From the Head of College

God in Suffering

Where is God among all the suffering? This is often the question asked when we meet people on the journey of life who are suffering. Suffering can come in many forms both at home and abroad – mental health, abuse, sickness, war, natural disaster, starvation and poverty. All too often, we speak with friends who are suffering through life’s many challenges. At present, we are viewing many troubling images of war in the Middle East and Ukraine. 

Sunday’s reading maybe goes some way to explaining God’s presence in all this suffering. The reading from Hebrews (4:12-13) tells us that we can never hide from God as he is in everything and everywhere. “No created thing can hide from God…” This is followed by the Gospel (Mark 10:17-30) which tells us that the Kingdom of God is very near. We are told in our faith that – God is always present, that the spirit dwells around and within us, God is in the stillness and quiet, and when two or more are gathered God is there. The Our Father, the most recited prayer, says – “May thy Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.” 

So where is God? God is in everything and everyone, and there is no escaping from that. Our job, as the Our Father says, is to make the Kingdom – God, present on earth as it will be in heaven. To make God present, we need to listen, be still and reflective, be socially just, be guest to others who suffer, care for people and the earth, treat our neighbour always with love, forgive and reach out. It is only then that the Kingdom will come, even amongst all the suffering. The Kingdom can often present itself in mysterious ways and situations that may surprise us.

God of the Journey, may all the young men and all members of the Marist College Ashgrove family, actively pursue the core of your presence, your Kingdom, even when we share in the sufferings of others. Amen.

2024 Marist College Ashgrove Awards Night

Congratulations Marist on another wonderful awards ceremony at Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) last night. The Awards Night was most entertaining, and the 2 hours enabled us, as a community, the opportunity to celebrate the year that was, and to look forward with excitement to the future. Well done to all outstanding music and drama performers and guests who appeared throughout the night in video presentations. I congratulate all student award winners who will be named in the Blue & Gold magazine at year's end. My thanks are extended to the following staff for their organisation of this event, namely: Mr Charles Brauer (Deputy Head of College) Mrs Anna Nasr (Assistant Head of College Mission), Dr Andrew Butt (Program Leader, Co-curricular Arts), Mrs Naomi Searle, Mr Phillipe Sanders-Agius, Mr Dylan Gower and Gower Productions, Mrs Jenna Harding, Ms Ellen Kassulke, Ms Alicia Lee, Mrs Rachel Rainbird, Mrs Bethany Halpin, Mr Jack Johnson, Mr Denver Jensen, Mr Alex Hides, Miss Samantha Blakeney, Ms Alison Braidwood, Ms Megan Harmston, Mr Enrico Le Mura, Ms Melanie Stewart, and Mrs Catherine Wasserman. I particularly acknowledge the following five major award winners who were presented at the end of the evening:

• The Des Ridley Memorial Cup for Sportsman of the Year – Isaac Roach
• The Parents and Friends Association Overall Award for Creative Arts – Liam Bourke
• The Father Walter Cain Memorial Trophy for Contribution to College Mission – Jack Shay
• The Doctor Alban J Lynch Character Cup – Isaac Roach
• The Brother Terence Heinrich Memorial Prize for First Aggregate in Year 12 – Max Bathersby

Congratulations Marist College Ashgrove.

Safe on Social

All parents are welcome to an online lecture this Thursday the 17th of October from 7:30 to 8:30pm. Kirra Pendergast will be presenting this lecture on social media, its dangers and challenges, and suggesting ways for parents to keep their children safe. Kirra is a leading international expert in online safety, with a career spanning over three decades. She is an excellent presenter and most informative. We hope that as many parents as possible can make it to this important lecture. For a link to attend, please go to -

Safe on Socials with Kirra Pendergast - Zoom Presentation (humanitix.com)

ATAR External Exams

Today our Year 12 students completed their final master class. For the remainder of the week the boys will be undertaking private study in preparation for their ATAR exams. The ATAR external exams commence on Monday the 21st of October. A full program of these exams can be obtained on the Parent Portal under the Exam and Assessment Information tile. My best wishes to all Year 12 boys as they complete their final preparations and undertake these final days of study. Final assistance can be provided by teachers during this period by simply contacting them by email for an appointment. Good luck and prayers gentleman.

Opening and Blessing of the Cyprian Pavilion

The opening and blessing of the refurbished Cyprian Pavilion will occur on Wednesday 23rd October from 2:15 to 3:10pm. All families are welcome to join the boys for this ceremony which will be held in the McMahon Oval (John Eales grandstand). The blessing and opening will conclude with an afternoon tea and tour of facilities. This is a wonderful refurbishment and asset for the college. This venue can also be booked for weddings, certain parties, funerals and other family events. For more information, please contact the Venue Hire Team at venuehire@marash.qld.edu.au or call main reception on 07 3858 4555.

Year 12 Boarders and Staff Dinner

The annual Year 12 border and staff dinner will be held on Tuesday 15th October from 5.15pm, in the Borders Dining Room. This is always an enjoyable event and one where the boys have a lighthearted reflection on the year that was in boarding and communicate their appreciation to the boarding staff. My thanks are extended to Mrs Belinda Kerwin for organising this special dinner for the boys and our outstanding and generous kitchen staff led by Mr Nathan Ayre.

Day for Daniel

An annual event in the Marist College Ashgrove calendar is raising money for ‘Day for Daniel’ initiatives. This Friday, 18th October is a free dress day for ‘Day for Daniel.’ We hope that raising money in this way will assist this very important organisation in the care and education of our young people. At the break, students will also be selling drinks and BBQ sausages. My thanks are extended to Mr Scott Minogue - Pastoral Leader Rush for organising this fundraiser. 

RACQ Driver IQ

On Monday 21st October, our Year 10 boys will have the opportunity to participate in the RACQ Driver IQ program from Periods 1-3. The RACQ Driver IQ road safety program educates young drivers and passengers about navigating their time in the provisional driver phase. Overconfidence of drivers, the influences of passengers and real-world steps to take in the event of a breakdown or crash will be discussed.  My thanks are extended to Phill Holding – Pastoral Leader Senior School, for organising this program for the boys. Enjoy and learn the important art of safe driving, gentlemen.

Head of College Tour

The final Head of College tour for 2024 will be held on Thursday 17th October from 8:30am - 12:00pm. To be part of these Head of College tours, simply contact the enrolments office by calling main reception on 3858 4555. These tours are a wonderful way to learn about our great college, its values, the future strategic direction and to witness firsthand the college facilities and the boys at work, during a normal school day. As parents, if you know of new families and boys who may be interested in attending the college, please direct them to these Head of College tours. In anticipation, thank you.

Year 11 Social

The annual Year 11 social will be held at Victoria Park this Thursday the 17th of October from 6.00pm to 9.00pm. This is always a very enjoyable evening where the boys dress up and socialise with their partner in a positive environment, and with their friends. I thank all parents who will prepare the boys for this evening. I trust that the whole evening will be a positive and safe experience for all boys. My thanks are extended to the following staff who have organised and will be supervising at this event: Mrs Kelly Byrnes, Mr Peter Serone, Mr Charles Brauer, Ms Jen Smeed, Mrs Roxanne Rosenberg, Mr Gareth Kolkenbeck-Ruh, Mr David Meehan (Ridley), Mr Tony Byrne (Ephrem), Mr Brendan Kiernan (Harold), Mrs Lucy Naughton (Foley), Mr Scott Minogue (Rush), Mr Ryan Cullen (Ignatius), Mr Brett Gillett (Gilroy) and Mr Marcus Schrader (Slattery).

Graduate Arts Exhibition and Awards Evening

This Friday 18th October, Marist College Ashgrove will be holding its Graduate Arts Exhibition and Awards ceremony in the Draney Theatre.  The event starts at 6pm with light refreshments served in the Draney Foyer before heading into the Theatre at 7pm for the presentations. The arts awards will include the areas of Visual Art, Drama, and Film and Television. Thanks to Mrs Christine Larsen, Ms Stacey Finch, Mr Pierce Hardy, Mrs Rebecca Taylor and the Theatre Staff who have organised this evening. I congratulate all those boys who will be receiving awards.

Immunisations

Year 10 students will receive their second dose of Meningococcal B Immunisations this Thursday, 17th October. These are the final immunisations for the year. This will be held in the gym mezzanine level. My thanks are extended to Mr Phill Holding, Mr Gareth Kolkenbeck-Ruh, Mrs Kelly Byrnes and Ms Helen Robinson for implementing and assisting with this health program, throughout the year.

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 15 October

• Year 12 Masterclasses
• Study Hall – Senior Library
• Primary Morning Study –Primary Library
• House Meeting
• Year 6 Retreat - SMC Assembly Area
• Year 12 Boarders Staff Dinner 
• Ephrem 801 Dinner

Wednesday 16 October

• Christmas Concert Ensemble Rehearsal - Combined Choirs
• Community Mass - College Chapel
• Primary Morning Study – Primary Library
• Year 12 House Farewells
• Year 12 Farewell College Assembly

Thursday 17 October

• Head of College Tour
• Year 12 Study Days - start
• Study Hall – Senior Library
• Primary Morning Study – Primary Library
• Year 10 Immunisations
• Year 11 Social – starts 6:00pm, Victoria Park Golf Club
• Safe on Social – Online Parent Presentation

Friday 18 October

• Study Hall – Senior Library
• Primary Morning Study – Primary Library
• Year 12 Study Days
• Day for Daniel (Free Dress)
• Safe on Socials Student Presentations
• QPS Student Presentations
• Lunch Time Concert – Break 2
• Graduate Arts Exhibition and Awards Night

Saturday 19 October

• AIC E-Sports Championship
• AIC Touch Football Carnival
• Brisbane International Jazz Festival Concert

Sunday 20 October

• AIC Water Polo Championship
• Boarders’ Mass – starts 6:00pm

Week 4

Monday 21 October

• Year 12s - ATAR External Exams - commence
• Primary Morning Study – Primary Library
• Year 10 RACQ Driver IQ Program
• Bluedog training sign-on for 2025 Construction and Engineering Certificate subjects
• Foundation Meeting

Tuesday 22 October

• Study Hall – Senior Library
• Primary Morning Study – Primary Library
• House Meetings
• Gilroy Ash Dash

Wednesday 23 October

• Community Mass - College Chapel
• Primary Morning Study – Primary Library
• College Assembly: Liturgy and Blessing of the Cyprian – John Eales Grandstand

Thursday 24 October

• Study Hall – Senior Library
• Primary Morning Study – Primary Library
• Carols in the Theatre – Draney Theatre

Friday 25 October

• Primary Morning Study – Primary Library
• Gold Coast 500 Excursion
• World Teachers' Day​

Saturday 26 October

• MSA Student Leadership Conference
• Internal Trial – AFL, Cricket and Volleyball
• MSA Annual Mass and Dinner

Sunday 27 October

• MSA Student Leadership Conference
• Boarders’ Mass – starts 6:00pm