Rush House News

Before the term wraps up, I thought I would mention a couple of the events that have taken place for Rush House students this term, and acknowledge some students’ achievements.

Rush House Leaders 2023

Congratulations to the new Rush leaders for 2023. As the current Year 12s have been completing Masterclasses and External Exams this term, the leaders commenced in their roles at the start of Term 4. The Rush community wish these gentlemen well in their leadership positions. It is important to note that this process did highlight for me the number of quality leaders that exist in this cohort, and I thank all Year 11s who put their name forward.

One of the legacies of the 2022 Rush House leaders was the introduction of a House mascot – the Rush Rampage. The 2023 leaders have said that they will continue to work with the mascot as a symbol of strength, a fiery motivation, and working together as a group to get the job done.

House Cup events

Harold Like a Version

The last House Cup event for 2022 saw each House tasked with selecting and performing a cover version of a song. Rush House won the event, and the winning performance was shown on Assembly in front of the whole College. Congratulations to those students who formed a band and performed the song Australia Street by Sticky Fingers: Sam Patterson (Year 12), Sam Schmidhauser (Year 12), Hamish Wilson (Year 11) and Cooper Matthews (Year 8).

Gilroy Ash Dash

In Week 2 of Term 4, Gilroy House hosted the first House Cup event for the 2023 cup with the Ash Dash relay race. The race took place across the school and ended with each team carrying a bale of hay across the oval. Thank you to the students who represented Rush in each of the year levels; we had some strong teams!

Ignatius Chess

Also, in Week 2 of this term, Ignatius hosted the Chess competition. Thank you to Ben Bright (Year 11 game), Tom de Luca (Year 9/10 game) and Nick Weaver (Year 7/8 game) for representing Rush, and congratulations to Nick for advancing to the semi-finals.

Ephrem Rock Climb

The horses weren’t the only high-stakes race that we were watching on Melbourne Cup day, as Ephrem Rock Climb took place in the Gym. Thanks to Jack Fogarty (Year 11) who climbed the wall for Rush. It was a tight race, and we finished sixth, but this was only a couple of seconds behind first place. 

NAPLAN High Achievers

Congratulations to the Rush House students who achieved a high standard in NAPLAN.

Year 7

• Ben Flanagan – Reading, Numeracy
• Riley Keogh – Grammar and Punctuation

Year 9

• Micha Netzler – Writing
• Eamonn Kneen – Reading
• Max James – Spelling
• Luke Rabie - Numeracy

As a reward, students had a morning tea in the Tower Building, and were then able to climb to the top for a group photo. 

Australian ASX Schools Share Market Game

Marist participates in the ASXShare Market game. Students receive a virtual $50,000 they can invest over a 10-week period, in over 300 companies listed on the ASX. The prices students buy and sell at are the same prices as they would get in the live market, so this is as close to real life share trading as you can get.

There were 18, 500 syndicates throughout Australia, and Ashleigh Bishop (Year 10) placed first. Congratulations Ash! I now know where I will be getting my advice.

Tournament of Minds

Congratulations to the Rush students who represented Queensland at the State Finals in Canberra for Tournament of Minds. Teams of students work to solve problems in one of four disciplines: Arts, Language-Literature, STEM and Social Sciences. Students form teams of seven and work together to solve both spontaneous and prepared challenges.

• Lewis Atzeni (Year 10)
• George Bishop (Year 10)        
• Ash Bishop (Year 10)             
• Gian Netzler (Year 10)           
• Max Bathersby (Year 10)
• Luke Rabie (Year 9)
• Sammy Plumb (Year 7)

Day for Daniel

On Friday October 21st, Marist College supported Day for Daniel, which is the Rush House Charity. As a result of the fundraisers on the day, we were able to donate about $3500 to the Morcombe Foundation. Students received presentations around topics of safety and protection from Kirra Pendergast from Safe on Socials, Rob Dupont from Martial Arts Queensland, and Kevin Berry, who is the Head of IT at the College. As Rush’s charity, it was pleasing to see the boys in the House lead the way with the support on the day. 

Brisbane Open House Photography Competition

The Brisbane student winner was Harry Grellman (Year 11) with Fish Lane Arts Precinct. Harry’s winning image features Declan Frechtling (Year 12) walking up Fish Lane, South Brisbane, on a very rainy day, during a Senior Visual Arts in Practice excursion earlier in the year. Well done Harry!

Cadets

Two weeks ago, Year 11 student, Charlie Lawliss (right) was announced as the new 129 Unit Commander at Enoggera Barracks, and fellow Year 11 student and training officer Cameron Sterling (left) also marched in the parade. Over the past years, these boys have worked hard and have been given leadership roles in the unit teaching and guiding fellow cadets. I am proud to see these boys displaying Marist values out in the community – well done Charlie and Cameron!

Hockey State Championships

Daniel Thirgood (Year 8) was selected to the Under 13 Brisbane 1 indoor hockey team to represent Brisbane at the upcoming State Championships in Mackay on 18-20 November 2022. Good luck Dan!

Year 11 Social

The Year 11 Social was held on October 20 at Victoria Park Function Room. The boys were well-prepped when it came to appropriate etiquette for the night, and they didn’t disappoint. It was good to see everyone dressed up and enjoying the company of one another within a formal setting. It didn’t take long though before the dancefloor got a good work out, and there were many exhausted (and sweaty) faces by the end of the evening.

Year 12 Farewell dinner

Before the External Exams commenced, Year 12 Rush, and many of the Pastoral Group teachers, had a group dinner at Tomato Brothers Wilston, to celebrate the long journey that the Seniors have all been on. It was good to see so many in attendance. The evening provided many opportunities to reflect on the many stories and laughs that have been had along the way. It also provided me with an opportunity to thank this cohort for their leadership, good humour and support of me since joining the House halfway through last year. This group holds a special place for me as my first Year 12 group to complete their Senior year, and I look forward to celebrating with them at Graduation. I was also able to thank the Pastoral Group teachers, in the Year 12s presence, for all of the hard work and genuine care they provided to the boys over the years.

To the Rush parents/guardians, thank you for your support throughout the year. I hope that your sons have a safe, healthy and happy break, and that you have an enjoyable Christmas period surrounded by friends and family. I look forward to working with you again in 2023. God bless.