From the Head of College

Mr Michael Newman

The Education of Consent

Last Saturday’s Courier Mail (6 March, p 12-13) featured appalling stories of young women, in schools throughout Brisbane, who have encountered experiences of sexual assault and rape from students at some of Queensland’s most prestigious boys’ schools. These allegations and testimonies were gathered via posts on a viral petition. The petition was created by Sydney’s Kambala school student, Chanel Contos who encouraged girls throughout Australia to share their stories of sexual assault and rape and called for an earlier study of consent at schools.

These actions by boys are terribly wrong on so many fronts. The lack of respect, dignity and common decency they have demonstrated towards young women is horrifying and not to mention, against the law.

Pastoral care programmes in schools are ever-changing in response to the needs and challenges facing our young people today. Many new challenges are quite different from the major trials faced by many of us when we were adolescents. Today, schools have the great responsibility of dealing with challenges such as resilience building, the effects and use of social media including digital footprints, cyberbullying and pornography, mental health - wellbeing and anxiety, drug usage, gender and sexuality issues, racism and the list goes on. Education around sexual consent can certainly be added to this list as a responsibility of schools through education in both our Personal Development and Religious Education programmes.

As a Principal, this has led me to listen to some of the senior students on how well we have taught the topic of sexual consent at Marist Ashgrove, so as to examine the educational programs we offer and to see what else can be done in this space. In Years 5 and 6, our boys complete the Men of Courage Program and an introduction to sexuality. The Marist ‘ASH’ Program in Years 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 addresses various related issues in more depth. The Year 7 and 8 boys have lessons covering the theme of respectful relationships. The Year 9 boys examine and discuss issues of pornography, masculinity, drugs and how to act as real Marist men. The Year 10 boys explore choices, consent, boundaries and relational violence. With David Cobbler, the boys work individually and then with a neighbouring girls’ college to frankly discuss these issues and their attitudes toward them. In Year 11, the boys are informed by an address from Federal Police Officer, Brent Sanders. His talk reminds the boys clearly of the definition of sexual assault, the law and consequences pertaining to such conduct. Our Year 11 and 12 boys participate in a presentation by ‘Real Talk’ who examine through the Catholic lens, the ideals and practicalities pertaining to relationships, sex and marriage. Further to this - reproduction, sexual education, drugs and alcohol, moral and informed decision-making are examined in Physical Education and Religious Education, respectively. When the opportunity arises, our staff speak to the boys around dignity and respect for all women. This opportunity can be prior to year group dances, the Year 12 Formal, mixed gatherings and annual events such as ‘White Ribbon Day - saying no to violence against women.’ Finally, we have planned a visit for our Year 10, 11 and 12 students by Paul Dillon (DARTA – Drug and Alcohol Research and Training Australia) an expert speaker to young people on the topic of drugs and alcohol and their effects and associated behaviours. Further, I look forward to reviewing and seeking advice on all our programs offered to the boys, by our newly formed Marist Advisory Board.

As an educator, this discussion has led me to consider and examine my efforts to partner with parents to enable each of the boys, your sons, to be best equipped to act in a way that is always respectful and dignified towards women. As a Catholic educator, we believe that parents are the first and foremost educators of their children so these programs are designed and included to support the good and right values that are taught at home.

As well as an educator, I too am a father. This discussion has challenged me to reflect upon how I educate my own children - the boundaries and expectations I place upon them and their behaviour. The healthy relationships and respectful choices that I teach them are paramount, as are the values and morals that I expect from them, and what I teach them about treating others always with kindness and love.

In the spirit of partnership, I share with you a video by Dr Michael Carr-Greg (school tv) which addresses this story and other associated media articles. He defines clearly, the definition of consent. I hope this content will be useful to use in discussion with your own son. In summary: ‘Yes means yes’. Both people must say yes to any sexual activity. Mutual respect is key every single time. If a partner wants to stop or they change their mind, then the yes becomes a no. It is an offense to partake in any sexual activity unless total consent has been clearly given.

Video – A Conversation on Consent

https://schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-conversation-consent

I also include an article from Eureka Street that is interesting reading on this topic:

https://www.eurekastreet.com.au/article/educating-children-about-consent

Marist College Ashgrove will continue to educate boys with the aim to develop good young men who have strong minds and compassionate hearts. Mary, the mother of Jesus and a woman, is our role-model and at the heart of the spirit of all we do at Marist Ashgrove. By encouraging our boys to see the world through her eyes, we aim to give them a deeper understanding of the feminine perspective and to have a heart that is open to respect all people. It is our hope and intention that every Marist young man will be imbued with the spirit of the Gospels and respond always with humility, and show empathy and care for all women treating them with dignity, always. This is our aim and that to which we focus our education.

May our loving God continue to walk with all the young men of Marist Ashgrove as they learn to become better people and men.

Amen.

International Women’s Day 2021

On Monday, Marist College Ashgrove celebrated International Women’s Day. As a family, we recognise the important and vital role that all women at the College play in the formation and education of the young men in our care. To mark this occasion, senior boys travelled the College to hand each female staff member a flower and to say a simple ‘thank you’ - thank you for who you are, the great gifts you share and the care and education that you provide to each of the boys at the College.

Lenten Fundraising

On Friday 12 March, the College will hold a free dress day as part of the annual Lenten Fundraising Appeal. Monies raised goes toward: Australia Marist Solidarity, Caritas Australia and Catholic Missions. On Friday during first break, the College will have food stalls and activities to raise money for this important venture. I thank all boys for their generosity so far and into the future as we raise money for those less fortunate. Thanks to Luke McMahon (Head of Mission), Mena McClean (Campus Minister), the Mission Office and Heads of House for organising and facilitating these ventures.

The Autumn Concert

Best wishes to all boys who will be participating in the Autumn Concert to be held in the Draney Centre from 6:30 pm – 7:45 pm, on Thursday 11 March. This concert will include a variety of genres. Performances from the Marist Chamber Strings, Wind Orchestra, Big band, Guitar Orchestra, Chamber Choir, and Symphony Orchestra will feature at the concert. Many thanks to Dr Andrew Butt (Head of Music) and to all the music staff, Megan Harmston, Catherine Wasserman, Alison Braidwood, Melanie Stewart, Sean Flynn, Kerri Engstrom, Caleb Colledge, Rhiannon Fenn and Janelle Lee Long for preparing the boys for their performances.

Summer Sports

The last round of the summer sports for Term 1 will conclude this Saturday 13 March with games versus St Patrick’s College, Shorncliffe. I very much enjoyed meeting parents and family members each Saturday and witnessing the excellent efforts and performances of the boys in their respective sporting events of cricket, volleyball and AFL. Particular congratulations to the Marist 1st XI Volleyball Team who are undefeated at this stage going into their final game.

My thanks are extended to all the generous coaches and managers of this summer season of sport and to Mr Luke Caplick (Acting Head of Sport) and Mr John Lambourne (Head of Primary Sport) for their organisation of such a busy term of sport.

Outdoor Education Camp – Year 10

Best wishes to our Year 10 students who will travel to Boreen Point Camp Ground, Sunshine Coast for their annual Year 10 Certificate III Outdoor Education Camp. This camp is being held from Monday 8 – Friday 12 March. I wish all the boys our best wishes on this challenging camp and I thank their generous teachers who have volunteered their time and will facilitate the various activities, namely: Shane Ward, Ben Maddox, Chris Ash, Mitch Reid, Tim Sedgwick, Jeff De Heus.

Theatre Sports

The Theatre Sports Competition is in full swing. Each house nominates a team to compete in this house competition. All boys in their House watch their team compete for House honours. This enjoyable event culminates with a grand-final. My thanks are extended to the Heads of House for offering this opportunity to the boys. Enjoy gentleman.

Free Tutoring

Marist College Ashgrove provides boys with the opportunity to attend and receive tutoring at no extra cost, at the College each morning. In Year 5 and 6, students can receive tutoring every morning from 8:00 am - 8:30 am in the Primary Computer Room. Assistance is provided from a senior boy or primary staff member, on any subject matter. In Years 7-12, tutoring is offered from 7:30 am – 8:10 am, Monday through to Friday. Tutoring is offered through an external tutor, teacher or Old Boy of the College. Tutoring is available for Year 7-12 in the areas of Mathematics and English. This occurs in room 402. As parents, I ask you to encourage your son to attend any of these free tutoring opportunities, if they are in need of assistance.