From the Head of College

Mr Michael Newman

Gibberish to Joy!

The Catholic faith and Christianity in general have received much criticism in recent times. It is not always easy to be religious or someone of faith in the modern world. Society has evolved to be more secular and liberal and so religious teachings seem outdated and misaligned with the modern world. As a result, church attendance has fallen and there has also been a decline in religious vocations. The funding of Catholic schools has been decreased lessening the value of a religious education and on a larger scale, the Church lost the trust of its people as it struggled with the scandal of abuse and religion as a whole is often blamed for many of the world’s conflicts. Even certain political parties and their policies have taken a more oppositional stance to the views and teachings of Christianity, and this is seemingly now acceptable and tolerable amongst voters. Being a Catholic Christian with its associated faith and views is no longer the norm and is now, even sometimes questionable. There is certainly much doubt that surrounds faith and the faithful.

In the accounts of Jesus’ resurrection, the women were the first to see the empty tomb. They ran to the other disciples and friends of Jesus to tell them. These faithful women however, as the Greek interpretation of the Gospels explain, were seen as outrageous, gibberish, completely mad and unbelievable. Mark’s Gospel (16:11) says “they (the people) did not believe it” and Luke’s is more forthright – “They did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense.” It wasn’t until the disciples saw the empty tomb for themselves and when they met the resurrected Jesus, that they believed. Further, the guards the next morning were given money by the chief priests to refute the story – to tell people that the disciples came during the night to take the body when they were asleep. Rather than accept and declare that Jesus had risen and so he must be the Messiah, the authorities refused to reconsider or accept the resurrection as a possibility. Yet, the message of the resurrection did become believable to the first disciples and many others and has become the story and faith shared through many a tradition, between families, peoples and generations worldwide.

Easter is a time of great hope for Catholics and Christians worldwide. Although there are those doubting and difficult times where we do relate to the first women who shared the unbelievable news of Jesus’ resurrection, Easter is when we rise beyond this disbelief to believe in full faith. Easter is when we can follow in the footsteps of the women who believed and faithfully carried out the good news to the world. It is a time where we can be reinvigorated by faith. At Easter, the difficulties, our doubting, our challenges in the faith turn into joy and triumph – the tomb is empty – Christ is indeed risen! We are promised that which is not passing of this world but that which is eternal. Jesus has triumphed over sin and death.

Resurrected Jesus, this Easter we pray for a true, alive and personally transforming faith in this most challenging time. May the Risen Christ shower all members of the Marist College Ashgrove family with knowing hope, faith and joy.

Amen.

Anzac Day 2025

Marist College Ashgrove remembers and prays for all those past servicemen and women and their families who have lost or had a loved one affected by war, so that we can enjoy the freedom and peace that exists in Australia today. This is a special day for all Australians and a day we regard with great respect and appreciation. May the Risen Christ welcome into his Kingdom all those who lost their lives at war and bless those who still suffer due to the consequences of war. Students and staff will celebrate Anzac Day on Wednesday 23 April with a College Assembly at 1:00pm in the Champagnat Centre. All parents are welcome to attend.

On Friday 25 April, all students and staff are welcome to join us for the annual Ashgrove Memorial Anzac Day ceremony. We will gather at St Finbarr’s School between 7:00 -7:15am. Please ensure your son is cleanly shaven and has his full and correct uniform including a blazer and appropriate formal hat where he is invited to march and participate in the Anzac Day Ceremony at Ashgrove Memorial Park. This ceremony will commence at 7.45am. I thank all staff and parents who will be accompanying the boys on this day.

Lest we forget.

Holiday Undertakings

My sincere thanks are extended to our amazing and generous team of staff who continued to operate the College over the holidays. These are just some of the undertakings completed for the boys and the community: Cyclone repairs ongoing (>60 reported issues), Wellbeing Centre renovated and reopened, ovals prepared for term 2, Fourviere boarding accommodation water damage repairs, general repairs and maintenance, deep cleaning of all areas, pressure washing external areas, lightning strike insurance claim finalised, term 1 financial reporting completed, Canon printers installed across the college, Staff Orbit App testing, venue hire of boarding dorms/theatre/classrooms/dining, enrolments communicated to and completed and new staff hiring and onboarding. We thank our generous and professional team of staff for their work over the Easter holidays to ensure our grounds, facilities and operations are in good shape as we enter term 2 - thank you!

Parent - Teacher Interviews

Parent-Teacher interviews for Term 2 were held face-to-face today and online Wednesday 30 April from 3.40pm - 7.30pm. Bookings are now closed for these interviews. These are all important forms of communication for parents along with the continual reporting on the Parent Portal and formal reports. Formal Interim Reports for term 1 will be distributed to parents by the conclusion of next week. This later date for the distribution of these Interim Reports is a result of the changes to the term examination and assessment timetable resulting from the cyclone. We trust that all parents will continue to communicate with your son regarding his progress and the future goals he sets academically.

Hair, Shaving, Uniform and Photos

Student college photos will be held next Tuesday 29 April. Photos taken will include individual and Pastoral Care group. It is a college expectation that attire is perfect for this day. In anticipation, I thank all parents who will ensure that your son has his blazer, appropriate formal hat and winter uniform that is in good condition for these photos. Further, all boys will be expected to be clean shaven and have a haircut of acceptable college standard (off collar, not past halfway down ears, no less than a number 3, no extremes or taper fades and styled out of eyes). I thank all parents for the usual way you present your son to the college each day and the cooperation you show when uniform expectations require rectification.

Marist Jazz Night

This Monday 28 April, Marist College Ashgrove will be holding its annual Jazz Night. Held in the Draney Theatre from 6.30pm - 8pm, this night is always a high-quality event and is much anticipated. We wish all boys the best of luck with their performances and thank their expert teachers and conductors, namely: Dr Andrew Butt, Ms Megan Harmston, Ms Janelle Lee Long and Mr Matt Sorensen. Enjoy, gentlemen.

Primary Cross Country

Best wishes to all our Year 5 & 6 primary students who will be undertaking their Marist Cross Country Carnival this Wednesday 23 April at the College. The Secondary Marist Cross Country Carnival will be held on Friday 2 May. This will be followed by much training and lead-up meets leading into the Associated Independent College’s (AIC) Cross Country Championships to be held on Wednesday 4 June. We wish all students and their coaches the best of luck in these carnivals and successive training prior to the AIC Championships. Thanks to their dedicated and expert coaches, namely: Mr John Lambourne (Primary), Mr Matt Millward and Mr Corey Robinson with the support of Pastoral Leaders (Secondary).

Sports Term 2

The Rugby and Football seasons continue this term with our final trials vs Villanova College on Saturday 26 April. Team training schedules can be found on the Parent Orbit App once your son is registered. The Associated Independent College’s (AIC) Rugby and Football Round 1 games commence on Saturday 3 May vs Iona College. For those people wishing to watch our First XI Football games – kickoff will now be at 11.00am and kickoff for Rugby Union 2.15pm. We wish all boys and their coaches the best of luck with this season of Rugby Union and Football.

Lenten Fundraising Day

Postponed due to the term 1 cyclone is our annual Lenten Fundraising Day which will be held this Thursday 24 April. This is a free dress day. All monies raised will go towards Australian Marist Solidarity (AMS). This year funds are being used to build classrooms in some of the poorer areas in which Marist Schools Australia facilitates schools in Papua New Guinea (PNG). We thank all families for your support of this important annual fundraising day that provides such important assistance to those people in our world who are deprived of basic facilities and opportunities. In anticipation of your generous support, thank you.

Marist Remembers Pope Francis

Papa Francisco was the very much the humble Pope for all. As he emerged on the balcony at the Vatican on his election as Pope, his first simple words were ‘Good Evening’. Although the custom was to bless all those gathered, he began by asking everyone to pray for him – he bowed his head and silence filled the crowd - after this, he blessed the people. Pope Francis decided not to live in the Apostolic Palace but rather in some simple accommodation to the side. He chose to be driven around in a small sedan and at times was known to travel on the public bus. Audiences with him had a very different feel - much less formal and more relaxed - than they did with his predecessors. Pope Francis challenged us to smell the sheep, i.e., to be with and minister to all people. As for the poor, he gave them tickets to the circus, offered them food, visiting prisons to wash feet, and spoke for migrants and refugees. For him, those on the margin were at the centre, and he insisted we would be judged on how we treat the most vulnerable. The Pope wrote extensively on the dignity of all, unity, creation, the power of forgiveness and peace. Pope Francis spoke clearly to the common people, not shying from the modern issues of our time. On behalf of Marist College Ashgrove, we offer our thoughts and prayers for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis. May the perpetual light shine on him and may he rest in peace with our Risen Christ.

Amen.

Let us conclude with the words of Pope Francis on Easter Sunday – his last words to his people:

“Christ is risen! These words capture the whole meaning of our existence, for we were not made for death but for life. Easter is the celebration of life! God created us for life and wants the human family to rise again!

In the Lord’s Paschal Mystery, death and life contended in a stupendous struggle, but the Lord now lives forever (cf. Easter Sequence). He fills us with the certainty that we too are called to share in the life that knows no end, when the clash of arms and the rumble of death will be heard no more. Let us entrust ourselves to him, for he alone can make all things new (cf. Rev. 21:5)!

Happy Easter.”

Pope Francis Easter Mass - Sunday 20 April, 2025