From the Head of College

Mr Michael Newman

Retreat to be Inspired

Last week, I had the privilege of joining a group of senior boys on the Year 12 retreat. The whole premise of retreat is to take time away, to set aside time to be in quiet, rest and solitude with God. Retreat also grants the boys time to connect with themselves and close others. The Year 12 retreat is always one of the highlights of a boy’s time at Marist. It is a thoughtful compilation of activities and experiences that are scripturally based and inspired. Every session includes a reciting of and reflection of scripture. This important retreat has stood the test of time as a truly long-lasting tradition of Marist education. Many of the themes and activities have been the same for some forty years; yet, it still works, bearing so much relevance to senior boys. Similarly, the scriptures speak with incredible relevance and significance to our lives today as much as they did forty years ago and long before.

Sunday’s Gospel (Mark 6:30-34) tells the story of the apostles and Jesus teaching the people. After much work teaching to the crowds, Jesus instructs the apostles to retreat by themselves, eat, contemplate, pray, rest for a while, and recharge their batteries. Yet, because the people loved the apostle’s instruction so much, they followed them and went ahead to find the place Jesus told them to go and rest. When Jesus saw the crowds regathering, he felt pity for them and said, “They were like sheep without a shepherd” and he went on to teach the people at some length. Although this reading highlights Jesus’ compassion, it also reiterates the need for us all to retreat and to listen and be inspired by the words of scripture.

I share with you one reflection from Thomas Merton, an American Trappist monk, writer, theologian, mystic, poet, social activist, and scholar of comparative religions. It comes from the Year 12 retreat booklet:

The Road Ahead

My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going.

I do not see the road ahead of me.

I cannot know for certain where it will end.

nor do I really know myself,

and the fact that I think I am following your will

does not mean that I am actually doing so.

But I believe that the desire to please you

does in fact please you.

And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing.

I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.

And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road,

though I may know nothing about it.

Therefore, I will trust you always though

I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death.

I will not fear, for you are ever with me,

and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.

God of the journey, may we as members of the Marist family continue to trust and be enriched by your word. May we take time out to retreat and reminisce on the scriptures - your teachings and use these as our inspiration. Amen.

Game Changers

Best wishes to our boys who are involved in ‘Game Changers’. This is a comprehensive Catholic Youth Ministry Program for students from Years 7-12. ‘Game Changers’ is shared by students in all our sister Marist schools throughout Australia. The program ‘Game Changers’ incorporates acts of community service, retreats, games, learning more about yourself and others, faith development, leadership skills, exploring the legacy of St Marcellin Champagnat, building relationships, becoming a better young adult, belonging to a community, volunteering to do things for others and forming new friendships. I thank Mr Adam Burns for his organisation and facilitation of this program. For more details on how to get your son involved, simply contact Adam on burnsa@marash.qld.edu.au

Jumpers and Jazz

Best wishes to the Marist Ashgrove Big Band which will be venturing to Warwick to perform at the popular Jumpers and Jazz Festival on Thursday 22 July. This Big Band has been an integral part of the comprehensive music program at the College over the last 30 years, having won multiple competitions, including the Queensland Youth Music Awards, Queensland Catholic Colleges Music Festivals, as well as performing in China, New Zealand and Fili. Past students have gone on to perform, record and compose professionally with a diverse range of ensembles including the James Morrison Big Band, Trichotomy, the Enthusiastic Musicians Orchestra, The Con Artists, The Sydney Symphony Orchestra, The Berlin Philharmonic and The Paris Opera Orchestra. The boys will be performing at the front of the Warwick Town Hall and playing two sets at 9:30am and 11:45am. I thank all the boys and their instructor and Head of Music, Dr Andrew Butt. I look forward to meeting up with some boarding families from the local area after these performances. Enjoy, gentlemen.

Rosie’s Outreach

We thank our many generous students who will be partaking in the Rosie’s Outreach this Wednesday 21 July. This activity provides company and a meal to the street people of Brisbane. We are essentially their guests for the evening. This is a wonderful outreach activity with many learnings for our boys. I thank Mena McLean and Adam Knight who will accompany the boys to Emma Miller Place. For more information about possible involvement, contact Mena McLean (mcleanm@marash.qld.edu.au) and I thank her for organising this experience for the boys.

Year 9 Parent Function

My thanks are extended to the Marist Ashgrove Parents and Friends Association who have organised the Year 9 Parent function for this Friday 23 July at the Tower Block. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet and mingle with other like-minded parents of the Year 9 cohort. Light food, drinks and a raffle will occur on the evening along with a few speeches. I encourage parents of Year 9 boys to attend and meet similarly interested peers and associates of the College. I very much look forward to meeting Year 9 parents on Friday evening.

Athletics

The annual Secondary House Athletics Carnival will occur this Friday 23 July at the College. We wish all boys the best of luck at this carnival. Not only will this carnival test students at all the athletic disciplines and determine the winning House for 2021, but this carnival will be used as a trial for the selection of the boys in the Marist Ashgrove team to compete in the AIC Athletics Carnival early in Term 4. This Marist Athletics team will be training throughout Term 3 in preparation for this major AIC Carnival. Times obtained in this carnival will also be used as entry into the Met North Track and Field Championships. I wish all boys and their houses the best of luck. Be involved and enjoy.

Term 3 Sport Competition Commences

Best wishes to all boys and coaches who will be commencing their various rounds in the AIC competition this Saturday 24 July. Round 1 Basketball, Tennis and Rugby League will be against St Laurence’s College. I thank all the generous and professional coaches who have prepared the boys and to their supportive parents. These games will continue each week over Term 3.

I attach the relevant section from the AIC Committee letter regarding Covid-19 spectator restrictions for sport in Term 3. In essence, I highlight spectator rules for tennis, rugby league and basketball.

Tennis and Rugby League

Use the Check-In QLD App
Outdoor sports – spectators are welcome
Masks must be worn if you cannot socially distance from other adults

Basketball (includes both indoor and outdoor courts)

Use the Check-In QLD App
We are keeping the communication consistent for all basketball fixtures (regardless of games
being played either indoor or outdoor)
Restricted to one parent/guardian per player for all grades
Masks must be worn by all adults
Masks do not have to be worn for players 12 years and under (and those otherwise exempt)
Players and coaches in the ‘Field of Play’ do not have to wear masks
20 student spectators per College, if venue permits, will be able to attend the 1st V Basketball
games. No student spectators allowed for any other matches
Please adopt the “Get in, play, get out” rule to mitigate co-mingling

AIC Statement July 16 2021.pdf

Marist Father-Son Camp

The annual Father-Son Camp will take place over the Ekka break from 11-13 August at Mt. Barney Lodge. The camp is an opportunity for fathers or a significant male role model to spend quality time with their son or boy. On the camp, you will be able to participate in adventure activities and enjoy the outdoors together. There are several accommodation options available, including meals and activities. Please contact the parent and son convenor, Mr Ben Webb if you have any questions: webbb@marash.qld.edu.au Bookings are now open: http://bit.ly/MCAextracurricular. My thanks are extended to Mr Ben Webb for his organisation and facilitation of this Marist Father-Son Camp.

Flyer final.pdf

Year 11 Leadership Day

The Year 11 Leadership Day will be held on Tuesday 27 July. This important leadership formation day will be facilitated by ‘Unleashing Personal Potential’. This professional development marks the formal commencement of the leadership process for our Year 11 boys which involves a series of workshops throughout the day that focuses on leadership skills and activities. The boys will undertake this program with their peers, working in their House groups. I thank Mr Peter Serone, Head of Students who has organised this important program to be undertaken by the boys.

College Traffic

A reminder to all parents to obey the road rules both within and outside Marist College Ashgrove. A reminder not to park over a neighbour’s driveway or complete a U-turn outside the Moola Road entry. Please drive slowly as the boys’ awareness around drop-off and pick-up can, at times, be poor. Please do obey all traffic rules, so as, to show respect for our neighbours and keep the boys safe at all times. In anticipation, thank you.