Dane Rowe, our College Grounds Team, Andrew Butt, Alison Braidwood and Alex Hides for their generous organisation and facilitation of this event. Welcome, enjoy and thank you mothers of Marist!

Debating

Congratulations to the Marist College Ashgrove Open Debating Team who made their way through to the finals of the Queensland Debating Union (QDU) Competition for 2023. Last week, our Year 12 Debating team defeated Mt St Michael’s College, to make their way through to the finals. Our Year 12 Debating team has been together since Year 7 with the same coach, Ben Hunter for the duration. We wish our debaters the best of luck for the finals - Charlie Weaver, Matthew O’Keefe, Alex Masel and Zeke Esler (reserve). Good luck, gentlemen.

Languages and Humanities Week

This week, Marist College Ashgrove celebrates Humanities and Languages Week. Various activities and events have been planned to enable the boys to immerse themselves in everything to do with Languages and Humanities in a fun and enjoyable way.

To celebrate Languages Week, the following activities are taking place to immerse our students into the cultural fun of Languages: a baking competition, daily quizzes, French and Japanese sack races, a treasure hunt, building a famous monument competition, patisserie sale and French and Japanese performances. Thank you to Lucia Del Vecchio, Gary Keown and our Hospitality Students, all Years 10, 11 and 12 boys who are helping facilitate, Primary and Secondary Library staff for helping with activities and our Primary and Languages staff.

Celebrations planned for Humanities Week include:

History students provided with the opportunity of dressing up as either a Medieval Knight, Viking Warrior or Roman Emperor; a trivia competition, an ancient Egyptian mummy wrapping challenge and their problem-solving skills in an escape room. Geography students are showcasing their ability to understand their orientation clues, follow directions and run the fastest. Legal Studies students have investigated a ‘crime scene’ outside the school tuck-shop with an accompanying evidence scavenger hunt. A huge thanks goes to all the staff in the Humanities Department for their efforts in planning, organising, and facilitating the different activities on offer. As well, thanks must go to all the staff in the Resource Centre as the library is being taken over during first break over the three days.

Theatre Sports House Competition

Houses have planned and are ready for the ultra-competitive Theatre Sports Competition. This fun activity aims to build house camaraderie and friendships and showcase the boys’ acting talents. Facilitated by Rush House, this competition begins Tuesday 9th May. Theatre Sports is a popular improvisation-based series of games that students play in House teams of 4-6 students. Each game comprises specific rules and goals to be achieved by the end of a specified time limit. Students are scored on: Technique, Narrative, Entertainment and Teamwork. The Grand Final will be held on Champagnat Day. Thank you to Rebecca Taylor for her organisation and planning and our three emcees, Victoria Sparrow, Bonita Gerry, Madonna Spillane and our many judges.

Staff RE Professional Development Breakfast with Fr Tony Percy

Each term our staff are provided with presentations on interesting issues relating to the teaching of Religious Education. Today, we welcomed Guest Speaker, Fr Tony Percy former Vicar General, Canberra-Goulburn Diocese who presented his latest book, 'Australia. What Went Right? What Went Wrong?' This book looks at the roots of Australia’s democracy and its reverence in presenting Australia with fundamental human values. Fr Tony Percy asks what went right and what went wrong throughout our history. Staff found Fr Tony Percy’s presentation interesting and thought-provoking. I thank our Head of Mission, Mrs Anna Nasr who organised this presentation for the staff and Mr Gary Keown and his Hospitality Students who prepared breakfast.

Ethics Olympiad

Best wishes to our Year 11 students who will be participating in the International Ethics Olympiad on Thursday 11 May via zoom. This Ethics Olympiad provides teachers and students with a creative vehicle for developing skills in communication, critical thinking and respectful discourse while dealing with interesting and contentious ethical issues. Teams are scored according to set criteria that reward clear, concise, respectful discourse around interesting ethical issues. My thanks are extended to Mrs Lucy Naughton who has prepared the boys for this Olympiad. Good luck - Frank Piper, Will Nicholson, Will Warring, Jake Edye, Kalen Neville, Asher Parkin and Zach Colquhoun in this competition.

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