From the Head of College

Mr Michael Newman

‘Known and Loved’

We are all uniquely ‘known and loved’ by God. It is a wonderful reflection presented to us by Marist education as we celebrate 150 years since the commencement of the first Marist school at the Rocks in Sydney, 1872. Three Marist Brothers venturing from France to commence the first school in Australia could never have imagined the wonderful schools, under the banner of Marist Schools Australia, that are in existence today. Marist schools located throughout Australia and the world, enable young people to experience God’s desire for them to be ‘known and loved’ regardless of anything - their talents, achievements, backgrounds, failings, or wrong doings. I have no doubt that this would have been the wish of St Marcellin, the founder of the Marist brothers, for the young people educated in his schools.

Sunday’s Gospel (Luke 5:1-11) also reminds us of this intimate invitation. It is a calling to every single individual human being. In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus chose ordinary people - fishermen - to follow him and believe. He chose everyday people who would display normal human failings like a lack faith, sinfulness, or just plain selfishness. Unperturbed, Jesus’ invitation was simple, “do not be afraid” and “come and follow me”. It doesn’t make sense in a way but can only be explained as love.

In 2022, as our boys proudly wear the commemorative medals to celebrate the sesquicentenary of Marist education, I pray that they reflect and personally experience St Marcellin Champagnat’s wish for each of them, to be ‘known and loved’ by God. Amen.

Welcome Back – ‘Face to Face’

How wonderful has it been to welcome back to the College our boarder students (Saturday and Sunday) and all other students on Monday morning. A particular special welcome to our new students and families. The College certainly comes to life with the arrival of the boys. Marist exists for the boys and it is tremendous to welcome them back in person. I congratulate all teachers and students on the most positive way in which they have commenced their studies with online learning. From all reports it has been a very productive start to the year. For those unable to join us for learning online, please speak with your teacher on return to catch up on any work missed. For our Years 5, 6 and 7 students, we look forward to catching up on any work missed due to the later start caused by the COVID-19 restrictions. For assistance with learning, can I direct you to the College Curriculum Leaders. For all pastoral matters, I direct you to the Pastoral Leaders. I list their names and emails below for your convenience:

David Meehan – Ridley

Ridley@marash.qld.edu.au

Tony Byrne – Ephrem

Ephrem@marash.qld.edu.au

Stan Kosiek – Foley

Foley@marash.qld.edu.au

Brett Gillett – Gilroy

Gilroy@marash.qld.edu.au

Brendan Kiernan – Harold

Gilroy@marash.qld.edu.au

Terry Quain – Ignatius

Ignatius@marash.qld.edu.au

Scott Minogue – Rush

Rush@marash.qld.edu.au

Megan Wandell – Slattery

Slattery@marash.qld.edu.au

Michael Connolly – Primary Pastoral Leader

connollym@marash.qld.edu.au

Religious Education – Dr Danielle Lynch

English – Mr Steve Littleton

Mathematics – Mrs Julie Tazzyman (Acting)

Science – Mr Andrew Fogarty

Humanities – Mr David O’Brien

Health & Physical Education – Mrs Ashleigh Morrison

Business – Mrs Elizabeth (Liz) Walsh

Art – Mrs Christine Larsen

Drama – Mrs Rebecca Taylor

Film & Television – Mr Pierce Hardy

Music – Dr Andrew Butt

Industrial Technology & Design – Mr Andrew Devoy

Digital Learning & Information Services –Mrs Mary Stirling

Learning Enrichment – Mrs Berny Byrne

To email a member of staff, please use: surnamefirstinitial@marash.qld.edu.au

Best wishes and prayers for a successful 2022!

Clear Expectations

At today’s assembly, I shared with the boys our clear expectations to follow at Marist College Ashgrove in 2022. I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate these expectations with parents. In partnership, please discuss these with your son.

Drugs and Vaping are prohibited at the College. Hairstyles must adhere to the College rules, otherwise on Monday, boys will be sent home until their hairstyle is rectified. Boys are to wear the full and correct uniform – no RM William-type belts, socks worn to their knees, shirts tucked in, shoes polished, top button done up with tie and College carry bags only. Laptops are to be carefully stored in lockers or carry-bags. Normal school rules apply to the use of laptops. Deliberate damage to a College laptop will result in the full payment to repair or purchase outright. The traditional formal hat is to be worn to and from the College, at Saturday sport with the College uniform or on formal occasions with the uniform. This hat is to be kept dry and not squashed in a bag or locker. (If a hat is wet and squashed, it will lose its shape and then require to be replaced). Hats do not need to be worn when it is raining. Hats are to be stored on the newly supplied shelf in their lockers.

I trust that these expectations are clear for the boys and all families assisting to keep all boys safe, well-groomed and caring for their belongings. With thanks to all parents for your continued support.

Music

The full music program of lessons, practices and performances recommenced yesterday. I thank our great team of music teachers and tutors led by Head of Music, Dr Andrew Butt, including:

Dr Andrew Butt (Head of Music)
Ms Megan Harmston (Co-ordinator of Bands/Brass Tutor)
Ms Rhiannon Fenn (Director of Marist Voices)
Ms Melanie Stewart (Piano/Bassoon Tutor and Accompanist)
Mr Joseph Rabjohns (Director of Guitar Orchestra 2 and Guitar Tutor)
Mr Darian Johns (Choral Co-ordinator and Voice Tutor)
Mrs Catherine Wasserman (Head of Strings and Strings Tutor)
Ms Janelle Lee Long (Instrumental Music Teaching – Woodwind Specialist)
Mr Enrico Le Mura (Executive Officer Music)
Ms Vanessa Mitchell (Administration Officer Music)
Ms Alexa Murray (Oboe Tutor)
Mr Andrew Ball (Saxophone Tutor)
Mr Bob Schultz (Trumpet Tutor)
Mr Brodie McAllister (Brass Tutor)
Mr Caleb Colledge (Percussion Tutor)
Ms Carmen Hooper (Piano/Violin Tutor)
Mr Douglas Mcrae (Piano/Voice Tutor)
Ms Evalyn Legried (Cello Tutor)
Mr Isaac Ismail (DJ/Electronic Music Tutor)
Mr Jamie Kennedy (Brass Tutor)
Mr Kieran Stevenson (Voice/Piano Tutor)
Mr Laurent Dubois (Piano Tutor)
Mr Sam Vincent (Double Bass/Bass Guitar Tutor)
Mr Sean Flynn (Guitar Tutor)
Mr Tony Vandermeer (Guitar Tutor)

The first music concert, the Premier Ensembles Concert, will now be held on Thursday 31 March in the Draney Theatre. We hope to recommence the full program of concerts in a COVID-19 safe manner. The music program at the College is outstanding and is a very active one with numerous opportunities for the boys to participate. I encourage all new students to join. We look forward to the usual high standard of performances throughout the year.

COVID-19 Update

Each week, I will start with an update of COVID-19 cases which the College has been made aware of. The College will make every attempt to contact people who may have associated with any positive cases, to watch for symptoms. Remember that the new definition of a close contact for day-students is any person who resides with the person who has COVID-19 for more than 4 hours. In the past week, we have one boarding student and zero staff members who have left the College and are isolating with COVID-19.

Other points to note:

Students and staff are not to attend school if they have any COVID-19 symptoms.
Teaching staff are considered essential workers.
Visitors and events will be restricted as per Queensland health advice until Friday 4 March.
Sport will recommence, however will remain COVID safe indoors (including spectator masks, proof of two vaccinations and QR Code) and outdoors (1.5metres or masks).
College events, camps and excursions will be cancelled up until Friday 4 March.
Students and staff are to wear masks indoors except while teaching and learning (seated).
RAT will only be given to students or staff who develop symptoms whilst at school. Secondary students are to ring the small bell and sign out at the main administration (Tower), where they will be given a RAT. Primary students are to exit via the primary reception where they will be given a RAT.
Parents are allowed to visit the College with masks.
Visitors to the College and indoor special events will require QR sign-in, proof of two vaccinations and a mask. Outdoor events will require a 1.5-metre separation or a mask.
The boarding school students and staff will be managed separately from the day College, as per the Queensland health guidelines. We ask the whole Marist College family to be mindful of not bringing COVID-19 symptoms to the premises so as to particularly protect our boarding students.

Sport

Cricket, Volleyball, Swimming and AFL commenced immediately upon Monday’s return. Trials and training commence earnestly this week. Week one (as per the calendar) has been abandoned for all teams with the exception of the First teams. Our first game will therefore be verses St Edmund’s College Ipswich, at home on Saturday. I thank all our dedicated coaches for their preparation for the season ahead. I welcome our new Head of Sport, Mr Derek Lennon whose previous position was Head of Football at Churchie for the past 12 years. Mr Lennon has a great passion for all sports and has certainly hit the ground running organising term 1 sport with his support staff. I am sure you will give Mr Lennon a big Marist welcome and your full support this coming Saturday.

Marist Schools Australia

Marist College Ashgrove has operated under the entity of the Trustees of the Marist Brothers since its inception in 1940. From January 1st 2022, Marist College Ashgrove is now under the proprietorship and governance of Marist Schools Australia Limited (MSA LTD). MSA LTD is facilitated by a new board of directors and constitution. The chair of the board is Brother David Hall fms and the Executive Director is Dr Frank Malloy. The Regional Director of MSA LTD Queensland, NT and Northern NSW is Mr Mark Elliot. The other MSA member schools are: St Joseph’s College, Hunter’s Hill, Sacred Heart College, Adelaide, Newman College, Churchlands, Assumption College, Kilmore, Lavalla Catholic College, Traralgon, Red Bend Catholic College, Forbes, Marcellin College, Bulleen, Marist College, Bendigo, Marist College Canberra, Pearce, St Gregory’s College, Campbelltown and The John Berne School, Lewisham. We welcome the news of our new governance structure and look forward to a close relationship with Marist Schools Australia Limited for the College into the future.

Welcome Back Boarders

On Saturday evening, we welcomed our 45 new boarding students to Marist College Ashgrove. You are all very welcome. Our new families come from all places Queensland, Northern New South Wales, Northern Territory, Hong Kong, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. May I take this opportunity to thank our Year 12 boarders who admirably cared for our new boarders over the weekend. On Sunday, we welcomed back to the College our remaining existing boarders – great to have you all back!

I remind all boarding parents of the online Boarding Parent Network meetings which will be held throughout the year. Our first meeting is scheduled for Wednesday 16 February at 5:00pm. A link will be sent via email. Please contact the Boarding Office if you have any questions: BoardingReception@marash.qld.edu.au. These are important networking meetings and I look forward to discussing pressing boarding issues with all boarding families during these times. A reminder also, that the best communication is the weekly newsletter and the Boarding Bugle.

My thanks are extended to our Head of Boarding, Mr Jim Noble, an Old Boy who comes most recently from Toowoomba Grammar School as the Director of Boarding and previously Nudgee College. He is joined by a great team of staff led by our dedicated Heads of Residence, namely; Mr Anthony Mathison (Br Terence Residence), Mr Ben Maddox (Fourviere Residence), Mr Ty Casey (Hermitage Residence), Mr Josh Mulligan (Montagne Residence) and Mr and Mrs Tim and Camilla Sedgwick (La Valla Residence). Remember boarding families, we are only an email or phone call away.

New Computer Rollout

All Year 7 and 10 students are now in possession of a new Laptop, free of charge. We see a uniform laptop program and rollout across the College as a means of ensuring the best possible teaching and learning for the boys and to ensure they are focussed on learning during class-time. We look forward to further rollouts over the next two years by which time all boys present at the College will have a new laptop. I thank Mrs Roxanne Rosenberg, Head of Middle School Curriculum, for organising this rollout and the information evening held on Monday. Thank you also to the IT Staff led by Head of IT, Mr Kevin Berry, previously an Executive Leadership Team member and Head of IT for all Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Toowoomba; welcome Kevin. Enjoy your learning on these new laptops, boys.

Annual Year 5 and Year 7 Parent Information Evenings

On Wednesday 9 February, Marist College will be holding its annual Year 5 Parent Information Evening. Due to the latest COVID-19 restrictions this meeting will now be held online. This information evening will be hosted by the Head of Primary, Mr Liam Beatty. This will be followed on Monday 14 February by the Year 7 Parent Information Night. This will also be held online and hosted by the Year 7 Transition Co-ordinator, Mr Ryan Apps. Both nights will be providing important information to parents regarding the expectations, procedures, events and opportunities available to the boys in these respective year groups. Topics covered will include: coming events, the charism of the College, teaching and learning, spiritual growth, culture and sport and social development. We look forward to these evenings to share relevant information. Later in the year, we very much look forward to meeting parents of both Year 5 and 7 boys in person, at the various organised events and socials.

Student Absences, Late Arrivals or Early Departures

We have recently updated the way in which parents are asked to notify the College of an absence, late arrival or early departure from the College. You are now required to advise the College of an absence, late arrival or early departure via the Parent Lounge, on the College App or Parent Portal.

Please see the following document which provides step by step instructions.

If you experience any technical difficulties, please contact the IT Help Desk: computerservice@marash.qld.edu.au

Attendance instructions Parent Lounge.pdf

Australian Baseballer

Congratulations to Year 12 student, Jackson Grounds, who made his debut in the Australia Baseball League (ABL) with the Brisbane Bandits who played the Adelaide Giants in January. Jackson also represented the Under 19 Australian Team in a Showcase Series against the Brisbane Bandits. Well done Jackson for your outstanding achievements in baseball and all the best as you pursue your goal of playing college baseball in America, 2023.

Student ID Photo Schedule

A reminder that Student ID photos are occurring this Friday 11 February from 8:35am – 3:05pm in the Draney Theatre foyer. A schedule has been sent to parents and students. We ask that all students are clean-shaven and with neat and tidy hair as per the College guidelines. Primary students in Years 5 and 6 are to wear their Primary HPE Uniforms. Students in Years 7-12 are to wear the correct Summer Academic Uniform as per the information on page 40 of the student diary. Please ensure that your uniform and hair are presented to the highest standard.

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