The Freedom Forgiveness Brings

A bumper sticker that I noticed on the back of a car during the holidays was most unusual – it read - “Let compassion be our aim.” It is encouraging but unusual to see such a Christian value like this displayed on a car today.

In a similar vein, I watched an interview of an Australian couple, Leila and Daniel Abdullah, who spoke at the Vatican in Rome recently at the World Meeting of Families, on the topic of compassion and forgiveness. The Abdullah’s are the family who tragically lost their three children – Sienna (8), Angelina (12) and Antony (13) and cousin Veronique Sakr (11). On February 1st 2020 in Oaklands Sydney, a drunk and drug-taking driver swerved off the road and ran over their children and niece who were innocently killed walking along a suburban pathway to get ice-cream.

What was particularly amazing was the reaction of the children’s mother, Leila. When a reporter met the parents at the scene two days after the event, Leila’s reaction was unusual but certainly inspiring and to be admired. She said, “I forgive the driver and hold no malice against him.” At the Vatican last week, when questioned by an inquisitive American interviewer who had heard the story, Leila spoke about how, as a couple, they have been practising forgiveness all their lives. As Catholics, they have prayed to God to forgive them for their own wrongdoings as they forgive others. Leila really believes that as a result of practising forgiveness for all these years, her words of forgiveness automatically came from her lips when the reporter asked her to speak at the scene two days after the accident. Daniel too, reflected Leila’s sentiments. He explained, that had he not forgiven the driver, he would have lost his whole family. He referred to research that cites 65% of marriages break down after a sibling is lost. Yet, he says that in forgiving, he has had greater emotional freedom and healing. In fact, he believes that their willingness to forgive has brought the couple closer together as he says Leila tells him every day that he reminds her of their beloved children - Sienna, Angelina and Antony. Finally, Daniel spoke about the peace he has found in going to Mass and in particular, during the Eucharist. When he walks down the church aisle to communion, he leaves three spaces in front of him so as to receive Christ with his children. The Abdullah’s believe that forgiveness is essential to happiness and life. In their words, “You can’t control life but you can change the way you respond.”

Loving God, may all members of the Marist family find you in forgiveness, the ordinary and spiritual events, and the most unusual places in life. Amen.

Masterplan Progress

Marist College Ashgrove is very pleased to announce that the Ministerial Infrastructure Designation (MID) has been granted by the Queensland State Government to commence all stages of the new Masterplan for the College. We are grateful to the Deputy Premier, Steven Miles - MP Minister for State development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning - for this decision. We thank Mark Kierpal, URBICUS – Urban Planners, Property Advisors & Development Facilitators for leading this application for the College.

Further to this outcome, we have received news from the Trustees of the Marist Brothers in Rome and Marist Schools Australia, in support of the financials towards these major Masterplan projects. We now look forward to the financial support of the wider Marist College family to make these projects a reality for the boys into the future.

We hope to commence the construction on a new Primary building in Term 4, 2022. This will include a larger intake of Year 5 boys in 2024. The result being that our major intake of students at any given year level will now be from Year 5, only allowing for a small number of new students who will be mainly boarders, from Year 7. We will advertise these extra Year 5 places in the coming weeks, so if you know of families that want to gain a place into the College from 2024, please advise them to apply as a matter of urgency.

These are exciting times for the College as we commence making our Masterplan for the College a reality. Marist College Ashgrove is certainly an exciting place to be.

Holiday Improvements

My thanks are extended to our generous staff who have completed much work and activity over the holiday break. The College is looking great and things are well-prepared for another huge term.

The following is a list of the projects undertaken – Fourviere external repaint, relocation of sport/HPE offices, pool/gym consolidation commenced, new shower doors in Boarding dorms, Languages classroom addition, deep clean of all classrooms and office areas, pressure wash of high traffic outdoor areas, preparation of the ovals for Term 3 sport, recoat of the gym floor, chlorine wash of the multi-purpose courts, Middle Leader consultation and reflection, garden work, discussion and planning, Confraternity Shield + Basketball, Tennis, Rugby League and Athletics training and trials, repair of the Br Terrance roof, payroll end of financial year processes, reporting to finance committee, upgrade to the security system server, advertising preparation for the new Year 5 expansion – 2024, preparation for the Year 5 2024 interviews, holiday venue hiring (Draney, Boarding, classrooms), staff advertising and interviews, food preparation, Masterplan progress, teaching staff preparation and review of Learning Support at the College.

My sincere thanks to the efforts and undertakings of our most generous and committed staff over the holiday period.

COVID-19 Update

As we return for Term 3, we are hearing about public concerns regarding another new wave of COVID-19 in the community. I am aware that some parents, students and teachers are absent this week with Covid-19. As a result, we will aim to have the remainder of our all-year College Assemblies on-line until further notice. Year gatherings will continue at this time as boys are already learning together in year groups during class-time e.g. retreat days, guest speakers etc. As usual, I will keep you informed of any changes to COVID conditions from Queensland Health and the State Government as they come to hand. Below is a list of the latest advice:

Our nursing staff who care for the boys in the Health centre are continuing and are fully vaccinated.
RATS will be provided at a school level to students or staff where the student or staff member develops symptoms of COVID-19 while at school. Boys come to the Tower Administration Office and parents will be called to collect their son immediately.
From (30 June) the high-risk worker COVID-19 vaccine mandate was revoked in schools, early childhood education, outside school care, kindergartens, meaning workers are no longer be required to be vaccinated for COVID-19 to attend schools. This applies to all workers (contractors, volunteers providing services, other service providers).

Positive Cases

Immediately isolate for 7 days – if you get COVID-19, you need to immediately isolate yourself at your home, or other accommodation, for 7 full days from the date you had your test.
Ending isolation – you can leave isolation after 7 full days if you have no more symptoms or only a mild, dry cough. If you still have symptoms after 7 days, stay home until your symptoms have gone, or seek medical care if you are not sure.
For the next 7 days after ending isolation – you can go to work or school or return to your normal activities. You don’t need a negative test result to go back to study or work. There is no need to show a negative test to your school or employer. When you leave home, you must wear a face mask at all times, including indoors or when you are outdoors and you can’t remain physically distanced from others.
In the 28 days after ending isolation – you are unlikely to get COVID-19 again. You are considered a ‘cleared case’ for 28 days after isolation ends. During this time, if you get symptoms, you do not need to get tested, but you should stay home until you feel better. This is important to help you to recover and to prevent the spread of other viruses in the community. You do not need testing unless advised to do so by your medical practitioner. A person who has had COVID-19 in the last 28 days but is a ‘cleared case’, is exempt from the requirements of a close contact but should follow the guidelines.

Close Contacts

Close contacts without symptoms – you should monitor for symptoms for 7 days from the last time someone in your household tested positive to COVID-19. If you remain symptom free, you can leave your home for any reason. While you are a close contact, you must wear a face mask at all times when outside the home. It is also recommended that you;
- Test for COVID-19 if you develop symptoms,
- Avoid large gatherings, crowed indoor events and vulnerable settings,
- Study or work from home if you can
If a close contact is leaving home, it is recommended that they undertake regular testing (eg. Day 0, 2, 4, 6).

At Assembly this week, I outlined this new COVID advice to all boys. Further, I reminded all boys of the need to be conscious of good hygiene protocols including: socially distancing where possible, washing your hands, using sanitisers, coughing/sneezing on the inside of your arm, disposing of tissues and staying at home if unwell.

With regards to students completing school work whilst at home, we assume that a boy who is unwell should be resting. If a boy is forced to isolate for 7 days due to COVID and the symptoms are few, then resources to continue class study can be obtained from Moodle (Years 7-12) and on One-Note (Years 5-6). Further to this, parents can email curriculum@marash.qld.edu.au requesting further clarification and direction for their son from each of his teachers. Teachers will then either provide an email or video directing and guiding your son to the resources available for the days of school he will miss.

COVID 19 numbers at the start of Term 3: 14 students 3 staff

East Timor

At the end of Term 2 and during the holidays, Mina McClean (College Chaplain) and I visited East Timor with Rebecca Bromhead (Australian Marist Solidarity CEO), Mark Elliot (Regional Director Marist Schools Australia) and Paul Reed (Assumption College Kilmore) and Nigel Sydney (Australian Marist Solidarity). The aim of the visit was to visit the locations and communities with whom Marist College Ashgrove has provided funding in the past and to offer our continued support. The visit included the opening of six new classrooms in a Catholic School in Quelekai, visiting three existing educational projects – a teacher’s college facilitated by the Marist Brothers, an English Language School and a school teaching IT skills. Finally, we visited the remote Catholic School at Kulugia, which is our next project to support where we will build a further 6 classrooms in this very poor village.

All members of the Marist College family should be proud of the money raised annually, some $50 000 per annum which is making a significant difference to the lives of these struggling communities who have little to no access to educational opportunities for their children. Let’s continue our support as education is the best means for providing these wonderful people, our neighbours with a better life. My thanks are extended to our Head of Mission, Mr Luke McMahon for his strong commitment in promoting these Marist fundraisers and distributing the money raised to East Timor.

Year 12 Retreat

This Wednesday 13th - Friday 15th July our Year 12 boys will venture on their annual retreat days. These retreat days, for many boys, are the highlight of their schooling as they spend time in quiet, reflection and prayer with their peers and teachers to contemplate the past, their futures, their relationship with God and spirituality. It is a wonderful few days and I ask the whole Marist family to pray for the boys on these special days. My thanks are extended to the generous teachers who will be accompanying the boys, namely: Steve Littleton, Anthony Mathison, Scott Minogue, Mena McLean, Brad Neilson, Bonita Gerry, Bruce McPhee, Adam Knight, Laurie Boustead, Mel Taylor, Megan Harmston, Liz Walsh, Tara Franklin, Colleen Robertson, Jim Noble, Maddie Spann, Genevieve Long, Lucia Del Vecchio, Rhiannon Fenn, John Lamborne, Adam Burns, Kathryn Badini, Peter Serone, Charlie Taylor, Luke Mc Mahon, Daniel Bull, Catherine Kidd, James Trebbin and Sharon Davidson. Special thanks to the Mission Team led by Mr Luke McMahon for organising this retreat for the boys.

Uniform

As you would no doubt be aware, we are presently short-listing for a new school uniform supplier. I thank parents and friends of the College who have provided us with feedback and suggestions regarding our way forward. Regardless, we expect to be concentrating more on the quality of uniforms and the correct design and colour. We expect to announce changes to the College uniform in association with the new uniform supplier.

Year 9 Retreat Day

Each year, the Year 9 boys are honoured to have a retreat day run by the wonderful and experienced Michael Fitzpatrick. Michael has a wonderful manner with the boys as he encourages them to reflect, share their spirituality and insights, and pray. This annual Year 9 Retreat will be held next Monday 18th July in the Cyprian Pavilion. Michael Fitzpatrick as presenter involves the boys in games, reflections on their peer group, insight sharing and encourages the boys to name what they truly admire in others (as Jesus did, against the usual perceived behaviour of the crowd). The day concludes with the ritual of reconciliation. Members of the Mission Team will supervise along with the boys’ Year 9 teachers. This retreat commences after PG roll marking and ends at 3:10pm. Boys will go to the yard/dining room for first and second breaks. Enjoy, gentlemen.

Year 11 Leadership Day

On Tuesday 19th July, all Year 11 boys will be involved in a Leadership Formation Day with presenters - Unleashing Personal Potential. These presenters run a series of leadership-based activities to further enable the boys to understand and acknowledge the leadership qualities required to lead the College into the future. This presentation commences the process of senior leadership for the Year 11 boys as they prepare to guide the student body. My thanks are extended to Mr Peter Serone (Head of Students) who has prepared this presentation for the boys. Good luck, gentlemen.

Boarding News

We welcome back to the College our boarding students who commenced on Monday afternoon. It was lovely to catch up with many families at the afternoon tea in the Cyprian Pavilion and around the College. We welcome back the boys with - the construction of some 57 new shower doors throughout the boarding school, additional security systems for their safety and a complete external painting of the main boarding residence. We also introduce two new boarding staff Dallas Williams (Year 9 Boarding co-ordinator) and Harry Gates (a senior boarding supervisor). From Term 3, we introduce an additional teacher to lead the Boarding College with their studies. I have appointed as Acting Academic Boarding Co-ordinator, Mrs Ashleigh Morrison to undertake this important task of assisting the boys with their study program, skills and academic performance.

All these changes are significant improvements to the Boarding College moving forward, as we commence Semester 2.

Term 3 AIC Sport

Best wishes to all boys who will have their final trials for their respective AIC Sporting Competitions this Saturday versus St Patrick’s College Shorncliffe. The various sports the boys can be involved in throughout Term 3 include: Athletics, Basketball, Tennis and Rugby League. My thanks are extended to all coaches who were involved in various training and trials throughout the holiday period.

We wish all boys the best of luck in Term 3 sport.

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 12 July

Start of Term 3 (Winter Uniform)
Study Hall – Senior Library
Reconciliation – Chapel (Fr Alatini Kolofo’ou)
House Meetings Years 5-12
College Assembly
Basketball ‘A’/1st Tennis Trials v Villa

Wednesday 13 July

Year 12 Retreat - starts
Green Ash
Mass in Chapel – all welcome

Thursday 14 July

Year 12 Retreat
Year 10 2023 Subject Selections Open
Green Ash
Study Hall – Senior Library
Game Changers Meetings

Friday 15 July

Year 12 Retreat - ends
Year 10 YLA – Elevate Presentation
State Honours Ensemble Program - starts
Year 10 Business Excursion
MCA Hockey v BSHS (State Hockey Centre)

Saturday 16 July

Term 3 AIC Sport Trials v SPC
State Honours Ensemble Program

Sunday 17 July

State Honours Ensemble Program - ends
Boarders’ Mass (Chapel) - 6.00pm

Monday 18 July

NAIDOC Week - starts
Student Monitoring Week for Years 5 to 9 - starts
Year 9 Retreat Day

Tuesday 19 July

Year 11 Leadership Day
Reconciliation – Chapel (Fr Alatini Kolofo’ou)
House Meetings Years 5-12
Vinnies Meeting – Room 801
Study Hall – Senior Library
Boarders Parent Network Meeting
Australian Brain Bee Challenge

Music News

Dr Andrew Butt