From the Head of College

Mr Michael Newman

It is About Giving of Yourself

Friday’s swimming assembly following the AIC Swimming Championships was a most positive experience even though the Marist boys fell harrowingly just short of their goal, achieving second place in the overall tally. Awards were presented, trophies and towels distributed and records acclaimed. The biggest cheer, however, was awarded to the boys who actually didn’t make the team. These boys were members of the reserve swim squad, notwithstanding their massive efforts of attending over ninety practice sessions prior to the carnival at an unforgiving 5:30am in the morning, only to have not been successful in achieving a place on the swim squad; they have had to watch from the sidelines. Rather than being unhappy and disgruntled about their position as reserves, these boys chose to go to the carnival in full voice to encourage, assist and cheer on their swim mates. On this special awards night, the efforts of the reserve swim squad did not go unnoticed with these boys being very much acclaimed and appreciated by their peers. Well done!

During Lent, we remember Christ’s death and then his resurrection and in turn, our challenge each day to die to ourselves and to give life to others. The boys who make up the reserve swim squad are a wonderful example of this challenge. At the carnival, they forgot themselves and their own desires, disappointment and pride to selflessly cheer on and support their mates. What a great example of this simple Lenten message and challenge – dying to oneself, so as to give life and support to another. As these boys demonstrated so nobly, Lent is all about giving of yourself.

Loving God, may we as members of the Marist family embrace your challenge to simply give to others this Lenten season. Amen.

Marist College Advisory Council

It is with much pleasure that I announce the establishment of the Marist Ashgrove Advisory Board. I welcome its inception and the importance of this group to provide advice and assistance to lead the College positively forward in this new and exciting educational paradigm. The Marist College Advisory Board will meet regularly throughout the year, providing advice on all matters related to the education of your son: academic, safety, growth, care, improvement, holistic education, policy, financial viability and stewardship.

I am pleased to announce members of the Board and their backgrounds:

Peter Selwood (Chair): Peter brings to Marist College an enormous wealth of experience and expertise developed over many years at Centacare Brisbane, the social services arm of the Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of Brisbane where he has been the Executive Director since 2001. Peter Selwood is an Old Boy (1978) of Marist College Ashgrove. Two of Peter’s sons attended Marist College (Patrick 2008 and Joseph 2010). Peter has been Chair of the College Finance Advisory Committee, President of the Old Boys’ Association and a member of the College Foundation.

Lisa Dalton: Lisa is an accomplished lawyer, governance professional, senior executive and leader with over 25 years’ experience in the mining, energy, construction, manufacturing, medical, agricultural and infrastructure sectors.

Lisa is currently Chair of Second Skin Pty Ltd, a non-executive director of Healthia Limited and Company Secretary of both PWR Holdings Limited and Jameson Resources Limited. Lisa is also an independent member of the Audit and Risk Committee of the Queensland Department of Justice and Attorney General.

Lisa Dalton has a long affiliation with Marist College Ashgrove, having both married an old boy, Brian Griffin and had Oliver, her son, graduate from Marist in 2017.

Kate Knynenburg: Kate, a pharmacist in the local area, has had a long and generous association with the College including as a past President of the Parents and Friends Association. Kate Knynenburg has had two sons attend Marist College Ashgrove (Joseph 2010 and Sam 2016) who were both Vice-Captains.

Kerry O’Brien: Kerry O’Brien is a recently retired Chief Judge of the District Court of Queensland. Kerry O’Brien is an Old Boy (1967) of Marist College Ashgrove and an eminent Queensland jurist. Kerry has had two sons attend the College (Matthew 2006 and Michael 2007). Kerry has made a generous commitment to the College in a number of important committee roles over many years.

Tony Hogarth: Tony Hogarth is a lawyer by profession. Tony has served on a number of College committees including as Chair of the College Foundation and President of the Old Boys’ Association. Tony is an Old Boy (1976) of Marist College. Tony’s son attended the College (Tom 2009), being appointed a Vice-Captain in his senior year.

Mark Elliot: Mark is the Marist Schools Australia Regional Director (Queensland, Northern NSW and Northern Territory). He has undertaken a range of roles with Brisbane Catholic Education. Mark has a long association with Marist Education and has had a successful career as an educator.

Best wishes and thank you to all Board members for the generous time and experience that you will bring in this exciting chapter for this wonderful College.

Marist Environmental Group Work – Clean Up Australia Day

I am impressed by many features of the College. One area that is certainly to be commended is the work of the Environmental Group of students and staff. Marist College is a most positive environmental contributor towards making our world a better place for future generations. This group has undertaken a significant solar panel installation program, waste disposal program, water sustainability program and student education program at the College. Various activities are occurring for Clean Up Australia Day including: Primary cleaning of the creek on Friday 5 March and on the weekend, a group of 48 boys (all of La Valla plus boys from years 8 to 12) travelled to the Sunshine Coast collecting 38kg of rubbish after a beach clean.

Congratulations to all involved. My special thanks are extended to their teacher leaders: Anne Quill, Kathryn Badini, Shaun Wiggins, Tim and Camilla Sedgewick and Catherine Ball.

Let us continue to make Marist Ashgrove a leader in environmental sustainability.

2021 College Formal

Best wishes to our Year 12 boys who will be partaking in the College formal on Saturday evening at the Brisbane City Hall. I trust that the evening will be a special one to remember for all families and the boys’ partners. The evening will commence at 7:30 pm and conclude by 11:00 pm. A reminder that this is a College event and normal College rules are our expectation.

The safety of all boys and their partners is always prevalent in my mind on an occasion like this. I remind all parents of the following regarding any after formal events that may be planned:

As this is a school event, Brisbane City Hall will be providing security to ensure that the rules and regulations regarding the Responsible Service of Alcohol are followed. This means that no alcohol is to be served or bought onto the premises regardless of whether a student or his partner is 18 years of age or older. Should students be caught with alcohol, or behaving in a manner that indicates intoxication, they will be removed from the function.
Whilst it is the responsibility of parents to decide what is in the best interests of their sons beyond school hours and/or College associated events, please be aware of the following with regards to pre and post formal parties: NO pre or post formal or ‘gathering’ is supported by Marist College, Ashgrove. The College, therefore, does not in any way accept responsibility for functions prior to or following formals. The name of the College must not appear on invitations, nor be used to imply functions are in any way sanctioned by the College. Parents who choose to organise and provide such a non-sanctioned gathering, bear the responsibility associated with the function and accountability for unwelcome attendees or outcomes. If your decision, as parents, is to hold a party for your son, I suggest you become familiar with and informed through using the Australian Drug Foundation website on hosting parties: www.adf.org.au.
Parents are reminded that under the Liquor Act (1992), section 156A (1): an adult must not supply liquor to a minor at a private place unless the adult is a responsible adult for the minor. You could face court and be fined a maximum penalty of $10,444.
As always Marist College Ashgrove boys and their partners are reminded that, under no circumstances, are they to bring the College name into disrepute. It is assumed all invitees behave in an appropriate manner before, during and after the formal celebrations.

The boys have been made aware of this information during a Year12 year level assembly as well.

I trust that the 2021 Marist College, Ashgrove Formal is a positive and appreciated experience for the boys and all families. I particularly thank Mr Peter Serone, Head of Students, his Personal Assistant Mrs Kim Horwood and Mrs Erin Menyweather, Events, for their organisation of this event. Further, I am grateful to the members of the College Leadership Team, Heads of House and other staff who have generously given their time to prepare the boys and supervise on the night.

Marist College Ashgrove Building Funds

At Marist College Ashgrove, we are committed to the stewardship of the College. This is a College that boasts excellent facilities mainly as a result of the hard work, donations and fundraising made by Brothers, parents and friends of the Marist family over its 70 years of existence. These efforts have enabled the maintaining and building upon the structural facilities that cover the impressive landscape that is our educational precinct.

With life much busier today, we are able to continue this role as stewards and these works with the assistance of two Building Funds; the Foundation Building Fund and the School Building Fund. After queries from parents, I would like to explain the difference between the two:

The School Building Fund = $600 (tax-deductible). Parents/guardians are able to set this up themselves in the Parent Portal (school fee payments) or this can be added to the school fee account. This contributes to the maintenance and upkeep of existing facilities.

The Foundation Building Fund = $1200 (tax-deductible). Parents/guardians complete a direct debit or credit card authority form which commits them to an annual contribution of $1200 each year which can be the full amount OR part payments over a maximum of 12 months, for the entire time of your son(s) attendance at MCA. This fund contributes to future major capital construction, repurposing and refurbishment works across the school. The Foundation Building Fund has supported past projects including: the swimming pool complex, the Champagnat Centre, the Science Centre, the Music Building, the Draney Theatre, the Br Cyprian Pavilion hospitality kitchen, boarding house upgrades and the Tower refurbishment.

We thank all families for your generous contributions and commitment to maintaining and adding to the wonderful facilities for your son and those of future generations.

New Student / Parent Administration Entrance - Starting Monday 8 March

Year 7 to 12 parents are reminded that all our parents and students leaving the campus during the day are to sign out from the Tower Admin Office. Parents are welcome to park in the car park below the Tower (See map below).

Year 5 & 6 parents are asked to continue to follow the same sign-out procedure through Primary Administration. A reminder when driving into the school – please keep your speed limit to 15km p/hr and put your hazard lights on.

Coming Events

Tuesday 2 March

Reconciliation – College Chapel – 8:00 am to 8:30 am
SVdP Sausage Sizzle – Main Yard – 7:30 am to 8:00 am
Primary Tutoring – Primary Computer Room – 8:00 am
Study Hall – Senior Library – 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm
Old Boys Association Meeting – Tower Function Room – 7:00 pm

Wednesday 3 March

College Mass (Special Invite to Harold House) – 8:00 am

Thursday 4 March

Senior Library Book Club (Years 7&8) – Break 1
Year 12 REC Rock Climbing Excursion

Friday 5 March

Primary Tutoring – Primary Computer Room – 8:00 am
Year 11 REC Golf Excursion
Internal Volleyball competition – SLC – 3:00 pm to 6:40 pm
Round 6 AIC AFL Opens Vs SPLC

Saturday 6 March

Round 6 AIC Cricket/Volleyball Vs SPLC (Home)Rd 6 AIC AFL Years 5-9 Vs SPLC
Senior Formal – Brisbane City Hall

Sunday 7 March

Year 8, 10 and 11 Boarders’ Mass (Parent COVID Restrictions) – College Chapel – 5:30 pm
Year 7, 9 and 12 Boarders’ Mass (Parent COVID Restrictions) – College Chapel – 6:20 pm

Monday 8 March