From the Head of College

Mr Michael Newman

Not Self, but Others

A Marist Brother who has been a mentor to me and for whom I have a deep admiration, has been unique and successful as a leader, capable, intelligent, and esteemed. In his leadership, he was no shrinking violet but autonomous and confident but so honourably humble. One of my memories of him is always being thoughtful and empathetic, giving to others at the expense of his own wants and needs. In conversations, he was a great listener and would invariably swing the discussion away from his own wellbeing, to listen to, and talk about the life of the person he was speaking to. I am sure his life motto has sincerely been, ‘how can I help others?’ He certainly lives the Christian value of loving others and does with great dedication but quietly, and humbly.

St Marcellin Champagnat is the model to which the Marist Brothers and our College look towards. Champagnat lived three spiritual values - humility, simplicity, and modesty with integrity. When speaking to his fellow brothers, Champagnat used the symbol of the violet, which grew wild in the countryside of southern France, as a metaphor for these virtues. The derivative of humility is the Latin word humus, meaning earth or ground / rich soil. The full interpretation of the word humility, therefore, is that we come from the earth and our gifts are the rich soil, given to us from God to be used for the benefit of others.

So, humility then is the ability to think of ourselves less and others more. However, it is not to be confused with thinking of ourselves as less but rather, thinking of others more. To be able to give to others, we need to be a product of the rich soil. Rich soil, a symbol of a healthy and positive belief in ourselves as evidenced by our actions, behaviour and appearance to the world, and an awareness of our God given gifts, for this can, in turn, be used with power to produce nutrition and goodness for the wellbeing of others.

At Marist College Ashgrove, we emphasise with the boys the need to be humble, i.e., to believe in themselves and their God given talents and to be grateful for their gifts, understanding that without God, their works and talents are in vain. With a healthy pride, self-esteem, and quiet confidence, they too, can give well to others. We remind them that humility is to give more to others, not to be less to ourselves.

God of the journey may all members for the Marist Family authentically live the virtue of humility. Amen.

Launch of College Masterplan for the Future

It is with much excitement that I announce the launch of our new building program for the College. This building plan for the future, as outlined in the College Masterplan, will be launched on Tuesday 19 October at 6:00pm in the Draney Theatre. This plan is going through a rigorous planning stage with the State Government - Ministerial Infrastructure Designation and the Finance Committee, College Board and Marist Schools Australia. We look forward to our launch on Tuesday, where you can hear all about the exciting building and renovation plans for the College. This Masterplan will provide updated and new facilities for your son’s learning and growth into the future. As the Strategic Plan states, all members of the Marist College Family have a vital role in the stewardship of this wonderful College which we all enjoy today, due to the generosity and goodness of the Marist Brothers, benefactors, parents, Old Boys and friends of yesteryear. All parents and associates of the College are welcome to attend. Tea and coffee, and biscuits will be provided. I hope to see you all next Tuesday evening.

Primary and Secondary AIC Athletics Champions

For the first time in the College’s history, the athletes from Marist have won both the Primary and Secondary AIC Athletics Championships. This was held at the Queensland State Athletics Centre (QSAC) on Friday 8 and Saturday 9 October. Further to this, no school in the history of AIC has won 7 athletics championships in a row. Special note should be given to the Year 6 and open age groups who won their respective aggregate for their age groups divisions. However, overall, after a great team performance, Marist brought home the two shields. Over these days, I witnessed some brave performances and most importantly, excellent sportsmanship by the boys. Congratulations, gentlemen and to your generous and expert coaches, namely: Robin Martin, Brett Leavy, Jon Fitzgerald, Carl Martin, Shane Ward, Des Davis, Eric Brown, Laurie Boustead, Ellie Kenny, Maddie Spann, Andrew Fogarty, Dave Meehan, Josh Mulligan, Macgregor Leavy, Paul Kearney, Harry Hunter, and Calum Mackay.

Well done, Marist College Ashgrove.

Debating Semi-finals and Tournament of the Minds Queensland Representation

Congratulations and best wishes are extended to our Year 9 Debating Team who has made the semi-final stage of the Queensland Debating Union (QDU) Competition. The boys compete against Brisbane Girls Grammar School on Wednesday 13 October. Congratulations to the Tournament of the Minds Social Science Team who will represent Queensland in the International Finals. My sincere thanks are extended to their generous teachers, Mrs Mary Stirling, and Ms Katherine Badini (Debating) and Mrs Judy Jones (Tournament of the Minds) for their encouragement, preparation, and accompaniment of the boys in these competitions. Goodluck gentleman!

Queensland Representative

Congratulations to Year 9 student Thomas Howard who has been chosen to represent Queensland in the Under 15 Rugby Union team. Congratulations Thomas - we send you and the team our best wishes.

Enhanced Studies Program

Congratulations to William Jennings and Aiden Ortiz who successfully completed the University of Queensland Enhanced Studies Program (UQESP) with each boy achieving a Distinction in the chosen course of ‘Introduction to Software Engineering’. UQESP provides students with an opportunity to extend their knowledge, skills and abilities by completing one university subject during Year 12. Both William and Aiden are looking forward to furthering their studies at the University of Queensland next year. I thank their mentor, Mrs Tara Franklin (Careers Counsellor).

Transportation around the College

With our new College Masterplan, we have had the opportunity to listen to local residents regarding their concerns with transport around the College. As a College family, it is necessary to always respect our local neighbouring houses and families including our assurance that the road rules are followed, and parking is undertaken with respect. I ask all members of the Marist College Ashgrove Family to be aware of these three fair concerns which have been presented:

When entering the Moola gates after driving up past the College on Moola Road, it is illegal to drive on the wrong side of the street or to u-turn after the road island to enter the Moola Road entrance – please use the turning circle just beyond the entrance.
For parking and pick-up around the College, you are asked to not use the resident houses driveways.
When parking on a Monday (bin day in this local area) you are asked to move the bins to the side of your car if you are parking outside a residence where the bins are ready for collection. The garbage trucks need to be able to access the bins and some of the residents are elderly.

In support of our neighbours, please follow the road rules and have courtesy when parking around Marist College Ashgrove. In anticipation, thank you.

Art and Film

Best wishes to our Year 12 Visual Arts, Film and TV (FTV) and New Media and Drama students who will be partaking in two events on Monday 18 October. At 6:00pm the graduating Art Exhibition will be taking place. This will be followed by the award presentations for Visual Arts, FTV and New Media and Drama and film screening from 7:00pm. Both events will be held in the Draney Theatre. For the Year 12 students, this is each boy’s final opportunity to showcase their work in a public forum and to be recognised for their achievements. All families are welcome to attend. My thanks are extended to their generous teachers who have prepared the boys namely: Visual Arts – Christine Larsen, Julia Wilken and Jasmine Wilton; Drama - Rebecca Taylor, Scott Minogue and Bonita Gerry; and FTV & New Media – Pierce Hardy, Tiffany Boyd, Damian Nelson

Term 4 College Tour

The Term 4 College Tour will occur this Friday 15 October. The tour consists of a welcome and morning tea at the Tower, addresses by staff, a boy and a parent, video presentations and live music by the College Jazz Band, all to be held in the Draney Theatre. This will be followed by a tour of the College facilities with senior boys as their chaperones, to answer any pressing questions. I thank our College Registrar, Lucy Tuttiett, and assistant, Sharon Ortiz for their organisation of this tour. If you know of prospective parents who may like a tour, please contact tuttiettl@marash.qld.edu.au

COVID-19 Update

From Monday, we were pleased to receive the news that masks are no longer required by students in the classroom while seated and teachers while teaching. In all other occasions, masks can be removed if 1.5 metres distance between others can be maintained. The boys are to be commended on the manner in which they have managed the wearing of masks under these difficult learning circumstances over the last term.

The College nurses will be conducting a second COVID-19 vaccination for the boarders through the Vaccination Hub at the Queensland Children’s Hospital. My thanks are extended to our professional nursing staff led by our Nurse Manager, Jane O’Shea (RN) who has organised these opportunities for the boys.

We are pleased to announce a new date for the Year 11 Semi-Formal – Wednesday 24 November. This date is after the all-important exam block. With the warmer weather approaching, we hope that this new date is clear of the restrictions of the COVID-19 lockdown, allowing greater access and opportunities for the boys to experience the full formal experience. To all parents and families, my sincere thanks for your understanding of the date change and new arrangements. We look forward to this enjoyable event for the boys and their partners.

Marist College Ashgrove encourages all students to receive a vaccination as soon as possible. There are various walk-in opportunities available to students (at this present time) around Brisbane. Details are on the Queensland Health website https://www.health.qld.gov.au/. Enabling all boys and families to remain safe during this pandemic is our intention.

Year 11 Leadership Day

On Sunday, a very committed group of Year 11 students gathered at the Marist Centre to undertake a day in preparation for their leadership of the 2022 Marist College Ashgrove student body. The day included presentations on topics such as leadership, challenges, legacy, and commitment. Prayer, great food, and comradery were shared, and bonds were developed between the boys who are now excited and ready to lead the College forward into this new leadership year. The Vice-Captains will be announced in the College assembly in a fortnight. My thanks are extended to their generous teachers who joined with me in the facilitation and presentation of this day, namely: Mr Bruce McPhee (Deputy Head of College), Mr Adam Knight (Acting Head of Welfare), Mr Luke McMahon (Head of Mission), Mr Ty Casey (Acting Head of Boarding) and Mrs Mena McClean (College Chaplain).

An opportunity to support a student

Over the remainder of Term 4, you will be provided with information and the opportunity to support the future of Year 12 student, Dino Lopes. Dino is the son of a single Mother from a remote village in East Timor. After graduation, Dino is hoping to complete an Associate Degree in Engineering at TAFE, but does not qualify for HECS as he is not a permanent resident. All members of the Marist College Family will be invited over the coming weeks to support Dino to achieve his dream.

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