From the Head of College

Mr Michael Newman

Living our Lives to the Full

Thomas Monaghan is the founder of Domino’s Pizza. At 4 years of age his father passed away on Christmas Eve. Unable to cope with the death of her husband, his mother placed her two sons into St. Joseph’s Home for Boys, an orphanage in Jackson, Michigan. This orphanage was run by the Polish nuns who were nurturing but strict. One of Monaghan’s daily tasks, during his time in the orphanage, was to clean the small chapel. Although a mundane task, he knew that Jesus was in the tabernacle and it brought him closer to him. Despite the hardships the young boy faced in the orphanage, he was always “looking ahead.”

Upon leaving the orphanage, Monaghan joined the United States Marine Corps. Once he finished his time with the Marines, he looked for a job. That is when his brother gave him the idea to borrow a couple of hundred dollars to buy a pizzeria that was for sale in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The pizzeria was called Domi-Nick’s. It was basically a hole in the wall. He spent 500 dollars buying what was to become the largest pizza chain in the world. Monaghan went on to change the name from Domi-Nick’s to Domino’s and opened in two other locations in Michigan. The three dots on the Domino’s Pizza box that we see today symbolise the three stores he originally opened reminding Monaghan of his modest beginnings.

Over the next two decades, he redesigned a new pizza box which kept the pizza hotter for longer, focused on takeaway delivery instead of dining in, and he designed the conveyor belt pizza oven to cook the pizzas faster. However, the marketing strategy that would change the course of his life was his guarantee to customers that they would receive a hot pizza in 30 minutes or get their money back. By 1980, Dominos became the fastest-growing restaurant chain in the history of the world. In 1985, Domino’s opened 954 stores, more than anybody ever did in one year. In 1980, Domino’s had about 300 stores and by 1987, 5000 stores.

Monaghan continued attending daily Mass and reading spiritual books during this massive growth of Domino’s and he thought he could handle the fame and wealth but realistically he admitted, “I got into the toys; I justified the yachts, the airplanes.” Monaghan was once quoted saying, “My life had become a high-speed train going down the tracks but was about to become a train wreck.” It wasn’t until he read a book by C.S. Lewis that Monaghan realised he was only chasing material goods to prove to others that he was successful in life.

In 1988, Monaghan sold Domino’s Pizza for a reported $1 billion. With that money, he built a church, and Ave Maria University and an entire town called Ave Maria in Florida, where young Catholics could study, live their faith with their families, and grow in community. The university has over 1200 students who study a range of subjects from economics and business to biochemistry and physics. Today, there are about 33,000 people living in the town of Ave Maria. The area has its own neighbourhoods, restaurants, bars, parks, and a church which is in the centre of the town. Monaghan hopes that every student comes out “being a well-formed Catholic” and wants “to teach courses that the Church needs the most.”

This weekend’s readings were focused on the celebration of All Saints and All Soul’s Day where we are reminded to live life to the full - the challenge to live life to have no regrets in this life and to receive God’s promise in the next.

So, what is it that gives Tom Monaghan life to this day? His life no doubt answers this question - from living in an orphanage to becoming one of the wealthiest men in the world to generous philanthropy and devoting his time to helping young people receive a well-formed Catholic education. “When I get to the pearly gates — God’s been very good to me — I want to be able to say, ‘I used what you gave me well!’” he said.

God of the journey, may our lives and those of the young men of Marist be focused on living our lives to the full. Amen.

Remembrance Day

Marist College Ashgrove will recognise Remembrance Day, Next Tuesday 11th November. At 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month, Marist will join all Australians to recall the day that all fighting ceased to end WWI. On Remembrance Day, we will have a one-minute silence throughout all classrooms and a prayer to remember all those who died during all wars so that we can enjoy the peace and freedom that exists in Australia today. My thanks are extended to Ms Anna Nasr (Assistant Head of College – Mission) and the Mission team who have organised this liturgy and remembrance for the boys. Lest we forget.

Year 5 & 6 Drama Concerts

We look forward to our Drama presentations for 2025 on Wednesday 5th November – Year 5 from 4.30 - 5.30pm and Year 6 from 6.45 –7.45pm in the Draney Theatre. These drama performances culminate a year of drama education both in a practical and theory sense. My thanks are extended to Louise Marshall for her consistent teaching and encouragement of the boys culminating in these most enjoyable experiences. Below is a sneak peak of the dress rehearsal. I look forward to joining with parents on Wednesday for these performances.

Debating, Transitions & Year 6 Graduation

The QDU Debating continues with Marist College Ashgrove again hosting this competition on Thursday 6th November at 6pm in the St Marcellin Centre. Transition activities continue this week for new Year 5 students entering the Primary in 2026. This week we have swimming on Monday and Wednesday from 3.30-4.20pm and tennis on Friday from 7.00-8.00am. Today we celebrated the final Primary Awards Ceremony for 2025. We look forward to the Primary Year 6 Graduation Mass and ceremony on Wednesday 26th November.

Marist Committees

We thank all our generous advisory and supportive committees who gather throughout the year to ensure the best possible education of the young people and the associated experiences of our community. All committees will be gathering next Tuesday 11th November to review the year and plan for the upcoming year. My sincere thanks are extended to the following professional committee members for their efforts and undertakings, namely:

College Advisory Committee: Peter Selwood (Chair), Lisa Griffin, Kerry O’Brien, Tony Hogarth, Liz Collier and Gerard Piper. College Finance Committee: Ben O’Hara (Chair), Langton Clarke, Mark Elliott, James Fox, Toni Martin, James O’Connor, Chris Shay, Richard Katter, Richelle Power and Charles Brauer. College Foundation Committee: Langton Clarke (Chair), Tim Galligan, Tim Heenan, Br Daniel Hollambie, Kath Nolan, Sandra Poon, Bret Ambrose and Anthony Lyons. Old Boys Committee: Tim Slack (President), Dom Melrose (Vice-President), Bret Ambrose (Treasurer) and David Fowler (Secretary). Parents and Friends Committee: Donna Lynn (President), Adam Bennett, Jane Wilcox and Stephen Ball. Tower Art Show Committee: Clare Mapledoram, Sam Matthews, Jo Russo, Kristina McGrath, Amanda Lane, Katie Falcnik and Rochelle Davies . Neuro-diverse Learners Group Founded by: Michelle Lawson and Jennie Nowers and managed by: Kate Zane and Rebecca Slusarski. Boarder Parent Network: Susan Shay (Chair), Alana Palm, Matt Green, Meg Wood, Felicity Philp, Christie Goddard, Christophe Grammare, Lisa Kennedy and Jessica Fleischfresser. Sports Lunch Committee: Sophie Tuffley, Richard Graham, Kath Brassington, Rose Rayner, Brett Gillett and Bethany Halpin.

Marist Mother’s Christmas Lunch 2025

This Friday, 7th November, the Sofitel Brisbane will be brimming with festive cheer as a full house of Marist College Ashgrove mothers come together to celebrate the season of Christmas and reflect on the year that was. The annual Marist Mother’s Christmas Lunch is a cherished tradition, combining community spirit with a meaningful cause. Proceeds from the event will support the Marist College Foundation, contributing to bursaries that help ensure access to a Marist education for families in need. The celebratory lunch commences at 11:30am and concludes at 3:30pm. Heartfelt thanks go to Bethany Halpin, Jen McNamara, and their dedicated team for their outstanding organisation and warm hospitality in bringing this special event to life.