From the Head of College

Mr Michael Newman

With Gratefulness of Heart

The boys were privileged to enjoy two significant events during the week. On Wednesday, we had a visit from Old Boy, the Australian Ambassador to the US and a past Prime Minister of Australia – The Hon Dr Kevin Rudd. Kevin told us that he attended Marist Ashgrove from 1969-1971. The reason he attended as a Marist boarder was that his dad was killed in a tragic car crash and his mother needed to complete a nursing course so that she could provide for the family. So, the Brothers took Kevin into the boarding school free of charge – with a bursary. When Kevin’s mother finished her training, she was able to provide for the family once again, so Kevin returned home and finished his schooling on the Sunshine Coast. Kevin expressed his gratitude to the two Heads of College at the time – Br Geoffrey Joy and Br Alexis who gave him this generous opportunity of a Marist education out of compassion and the many other kind Brothers that followed.

On Friday, Marist celebrated the Annual St Marcellin Champagnat Day Mass. This was co-celebrated by Fr Alatini and Fr Anthony. The mass was a most reflective experience, as the boys thought about the significance of St Marcellin Champagnat’s life and messages, relating them to their lives today. During the mass the boys sung enthusiastically and participated with much energy.

At the conclusion of the liturgy, Marist gratefully recognised those staff members who have given significant and outstanding service to both Catholic and Marist education over the years, namely: Christine Larsen, Cathryn Geraghty and Kieran Donnelly - 10 years of service to Marist Education, Meaghan Round, Kathryn Badini and Adam Knight - 10 years of service to both Marist & Catholic Education, Andrew Devoy - 20 years of service to Marist Education, Lucia Del Vecchio, Kylie Bowman, Geoff Whiting and Gregory Woodrow - 10 years of service to Catholic Education, AJ Gray and Stephen Monk - 20 years of service to Catholic Education, Andrea Williams - 10 years of service to Marist Education & 20 years to Catholic Education, David Finch - 25 years of service to Catholic Education, Ximena Hniopek - 20 years of service to Marist Education and 25 years to Catholic Education and Mick Morley - 30 years of service to Catholic Education

We also recognised three people in the Marist College Ashgrove family who do good quietly in the service of others – a community member, staff member and student. This year we recognised: Dr Peter Norris – the dedicated doctor for the boys and Marist Brothers community for some 24 years at the college, Mrs Rhonda Carson – much loved and longstanding school officer at the college working in the Primary school – well known for connecting boys in the Primary garden, and George Kettle – committed student to his studies, leadership and sport while highly involved in undertaking an immersion and the Mates program.

Like Champagnat, let all members of the Marist family do good work quietly, without fuss and humbly, with a grateful heart. Let us pray to Mary to know Jesus, remembering St Marcellin Champagnat’s hearty words, “I can’t meet a young person without telling them how much God loves them.” Amen.

Year 7-10 Examination Block Commences

Best wishes to all boys in Years 7-10 who commence their external exams this Friday 13 June through to Thursday 19 June. These examinations make up a significant portion of their overall result on their Semester Two reports. Meanwhile, boys are completing assessments for other subjects which go towards their final grades. I wish all boys the best of luck with their study and revision at this important point of Semester One. My thanks are extended to their generous and professional teachers who are preparing the boys, marking and completing reports in the coming weeks.

Year 5-11 Semester 1 Reports

The Year 11 Semester One Reports are being released today. These reports will have your son’s progress thus far in regards to his Unit 1 work for his senior studies The Year 5-10 Semester One Reports will be distributed at the end of this Term. The Year 12 students will be concluding their parent / son progress interviews. We trust that all parents will continue conversations with their sons regarding his academic progress and future goals.

AIC Cross Country Champions 2025

Congratulations to both the Secondary and Primary Cross County teams who won the AIC Cross Country Championships. The Secondary boys won by 28 points and the Primary boys shared the victory with Iona College. We congratulate Iona College also on the joint championship with Marist Primary. This is the eighth championship win out of last nine for the Secondary and the third in a row for the Primary. Many thanks are extended to our dedicated staff who coached and encouraged the boys on the day namely: Mr Matthew Millward (Co-ordinator); Mr Marcus Schrader (Assistant Co-ordinator), Mr Thomas Prole (Old Boy 2022 and Head Coach), Mr John Lambourne and supervisors - Alan Moran, Asher Parkin, Brendan Jansons, Brendan Saunders, Jacob Keogh, Matt Pimm, Sasha Sofronoff and Ben Adams.

Congratulations Marist College, Secondary and Primary 2025 AIC Cross Country Champions!

Final Round – Rugby and Football

This weekend is the final day of Football and Rugby to be played against Padua College. We wish our First XV Rugby Union and First XI Football teams and their coaches – Mr Richard Graham and Mr Chris Daykin, and Mr Blair Whitlock and Mr Willem Baines respectively, who both remain undefeated going into the final round, the best of luck. We thank all families for the manner in which you have ensured your son is prepared and ready to play in full Marist uniform and for your support throughout the term. My thanks are extended to Mr Derek Lennon - Head of Sport, Mr Blair Whitlock Football Coordinator and to Mr Richard Graham, Rugby Union Coordinator and First XV Coach, for your leadership and commitment to the 2025 season. Good luck gentlemen in your final games for the season.

School Officer Day

My sincere gratitude and thanks are extended to the Marist College Ashgrove School Officers for all their support and care of the boys each day. Their tasks include supporting teachers in the classroom, work in the College grounds, completing administration duties and undertaking support roles for our teacher and leaders. Without our generous and expert support staff, Marist College Ashgrove would not be able to offer the plethora of activities and opportunities to the boys. On Wednesday 1 June – School Officer Day, we honour and acknowledge our wonderful Marist School Officers – thank you!

Year 10 Traditional Dancing - Finale

This Tuesday 10 June, Marist College Ashgrove will be hosting the girls from Stuartholme, Mt St Michael’s and Loreto College for the penultimate traditional dancing gathering at the Victoria Park Ballroom. The boys have been learning the Waltz, Rumba, Cha Cha, Merengue and Swing dances over the past three weeks. This is a time-honoured event at the College and one that is greatly enjoyed by both the boys and their partners alike. My thanks are extended to their generous teachers who have prepared the boys over these weeks, including Anntoinette Restell, Georgieanna Restell, Sharon Davidson, Christine Larsen and Sarah Palmer. Enjoy, gentlemen.

Australian Cyber Schools Challenge

Congratulations to our Marist students who achieved third place in the Semi-Finals of the Australian Schools Cyber Challenge. After juggling a rigorous workload and assessments, the boys have undertaken this challenging competition, managing this pleasing result. Many thanks are extended to Melissa Deacon and Tara Franklin for all their encouragement and support of the boys. The finals will be held at Brisbane Grammar School on the last day of Semester One. Good luck gentlemen.

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