From the Head of College

Mr Michael Newman

Young People and IT Challenges

All of us with young and adolescent children know the power of social media and the internet. This is a worldwide phenomenon that has spread throughout the world and permeated every aspect of our lives, and it is shaping and changing our young people. In yesteryear, parents could monitor the books their children read, the papers and magazines they consumed, the television programs they watched and even the people they conversed with. Today, it is much harder to control the information and stories they consume. Technological devices have become a part of our everyday lives and routines and are accessible 24/7. The targeted algorithms and other addictive techniques cleverly used by retailers and contributors mesmerise and lure young people (if not adults) to want more. The information and indoctrination being poured into our children’s brains through these social media platforms is scary. In contrast, our response to push back on this force is to set time limits, restrict certain capabilities and hide our children’s IT devices, but realistically, constant accessibility and a plethora of information available online mean our task of bringing up our children with the values and understanding that we want for them today is extremely difficult.

In the latest Australian Catholic Bishops social justice statement - ‘Truth and Peace: A Gospel Word on a Violent World,’ bishops speak of the urgency for a global ceasefire as the world has continued with unacceptable levels of conflict that is both reported (Holy Land and Ukraine) and not reported (Myanmar, Rohingya and Western PNG). They believe that the essence of this war and unrest comes from a push for a Godless world and a cancelling God culture where there is a lack of Godly values such as the dignity of each individual. The Pope insists that “peace flourishes when there is respect for the moral order obtained by God and imprinted on human hearts.” Peace is achieved by dialogue, encounter and truth-telling of the past. We all must strive for peace through dialogue, prayer and our everyday living.

The bishops further insightfully addressed the influence of the new technological world and its effects. They discussed the erosion of truth and the emergence of the following elements in society – social media: where anyone can be a public figure with their so-called truths, Facebook: where fake news abounds and people can find claims to confirm their beliefs, the demise of traditional ‘truth’ gatekeepers e.g. journalists, unchallenged truths, the growth of a well-resourced ‘persuasive’ industry, the promotion of the culture of ‘self,’ social distrust of elite and experts being replaced by populist opinion, changing the ethical perception of the level of spin allowed or misleading truths, reason taking a backward step to feelings, power being conceded to those with either wealth or charisma, the virtual replacing the real and the growth of the internet, social media and artificial intelligence creating more widespread disinformation. Democracy, the bishops stated, is under attack because it is difficult to find and weigh up all the correct evidence we are debating in the different sides of our arguments. The crisis of truth is at the heart of the crisis of the world. “We speak truth to build trust, we build trust to make peace.”

This is the world our young people are navigating with all-consuming addictive technology. These are the difficulties they are navigating regarding untruths, what is real, trust, persuasion, self-interest, populism, disinformation, changing ethical perceptions and authentic democracy. The end effect is a society of young people who are confused, lacking innate dignity and true self-worth and whose opinions are influenced by our God-cancelling world with its Counter-Christ values.

God of the journey, we pray for our young people as they navigate a new and challenging world of IT influence. May your values where ‘love’ is truth, always keep them safe. Amen.

Engineering Classroom Upgrade

Engineering is a popular academic ATAR subject for our senior students. Marist College Ashgrove is pleased to announce the opening of our new Engineering classroom. This design involved transforming a regular science classroom into an Engineering classroom which includes the setup of a 3D printer, laser cutter and bridge tester. With this advanced classroom facility, we look forward to witnessing some great learning and results for the boys. My thanks are extended to Mrs Wendy McDonald – Curriculum Leader, Science, Mrs Elizabeth Valer and Mr James Dousi for their organisation, planning and work on this project.

First Place and Awards in the Tournament of Minds

Congratulations to the Marist College Ashgrove boys who participated in the Tournament of Minds Competition (TOM) last weekend. Our two Secondary teams received the following recognition - the Marist Arts Alliance Team participated in the Secondary Arts Division and were awarded First Place and the Marist Engineering Maverick Team participated in the Secondary STEM Division and were awarded Honours. Our three Primary teams were highly motivated, achieving great success – Primary Team 3 participated in the Social Sciences Division and were awarded The Spirit of TOM Award, while Primary Team 1 participated in the Arts Division and were awarded Honours. My thanks are extended to our generous staff Mr Dan Prince, Mr Michael Jones and Mrs Robyn Brown, who accompanied and coached the boys.

The Secondary Marist Arts Alliance will now be attending the State Finals this weekend on the Gold Coast. Good luck – Remi Dehamel, Teo Dehamel, James Dooley, Henry Walker, Tom Corby, Olivier Canning and Lucas Weigl.

Primary Debating

Congratulations to our Years 5 and 6 debaters who have made a fine start to the season. Last week all Year 5 teams were victorious over Brisbane Grammar School and Fig Tree Pocket State School and two of our three Year 6 teams were also successful against Fig Tree Pocket State School, Good News Lutheran College and Brisbane Grammar School. My sincere thanks to their professional coaches, Mrs Jen Little and Ms Robyn Brown, for preparing and accompanying these boys in their debates.

Examinations

Best wishes to all our Years 7, 8, 10 and 11 boys who are continuing their exams this week and into next. We wish you well with your studies and revision. Best wishes also to our Year 12 students who conclude their final mock exams, followed by classes and masterclass lessons in early Term 4 and leading into the external ATAR examination period. My thanks to our curriculum team and to all our teachers as they continue to mark, assess and prepare the boys for these important exams.

‘Night on the Green’

Best wishes to our Years 11 and 12 boarding students who will be participating in their annual ‘Night on the Green’ concert this Friday night, 6 September. With the boarding students from Stuartholme College, the ‘Night on the Green’ will be held on McMahon Oval. There will be performances from solo artists, duets and bands showcasing each student’s musical gifts. This is always a wonderful social event with many new and untapped talents on display. My thanks are extended to Mr Blair Whitlock for his organisation and facilitation of this exciting event.

Final Round of Term 3 Sports

The final round of Term 3 sports – Basketball, Tennis and Rugby League conclude this Saturday. Marist College Ashgrove will be hosting all AIC colleges in Secondary Rugby League and St Edmund’s College in Tennis, Rugby League and Basketball this weekend. My thanks are extended to all coaches and all supporters of the boys for the season.

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