From the Head of College

Mr Michael Newman

Celebrate, Reflect, Respond and Act

Octaves are a time for us to celebrate, reflect, respond and act. The Catholic Church has two octaves – Christmas and Easter. The Easter Octave or Easter week is the 8 days after Easter Sunday leading up to the Sunday of Week 2 of Eastertide. The Church celebrates the Easter season (also known as ‘Eastertide’) for 50 days, culminating with the feast of Pentecost, where scripture (Acts 2:1–31) reminds us of the gift of God’s spirit living amongst us forever.

We celebrate that Jesus rose from the dead, overcoming all evil and conquering death forever. We reflect on Jesus’ love for each one of us and that he gave his whole self for you and me. We respond with faith and hope to our God who is human and understands, yet divine and promises forgiveness and eternal life to each one of us. Let us act always with a sense of joy and a yes to life and beyond.

On Easter Sunday, Pope Francis shared a tweet for Easter. He had a few poignant words that were heartfelt and compassionate to those who are struggling –

Jesus' resurrection shows us that death does not have the last word; life does. Christ has been raised, so it is possible to have a positive outlook on every event of our existence, even the most difficult ones and those charged with anguish and uncertainty.

May our celebration during this octave of Easter be one of great joy, faith and hope to all members of the Marist College family. Amen.

Anzac Day 2022

Next Monday, 25 April, Marist College Ashgrove remembers those fallen men and women who gave their lives at war so that we can enjoy the peace and freedom that exists in Australia today. All boys are invited to march as a college in the annual Ashgrove Anzac Day parade, followed by participation in the commemorative service. Boys are to gather, in full uniform, at St Finnbarr’s Ashgrove at 7:00am. Further, I encourage all boys to attend their local services, proudly wearing their neat and full College uniform and laying a wreath on our behalf. Anzac Day is a very special event on the Australian calendar and one that all Australians should remember and honour. At the College, we will have our own Anzac Liturgy as a college assembly on Friday 22 April, during Period 4. Marist College Ashgrove – Lest We Forget.

If yes, please contact Bethany Halpin via community@marash.qld.edu.au before 12:00pm on Thursday 21 April with your son’s details.

COVID-19 Update

We trust that the Easter holidays was an opportunity for all families to refresh and reinvigorate after a difficult term where we struggled with the COVID-19 pandemic and even a flood. Regarding COVID-19, I can assure you that the College has had a thorough clean, ready for the resumption of Term 2. Further, we will be continually reminding the boys of the importance of good hygiene, sanitising and washing hands regularly and adhering to Queensland Health regulations. A reminder to all families that if you test positive, or are a close contact, then you are required to isolate for seven days. Otherwise, please attempt to socially distance where possible. There will be no masks required in classrooms or elsewhere. Classrooms will be well-aired and air quality monitors will be used with the aim of ensuring adequate ventilation and airflow. We are hoping to return to normal functioning unless circumstances change or we are otherwise advised. Likewise, the conditions around large gatherings will be monitored regularly. If your son is absent, he will be able to access his work on Moodle and may email his teachers. Marist College Ashgrove will continue to follow the advice of Queensland Health, including any changes made throughout the term. The College Leadership Team will have health matters as a standing item at meetings. Thank you for your continued support, flexibility and respect of your fellow neighbour as we continue to manage this difficult health predicament.

Pastoral and Individual Portraits

This Thursday, 21 April, all students will have the opportunity to have individual portraits which will be used at the College and can be purchased. Also, Pastoral Group photos will be taken and will be placed in the annual Blue and Gold Magazine. It is the expectation that hair needs to be College standard and uniforms correctly worn for students to participate in these photos. Hair and uniform expectations were placed in the end of term letter which I emailed all families. On Thursday, the Year 12 boys will also participate in their final cohort photo. My thanks are extended to Sharon Ortiz and Madeleine Tong for their organisation of these important historical photos.

Harmony Day 2022

In Week 10 of Term 1, Marist college Ashgrove celebrated Harmony Day. Harmony day is a celebration of cultural diversity and is held on the 21st of March every year. The message for Harmony Day is 'everybody belongs' and aims to promote respect for cultural and religious diversity throughout Australia. During this week, Marist College Ashgrove celebrated with a college assembly, prayer, speeches by boys of different cultures, a video, a variety of different foods and flags assembled. My thanks are extended to Christine Larsen, Julia Wilken, Tamara Sheedy, Scott Minogue and all the kitchen staff for their efforts and kindness in highlighting this important day to the boys and celebrating the many different cultures represented at our great College.

Cross Country – Primary Carnival and College Camp

Best wishes to our Cross Country Team who are out to defend their AIC title for the 5th successive year in 2022. The boys have been training hard so far in Term 1 and over the holidays which will culminate with their annual camp to be held this year on Saturday and Sunday 23 and 24 April. My special thanks to all the coaches of the Cross Country Team, namely: Mitch Reid (Coordinator), Corey Lucas (Assistant Coordinator), Shane Ward (Head Coach), Harry Hunter, Liam Bacon, Brendon Saudners, Jordy Clarke, Harry Lyons, Tyler Newell, William Burkett and Fergal Apps.

Best wishes to the Year 5 and 6 boys who will be participating in their own Primary Cross Country Carnival this Friday 22 April. My thanks are extended to John Lambourne (Head of Sport Years 5 and 6) for his organisation of this event.

Year 10 Traditional Dancing

A much anticipated and enjoyed activity our boys at the College is the annual dancing lessons held each week during Term 2. The first dancing lesson commences on Tuesday 26 April and concludes on Tuesday 24 May with a formal dance evening at the Brisbane Town Hall. Lessons are held each Tuesday evening in the Champagnat Centre. We welcome to the College for this program girls from Loreto College Coorparoo and Mt St Michael’s College.

I extend my thanks to all our teachers who instruct and assist the boys to learn these enjoyable old-time dances, namely: Majella Stevens, Tiffany Boyd, Julia Wilken, Christine Larsen, Mena McLean and Anntoinette Restell. Enjoy, gentlemen.

Mother’s Day Breakfast

The College will welcome Mothers and Mother figures as well as their sons to the annual Mother’s Day Breakfasts in celebration of Mother’s Day in Week 3. Three breakfasts will be held across Wednesday 4 May to Friday 6 May from 7:00am in the Champagnat Centre.

Mothers will enjoy breakfast with their sons whilst hearing from guest speaker and Boarding Mother Kylie-Butler-McIntosh.

Tickets will be available for purchase at 7:00pm Thursday 21 April 2022.

All proceeds of the day will go towards Australian Marist Solidarity, the international agency for the aid and development work of the Marist Province of Australia throughout Asia and the Pacific Islands.

Year 5 and 6 Mother’s Day Breakfast, Wednesday 4 May

https://events.humanitix.com/2022-mother-s-day-breakfast-years-5-and-6

Year 7-9 Mother’s Day Breakfast, Thursday 5 May

https://events.humanitix.com/2022-mother-s-day-breakfast-years-7-9

Year 10-12 Mother’s Day Breakfast, Friday 6 May

https://events.humanitix.com/2022-mother-s-day-breakfast-years-10-12

Marist Long Lunch

The Inaugural Marist Long Lunch will be held on McMahon Oval on Saturday, 3 September 2022.

Parents, past parents, Old Boys and friends of the College are warmly invited to this College hosted event with the aim of raising funds for our ambitious Capital Building Program to commence in 2023.

Limited tickets will be available for purchase from 9:00am on Friday, 22 April 2022.

https://events.humanitix.com/2022-marist-long-lunch

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