From the Head of College

Mr Michael Newman

Right and Loving Relationships are Key

Marist College Ashgrove is a College for boys named after Mary (Marist). By placing Mary at the helm of our college, and holding her in such high esteem as the example to which we look toward, we continue to highlight to our boys the significance and gift of women in their lives. We particularly aim to teach the boys about the care and respect of women as we continue to be confronted by disappointing statistics regarding domestic violence and the mistreatment of women. These statistics are real and a blight on all of us, as Australians.

At Marist Ashgrove, we believe targeted education to shape the boys’ hearts and minds on this topic is essential. The ASH Program (student welfare program) provides a scope and sequence throughout each year of a boy’s education (Years 5-12) to inform them on all matters regarding right relationships and the dignity of all people. At regular intervals throughout each year, the College invites specialist guest speakers to form part of this education program from Real Talk, successful solicitor Wendy Mulcahy, Brett Saunders from the AFP, Paul Dillon from Drug and Alcohol Research and Training, and Your Choicez who speak about the varying topics of respectful relationships, consent, domestic violence, pornography, and drugs and alcohol. We ensure that these topics are revisited in our curriculum - religious education, physical education and science, and unite to explore these issues in the classroom and inform the boys’ consciences. Marist Ashgrove has also increased our interaction, conversations and information sharing with neighbouring girls’ schools and introduced new events such as the Mother-Son Luncheon to facilitate education and natural and positive interactions with females in different social settings. It is our aim to teach the boys the importance of right relationships and the dignity of all beyond the gates of Marist.

Research shows that domestic violence is connected to power and control. Also, there are links between low self-esteem and the risk of domestic violence perpetration. People, mostly men, who are acting abusively, often attempt to deal with their low self-esteem by degrading others. Working with young men on their self-esteem and the way they treat women is important. The increased access to, and consumption of drugs, pornography and alcohol in our society hasn’t helped matters. We welcome Domestic Violence Week, as an additional way to highlight and make this important issue of right relationships, a focal point with the boys.

However, we know that the best form of education is always within families. At Marist Ashgrove, we provide regular and consistent education to compliment your efforts and example at home, on these important topics but, please let the boys hear from you and see your example regarding how men should always treat women and respect the dignity of all. Together, let us continue to play our part in the improvement of the Australian male psyche by educating our Marist men. Please continue to inform and educate your sons through positive conversations on the importance of right relationships and dignity of all.

Loving God, may the Marist College family continue to be a place where we hold Mary as our model, unconditional love permeates and the dignity of all is respected. Amen.

Year 12 Mother-Son Luncheon

One of the special moments for all mothers is their final lunch with their Year 12 sons at the College. This voluntary event will be held at the Pullman on Tuesday 20th June from 11:30am. The Mother-Son Luncheon is one of the rites of passage for our Year 12 young men as they prepare to graduate from the College. It is a chance for the boys to acknowledge their mothers and to reflect upon the role of women in their lives and the importance of right relationships with women in the future. This year’s guest speaker will be Patrea Walton – Former CEO of the Queensland Studies Authority, Deputy Director General Queensland State Schools and Assistant Director General of the Department of Education. I look forward to sharing with all boys and their mothers this special luncheon together and the learnings therein.

Indigenous Art Creative Pathways Workshop

The Design TRACKS Residential Workshops will be held from Monday 12 June to Thursday 15 June. Open to senior First Nations students from throughout Queensland this workshop aims to encourage participants to feel inspired by the Indigenous Creative Industries where they work with creative mentors and consider their own future career pathways. Thank you to Christine Larsen, Curriculum Leader The Arts and Dallas Williams, Indigenous Support Officer who have provided this opportunity for our Years 11 and 12 Indigenous students.

Real Talk – Year 9

Part of our College Right Relationships Program is the presentation by Real Talk to our Year 9 Students. This will occur on Monday 19 June. The Real Talk Presentation will incorporate the topics – human dignity and respect, informed consent, why consent is important, The law of consent, sexting and image-based abuse and pornography. Real Talk’s ‘Consent and Respect’ seminars are an opportunity for our young men to hear from the presenters about the important legal, moral and interpersonal aspects of these topics. The aim is to empower students to make healthy choices that show respect for themselves and others. We appreciate the important role parents play in the sexual and relationships education of their children, and this presentation aims to complement, and not replace, the instruction of your children at home. My thanks are extended to Craig Milligan for organising this presentation for the boys.

Father-Son Camp

In Term 3 from Wednesday 16 August (11:00 am) to Friday 18 August (2:00pm) Marist College Ashgrove will hold its annual Father-Son Camp at Mt Barney Lodge. This is an opportunity for fathers to spend some quality time with their sons in a scenic, adventurous setting. Our 2023 camp offers varied options for activities, which are included in the base price. Additional costs apply for accommodation. For more detailed information and costs of lodging, catering, and activities, visit our link -

https://events.humanitix.com/father-and-son-camp-2023

Please contact Craig Milligan - milliganc@marash.qld.edu.au – Pastoral Leader Middle School, with any further queries.

St Rita’s College Chess and Mt St Michael’s Social Netball

The Year 5 boys will attend St Rita's College on Wednesday 14 June for a morning (9:15am-12:30pm) of chess and conversation. The aim of this gathering is to provide opportunities for positive interaction with the girls and to develop relationships based on mutual respect and understanding. It is also an opportunity for our students and the girls at St Rita's College to connect in a social setting. Students will be accompanied by Mr Connolly and Mr Graham. The Year 12 boys are visiting Mt St Michael’s this afternoon to play a social game of netball - similarly, to provide an opportunity to enjoy each other’s company and interact positively. Thank you to Mrs Sharon Davidson who has organised this opportunity for the boys. Enjoy, gentlemen.

Champagnat Lunch - Thank You!

The Champagnat Trust Sports Lunch was held on Friday to another full house at the Brisbane Convention Centre. A wonderful event, raising funds to enable a student, who is financially unable, to attend Marist College Ashgrove. This event is planned for a full year and hours of organisation go into its preparation. My sincere gratitude is extended to our patrons – John Eales who compered the event and Matthew Hayden who unfortunately could not be present this year. Thank you also to Pat Howard for his interview of College old boy and family member of a bursary recipient, Lance Peatey. My sincere thanks to our most generous organising committee – Ellen Kassulke, Bethany Halpin, Tony Byrne (who retired after 19 years), Kath Brassington, Brett Gillett, and Richard Graham. Finally, thank you to the many contributors and hard workers behind the scenes including – Bethany Halpin, Ellen Kassulke, Sophie Tuffley, Antonia Svenson, Dominque Hall, Jen McNamara, Jenna Harding, Jack Johnson and the Tech Crew, Dylan Gower, Dane Rowe, Peter Jackson, and Kath Nolan.

Well done, Marist!

School Officer and Service Staff Day

The Marist College Ashgrove family recognises and thanks our wonderful School Officers and Services Staff. Their constancy, professionalism and generosity enable the best possible functioning of the College and outcomes for the boys. This Wednesday 14 June is School Officer and Services Staff Day, and we will celebrate and acknowledge each of them. Thank you for all your work and graciousness on the job. Happy School Officer and Services Staff Day!

Make-up Exams and End of Term

The last day of classes for all boys is Tuesday 20 June. All day students are expected to be in attendance until 3:00pm Tuesday. All boarding students are expected to be in attendance until at least Monday 19 June at 3:00pm when the boarders have a travel day on Tuesday 20 June. Monday 19 June is an important day for make-up examinations to ensure that all boys receive an up-to-date and full report on their progress for semester one. With the large amount of sickness that has been around at the end of Term 2, this time for make-up exams is important. I thank all parents for ensuring their son is in attendance until this time, has sought permission if required to leave early and has ensured that their son has completed all his academic expectations prior to enjoying his mid-year break.

The Teen Brain Lecture

Marist College Ashgrove is proud to present a lecture by Nathan Wallis on the Adolescent Brain. This will be held this Wednesday 14 June at 5:30pm in the Champagnat Centre. Whilst you can’t expect teens to be able to display certain behaviours consistently during adolescence, there are ways that you can enhance and maximise the times when they can. This presentation by Nathan will help us to understand the changes that are taking place for your teen which will help us navigate successfully these important and formative years. We look forward to welcoming all parents and local friends to Marist College Ashgrove for this informative and practical lecture. See you on Wednesday.

Athletics House Carnivals – Primary and Secondary

The official AIC Athletics season commences this Thursday 15 June with the Primary Athletics Carnival, followed on Friday 16 June with the Secondary House Athletics Carnival. Both carnivals will be held on McMahon and Hayden Ovals and are scheduled to commence at 8:35am, concluding at 3:10pm. Event schedule details will be communicated to students this week. We look forward to these annual carnivals and to enjoying the efforts and talents displayed by our boys and no doubt new college records. My thanks are extended to Mr John Lambourne, Mr Richard Graham, sports office staff and the Heads of House – David Meehan, Tony Byrne, Julia Wilken, Patrick Denkes (acting), Brendan Kiernan, Gareth Kolkenbeck-Ruh, Scott Minogue and Michael Abbott for their organisation and facilitation of this event. Parents, relatives and friends are most welcome to attend for either a part or the full day.

Athletics, Tennis, Rugby league and Basketball Seasons

Having completed the Rugby Union and Football seasons, we now progress to the Tennis, Rugby League and Basketball Internal Trials for the seasons commencing in Term 3. Our first trials will be held this Saturday 17 June at home. The Athletics trials occur with the carnivals this Thursday and Friday and training occurs throughout Term 3. We wish all boys the best of luck with these trials. My thanks are extended to the conveners of these sports – Richard Graham (Athletics), John Lambourne (Basketball), Ryan Apps (Rugby League) and Andrew Ward (Tennis). Have a great season.

Queensland Health Advice Regarding COVID-19

We are still aware of cases of COVID-19 in our College community. I suggest all families remain vigilant and follow the Queensland Health guidelines below. This includes the recommendation among other things upon contracting covid, to isolate for 7 days and wear a mask. Please read the link below and follow the recommendations:

First steps if you have COVID-19 | Health and wellbeing | Queensland Government (www.qld.gov.au)

Year 12 Retreat and Year 11 Immersion Opportunity

The Year 12 annual retreats will be held from the 12 – 14 July. This a reminder to please ensure you check your emails for a follow-up letter sent last week outlining important reminders. A further notice also to ensure you have confirmed your son’s attendance, updated any medical records, and ordered special dietary requirements as required via the Parent Lounge/Events.

All Year 11 boys have been invited to partake in an immersion to Santa Teresa (Central Australia) or Cambodia. As a guest to our neighbours, this experience will change hearts and will never be forgotten. Bookings close Friday – contact Mrs Anna Nasr if interested or if you have any further questions, nasra@marash.qld.edu.au.

Year 10 Dancing

Recently we celebrated the finale of Year 10 Dancing at Brisbane City Hall!

After four weeks of dancing lessons, our boys put their new skills to good use and performed the Waltz, the Rumba, the Swing, Cha Cha and the Progressive Jive.

Thank you to our friends from Mt St Michael's College and Loreto College Coorparoo for joining us for this program and thank you to the coordinators and supervisors who made this experience possible!