From the Head of College

An Honest and Authentic Encounter

Marist College Ashgrove celebrates National Reconciliation Week (NRW). This is a time for Australians to learn about shared histories, cultures, and achievements. Our theme 'Bridging Now to Next' reflects the ongoing connection between past, present and future.National Reconciliation Week commemorates four significant milestones in our history - the successful 1967 referendum where 90.77 per cent of Australians voted 'yes' for Indigenous rights, the 1992 High Court Mabo decision which overturned the false claim of terra nullius meaning this continent was unoccupied when the British arrived, recognition of the injustice and hurt of the stolen generation and Prime Minister and Old Boy Kevin Rudd's Apology to Australia's Indigenous Peoples. It is hoped that this week represents further building and strengthening of relationships between First Nations peoples and all other Australians and deepens our understanding of the true history of Australia’s colonisation. During this week, we hope and pray for a more united Australia where we encounter the 65,000 years of First Nations cultures and achievements.

At the Marist Heads of College Conference last week, I listened to an address by an Indigenous Gweagal woman, Theresa Ardler. Theresa knew Pope Francis personally after presenting him with a copy of the Uluru Statement from the Heart at the Vatican, some two years ago. Pope Francis was touched by this encounter with Theresa, inviting her to meet him many times since, even ringing her personally by phone. On Easter Sunday, just hours before he died, in a wheelchair and on oxygen, Pope Francis rang Theresa asking her to visit him. He organised a car to pick Theresa up and bring her to him. As ever, on arrival, he greeted Theresa with a big smile and gave her a gift as it was her birthday - a set of rosary beads in a gold box. “This was a special moment for me” Theresa said. Moving forward three weeks, the newly installed Pope Leo has already contacted Theresa by phone asking if he can be part of an Indigenous Catholic group that she has formed, continuing this positive encounter and relationship.

To commence our week at Marist, the boarders listened to a heartfelt and passionate speech from Auntie Rhonda who is a survivor of the stolen generation. We thank Auntie Rhonda for her address and her wish for truth telling and a united country where the dignity of all is respected. 

Last week, Marist College Ashgrove listened to the Marial Lecture presented by media personality and author Stan Grant. He spoke about the need to move beyond our discrimination and arguments to come together in contemplation to share a sacred meaningful disposition of the heart and unity with one another.

Let us pray, as we celebrate the wonderful encounters of National Reconciliation Week, that we will be enriched with the opportunity to continue an honest and authentic dialogue enabling the dignity of our First Nations people to be recognised and fully reconciled. Amen.

Champagnat Trust Sports Lunch 2025

The 21st Annual Champagnat Trust Sports Lunch will be held this Friday 30th May at The Star. The Champagnat Trust Sports Lunch raises important money to provide bursaries to students who would not regularly be able to afford a Marist education. In essence, this event is inspired by the Founder of the Marist Brothers – St Marcellin Champagnat who founded an order of Brothers to educate the neglected youth in Southern France – providing them with both a spiritual and academic education. Since the inception of these lunches, Marist College Ashgrove has raised some $2.5 million, assisting some 125 students. My sincere thanks are extended to our most generous Old Boy patrons - John Eales and Matthew Hayden, and to our hard-working Champagnat Trust Sports Lunch Committee consisting of - Bethany Halpin, Sophie Tuffley, Kath Brassington, Brett Gillette, Richard Graham and Rosaline Rayner. We thank all our supporters for contributing to such an important annual fundraiser, namely: NB Dental, QUBE Logistics, Liminal Wall, Amalgamated Group and Merritt Property Group who are our gold and silver sponsors.

Super Saturday

This Saturday 31st May is Super Saturday at College Ashgrove, where we host St Edmund’s College Ipswich for Football and Rugby. On this day, we will be welcoming back to the College all our Old Boy reunion groups. This is always a wonderful occasion for our Old Boys as they gather with their respective year group peers to catch up, share stories and provide support. Old Boys are asked to gather at the Cyprian Pavilion where they can mingle and watch the First XV Rugby from midday. During the evening, the various reunion groups will be leaving the college precinct for their respective reunions. Boarding parents will also be gathering at McMahon Oval for refreshments and a social gathering together. Enjoy Super Saturday!

ICPA State Conference

The Isolated Children’s Parents’ Association (ICPA) State Conference will be held at St George from Sunday 1st - Tuesday 3rd June 2025. This conference offers support to our boarding students who are from isolated areas, providing a platform for members to discuss rural and remote educational challenges, share experiences, and advocate for improved access to education for geographically isolated children. This state conference enables all boarding schools to gather to network and meet with government officials to enable the best possible outcomes for all boarding students in Queensland. I will be attending with the Assistant Head of College – Boarding, Mr. Jim Noble. My best wishes are extended to the many present and past Marist College Ashgrove boarding parents who will be in attendance. 

Music Performances

Best wishes to all our music students who will be performing at the Wind and Percussion Concert this Wednesday 28th May in the Draney Theatre at 6:00pm. Feature performances will include - Percussion Ensembles 1 and 2, Wind Orchestras 1 and 2, and Wind Ensemble. 

On Thursday evening, the Chamber Choir will be performing one piece at the Sing a New Song Concert having been asked by Marist College Ashgrove Old Boy - Br Michael Callinan. My thanks are extended to our talented music staff who have prepared and will accompany the boys. Enjoy gentlemen. 

Winners of the RICI Titraton Competition

My congratulations are extended to six of our Chemistry students who attended the RICI Titration Competition, which is held at universities across Australia. Titration is an analytical technique used to determine the concentration of an unknown solution. Students competed in teams of three. Our Year 12 team - Cullen Fitzgerald, Max Gallagher and Hammish Darr achieved the best score of the day. Special congratulations go to Cullen Fitzgerald for his score of 'zero', meaning his calculation of the unknown concentration was exactly correct! Coached by Chemistry teacher Rowan Deckers, the boys took out this competition at the University of Queensland. Congratulations gentlemen.

Year 12 Mother and Son Lunch

https://events.humanitix.com/2025-year-12-mother-and-son-lunch

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

Upcoming Events

Tuesday 27 May

• National Reconciliation Week - continues
• Met North Cross Country
• Year 11 Business Incursion
• Study Hall – Senior Library
• Primary Morning Study – Primary Learning Support Room
• Bill Turner Cup (U15 Football)
• Year 10 Dancing – 7:00pm

Wednesday 28 May

• Brisbane Racing Club WEX Excursion
• Year 12 HPE Track and Field Excursion
• Community Mass – College Chapel (all welcome)
• College Assembly
• AIC Cross Country Meet #3 – 4:00pm
• Wind and Percussion Concert – 6:30pm – 8:00pm

Thursday 29 May

• Year 11 Leadership Day
• Marist Cards Day
• State Honours Ensemble Program – begins
• Environment Group Meeting – Break 1B
• ISSA Cup (U14 Football)
• Sing a New Song – Choral Liturgical Music Event (3:10pm – 7:30pm)
• Wind and Percussion Concert – 6:00pm – 7:30pm

Friday 30 May

• Champagnat Trust Sports Lunch
• State Honours Ensemble Program – continues
• AIC Chess Round 5 v St Edmund’s College
• All Abilities Rugby – GPS Rugby Club – 6:00pm

Saturday 31 May

• Super Saturday – Old Boys’ Reunion
• AIC Round 5 v St Edmund’s College

Sunday 1 June

• ICPA State Conference – St George
• Boarders’ Mass – College Chapel

Monday 2 June

• Year 6 Retreat – starts
• College Mass
• Primary Morning Study – Primary Learning Support Room
• Teaching Staff Meeting – Draney Theatre

Tuesday 3 June

• Study Hall – Senior Library
• Primary Morning Study – Primary Learning Support Room
• House Meeting
• Year 11 & 12 Drama Excursion – QPAC (6:15pm – 9:05pm)

Wednesday 4 June

• AIC Cross Country – Year 8 & Year 11 attending
• Griffith University Mooting Competition
• Community Mass – College Chapel (all welcome)
• College Assembly

Thursday 5 June

• Year 10 Respectful Relationships Day
• Study Hall – Senior Library
• Primary Morning Study – Primary Learning Support Room
• Vinnies Meeting – Break 1B (Room 801)

Friday 6 June

• Champagnat Day – altered bell times
• Mass during Periods 4 and 5
• House Activities (Push-Up Challenge – McMahon Oval and Theatre Sports – Champagnat Centre)
• AIC Chess Round 6 v Villanova College

Saturday 7 June

• Football and Rugby Union Photos
• AIC Round 6 v Villanova College

Sunday 8 June

• Boarders’ Mass – College Chapel