From the Head of College

Mr Michael Newman

The Challenge

One of the most challenging parts of being a Christian is to evanglise. This was the challenge given to each of us in Sunday’s reading (Matthew 9:36 -10:8). What exactly is required to evangelise? There are two parts to evangelisation – example and proclamation.

Essentially, example means to live right and just lives wrapped in love and forgiveness. Evangelising by example requires us to act quietly and humbly as we live good deeds in our lives. When we do this, others will naturally admire and follow us. Living by example looks like random acts of kindness, loving our neighbour, assisting those who are disadvantaged and “making the Kingdom close at hand here on earth” (Matthew 10:7) As the saying goes, by our example people will know us.

Evangelisation through proclamation is more challenging to live. It requires us to go beyond ourselves bravely and speak out, often against popular belief and sentiment. We are challenged to stand up for our faith and beliefs, but this can be difficult in modern society where beliefs and opinions are becoming increasingly more secular.

A recent example of modern evangelisation through proclamation is the 33,000 brave signatories of a petition to save Calvary Hospital in Canberra. The ACT Government has made the decision to take over Calvary Hospital owned and operated by The Little Company of Mary and the petition opposed this move. There are real concerns regarding religious freedom by this action and the subsequent resulting moves by other governments against religious owned property and operations if this takeover is successful. Following the petition, Calvary Health Care has confirmed it will take legal action against the ACT government, in an attempt to stop it from forcibly acquiring Calvary Public Hospital. This takeover of church land and assets by the Government is a major concern for Catholics and all faiths in Australia.

Evangelisation is our call as Christians. It is living by example but also the challenging act of proclamation which requires courage and conviction to fully enter into.

God of the journey, we pray for all our young men and all members of the Marist College family to take up the challenge as evangelisers of our faith through both our example and proclamation. Amen.

Semester 1 Reports and Feedback

End of Semester 1 reports (Year 5-10) are currently being compiled by our teachers. All parents are asked to go to the Parent Portal on Friday 23 June to access an overall report and comments for each assessment completed in each subject. When you access the parent portal, please select Parent Lounge and click on ‘Academic Reports’.Each report will have a semester mark for each subject and associated learning behaviours for application, effort, behaviour and preparedness and punctuality. Also, for each subject, you will find a bar graph indicating where your son is positioned in his class. Finally, you can find comments on every assessment that your son has completed in the semester in the parent portal – instructions on how to access these are to be found in the teaching and learning section of the newsletter. If you still have difficulty accessing any of this reporting information, please email – curriculum@marash.qld.edu.au.

I ask all parents to spend the time to go through this report and assessment comments with your son over the holidays, celebrating his achievements and reflecting on areas of potential improvement. Please assist him to set new goals for Semester 2. I thank all our professional teachers who have prepared these comprehensive reports and individual assessment comments for your son.

Teacher Professional Development

Teacher Professional Development will be held from Wednesday 21 - Friday 23 June and Monday 10th July. This is an important time for our teachers as they develop and fine-tune their skills and knowledge to best educate your sons. Professional development being undertaken includes: First Aid, subject-specific instruction and collaboration, Head of College Address, reporting, cyber safety, SET Planning, pastoral instruction and boys’ pedagogy. During this time, the boys can enjoy their holidays as staff develop their latest skills and understandings in preparation for Semester 2.

Confraternity Shield: Sunday 25 – Friday 30 June

48 Catholic and Independent Catholic schools throughout Queensland come together for the annual Confraternity Shield each year. This rugby league carnival has as its aim to promote good sportsmanship, and develop friendships in a Christian environment. The Confraternity Shield commences with Mass and a gathering on Sunday afternoon and games are played from Monday - Tuesday (Wednesday is a rest day) and Thursday - Friday. Marist College Ashgrove is one of the participating schools. The carnival is divided into 6 divisions, each with a winner of this division – Shield, Bowl, Plate, Trophy, Cup and Challenge. Many greats of rugby league have participated in the Confraternity Shield over the years including: Jonathan Thurston, Matthew Bowen, Bob Linder, Xavier Coates, Wendell Sailor, Daly Cherry-Evans and Cameron Munster. Marist College Ashgrove is excited to be a participant this year and looks forward to hosting 6 other teams in our boarding complex. We thank and wish St Laurence’s College our best wishes as they host this year’s carnival. My thanks are extended to our coaches, managers and medical staff, namely: Ryan Apps, Dallas Williams, Patrick Conn and Pierce Hardy. Good luck, gentlemen.

Fr John Hopkinson

Marist welcomed back Old Boy Fr John Hopkinson (1963) to the College. Fr John is a Marist Priest SM and enjoyed returning to the College where he was given a tour by Br Neville Solomon (Past Headmaster). Fr John was pleased to identify himself on the honour board which lists past Old Boy Bishops, Priests and Brothers. Welcome back, Fr John Hopkinson.

Term 3

Term 3 re-commences on Tuesday 11 July. Please ensure your son’s hair is cut as per the College regulations, uniforms are mended and tidy and well-fitted following his growth over the holidays, and his formal hat is worn to and from the College. Term 3 commences with classes and a College assembly on the Tuesday, Year 12 Retreats will take place on Wednesday - Friday and the final trial for Term 3 sports vs St Edmund’s College is on Saturday 15 July. Term 3 promises to be another full and exciting term for the boys with many learnings and extra-curricular activities. We look forward to Term 3.

Winter Break

I wish all families a safe and enjoyable winter holiday. After another full term of study, sport and activity, and sprinkle in a further round of illness, there would undoubtedly be a few very tired young men and staff ready for a refresh. I congratulate all boys on a fine term and thank all parents for the manner in which you have presented your sons each day in full and correct uniform. I have enjoyed the positive interactions in both the challenging and joyous moments of the term with your son. Do have a refreshing holiday with your loved ones.

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