From the Head of College

Mr Michael Newman

Thy Kingdom Come – A Better Place

Last week we heard the sad news of the passing of famous Australian entertainer, Bert Newton. Bert was a gregarious character who through his joy and unique talent for performance and comedy made us all laugh. People of my vintage enjoyed a weekly dose of Bert during variety shows like the Graham Kennedy Show and the Don Lane Show. He went on to win numerous Gold Logies and became an Australian household name. One side of Bert that the media did not report was his love and respect of the Marist Brothers who taught him at North Fitzroy in Melbourne. Br Terry Gleeson fms once told me that whilst living at North Fitzroy, Bert would visit the Brothers each Christmas Eve and bring them a carton of beer. It was as a simple sign of respect and gratitude towards the Brothers. He did this even during his busiest and most famous years. In Br Terry’s eyes, Bert Newton was a saintly figure to the Brothers, as he never forgot them and showed them true kindness and respect even in their elderly years. 

 

The traditional and universal Christian prayer, the Our Father says - “thy kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.” I am reminded of this line whenever we celebrate All Saints and All Souls Day in the Church on the 1st and 2nd November. Through our acts of kindness and respect to each other, we can certainly make God’s presence more tangible enabling his kingdom to come on earth. One loving act, one moment of listening, one empathic moment, one moment as a guest into another neighbour’s world, one act of kindness, one moment when we consider those who are less fortunate than ourselves will do the trick. It is appropriate this All Saints Day to remember our loved ones so they continue to live through us, enabling moments of God’s goodness to shine forth. 

 

God of the journey, we pray for our deceased friends and relatives and we ask that we can emulate their goodness and saintly qualities enabling the world to be a better place. 

Marist Remembers 

Last Wednesday, members of the Marist College family gathered to remember and pray together for their loved ones who had departed this life in the faith of their eternal reward. The morning was celebrated with mass in the Chapel of Our Lady and Saint Marcellin and followed by morning tea. All Souls Day, also known as the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed and the Day of the Dead, is a day of prayer and remembrance for the souls of those who have died, which is observed by Roman Catholics and other Christian denominations annually on November 2. This follows and is closely connected to All Saints Day on Monday 1 November. On this day, in particular, Catholics pray for the deceased in the faith of their eternal reward with our loving God in heaven. I thank Mr Luke McMahon (Head of Mission), Mena McLean (Campus Minister) and Liz Spry (Administration Assistant – Mission) for organising this remembrance Mass for all members of the Marist family. 

Domestic Violence Against Women - White Ribbon Day

Violence against women is a serious and widespread problem in Australia. 1 in 3 women in Australia are subjected to some form of violence. Violence against women is any act of gender-based violence that causes or could cause physical, sexual, or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of harm or coercion, in public or in private life as stated in the UN Declaration. Violence against women is preventable. The best way to prevent such violence is through education.

 

On Wednesday 24 November, Marist College Ashgrove boys will be invited to wear a white ribbon and to become more educated on this issue. In Australia, White Ribbon Day is a nationally recognised day that focuses on the action men can take to end violence against women. This all-important message will also be reiterated at the proceeding College Assembly where we will stop to reflect on how can men make a change? I thank Adam Knight (Acting Head of Students), Luke McMahon (Head of Mission) and our Pastoral Leaders for engaging the boys in meaningful conversations around this important issue. It is never acceptable to commit any form of violence against a woman.

Year 12 Assistance Continues

A reminder to all boys in Year 12 that teachers are available for assistance to complete their final pieces of assessment and preparation for their ATAR Exams. Boys are asked to email their teachers directly for assistance. Year 12 students continue to study for their external exams, complete final modules, undertake school-based apprenticeships and work experience, and receive last minute tips and assistance from their dedicated teachers. We wish all our Year 12 boys the best of luck as they complete their external exams which conclude on Monday 15 November. The graduation ceremonies and awards for the Year 12 boys will commence after these final examinations. 

Remembrance Day 2021

The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month marks the moment the guns fell silent on the Western Front after the bloodshed of World War I. Over the past century, this moment has been adopted across the globe as a time to remember those who served and sacrificed in all wars and conflicts. On Thursday 11 November at 11:00am, Marist College Ashgrove will join millions of Australians observing one minute's silence to commemorate Remembrance Day - a quiet moment held in recognition of those who have served, died, or suffered in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations. All boys will be pausing during class to remember and show their respect for those who lost their lives at war so that we can enjoy the peace and freedom that exists in Australia today. I thank Mr Luke McMahon (Head of Mission) for preparing this ceremony for the boys.

Year 5-11 Final Assignments and Examinations

I wish all boys at the College the best of luck as they complete their final assignments the coming week. Following this, all boys in Years 5-11 who are undertaking their important end of year examinations and tests.  Specifically, the Years 7-9 exam block will be taking place from Monday 15 November to Tuesday 23 November and Years 10 – 11 exam block will be taking place from Tuesday 16 November to Tuesday 23 November. I trust that all boys are studying hard to complete final assignments and to prepare thoroughly for these examinations. Grades received in these assignments and examinations will be communicated on their final end of year Marist College Ashgrove reports for 2021.

Year 5 Music Concert

Best wishes to all the Year 5 boys who will be participating in the Year 5 Music Concert on Thursday 11 November in the Draney Theatre commencing at 6:00pm. This concert will feature performances by the Year 5 Choir, Strings and Band. Many thanks to Janelle Lee Long, Catherine Wasserman, Megan Harmston, Melanie Stewart, Rhiannon Fenn, Carmen Hooper, Darian Johns and Andrew Butt for your efforts in preparing the boys for this concert. Admission for this concert is free; however, tickets must be reserved. Please reserve your tickets by following this link: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing?eid=790241&

Marist Mothers’ Christmas Lunch

An annual event open to all mothers is the Mothers’ Christmas Lunch. This luncheon will be held at Victoria Park on Friday 12 November. The event is an enjoyable social occasion for our Marist mothers. During the luncheon, mothers will be asked to support the Champagnat Trust and Dino’s Dream.  Unfortunately, this year all tickets are sold out. To cater for more mothers in the future, we are planning to change venues for 2022. I thank our generous staff from the College who have professionally organised this event for our mothers, namely: Ellen Kassulke (Events and Venue Co-ordinator), Bethany Halpin (Community Engagement Office) and Dominique Hall (Acting Foundation Officer).

 

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

Coming Events

Tuesday 9 November

  • Year 12 External Exams - continue
  • Reconciliation - Chapel - 8:00am
  • Year 10 Cert II Outdoor Ed Camp - continues
  • House Meetings Years 5-12

Wednesday 10 November

  • Mass in Chapel - 8:00am
  • College Assembly

Thursday 11 November

  • Remembrance Day
  • Remembrance Day Ceremony
  • Game Changers Meetings
  • Environment Group Meeting
  • Year 5 Music Concert - Draney Theatre - 6:00pm

Friday 12 November

  • Marist Mothers’ Christmas Lunch - Victoria Park
  • E-waste Drive

Sunday 14 November

  • Boarders’ Mass (Chapel) - 6:00pm

Monday 15 November

  • Year 12 External Exams - conclude
  • Year 7 to 11 Exams - start

Wednesday 24 November

  • Domestic Violence Against Women - White Ribbon Day
2022 Leaders
French Class
Vintage Blue and Gold Lunch
English Class
Ephrem Rock Climb
Ephrem Rock Climb
2022 Leaders
French Class
Vintage Blue and Gold Lunch
English Class
Ephrem Rock Climb
Ephrem Rock Climb