From the Head of College

Here and Now

I was reminded on Friday by many parents, that our graduations are wonderful celebrations at Marist. It certainly was a great occasion for the College to thank and recognise, even honour, the wonderful achievements, and contributions that our graduates made to the College. The celebrations commenced with the boarder’s dinner and farewell on Thursday night. Then, the Friday celebrations followed beginning with mass and then moving to a community parade and celebration at McMahon Oval. The day concluded with dinner at the Convention Centre. One of the highlights throughout the day were the speeches made by various members of the Marist family – Mr Jim Noble (Assistant Head of College - Boarding), Mrs Anna Nasr (Assistant Head of College – Mission), Fr Alatini Kolofo’ou (College Chaplain), Mr Charles Brauer (Deputy Head of College), Mr Anthony Mathieson (Boarding Leader – Br Terence), Mrs Kate Stephens (mother of Joseph) and Mr Peter Lewis (on behalf of parents). The students reflected and responded through addresses by Joe Lewis (College Captain), Isaac Lynn (Culture Vice Captain) and Charlie Weaver (Mission Captain – Rush). These speeches comprised of important mentions of appreciation and statements of acknowledgement, followed by the interesting and inspiring proposals on how to move forward with confidence and success beyond the gates of Marist and tips to live life fully. These outstanding reflections will no doubt be always valued. Thank you one and all who contributed to the boys’ graduation in such a significant way. 

All in all, these contributions, in one way or the other, remind us of our call to be present in the here and now – living life to the full each day. To take the talents we have been given and to use them, not to bury them out of fear or anxiety, worrying about the future or what may be. To be present now, using our giftedness created in God’s image and likeness, seizing each day in its fullness, making our lives extraordinary in a Marist way and enabling the kingdom of God come on earth as it is in heaven. This is our calling as Christians, as reflected in Sunday’s reading - Matthew 25:14-30.

Loving God, we pray for our 2023 graduates. May you bestow on them your kindest blessing and may they live their lives fully and in each moment with you – Amen. 

Year 12 Boarding Family Dinner Photos

Year 12 Graduation Celebration Photos

Year 6 Graduation 2023

Congratulations to our Year 6 graduates from our Marist College Ashgrove Primary School. Celebrations begin on Thursday 23 November when all boys and their families have been invited to the College for a graduation liturgy, assembly and celebration. Proceedings include:

11:45am arrival for a 12noon - graduation liturgy in the Draney Theatre

1:30pm – graduation celebration, speeches and cutting of the graduation cake in The Tower.

We look forward to welcoming all the Year 6 boys’ parents and extended families to what promises to be a momentous occasion. Be sure to have those cameras charged and ready as we celebrate this milestone from the boys’ Primary years of education. We now look forward to progressing to the Secondary College. My thanks are extended to the Head of Primary - Mr Michael Connolly and his wonderful team of staff and teachers including: Ms Jennifer Little – Primary Learning Leader, Mr John Lambourne - Program Leader Primary Sport, Mr Anthony Graham – Pastoral Leader Primary and Year 6 teachers - Mr Richard Coles, Mr Jim Midgley, Mrs Catherine Barnett, Mrs Janice Minihan, Mr Matthew Jones and Mrs Rachelle Garton. I pass on my thanks to Mrs Deb Maddox, Mr Anthony Graham and Mrs Clare Locke who have organised these celebrations for the boys. Congratulations to our 2023 Marist College Ashgrove Year 6 Primary graduates!

White Ribbon Day 2023

Marist College Ashgrove will acknowledge White Ribbon Day at the College assembly this week. White Ribbon Day demonstrates our support to end all forms of violence against women and to ask all boys to stand in solidarity. The assembly will include education and a commitment to this important cause to end all violence against women.

Violence aimed at women continues to be one of the most prevalent human rights abuses in Australia. One woman dies every nine days from violence in Australia. One in three women in Australia will experience violence in her lifetime. 

On November 1st, 2023, the ABC reported a spike in the number of women dying because of domestic violence in Australia calling for action, including the establishment of a national list of offenders. The ABC goes on to say that fifty-eight women have allegedly been killed this year across Australia. Six women have been killed across Australia in ten days — five allegedly by violence inflicted upon them by men. One of the most prominent cases was the murder of 21-year-old sports coach Lilie James, whose body was found at her workplace, a high school in central Sydney. Her colleague and former boyfriend Paul Thijssen's body was found on Friday.

Violence against women is multi-faceted and can be in the forms of sexual, physical and psychological abuse. Marist College Ashgrove says no to all forms of violence against women. I thank our staff and student leaders who have prepared and will facilitate this assembly and the very important messages associated. 

Sport Update

The Opens Volleyball team and all A teams from Years 7-12 played their first trials on Saturday morning versus St Edmund’s College. The Opens won their 2.5-hour marathon match 15-13 in the 5th set. My thanks are extended to Co-ordinator - Mr Patrick Denkes, 1st VI coach - Ms Scarlett Rudder and all other coaches.

My thanks are also extended to the various Term 1 sports coaches and managers of Cricket, Volleyball, AFL and Swimming, along with Athletics and Rugby Union who are presently training the boys and preparing them for their holiday tournaments and respective AIC seasons ahead.

Year 5 and 6 Fun Day 2023

Tomorrow, Wednesday 22 November from 8:30am – 3:10pm, Years 5 and 6 will celebrate their end of year Fun Day which promises to be an exciting day. For Year 5, this day celebrates the end of their first year at Marist College Ashgrove and for Year 6 it embraces the milestone of leaving the Primary school and moving into the Secondary school. Boys from each year level will engage in a range of enjoyable activities tailored to their age groups. Each year group will have its unique schedule for the day including obstacle courses, a swim in the pool and various games. The day will be a chance to celebrate the year and to share in the camaraderie of their peers. My thanks are extended to Anthony Graham – Primary Pastoral Leader for his organisation and facilitation of this day.

Student Reports and End of Term

All student reports will be available online from Friday 1 December. I ask all parents to spend the time reading through and discussing these reports with your son. Do ask him questions associated and make plans for continued success or improvements for 2024. The Year 12 ATAR results will be released for students on Friday 15 December. 

The end of the year finishes for all students with an assembly on Thursday 23 November by 3:10pm. This day is a travel day for the boarding students, who finish on Thursday morning. The College magazine will be distributed on the last day of the year to all students. If you are sick, magazines can be collected from the Tower Office during the holiday period at your convenience.

Start of 2024

The first day for all new students will occur on Monday 22nd January 2024. All students commence at the College on Tuesday 23rd January. Enjoy your Christmas holiday break and stay safe. We look forward with anticipation to 2024!

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 November

• Feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin MaryYear 7- 11 Exam Block - continue
• Study Hall – Senior Library
• Primary Morning Study – Primary Computer Lab
• Reconciliation – Chapel
• House Meetings Years 6-11
• Year 11 and 12 Game Changers Meeting - Room 801
• Year 9 Drama Performance – The Hobbit

Wednesday 22 November

• Make-Up Exams
• Years 5 and 6 Fun Day
• Mass in Chapel – all welcome
• Primary Morning Study - Primary Computer Lab
• Year 9 and 10 Game Changers Meeting - Room 801
• College Assembly

Thursday 23 November

• Make-Up Exams
• Last day of Term 4
• Boarder Travel Day
• Primary Morning Study – Primary Computer Lab
• SVdP Sausage Sizzle – Main Yard
• Study Hall – Senior Library
• Primary Morning Assembly
• Pastoral Group Paper Recycling
• Environment Group Meeting - Room 206
• Year 7 and 8 Game Changers Meeting - Room 801
• Year 6 Graduation Liturgy - Draney Theatre
• Vinnies Meeting - Room 801
• House Meetings
• End of Year Liturgy
• Marist Solidarity Fundraiser

Friday 24 November

• Staff Day
• All Abilities Cricket

Saturday 25 November

• State Honours Ensemble Program Primary - starts
• International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

Monday 27 November

• Staff Day

Tuesday 28 November

• Staff Day

Friday 31 November

• Student reports available online

Friday 22 December

• College Office Closes

Monday 8 January

• Australian Schools Cricket Challenge - starts

Thursday 11 January

• Senior Swim Camp - starts

Monday 15 January

• College Office Opens

Monday 22 January

• Years 5, 7 and New Students Orientation Day
• Year 8-11 Returning Boarders Arrive

Tuesday 23 January

• All Students Start Term 1 (Summer Uniform)