From the Head of College

Mr Michael Newman

The Metaphor of the Garment

The semi-finals of the Rugby World Cup are approaching and Ireland, the one times favourites, bravely lost to the might of the famous New Zealand All Blacks on the weekend. So much has been written about the All Blacks, the international team with the highest winning strike rate in the world, including a book by businessman James Kerr, titled “Legacy”. This book was written for businesses to explain what the All Blacks can teach about life. One of the chapters describes the team’s general mantra – to leave the jersey in a better place having played and represented the All Blacks. The book goes on to explain the ideal that better people make better All Blacks. This culture that permeates the All Blacks expects a high standard of behaviour from each individual member of the team. When a player puts on the garment or playing jersey, a standard, an obligation, and a duty is forever an expectation. A simple expectation of the All Blacks further described in the book is the act of the captain, at the conclusion of an away game, sweeping the sheds and cleaning up before handing the keys of the dressing shed back to a member of the opposition side.

In Sunday’s reading from Matthew 22:1-14, Jesus tells a parable, similarly using the metaphor of a garment to explain the expectation or duty we, as Christians have, seeking to enter the Kingdom of God at the end of our time here on earth. Interestingly, Jesus makes reference to the wedding garment - those who don’t wear one to the wedding are not welcome to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Scripture scholars believe that the wedding garment (Jesus refers to) represents the idea of clothing oneself in God, his goodness, his teachings, his ways and in doing so, the Kingdom of God will be present. When wearing the wedding garment, one wraps oneself in everything that is like God, expected by him and in line with his teachings and values. Without putting on the garments of the wedding, clothing yourself in Christ and his teachings, the kingdom of God will not be obtainable. The one who wears the wedding garment, like the All Black’s jersey is expected and obliged to behave in a good and honourable or, Christian way.

God of the journey, may all the young men of Marist and all members of the Marist family, clothe themselves in you, ensuring that the Kingdom is present here as it is in heaven. Amen.

Year 12 ATAR External Examinations

My best wishes and prayers to all Year 12 boys as they continue their revision and final preparations for the all-important ATAR external examinations which are run from Monday 23rd October to Tuesday 14 November. These examinations make up 50% of the ATAR final result in Science and Mathematics subjects and 25% for all other subjects. The first examination being held is English and the last at the College will be Japanese. We wish all boys the very best and offer our full support during this examination period where all teaching staff are available for support and final advice, tips and teaching right up to these examinations. On Thursday, we celebrate the Year 12s in their final assembly and House gatherings as we wish them well for their exams and final competency completion for their Queensland Certificate of Education. Good luck to all our Year 12 students.

Future Problem Solvers

Future Problem-Solving Program (FPS) is an international educational program that focuses on developing critical, creative, and futuristic thinking skills. On the weekend of Friday 13 - Sunday 15 October, the Year 11 team – Harrison Dyer, Maximillian Bathersby, Remy Versace, and Alex Apelt took part in the National Finals Competition involving 12 qualifying schools from across the country. The boys participated in the Senior Global Issues Problem Solving division where they were presented with a ‘future scene’ that explored the topic of the ‘Throw Away Society’. On Saturday, they completed the 6-step process booklet and presented their Action Plan Presentation. The presentation was awarded 1st place in the Senior Division, GIPS Competition. For this, they received medals, a trophy as well as certificates celebrating their participation in the Nationals, and their Presentation Award. My thanks are extended to David O’Brien for his coaching and facilitation of this event for the boys. Congratulations, gentlemen!

GOMA Exhibition and Creative Generation Excellence Awards in Visual Art

Congratulations go to Gabriel Dinneen whose Year 12 Artwork has been chosen to be displayed at the Gallery of Modern Art, Brisbane (GOMA). In the Department of Education Creative Generation Excellence Awards in Visual Art, Gabriel Dinneen received an Excellence Award and Elijah Smith received a Commendation Award. Congratulations, gentlemen and to the wonderful art teachers, Mrs Christine Larsen (Curriculum Leader – The Arts), Ms Julia Wilken, Ms Jasmine Wilton, Mrs Bec Wong, Ms Rhiannon Fenn and at the College.

Graduate Arts Exhibition and Awards Night

On Monday evening, the Arts Department celebrated the academic achievements of our graduating Year 12 boys in the areas of Art, Drama, and Film and Television. The boys exhibited their works prior, with drinks and nibbles in the Draney Foyer which were most enjoyed by all present. I thank Mrs Christine Larsen (Curriculum Leader – Arts), Mrs Rebecca Taylor (Drama) and Mr Pierce Hardy (Film and Television), for their leadership and facilitation of the evening.

The award winners were as follows:

Drama: Fox Wood, Eamonn Frawley, Matthew Wheeley, Sam Waters, Henry Cook, Ethan Clarke, Tom Doherty and Xavier Leung-Dias.

Film, TV and New Media: Dan Feltrin, Danny O’Rourke, Darcy Johnston, Henry Cook and Addison Knight.

Visual Art: Cooper Lunn, Callan McLean, Daniele Narduzzi, Ryan Kucsak, Luca Malghem, Gabriel Dinneen, Elijah Smith, Benjamin Courtenay and Elijah Smith

Congratulations, gentlemen.

Year 11 Academic Interviews

The Year 11 Academic Interviews will commence next Wednesday 25 October. I extend my thanks to the many key staff members conducting these interviews. All parents are welcome to join their son as we provide further information and advice on your son’s academic progress so far in preparation for his ATAR and/or QCE, school-based apprenticeship or Vocational Education pathway attainment, in his senior years of study. My thanks are extended to our Academic Care Team led by the Acting Deputy Head of College - Mrs Roxanne Rosenberg. I highly recommend these interviews to all boys and their families.

Year 11 Social

Best wishes to all Year 11 boys who will participate in the annual Year 11 Social to be held at Victoria Park this Thursday 19 October from 6:00pm-9:00pm. Boys invite a young lady from a neighbouring school, dress formally and enjoy social time and dancing together under the supervision of our generous staff. My thanks are extended to the following staff who have organised this event for the boys and to the staff who will be assisting with supervision, including Kelly Byrnes, Mr Peter Serone (Assistant Head of College – Students), Mr Phill Holding (Pastoral Leader – Senior School), Mr Josh Kersevani (Pastoral Leader – Middle School), our Heads of House and several members of the College Leadership Team. The Boarders will commence the evening with a gathering and photos around the newly refurbished rose gardens at the College from 4:30pm. I thank Renae Lewis who will be facilitating this event for the boarders. Gentlemen and guests, enjoy this College event.

Touch Football, E-Sports and Water Polo AIC Championships

Best wishes are extended to our touch football teams who will be competing at Runcorn this Saturday in the Touch Football Championships. We have 10 teams in total participating across all Primary and Secondary age groups. Good luck to our Year 8 and 9 E-Sports team members who are out to defend their title in the AIC E-Sports Championships at Villanova College this Saturday. Finally, best wishes to our water polo teams – Years 7, 8/9 and 10/11 who will be competing in the AIC Water Polo Championships hosted here at Marist on Sunday. My thanks are extended to all their generous coaches and convenors including Justin Natoli (E-Sports), Ryan Apps (water polo) and Derek Lennon (touch football).

Primary Orientations

We continue to welcome to the College our 2024 Year 5 students as they undertake a most enjoyable orientation program at the College. Students who have been registered online are able to participate in three activities over a four-week period. These activities include creative writing and problem-solving, swimming and tennis. My sincere thanks are extended to Deb Maddox, Ms Jen Little (Primary Learning Leader), Mr Anthony Graham (Pastoral Leader – Primary), Mr Michael Connolly (Assistant Head of College – Primary), our Primary Teachers, Mr James Boyce (Director of Swimming) and Mr Andrew Ward (Director of Tennis) for their planning, preparation and facilitation of these afternoons. We look forward to our new Year 5 students seamlessly integrating into the College in 2024.

Head of College Tour

Regarding student enrolments, the College has a waiting list in all but two year levels, so the College Tour is an important occasion for prospective enrolments to see the College in operation, hear about our values and what the College offers and decide early if they wish to place an application for a future enrolment. Our last official College Tour for this year will be held on Friday 20 October. The tour includes speeches, a tour of facilities and social time together. Please advise prospective enrolments or those who may be interested in attending our wonderful college of these Head of College Tour opportunities.

Day for Daniel

This Friday, 20th October we will celebrate ‘Day for Daniel.’ Held annually on the last Friday of October, Day for Daniel honours the memory of Daniel Morcombe. This is a free dress day where students can wear Red. During this week, parents, carers, and educators are encouraged to start a conversation with the boys about personal safety. The College will be holding school child safety education lessons and activities, including how to be safe on social media. This will be extended to parents on Thursday 19 October via Zoom, from 7:30pm-8:30pm – I attach the link here – and the Passcode: 359520. Monies raised by the College will be going to the Daniel Morcombe Foundation’s biggest fundraiser each year. This foundation develops free resources and programs for students and their educators teaching how to stay safe. Funds also contribute to supporting young victims of crime. We trust that your son will wear red, be educated and support this important cause on Friday.

Champion Basketball School Queensland

Congratulations to the Year 9 Basketball team who on the weekend, won the Junior Secondary Tournament (Year 9 and 10). The boys had to qualify having never played in this tournament prior, making Division 5. The team then won all five games making the semifinals, winning the semifinal versus St Philomena’s and followed by Peregian Beach College in the final 33-29. Congratulations boys and to their coaches - Mr Mike Lidstone and Mr James O’Hara.