From the Head of College

Mr Michael Newman

Flowers and Candles

In a 2015 interview in Paris for French news broadcast Le Petit Journal, a father and his son were interviewed as they tried to make sense of the violent and senseless terrorist attack that had just taken place. In the attack, 129 people were killed and hundreds injured after gunmen and suicide bombers hit a concert hall, a major stadium, restaurants and bars almost simultaneously. The reporter asks a boy about what has just happened, and he responds reflectively and insightfully, particularly at such a young age. His disbelief in what he has witnessed, and vulnerability is incredibly moving but also very sad as he reveals what it is like to see such an event through the eyes of a child. The interview captures the loss of innocence and trust in humanity.

Crouching near the memorial of flowers and candles to the victims, the son suggests to his father that they will have to leave their home because “there are bad guys, Papa and the bad guys are not very nice.” The father reassures him that they won’t have to leave because Paris is their home and, quite simply, “there are bad guys everywhere.” With his arm around his small son, the father reassures him, telling him not to worry because although, “they (the bad guys) have guns, we have flowers.” Trusting in his father, he seems to slowly understand and eventually agrees, “yes, papa, we have flowers and also candles to protect us.”

If you are interested, I attach this video below -

Inspiring Father Explains Paris Tragedy to Child

Sunday’s Gospel Luke 6:27-38 reminds us to treat others as we would like to be treated. To treat our distractors and those who do wrong to us with a response of flowers and candles – i.e. pardon, not judge or condemn, but be compassionate and respond with love and generosity. These are very challenging suggestions but imagine a world where our treatment of others was modelled on these words and actions.

God of the journey may all members of the Marist College Ashgrove family be open to your challenging words in mind and heart, responding with flowers and candles. Amen.

Br John Wells

Br John Wells fms passed into eternal life on Monday 17 February at the age of 79. Br John was a dedicated Marist Brother for 61 years. He will be farewelled from the College Chapel of Our Lady and St Marcellin this Wednesday. Br John taught at Marist College Ashgrove from 1986-1989 and was Head of Primary from1995-1999. He retired at the college in 2013 having been diagnosed with Parkinson’s. Br Peter Carroll, Provincial of the Marist Brothers wrote about Br John -

“John was genuinely a simple man, in the best sense of that word. He was kind and generous, gentle and strong, a guardian angel for children, a great companion to his brothers. And until yesterday, he continued his Marist mission and his brotherly ministry. The Prophet Isaiah speaks of the “suffering servant”; we often hear these readings in Lent and Holy Week. John too has been a suffering servant. His presence and patience, his quiet endurance have been extraordinary examples to us. He preached the Gospel to us through his daily life.”

We remember Br John and thank God for his life and many contributions to Marist College Ashgrove. Many past students of Marist speak fondly of Br John Wells. We are all richer for the goodness and the witness he shared. May he rest in peace – his final aim which he deserves.

Marist Spirituality Day

Next Monday, the 3rd of March is the annual Marist Spirituality Day for all staff. This in-service day is facilitated by the Marist Life Formation team. The Marist Spirituality Day provides all staff with the necessary skills, knowledge and tools to teach and perform their duties in a Catholic school. The day will be facilitated by Brother Michael Callanan FMS, Mrs Anna Nasr (Assistant Head of College – Mission), Mrs Clare Locke (Campus Minister) & Mr Mikael Pitot (Youth Minister). The day is always informative, reflective and most important to enable the best possible formation for your sons in their personal spirituality. This day is a pupil free day. This weekend 1st- 3rd March in a boarder’s free weekend. Similar opportunities to further develop the spiritual nourishment of staff will continue with breakfast in-services throughout the year - including the 14th and 28th of March with Brother Neville Solomon - past Headmaster of Marist College Ashgrove.

Assembly of Birthing Kits

In Week 7, at the college assembly, the boys will recognise and celebrate International Women's Day. Leading into this important day, our Foley House Captains invite our Year 12 students to fund and pack a birthing kit at a cost of $5 each in support of the Birthing Kit Foundation Australia. These kits will be sent out across the world to make a difference in many women’s lives. The goal is to raise awareness and remember that throughout the world, many girls and women are struggling to receive the dignity, care and opportunities they need to live healthy and full lives. Today, for many women, pregnancy and childbirth is extremely risky due to the lack of safe medical care. If you would like to learn more about the Birthing Kit Foundation Australia, please visit their website at www.bkfa.org.au. I commend all senior boys who will undertake this very important activity.

If you would like to support the assembly of birthing kits, you can purchase a kit to be assembled via this link. My thanks are extended to Mrs Maddie Henry (Pastoral Leader - Foley House) and Mrs Anna Nasr (Assistant Head of College Mission) who have organised this activity for the boys.

‘Safe on Social’ Parent Presentation

I would like to recommend the ‘Safe on Social’ webinar to be held online this Thursday (7-8pm) the 27th of February. This presentation is by Kirra Pendergast, a leading international expert in online safety, with a career spanning over three decades. Her extensive experience includes groundbreaking projects such as whole of Queensland government cybersecurity initiatives and post-9/11 counter-terrorism strategies. This webinar presentation will cover the following topics - Safeguard Your Personal Data, Nurturing Respect, Spotting Online Grooming, Scams, Hoaxes, Deepfakes, and Misinformation, Better Group Chat Management, Saying no to Cyberbullying and yes to Building Online Resilience, Protection Against Identity Theft, Legal Responsibilities Online, Safe and respectful Online Gaming and Creating a Positive Online Presence. My thanks are extended to Mr Scott Minogue for organising this evening for all parents. To register for this free webinar please follow this link.

Year 12 Formal

The annual Year 12 Formal will be held this Saturday night the 1st of March at the Brisbane City Hall. This is always a much-anticipated evening for all parents and their sons as they dress up with their partner and enjoy a social evening of good food, company and dance, together. The safety of all boys and their partners is always prevalent in my mind on an occasion like this. I remind all parents of the following regarding any after formal events that may be planned:

As this is a school event, Brisbane City Hall will be providing security to ensure that the rules and regulations regarding the Responsible Service of Alcohol are followed. This means that no alcohol is to be served or bought onto the premises regardless of whether a student or his partner is 18 years of age or older. Should students be caught with alcohol, or behaving in a manner that indicates intoxication, they will be removed from the function.
Whilst it is the responsibility of parents to decide what is in the best interests of their sons beyond school hours and/or College associated events, please be aware of the following with regards to pre and post formal parties: NO pre or post formal or ‘gathering’ is supported by Marist College Ashgrove. The College, therefore, does not in any way accept responsibility for functions prior to or following formals. The name of the College must not appear on invitations, nor be used to imply functions are in any way sanctioned by the College. Parents who choose to organise and provide such a non-sanctioned gathering, bear the responsibility associated with the function and accountability for unwelcome attendees or outcomes. If your decision, as parents, is to hold a party for your son, I suggest you become familiar with and informed through using the Australian Drug Foundation website on hosting parties: www.adf.org.au
Parents are reminded that under the Liquor Act (1992), section 156A (1): In a private place, you could face court and be fined up to $12,904 (current from 1 July 2024) for supplying alcohol to a minor if you're not their responsible adult and providing responsible supervision.
As always Marist College Ashgrove boys and their partners are reminded that, under no circumstances, are they to bring the College name into disrepute. It is assumed all invitees behave in an appropriate manner before, during and after the formal celebrations.

The boys have been made aware of this information during a Year 12 Year Level assembly as well. I thank Mr Phill Holding and Mrs Kelly Byrnes who have organised and will facilitate this evening. They will be supervised on the evening by College Leadership Team members and Pastoral Leaders. I trust that the Year 12 Formal will be an enjoyable and memorable college event for all involved.

Year 11 RACQ Docudrama

Year 11 students will gather in the Draney Theatre during periods 1-3 on Wednesday the 26th of February to participate in the RACQ docudrama. This road safety education program educates young drivers and passengers about the "Fatal Five" risk factors - drink and drug driving, fatigue, not wearing a seatbelt, speeding and distraction, which are the leading causes of incidents and accidents on our roads. Students will be educated around the proactive strategies to use if, and when, they find themselves in a potentially dangerous driving situation. We encourage you to ask your son what they learnt in the Docudrama program and continue this conversation regarding the positive choices they can make as a driver or passenger. My thanks are extended to Mr Phill Holding and Mr Tim Walker for organising this very important presentation for the boys.

Marist Swimming Age Championships

The annual Marist Swimming Championships are to be held on Friday 28 February from 4:00 to 6:00 PM at the Marist College Ashgrove pool. The following events will be run: 50m breaststroke, 50m freestyle, 50m backstroke and 50m butterfly along with 50m freestyle events for the fastest 10 swimmers in Primary and the fastest 10 swimmers in Secondary. In each age group, the competitor with the highest accumulated points score at the completion of the Championships shall be deemed the Age Champion. Good luck to all boys who will be participating in these championships. My thanks are extended to Director of Swimming - Mr James Boyce and the Marist swimming staff. Good luck, gentlemen.

Pancake Tuesday 4 March

This year, Ash Wednesday in the Catholic Church is Wednesday 5 March, heralding in the commencement of the Lenten period, leading to the remembrance of Jesus’ death and resurrection. This day will be recognised at a whole school liturgy where there will be the distribution of ashes. The college will also mark the day by serving fish in the tuckshop – a sign of repentance and fasting as we turn our attention to the other during this season of Lent. The day prior (Tuesday 3 March) to Ash Wednesday is known as Shrove/Pancake Tuesday where families once used up all their flour and sugar (treats) prior to Lent. We will sell pancakes on this day with all funds raised going to our Lenten appeal – Marist Solidarity. My thanks are extended to Mrs Anna Nasr (Assistant Head of College - Mission) and her team for their organisation and facilitation of this event and fundraising campaign.

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