From the Head of College

At the Centre of our College

In the first week of 2021, each year level met, together, with their teachers for an opening liturgy. This meaningful liturgy, celebrated by Father Alatini Kolofo’ou sm (College Chaplain) and Mr Luke McMahon (Head of Mission) reflected on the Marist 2021 theme "Breath, the Spirit of Life", the Pope’s Encyclical “Fratelli Tutti” and the story of the Good Samaritan. This theme of fraternity was explored and we officially introduced our new College statue, located outside the chapel. I am sure your son will explain to you the statue’s significance and its challenge to each one of us as we walk past.

In my address to the boys at this liturgy, I referred to my first personal visit to Marist College Ashgrove in 1985. I was most impressed on this visit at the sight of many boys who entered the College by the Moola, Glenlyon and Frasers Road entrances, stopping by the chapel on their way to the classrooms.  Each morning, many boys would drop their bag at the door of the chapel, take a seat and say a small prayer or just have a moment of quiet before commencing another day of learning and activities.  These spontaneous actions by the boys were quite unique to MCA and so central as the chapel very much adorns the centre of the College and the footpath which the boys naturally trek on their way to their classrooms. In the spirit of these actions, I have made a point to make a visit to the chapel myself this week and at the liturgy, I encouraged all boys to keep this tradition alive each morning.

To conclude this liturgy, the boys sang together the Sub Tuum.  In the way of St Marcellin Champagnat, this is a traditional Marist hymn to our Lady, asking her to intercede on behalf of her son. Champagnat always believed that our good Mother’s request would always be heard and never rejected by her son. What a lovely Marist way to commence our year, asking for Mary’s intercession and blessing upon all the undertakings of each of your sons and directing us all to Jesus.  Let us join together as members of the MCA family, asking for Mary’s intercession and blessing upon us all:

Sub tuum praesidium

Confugimus confugimus

Sancta Dei Genetrix Sancta Dei Genetrix

Nostras deprecationes 

ne despicias ne despicias

in necessitatibus nostris

sed a periculis cunctis

libera nos semper

Virgo gloriosa 

et benedicta

We fly to Thy protection,

O Holy Mother of God;

Do not despise our petitions

in our necessities,

but deliver us always

from all dangers,

O Glorious and Blessed Virgin

Senior Curriculum Leader

After discussion with various MCA stakeholders, parents, Marist Schools Australia, The College Leadership Team, College Board and staff, it is clear that the Marist family is desiring to emphasise academic improvement for the boys into the future. To this end, I have advertised externally and wish to announce the employment of a new leader of Senior School Studies - Ms Jennifer Smeed. 

Jennifer comes to MCA with excellent credentials as Deputy Principal, Assistant Principal Curriculum and Director of Senior School studies in three Diocese of Toowoomba Secondary Colleges. Jennifer holds a Master of Education, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Education, Graduate Certificate in Religious Education, and a Certificate IV in Careers Guidance. Together with Roxanne Rosenberg (Head of Data and Pedagogical Practices) and Jennifer Little (Primary Curriculum Leader), Jennifer will form a team focussing on academic improvement.  I will meet weekly with this group to derive a forward plan to progress the academic outcomes of your son at the College.

We look forward to advancing the literacy and numeracy of your son (as measured in Year 5-9 NAPLAN) and/or his Year 10-12 ATAR (Australian Tertiary Academic Rank) and QCS (Queensland Certificate of Education) results.

College Communication

I have been made aware in my short time at the College of the multiple sources of information sent home to parents via email and social media outlets. I believe that this, can, at times, be overwhelming and confusing. To make the reading of MCA information simpler and more condensed for all parents, we will be uniting all publications into one single weekly newsletter document. This will be published each Tuesday afternoon to parents via email. Our reasoning is to tailor all relevant information for parents into one single weekly publication. I trust that all parents will find this more accessible and helpful. Today is the first edition of this new arrangement.

To this end, for timely relevant details regarding changing times of sporting draws, sport training times, music lesson timetables, concert rehearsal times, debating venues and times and the like, please refer to the College App.

Vaping

During Wednesday’s Assembly, all boys at the College will be clearly instructed that vaping or being in the possession of vaping apparatus in College uniform or associated with the College is prohibited. Not adhering to this directive could lead to the forfeiting of a student’s enrolment at MCA.

The reasoning behind this directive is as follows:

Many forms of vaping liquid (eg nicotine, marijuana …) are banned substances in Queensland and Australia.  It is illegal to sell e-cigarettes or accessories or to buy these products on behalf of person under 18 years of age.  The identification of the actual liquid substances in a vape is difficult and expensive to detect and source ingredients that are acceptable for use in foods could be harmful when inhaled as a vapour. 

“E-cigarettes are often colourful and creatively designed and come in countless flavours like bubble gum, cherry and cinnamon, but can be glorified smoking and be a gateway problem for young people” (Queensland Health). 

“A lack of proper labelling can lead to people unwittingly ingesting harmful substances. Substances may be listed as ingredients, but their concentration could be omitted.  Alarmingly, nicotine has been found in many refill liquids available in Australia despite being promoted as nicotine free” (Queensland Health).

To this end, vaping will be considered banned at Marist College Ashgrove. 

At all times, it is the intention of Marist College Ashgrove to provide a safe place for your son to attend. I thank you for your understanding and support of this policy.

Tried and True Uniform Policy

The College uniform policy is a well loved and traditional document of the College.  As the new Head of College, it is my duty to ensure that all boys adhere to this policy in full.  My initial observations are that a number of issues lie within the interpretation of the correct attire as outlined in this policy.  I would like to take this opportunity to clearly explain the expectations as per this uniform policy.  It is the expectation that all boys would purchase the uniform items that are not in line with these expectations of the College.  Boys have been informed and given a date to which they are to have their uniform breaches rectified.  Please ensure that your son’s uniform adheres to this tried and true uniform policy of the College so that he can enter classes for his lessons.  Please also make sure all items are clearly labelled in case your son misplaces his uniform.  

• Socks – length needs to go to knees (some boys have grown over the holidays and require new socks).
• Hats – needs to be in shape and navy-blue colour (some hats are disfigured, floppy and faded).
• Belts – belts are black slimline with a normal buckle (some students have RM Williams belts and belts with large buckles).
• Haircuts – need to be no longer than halfway down ears, not over eyes or on their collar. No extremes.

I thank all parents for your co-operation in monitoring these traditional uniform standards of our College.

Coming Events

Tuesday 2 February

Year 7 Transition Information Evening - Draney Theatre - 6:00pm

Wednesday 3 February

College Assembly – Academic Awards

Year 5 Parent Information Evening and Welcome Function (Parent Covid Restrictions) - Primary Classrooms - 6:15pm

Thursday 4 February

Year 6 (6B, 6G, 6W and 6R) Parent Information Evening (Parent Covid Restrictions) - Primary Classrooms - 6:15pm

Friday 5 February

College Assembly – Academic Awards

AIC Swim Meet #2  (Parent Covid Restrictions) 

Round 2 AIC AFL – Opens Vs SEC

Saturday 6 February

Round 2 AIC Cricket/Volleyball Vs SEC (Away)

Round 2 AIC AFL – Years 5 - 9 Vs SEC

Sunday 7 February

Year 8, 10 and 11 Boarders’ Mass (Parent Covid Restrictions) - College Chapel - 5:30pm

Year 7, 9 and 12 Boarders’ Mass (Parent Covid Restrictions) - College Chapel - 6:20pm

Monday 8 February

Year 6V Parent Information Evening - Primary Classroom - 6:15pm

Year 12 Parent Information Evening - Champagnat Centre - 7:00pm

Foundation Meeting

Tuesday 9 February

Year 12 Inaugural Mass – Investiture of Head of College and Seniors - (Parent Covid Restrictions)

Wednesday 10 February

Year 7 Camp (10-12 February)

College Mass - College Chapel - 8:00am

Wednesday 17 February

Ash Wednesday

May our loving God, with Mary and Champagnat, walk with all members of the Marist family.