From the Head of College

The Spirit Which Surprises Us

‘Breathe in the spirit’ is often a term you hear in the Church. There is an abundance of air to breathe in as there is the Holy Spirit. As we move to the end of the Easter Season, Jesus departs this earth but leaves us the spirit. The spirit which is in abundance to us. The spirit we can breathe in and become aware of at any moment we choose.

However, our God is one of surprises. We can never pick the manner in which the spirit of God will be present to us. The two readings from Sunday explain this perfectly. In the first reading (Acts 2:1-11) the Pentecost comes in a wild event of wind, tongues of fire, miraculous speech and crowds gathered. Yet in the Gospel (John 20:19-23), the spirit comes quietly with Jesus who says, ‘Peace be with you.” Our job is to be open to the spirit of surprise in our lives, in nature, through people, in hardships and laughter and in the most obscure moments. We can never predict the form the spirit will enter our lives but we can be responsive and open.

God of surprises, may all the young men and members of the Marist Ashgrove family be open to the light and love of your spirit in our lives. Amen. 

National Reconciliation Week and National Sorry Day

From Wednesday 27 May to Wednesday 3 June, Marist College Ashgrove will acknowledge and celebrate National Reconciliation Week, an important opportunity to reflect, learn and continue the journey towards reconciliation. The 2026 National Reconciliation Week theme, “All In,” calls on all Australians to move beyond observation and take meaningful action towards reconciliation. It reminds us that reconciliation is a shared responsibility requiring each of us to contribute to positive and lasting change. As part of this commitment, students and staff will be invited to contribute to a Reconciliation Pledge, signing a personal pledge of active reconciliation and reflecting on how they can help create a more respectful, inclusive and united future. 

Throughout the week, the College will participate in a range of events, including attendance at the National Sorry Day Ceremony at Teralba Park and the Living Library – National Reconciliation Week event at All Hallows’ on Tuesday 26 May. The College community will also gather for a National Reconciliation Week morning tea on Friday 29 May. Tuesday 26 May also marks National Sorry Day, a time to acknowledge the Stolen Generations and recognise the ongoing importance of truth-telling, reflection, healing and continued understanding. The boys will be invited to remember this with a reflection activity in the College Chapel of Our Lady and St Marcellin Champagnat.

As a Marist community, we remain committed to fostering reconciliation, unity and respect with First Nations peoples. We deeply value the culture, stories, perspectives and contributions that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and families bring to our College community and a united future.

Together, we look forward to celebrating National Reconciliation Week and continuing to walk together in the spirit of reconciliation.

Design Tracks Program Opportunity

We are pleased to share a wonderful opportunity for our First Nations students. “Design Tracks” is a three-day residential program hosted by QAGOMA, offering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students aged 16–18 the chance to work alongside established creative mentors and explore future pathways in the Creative Industries. Two of our students, Landon Law-Palm and Paddy Bassani, who were selected in 2024, are featured in the following promotional video: Design Tracks/ Brisbane.

This highly regarded program is very competitive, with typically two students selected per school each year, and there is no cost to participate. We have nominated several students for this year’s intake and look forward to future opportunities for those who may not be selected this time around. We are proud to have a strong history with the program, with Waynead Wolmby selected in its inaugural year.

For more information about the program, please visit: 

https://www.qagoma.qld.gov.au/stories/reconciling-futures/

Work Experience

Work Experience for Year 11 students is being held this week, 25 - 27 May. Students are experiencing a range of different careers including: Architecture, Law, Radiology, Property Valuer, Fabrication, Carpentry and Plumbing.  We wish all our students the best of luck as they experience possible future career opportunities beyond the gates of Marist and we thank all the respective businesses for providing this very worthwhile opportunity. Other upcoming work experience blocks include: 24 - 27 June for the Year 12 students, and 16 - 18 September for the Year 10 students. For more information on work experience, please contact Ms Stabik in the VET and Careers Office.

Year 11 Leadership Day

Throughout 2026, the Year 11 Students have been learning about leadership, in preparation for the process to select formal senior leaders for 2027. On Thursday 28 May, this journey will continue with our Leadership Day. This day complements this program for our students explaining to them the importance of leadership, the characteristics required, the influence of leadership and the responsibilities to be upheld. My thanks are extended to Mr Ieti Fetalaiga, Pastoral Leader – Senior School and the Pastoral Team who have organised and will be facilitating the day. The day will be held in the Gym. Enjoy gentleman.

Wind and Percussion Ensemble

The annual Wind and Percussion Concert will be held this Thursday 28 May in the Draney Theatre. Ensembles performing will include: Wind Orchestras 1 & 2, Wind Ensemble and Percussion Ensembles 1 & 2. We thank our outstanding teachers who will be leading and instructing the boys, namely: Megan Harmston, Samantha Blakeney, Jamie Kennedy, Zac Moynihan and Dominic Machen. The concert commences at 6:30pm and tickets can be purchased via this LINK.  

School of Rock

Preparations for The College Musical - ‘School of Rock’ are progressing very well as we continue with our whole-cast rehearsals each Sunday. I thank our staff Rebecca Taylor, Bonita Gerry, Megan Harmston, Samantha Blakeney, Leigh Jackson, Rowan Dekkers, Monica Haworth and Sharon Vassallo who are assisting and preparing the students. The shows will run from 23-26 of July and tickets will be going on sale shortly. We very much look forward to our School Musical for 2026 – ‘School of Rock.’

Year 7 Immunisations

Year 7 students are scheduled to receive their school immunisations on Monday, 1 June 2026, including the diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (dTpa) and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines. 

Ozcare now requires all consent to be completed online via the Vitavo platform. Please use the link below to provide your consent: Vitavo.

It is important that this form is completed even if you do not consent, to assist with program administration. 

Further information is available via the provided guides and the SKAI website. Please note the College is only the venue for this program, which is delivered by Ozcare.

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 26 May

• National Sorry Day
• Year 11 Work Experience
• Tutoring - Specialist Maths, Maths Methods, Chemistry, Physics Middle Years Maths/Science
• Green Ash
• Study Hall – Senior Library
• Primary Morning Study
• House Meetings
• Parent Subject Information Night Year 10 2027
• Parent Subject Information Night Year 11 2027

Wednesday 27 May

• National Reconciliation Week - starts
• Year 11 Work Experience
• Tutoring - English/Literature Extension, Economics, French, Chemistry, Study of Religion
• Community Mass - College Chapel (all welcome)
• Primary Morning Study
• Year 11 HPE Golf - Driving Range and On Course Year 11 Sport and Recreation
• Mission Captains Meeting (Mission Office)
• Music Photos – Draney Theatre - Break 1 
• AIC Football - 1st XI v St Laurence’s College – McMahon
• Tutoring - Specialist Maths, Math Methods, Physics, Middle Years Maths
• AIC Cross Country Meet #3

Thursday 28 May

• Year 11 Leadership Day
• Study Hall – Senior Library
• Green Ash
• Primary Morning Study
• Primary Morning Assembly
• Break 1B Environment Group – Room 801
• Tutoring - English, Economics, Chemistry, Study of Religion, Middle Years Maths/ Science/English
• School of Rock Rehearsal - Draney Theatre
• Wind and Percussion Concert

Friday 29 May

• State Honours Ensemble Program – Brisbane
• Volleyball Intermediate Schools Cup
• Primary Morning Study
• College Mass - Break 1
• AIC Chess Round 5 v St Edmunds College
• All Abilities Rugby

Saturday 30 May

• AIC Rugby Union and Football - Round 5 v St Edmunds College
• State Honours Ensemble Program
• Volleyball Intermediate Schools Cup

Sunday 31 May

• Trinity Sunday
• School of Rock Rehearsal - Draney Theatre
• Boarder Mass

Monday 1 June

• National Reconciliation Week - continues
• Year 7 Immunisations
• Primary Morning Study
• Primary Morning Assembly
• Student Leader Portfolio Meetings

• Environment Group Meeting

   

Tuesday 2 June

• Met North Cross-Country Championship
• Tutoring - Specialist Maths, Maths Methods, Chemistry, Physics Middle Years Maths/Science
• Green Ash
• Study Hall – Senior Library
• Primary Morning Study
• House Meetings
• Studio Concerts Semester 1

Wednesday 3 June

• AIC Cross Country Championship
• Mabo Day
• ICPA State Conference Atherton - starts
• Tutoring - English/Literature Extension, Economics, French, Chemistry, Study of Religion
• Community Mass - College Chapel (all welcome)
• Primary Morning Study
• Mission Captains Meeting (Mission Office)
• Year 9 Mother and Son Evening

Thursday 4 June

• Study Hall – Senior Library
• Green Ash
• Primary Morning Study
• Primary Morning Assembly
• Break 1B Environment Group – Room 801
• Tutoring - English, Economics, Chemistry, Study of Religion, Middle Years Maths/ Science/English
• Guitar Summit

Friday 5 June

• Champagnat Day
• Champagnat Day Mass
• AIC Chess Round 6 v Villanova College
• All Abilities Rugby

Saturday 6 June

• Feast of St Marcellin Champagnat
• AIC Round 6 Football and Rugby Union v Villanova College

Sunday 7 June

• Brisbane Marathon - Environment Group Initiative
• Boarder Mass