Deputy Head of College News

Bullying at MCA

To start my section this week, I would like to share with you the speech our College Captain, Ethen Tsiamalili, delivered at our whole school assembly last week to complement Mr Serone’s section introducing the International Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence.

Good morning Mr Newman, Mr McPhee, Fr Alatini, staff, parents, and Marist men of this College. Today we recognise the National Day of Action Against Bullying which will actually be later on this week on Friday. However, it is important to start the conversation now.

I want you all to imagine a boy, not too tall, a bit skinny, and unassuming. He hangs his head low while a group of older boys from Year 11 shove him around. Now, change the scene. This time it’s a Year 7 boy who asks a genuine question in class and the response to it is his peers chuckling and mumbling under their breath. What are some similarities and differences you see between these two instances? Yes, the first one is very aggressive, and confronting compared to the second instance. That does not mean these two instances are different from each other. They both deal with bullying. Bullying, no matter how great or small, is still bullying and there are many signs all over our great College stating that bullying is not and will never be tolerated here at Marist College Ashgrove. 

You’ve all heard of the Golden Rule: do unto others what you’d want to be done unto you. However, the Platinum Rule, which goes beyond the Golden Rule is to do unto others what they’d want to be done unto them. It isn’t about what you think is merely just banter or what you think is appropriate. It isn't about thinking of yourself less but about thinking of others more.

When we see bullying, we speak up against it and call it out for what it is. Even when we think it’s just banter. It is better to check up on that boy rather than to let him continue being bullied. Being a Marist man isn’t about doing what is easy, it’s about doing what’s right, and like our motto, let’s have the courage to act, even if it’s as little as checking up on your mates whom you think might be getting bullied or by putting bullys’ names on the Reach Out Portal. It is not weak to speak out against these things but rather the opposite, it shows great courage.

We are one Marist brotherhood, TRUE brothers do not abuse or put each other down, so let’s band together and speak and act out against bullying at our great school – Marist College Ashgrove.

Please feel free to go over this speech again with your son and see what messages he may have taken from Ethen. 

Should you have any concerns around the topic of bullying, I encourage you to speak with your son’s Head of House (secondary) or the Primary Pastoral Leader sooner rather than later. Managing this area takes time and consideration – waiting to see if things resolve themselves is not always the best approach. Having a conversation with us does not mean that we need to send out the cavalry or the firing squad straight away, but it can help inform what the best steps you and your son can make in your own specific circumstances.

Blazers – Year 11 Students

We are hoping that blazers will be in the uniform shop by the beginning of Term 2 for our Year 11 students. Unfortunately though, with COVID-19 outbreaks in China and shipping issues at the moment, this may not happen.

If the uniform shop does not have your son’s size due to these issues, please do not worry. We will keep an eye on when blazers will arrive and not expect boys to wear this item if they don’t have access to it. We will also find ways for boys to borrow blazers should they need them for any specific College events occurring at the start of Term 2. 

Academic Masterclasses for Year 12 Students

A number of our senior subject areas have been organising special masterclasses in preparation for assignments and exams due this term.

Thank you to all our teaching staff who are going the extra mile to provide the boys with opportunities to enhance their knowledge and skills heading into assessment time.

The teachers at Marist College Ashgrove often go above and beyond for any student who is willing to put in extra time and effort. Our students are also very good at showing their appreciation for this. We are very blessed in the partnerships that exist between students, teachers and parents/caregivers and do not take this for granted.