From the Head of College

Mr Michael Newman

Unity in our Shared Diversity

The world is full of ideologies, political and value systems. From free enterprise to communism, socialism and other variations in between, the world differs greatly in social interactions, economic ideologies and values. In Australia, we could be explained as a free enterprise economy with freedom of thought and speech where government authorities intervene in the economic system with taxation and spending – often referred to as a Keynesian model. From here, lie our laws, regulations, and legislated freedoms. All in all, it could be said that Australia strives to be egalitarian - a place where all have freedoms, opportunities, and the expectation is that all people are treated with respect and dignity. Regardless of one’s race, sex, religion, colour, background, income and identity, freedoms abound, and respect and dignity for inclusivity of all differences should be the norm. Essentially, it is unity of people through the ideals of acceptance, respect and dignity that is quintessential.

This Sunday, the Catholic Church recognised Trinity Sunday. As part of our religious practice, we bless ourselves with the fundamental faith of the Trinity – the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This mystery is fundamental to our understanding of God. The Father created and sustains all creation, Jesus is the son who came on earth to save us and the Holy Spirit is the essence and presence of God left with us, empowering and guiding us each day of our lives. The Trinity reminds us of unity – unity of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit making up our God and similarly unity in a diverse world. Just as the Father, Son and Holy Spirit exist in perfect communion with each other, we are called to be in communion with each other to build and nurture connected, supportive and loving relationships. Each person is distinct, yet they are all fully God and share the same essence. This mystery of unity is the same unity that our Christian heritage is based on – one of respect, dignity and acceptance of all people.

Holy Spirit, may we as members of the Marist College family be people of unity in our shared diversity. Amen.

College Survey

May I take this opportunity to again invite all parents to complete the college survey over the final few days that it remains open. We are hoping for a significant survey pool, to provide the College with relevant and useful information to continue moving positively forward together. This survey, which is completed every three years, is being facilitated by MMG Education, based out of Sydney, who conduct numerous school surveys throughout Australia each year. It has been sent to each parents’ individual email address for completion. Your sons will also have the opportunity to complete this survey over the next week unless you inform us that you do not wish them to participate. If this is the case, or if you have not received an email link to the survey or if you have any further questions, please contact community@marash.qld.edu.au. In anticipation of your involvement, thank you.

Opening of the New St Marcellin Centre Building

All families are welcome to join us at the College for Mass celebrating the feast of St Marcellin Champagnat followed by the opening of the new Primary Building – the St Marcellin Centre. 2024 is the 25th Anniversary since Pope John Paul II canonised Marcellin Champagnat at the Basilica in Rome. The name, the St Marcellin Centre, marks this special anniversary date of his sainthood. Old Boy Bishop Brian Heenan will be celebrating mass and blessing our new building. To attend, simply get your tickets from this link. We look forward to this exciting opening and new facilities provided for our boys to learning. Come along and celebrate the construction of our first Marist College Ashgrove building in 14 years, since the Br Alexis Turton Science Building (2010). After Mass and the opening, enjoy a tour of the new facilities and a light lunch. Our next building project in the Masterplan will now focus on the refurbishment of the main secondary classrooms starting with the Carrick Building. This is an exciting time in the College’s history as we continue to undertake our Masterplan for the future, enhancing the facilities for our boys’ learning.

Reconciliation

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is always offered to the boys before school on Tuesday from 8:00am – 8:30am. We are very grateful to Fr Alatini Kolofo’ou who celebrates this sacrament each week. Further to this, the boys will now have an opportunity to participate in this beautiful sacrament during Religious Education classes. I thank Mr Daniel Bull (Acting Head of Religious Education) and Mrs Anna Nasr (Assistant Head of College – Mission) who have organised these opportunities for the boys to participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

AIC Cross Country Championships

The AIC Cross Country Championship will be held this Wednesday 29th May at Curlew Park, Shorncliffe. The Cross Country Championship follows three prior Wednesday AIC trials and many mornings and afternoons of intense training. Last year our Primary team were successful winners of this championship with our Secondary team, runners-up. We wish all our boys the best of luck in 2024 – they can be assured of lots of vocal support from our Year 11s who will be attending. My thanks are extended to their dedicated coaches, namely: Mitch Reid, Marcus Schrader and John Lambourne supported by Matthew Millward and Corey Robinson.

Best wishes, gentlemen.

Champagnat Trust Sports Lunch 2024

This Friday 31st May, Marist College Ashgrove, together with the Marist College Ashgrove Foundation, is proud to be hosting its 20th annual Champagnat Trust Sports Lunch in the Great Hall – Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.

St Marcellin Champagnat commenced an order of Brothers to teach neglected young people from country Southern France, providing them with a spiritual and academic education. Enabling these young people to have this empowering gift of education is the ethos upon which this Champagnat Trust Sports Lunch is grounded. The Champagnat Trust Sports Lunch began in 2005 to help the College and the College's Foundation raise valuable funds to honour this legacy of Saint Marcellin Champagnat. All monies raised at the event go towards Champagnat Trust Bursaries, which provide a Marist education to boys who otherwise could not financially access such an opportunity.

The Champagnat Trust Sports Lunch event is a wonderful display of the generosity and kindness of the Marist College family. Since its inauguration, the Sports Lunch has raised over $2.7 million dollars and has provided over 120 boys with a Marist education, giving them the opportunity to live the College motto - 'Viriliter Age'.

Thanks to the generous contributors, sponsors and especially our co-patrons - John Eales, and Matthew Hayden - the Champagnat Trust Sports Lunch continues to be a beacon of hope for many future young Marist men.

Joining this year’s memorable occasion are special guests: our host, the captivating Rupert McCall, the iconic Luc Longley, the legendary Gary Ablett Jr., and the insightful Sam Lane.

Last minute tickets can be accessed here.

My sincere thanks are extended to a very dedicated team - Committee Members: Ellen Kassulke, Richard Graham, Kath Brassington, Rose Raynor, Brett Gillett and Bethany Halpin – Marist Staff: Antonia Svenson, Dominique Hall, Lesley Grahame, Damien Zoomers, Jack Johnson, Denver Jensen, and our college theatre students for their organisation and facilitation of this wonderful fundraising event for the College.

Rugby and Football Super Saturday 2024

This Saturday 1st June will be a day of exciting sporting fixtures versus St Laurence’s College, hosted by Marist College Ashgrove. The day will commence with a luncheon where we invite back to the College Old Boys reunion teams of the First XV and First XIII from both Marist College Ashgrove and St Laurence’s College. Following this luncheon, the First XV and XI team members will be presented with their jerseys from the Old Boys. Later in the afternoon, Old Boy reunions will gather on the hill to catch up and reminiscence about their time at Marist College Ashgrove. This will be followed by various Old Boy reunions at night.

The Boarding parents have a planned social event at the end of the First XV game in the carpark on McMahon Oval. All boarding parents are most welcome to attend and enjoy the day together.

We wish all boys the best of luck with their games, all hosted at Marist between 8am – 5pm. You can view the livestream of the First XV by downloading the free Rugby Xplorer App and the First XI football on the AICTV website. Good luck to both our First XV and First XI teams with the latter still on top of the AIC Football points table. Enjoy Super Saturday and the wonderful community gathering that will occur on Saturday. You are all most welcome.

Primary Debating and Public Speaking

Tonight, our Primary Debating and Public Speaking teams will be participating in their final round of the AIC Round Robin competition from 6.30pm at St Laurence’s College. Our Year 5 Public Speakers will choose their own topic, while our Year 6 debaters will debate “That the summer holidays should be shorter”. Thanks to Ms Robyn Brown and Mrs Kylie Tippins for their organisation and facilitation of this competition. Good luck, gentlemen!

Semester Concert

This Thursday 30th May, the Semester Concert will be held in the Draney Theatre from 6.30pm. This concert will present the College’s premier ensembles including our Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Strings, Wind Orchestra 1, Guitar Orchestra 1, Big Band 1, Percussion Ensemble 1 and Chamber Choir. If you can only get to one concert this year, this is the one! We thank our dedicated music staff: Andrew Butt, Megan Harmston, Alison Braidwood, Melanie Stewart, Steven Williamson, Alex Hides and Taylah Ferguson for their leadership, teaching, and guidance of the boys.

ASHCAM Photography Competition

As part of Creative Industries Week, Marist College Ashgrove is holding its annual photography competition open to the whole Marist community (ASHCAM). Entries opened on Monday 29th April and entrants were invited to compose their best photo of a chosen subject. Up to 10 entries were welcomed within the following categories: Junior – Years 5 and 6, Middle - Years 7, 8, 9 and 10, Senior – Years 11 and 12 and Open – Marist community and staff. Entries closed yesterday 27th May and winners will be announced this Friday 31st May. Each category will be awarded a prize for both the winner and runner up.

My thanks are extended to Mrs Christine Larsen (Curriculum Leader – Arts) and Stacey Finch for their organisation and facilitation of this competition. We look forward to viewing many terrific photographs and enjoying Creative Industries Week.

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