From the Head of College

Faith

One of the most engaging media moments during the holidays was the arrival home of the Artemis II astronauts after their historic 10-day journey to the moon and back. What has followed has been people’s intrigue to hear from them, what they saw, what they experienced and their reflections. Like most people, I was captured by their every word as they were confronted with media packs from around the world. 

So, what did they talk about? 

Like Armstrong before them, they spoke of the intense darkness throughout the universe. Yet in the distance was a tiny earth, full of brilliant vibrant colours suspended in the velvet black of space - the vibrant blue of the ocean and atmosphere, the white of the clouds and ice, the rich green and brown of the landmasses, the thin blue line of the atmosphere, the yellow and white nighttime colours that are the glow of city lights, and the thin layers of green, orange and red light caused by airglow in the upper atmosphere.  Earth is by far the most colourful object in the universe, a vivid contrast to the monochromatic moon. They saw the planet as incredibly beautiful, fragile and alive. This observation they described as life.

Further, they spoke of a profound emotional experience. They now could see the earth as a single entity without political borders. The astronauts shared how the experience has changed their perspective of humanity, feeling one of connection, unity and love. This also translated to the love they felt for their fellow crew members and their families back home. One astronaut’s response was to give thanks to God. 

Post Easter, we are listening to Gospel passages with the theme of faith. Do we believe in the risen Christ Jesus? This includes this Sunday’s reading of Jesus walking and then eating with his disciples on the road to Emmaus but they having trouble recognising him (Luke 24:13-35). My favourite quote from this Gospel is when they finally realised it was Jesus - “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the scriptures to us?” 

I, too, reflected with a similar experience of God’s presence upon hearing the two main themes of the astronauts as they returned from this amazing universal experience – the darkness, contrasting with the brilliant colour and life on tiny earth and the importance of love. To me there is something spiritual about their reflection post this unique journey. There is present a God of love and life who created and gifted this beautiful earth among the indescribable and unfathomable dark and endless universe.

God of the journey, may all the boys and all members of the Marist College Ashgrove family believe and have faith. A faith that endures, inspires and empowers us within the colours, love and life of the world against the great dark expanses of the universe you created. Amen. 

Anzac Day – Saturday 25 April

Marist College Ashgrove remembers all those fallen soldiers who lost their lives at war so that we can enjoy the peace and freedom that exists in Australia today. Boys are invited to march and attend their local community Anzac Day services this Saturday. This includes a college invitation to all boys to march in unity at the Ashgrove service. We will assemble behind St Finbarr’s school at 7.15am for a 7.30am march followed by a service at Ashgrove Park. This service will go for approximately 45 minutes. Boys are to wear their full winter uniform which is to be neat and tidy – this includes a clean and appropriate blazer, tie and formal hat. 

Following the march, we will have a shortened trial round of Rugby and Football games vs Villanova. Some games have been transferred to Friday afternoon – refer to the Parent Portal App for details. 

The College will hold its annual Marist College Ashgrove Anzac Day Liturgy in the Champagnat Centre during the college assembly on Wednesday 22nd April. We look forward to an address by Major Michael Stone. This is always a special occasion for the boys and the College, and we look forward to remembering, reflecting and praying for all those who lost their lives defending our country. Lest we forget. 

Parent-Teacher-Student Interviews

Thank you to all families and staff who joined us for the Term 2 parent-teacher-student interviews on Monday. I trust these conversations were worthwhile along with the continuous reporting on the parent portal. Online parent-teacher interviews will be held on Wednesday 29th April.  My thanks are extended to our professional and generous teachers as they work closely in partnership with all parents to ensure the best possible academic outcomes for your son.

The Man Cave

We are thrilled to announce a new opportunity for our Year 10 boys at the College – it is called the MAN CAVE. The MAN CAVE is an educational company from Melbourne which focusses on the issues and challenges facing teenagers around healthy versions of masculinity and what this looks like in a modern society. This program is designed to create long term positive shifts in attitudes and behaviours by creating psychologically safe spaces and challenging problematic gender stereotypes. We are the first school in Queensland to invite MAN CAVE to present, and we believe it will be very insightful and helpful for our boys. This program will extend from Thursday – Friday 23rd- 24th April. 

Parents are invited to an online parent night presentation from 6pm – 7pm on Wednesday 22nd April. For more information about the workshop, please read through the following guide:  ManCave Parent_Keynote.pdf

My thanks are extended to Mr Gareth Kolkenbeck-Ruh for organising this important and significant opportunity for the Year 10 boys. 

Marist Track and Field – Australian Junior Championships 2026

Marist College Ashgrove track and field athletes have been training relentlessly since early 2026, including throughout the holiday period and Term 1, to qualify for the Australian Junior Track & Field Championships, held in Brisbane from 15–20 April. 

Competing with pride in their Queensland state uniforms, our Marist athletes produced outstanding performances against the very best junior athletes in the nation. Many would have seen Ipswich Grammar alumnus Gout Gout in media coverage of the championships; notably, Marist sprint star Isaac Ting competed in the same sprint events. Isaac reached the finals in both the 100m and 200m (U20), demonstrating his ability to match it with Australia’s elite young sprinters. 

Across the championships, Marist athletes consistently performed at a high level, not only through results but also through the remarkable support they showed one another. The encouragement shared across age groups, particularly during warm-ups and between events, is something truly special at Marist and reflects the strong culture within our athletics program. 

We extend our sincere thanks to the dedicated Marist coaches who supported these athletes throughout their preparation and competition: Mr Rob Martin (Head Coach), Mr Eric Brown, Mr Tim Castley, Mr Des Davis and Mr Lee Martin.

The combination of outstanding talent and exceptional coaching allowed these athletes to perform at their very best on the national stage – many thanks.  

Special Achievement - Gold Medal and School Record

A special mention must go to Hayden Lockhart, who won Gold in the U17 Long Jump and twice broke the Marist College school record earlier in the season, achieving a distance of 6.84m into a 1.8m headwind. We look forward to seeing how Hayden builds on this impressive performance during the 2026 school athletics season which lies ahead.

Marist Jazz Concert 

All families and boys are invited to join us for a wonderful evening of jazz on Monday 27th April at 6:30pm in the Experimental Theatre. This jazz concert will feature performances by the Marist College Big Bands, alongside special guest artists - The Unladylike Big Band. The program will showcase a vibrant mix of classic and contemporary jazz repertoire and promises to be an enjoyable evening of live music. We thank Andrew Butt, Jamie Kennedy and Janelle Lee Long for their contribution and support in bringing this event together. We look forward to welcoming our community to what is sure to be a fantastic concert experience.

Boarder Flu Vaccinations 

An external medical provider will be administering flu vaccinations for our Boarders who have booked, this Tuesday 28th April, between 7:00am and 9:00am. Vaccinations will take place in the Tower Building. Bookings are required and can be made via the QR code available on the Parent Orbit App. Families are encouraged to ensure bookings are completed prior to the day. Thank you to the Health Centre staff assisting with the organisation of this.

College Photo Day

Pastoral Class Photo Day will be held on Tuesday 28 April (Week 2). Group Pastoral Class photos and individual student portraits will be taken on the day.

An email with full ordering details and individual Photo Order Keys has already been sent to parents. Photos can be ordered online via www.beyondschoolphotos.com.au using your child’s unique key, which is available through the Parent Orbit app or the Parent Portal.

Families wishing to order a sibling/family photo can use the Family Order Key J5WYE2HK when ordering online. Sibling/family photos will be taken on the morning of Photo Day.

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 21 April

• Start of Term 2 - Winter Uniform
• Tutoring- Specialist Maths, Maths Methods, Chemistry, Physics Middle Years Maths/Science
• Study Hall - Senior Library
• Primary Morning Study - Primary Learning Support Room

Wednesday 22 April

• Tutoring- English/Literature Extension Economics French Chemistry Study of Religion
• Community Mass - College Chapel (all welcome)
• Primary Morning Study - Primary Learning Support Room
• College Assembly - Anzac Day Liturgy
• Mission Captains Meeting (Mission Office)
• The Man Cave Parent Information Session - Online

Thursday 23 April

• Year 10 The Man Cave Workshop
• Study Hall - Senior Library
• Primary Morning Study - Primary Learning Support Room
• Primary Morning Assembly
• Tutoring – English, Economics, Chemistry, Study of Religion, Middle Years Maths/Science/English

Friday 24 April

• Year 10 The Man Cave Workshop
• Primary Morning Study - Primary Learning Support Room
• College Mass - Break 1

Saturday 25 April

• Anzac Day Public Holiday
• Anzac Day March
• AIC Trial Round v Villanova College

Sunday 26 April

• Boarders’ Mass (Chapel) - 6:00pm