From the Head of College

Mr Michael Newman

Fellowship and Community

I was always taught by the Brothers at school that the readings of the day can so often offer us wisdom or insight to help us approach the next day positively. On Saturday, I was asked to commence our annual Marist Long Lunch with a prayer, and so, I went to the Sunday Gospel for some inspiration. Without fail, the gospel reading from Matthew (18:15-20) had the line “For where two or three meet in my name, I shall be there with them.” This couldn’t have been a more apt reading, as in front of me were some 1000 parents, Old Boys and friends of the College gathered. We all joined together to celebrate each other in unity and community. Yes, our God of kindness was with us all in a spirit of communion and fellowship.

May I take this opportunity to thank the many generous people who made this joyous event a reality, namely - Ellen Kassulke, Bethany Halpin, Kath Brassington, Dane Rowe, parent volunteers, the ground staff and facilities employees at Marist, the Marist kitchen, the senior boarding students who helped clean up the following day and all our sponsors. Marist is certainly a wonderful place to be.

In this same spirit of fellowship and community, let us pray for the citizens of Morocco who are trying to cope after the devastation of the earthquake which has killed some 2,850 people and impacted some 100,000 children. As we speak, entire villages have been flattened, thousands of buildings toppled, and whole communities left homeless. Hospitals caring for the injured in Amizmiz are gathering under a tent pitched on asphalt under the blazing sun. Let us sincerely join in prayer and solidarity for those who are deceased and all families facing the reality of this horrific tragedy.

God of life, we pray that together, we will unite as one with you, in the spirit of fellowship and community, at Marist and beyond. Amen.

Immersion Experience 2023

From Friday 15 September – Friday 22 September, six Year 11 students and two staff – Mr John Lambourne and Mr Michael Connolly, will travel to the Northern Territory for the first immersion experience since Covid halted our travels. The first stop on this planned immersion is Uluru before continuing onto Santa Teresa where the boys will assist at the school and Community Centre. They will be guests to our Indigenous sisters and brothers experiencing a desert campout and cooking over fire.

Marist College Ashgrove held a commissioning liturgy in the Chapel on Thursday 31 August, where students and their parents came together with staff to reflect, pray and ready themselves for their travels, in solidarity with our brothers and sisters at Santa Teresa. Our pilgrims received their pilgrimage shell which was entrusted to their parents as they undertake this immersion. Good luck, gentlemen and continue to offer your hearts.

Track and Field Camp

Best wishes to all our track and field athletes who will depart for the annual Track and Field Athletics Camp at Gold Coast Performance Centre at Runaway Bay this Thursday morning 14 September, returning on Saturday 16 September. The camp will include training and events in preparation for the AIC Track and Field Championships to be held on Thursday and Friday 5 and 6 October - the first week of Term 4. My thanks are extended to the generous coaching staff who are preparing the boys for these championships, namely: Richard Graham and Robin Martin along with their team of dedicated coaches. Best wishes, gentlemen in your final preparations which include training days over the holiday period.

Term 4 Parent-Teacher Interviews

Term 4 Parent-Teacher Interviews will be held in the Champagnat Centre for all boys from Years 5-12 over two days, Tuesday 3 October (in person) and Thursday 12 October (online). Parent-Teacher interviews provide a most important source of collaborative conversation between parents and their son’s teachers to enable the best possible academic outcomes for him. I encourage your attendance at these interviews in all circumstances to do with your son’s academic progress. Bookings for these interviews can be made via the Parent Lounge. My thanks are extended to Madeleine Tong (Assistant to the Deputy Head of College) for organising these Parent-Teacher gatherings.

Soiree 2024

Marist College Ashgrove is pleased to invite parents to the 2024 edition of the Soiree. On this evening, you will hear all of the College’s large and small ensembles performing some of their best work. My thanks are extended to our fabulous and generous music department including Vanessa Mitchell, Alex Hides, Andrew Butt, Megan Harmston, Rhiannon Fenn, Catherine Wasserman, Janelle Lee Long, Enrico Le Mura, Alison Braidwood, Brodie McAllister, Evalyn Legried, Jamie Kennedy, Joseph Rabjohns, Laurent Dubois, Melanie Stewart, Monash Lal, Tony Vanderemeer, Sam Vincent, Owen Tilbury and Steve Williamson.

The night commences at 6:30pm (performers to arrive at 6:00pm) and concludes at 9:00pm in the Champagnat Centre. Drinks and food will be available to purchase on the night. For tickets, please follow this link. We look forward with anticipation to Thursday night.

Reminder – Parent Presentation

A reminder to all parents that tomorrow night, Wednesday 13th September from 6:00-7:00pm in the Champagnat Centre, Marist College Ashgrove will host one of Australia’s most accomplished parenting journalists - Madonna King, and Marist alumnus - Detective Inspector Jon Rouse. They will speak on the important topic of - ‘Sextortion.’ We have invited a number of other schools and their families to join us for this important presentation including – Nudgee College, Padua College, Villanova College and Stuartholme. A reminder that this event is free of charge and tickets can be obtained by following this link. I look forward to seeing many parents present on Wednesday evening, to reflect on this important and challenging topic for all families.

Save This Date

All members of the Marist College Ashgrove family are welcome to attend the 2023 Awards Night at QPAC. This is a night is one of celebration and entertainment combined with student awards. An email will be sent in the coming days with a link to access tickets. This event is free of charge and will run for 2 hours and 15 minutes commencing at 6:30pm sharp and concluding at 8:45pm.

Future Problem Solvers

Our ‘Future Problem Solvers’ Marist College Ashgrove senior team have made it through to the National Finals for the first time. Mr David O’Brien has done a wonderful job with our capable young men - Alex Apelt, Harrison Dyer, Max Bathersby and Remy Versace. This year, the final will take place in Brisbane on a weekend in October and Mr David O’Brien and Ms Colleen Robertson will accompany the boys. Congratulations, gentlemen and best wishes in the National Finals.

End of Term

Term 3 ends for our students on Thursday 14 September at 3:10pm. Boarding students will conclude classes on Wednesday 13 September with a travel day on Thursday. The final day for students will conclude with an assembly and prayer. All students are expected to finish their studies on these respective days.

Student reports will be distributed for the end of Term 3 in the following manner:

On Friday 15 September, Year 12 Unit 4 progress reports will be released to all parents. These will be available in the Parent Portal. Additionally, on Friday afternoon, assessment grades and feedback for each subject will be released to all Year 5-10 families (see video below). Parents will be emailed when these reports/this feedback goes live.

Click here to view the video instructions for accessing reports.

Year 11 Unit 2 reports will be made available at the end of Week 3 Term 4. For more information, please see the Curriculum section of this newsletter. If there are any questions please email curriculum@marash.qld.edu.au

Friday 15 September is a staff day for all teachers to complete marking and reporting and to plan collaboratively for the upcoming term.

I wish all boys and their families a safe and re-energising holiday, ready for a busy and exciting Term 4, together. Term 4 commences for the boys on Wednesday 4 October.

Enjoy the holidays with your loved ones and please stay safe.

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