Deputy Principal

NAIDOC Week

This week, 7 – 14 July is NAIDOC Week, an annual national celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultures. The theme for NAIDOC Week this year is “Keep the Fire Burning: Blak, Loud and Proud.” It celebrates the unyielding spirit of First Nations communities and invites all Australians to stand in solidarity with them and to amplify the voices that have long been silenced. 

Through our Reconciliation Action Plan, the College community is committed to deepening understanding and appreciation of First Nations cultures, the oldest living cultures in world. We recognise the importance of culture in shaping meaning and purpose for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. We continue to build a community where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander identity is valued and proudly expressed. In celebration, we pray: 

Loving God, 

you gave life to all of creation and continue to nurture it. 

Bless this country and all people who live here.  

As we celebrate NAIDOC Week, 

we ask you to bless all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 

We thank you for their ancient wisdom and traditions 

and the cultural heritage that continues to enrich our nation.  

Help us to listen, learn, and engage in meaningful dialogue, 

so that we can foster a society where the wisdom 

and contributions of Indigenous peoples, 

are fully valued and respected.  

Amen. 

Catholic Education Week

From 21 – 27 July, Catholic schools in Queensland will celebrate Catholic Education Week. This annual event is held to promote the special ethos of Catholic schools and to highlight the great things that take place in Catholic schools every day.  The theme for this year’s celebration is “Communities of Faith, Hope and Love.” Catholic education strives to make a difference in the lives of staff, students and families in our schools by teaching the message of Jesus and the call to be compassionate, contributing, life-giving members of society. There are 312 Catholic schools in Queensland that educate around 154,000 students and employ more than 22,000 teachers and staff.

The Franciscans on the Hill - St Anthony’s School, Padua College and Mount Alvernia College – will celebrate Catholic Education Week with a special Mass at Little Flower Catholic Church, 5.30pm Sunday 21 July. All are welcome. 

SONY Foundation Camp 

After a four-year hiatus, Mount Alvernia College and Marist College Ashgrove will co-host the SONY Foundation Camp from 14 - 17 September 2024. This camp is a four-day residential camp for young people (aged 8 – 15 years) who are differently abled. It will be held at Marist College Ashgrove. Such a camp requires much planning and support. At this stage, we still need donations and campers. 

Donations: We are seeking donations of toiletries and medical supplies, activities for the campers and pamper pack items for the parents of campers. If you can assist, visit Sony Foundation Camp 2024 - Marist College Ashgrove (marash.qld.edu.au) and use the checklist to indicate the items you are able to donate. 

These include: toiletries and medical supplies: nappies, wipes, gloves, nappy bags, hand sanitiser, sunscreen, disinfectant spray, disinfectant, tissues, batteries, medicine cups, syringes, saline, band-aids, Panadol, Nurofen, Ventolin, Solugel, Claratyne, Bepanthen cream, Sudocrem, etc.

Pamper pack items for parents: wine, gourmet food, chocolates, biscuits, gift cards, movie vouchers, pamper products, jewellery, etc.

Activity Donations: rides, jumping castle, face painting, animal farm, ice cream van, popcorn machine, art supplies, magician, dress up characters, bubble machine, golf carts, etc.

Campers: The SONY Foundation Camp at Marist College Ashgrove will provide accommodation for twenty differently abled children (boys and girls) 8 – 15 years of age. 

If you have a child who would benefit from this camp or know a family whose child would like to attend, please visit Sony Foundation Camp 2024 - Marist College Ashgrove (marash.qld.edu.au) for more information and to access the Camper Application Form: Camper Application Form - Marist College Ashgrove (marash.qld.edu.au). 

If you have any questions please email sony@marash.qld.edu.au. Please note: Due to high demand for places, children can attend the camp only once.