From the Head of College

Mr Michael Newman

Relevance 

This is a very important time for our Church – the Catholic Church. We, as members of the Marist College Ashgrove family, are very much part of the Australian Church. The Church is in the midst of a Plenary Council where its members have been asked to provide feedback, listen to each other, discern, and reflect upon its future, and the role and relevance of the Catholic Church in Australian society, today. In essence, what is God asking of the Church today, to stay relevant and in touch with its people? The local bishops are responding to Pope Francis’ invitation to dialogue with society, in the light of the significant changes that have taken place in Australia over the past decades and also the findings of the Royal Commission into the Institutional Response to Child Sexual Abuse in the Church.

 

Pope Francis launched the global synodal process in Rome. The first assembly of people met from 3 -10 October to commence discussion, pray, and discern. At the closing Mass on Sunday, Archbishop Mark Coleridge of Brisbane and President of the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference (ACBC) likened the synod to bringing a child to birth: “The process is slow, painful and messy, but in the end it is wonderfully fruitful and joyful as the baby is born,” he said. “Beyond the maelstrom of this week and all that lies ahead, may the Church in Australia come to know the fruitfulness and joy which the Holy Spirit brings from all the pain and mess because nothing is impossible for God”, he concluded in his homily. 

 

At the conclusion of the listening phase, three major themes were presented, namely: the call for co-responsibility in the mission and governance of the Church, renewed solidarity with the Aboriginal peoples and those on the margins of society, and the promotion of integral ecology as indicated by Pope Francis in his Encyclical Letter Laudato si’ on the care of our common home. The final agenda presented in June prior to the October meeting identified six thematic areas of reflection: conversion, prayer, formation, governance, structures, and institutions. Overall, the synod aims to find a new way of living as Church amid new challenges.

 

Maybe this Sunday’s Gospel summarises what the underlying theme of the synod should be. Jesus said, “the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve” (Mark 10:35-45). If our Church is focussed on others, on serving and the love for one another, we are surely headed in the right direction.

 

God of the journey, together as the Marist College family, we pray for the Catholic Church, that it will be relevant and modern for all its members leading us to genuine faith and the service of others. Amen. 

 

ATAR External Examinations

Best wishes to the Year 12 boys who will commence the Year 12 External ATAR Examinations this Friday 22 October. The whole Marist College Ashgrove family wish all boys the best of luck in these important exams where Mathematics and Science examinations contribute 50% towards their overall ATAR result and all other subjects 25%. I thank all Year 12 teachers who are completing their final lessons and revision through the masterclasses. Work hard, gentlemen – you’re nearly there!

Year 12 Final House Assemblies and College Assembly

Prior to these external examinations, the Year 12 boys will enjoy their final house farewells and College assembly this Thursday 21 October in the Champagnat Centre. The night prior (Wednesday evening, 20 October) the boarders and staff will be holding their annual Year 12 Dinner. I trust that these events will be memorable for the boys. 

Launch of College Masterplan for the Future

A final reminder to all parents and friends of the launch of our new College Masterplan to be held this evening. This building plan, as outlined in the College Masterplan, will be explained this evening, Tuesday 19 October at 6:00pm in the Draney Theatre. This plan is going through a rigorous planning stage with the State Government - Ministerial Infrastructure Designation (MID) and the Finance Committee, College Board and Marist Schools Australia. The Courier Mail released some details in their online paper last week after it was presented to the State Government publicly as part of the MID process. We look forward to our launch, where you can hear about all the exciting building and renovation plans for the College. This Masterplan will provide updated and new facilities for your son’s learning and growth into the future. As the Strategic Plan states, all members of the Marist College family have a vital role in the stewardship of this wonderful College which we all enjoy today, due to the generosity and goodness of the Marist Brothers, benefactors, parents, Old Boys and friends of yesteryear. All parents and associates of the College are welcome to attend. Tea and coffee, and biscuits will be provided. I hope to see you all this evening, from 6:00pm.

Cybersafe Presentation

I would like to recommend to all parents a presentation by Kirra Pendergast regarding instruction on how to keep your son safe on social media. Kirra is a very experienced presenter and her presentation ‘Safe on Social’ is undoubtedly very informative and helpful to all parents in this world of heightened social media. Kirra will explain the world of social media, the risks and concerns associated and the means to keep your sons safe. This presentation will occur on Thursday 21 October in the Draney Theatre from 6:30-7:30pm. I look forward to seeing you there for this important presentation. 

College Consent Program

All parents are welcome to the next Parents and Friends (P&F) Association meeting to be held on Monday 25 October in the Tower Function Room. During this meeting, we will hear about the generous undertaking of the P&F and plans for 2022. On the agenda, is the launch of the revitalised Consent Education Program for the College. Marist takes very seriously the area of consent for each boy and the need to have full education and frank conversation in this area. I thank Lisa Babon (College Counsellor) and Adam Knight (Acting Head of Students) who will be presenting this program and are looking forward to hearing additional feedback and responses to this plan from parents and friends in attendance.

Blue and Gold College Magazine

I have asked for the annual Blue and Gold Marist College Ashgrove magazine to be published and distributed to all students prior to the end of the 2021 year. The Year 12 students will receive the magazine at graduation and all other students (eldest in the family) prior to leaving. I thank all staff who have contributed to this excellent magazine and will ensure that its production is completed in a timely manner. I particularly wish to thank the editor, Mr Damien Zoomers for his fine work in maintaining the high quality of this annual historical publication. We look forward to the Blue and Gold’s distribution in late November 2021.

AIC Touch Football

Best wishes to all age group teams who will be competing in the AIC Touch Football Championships this Saturday 23 October. This carnival will be held at St Laurence’s College playing fields at Runcorn. I thank their coaches and conveyors - John Lambourne, James Furminger, Liam Beatty, Tim Sedgwick, Bruce McPhee, Sam Priddis, Kathryn Badini, Simon Price, Melissa Orcher and Ben Webb.  Best wishes, gentlemen.

Old Boys Vintage Blue and Gold Mass and Luncheon

This Friday 22 October, Marist College Ashgrove welcomes back to the College our Old Boys for the annual Vintage Blue and Gold Mass, followed by lunch. This event is one of the highlights on the Old Boys social calendar. The Mass is an opportunity to remember those Old Boys who have sadly passed and to thank God for the good gifts of life. The annual luncheon which follows will be held nostalgically in the Boarders Dining Room. Following the luncheon, the Old Boys will have the opportunity to reminisce and tour the Tower and other College facilities of interest. I thank the following staff and Old Boys who have made this important event possible - John O’Hare, Anthony Collins, Steve McAuliffe, Dom Melrose, Peter Casey, Luke McMahon, Mean McLean, Jack Johnson, Bruce McPhee, Bethany Halpin, Ellen Kassulke, Ty Casey, Nathan Ayre, Matthew Tarlinton, Dane Rowe and all the staff in the boarders dining room. Welcome back and enjoy!

Day for Daniel

On Friday 22 October, the College is participating in ‘Day for Daniel’ activities. The focus of the day is to educate children and young people on how to stay safe in physical and online environments. This year, we welcome back Kirra Pendergast from Safe on Social and Paul Bagnall from the Queensland Police who will present to the students. Also joining us is Rob Dupont, who is providing a self-defence course to students in years 6 and 7. Students are highly encouraged to wear red in support of the day and asked to provide a $2 or $5 donation. All money raised will be donated to the Daniel Morcombe Foundation. Thank you to Adam Knight (Acting Head of Students) and Scott Minogue (Acting Head of Rush House) and Rush House pastoral leaders and teachers who have assisted in the organisation of this day. 

Volunteer Evening and Marist Mother’s Lunch Invitation 

To thank all those who have supported the College in 2021 and volunteered their time to the P&F Association, Tuckshop and Sports Canteen, I would like to extend a warm welcome to the Volunteer Thank You Evening on Monday 25 October as a small token of our appreciation.

 

The function will be held in the Tower Function Room at the conclusion of the 6:00pm P&F Meeting. Tickets are free for guests. For catering and covid purposes, only registered guests may attend. Bookings close at 3:00pm Thursday 21 October. Please follow this link to register your attendance: 

https://events.humanitix.com/2021-marist-college-ashgrove-volunteer-thank-you-evening

 

As a celebration of 2021, all Marist Mother’s are again welcomed to the Annual Marist Mother’s Christmas Lunch being held at Victoria Park on Friday 12 November. Tickets will be available from 6:00pm Thursday 21 October via the following link: 

https://events.humanitix.com/marist-college-ashgrove-2021-marist-mother-s-christmas-lunch

 

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

Coming Events

Tuesday 19 October

  • Reconciliation - Chapel
  • Year 12 Masterclasses and VOC classes - continues
  • Year 9 Geography Excursion
  • House Meetings Years 5-12
  • Year 10 Outdoor Rec Excursion
  • College Masterplan Launch - Draney Theatre - 6:00pm

Wednesday 20 October

  • Mass in Chapel – special invitation to Year 11 Students
  • Year 11 Rec Studies Excursion

Thursday 21 October

  • Year 12 House Farewells
  • Final Year 12 College Assembly
  • Game Changers Meetings
  • Kirra Pendergast – Safe on Social - Parent Information Session - Draney Theatre - 6:30pm

Friday 22 October

  • Day for Daniel
  • Day for Daniel Food Stalls
  • Free Dress Day
  • Year 12 External Exams - commence
  • Vintage Blue and Gold Mass and Lunch
  • Go Kart Challenge GC600 Excursion

Saturday 23 October

  • AIC Year 5 to 11 Touch Football Carnival

Sunday 24 October

  • AIC Waterpolo Tournament
  • Boarders’ Mass (Chapel) - 6:00pm

Monday 25 October

  • Year 12 External Exams - continue
  • Studio Concerts - Draney Theatre and Music Centre
  • P&F Meeting
  • Volunteers Thank You Evening - 7:00pm

Wednesday 27 October

  • Year 5-11 Prizegiving Evening - Champagnat Centre - 6:00pm
High Achievers Morning Tea
Graduating Art Exhibition
Graduating Art Exhibition
Graduating Art Exhibition
Term 3 Sports Dinner
Term 3 Sports Dinner
Term 3 Sports Dinner
High Achievers Morning Tea
Graduating Art Exhibition
Graduating Art Exhibition
Graduating Art Exhibition
Term 3 Sports Dinner
Term 3 Sports Dinner
Term 3 Sports Dinner