Head of Students News

Welcome back to Students and Families!

As we embark on a new academic year, I extend a warm welcome to all our students and families. Much work and development has gone on over the past eight weeks and we are excited to see our returning students and hear about their adventures over the break. We are particularly looking forward to welcoming those students and families who are joining our Marist community for the first time.

This year promises to be filled with opportunities for growth, learning and achievement. Our dedicated pastoral staff are committed to providing a supportive and challenging environment where each student is known and can thrive.

Many of you may know me from the past few years as the Pastoral Leader – Senior Years, or for those who have been associated with the College longer, from my previous tenure from 2010 to 2019 as Head of Sport or Pastoral Leader – Rush House. This year, I am excited to be stepping into the role of Assistant Head of College – Students. In this role, I will be working alongside the College Leadership Team and leading the Pastoral Team in supporting and caring for our students.

Pastoral Team Renewal – Welcome to New Faces

In addition to my new role, I would like to formally welcome and introduce staff members who have taken on roles in 2025 that focus on the care, wellbeing and support of our students and their families:

• Pastoral Leader – Students: Mr Gareth Kolkenbeck-Ruh (Mr Ruh)
• Pastoral Leader – Wellbeing: Mr Tim Walker
• Pastoral Leader – Head of Ridley House: Ms Lucy Naughton
• Pastoral Leader – Head of Ephrem House: Mr Marcus Schrader
• Pastoral Leader – Head of Ignatius House: Mr Ieti Fetalaiga
• Pastoral Leader – Head of Foley House (T1-3): Mrs Maddie Henry (formerly Miss Spann)
• Pastoral Leader – Head of Slattery House (T1-2): Mr Chris Daykin
• School Attendance Officer (0.5 Job Share): Mrs Liz Spry

This is an exciting time at the College and a renewal opportunity that will enable us to grow and develop pastoral practices that reflect the wonderful history that Marist holds, whilst embracing contemporary ways of operating. The strong mixture of experience, both internal and external, provides a range of perspectives and insights that will enrich our community. By fostering collaboration and leveraging these diverse viewpoints, we can further enhance an inclusive and supportive environment that nurtures every individual. Together, we will continue to uphold the values and traditions that define us, while innovating and evolving to meet the needs of today and tomorrow. This period of renewal will not only strengthen our foundation but also inspire us to reach new heights of excellence and compassion, a period in the history of Marist College Ashgrove that I am proud to be leading.

Update to Pastoral Leader Positions

In 2023, the College introduced two new Pastoral positions: Pastoral Leader – Middle Years and Pastoral Leader – Senior Years. These roles worked closely with the Assistant Head of College – Students and the Heads of House in the development of the College Wellbeing Program (ASH) and managing student matters.

From 2025, these roles have been amended to better meet the needs of the College and focus on specific areas, namely student processes and the Wellbeing Program. These two positions will work alongside the Assistant Head of College – Students to lead the Pastoral Team at Marist College Ashgrove.

Pastoral Leader – Students

Mr Gareth Kolkenbeck-Ruh has stepped into the Pastoral Leader – Students role and will focus strategically on student support and behavioural management processes and practices. In 2025, he will oversee Years 7, 9 and 11 and will assist the Pastoral Leader – Wellbeing in the development and delivery of the College Wellbeing Program. Gareth, formerly Head of Ignatius House and recently acting Pastoral Leader – Middle School at Marist College Ashgrove, holds a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Educational Leadership. He has held leadership roles, including Deputy Principal at St David’s Marist, Inanda; Deputy Principal at Jeppe High School for Boys, Johannesburg; Deputy Head of Middle School and Head of History at Ballarat Clarendon College, Ballarat; and Assistant Head of Year 7 at Ambrose Treacy College, Indooroopilly.

Pastoral Leader – Wellbeing

Mr Tim Walker has taken on the role of Pastoral Leader – Wellbeing and will focus strategically on the development of the College Wellbeing Program. In 2025, he will oversee Years 8, 10 and 12 and will assist the Pastoral Leader – Students in managing student issues. Tim joins Marist College Ashgrove after 10 years at Ambrose Treacy College, where he served as Dean of Formation, Head of House and Head of the HPE Department. Prior to this, Tim held roles at St Patrick’s College, including House Dean and Curriculum Leader in Justice and Peace. Tim is a Lead Conformer (HPE) for the QCAA and has 25 years of experience coaching high-level volleyball, including Head of Volleyball at Ambrose Treacy College and Queensland Schoolboys Coach from 2018 to 2023.

Brent Saunders – Year 11 Presentation

On Thursday 6 February (Week 2), our Year 11 students will have the opportunity to hear from Mr Brent Saunders.

Brent is one of Australia’s most respected communicators in the field of workplace harassment, bullying and discrimination. He also presents lectures throughout Australia on sexual crime, criminal profiling and personal safety in senior secondary schools and universities.

Following a distinguished career in the Police Force, he started his own business presenting seminars and lectures on workplace harassment, conflict resolution and offender psychology.

As well as servicing corporate clients, Brent travels throughout Australia, lecturing on harassment and discrimination to over 15 universities every year. He is also a regular keynote speaker at national and international university conferences.

Over two decades, Brent has provided more than 850,000 people with the tools and mindset to create a harassment-free work environment or to understand the dynamics of sexual crime, offender psychology and self-protection. Whether he is training or lecturing, Brent is renowned for his ability to communicate delicate, sensitive subject matter in a unique, empowering and inspirational way.

Brent is also the author of the bestselling book on conflict psychology, 'How Dangerous Men Think' which has been published worldwide and is available to purchase online.