From the Head of College

Mr Michael Newman

A Message from Pope Francis

What would Pope Francis say to the family of Marist Ashgrove if he met us today? What wisdom would he instil? What challenges would he give us? What would he see as a ‘must’ in our College? Just last week, Pope Francis did meet with representatives of the Marist Brothers to relay this message. A report from the Vatican News on 24th March 2022, summarises his thoughts and words to the Brothers, and all Marist schools. Here is that summary from the Vatican:

The Pope challenges us to keep the text and challenges from the Bible (the word) first and foremost at hand in our work. He told us to look beyond, with Mary, but not to forget our strong roots. He told us the importance of continuing to educate young people – the whole person: thoughts, feelings and academia. He told us that although increasingly difficult and countercultural, we must continue to undertake the spiritual education of young people. As Mary stated in the Magnificat – God loves to do great things with the little ones and the poor. We must hold together the environmental and social dimensions – the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor. Finally, the Pope challenges us to be Christ-like – “remaining faithful to the covenant of love with the people entrusted to us.”

Pope Francis provides many challenges for us into the future which we will attempt to keep front and centre in our Strategic Plan and practical undertakings with the boys at Marist College Ashgrove.

 

St Marcellin Champagnat had a heart for the poor youth of southern France and particularly, he longed to teach them about God. His experience of blessing a dying boy, who, to his dismay, had no concept of God, was shocking to him. The Pope mentions the importance of being faithful to these Marist roots and the need to undertake a spiritual, holistic type of education, focusing on the Bible – the word of God. 

 

So what would Champagnat teach the boys about God, if he was present today? If we simply take this week’s Gospel (Luke 15:1-3, 11-32), the story of The Prodigal Son, it describes to us a God who forgives and loves beyond anything we could ever fathom. When the boy finally returned to his father after wasting his inheritance and living a humiliating life that is countercultural to the wishes and expectations of his family, the father was waiting with open arms to forgive him, accept him and welcome him back, totally. In fact, to his faithful, older brother’s outrage, he gives his disgraced son even more on return. This is understood through the symbols of – a pair of sandals, a ring and a feast to celebrate his return, representing equality with his older brother and the promise of even more of the inheritance. Like this father in the story of The Prodigal Son, our God also loves us unconditionally and always, regardless of what we have done or will do. He waits for us to return to love and give us more. This is ridiculous in a way, but that is our loving God.

 

God of love, may each young man at Marist College Ashgrove, get to experience and understand your intimate knowledge and love for them, as we celebrate the coming of the risen Christ. Amen.

Parent-Teacher-Student Interviews

Parent-Teacher-Student (P-T-S) interviews are an important way Marist College Ashgrove communicates with you regarding the academic progress of your son. I entrust to you these important interviews, along with written reports and the Parent Portal which provides the latest feedback and details of your son’s academic progress. Your first annual P-T-S interview for 2022 will occur on Tuesday 19 April. These interviews will occur face-to-face from 11:00am – 5:00pm in the Champagnat Centre. As explained in a previous email from the Deputy Head of Learning and Teaching, Ms Jennifer Smeed, bookings for these interviews will close tonight, Tuesday 29 March at 7:00pm. We have extended this closing time until Wednesday 30 March at midday to support parents in these difficult COVID-19 times. I look forward to welcoming as many parents as possible to these interviews on Tuesday19 April. If you are unable to make these times or gain a spot, please email your teacher for an alternative communication opportunity. 

 

Access to the P-T-S Interview schedule is via the Parent Portal on the College Website (www.marash.qld.edu.au):

  • Select the Parents [MyMarash] icon in the top left of the College website.
  • Select ‘Click here to Access Parent Portal’.
  • Enter your username and password (username is your parent code and then @marash.qld.edu.au eg. 111111@marash.qld.edu.au)
  • Select the Book a Parent or SET plan Interview tile   
  • Select Parent/Teacher Interviews from the menu on the left of the screen
  • Make your booking through Term 2 2022 Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews 

NB: It is suggested that you use Google Chrome as your browser when you log in to MyMarash.

 

If you experience any difficulty logging into the MyMarash or Parent Portal please contact the IT Help Desk at computerservice@marash.qld.edu.au.

 

I look forward to seeing you all on the day before the students return for P-T-S interviews - Tuesday 19 April.

Year 12 Exams and Make-up Exams

I thank all parents and teachers for the way you have patiently worked together to enable the boys to complete their important assignments and exams at the completion of term 1. We thank you for entering into the changing arrangements of due dates and exam timetables. We appreciate parents for enabling their son to be available for make-up exams.  Both the Year 7-10 makeup exams and the Year 12 examination block will go well into Week 10. Details of these changes to the exam block and make-up exams have been emailed and placed in the newsletter. If your Year 12 son is absent for an examination, parents are asked to provide a telehealth medical certificate and email this to curriculum@marash.qld.edu.au. This has been a very challenging and difficult time juggling all the boy’s unplanned absenteeism. May I take this opportunity to sincerely thank Ms Jennifer Smeed and Ms Roxanne Rosenberg for all their work and flexibility in enabling the boys to undertake their assessments in these very challenging COVID-19 times.

Reports

Interim Reports for Years 5-10 will be distributed this Friday 1 April. These reports will be individually emailed and also uploaded to the portal. It should be noted that students who have not completed assignments/exams or completed them after the original rescheduled date will receive a N/A for their academic progress grade. The boy’s results will be uploaded onto the LMS after catch-up assignments/exams are completed and marked. If any parent requires an updated report next term contact the College on curriculum@marash.qld.edu.au.

 

Year 12 report publications have been put back until early in Term 2 (Week 3) to cater for the extensions provided to assignments, the placing back of exam block and the catch-up exams that will need to occur post COVID-19 illnesses. Year 11 boys will receive their reports after they have undertaken their Unit 1 assignments/exams as directed by the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA). 

 

We trust that all parents will discuss at length with their son, the interim reports that will be distributed by the College at the end of this week and into next term for Years 11 and 12 students. These interim reports provide an excellent indication of your son’s progress at this juncture of the school year. Personally, I look forward to reading about each of your son’s academic progress and the improvements which they have achieved, in the coming days.

Rugby versus St Joseph’s College (Hunters Hill)

I would like to wish the very best to the Marist College Ashgrove 1st XV rugby team and their coaches who are travelling to Sydney on Wednesday 30 March for a rugby tour. The Marist College Ashgrove 1st XV will be involved in training, attending a College assembly and working with our fellow Marist College, St Joseph’s College (Joeys) Rugby squad prior to playing a game against them at 2:00pm on Saturday 2 April. This game follows a long annual tradition of playing Joeys in the past. Many an Old Boy reminisces about the fierce rivalries against past famous Joeys rugby teams. St Joseph’s College claim the most Wallaby Old Boys of any school in Australia. Historical records indicate that Marist College Ashgrove played Joeys in rugby between 1969 and 2013. Victories against Joeys include the 1985 team (photo in the Viriliter Age Magazine) and a drawn game in 1990. All families, old boys and spectators are welcome to attend the game to be played at the St Joseph’s College Park ovals, Hunter’s Hill. The boys will also have a lead up game prior against Knox Grammar School.  I wish all boys the best of luck with this exciting tour and I thank their expert and generous coaches – Mr Tim Sedgwick (Coach), Mr Anthony Mathison (Coach) and Mr Bryan Rademeyer for arranging and facilitating this opportunity for the boys. All the best!

Premier Ensembles Concert 

This Thursday, 31st March, the music department will be hosting its postponed Premier Ensembles Concert. This concert will feature the College’s Chamber Strings, Wind Orchestra 1, Big Band 1, Guitar Orchestra 1, Chamber Choir and Symphony Orchestra. The concert commences at 6:30pm in the Draney Theatre. My thanks are extended to their teachers and music instructors - Dr Andrew Butt (Head of Music), Ms Megan Harmston (Coordinator of Bands/Brass Tutor), Ms Melanie Stewart (Piano/Bassoon Tutor and Accompanist), Mrs Catherine Wasserman (Head of Strings and Strings Teacher), Mr Darian Johns (Choral Co-ordinator and Voice Tutor), Mr Caleb Colledge (Percussion Tutor),  Mr Enrico Le Mura (Executive Officer Music), Ms Vanessa Mitchell (Administration Officer Music) and Mr Sean Flynn (Guitar Tutor). I include the booking link below for your convenience - https://events.humanitix.com/premier-ensembles-concert-2022-2s20kku6

 

We very much look forward to another concert enabling the boys to demonstrate their outstanding musical talents. 

Year 5 Welcome Liturgy

Last Wednesday, the College celebrated the Year 5 Welcome Liturgy in The Chapel. The liturgy commenced at 8:00 am where we were joined by family, staff and friends. Although late due to COVID-19, this liturgy was again a very special occasion for the boys and their families. We pray for all our Year 5 boys that their time at the College will be blessed, with many learnings and lifelong friendships formed. Special thanks to Fr Alatini Kolofo’ou who led our liturgy and to the Head of Mission, Mr Luke McMahon. A belated and warm welcome to all our Year 5 boys and their families.

Term 1 Sporting Dinner

To recognise the efforts of our First teams during term 1, the College has organised a dinner at the Cricketers Club at the Gabba, this Tuesday 29 March. We recognise the players, parents and coaches of all teams and especially the very committed First teams who represent the college. The Marist Swimming and 1st XI Cricket Teams were runners-up and the Volleyball and AFL were placed equal 3rd. I thank their expert coaches Kiall Rudder (Volleyball), Chris Hydnes (Cricket), Brett Gillett (AFL) and James Boyce (Swimming). I thank Mr Derek Lennon (Head of Sport) and Mr Mitch Reid for organising this evening for the boys and their parents. We now look forward to Rugby Union, Football, Chess and Cross Country which have commenced with gusto.

End of Term 1

As we approach the end of term, I would like to take this opportunity to remind families that the boys have assessment and classes right up to and including the afternoon of Friday 1 April. I have instructed all teachers to go over assessment, complete extension work or start new work once exams are completed, so that the boys are engaged in their studies through until the end of term. We, therefore, ask that all students remain at the college until 3:10pm on Friday 1  April, unless you are a boarding student with a travel day organised for Friday.

Thank You – and Happy Easter

I extend my sincere thanks to all families, staff and boys as we approach the conclusion of what has been a most challenging term – including a flood and much COVID-19 illness. Thank you for your partnership and positivity, enabling us to keep the education of your son’s on-track. I wish all Marist families an enjoyable, safe, and holy Easter holiday with your son and families. I trust that this time together is an opportunity to shake some of the illnesses which continue to linger and to enjoy a refreshing and reinvigorating holiday. I look forward to the resumption of school on Wednesday, 20th April for term 2. All boys are expected to return in full winter uniform. Year 6 and Year 8 will be required to wear their new formal hats along with Years 5, 7 and 11. Term 2 is planned to be jam-packed and exciting term. 

 

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

Upcoming Events

Tuesday 29 March

  • Reconciliation - Chapel (Fr Alatini Kolofo’ou) - 8:00am
  • Year 12 Exam Block - continues
  • Study Skills – Senior Library
  • House Meetings Years 5-12
  • Term 1 1st Sports Dinner

Wednesday 30 March

  • Mass in Chapel
  • Parent-Teacher-Student Interviews Bookings Close - 12:00pm
  • Co-curricular photos – 1st Break, Science Foyer
  • 1st XV Rugby Camp v St Joseph’s (Hunters Hill) - departs
  • Year 11 Rec Studies Excursion – Corinda Golf Course
  • College Assembly

Thursday 31 March

  • Study Skills – Senior Library
  • Primary Morning Assembly
  • Years 5, 7 and 9 Naplan Practice Testing
  • Environment Group Meeting
  • Premier Ensembles Concert – Draney Theatre

Friday 1 April

  • Final Day of Term 1
  • Boarder Travel Day
  • Year 7 and 10 Laptop Return
  • Construction Immersion
  • Interim Reports for Years 5-10 Distributed

Monday 4 April

  • 1st XV Rugby Camp v St Joseph’s (Hunters Hill) - concludes

Friday 15 April

  • Good Friday

Sunday 17 April

  • Easter

Tuesday 19 April

  • Student Free Day
  • Parent-Teacher-Student Interviews (Face to Face)
  • Boarders Return

Wednesday 20 April

  • Start Term 2 (Winter Uniform)
  • Mass in Chapel – all welcome

Thursday 21 April

  • Photos – Portraits and Pastoral Classes
11.1 MCA Debate Team
Year 5 Musical
Year 5 Musical
Year 5 Musical
Year 5 Musical
Year 5 Musical
Primary Awards Assembly
Primary Awards Assembly
Primary Awards Assembly
Primary Swimming Carnival
Primary Swimming Carnival
Primary Swimming Carnival
Primary Swimming Carnival
11.1 MCA Debate Team
Year 5 Musical
Year 5 Musical
Year 5 Musical
Year 5 Musical
Year 5 Musical
Primary Awards Assembly
Primary Awards Assembly
Primary Awards Assembly
Primary Swimming Carnival
Primary Swimming Carnival
Primary Swimming Carnival
Primary Swimming Carnival