From the Head of College

Mr Michael Newman

Marist - Spirit of Mary

This week, the College celebrates 150 years of Marist Education in Australia. Marist College Ashgrove is a very important part of this story. We celebrated the occasion with a book launch on Friday – Sub Tuum Praesidium and on Monday, the feast of St Marcellin Champagnat, celebrated with the Eucharist. The new book was written by four brothers including past Headmaster, Br Neville Solomon and old boy, Br Peter Rodney. The celebration of the Eucharist was presided by Archbishop Mark Coleridge (BA DSS). The boys are to be congratulated on the manner in which they wholeheartedly entered this celebration, singing loudly and responding enthusiastically. The day concluded with a supplied lunch for all and an afternoon of fun activities. All Marist College Ashgrove boys should be very proud of their worldwide history and the opportunity to embrace such a wonderful Marist spirit.

One of the special features of our school for boys in the Marist tradition is its namesake that is called after a woman. It is no coincidence that the College was first named St Mary’s College and the motto was posurant me custodum meaning 'they have appointed me guardian (Mary)'. In 1958, the motto was changed to viriliter age (To act manfully or courageously). In 1971, Br Alexus Turton changed the name of the school to Marist College. The French word “Marist” meaning the society of Mary or little brothers of Mary. The boys are encouraged and taught to view the Gospels and to embrace them through the lens and spirit of a woman – Mary, the mother of God.

At the book launch, Br Peter Carroll (Provincial of the Marist Brothers and Old boy of Marist College Ashgrove) reminded us of the great devotion Marist communities have had to Mary and that she was (and continues to be) a role model for St Marcellin Champagnat, for the Brothers and for all students in Marist schools. He said:

St Marcellin firmly believed that Mary was the mastermind behind the Marist project. In an 1838 letter to Brother Hilarion, he writes, “Let us tell Mary that this is far more her work than ours.” He also wrote: “Without Mary we are nothing and with Mary we have everything, because Mary always has her adorable Son within her arms or in her heart”.

Marcellin turned to Mary in every situation, and he recommended that his brothers do the same. They would find peace of mind and heart, knowing that they were serving as her instruments, doing her work, realising her plans. “She is in charge of us,” he said. “She is our patroness, our protectress.” Marcellin invoked the name of the mother of Jesus at the beginning of every exercise and ended them with the “Sub Tuum”.

This approach was inculcated into the early Brothers. When Br Ludovic, the founder of this Marist mission, first saw the coast of Australia after 70 days at sea – rising at 2.00am so he could be the first to set eyes on this continent – he dedicated himself, his companion brothers, and the students they would teach, and the entire mission to Mary and prayed for her guidance.

Br Peter concluded his reflection on the importance of Mary - If the Marist mission in Australia has flourished, then in faith, a large part of the reason is due to the protection and guidance of Mary Our Good Mother, over these past 150 years.

Mary, our good mother, watch over each young man at Marist College Ashgrove. Through your guidance and care may they find faith and a way to Jesus. Amen.

Visit by the Governor of Queensland

This Thursday morning, 9th June, we welcome to Marist the Governor of Queensland, Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young PSM. Dr Young is the 27th Governor of Queensland and representative of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Queensland’s Head of State. The Governor will congratulate Marist boys on their outstanding academic achievements for 2022 at our Optimus Breakfast. The boys to be recognised are those Year 12 students who have received the highest possible scores across all of their subjects for Unit 3 and our Dux and Proximate accessits for each year level in 2021. We look forward to welcoming the Governor to Marist College Ashgrove and listening to her wise words to the boys. I thank our Deputy Head – Learning and Teaching, Ms Jennifer Smeed who has organised this wonderful occasion for the boys and their families. Congratulations, gentlemen.

Family Retreat

The Marist Life Retreat is a new addition to the calendar for 2022. All members of the Marist family are invited to join us at the College for this family reflective retreat. The Retreat will take place on Sunday 7 August commencing in the early afternoon and concluding with a twilight liturgy. This retreat will be facilitated by Marist brother and past Headmaster, Br Robert O’Connor. The Marist Life Retreat will explore faith in the modern world and how Christianity can practically fit into your family. We are currently taking expressions of interest for this event and ask that you please contact events@marash.qld.edu.au to register your interest. It promises to be a wonderful afternoon and we look forward to seeing you there. Please register your interest today.

Year 7-10 Exams

The Year 7 -10 exam block commences this Friday, 10th July. The exam block concludes for the Year 7-9 boys on Wednesday and Year 10 boys on Thursday. The Year 9 boys will be attending a My Futures Day (Careers) on Thursday. The Year 10 boys will be able to study at home or at school, coming in to complete their exams. This exam block is a very important time in the boys’ academic year as they conclude their studies for Semester 1. I wish all the boys the best of luck with these exams and their upcoming important studies prior. Thank you to the boys’ generous and professional teachers who have prepared these examinations and will mark and write your sons’ reports afterwards. Good luck, gentlemen.

Theatre Ash

This month’s latest Theatre Ash performance is entitled - "The Trolleys" and is written by Australian playwright Sara West. It is a post-apocalyptic story about a group of teenagers (who call themselves The Trolleys because they live in a 'tower' constructed of old shopping carts), who have to survive in a world where there don't appear to be any adults, and where food (and light) is scarce. Each child carries a light in a jar that they must keep from going out at all costs, or else they will turn into dust. What they fear more than anything else are the "Dusters", the people who wander the cities with their lights almost out, and who may try to steal the Trolleys' light.

This play will be performed in the Draney Theatre at 7:00pm on Tuesday, 21st June. All families and boys are welcome to attend. The show runs for approximately 1 hour. The cost of entry is $5.00 and tickets can be purchased on the following link - https://events.humanitix.com/theatre-performance-the-trolleys

I thank our Head of Drama, Ms Rebecca Taylor for preparing the boys for this performance. Best wishes boys with the production.

2022 The Tower Art Show

My congratulations are extended to the professional and generous The Tower Art Show committee who facilitated a very successful event last weekend. Well done committee members – Claire Maple-Dorum, Jo Russo Amanda Lane, Sam Matthews and Jodie Vickery.

We also thank our coffee shop organiser Rebecca Clarke and her volunteers.

To our sponsors thank you – Eleven Bridges, Blind Tiger, Black Sheep Bottle Shop, Pinot & Picasso Ashgrove, Silver Corvidae Jewellery, Eckersley’s Milton, Tooth Dental Ashgrove, Creative Framing Solutions, Allsports Physiotherapy The Gap, Our Sun Room, Alinta, Ruby Red Jewellery, Steven Toomey - The Gap Ward, GPS Rugby, Blue Room Cinebar, Riverlife Brisbane and Victoria Park.

The weekend was a great success with all monies raised going towards bursaries to educate young boys who would not have otherwise been able to afford a Marist Education. Well done and congratulations Marist on a wonderful weekend of art and culture.

Walkathon Success

Well done Marist College Ashgrove on all your efforts in sponsoring and conducting the 2022 College walkathon. Sunday was most worthwhile and we thank all those who volunteered and financially supported the day. This is the major fundraiser for the College Parents and Friends Association. All money raised goes to providing the boys with further and improved facilities and opportunities.

My thanks are extended to the following committee members and organisers of this event: Bruce McPhee, Madeleine Tong, Peter Serone, Kelly Byrnes, Liam Beatty, Deb Maddox, Bethany Halpin, Sophie Tuffley, Antonia Svenson, Bonnie Poler, Lauren Earle, Matt Tarlinton, Sean Fry, Pae Sonsamrong, Callum Clark, Elliot Davis, Rebecca Jorquera, Gary Keown, Denver Jensen, Jane O'Shea and Camille Grieg, for the organisation and work that went into making the Walkathon a reality.

Thank you also to all of the staff who volunteered on the day. Special thanks to the following P&F Committee Members: Jim Gordon, Paul Guy and Donna Lynn and the many Tuckshop assistants led by Rebecca Jorquera.

The makeup walkathon will be conducted on the Flats after school on Friday afternoon.

Real Talk

The Year 9 boys listened to a presentation by Real Talk, today Tuesday, 7th June in the Draney Theatre. This presentation is part of the Consent and Right Relationships Program that has been implemented across the College. Real Talk explored the themes of Christian relationships, pornography and violence against women. We thank Mr Peter Serone (Head of Welfare) for organising this important educational opportunity for the Year 9 boys.

Primary Public Speaking and Debating

Tonight Tuesday, 7th June, we wish all our Primary boys the best of luck as they compete in the Debating and Public Speaking Competition to be held at St Laurence’s College. The Year 5 boys will be partaking in public speaking and the Year 6 boys in the debating section of the competition. On Thursday night, our Year 5-6 boys will participate in their first round of the Queensland Debating Union (QDU) Debating Competition. This competition will be held throughout Term 2 and 3. We wish all boys and their expert coaches the best of luck - Ms Robyn Brown (St Laurence’s and QDU Debating Year 6) Ms Jen Little (St Laurence’s and QDU Debating Year 5) and Ms Kylie Tibbins (Public Speaking).

School Officer Day 2022

The Marist College Ashgrove School Officers are the mainstay and heart of all the work and undertakings of the College. We acknowledge our College School Officers this Wednesday, 8th June. With the support of our dedicated and professional school officers our College certainly maintains its high standards and the many wonderful opportunities for the boys. Thank you, School Officers in the library, finances, administration, kitchen, grounds, gardens, maintenance, laundry, learning support, offices and library areas of the College. We certainly thank all our school officers and acknowledge their generous dedicated work and efforts. Happy School Officer Day!

Year 6 Parent Function

All Year 6 Parents are welcome to attend a social evening this Friday, 10th July at the Tower (Administration Building). This evening is a great opportunity for all Year 6 parents to meet other like-minded peers and to share experiences. The evening will include an address from Mr Jim Gordon (President of the Parents and Friends Association), Mr Liam Beattie (Head of Primary) and myself. My thanks are extended to our generous Parents and Friends Committee who have organised and will be facilitating this function – they are a great group of people to organise such an event for parents. For bookings go to

https://events.humanitix.com/year-6-parent-function

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