Marist College Ashgrove Newsletter

From Your P&F

Sports Canteen – Saturday 30 August

Thank you to our volunteers for keeping the food in motion on Saturday 23 August:

Belinda Caesar (2 hours this term), Kirsty Clune, Nova Evans, Sabrina Ferguson, Bess Howard, Josh Lavea (4 hours this term), Lauren Lavea (4 hours this term), Cath McAuliffe, Brett McSweeny, Gabby McSweeny, James McSweeny, Joanne Russo (2 hours this term), Meg Wood.

 

Please sign upfor an hour behind the canteen if you have a game at MCA this Saturday. Just one hour per term if you have a son playing sport is all it takes to keep the food and refreshments flowing for our MCA and AIC families. Many thanks

 

Gym: https://signup.com/go/iQugsqf

Coffee Van: https://signup.com/go/oJBvXyr

Grandstand: https://signup.com/go/CxTzggt

Flats: https://signup.com/go/vBRyGKW

Expressions of Interest for Key P&F Roles for 2026

With the end of the school year approaching attention is turning to filling upcoming subcommittee vacancies for 2026. The roles listed below have been held by people whose families are approaching the end of their time at the College and will thus be moving on from their P&F volunteering capacities at the 2026 AGM (February). By the very nature of P&F, all our roles are held for a fixed period by committed parent volunteers while their families journey through the College.  We have been very fortunate over a very long period to enjoy deep commitment from a broad section of parents, allowing us to sustain a vast suite of activities.

 

If you have been looking for that special job to make your own, please read on! Now is a great time to get involved to make a difference.

 

Amity - Grandparents Day

We are looking for someone to take over as the P&F liaison person for Grandparents Day September this year and into the future.  It’s an easy process that mainly involves organising the parent volunteer sign up process and being there early on the day to help with welcoming the grandparents and oversee the serving of morning tea. You work closely with the school events and facilities staff who are amazing.  

 

Please reach out to Jane Wilcox at secretarypandf@marash.qld.edu.au if you would like to find out more.

 

Amity - Parent Functions

The Amity group are seeking someone to take the lead with organising Parent Functions. A background with events management or hospitality is an advantage but not essential.

There are seven parent functions held each year. All events are held on-site at the College and via arrangements through the MCA Events and Catering teams. The Co-ordinator works closely with the MCA Events and Venue Hire teams and a group of parent volunteers. Tasks include - setting dates for the forward year, menu selection from MCA catering options, organising community liquor permits, and event management and oversight of volunteers on the night. 

 

Please reach out to Jane Wilcox at secretarypandf@marash.qld.edu.au if you would like to find out more.

 

 

Walkathon

Our biggest day of the year, we are looking for our next P&F organising team, with roles including:

 

  • P&F Event Manager - Subcommittee Leader
    • Volunteer Coordinator
    • Ticketing Coordinator
    • Vendor Coordinator
    •  

This is very special and unique opportunity to work closely with the leadership of the College and ADF Enoggera Barracks. Come and put your stamp on this historic and iconic event.

 

Please reach out to Donna Lynn at PresidentPandF@marash.qld.edu.au if you would like to find out more.

 

 

Sports Canteens Volunteer Co-ordinator

The P&F are seeking someone to take over the job of issuing the call for volunteers.

 

The role of Volunteer Co-ordinator involves several small routine tasks across fixtured weeks in Terms 1, 2 and 3. It is helpful to attend the canteens from time to time across the term to get to know the catering staff, stay in touch with the volunteers, and generally be part of the great atmosphere on Saturdays. However, if required, the role can be done remotely/offline, working around existing commitments across Monday – Friday.

 

A typical week looks like:

  • Identifying a year or team level roster based on who is playing at home for the coming Saturday (Tuesday after fixtures are issued)
  • Email to the College Head of Catering to confirm the weekend’s volunteer ask (Tuesday or Wednesday)
  • Messaging the year level volunteer contacts to distribute the roster messages for the week via Facebook groups (Wed message)
  • Emailing the same message to the P&F Secretary to include in the College newsletter (Tues)
  • Emailing or messaging requests for Parent Orbit notices or additional Facebook messages to address any shortages (Thursday or Friday)

 

Frequently Asked Question on how sports canteens are managed:

  • Canteen operations are limited to AIC fixture weeks in Terms 1, 2 and 3 where there are teams playing at home.
  • Food ordering, canteen opening and closing, food prep and delivery are all done by the MCA Catering team. 
  • The Catering team also sets up the Signup Sheet at the start of each term. We use the same links for the full term. 
  • Canteen buildings, fixtures and fittings are maintained by the College.
  • The P&F operates on a no-Cash basis, so there is no requirement for collecting, counting, and banking weekly takings. All the canteen takings come through the eftpos machines. The accounts are managed by the P&F Treasurer, including any replacement/repair of eftpos machines, and payments for canteen stock.
  • There is a very experienced and responsive group of parent year level contacts who facilitate the weekly volunteer calls through the year level facebook pages.

 

Please reach out to Donna Lynn at PresidentPandF@marash.qld.edu.au if you would like to find out more.

Catholic School Parents Queensland Webinar and Parenting Survey 

QTAC Student Information Night For Students & Parents

 

Wed 17 Sept | 6:00pm - 7:00pm AEST | Online event

Thinking of applying through QTAC? Join us for a live online session designed to give you the inside edge on submitting a successful application.

 

Whether you're applying straight from Year 12, returning to study, or changing direction, QTAC experts will walk you through key tips for a successful application.

 

This session is perfect for students (and parents!) wanting to feel confident and prepared throughout the QTAC process. Don’t miss your chance to get insider advice straight from the source.

 

Click here for more details and to register:

https://events.humanitix.com/qtac-student-information-night

The Parenting Today survey

How are Australian parents doing right now?

It’s time to find out. The Parenting Today survey is a national survey that will bring together the voices of 10,000 parents – and you can add your voice to the mix. This is your chance to make sure families just like yours are represented. The survey will capture the experiences, strengths, and support needs of parents and carers across Australia.

If you are a parent or carer to a child aged 0-18, you are invited to participate and share your experience of what it is like to be a parent in 2025.

 

TAKE THE SURVEY NOW: parentingtoday.net.au