From the Head of College

Mr Michael Newman

“All About the Soul”

On Sunday evening, I had the weekly pleasure of joining the Marist boarders for Mass. They sung this hymn, inviting Jesus into their lives, with great gusto, energy and conviction –

“Shine Jesus Shine

Fill this land with the Father’s glory

Blaze spirit blaze

Set our hearts on fire.

Flow river flow

Flood the nations with grace and mercy.

Send forth your word

Lord and let there be light.”

In the Australian Survey of Social Attitudes 2018, evidence is provided suggesting that the youth of today - Generation Z, identify with an increased interest in spirituality. Richard McBrien’s book – Catholicism (Paragraph 1057) states, “We all have a fire within us – this is our spirituality. To be spiritual is to be human.” The energetic singing of the boarders at Mass certainly gave evidence of this.

Last week, I listened to an address by Br David Hall fms, who spoke about the soul as our destiny, life, death and connection. Our God who is love bought us into life and the breath of life that is from God, is the soul. God is everything and everywhere in the universe and we are connected because God is in us. Br David said that we need to bring soul back into our lives in a society which is attempting to ignore spirituality. He believes that we need to follow Pope Francis who speaks about nourishing our lives and allowing the beauty of our ‘heart, hands, soul and mind’ to flourish. Yes, the soul is quintessential.

God of the journey, may all the young men and all members of the Marist College Ashgrove family, cultivate and nourish the soul within. Amen.

Feast of the Assumption Mass

Next Tuesday 13th of August, Marist College Ashgrove will celebrate the Feast of the Assumption. We will celebrate with Mass in the Champagnat Centre from 8.45am. The feast of the Assumption celebrates Mary's departure from this life and being taken into heaven. Marking the importance of this day and Mary to the Church, the Assumption is decreed a holy day of obligation along with Christmas Day. This day is also the traditional feast day of the Marist Brothers who founded our College in 1940 and whose presence and guidance we still enjoy today. During this Mass, we will also recognise those whose contribution to the Marist spirit is to be admired and staff for their long-standing service to Catholic and Marist Education. All families are welcome to join the boys and staff on Tuesday for this important celebration.

Feast of St Mary of the Cross Mackillop

On Thursday 8th August, we celebrate the Feast of Mary of the Cross Mackillop – the first and only official Australian saint of the Church. Mary was born on the 15th January 1842 in Fitzroy and died at North Sydney on 8th August 1909. She founded the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart sometimes known as the Josephites or more affectionately as the “Brown Joeys”. The sisters of St Joseph are a congregation of religious sisters who established schools and welfare institutions throughout Australia and New Zealand, with an emphasis on educating the rural poor. We acknowledge St Mary Mackillop in our litany which we say at the end of each prayer with the boys and community – “Mary our good mother pray for us, Saint Marcellin Champagnat pray for us, St Mary of the Cross Mackillop pray for us, and let us always remember to pray for one another.”

2024 Tower Art Show – 9-11th August

The Tower Art Show, held in the very heart of the College - the iconic Tower Building, has become a very much anticipated and thoroughly enjoyed event in the life of Marist College Ashgrove each year. I am sure this year will be another enjoyable experience.

We recognise the many Brisbane artists who will showcase their works during this weekend from Friday 9th August – Sunday 11th August 2024. This year, we acknowledge our feature artist - Lisa Taylor King, an impressionist and abstract painter whose artworks are characterised by their abstract marks on canvas. Lisa’s art has been widely published and is part of collections both nationally and internationally, testifying to her impact and appeal in the art world. We also acknowledge our student works on display and congratulate the boys on their creativity and skill.

This community event brings together not only the Marist family but the wider Ashgrove and surrounding community. We sincerely welcome all visitors to Marist College Ashgrove, and we trust that you thoroughly enjoy the work of the artists, collegiality and friendships shared.

I take this opportunity to thank our Tower Art Show organizer - thank you, committee members: Clare Mapledoram, Jo Russo, Sam Matthews, Amanda Lane, Kristina McGrath, Rochelle Davies and Katie Falcnik.

We also thank our generous and wonderful sponsors of this event, namely -

Diamond Sponsor Johnathon & Jess Grealy from Niche Reform House and Garden Makeovers
Gold Sponsor Rob & Kristina McGrath from JBE Signaling
Long-time Silver Sponsor Katherine Kemp from Ruby Red
Returning Silver Sponsor Phoebe Sampson from Tooth Dental
Returning Silver Sponsor Olivia Rogers Orthodontics
Silver Sponsor “Brigette Righton & Trent Vinson from Righton Property”
Silver Sponsor Tim Ward from Ward & Co Wealth

Finally, to the Marist College Ashgrove staff, thank you for your efforts and assistance - Christine Larsen, Stacey Finch, Ellen Kassulke, Bethany Halpin, Dr Andrew Butt, Callum Clark and the Services Team, Denver Jensen, Jack Johnson and Dominique Hall.

We look forward to the 2024 Tower Art Show. Please join us. The event is walkup, with the exception of the Opening Night where tickets for Friday are available from the following link - 2024 Tower Art Show - Opening Night & Raffle Tickets | Humanitix

The Tower Art Show – this weekend.

2024 Walkathon and Battle of the Bands

The annual Marist College Ashgrove walkathon will be held this Sunday the 11th of August. This walkathon is the major fundraiser for the Parents and Friends Association each year. Funds raised this year will go toward new change sheds and toilets for Cameron Oval. The actual walk will be 10 kilometres (full course) or 4 kilometres (all abilities course) around the Gallipoli Barracks, Enoggera. We look forward to all the boys and many families joining us for this important and enjoyable day together. At the conclusion of the walkathon, you are welcome to stay in the College grandstand and enjoy the ‘Battle of the Bands’. The canteen will be open and various food stores to enjoy breakfast and the music on offer. My thanks are extended to Mrs Naomi Searle, Mr Charles Brauer, Mr Peter Serone, Mrs Kelly Byrnes, Dr Andrew Butt, Mrs Bethany Halpin, Mrs Donna Lynn, Lt Col John Pollard and Lt Col Rory Colquhoun for all their organisation and effort. Please financially support the 2024 Marist College Ashgrove walkathon.

Year 5-12 P/T Interviews – (Online)

The online parent-teacher interviews for Years 5-12 will be held next Monday 12th August from 3.40pm – 8.00pm. To book an interview, go to the Parent Portal and click the blue tile ‘Book a Parent or SET Plan Interview’. Bookings close tomorrow, 7th August at 7.00pm. Interviews are 10 minutes each and you will receive a confirmation email with the schedule for your interviews this Friday afternoon 9th August. My thanks are extended to Ms Alicia Lee for organising these interviews. For any queries, please contact Alicia via email leea@marash.qld.edu.au.

National Science Week

The National Science Week, the annual celebration of science and engineering will be held from 10th -18th August. The theme of this week’s Science Week is: “Species Survival – More Than Just Sustainability”. The week will include the following activities in Secondary: Monday – Whale Snot, Tuesday – Science Trivia, Wednesday – Dry Ice, Thursday – Life Under the Microscope and Friday – Treasure Hunt; and in the Primary School, we will be running a poster competition and the best design wins a $15 tuckshop voucher! My thanks are extended to Ms Wendy Macdonald – Curriculum Leader Science, the Science Department Staff and our Year 11 student ambassadors.

Queensland Debating Union (QDU) Finals

The Marist College Ashgrove Year 9 Debating team, after defeating St Joseph’s Nudgee College in the final round, progressed to the finals last week. In Week 1 of the finals, the boys defeated Brisbane Grammar School in a short preparation debate. This Year 9 team has gone from strength to strength under the tutelage of their coach Ms Jo Howe, and we are very proud of their sportsmanship, debating skill and continual level of development. Well done - Jack Cannon, William Stigter, Connor Campbell and Aiden Mansul and coach - Ms Jo Howe and best wishes for the remainder of the QDU Competition.

Creative Awards for our Indigenous Artists

We are excited to announce that two of our Indigenous students, Tyrell Wolmby (Year 12) and Sania Elisala (Year 9) have received awards for their artworks that were entered into the QATSIF (Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Foundation) 2024 Creative Arts Competition. Tyrell’s photographic work won 1st place, and Sania’s mixed media artwork won a Highly Commended award. Congratulations to our talented students!

Cathedral Concert

This Thursday 8th August our annual Cathedral Concert will be held at St Stephens Cathedral in Brisbane City for all the college string and choral groups. The cathedral provides exceptional acoustics for this genre. Ensembles performing will be Marist Voices, Chamber Choir, Performance Choir, Chamber Strings, Blue and Gold String Quartet, Senior Strings and String Ensemble. We look forward to another wonderful evening enjoying our very talented musicians. My thanks are extended to Dr Andrew Butt (Program Leader Co-Curricular Arts), Ms Catherine Wasserman, Ms Alison Braidwood, Ms Melanie Stewart, Ms Samantha Blakeney, Ms Evalyn Legried, Mr Samuel Vincent, & Mr Alex Hides for their professional guidance and coaching.

Sport

Best wishes to the Marist College Ashgrove Open Volleyball team who will participate in the Volleyball Qld Schools Cup this weekend. Best wishes also to the 1st X1 Football Team who are in the quarter-finals vs Kings Christian College in the Uhlsport Cup on Wednesday afternoon, at the Gold Coast.

At the mid-way point of the Term 3 sport season, our First Tennis is at the top of the table with our First Basketball and Rugby League teams in second place. Our Athletics team continues to have meetings and training as they prepare for the AIC Carnival early in term 4. My thanks to Mr Derek Lennon (Head of Sport), and convenors - Mr Ryan Apps, Mr Andrew Ward, Mr John Lambourne, Mr Richard Graham, Mr Rob Martin and all our generous and expert coaches. Best wishes for the remainder of the term.

Chief Health Officer Letter

I attach the following letter from the Chief Health Officer for your consideration

2024 041 Att 1 Letter Chief Health Officer Influenza Vaccination.pdf

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