From the Head of College

Mr Michael Newman

A Gift to Australia

As we enter Catholic Education Week in Queensland, celebrating the theme Communities of Faith, Hope and Love, we also recognise our own generous, strong and vibrant past. In 2022, the Marist Brothers celebrated the sesquicentennial of Marist contribution to Catholic Education for Australia. This year, we celebrate our 85th Anniversary at Marist College Ashgrove. The Catholic Education sector in Queensland celebrates 150 years of Edmund Rice Education in 2025. Further to this, Mt St Michael’s and the Sisters of Charity celebrate 100 years of education in Queensland this weekend. What a generous gift these religious orders of Brothers and Sisters have contributed to the fabric of life in Australia. They have provided education in charity to millions of young people and their families over the decades throughout Queensland and Australia and are to be commended.

Furthermore, the Catholic Church is a significant positive contributor to the Australian fabric in so many areas. The Catholic Church is involved in education, health care and hospitals, unemployment, homelessness, support for Indigenous Australians, welfare, and overseas aid. Overall, it is the third largest employer in Australia, employing just over 2% of the Australian workforce – the list of the top 10 companies being - Westfarmers, Woolworths, the Catholic Church, CBA, Federal Public Service, BHP, NAB, Rio Tinto, Westpac and ANZ. This involves some 221,000 employees where 165,750 are women making up 77% of employees, including the administering and leadership of many of these undertakings. In the Australian education sector, one-third of all primary students and a quarter of secondary students are educated in the Catholic system.

We wish all our Brother and Sister orders and schools every blessing as they celebrate their anniversaries this year. We look forward to continuing in collaboration to extend this story of Catholic Education forward into the years ahead. In doing so, we will continue to honour the past and the giants on whose shoulders we stand firmly today, while remembering to acknowledge and apologise for the hurts of the past. Together, let us continue to be positive educational contributors and stewards to the assets, property and resources they have left us, the wider Catholic community, including here at Marist College Ashgrove.

God of the journey, we ask your blessing on all students, educators and parents within Catholic Education as we continue the great legacy we have been blessed to receive.

Amen.

Term 3 Sport

Best wishes to all boys as they commence their Term 3 2025 AIC sporting competitions. On Monday 21 July our boys participated in the AIC Golfing Championships. Each week during Term 3, our boys will play against our competing AIC Schools in Tennis, Rugby League and Basketball. The boys will then have the opportunity to prepare for the defence of their AIC Athletics Championship. This year, each weekend will return to the traditional home and away fixtures for all sports. For more information, refer to the college calendar and receive notifications for the sports to which your son is enrolled, via the College Parent Orbit APP.

Future Solution Problem Seeking

Good luck to our Year 6, 7 and 9 students who will be attending the Future Problem Solving Resource Day this Tuesday 22 July at Churchie. This is not a competition, but a valuable opportunity for students and coaches to deepen their understanding of the Qualifying Problem, Agricultural Industry. The day will include Australian perspectives on the topic, a revision of the Six-Step Model, teamwork tips, and a chance to respond to a simplified practice future scene. A big thank you to Program Leader – Academic Equity, Melissa Deacon and Gifted and Talented Teacher, Natalie Sones for organising and attending with the boys. We hope the boys enjoy the day and gain helpful insights for future competitions!

Year 10 SET Plans and Year 9 Performance and Pathway Conversations

All boys in Year 10 are undertaking their Senior Education and Training Interviews. These conversations are important for the boys and their families to plan the most potentially successful, and appropriate pathways forward in their academic and career pursuits. My thanks are extended to Ashley Hutchings, Adam Knight, Elizabeth Kenny, Gareth Kolkenbeck-Ruh, Kathryn Badini, Leigh Jackson, Lucy Naughton, Maddie Henry (Spann), Robyn Gooley and Tara Franklin for their professional undertaking of these important interviews. Year 9 start their Performance and Pathway conversations from Monday 28 July onwards. Bookings can be made via the Parent Orbit APP which closes 24 July.

Long Lunch

The Marist family is looking forward to the annual Long Lunch, taking place this Saturday, 26 July on Hayden Oval. This event is officially sold out. This much-anticipated gathering promises to be a fantastic afternoon of great food, community spirit, and celebration. We extend our thanks to our dedicated Marist staff team led by Bethany Halpin, Sophie Tuffley, Jennifer McNamara and the Services Team who have been preparing and working tirelessly to bring this event to life on the weekend. We are currently monitoring the weather forecast and are aware of the potential conditions. Please keep an eye on your emails for further updates and event details on Friday 25 July. We look forward to sharing a memorable day with you all.

Boarding Visits

Best wishes to our Boarding staff of Jim Noble and Meaghan Loane who will be undertaking a Boarding visit to the Northern Territory later this week. The tour will include a parent evening at Katherine. We invite all our parents, Old Boys and prospective enrolments to our Marist gathering at Katherine – you are very welcome. For more information, please contact Meaghan Loane on loanem@marash.qld.edu.au

We will also have Ty Casey and Stephen Monk attending the Boarding Schools Expo in Narrabri this weekend and we look forward to meeting many future boarders and Marist associates from this region.

Year 12 Gold Optimus Breakfast

Congratulations to our Year 12 Gold Optimus Awardees who will be recognised this Thursday 24 July at our annual Gold Optimus Breakfast to be held in the Cyprian Pavilion. This special occasion recognises the boys' diligence, efforts, growth and journey through their final year of academic studies. Boys are joined by their parents at this event and will have the opportunity to hear from guest speaker, and former Marist Old Boy Surgeon, Dr Bill Donnelly. We extend our thanks to Assistant Head of College Learning and Teaching – Adam Knight, Assistant Head of College Learning and Teaching in the Middle School – Leigh Jackson and Sebastian Di Donato for collating and compiling the award data, Callum Clark and the Services Team, Nathan Ayre and his catering team, our Year 11 and 12 Hospitality students along with Sue Going and Robyn Gooley, Alicia Lee for organising this event, Samantha La-Chiusa for assisting and Acting Deputy Head of College - Phill Holding for compering the morning. We look forward to sharing this memorable morning with our senior students and parents.

Paul Dillion Presentation

Paul Dillion undertakes an annual program for all boys in Years 10, 11 and 12 where he explores age-appropriate content on the topic of Drugs, Alcohol and Vaping. Paul is the founder of Drug and Alcohol Research and Training Australia (DARTA). He is contracted by a wide range of sporting professional groups including: The Australian Cricketers Association, Football Federation Australia and the Rugby Union Players Association, along with regular appearances on television and radio. This Thursday we are pleased to welcome Paul, with his over 30 years of experience, to speak with our Year 10, 11 and 12 students and provide them with his valuable insights into current drug trends and offer practical advice on alcohol and other drug-related issues, including the increasingly concerning rise in vaping among young people. His engaging and evidence-based approach will help equip our boys with the knowledge and strategies to make informed and responsible choices, offer peer support structures and decisions. We welcome Paul back to the College for these important presentations.

Marist is also offering a Parent Session on Thursday 24 July to listen to Paul free of charge in the Draney Theatre, the same day in which sessions for Years 10, 11 and 12 students will be held. Should you wish to attend, I ask that you register via the following link https://events.humanitix.com/paul-dillon-teens-parties-alcohol-and-vapes. Paul is terrific, I highly recommend your attendance.

We thank Paul sincerely for his continued commitment to the young men of Marist, particularly around this important topic of drugs, alcohol and vaping.

Apprenticeship Regional Finalist

Best of luck to Henry Waters – QTA Metropolitan Finalist!

We wish Henry Waters all the very best at the 2025 Queensland Training Awards Metropolitan Regional Final this Friday 25 July at Brisbane City Hall. Henry, a Year 11 Marist student, is a school-based apprentice barber at Tommy Guns Chermside. He is in the running for recognition after already being named the Tommy Guns Apprentice of the Year (2024). Henry is currently working toward his Certificate III in Barbering, training under Bec Pereira from Matters in Grey. Henry will be supported at these lunchtime awards by his proud parents, Vanessa and Kieran Waters, as well as key members of his training and support team from Marist: Ms Robyn Gooley, Ms Tara Franklin, Mr Adam Knight, Ms Beth Muller and of course, his trainer Bec. Good luck, Henry.

Head of College Tour

This Friday, we warmly invite families and guests to join us for the Term 3 Head of College Tour. This is a great opportunity for prospective parents and students to experience the spirit of Marist College Ashgrove firsthand. The tour will offer insights into college life, our values and the learning environment that shapes our students. Following the tour conducted by the students, guests are invited to enjoy morning tea and connect with staff and fellow community members. We look forward to welcoming prospective parents and their sons to the college this Friday.

Marist College Ashgrove Big Bands – Jumpers and Jazz Festival

We’re excited to announce that Marist College Ashgrove’s Big Band 1 and 2 will take the stage at the Leslie Park Jazz Arena in Warwick on Sunday, 27 July at 10:45am. This is an exciting opportunity for our talented musicians to showcase their hard work and passion in a vibrant jazz loving community setting. We encourage families, friends and supporters to come along and enjoy what promises to be a dynamic and entertaining performance – especially those boarding families and ex-students who live in the Darling Downs region. A big thank you to Dr Andrew Butt, Ms Megan Harmston and Ms Janelle Lee Long for their dedication in preparing the boys and accompanying them on this exciting opportunity.

Walkathon

Get ready to lace up your shoes for the Marist College Ashgrove Walkathon, happening on Saturday 10 August! This much-loved community event is a fantastic way for students, families and staff to come together in support of physical resources for the college – this year funds raised from the Walkathon will go towards shade and seating areas for students and spectators around the ovals, bus stop and tennis courts. The Walkathon is always an enjoyable and active day which will include the Battle of the Bands and the opportunity to purchase food and drinks on return to McMahon Oval. All families and friends are welcome to join in the spirit of the event and we encourage everyone to donate funds to support students. Donation link - https://events.humanitix.com/2025-walkathon

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