From the Head of College

Mr Michael Newman

Endearingly Close

In 1990, I had the pleasure of inviting a famous Indigenous Australian sportsman, activist, actor, and author - Burnum Burnum, to address the Year 12 students. He spoke to the assembled cohort about his sense of the sacred and spiritual. His reflections related to storytelling, creation, love for the earth and nature. He enjoyed the local Northern Rivers and surrounding beaches, reflecting on regularly immersing himself in the beauty and tranquillity of the environment in which he lived. Burnum Burnum told us how he would sit for hours on the escarpment just outside Bangalow which overlooks the coastline of Byron Bay and the beautiful green valley of pastures. The land was essentially his sacred, his being, his spiritual.

For all of us, when we stop and just waste time and slow down, we tend to notice more. Over the holidays, I had the opportunity for 5 day break at the coast with my family. The time we spend in relationships is life-giving and the things we once again become aware of away from the busyness of life, are invaluable. On those afternoon walks, you witness the bright sunsets. In the mornings, you again, feel, smell and breathe in the fresh air and see the beauty of the world around you like the endless sea, the whales glancing over the waves and cooling waters. You take in the conversations, affection and emotions of your children.

Sunday was the feast day of St Michael – 29th September. Scripture says that Michael was an archangel, associated with courage, protection, and divine intervention. St. Michael is often referred to as the guardian prince of Israel, a protector who stands ready to defend God's chosen people. Michael appears in the Book of Enoch as one of the seven archangels, alongside Uriel, Raguel, Raphael, Sariel, Gabriel, and Remiel. These archangels are described as standing before the glory of the Lord. The angels are attendants, agents and messengers of God.

Upon first thought, it may seem that the idea of angels is not so relevant in our modern-day world; however, angels are perhaps more symbolically relevant today than ever. As symbols, angels are often described as intermediaries between Heaven and Earth, between God and Man. Angels are symbolic of God. These times when we slow down, reflect, waste time and build our relationships again are maybe the angels or the intermediary between Earth and God at work for us. Maybe the nature we experience in all its glory is God. The angels that reside on our shoulders are maybe the inspiration to notice endearingly closely the beauty of our loving God in creation and others.

God of all creation, may all the young men and members of the Marist College family, find you endearingly close in all of creation and our loving relationships. Amen.

Primary News

Our best wishes are extended to Acting Assistant Head of College - Primary, Mr Anthony Graham and Acting Pastoral Leader – Primary, Mr Richard Coles who will be leading Years 5 and 6 for the first half of Term 4. This term, three new primary students commence, the Year 5 Leadership Program will begin in Week 2, including a morning retreat and a Year 6 Retreat will take place in Week 3, where the boys will reflect on their experience at Marist Primary and set goals for Year 7 in 2025. Enjoy Term 4.

AIC Track and Field Championships

Best wishes to all our Track and Field Athletes who will be aiming for 10 straight victories in the AIC Primary and Secondary Championships this Thursday 3 and Friday 4 October. These Championships are to be held at the Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre in Nathan. Marist staff held a camp over the holidays for all athletes. Further, the boys have been participating in meetings throughout Term 3 and over the holidays and are ready for their finals at these championships. My thanks are extended to a very generous coaching staff led by Mr Rob Martin and coordinated by Mr Richard Graham. Very best wishes to the Marist Athletics team this Thursday and Friday.

College Awards Night – ALL WELCOME

A reminder to all parents that you are all invited to the 2024 College Awards Night to be held on Monday evening 14th October at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC). This night includes entertainment, a review of the college year and award presentations. The night commences at 6:30pm and will be concluded by 8:45pm. Do place this night in your calendar. You can book your free seats from this Friday via the link on the Parent Orbit App and the old College App.

Holiday Activities

Congratulations are extended to our many boys and generous staff who were very busy over the holiday period with numerous worthwhile undertakings.

The Sony Camp was held with compassion and empathy and my sincere thanks are extended to the generous staff and students involved - Anna Nasr, Jenna Harding, Mikael Pitot, Clare Locke, Genevieve Long and her partner Robbie, Grace Ryan, Stacey Finch, Kathryn Badini, Jim Noble, Sarah Palmer, Peter Serone, Lucy Naughton, Rebecca Taylor, James Trebbin, Antonia Svenson, Christine Larsen, Jessica Turschwell, Adam Knight, Georgieana Restell, the wonderful nurses from the Health Centre led by Ellie Hotston – Jane O’Shea, Rebecca Treston, Jenni Murdoch, Angela McInnes, Camille Greig, Deb McDermott and Yvonne Reynolds, Physio parent volunteer Louise Bennett, our community nurse volunteers - parent Polly Lyons, Old Boy Patrick Smith and Natalie Boddington from Mt Alvernia, the Mt Alvernia students - there were 29 student volunteers, Richard Rogusz (Deputy Principal Identity and Religious Life of the College, Mt Alvernia) and Annette Butterworth (Middle Years Educator – Humanities, English and RE, Mt Alvernia), our parent and staff volunteers who assisted with the night time caring while the volunteer student companions did their debrief, the kitchen, cleaning and services staff and our Marist College Ashgrove students: Cooper Ball, Ted Canning, Patrick Cleary, Owen Dodwell, Aiden Hassed, Max Higgins, George Kettle, Matthew L’Enfant, Clarry Lundberg, Lachlan McMillan, Ben Mead, Killian Menzies, George Philp, Braidyn Polich, Francis Schutt, Andrew Woodward, Jaden Bush, Matthew Lyons,Tom Duffy, Michael Foxon, Luke Rabie, Toariki Netzler, Joshua Dale, Kian Dickman, George Bishop, Joseph Cervetto, Alex Cienfuegos, Ted Clarke, George Correia, Harrison Graham, Owen Hair, Jacob Henselien, Harry Marshall, Henry Meinicke, Sam Millott, Aidan Phillips, Elliot Schanzl, Lachie Vink, Finn Kennedy, Dom Forbes, Josh Dempsey, Ed Wild and Addi Allen. Well done everyone.

The immersion experience to the Indigenous community of Alice Springs was also a cherished experience for all involved. Well done and thank you – Timothy Bennett, Oliver Bishop, Benjamin Hawley, Blake Mahoney, James Moyes, Jordan Pratt, Archie Searle, Angus Shay, Mr Charles Brauer and Ms Jen Smeed.

My thanks to all our Athletics coaches who professionally and generously continued training and facilitated a camp - Richard Graham, Paul Knight, Laurie Boustead, Mark Conroy, Robin Martin, Des Davis, Eric Brown, Tim Castley, Lee Martin, Dan Drew, Tom Prole, James Prole, Bill Prole, Brendan Saunders, Zac Newsham and Tom Dempsey.

The Melbourne Creative Arts Tour was much enjoyed by all the boys. My thanks are extended to Mrs Christine Larsen – Curriculum Leader – the Arts, Mr Scott Minogue – Pastoral Leader Rush, and Mrs Roxanne Rosenberg – Assistant Head of College, Academic Care (Middle School) for accompanying the boys.

The Year 11 Leadership Day was held at the college with much energy and conviction. I thank Mr Peter Serone, Mr Phil Holding, members of the College Leadership Team and staff who were actively involved in this day of skill development, reflection and planning with our future student leaders.

Boarding News

We welcome five new boarders and their families to the college in term 4. We trust that you find Marist a great place to reside. We also welcome, Patrick Brown, our new Boarding Supervisor who is presently completing his 3rd year of Education at ACU, and who attended St Augustine’s College Cairns, a Marist School. Congratulations to Mr Jim Noble and Meagan for their new Boarding Publication – “Future Boarding Families” which is being circulated each school term.

Holiday Undertakings

My thanks are extended to the many staff who over the holidays have kept Marist College Ashgrove functioning and prepared prior to the commencement of Term 4. I can report the following initiatives completed: Cyprian refurbishment, primary block refurb in progress, Music Centre external painting, landscaping outside Cyprian Pavilion, clearing of all gutters, new LED lighting in Gym, Wifi server upgrade, venue hires (theatre, classrooms, ovals), new enrolments onboarding, new staff onboarding, spring cleaning all areas, general repairs and maintenance and financials, kitchen, grounds and gardens. My thanks for these staff contributions. Enjoy, Term 4.

Welcome

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome the following new staff to the college for Term 4, 2024: Geoff Whiting – Maths and Science (St Laurence’s College, St Patrick’s College and Holy Spirit College), Andrew Catton – Sports Co-Ordinator/Program – Cricket and Football (Ipswich Grammar), Rory Edwards – Director IT (Stuartholme College, Surecom PTY LTD and Baseline PTY LTD), and Umal Arachchige – Lab Assistant. Congratulations to Kathryn Badini – Curriculum Leader Academic Care, Middle Years who will undertake this position in Term 4. My best wishes to you all.

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