Deputy Principal

SONY Foundation Camp  

After a four-year hiatus, Mount Alvernia College and Marist College Ashgrove will co-host the SONY Foundation Camp from Saturday 14 - Tuesday 17 September 2024. This camp is a four-day residential camp for young people (aged 8 – 15 years) who are differently abled. It will be held at Marist College Ashgrove. Such a camp requires much planning and support. At this stage, we need student volunteers, donations and campers.  

Student Volunteers: Students in Years 11 and 12 have been invited to register their interest in volunteering for the SONY Foundation Camp this year. The link to the registration form is accessible to students in Years 11 and 12 via News on MyMtA. Students can register their interest for one or more of the following roles:  

COMPANION: One-on-one or shared care of a child, for the duration of the camp. This role requires a high degree of responsibility. The nature of the camp is such that the continuous presence of all companions is required from 7.30am on Saturday 14 September until 4.30pm Tuesday 17 September. It is not possible to make exceptions.  

FACILITIES: Assisting with activities, transport, setup, catering and support of companions and staff. 

VIDEO/PHOTOGRAPHY: AV capable students who capture a visual record of the camp. Images and footage are used to produce a keep-sake for the invited campers and in promoting the camp to current and future students and families. 

To be selected as a SONY Foundation Camp volunteer, students must be available for all training sessions as this is considered essential for the safety and well-being of the children in our care: 9.00am - 4.00pm on Sunday 8 September and 4.00pm - 6.00pm on Friday 13 September. Selection for the roles of Companion, Facilities or Video/Photography are made on the basis of a written application and an interview with College staff.  All student volunteers (companions, facilities, video/photography) will be required to purchase a camp polo shirt, priced between $30-$40. 

Donations: We are seeking donations of toiletries and medical supplies, activities for the campers and pamper pack items for the parents of campers. If you can assist, visit Sony Foundation Camp 2024 - Marist College Ashgrove (marash.qld.edu.au) and use the checklist to indicate the items you are able to donate. These include:    

Toiletries and medical supplies: nappies, wipes, gloves, nappy bags, hand sanitiser, sunscreen, disinfectant spray, disinfectant, tissues, batteries, medicine cups, syringes, saline, Band-aids, Panadol, Nurofen, Ventolin, Solugel, Claratyne, Bepanthen cream, Sudocrem, etc. 

Pamper Pack items for parents: wine, gourmet food, chocolates, biscuits, gift cards, movie vouchers, pamper products, jewellery, etc. 

Activity Donations: rides, jumping castle, face painting, animal farm, ice cream van, popcorn machine, art supplies, magician, dress up characters, bubble machine, golf carts, etc. 

Campers: The SONY Foundation Camp at Marist College Ashgrove will provide accommodation for twenty differently abled children (boys and girls) 8 – 15 years of age. If you have a child who would benefit from this camp or know a family whose child would like to attend, please visit Sony Foundation Camp 2024 - Marist College Ashgrove (marash.qld.edu.au) for more information and to access the Camper Application Form: Camper Application Form - Marist College Ashgrove (marash.qld.edu.au). If you have any questions please email sony@marash.qld.edu.au. Please note: Due to high demand for places, children can attend the camp only once. 

Dialogues @ School Event 

On Thursday 6 June, the College hosted its second Dialogues @ School event. Year 11 students Chelsea Blake, Lizzie Christian, Amaeh Reed and Martina Vitale, participated in a panel discussion on the topic, “Could AI improve education for all?” The event was moderated by Mr Ali Kadri, CEO of the Islamic College of Brisbane, in front of an audience of College staff and students in Year 11 and Year 12.  

The dialogue engaged issues including the ethical use of AI as part of the research process and  a study program, the reliability of the information AI provides, access to education, the way AI will shape the jobs of the future, and the importance of human relationships. The questions from the audience probed the ethics of AI platforms in sourcing and acknowledging information, risks to privacy, and the potential for AI to spread of disinformation and propaganda.  

I would like to extend my thanks to Chelsea, Lizzie, Amaeh and Martina for their preparation and participation in the panel. They all represented the College superbly and offered considered perspectives on the pros and cons of AI. I am particularly grateful to Mr Ali Kadri for his expertise in moderating the dialogue for us.  

Our event has been documented and shared with Brisbane Dialogues. It will contribute to a report that will be presented to Parliament later in the year.  

The Dialogues @ School program aims to simulate better discussions about a range of issues in order to enhance the quality of public discourse, policy and outcomes. Such an event contributes to the College’s Graduate Vision by engaging students to be curious about global challenges, ethical issues and equitable solutions. 

Saint Bonaventure Lecture 

This year’s 8th Annual Saint Bonaventure Lecture will be held at Padua College on Monday 15 July from 6.00pm in the Auditorium. The guest speaker will be Br Matthew Beckmann ofm. His lecture will focus on the significance of the 800th anniversary of Saint Francis receiving the stigmata and its relevance to today. 

Tickets are free; however, bookings are required. Bookings can be made via the following link https://www.trybooking.com/CSNFF or via the QR Code within the invitation.