Easter People

At present, politics is certainly taking up much of our mainstream media. The election campaign is an opportunity for all sides of politics to espouse their views, plans, arguments, commitments and beliefs. One thing about politics, is that, at the very least, each politician will have their arguments scrutinised, opposed, rebuked and even ridiculed at some point or another. Further, it is quite probable that each politician’s personal character and sense of values will be attacked at some stage or another, questioning, “how could you hold such a view?’ or “what kind of standards do you live by?” Criticism and ridicule will be prominent from all sides of politics as polar arguments and viewpoints are put forward to the public. There is no doubt, that we will see a strength of character in our politicians as they remain true and steadfast to their beliefs and philosophies.

Sunday’s readings challenge us to take a stand and proclaim those beliefs and values given to us by the risen Christ (John 21:1-19). The readings encourage us to be aware of him in our day-to-day lives and to live his values in our words and actions, and openly share our faith with others. This is not always easy as many of Christ’s beliefs, teachings and messages are countercultural to the moral framework of present-day society. The reflection in Acts (5:27-32, 40-1) also speaks of the difficulties we face in staying true to our faith and challenging popular belief. As the Gospel has encouraged us this weekend, let us be Easter people who challenge ourselves to proclaim and live by the values of the risen Christ and trust that in doing so, he offers us his presence, hope, fortitude, and confidence.

God of the journey, bless all members of the Marist College family that we may be open to proclaim your steadfast love, values and presence this Easter season. Amen.

NAPLAN

The National Assessment Program, Literacy and Numeracy commences next week – Tuesday 10, 11, 12 and 13 May. These assessments test the skills that are essential for every boy at Marist College Ashgrove to progress through school and life, namely: reading, writing, grammar and punctuation, spelling and numeracy. The College focuses on the academic improvement for each boy. Our hope is that each boy is improving, as per his age and year group, in each of these essential skills. Where boys are struggling in a particular skill area, this can be identified, so as, to assist them to improve. In the pure sense of the original intention of improving students with their basic skill development, these tests can only be of benefit. They lead to essential skill development for each boy, placing them in good stead for senior study and beyond, and to find suitable and rewarding employment.

The NAPLAN test program will be as follows:

Tuesday - Writing (Year 5) and Reading (Years 7 and 9)
Wednesday – Reading (Year 5) and Writing (Years 7 and 9)
Thursday – Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling (Years 5, 7 and 9)
Friday – Numeracy (Years 5, 7 and 9)

I ask all parents to have their sons arrive to school on-time, after having a good breakfast and night’s sleep. We trust that we can inform all parents of positive progress in your son’s basic literacy and numeracy skill development, post these assessments. Thank you for your continued support.

We Honour all Mums

This Sunday is Mother’s Day, and Marist College Ashgrove will honour our mums with a special Mother’s Day Breakfast. After listening to feedback, we have continued with a third breakfast this year to enable all mums to be honoured by their sons on this day. Breakfast on Wednesday will be for Years 5 and 6, Thursday for Years 7-9 and Friday for Years 10-12 mothers. The morning will include a formal breakfast with prayer, reflection, good company and an address by Kylie Butler-McIntosh. Money raised at this breakfast will go towards the Lenten Appeal and more specifically, Marist Solidarity, the international agency for the aid and development work of the Marist Province of Australia throughout Asia and the Pacific Islands.

The Mother’s Day Breakfasts will be held in the Champagnat Centre from 7:00am – 8:15am. Bookings for these events are closed; however, please email Ellen Kassulke at events@marash.qld.edu.au with any event enquiries.

I thank the many generous staff, kitchen, mission team and parents who have planned and are contributing to make this morning a special one for all mothers.

At Marist, we acknowledge the very important role mothers play not only in the nurturing, advice and education of their sons but in the development of each boy into the fine young men they become. We value all mothers and thank you for your continued love and care for your son and everything that is Marist. May God bless all mothers and grant them wisdom, strength and love for their continued, important role ahead. I look forward to seeing all mums this week at the various breakfasts.

Mother-Son Mass – College Chapel

This Wednesday evening, 4 May, all mothers are welcome to join us in the College chapel for the annual Mother-Son Mass. It is great to have the opportunity to celebrate the Eucharist again, post COVID-19. This Mass is a wonderful opportunity for all mothers to share their faith with their sons in the sacrament of the Eucharist. The boys will have an opportunity to share their prayers and good wishes for each one of you. Bookings for this event are now closed but any queries can be forwarded to Liz Spry (Mission Team Office) spryl@marash.qld.edu.au. The Mass commences at 7:00pm, followed by a light supper in The Tower Function Room. I look forward to seeing you all on Wednesday evening for this special Mass.

Rugby and Football – Round 1

Congratulations to all boys and their coaches for a very successful Day 1 of AIC Competition for 2022. Overall results versus St Laurence’s College are as follows:

Rugby Union 21 wins and 3 losses
Football 15 wins and 3 losses

Well done students and coaches.

My thanks are also extended to the many generous families who have assisted the boys and ensured their son is at training each day.

Best wishes for the rest of the season.

Year 7 and 8 Game Changers Regional Retreat

Game Changers is an exciting program in Marist Youth Ministry. Highlighted by a strong sense of community, regular meetings, creative faith formation, and service opportunities, this dynamic program forms your sons to become faith-filled leaders and agents of change in their communities. This Thursday, 5 May, the Year 7 and 8 ‘Le Rosey’ Group will be meeting as a region with other like-minded Marist students throughout Queensland. This follows our Year 11 /12 and Year 9/10 Game Changers Retreats. The aim of this day is to develop students in the areas of forming identity and community to make a positive Christian difference to our world. I wish all boys the best of luck in their formation and pray that they will be inspired to be young men of Easter faith beyond this retreat. My thanks are extended to Adam Burns, Colleen Robertson, Brad Winchester, Jasmine Wilton and the Mission Team who have organised and will be facilitating this day with the boys.

Rosies

My thanks are extended to the senior boys and a variety of volunteer staff who continue to undertake Rosies on a regular basis, post COVID-19. Our next Rosies involvement is this Thursday evening, 5 May. Rosies is an opportunity for the boys to be guest to the homeless or those who are at risk of homelessness or experiencing social isolation or loneliness. 1 in 4 Australians say they are currently experiencing an episode of loneliness and 1 in 10 Australians aged 15 and over report lacking social support. Rosies is all about offering a cuppa and having a chat, opening one’s arms, and giving a friendly smile. It is amazing what a cuppa and a chat can do to changing someone’s self-worth and to build confidence. Rosies is certainly commensurate with our call from the Gospels to consider others, especially those most in need. Well done boys, and staff.

Improving student academic performance

Elevate is an organisation for improving student performance at over 1500 schools Australia-wide. Elevate offers high impact study skills workshops for the boys. Elevate's high impact seminars and workshops help students improve their study techniques, increase motivation, build confidence, and lift exam performance. Best wishes to the Year 11 students who will be participating in this program, this Thursday 5 May 2022.

Queensland Swimming Achievements

Congratulations to Primary student, Nick Osborn (6B) who has been selected for the Queensland School Sport Swimming Team to compete at the School Sport Australia 10-12 Years Swimming Championships, to be held at the Brisbane Aquatic Centre from the 19th-23rd August. His State Championship results were as follows: Gold – 12 Years 100m Freestyle, Silver – 12 Years 200m Freestyle, Silver – 12 Years 50m Butterfly, Silver – 12 Years 100m Butterfly, Silver – 12 Years 4 x 50m Freestyle Relay, 4th – 12 Years 50m Freestyle and 4th – 12 Years 4 x 50m Medley Relay.

Congratulations Nick, and best wishes.

Senior Cross-Country

The postponed annual Marist College Ashgrove Senior Cross Country Carnival will be held this Friday, 6 May at the College. This is an important day of preparation for the boys prior to the AIC Cross Country Carnival later this term. At this AIC Championship, Marist College Ashgrove is looking to defend five AIC Premierships in a row – 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021. We wish all boys the best of luck with their training and with this important lead-up event. My thanks are extended to the Cross-Country coaches and convenors, namely: Mitch Reid, Corey Lucas, Shane Ward, Harry Hunter, Liam Bacon, Brendon Saudners, Jordy Chugg, James Clarke, Harry Lyons, Tyler Newell, William Burkett and Fergal Apps. Best wishes gentleman.

NCCD Moderation Day

On Monday 9 May, Marist College Ashgrove will be hosting a Moderation Day at the College for a number of Brisbane schools. This day will moderate the annual collection of information about Australian school students with disabilities – known as NCCD (Nationally Consistent Collection of Data). The aim of this program and Monday’s moderation is to enable each of the schools present to better understand the needs of their students with disabilities and to see how they can best support their progress at school. The Queensland Catholic Education Commission (QCEC) will facilitate this Moderation Day. We wish all teachers and authorities a warm Marist welcome.

COVID-19 Update

Marist College Ashgrove will continue to promote: hand washing, hand sanitising, well ventilated indoor venues and classrooms, mask-wearing during assemblies and large non-year indoor gatherings, the use of air quality monitors, thorough cleaning programs and adherence to Queensland Health advice.

Close contacts who do not have COVID-19 symptoms no longer need to quarantine. Students who are close contacts must notify Marist College Ashgrove Administration that they are a close contact, to enable us to manage as best as possible, each boy’s safety. For 7 days after becoming a close contact, all boys are asked to wear a face mask while outside of their home, including at school, and when outdoors if unable to physically distance. It is recommended that students undertake a rapid antigen test (RAT) on the first day they leave home, and every second day (e.g. days 2, 4, and 6) until they are no longer a close contact. The College will not supply RATs to close contacts. Close contacts who develop COVID-19 symptoms must not attend school and should isolate until their symptoms resolve.

If you or your child tests positive to COVID-19

Queensland Health requirements for people who test positive to COVID-19 remain unchanged, including and most importantly, isolating for 7 days. You must follow the Queensland Health guidelines outlined in the first steps to take if you have COVID-19.

As a gentle reminder that face masks continue to be required in certain settings for anyone aged 12 years or older, such as when travelling on public transport. They are also recommended whenever you can't physically distance. Anyone who chooses to wear a mask at Marist College Ashgrove will be supported to do so.

Numbers at Marist:

Day Students with COVID-19 – 17, Staff with COVID-19 – 2; Boarders with COVID-19 - 0 and Close Contacts - 16

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 3 May

Year 9 Geography Field Trip
Study Hall – Senior Library
House Meetings Years 5-12
Vinnies Meeting
College Assembly
Boarders Parent Network Meeting (via Zoom)
Year 10 Dancing – Champagnat Centre

Wednesday 4 May

Mass in Chapel
Mother’s Day Breakfast (Years 5 and 6)
Year 9 Market Stalls - 7:00am – 8:30am
Year 10 Geography Excursion to Sandgate
Game Changers Meeting – Year 10
Year 11 REC Golf Excursion
Mother and Son Eucharist – College Chapel

Thursday 5 May

Year 11 Legal Studies Excursion
Mother’s Day Breakfast (Years 7 to 9)
Year 9 Market Stalls - 7:00am – 8:30am
Study Hall – Senior Library
NWD 10-12 Years Rugby Union – McMahon Oval
Years 7 and 8 Game Changers Regional Retreat - Cyprian Pavilion
Rosies Visit

Friday 6 May

Senior Cross Country
NWD Cross Country
Mother’s Day Breakfast (Years 10 to 12)
Year 9 Market Stalls - 7:00am – 8:30am
Year 8 Game Changers Meeting
Year 10 Legal Studies Incursion
Round 2 AIC Chess v SEC (A)

Saturday 7 May

Boarder Free Weekend
Round 2 AIC Rugby/Football v SEC (A)

Sunday 8 May

Mother’s Day
Boarder Free Weekend
Boarders’ Mass (Chapel)

Monday 9 May

AIC Golf (Indooroopilly)
Year 7 Game Changers Meeting
P&F Meeting

Tuesday 10 May

Year 5, 7 and 9 Online NAPLAN Testing
Year 12 REC Studies Camp
Slattery Theatresports Round 1
Reconciliation – Chapel
Study Hall – Senior Library
House Meetings Years 5-12
Vinnies Meeting
College Assembly
Year 10 Dancing – Champagnat Centre
Old Boys’ Association Meeting

Wednesday 11 May

Year 5, 7 and 9 Online NAPLAN Testing

Thursday 12 May

Year 5, 7 and 9 Online NAPLAN Testing

Friday 13 May

Year 5, 7 and 9 Online NAPLAN Testing