From the Head of College

Mr Michael Newman

Depths of Satisfaction and Joy

For all the sports lovers out there, we have had much to be excited about over the past month – the Rugby League Grand Final – a Broncos win for both the men and women’s teams; Rugby Union – Wallabies versus the All Blacks, and the AFL Grand Final with a Lions win! These events are exciting, exhilarating and loaded with stories of skill, determination and courage. The other side of these events which most of us connect to is being a spectator. To be a member of a 50,000+ heaving crowd which is holding its breath as one, screaming in unison and overjoyed or united in disappointment collaboratively, exacerbates, intensifies and amplifies the experience. It is just so thrilling to be in these stadiums and there is such camaraderie and connection even with people around you who might be complete strangers but united simply by mascots, distinct colours and purpose. The more you surrender to the excitement, the more you become a part of the event and enter fully into these experiences, riding every high and low, pushing with your heart and soul.

Sunday’s reading challenges us to give our heart and soul to a similar type of mesmerising spirit. This Gospel (Luke 17:5-10) encourages us to enter ourselves fully with heart and soul into a relationship with Jesus - to enter with the faith we have, which is enough, to believe and follow Jesus. Our faith is obviously adequate as shown by our choice of a Catholic Christian school for our sons, as we inspire our children with Christian wholesome values, and we personally reflect from time to time. The more we surrender our heart and soul into this experience, the more we feel a connection with Jesus. The impact may not be as instant and dynamic as a 2-hour sporting contest, but overtime, just as satisfying and joyful, with a lasting depth of impact, and, we will still have that sense of being united, with so many people gathered around us and throughout the world who similarly live in this way.

God of the journey, may all members of the Marist College family, in faith, enter their heart and soul into your story, your life and your lasting depths. Amen.

2025 Awards Night

All families are welcome to the 2025 Marist College Ashgrove Awards Night to be held on Monday 13th October at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC). This is certainly one of the highlight events of the year for boys and their families. The evening will commence at 6.30pm, concluding in approximately 2 hours. The night recognises student achievement in all areas of the College in 2025 - Academic, Spiritual, Sport, Cultural and Welfare. We will also be entertained by our outstanding music and drama students and senior students. This is always a most entertaining night and one where we have an opportunity to celebrate the year in review at Marist College Ashgrove. Any boy or family member can attend, but please book a ticket as we expect another full audience. Tickets can be obtained from the following link - 2025 Awards Night Tickets.

We look forward to your presence on Monday night.

AIC Track and Field Championships

The AIC Track and Field Championships will be held at the Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre (QEII Stadium) on Thursday and Friday 9th and 10th October. The boys have been training hard throughout Term 3 and during the break in preparation. The holiday preparation included an Athletics Camp and participation in lead-up meets. Marist College Ashgrove will be taking our Years 7 and 10 students to the Championships to support the boys. Families are welcome to attend throughout the day. We wish all our boys the best of luck as they attempt to defend their 10-fold Athletics Championships - Field and Track events, both in the Primary and Secondary school. My thanks are extended to their coaches and managers led by Mr Rob Martin and Mr Richard Graham.

Year 11 Boarding Leadership Camp

Best wishes to our Year 11 Boarding students who will enter into their annual Leadership Camp to be held at the Bunya mountains from the 10th - 12th October. This camp is an opportunity for the boys to plan and discuss their mode of leadership moving positively forward at the College. This is an important time as the boys take seriously their role in leading the boarding school and as they provide the glue for many of the events and support groups throughout any given year. Finally, the camp provides the boys with an opportunity to form stronger bonds and ties as they lead collaboratively together. We thank our staff who have organised and will be leading the boys on this camp, namely: Jim Noble, Ty Casey, Brad Winchester, Blair Whitlock, Francis Sevil and Isaac Roach. Enjoy, gentlemen and good luck.

Year 12 Boarders and Families BBQ

This Tuesday evening 7th October, from 4:00pm, parents and Year 12 boarders are invited to a BBQ get together at the Tower courtyard. We hope that in gathering, we will mark for the boys and their parents the commencement of a very important final term of study and preparation for the ATAR exams and their future employment, along with recognising the wonderful contributions of the boys and their families to the College over many years. My thanks are extended to Jim Noble and Year 12 parents - Felicity Philp, Trev Philp, Kevin Brennan and Judy Brennan for organising this occasion for the boys and their families.

Year 6 Brisbane Writers Festival

This Thursday 9th October, some of our Year 6 boys will be attending the Brisbane Writers Festival at the Brisbane Powerhouse Museum. The Brisbane Writers Festival hosts author talks, conversations, panel discussions and other special events. Writing will be shared in all popular forms like compelling crime, powerful true stories, romance, history, Hollywood and other book club favourites. My thanks are extended to Meaghan Round and Robyn Brown who will be accompanying the boys at this festival. Enjoy gentlemen.

Battle of the Bands

Best wishes to our senior boys who will be participating in the Battle of the Bands festival at Clairvaux Mackillop College in the Mary MacKillop Learning Centre (Hall) from Thursday 9th October to Saturday 11th October. Our talented student band - The Waiting List —featuring Ben Gibson, Ambrose Gonzalez, Christian Weston-Kelly, Max Hammond, and Addi Allen - will be performing live.

A huge thank you to staff members Enrico Le Mura and Megan Harmston for their support and attendance. Tickets are available at:

Come along and support our musicians!

Holiday Undertakings

My thanks are extended to our professional staff who have been working throughout the holidays readying the College for the final term of 2025. We express our gratitude as the following tasks were completed: academic marking and corrections, St Marcellin Centre defect remediation, gardens outside Sports Office, ovals prepared for Term 4, CCTV camera upgrades, IT Server updates, simulated Phishing Tests, hosting Sony Camp, external venue hire – boarding, ovals and classrooms, deep cleaning all areas, pressure washing outdoor areas, general repairs and maintenance, Term 3 financial reporting, new staff and student onboarding and enrolments.

Marist Card and Games Day

The P&F warmly invites you to our Christmas-themed Marist Card and Games Day on Wednesday 15th October from 10:00am to 2:00pm in the Br Cyprian Pavilion. This special event is held to foster community spirit and connection among parents, staff, and guests. It’s a relaxed day of games, conversation, and shared food, and serves as a fundraiser through raffles and donations to support school initiatives. The cost is $25pp. Bookings are essential.

Join in the festive spirit by contributing Christmas-themed baked goods or raffle prizes!

If you have any questions, please contact Ann Rainbow at CardDayPandF@marash.qld.edu.au

Let’s make this a joyful day for our community!

Catch-Up Sports Photos

Catch-up photos for selected Rugby League and Track & Field teams will take place on Wednesday 8th October in the Champagnat Centre Mezzanine. Students involved are reminded to wear their full playing gear (including boots) and arrive promptly, according to the schedule below.

Photo Schedule:

11:20am – Year 5 Track and Field, Year 6 Track and Field
11:30am – Opens, Under 12, Under 13, Under 14, Under 15, Under 16 Track and Field
11:50am – 1st XIII Rugby League, 9B Rugby League, 10B Rugby League, 4th IV Tennis
12:00pm – Rugby League Captains (Jack Watson, Sean Green) Track and Field Captains (Ted Clarke, Owen Hair, Elliot Aldridge, Finlay Keogan, Zac Milligan) AFL Captains (Van Sanders, Oliver Reeves) Volleyball Captains (Owen Dodwell, Remi De Nino) Swimming Captains (Joshua Mason, Noah Magoffin, Lachlan Harney)

Please ensure you are dressed and ready at least 5 minutes before your scheduled time. Thank you for your co-operation!

Term 4 2025

We look forward to a final full and exciting term at the College to round out 2025. We trust that your sons enjoy all that the college has to offer in Term 4 and particularly knuckle down and focus on their all-important end of year assessments and examinations culminating in their End of Year grades and reports. I list the major college events for Term 4: