Deputy Head of College News

Hope, Peace, Joy, Love

Candles. Calendars. Lights. Wreaths. And then you mention "hope"? What is going on?(!)

I can be a bit of Christmas Grinch at times, stubbornly waiting until 30 November to put up the tree and turn on the lights I like to think it's for good reason. My family, not so! For me, sticking to this schedule is about keeping our approach to Christmas simple and sacred, as well as avoiding the October rush for fairy lights at the local Kmart!!

Our approach to Christmas is simply and sacredly wrapped up in four words, for ways of being- hopeful, peaceful, joyful and loving. These are the themes of Advent, the sacred season within the more general "silly-season". Not only do these ways of being guide us as people at this time, it reminds us of who we have been, could be and should be with each other. Hope, peace, joy and love have strongly resonated within our Marist Family this year, comprising many wonderful moments shared amongst students, staff and parents.

To have hope is to be human. To lose hope is human. To rediscover hope is human. To use hope to drive ourselves and others to our best versions for our world is human. Marcellin Champagnat's model of education for young people unlocks the hope within young people, affirming an individual's dignity and self-worth. To unlock the hope within others we need to be hope-filled, particularly in times when we feel hopeless!

We give thanks for those who have been hope-fillers to us, those who have unlocked our hope in times of struggle and doubt.

We give thanks for Hope at Marist.

Satisfied. Content. Stable. You'll find all these in your latest podcast. They may be associated with money, jobs, finances, well-being or relationships. Then there's peace. Peace goes well beyond satisfaction and contentment. Peace is grounded in knowing that you and those in your life are already good enough for our world. Peace involves forgiveness, reconciliation and letting go of ego.

We give thanks to those who have been our peacemakers, those who have listened to us, forgiven us and who we have forgiven.

We give thanks for Peace at Marist.

"For goodness sake. Please make sure our students and staff experience a sense of humour!" These refreshing words from Prof. Br. David Hall fms (Marist Brother) which have resonated with me for the past three years. Joy can often be confused with being naïve or too relaxed, dropping down the list of priorities in a world focused on strategy and outcomes. Joy is about revealing and sharing our optimism with others. Joy is infectious and a gift to be shared. A Marist education is centred on having a Love of Work, enjoying and caring for our work with one another.

We give thanks for the laughter shared in the playground and for the fun and games we’ve had whilst working with others this year.

We give thanks for Joy at Marist.

"All we need is……" The Beatles knew it. Marcellin knew it. We continue to grow in knowing it. Love is all we need. Some call it cliché. I call it truth. Being listened to, although we've probably said enough. Being supported, when we've probably let someone down. Being trusted despite not being trusting. This is all love in action. Our year together has had love in spades! From the words of encouragement back on Day 1, to the hugs of friends and family in times of struggle, to the friendships forged with first time strangers. This has been love in action at Marist this year.

We give thanks for the unconditional care and support we have provided and received.

We give thanks for Love at Marist.

Whenever it is you decide (Or accept! Or be told!) when the tree is going up and the lights going on, may Advent and Christmas gift you and your family that which we have shared as a Marist Family this year - hope, peace, joy and love.

Thank You!

The BBQs, the tuckshop, the Grandstand Canteen, the Walkathon, the meals, the Christmas hampers, the dinners, the coaching……the list goes on! These are all places where many of our Marist Family have generously given of themselves for others.

A sincere and heartfelt thank you to all in our Marist Family who have generously given of their time volunteering for College happenings this year. Be it "fund"-raising, "friend"-raising or awareness raising, our College can’t be the place it is without you and what you have given. Thank you.

Volunteering in 2026

To keep our students safe and comply with student protection legislation and policies, prior to parents commencing in an on-site volunteering role, the College must be satisfied volunteers are not a restricted person. As such, all  prospective 2026 College volunteers are asked to complete this Marist College Ashgrove Volunteer Registration & Declaration Form. This information will be confidentially and securely stored with the College's Human Resources Team.

For more information regarding Restricted Person and Employment/Volunteering please fins some useful information form the Queensland Government here.

One Stop Sign-Ins are here!!

We are continuing to streamline the way you access important information at the College. The College is introducing a single-sign-on platform to College systems via a new Parent Identity Platform.

This enhancement means you will no longer need to remember parent codes. Instead, you will simply use your email address that you have registered with the college to log into all systems.

Over the holiday period, our IT Team will be introducing a new sign-in platform so that you can use one single email address and password to access all key platforms: the College App, Parent Lounge, Monitor, REACH, and the Parent Portal (soon to be launched as MyMarash).

As part of this update, you will also notice a refreshed design for the Parent Portal, which will be rebranded as MyMarash. While the information and features you rely on will remain the same, the updated look and feel will provide a more intuitive and seamless experience.

More information as to when these new systems will be going live will be provided in the coming weeks via the college website using the link below:

MyMarash - Marist College Ashgrove

In preparation for this upcoming change please ensure that you have updated your profile in Parent Lounge to have your current email address. Below is a link to the Parent Lounge:

TASS Parent Lounge

Campus Closure Over the Christmas Break

As we head into the holiday season, we would like to inform our College families that Marist College Ashgrove will be closed from Monday 22 December and will reopen on Monday 12 January due to scheduled building works taking place across the campus. During this period, access to the College grounds will not be permitted for safety reasons, and we kindly ask all families and visitors to avoid entering the property until works are complete.

While the campus will be closed, College tours for prospective families will continue by appointment only. If you know families who are considering Marist College Ashgrove for 2026 or beyond, please encourage them to contact our Enrolments Team to arrange a suitable time.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we undertake these important improvements. We appreciate your support throughout 2025 and wish all families a safe, restful and joy-filled Christmas break.