From the Head of College

Mr Michael Newman

Be the Light

In Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus says, “You are the light of the world.” He didn’t say, “You can be the light of the world” or “You may consider being the light of the world”. No, he said, “You ARE the light of the world.”

Over the Christmas holidays, we witnessed the harrowing moments of the Bondi Terror Attack. The evil of the gunmen who shot indiscriminately at the Jewish community as they peacefully and happily celebrated Hanukkah will always be etched in our memories. So too, will the heroic selflessness of those who were able to help. One such hero was a 14-year-old Jewish girl, Chaya Dadon. Amid the spraying of bullets, Chaya bravely climbed out from her hiding place under a bench to save two small children, aged around three and five. She tells of how she saw an elderly woman and a younger woman, who were both badly injured, screaming, “please save my children.” She explained that the two women were unable to physically roll themselves on top of the children - to protect them from the bullets - due to the extent of their injuries. Chaya recalls becoming overwhelmed by a thought, “this is my mission to save these children, and this is God testing me." So, answering God’s call, Chaya bravely climbed out from under the bench, ignoring the cries of those around her to "get down” and “save yourself" to grab the two children. In that moment, Chaya remembers thinking, “God is next to me. God is telling me. God is with me and I’m doing this. I don't care. I'm (saving) them. Whatever happens is for the good and if I die saving kids' lives then that's the best way I would want to die because that's what God wants from me." Chaya then relived the heartbreaking moment of grabbing the children from their injured mother’s arms and then throwing herself on top of them. In the shooting that continued, Chaya was shot in the thigh but with the strength she received, she saved the lives of two young children and is now, thankfully, recovering.

Light is a powerful motif that carries an important message. Like this week’s Gospel, ‘light’ was also the theme of the Jewish community at their public memorial liturgy following the shootings. It goes without saying, that Chaya is a wonderful example of being a light for the world. This is Jesus’ call to each one of us, to be lights in the world.

God of the journey, may all the young men and those associated with the Marist family choose to be light for the world. Amen.

ATAR High Achievers Assembly and Morning Tea

We warmly welcome back our 2025 ATAR High Academic recipients for this week’s College Assembly. Invitations have been sent to our fifteen students who received an ATAR over 98. Particular congratulations are extended to Max Gallagher who received an ATAR of 99.90, Cullen Fitzgerald a 99.85 and Aidan Phillips a 99.7 and we look forward to a few extra study tips for the boys when Max addresses them. Well done to the 41% of Year 12 graduands who achieved an ATAR over 90, with a median ATAR of 88.48 and 100% of boys received their Queensland Certificate of Education and completed their VET courses. Following the Assembly, the boys will join their parents and guests for a special afternoon tea and photo session in front of the Tower. We look forward to welcoming back our graduands and celebrating their success with their families together as a college community.

Year 7 Camp 2026

Best wishes to our Year 7 students who will be heading off to camp from Wednesday 11 – Friday 13 February at the Maranatha Recreation Camp in Yandina, marking one of the most anticipated experiences of their first year at Marist College Ashgrove. The Year 7 Camp is a valuable opportunity for students to build new friendships, welcome the new students, grow in confidence, and strengthen their sense of belonging as they begin their journey in the secondary school. Throughout the three days, boys will take part in a range of teambuilding activities, outdoor challenges, rope courses and group experiences designed to encourage cooperation, resilience, and leadership. We wish all our Year 7 students an enjoyable and memorable camp and look forward to seeing the positive connections and growth that always emerge from this important experience. We thank Michael Colquhoun, Genevieve Long, Lucy Naughton, Marcus Schrader, Maddie Henry, Brett Gillett, Brendan Kiernan, Charlie Taylor, Scott Minogue, Chris Daykin, Andrew Gibbs, Tom Dangerfield, Coby Pooler, Bella Say, Paul Knight, Brad Winchester, Lisa Dekkers, and Sam Hambleton who will be attending and mentoring the boys throughout this camp. Enjoy gentlemen.

MYM Marist Connect Night

The first Marist Youth Ministry (MYM) Connect Night for 2026 will be held this Friday 13 February, from 4:00pm to 6:00pm at the Marist Centre Brisbane. Our MYM team invites senior students to join us for this engaging gathering, designed to offer a welcoming space for students to connect, reflect, and strengthen their sense of community. Through faith-based activities, discussion, and shared experiences with likeminded students across the Marist network, the evening encourages friendship, personal growth, a spirit of mission, and the Marist ethos. One Connect Night is held each term, and this event marks the first for the year. Dinner will be provided, and all boys are warmly invited to attend. Students who have not yet registered but would still like to come are encouraged to visit the Mission Office or email - mates@marash.qld.edu.au for more information. We look forward to a positive and meaningful night. ‑based activities, discussion, and shared experiences with like‑minded students across the Marist network, the evening encourages friendship, personal growth, a spirit of mission, and the Marist ethos.

Anniversary of the National Apology Day

On Friday 13 February, our College pauses to acknowledge the Anniversary of the National Apology, a significant moment in Australia’s history. This day marks the formal apology delivered in Federal Parliament by the then Prime Minister and Old Boy - Kevin Rudd on 13 February 2008, recognising the profound harm caused by past government policies that forcibly removed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families — now known as the Stolen Generations. The Anniversary of the National Apology invites all Australians, including our young people, to reflect on the impact of these policies, the enduring strength of First Nations communities, and the ongoing journey towards healing and reconciliation. As a Marist community, we use this day to deepen our understanding of our shared history, show respect for First Nations peoples, and commit ourselves to fostering a more just and compassionate future together.

Hospitality Training – RSA and RSG Courses

Our Year 11 and Year 12 Hospitality students will be undertaking important industry required training next week as part of their vocational studies. These sessions will be delivered by Club Training Australia, a leading provider of nationally recognised hospitality qualifications. These courses provide valuable, job ready skills and open pathways for future casual and career opportunities within the hospitality industry. They also allow students to access work experience opportunities during their studies, giving them practical exposure and strengthening their employability.

Year 12 students will complete their Responsible Service of Gambling (RSG) certification on Wednesday 11 February. This qualification equips students with the knowledge and practical understanding needed to work safely and responsibly in venues where gambling services are offered.

Year 11 students will participate in their Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) training on Thursday 12 February. This nationally recognised accreditation prepares students to work in hospitality environments by teaching them the legal and safety requirements for serving alcohol responsibly.

We wish all students the very best with their training.

Library Lovers’ Day – 10 February

Today, we celebrated Library Lovers’ Day at Marist College Ashgrove. This day is a chance for our boys to pause, explore, and appreciate our library. The College library is more than shelves of books; it’s a place where students discover new interests, find quiet moments to read, work collaboratively, and connect with the joy of learning. To mark the day, students dropped into the library, borrowed something new, shared a favourite read with a friend, or simply spend a few minutes enjoying the space. Library Lovers’ Day is a reminder of how important reading is to literacy development as well as wellbeing.

Marist Subject Support Returns in 2026

Marist Subject Support resumes this week. This free tutoring assistance is available to all students who would like extra help with classwork, homework, or assessment preparation. Students are welcome to attend regularly or simply drop in when support is needed. With the Senior Library currently closed, Marist Subject Support will operate from the Primary Library and I109 (old renovated primary classrooms). Students can be assisted by our tutors in these spaces. The weekly timetable is attached. Please note: One additional tutor will be added to the Tuesday afternoon session once the 2025 Old Boy Tutoring list has been finalised.

Shrove Tuesday – Tuesday 17 February

The season of Lent, the 40 days prior to the death (Good Friday) and resurrection (Easter Sunday) of Jesus commences next Wednesday 18 February. The day prior is referred to as Shrove Tuesday. This is the day where Christians traditionally have used up their remaining flour, eggs and sugar in preparation for a period of repentance and self-denial during Lent. In practical terms, people made pancakes on this day and consumed them on Shrove or Pancake Tuesday. The boys will have this opportunity with money raised going to our Lenten fundraising efforts - Australian Marist Solidarity (AMS).

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