From the Head of College

The Magic

Last week I attended the ordination of the new Auxiliary Bishop of Sydney, Bishop Tony Percy. The ceremony was full of tradition and symbolism with a spirit of gratitude – it was ‘magic’ to be a part of the whole event with so much positive energy and goodwill. In his acceptance speech, Bishop Percy spoke about how we come from God, and we will return to God, so it goes without saying that we need God and the building of a relationship with him, in between. 

On Wednesday, the annual Marian lecture was held. This year, the guest speaker was well known journalist, Stan Grant. During his reflection, Stan, a proud Indigenous man, spoke about building a relationship with God in our lives – but in a practical way. He spoke about the importance of allowing the rigour of the ‘magic’ of the Catholic tradition to nourish our soul. He said that the Church should not just be about the law but rather about sharing the language of love and finding the transcendent that opens us up to something bigger. He said that we find salvation in how we find intimacy. He quoted Romans (16:16) to explain – we must empty ourselves before God and meet the other ‘with a holy kiss.’  We must move beyond our politics, our opinions, our religions, our discriminations, and arguments to come together in contemplation sharing a sacred meaningful disposition of the heart with one another. 

Certainly, at Pope Leo’s Inaugural Mass he too reminded us clearly of the need to be people of relationship  and acceptance, where everyone is accepted. Pope Leo said “I come to you as a brother, who desires to be the servant of your faith and your joy, walking with you on the path of God’s love, for he wants us all to be united in one family. Let us build a church founded on God’s love, a sign of unity, a missionary church that opens its arms to the world.”

God of the journey, may all members of the Marist College family find you in the humble disposition of ourselves, to allow you to enter into the ‘magic’ of our love for one another. Amen. 

Year 12 Academic Conversations

The important Year 12 Academic Interviews will be held from Monday 26th May at the College. These important discussions between the boys, parents and teachers will provide the boys with a snapshot of their academic progress thus far, providing suggested strategies for their pathway of study going forward. I highly commend these conversations to all Year 12 boys and parents. My thanks are extended to Adam Knight (Assistant Head of College – Teaching and Learning), Kathryn Badini (Curriculum Leader – Senior Years) and their generous team of staff who will be undertaking these interviews. 

Subject Selection Evenings – Year 10 & 11 - 2026

The annual Subject Selection Evenings will be held on Monday 26th May. These important gatherings will inform students moving into Year 10 and Year 11 in 2026 about the subjects available to be chosen and the matters to consider in choosing subjects. The evening will also be an opportunity to find out more about what each subject entails and to speak directly with teachers who instruct in these subject areas. The Year 10 2026 evening will commence at 5:00pm and the Year 11 2026 evening 6:00pm. Both will be held in the Champagnat Centre and will go for approximately 1 ½ hours. I look forward to meeting with the boys and you as parents on Monday evening. 

Marist 180 Free Dress Day

This Friday 23rd May, Marist College Ashgrove will be holding a free dress day with money raised going towards Marist 180. The Marist 180 organisation provides a range of programs and services for individuals to help them achieve their unique goals – educational opportunities, engagement services, pathways to employment, out of home care, and accommodation. My thanks are extended to Anna Nasr (Assistant Head of College – Mission), all members of the Mission Team and the senior students who have organised and will facilitate this important fundraising day. Well done and thank you Marist!

State da Vinci Decathlon and Ethics Olympiad

Best wishes to the young men who are participating in the State daVinci Decathlon at Brisbane Boys College on the 20th May (Year 5 & 6), 21st May (Year 7 & 8), and 22nd May (Year 9 & 10). Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) was one of the world’s greatest thinkers and scholars, demonstrating an ability to perceive the interconnected nature of knowledge and embraced learning with a lifelong passion and determination to uncover the unknown. The Decathlon competition places a particular emphasis on higher order thinking skills, problem solving and creativity. My thanks are extended to – Melissa Deacon (Program Leader – Academic Equity), Anntoinette Restell and Natalie Sones (Gifted and Talented Co-ordinator) who are preparing and will accompany the boys.  

Good luck also to the boys undertaking the Ethics Olympiad, a competition that promotes the study of philosophy and ethics. My thanks are extended to the co-ordinators - Lucy Naughton and Natalie Sones. Best wishes gentleman.

Head of College Tour

The Term 2 Head of College Tour will be held this Sunday 25th May from 8:30am. The Tour will include an address, a tour with students as your chaperones and a light lunch. This is a great opportunity to see the facilities, hear about all the College has to offer, meet teachers and students and have your queries addressed. Please invite prospective students and their families to this enjoyable morning. To book your place, please contact -enrol@marist.qld.edu.au or visit www.marash.qld.edu.au/enrolments/book-a-tour/

Uniform Checks

At the mid-term juncture of each term, the College undertakes a stocktake of the boy’s uniforms and presentation. It is an expectation that all boys wear their blazers and a formal hat in good shape, colour and condition to and from school each day. Similarly, it is anticipated that haircuts, bags, shoes and belts are of college expectation and condition. All boys are to be cleanly shaven where applicable each day. With regards to the old floppy hats which boys are allowed to wear in the yard each day, these are to have no rips, tears or graffiti. We believe that such standards are an important educational lesson for the boys and appropriate preparation beyond the gates of the College and into their future world of work, and performance. In anticipation of all parents’ support in maintaining these important uniform standards, I say a sincere thank you.

Year 10 Immunisations

The immunisation program for Year 10 continues this Thursday 22nd May. The boys will be receiving their vaccines administered via the Queensland School Immunisation Program. These are offered free of charge to Queensland adolescents. This year the Year 10 students will be given -

• Meningococcal ACWY vaccine (1 dose)
• Meningococcal B vaccine (2 doses).

The boys participating have previously been registered. They will be exiting class for approximately 20 minutes. The immunisations will be undertaken in the Champagnat Centre on the Mezzanine level. My thanks are extended to Kelly Byrnes (PA to Assistant Head of College – Students) for facilitating. 

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

Upcoming Events

Tuesday 20 May

• Year 11 Exam Block – continues
• State Da Vinci Decathlon – Brisbane Boys’ College
• Study Hall – Senior Library
• Primary Morning Study – Primary Learning Support Room
• Public Speaking and Debating – St Laurence’s College (6:30pm)
• Year 10 Dancing – Champagnat Centre (7:00pm)

Wednesday 21 May

• State Da Vinci Decathlon – Brisbane Boys’ College
• Marist Voices – SMC Podium (7:30am)
• Farm House Café Excursion
• Community Mass – College Chapel (all welcome)
• College Assembly
• AIC Cross Country Meet #2 – after school

Thursday 22 May

• Year 10 Immunisations
• Farm House Café Excursion
• State Da Vinci Decathlon – Brisbane Boys’ College
• Study Hall – Senior Library
• Primary Morning Study – Primary Learning Support Room
• Environment Group Meeting – Room 801

Friday 23 May

• Marist 180 Free Dress Day
• AIC Chess Round 4 v St Laurence’s College
• All Abilities Rugby – GPS Rugby Club (6:00pm – 7:00pm)

Saturday 24 May

• AIC Round 4 v St Laurence’s College
• Rugby/Football Photos

Sunday 25 May

• Head of College Tour
• Boarders’ Mass – College Chapel

Monday 26 May

• National Sorry Day
• Year 12 Academic Interviews - start
• College Mass
• Parent Subject Information Night
  • Year 10 2026 (5:00pm – 6:00pm)
  • Year 11 2026 (6:00pm – 7:00pm)
• Teaching Staff Meeting – Draney Theatre

Tuesday 27 May

• National Reconciliation Week – begins
• Met North Cross Country
• Study Hall – Senior Library
• Primary Morning Study – Primary Learning Support Room
• Year 10 Dancing (7:00pm)

Wednesday 28 May

• Brisbane Racing Club WEX Excursion
• Community Mass – College Chapel (all welcome)
• College Assembly
• Wind and Percussion Concert (6:30pm – 8:00pm)

Thursday 29 May

• Year 11 Leadership Day
• State Honours Ensemble Program – begins
• Study Hall – Senior Library
• Primary Morning Study – Primary Learning Support Room
• Environment Group Meeting – Room 801
• Sing a New Song – Choral Liturgical Music Event (3:10pm – 7:30pm)

Friday 30 May

• Champagnat Sports Lunch
• State Honours Ensemble Program – continues
• AIC Chess Round 5 v St Edmund’s College

Saturday 31 May

• AIC Round 5 v St Edmund’s College

Sunday 1 June

• Boarders’ Mass – College Chapel