From the Head of College

Mr Michael Newman

The Spiritual Youth

Sunday’s Gospel (Mark 13:24-32) reflects on the mystery of life, the end of time – the spiritual. Research shows that today’s young people have a keen interest in the spiritual and all things associated. There are signs everywhere of this interest both at home and abroad. Just this week, at the Year 12 graduation ceremony, we gifted and each boy accepted a cross - a symbol of hope, Christian values and love for their neighbour - to place on the walls of each place they live in. During the Year 12 graduation Mass, Fr Alatini inspired the boys with a faith-filled homily telling them to believe, use your faith to carry you, trust God, allow the words of God to guide you and to not give in even when the world says that church and faith are irrelevant today. On Friday in France, a medieval statue of the Virgin Mary and Child was returned to Notre Dame Cathedral, miraculously surviving the devastating 2019 fire that engulfed the famous church. Nearly 40 000 pilgrims and 8 000 scholars, including thousands of young people, lined the streets to witness its return and reinstatement to the cathedral. As well as this, registrations for pilgrimage services at the cathedral have already taken place with an estimate of up to 15 million visitors a year.

Young people continue to be spiritual. Being spiritual in life gives direction and purpose. It provides hope and inspiration. I note that in Sunday’s Gospel Jesus’ words vindicate the need and desire to be spiritual as he reflected on the end of life - “my words will never pass away.”

God of the journey, we pray for all the young men of Marist and all members of the Marist College family, that the spiritual will always be central in their lives as was the wish of St Marcellin Champagnat who proclaimed – “make Jesus known and loved.” Amen.

White Ribbon Day

The International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women is celebrated on Monday 25th November. The aim of White Ribbon Day is to end all forms of violence against women. Taking a primary prevention approach, the day aims to influence and inform systemic and government policy change through grassroots activities, education and conversations. The day’s aim is to actively engage men and boys at all levels, empowering them to contribute to the solution, through youth programs, educational tools, workplace accreditation programs, and diverse campaigns. We support critical change in this space. During the week, we will educate the boys at the College Assembly, in pastoral groups and via social media on the importance of ensuring the safety and dignity of all women and girls in our society. My thanks are extended to Mr Phil Holding (Pastoral Leader – Senior School) for organising these important educational opportunities for the boys. Marist College Ashgrove says ‘NO’ to all forms of violence against women.

Assignments

Boys in Years 5-11 should be completing their final assessments as we speak. These end of year assignments will make up an important component of their final grades which will be reported for Years 5-10 at the end of the year. Year 11 will find their Term 4 assessment feedback on the Parent Portal. I thank all our dedicated teachers for their efforts in teaching, drafting, and marking the students’ work. Best wishes to all boys as they complete these assignments and then prepare for upcoming exams.

Examinations

Best wishes to all students from Years 7 - 11 who will be undertaking their end of year exams from Wednesday 20th November - Wednesday the 27th November. The Year 7 to 9 students will be completing exams while at school, and outside of sitting these exams the boys will be undertaking their normal classes. Years 10 and 11 will be on exam block enabling them the comfort and ease of working from home in preparation for these exams. Students in Year 11 who are required to complete work for their diplomas and certificates, will do so at school during this exam period. To find out times for relevant exams, please refer to the Exam and Assessment Schedule and Information tile on the Parent Portal. We offer all boys our best wishes and prayers for their preparation and undertaking of these important examinations. Good luck, gentlemen.

Year 6 Primary Graduation

A reminder to all Year 6 parents and family members that on Friday week, 29th November, our Year 6 boys will be graduating from the primary school and entering the secondary school. The primary graduation which will commence with a liturgy and conclude with speeches and a cake at the tower, will be held from 11:30 to 2:30pm. This is a wonderful family event, and I trust all parents will mark this event in their calendars as one not to be missed. My thanks are extended to Mr Anthony Graham, Mr Michael Connolly and Mrs Ellen Kassulke for their organisation and preparation for this graduation ceremony.

Year 12 Graduation

Year 12 graduation events from last week were simply outstanding and a wonderful way to farewell our senior students from the college. The events included a Year 12 boarders’ dinner on the Thursday night, followed on the Friday with a graduation mass, festivities at McMahon Oval and concluded with the dinner at the Brisbane Convention Centre in the evening. These events which were well-planned and organised are a credit to all who were generously involved. I thank the following people, sincerely - Charles Brauer, Naomi Searle, Anna Nasr, Jenna Harding, Mikael Pitot, Clare Locke, Peter Serone, Kelly Byrnes, Callum Clarke, Nathan Ayre, Dane Rowe, Jack Johnson, Denver Jensen, Sebastian Harman, Dylan Gower, Andrew Butt, Scott Minogue, Sharon Davidson, Michael Connolly, Anthony Graham, Liz Walsh, Pierce Hardy, Ellen Kassulke, Antonia Svenson, Sophie Tuffley and Bethany Halpin. I include some photos and videos that will provide you with some insight into these amazing days for the boys and their families. Congratulations graduating class of 2024! Our best wishes and prayers as you exit the gates of Marist College Ashgrove for the last time, to make the world a better place.