From the Head of College

Mr Michael Newman

Respectful Relationships are at Our Core

On Thursday, Marist College Ashgrove joyously celebrated the feast of St Marcellin Champagnat, and the blessing and opening of the new Primary building – the St Marcellin Centre. Celebrating the mass, we were honoured to have the presence of 1955 Old Boy, Bishop Emeritus Brian Heenan. Ordained in 1962, Bishop Heenan was named Bishop of Rockhampton in 1991 before retiring in 2013. Bishop Brian spoke glowingly of his time at Marist College Ashgrove and the support he felt from the Marist Brothers not only at his ordination but also at his installation as the Bishop of Rockhampton. He spoke about the great values and spirit that the Brothers imparted on him and how that gave him a great base for his life of ministry, moving forward.

In his homily, the bishop explained to the boys with great conviction that Jesus needs to be the centre of all that we do in their lives - he is our guide and hope. Bishop Heenan completed his homily reminding the boys of the importance of respecting women. He repeated the growing media emphasis on the tragedy of domestic violence in Australia and our important roles to rectify this scourge upon our society. In a similar way, during a recent interview of Pope Francis with CBS News anchor Norah O’Donnell on the network flagship magazine program, 60 minutes, we were reminded of the importance and dignity of women within the Church. During this candid and wide-ranging interview which included the role of women in the Church, Pope Francis stated the following superlatives about women and mothers - “Women are great – they are very great. Don’t forget that the ones who never abandoned Jesus (at the cross) were the women, the men all fled,” and that women give us all hope – “Heroic mothers, women who look to the future.”

To address this incredibly important societal issue, Marist College Ashgrove continues to provide our boys with educational avenues to both understand and respond to women always with respect and dignity. The Marist Student Welfare Program or ASH program undertakes a comprehensive education in this area. I outline some of the topics covered in each age group:

Year 5 -

Positive friendships and relationships with others, positive words and actions to help build people up, bullying, making a positive contribution to our community and having a positive digital footprint

Year 6 –

Positive values and beliefs, peer group pressure, positive self esteem and positive energy towards others

Year 7 & 8 –

Better and right relationships, emotional literacy and “soft skills”, the URSTRONG program, dealing with friendships and relational conflict

Year 9 –

Respectful Relationships, sexual imagery contributing to a distorted view of one’s body, relationships and sexuality

Year 10 –

Character, Respectful Relationships, sexual Intimacy, consent and relationship violence.

Year 11 –

What does it mean to be a man and being a good partner?

Year 12 –

Appropriate behaviour, being a good partner, consent, domestic violence, legalities and sexual assault.

The ASH Program also combines with Religious Education classes where topics including informed conscience and ethics integrate with the year level topics above. This comprehensive Year 5-12 student wellbeing program incorporates outstanding guest speakers to the college including - Madonna King and John Rouse – ‘Sextortion’, Melinda Tankart - Reist – ‘Pornography, Consent and Social Media’, Wendy Mulcahy – ‘Respectful Relationships, DV and sexual assault’, Real Choice – ‘Consent, Pornography and Respect for Women’ ; Kiera Pendagust – ‘Digital Footprint and Safe Conduct on Social Media’, Brent Saunders – ‘Consent, legalities and Domestic Violence’, Your Choicez – ‘Respectful Relationships’ and Daniel Principe – ‘Positive and Respectful Relationships, sexual Intimacy, consent and relationship violence’.

The College also recognises ‘White Ribbon Day’ annually where we join together with great conviction to promote ‘NO’ to any form of violence against women. Further, Marist is making a concerted attempt to positively integrate more with our neighbouring Catholic girls’ schools including Lourdes Hill College - Hawthorne, St Rita’s College - Clayfield, Loreto College - Coorparoo, Stuartholme School - Toowong, Mt St Michael’s College – Ashgrove and All Hallows School – Brisbane City in both formal and informal occasions such as – careers day, domestic violence seminars, the college musical, combined orchestras and choirs, relationship forums, leadership breakfasts, Boarders mass and dinner, traditional dancing, formals and the like. Finally, the College celebrates Mother’s Day with breakfasts for the boys and their mothers and conducts a Year 12 Mother-Son luncheon where we celebrate the importance of women in our lives and address the issue of absolute respect for all women, at all times.

Respect for women and saying “no” to any forms of violence against women is an essential and quintessential part of being Marist. Marist, being under the banner, values and role modeling of Mary the mother of God, demands above all else the admiration and acknowledgement of women at all times and on all occasions. We thank our Old Boy Bishop Emeritus Brian Heenan for his reminder of this important responsibility of our boys.

God of love, may we have the respect of all, especially women, as a defining feature of the young men of Marist. Amen.

Your Choicez Respectful Relationship Seminar Day

Next Monday 17th June, Your Choicez will present the respectful relationships seminar to all boys in Year 10. Topics to be covered include: relationships, sexual decision making, pornography, consent & sexual ethics, stereotypes & pressures and defining love. My thanks are extended to Mr Phill Holding, Mr Peter Serone, Mr Josh Kersevani and Mrs Kelly Byrnes for their organisation and supervision of this day. This seminar is part of the important ASH program, forming our boys to be respectful towards all people, especially women.

Year 12 Mother-Son Luncheon

The 2024 Mother-Son Luncheon will be held at the Hilton Hotel, Elizabeth Street Brisbane City, next Tuesday 18th June. This is a special event and one where the boys will have the unique opportunity to recognise their wonderful mothers and the role they have played in their education at Marist. The luncheon will also remind the boys of the unique and important role women play in their lives. My thanks are extended to Mrs Rachel Rainbird, Mrs Ellen Kassulke, Mrs Bethany Halpin and Ms Antonia Svenson for their assistance in organising this event for the boys. To purchase tickets, please open this link.

First XI Football Champions

Congratulations to our First XI Football team who, on Saturday, won the AIC Football Competition. The boys had a wonderful season and always played with great sportsmanship. They are to be commended on a great season. We offer our thanks to their coaches, managers and physio: Blair Whitlock, Willem Baines and Will Oostenbroek, respectively. Our appreciation is extended to our supportive parent body who energetically encouraged and sustained the boys each week. Congratulations gentlemen.

Term 2 Sports Summary

Marist College Ashgrove have won five of the eight possible AIC sporting titles for term 2. Marist was victorious in both the Primary and Secondary Cross Country Championships, Rugby Union and Football won the AIC aggregates for their respective sports, and the First XI Footballers were champions. Our First XV Rugby Union team were placed a credible second. Our First IV Chess team were placed third for the season and third in the aggregate.

Well done also to our undefeated teams throughout the season, namely: Rugby Union – 4th XV, 5th XV, 10C, 10D, 9B, 9C, 8C, 7B, 7C, 7D, 5A, 5B; Football – 2nd XI, 7th XI, 10A, 9A, 9B, 8B, 7C, 7D, 5B, 5D Black, 5D Gold, 5 White and Chess Senior A. Congratulations all boys, coaches, parents and supporters on a very successful term of sport. The season will conclude with the annual Sports Dinner at the Cricketers Club on Tuesday 11th June to recognise all First teams for terms 1 & 2. Immediately, we progress to the term 3 AIC sports competitions of Tennis, Basketball and Rugby League where we will commence our trials this Saturday.

Exam Block and End of Term

The Year 7-10 examination block continues this week. The student end of term concludes on Tuesday 18th June at 3.10pm. It is the expectation that all day and boarding students attend school until Tuesday at 3.10pm. The Wednesday, Thursday and Friday rounding out the week are then considered boarding travel and makeup days (e.g. public holidays) for all students. These three days will be staff days for our dedicated teachers to complete their marking and reports so that the Year 5-10 reports can be distributed on-time, next Friday 21st June. Every day of schooling is important to your son’s full education.

School Officer Day

This Wednesday 12th June, Marist College Ashgrove will recognise all our wonderful and dedicated school officers. Their contribution to the day-to-day running of the college for the education and care of your son is to be commended. Tasks completed by our School Officers include – administration, gardens, grounds, maintenance, kitchen, laundry, teacher’s aides and the like. The school in essence cannot function without their expertise, professionalism and dedication. Happy School Officers Day and thank you, sincerely!

St Vincent de Paul Sleep-out

This Friday 14th June, Marist staff and students will be participating in the St Vincent de Paul Sleepout. This event enables our boys to understand, feel and learn about the reality and plight of the homeless on our streets each day and night. It is expected that the stereotypes which don't accurately reflect the realities of this issue will be challenged. The night involves workshops, activities and students and staff sleeping outside for the night. The sleepout will commence at 5pm and conclude at 7am the following day. This opportunity is open to our senior students. My thanks are extended to Mrs Anna Nasr, Mr Mikael Pitot and the Western Vinnies Youth staff and volunteers, particularly Veronica Harvey, for their organisation and facilitation of this important event. Thanks also to Mr Jorge Ruiz and Mr Kabel Dawes who will accompany Mrs Anna Nasr and our seniors on this sleepout.

Primary Champagnat Award Assembly

This morning, Tuesday 11th June at 8.45am in the Draney Theatre, our Primary boys were awarded the semester one Champagnat Awards. These awards are given to students who embody the qualities of St Marcellin Champagnat and go above and beyond. My thanks are extended to Mr Michael Connolly and Mr Anthony Graham for their organisation and facilitation of these awards.

Interhouse Athletics Carnivals

The Secondary Interhouse Athletics Carnival will be held on Friday 14th June on McMahon Oval. This Athletics Carnival will have the following events: 800m, 400m, 200m, 100m, javelin, triple jump, high jump, shot put, long jump and novelty events. The winning House and age champions will be announced at the end of the carnival. My thanks are extended to Mr Richard Graham, Mr Matt Millward and Mr Corey Robinson for their organisation of this carnival. May the best House win!

This will be followed on Monday 17th June with the Primary Athletics Carnival. As with the Primary swimming carnival, events will be participation/novelty-based. All Year 5 and 6 boys are expected to attend in their college sports uniform and will compete in all the novelty events to the best of their ability. My thanks are extended to Mr John Lambourne, Matt Millward, Corey Robinson and Richard Graham for organising this carnival.

We look forward to both of these Secondary and Primary Athletics Carnivals and encourage parents to attend what is always an enjoyable day.

Summative Review

In the fourth year of all Australian Marist Schools’ Head of College tenures, a full summative review takes place. Now in my fourth year, this will occur in term 3. The following letter attached from Mark Elliott (Regional Director of Marist Schools Australia) outlines this process.

Letter to MCA Community Summative Review Head of College.pdf

Year 5 Band and Strings Concert

We look forward to our Year 5 Band and Strings performances this Thursday 13th June in the Draney Theatre. All boys in the primary learn a musical instrument, so it is good to see the fruits of their labour thus far, and their first performance on the big stage. My thanks are extended to their teachers: Mr Andrew Butt, Mrs Catherine Wasserman, Ms Janelle Lee Long, Mr Enrico Le Mura, Ms Megan Harmston, Ms Samantha Blakeney, Ms Alison Braidwood, Mrs Melanie Steward and Mr Alex Hides. Good luck, gentlemen.

LiveWorks

The ‘LiveWorks’ exhibition will be held next Monday 17th June in the Draney Theatre from 6pm – 7.30pm. The Arts faculty will be presenting a selection of music and drama performances, video screenings and an exhibition of artworks straight from our classrooms, to showcase our talented Year 7 – 10 Arts students. Parents and family members are invited to arrive early for some light refreshments which will be available from 5.30pm. My thanks are extended to Mrs Christine Larsen, Ms Stacey Finch, Mrs Rebecca Taylor, Mrs Anna Wilkins, Ms Megan Harmston, Mr Enrico Le Mura, Ms Alison Braidwood, Ms Sam Blakeney, Mrs Melanie Stewart, Mr Sebastian Ward, Mr Pierce Hardy and Mr Damian Nelson for their organisation and facilitation of this evening.