From the Head of College

Mr Michael Newman

Honing our Trust

Sometimes you meet extraordinary people who give their all – they give everything they have for others. This is the case for Sr Liz Wiemers, a Good Samaritan Sister, who after a long career, gave most of her final 12 years of her life to the people of Ltyentye Apurte (Santa Teresa), together with the Marist Brothers. Santa Teresa is a former Catholic mission, 80 kilometres from Alice Springs where our Marist boys just completed an immersion. In an ABC interview at her retirement, Sr Liz spoke clearly of her life living alongside Indigenous Australians and her deep respect for their traditions, and her genuine desire for reconciliation. Sister Liz’s work as a parish assistant, facilitator of immersion groups, and coordinator of the spirituality centre and parish accommodation, demonstrated her unwavering compassion and commitment to bridging cultural divides. Her dedication to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ministry and commitment to fostering understanding and respect was recognised upon retirement in 2023 with a National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Service to Community Award (NATSICC). Upon her recent passing into the next life, the Diocese of Darwin reflected – “Sister Liz’s love for Arrernte culture guided her life, and her service to the people of Ltyentye Apurte will always be remembered. We remember this remarkable, faith-filled, and courageous woman.”

Sunday’s Gospel, Mark 12:38‐44 tells of Jesus sitting opposite the treasury and watching the people contributing money, and many of the rich put in a great deal. A widow Jesus observed gave her almost valueless lepta coins - an immense example of generosity - giving all she had with trust in a faithful, loving God. This is a metaphor for the life of Jesus, who sacrificed his total self on the cross, showing forth the absolute love God has for all of us—each and every—always. We in turn, are invited to hone our trust in a generous love, opening to this divine gift. In a very challenging, unfamiliar and desolate outback community experience, a selfless Good Samaritan Sister, honed her trust in a generous God. This could only be described as the essence of Sr Liz who lived in love for, and with the people of Ltyentye Apurte.

God of the Journey, in all life’s challenges may all the young men and members of the Marist family focus more fervently on trusting in your endless compassion and love. Amen.

Assistant Head of College – Learning and Teaching (Middle Years)

In recent weeks, Marist College Ashgrove has been in search of a new leadership team member to facilitate the teaching and learning of our middle years students. Joining myself, the interview panel consisted of Mr Mark Elliot (Regional Director - Marist Schools Australia), Ms Sharon Collins (Principal – Sienna Catholic College), and Mr Charles Brauer (Deputy Head of College). It is with much excitement that I announce the appointment of Leigh Jackson to the role of Assistant Head of College – Learning and Teaching (Middle Years), from 2025.

Leigh has extensive leadership experience in both the Catholic and State education systems both in Australia and abroad. She is currently Head of Department: Middle Years at Corinda State High School. Other leadership positions held by Leigh include -Acting Assistant Principal, Learning Coordinator and Middle Years Teaching and Learning Coordinator at Unity College Caloundra, VET and Pathways Coordinator and Senior Studies Coordinator at St Augustine’s College, Augustine Heights. Leigh has further taught at The Springfield Anglican College, St Joseph’s School, Pukekohe (NZ) and All Hallow’s School.

Leigh has written a variety of publications in the areas of synergetic pedagogical exchange and adolescent success, Middle Years social media platforms and A Safe Distance – Young Adult Fiction. Leigh is a member of the Adolescent Success Association, and Founder and member of the Middle Years Cluster group in Brisbane.

Leigh holds a Master of Educational Leadership, Bachelor of Education (English and Drama) and a Graduate Diploma in Dance Instruction. We are excited to welcome Leigh as a full-time member of the College Leadership Team and her husband, Bruce and children, Ethan and Riley to the Marist College family.

Thank you to Ms Roxanne Rosenberg who is taking up a new promotional position at St Patrick’s College, Shorncliffe as Dean of Teaching and Learning. Roxanne’s contribution to teaching and learning at Marist College Ashgrove has been invaluable. Her work ethic, expertise, good nature and positive spirit will certainly be missed. The improvement in numeracy and literacy, as measured in the NAPLAN achievements by the boys, is testament to the wonderful contribution of Roxanne at the College. Our best wishes and prayers for the future Roxanne.

Year 12 Boarders’ Family Dinner

On Thursday 14th November, the Year 12 boys will be joined by their families for the annual Boarder’s Dinner. Celebrating their graduation and efforts in the boarding school, the boys will thank their supervisors, boarding staff and parents while reminiscing on their time here at the college. The boarding students and staff make an invaluable and indelible contribution to the life of Marist College Ashgrove and this cohort of boys certainly emulated this. I congratulate all boarding students on their graduation and thank them for their generous and wholehearted contribution to the life and ethos of the college.

Year 12 Graduation Ceremonies

It is with celebration and sadness that we farewell a wonderful group of boys from the college in this, the 84th graduating class of Marist College Ashgrove. The boys’ leadership, example to the younger students, remarkable contributions, energy and positivity throughout the year will always remain a hallmark of this fine group of seniors. To acknowledge their graduation, Marist College Ashgrove will hold a graduation mass at 9:30am on Friday, celebrated by College Chaplain Fr Alatini Kolofo’ou sm. This will be followed at 10:45am with a guard of honour by the college community leading to McMahon Oval where we will hold festivities and speeches. In the evening, from 6:00pm, the final graduation dinner will be held at the Brisbane Convention Centre. Family, relatives and friends are welcome to join the college for the mass, guard of honour and festivities on the oval. Parents will attend the dinner with their son at the Convention Centre. We wish every graduand every blessing beyond the gates of Marist. As the college mission statement suggests – go and make a positive Christian contribution to the world.

Congratulations and prayers to our graduating class of 2024.

Years 7-11 End of Year Examination Block

There is one week remaining before the end of year exam block for students from Years 7-11. These exams commence on Wednesday 20th November, concluding on Wednesday 27th November. I wish all boys every best wish with their assignments which they are presently completing and their examinations for which they are preparing and revising for. This is an important time of the year for the boys, and I thank parents and boarding staff who are encouraging and providing their sons / the boys with the best possible learning environment to complete their work and prepare for these examinations. Good luck in these final weeks of study, gentlemen. All students are expected to attend school up to the final day of the school year which is Friday 29th November (this is the boarders’ travel day).

Environmental Leadership

Congratulations Year 10 students - James Dee, Luke Garvey and Joel Dargusch, who, on Wednesday, attended their graduation of the Lord Mayor’s Youth Environmental Leadership Network. It was the finish of what has been many months of hard work. The boys showcased their electronic waste (e-waste) project which saw the establishment of a permanent e-waste bin in the Science Centre for the use of students and staff, and a now annual community e-waste drive. I congratulate the boys on this outstanding undertaking which has educated us all on e-waste and has created a practical solution to this waste in the future. My gratitude is extended to their dedicated teacher, Ms Kathryn Badini for her leadership and encouragement of this important environmental endeavour.

Marist Mothers Christmas Lunch

Marist Mothers gathered for a wonderful Christmas Lunch, sharing festive cheer, friendship, and gratitude as the year comes to a close. The event was filled with joy, laughter, and the warmth of our community as mothers celebrated together. All money raised on the day went to the Champagnat Trust Bursary Program. Thank you to everyone who joined and made the day memorable.