From the Head of College

Mr Michael Newman

Follow the Gospel

The weekend’s rain in Brisbane and the associated floods have certainly tested everyone’s resolve after the COVID-19 pandemic over the past two years. We remember and pray for all those families throughout Brisbane and Northern NSW who are dealing with the tragic aftermath of this rain event. Locally, long-time residents of Ashgrove tell me that the level of the Enoggera Creek, that adjoins the College, was the highest they have ever seen, even larger than the 1974 and 2011 floods. The sight of this usually small creek swelling to become a fast-moving river, that spilled over to submerge the Mirrabooka Road Bridge and cover the Flats, was really quite phenomenal.

On Monday, down at Des Connor Oval (‘The Flats’) a number of Marist folk offered their assistance to clean up the flood aftermath. There was damage from fallen trees, to the fences, the Glenlyon bridge, pumps, significant debris and the surface of the Des Connor Oval was soaked. Yet, with the help of the community, a large part of the clean-up has been done. Marist families and friends of the College generously gave up their time to help. Their response was heartfelt and supportive, and they offered their assistance all day long in humid weather. The day concluded with an emu parade over the Des Connor Oval to pick up the pebbles and shale that deposited on the oval’s surface. Amongst the hard work there was a strong sense of unity, generosity and goodwill and a sincere effort to make a positive difference to the College and community. Looking at the big picture of the last few days, the damage to the Flats and surrounds is minute compared to the devastation experienced by some of our Ashgrove neighbours and many other residents throughout South-East Queensland and Northern NSW. Our prayers and thoughts are with all of these people today.

Tomorrow, Wednesday 2 March, the College commences the season of Lent. This is the forty days leading to Easter which in the final week incorporates Holy Week, the Last Supper, the death and resurrection of Jesus. Ash Wednesday is a very important day in the Church’s calendar year as we reflect on our humanity, sinfulness and need for forgiveness. As a sign of this, all boys would usually receive ashes on their foreheads with the words, “turn away from sin and follow the Gospels.” As is the tradition, the boys will be celebrating Ash Wednesday in period 4 in a COVID-safe environment in their pastoral classes with a live stream from the College Chapel. One of the subtle messages presented by Jesus is to ‘follow the Gospels’ as reflected upon by the boys as they each receive their ashes. Lent is a time to love and serve God through the service of others and more specifically our sisters and brothers in need – that is, to follow the Gospels.

This devastating weather event has certainly enabled each of us to do just that and to continue to respond in the spirit of generosity in the days and weeks ahead. My sincere thanks are extended to the many boys, parents, staff and just friends of the College who came along and generously gave a hand on Sunday and Monday. For those who were unable to provide a physical hand, thank you for the bottles of water and food you dropped off and the words of encouragement you gave. For all those staff, parents and students who will continue to lend a hand in their local communities, thank you.

God of peace, we pray for the fortitude to ‘follow the Gospels’ as we continue to lend a hand and join together in prayer for all those affected by this devastating rain and flood event. Let us also continue to pray for the people of Ukraine. Amen.

COVID-19 Update

Last week, the Premier announced changes to Queensland’s face mask restrictions and other COVID-19 measures. As of 6:00pm, on Friday 4 March, face marks will not be required in most settings, including schools. In addition, the restrictions that were applied as part of the back-to-school plan for Term 1 2022 will be removed. Marist College Ashgrove will lift any current restrictions on large gatherings, assemblies and excursions. All visitors (including contractors) will be able to return to schools. We do ask, however, that parents, staff and boys continue to be diligent with hygiene requirements and simple social distancing measures, especially to protect our boarding students.

The latest COVID-19 update on students who have reported to the College COVID-19 symptoms – Day-students Secondary: 21 and Primary: 20, Staff: 7 and Boarding students: 2.

Mass and Reconciliation

One of the wonderful traditions of Marist College Ashgrove is the weekly offer of mass and reconciliation for the boys. Each Tuesday, reconciliation is held from 8:00am-8.30am and each Wednesday, mass is held between 8:00am-8.30am in the Chapel of Our Lady and St Marcellin Champagnat. Although due to COVID-19, we have had to live stream mass of recent times, we expect to resume mass in person again, in the Chapel from the Wednesday 9 March. We are most blessed to have a resident priest, Fr. Alatini Kolofo’ou sm to celebrate these sacraments each week with the boys and on a Sunday with the Boarders. Please encourage your son to attend the sacraments of reconciliation and mass each week and to visit the chapel at any time in the day - It is a lovely place to visit and have some time-out with God in quiet and stillness.

Career’s Week

Next week, Monday 7 March to Friday 11 March, Marist College Ashgrove’s will be conducting its annual Career’s Week. This week is dedicated to assisting the boys to reflect on their futures beyond the gates of Marist. There are various activities the boys are encouraged to participate in during the week including - resume writing, future goal setting and planning. Our Year 12 Boys are also invited to attend the Careers Link Networking Virtual Event. This year, we are privileged to have a variety of industry speakers and many Old Boys who have volunteered to address the boys on their personal profession. Registrations to attend, opened on Monday 28 February at 3:00pm. The boys have been asked to sign up for their preferred speaker as spaces are limited. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr Peter Gaiter, Ms Tara Franklin, Ms Tanya Bester, Mr Anthony Collins and all guest speakers and Old Boys who will be contributing greatly to this informative and exciting week focussing on careers and the Careers Link Networking Virtual Event.

Engineering

In 2021, Marist College Ashgrove was excited to announce the introduction of Engineering as a subject for our Years 10 and 11 students. This is a highly esteemed ATAR subject and our hope is that Engineering will grow in time and students in Year 11 will progress in their studies to Year 12. This subject explores the theory and practice of engineering. Students will learn about the engineering process through the prototyping and creation of real-world solutions. The boys will learn to use 3D printers, 3D modelling software and laser cutters in their studies. We welcome to the College, Mr Zubin Varghese, himself an engineer and teacher, who is professionally guiding these boys through this subject. Enjoy, gentlemen.

AIC Swimming Championships

Best wishes to the Marist College Ashgrove Swimming Team who will be participating in the Swimming Grand Finals – AIC Championships next Tuesday 8 March. These championships will be held at the Chandler Aquatic Centre. The Marist boys have been training hard and we wish them well as they aim to peak for this event, hopefully going one better after achieving runner-up status last year. I thank all their dedicated teachers and coaches who have been training and preparing the boys for many months – James Boyce (Head Coach), Damian Bromley, Ziggi Jacks, Christine Baillie, Roxanne Rosenberg, Pierce Hardy, David Meehan, Cath Geraghty, Antoinette Restelle, Julia Wilkin, Catherine Barnett, Cathie Kidd, Lucy Hislop and Jack Goyen. I also thank all of the dedicated parents who have been supporting and transporting the boys to their various training and swimming meets.

Best of luck, gentlemen for next Tuesday.

Lions Youth of the Year Competition

Congratulations to Marist College Ashgrove Year 12 Student Samuel Allpass, the overall winner of the 2022 Lions Youth of the Year (LYOTY) Local School Final.

The Lions Youth of the Year Program is designed to foster, encourage and develop leadership qualities in our youth. These traits are bred in conjunction with other citizenship qualities at an age when the students are about to enter the fields of higher education or employment.

The LYOTY Program provides the students with the incentive to pay greater attention to the general qualities that are so vital in developing them into first-class citizens. The qualities sought, apart from academic attainments, are those of leadership, sportsmanship, public speaking and good citizenship.

The LYOTY Local Schools Final is divided into three elements: the interview, impromptu questions and a prepared speech. Three community members make up the judging panel who assess each student on their efforts in the three categories. The interviews, which take approximately 15-20 minutes, were conducted on Saturday, 19th February. They allow the judges to find out more about the individual – their community service involvement, academic achievements, participation in sport, as well as their general knowledge about issues that affect their local community now and into the future. The impromptu questions, each of two minutes’ duration, and the prepared speeches (five minutes) were conducted on Tuesday 22 February.

Marist College Ashgrove was represented by Samuel Allpass and Douglas Cowlishaw. In his prepared speech, Samuel spoke on the need for schools to offer and develop community service programs for students, to change culture and one’s attitude towards serving and caring for others. Douglas challenged the audience to not simply accept the negative perceptions around nuclear power, but rather to objectively compare the costs of all types of power generation.

Both Samuel and Douglas did themselves, their family and the College proud. The boys enjoyed the presence of their families who supported them. I thank their coach Ms Majella Stevens. Sam will now progress to the Zone Final. Congratulations gentlemen and good luck, Sam.

Samuel Allpass, Mr Michael Newman and Douglas Cowlishaw

Child Protection Contacts

As part of our duty of care obligations and legislative requirements, Marist College Ashgrove is committed to providing a safe environment to all students and to uphold their best interests and wellbeing. With this in mind, the College has five Child Protection Officers whom any person can report any instances of harm to a child – physically, emotionally, sexually and socially committed by a member of staff, a parent or another student. Should you or your son want to report any kind of inappropriate behaviour, you may do so either in person or via one of the email addresses below.

Mr Bruce McPhee – Deputy Head of College

mcpheeb@marash.qld.edu.au

Mr Peter Serone – Head of Students

seronep@marash.qld.edu.au

Mr Liam Beatty – Head of Primary

beattyl@marash.qld.edu.au

Ms Jennifer Smeed – Deputy Head Learning and Teaching

smeedj@marash.qld.edu.au

Mr Jim Noble – Head of Boarding

noblej@marash.qld.edu.au

It is the law that any adult above the age of 18 years must report harm to a child. This also includes 18-year-old senior students who are advised at Marist of this obligation also. We take child protection seriously at Marist College Ashgrove and will respond accordingly. If you have any questions, please contact our Head of Students, Mr Peter Serone (seronep@marash.qld.edu.au) to discuss. Information regarding the College’s child protection polices can be found on the College website: https://www.marash.qld.edu.au/policies/

If you or your son would like to speak to a counsellor about any kind of concerning behaviour or general personal safety or mental health matters, we also have the ‘Reach Out’ Portal Tile on both the Parent and Student Portals. This will take you to a form you may complete that is received by the College Counsellors who will follow up accordingly.

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