Deputy Principal

2026 Overseas Tours 

Next year to celebrate the College’s 70th Anniversary, we will be offering students currently in Years 9 and 10 (Years 10 and 11 in 2026) the opportunity to participate in two overseas tours: 

• Cambodia Service Tour with World Challenge (13 days during the September/October holidays)
• Cultural Tour (Art, History, Language) of Italy with Educational Journeys (15 days during the first few weeks of the Christmas holidays)

Next term, we will hold information nights for each of these experiences. 

The information evening for the Cultural Tour of Italy will be held from 6.00pm on Monday 4 August in the Assisi Room. Please mark this date in your calendar and register your attendance via the following link: RSVP 2026 Cultural Tour of Italy Information Evening

The Cultural Tour of Italy will include: 

• 3 nights in Venice
• 3 nights in Florence (travelling via Padua or Verona) with a day trip to Pisa
• 3 nights in Assisi (travelling via La Verna) with a day trip to Spoleto, Rieti and Greccio
• 2 nights at a farm stay in Orvieto, Umbria (travelling via Perugia)
• 4 nights in Rome with a day trip to Pompeii

The estimated cost of this tour is $8,500 - $10,000 depending on numbers and the exchange rate at the time of confirmation. We do require a minimum of 15 students for this tour to proceed. Our maximum capacity for this tour is 25 students. 

Please see the flyer below for further details on the tour route. 

Ponytail Project 

On Friday 1 August, the College will be raising funds for the Cancer Council and people living with cancer by participating in the Ponytail Project. A total of twenty-three students are keen to donate their hair to this worthy cause. 

Every year an estimated 4000 ponytails are needed just to make enough charitable wigs for those suffering from cancer or alopecia. One wig requires 20 ponytails and can cost thousands of dollars. Sustainable Salons collects all ponytails 20cm or longer, both coloured and uncoloured, and sends them to charitable organisations and wigmakers. Uncoloured ponytails 36cm+ are the holy grail for charitable wigs. 

Students who would like to participate are required to register via the following link: Ponytail Project Registration Form. 

Sony Foundation Camp 

Mount Alvernia College and Marist College Ashgrove will co-host the Sony Foundation Camp from Saturday 20 - Monday 22 September 2025. This three-day residential camp for children who are differently-abled, is provided at no cost to families. We have received our quota of applications from families of boys, but we would welcome more applications from families of girls. If you know any girls aged 10-16 years who may benefit from the camp, please direct their parent/carer to complete a Camper Application Form.

In addition, we are looking for sponsors to assist us in making this year’s Sony Foundation Camp even bigger and better. If you own a business or would like to support us in any way, please email sony@marash.qld.edu.au to discuss further.

If you would like to make a donation to the camp you can do so via the following donation link: Marist College Ashgrove & Mt Alvernia College Sony Foundation Camp Fundraiser 2025. All donations – great and small – will assist us to cover the costs of this year’s camp. 

Donations Needed

The Rebel Yarners are a lively bunch of students who meet at breaktimes on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays to crochet, knit and yarn. At the moment, they have several projects on the go including making beanies and granny squares for blankets.

They need your help! 

Yarn: Our Yarners need 10 ply yarn in dark colours for the beanies and any type of colourful yarn for the blankets. 

Granny Squares: Our Yarners would welcome donations of granny squares, 15cm x 15cm in size. If you are a keen knitter or crocheter, the Yarners would be most grateful to receive your creations. 

Catholic Education Week Mass 

From 27 July – 2 August, Catholic schools in Queensland will celebrate Catholic Education Week. This annual event is held to promote the special ethos of Catholic schools and to highlight the great things that take place in Catholic schools every day.  The theme for this year’s celebration is “Communities of Faith, Hope and Love.” 

To mark Catholic Education Week, the Franciscans on the Hill - St Anthony’s School, Padua College and Mount Alvernia College – will celebrate a special Mass at Little Flower Catholic Church, 5.30pm Sunday 27 July. All families are welcome to attend this Mass. Students are required to wear their College uniform with their blazer. A hat will not be required.

Kedron Youth Rally 

The Kedron Youth Rally for Term 3 will coincide with the Franciscans on the Hill Catholic Education Week Mass and will be held from 5.00 – 8.00pm on Sunday 27 July. Students are invited to attend both the Mass for Catholic Education Week and the Youth Rally. A light supper will be served after the Mass.