From the Head of College

Mr Michael Newman

Belief

In the Courier Mail on Sunday, the mother of two children who lost their lives in a car crash, spoke out for the first time post this awful tragedy. Her children Leo (13) and Mia (4) died from drowning when the family car smashed through a guard rail and plunged into the Scenic Rim’s Wyaralong Dam. Heartbroken, she recalled letting go of the small hand of her daughter, trapped in the car submerged in water when rescued from the scene. Mrs Martin spoke of her grief and nightmares, but also the comfort she received from her two living children. Mrs Martin also spoke of her belief that Leo and Mia remain with her and have found ways to let her know they are around. She told of some examples: On her first outing from leaving the hospital, she looked up at the sky and noticed a double rainbow – the first one she had ever seen. Mrs Martin spoke of a family visit to the beach – a brave feat as she was struggling to go back to the water – where a heart-shaped rock washed up at her feet which she has kept to this day.

 

I recall my own father’s last days in hospital before he passed away last year. Although he knew his body was failing quickly and that his life was coming to an end, his faith was unwavering. My father’s strong belief in God gave him the strength and courage to be positive in his last days and loving to those who visited and cared for him. He was especially open with one nurse who had been particularly kind to him. He went on to support, encourage and counsel her in his last days and even shared his faith with her which had always been deeply personal for him. 

 

This Sunday, we celebrated the ascension of Jesus into heaven. This story is fundamental to us as Christians as it speaks to the core of our belief. Jesus returned to his loving father, as we are also promised will occur when our earthly journey concludes. Yet, the story of the ascension and our return to God requires belief, or faith. Our faith will wade in and out on different occasions. For some, it will be absent for long periods, maybe even for most of their lives but interestingly, most people have a sense of the ‘other’ or the spiritual at different times. Belief is innate within us. No matter who it is, we all need to believe, to have faith in spades, especially when death looks us in the eye or someone whom we know or love.

 

God of the journey, as we recall your the ascension, we pray for faith. A strong belief in the spiritual that is often beyond our understanding and a faith in the life promised to each one of us. Amen.

Boys and Masculinity

A final reminder that Michael Carr-Gregg will be speaking in the Champagnat Centre to all parents of the College this Thursday 20 May from 7:00pm. This presentation will follow seminars to the Year 11 and 12 boys and all teaching staff. We are grateful for his visit to Marist Ashgrove as we address the issues of consent, right relationships and masculinity with the College family. Unfortunately, the evening is not able to be recorded or live-streamed on this occasion due to restrictions placed by the presenter. I look forward to sharing this informative evening with many parents on this night.

Science and Engineering Challenge Winners

Last Friday, 32 Year 10 boys attended the Science and Engineering Challenge at UQ. The Science and Engineering Challenge is a full day of practical activities where students put their best problem-solving minds to the test. Teams participate in challenges such as designing an earthquake-proof tower, building a hovercraft or bridge, providing electricity to a city, creating an environmentally friendly house and building a turbine. Marist Ashgrove competed against the likes of Nudgee College, Stuartholme College, Ambrose Treacy College, St John’s College, Kedron Park State High School, Mary Mackillop College and Brigidine College where we took out first place with a score of 1310. Well done to all the boys and Ms Kidd and Miss Spann who prepared and accompanied them.

First Place in Queensland English

Old Boy Tyler Galligan (2020)
Old Boy Tyler Galligan (2020)

Congratulations are extended to Marist student, Tyler Galligan who was placed first in Queensland for English in the 2020 ATAR scores. Tyler has received a special commendation from the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) for obtaining this first placing in Queensland English. His outstanding efforts and dedication to his studies have made Tyler well-equipped to complete a dual degree in Law/Business at the Queensland University of Technology commencing this year. Special congratulations to his English teacher, Ms Kathryn Badini who taught Tyler throughout this course and to the English Curriculum Leader, Mr Steve Littleton.

National Boarding Week

Marist College Ashgrove is one of only two Brisbane Colleges that offer a Catholic boarding opportunity for boys from the country and surrounding metropolitan areas. This is a commitment that the Marist Brothers have always ensured for boys and their families throughout Queensland from their early establishment at Marist College Rosalie and later onto Marist College Ashgrove. Marist Ashgrove boasts excellent facilities for some 250 boarders in the spacious and ‘country-like’ surrounds of the College. Our boarding staff are hard-working and dedicated, ensuring that the boys are experiencing a campus that is a home away from home, a place to learn enthusiastically, and grow fully into fine young men. This week, Marist Ashgrove celebrates National Boarding Week highlighting the work of boarding schools who are dedicated to providing the best possible opportunities to students from the bush. To recognise this week, we will be hosting the following activities which are open to the wider community - “Big Screen” movie night on McMahon Oval with the girls from Clayfield and Stuartholme Colleges, boarding BBQ, boarding open house, singing and war cry practice and a boarders’ mass.  I thank our boarding leaders, Ty Casey (Head of Boarding) and Joshua Mulligan (Deputy Head of Boarding) for their efforts to ensure Marist College boarding remains a well-regarded boarding school for our boys and their families.

Champagnat Trust Sports Lunch 2021

The first batch of tickets printed for the 2021 Sports Lunch have been sold out. Marist College Ashgrove is pleased to announce more tickets have been made available for purchase, due to an extension to the room hire over and above last year’s capacity. Please don’t hesitate to purchase these limited number of tickets before they run out. The Annual Sports Lunch is our major fundraiser for the College Foundation. To purchase tickets, please click this link. The luncheon is always a highlight of the College year, made possible by our generous Old Boys and patrons, John Eales, and Matthew Hayden. I thank Ms Erin Menyweather (Events Co-ordinator) and her many assistants, supporters and sponsors who are planning and preparing for another successful luncheon.

Year 11 Exam Block

Best wishes to the Year 11 boys who have entered exam block with a number of exams spread throughout this week. The reason for the exam block is to allow students to study in their home environments which are usually set up best to allow the most successful individual study to occur. Expectations around the exam block for all Year 11 boys are as follows: normal school rules apply, full College uniform to be worn to and from school (including blazers), boys are to travel directly to and from school for their exams, boys are to arrive to their exam room 10 minutes prior to the actual scheduled exam time and boys must follow all exam co-ordinators instructions. Exam block is only available to the boys who are up to date with drafts, study, practical work and competencies. It is not a right but a privilege, as it attempts to further assist the boys with their individual study preparation for their exams. A silent study area in the library will be available for any boys who choose to study at school or between exams, rather than the home.

 

On Thursday 20 May during period 6, it is an expectation that all Year 11 boys will return to the College for the seminar on masculinity and right relationships, presented by Mr Michael Carr-Gregg. I thank all parents who will join in partnership with the College to ensure the best possible study outcomes for your son.

Ensembles Concert and Chamber Choir Performance 

This Thursday 20 May the Marist College Music Department will present the Ensembles Concert.  This concert will be held from 6:00pm-7:45pm in the Draney Theatre. After personally enjoying the quality of the Jazz Night last week, I can assure you that these concerts are of the highest school quality and involvement of students. Further to this, our Chamber Choir will be performing at the Queensland Youth Music Awards on Friday 21 May at St Peter’s Lutheran College. I wish all boys the best of luck with these performances and thank their dedicated teachers: Andrew Butt, Catherine Wasserman, Janelle Lee Long, Darian Johns, Rhiannon Fenn, Megan Harmston, Enrico Le Mura, Kerri Engstrom, Sean Flynn, Caleb Colledge and Melanie Stewart.

Year 9 Camp 

Our Year 9 boys will venture to either Woodford (Ridley, Ephrem, Rush and Harold Houses) or Kenilworth (Foley, Gilroy, Ignatius and Slattery Houses) to undertake the annual Year 9 camp from Monday 24 – Thursday 27 May, with the 28 May a recovery day for the boys. A recovery day, you say. Yes, this camp is meant to be a challenging one physically, with daily bushwalking, climbs and adventures and a variety of practical activities. In addition, the boys will prepare and cook all meals, sleep in a two-person tent at zero-degree temperatures and carry all water, clothing, food and camping supplies in their backpacks. 

 

I thank Peter Serone (AP Students) and the generous staff who will be attending, namely: Roxanne Rosenberg, Carl Palmer, Maddie Spann, Mandy Kelly, Danielle Lynch, Adam Knight, Jennifer Smeed, Paul Knight, Stan Kosiek, Richard Aplin, Brett Gillett, Jeff de Heus, Brad Nielsen, Sam Priddis, Callum Robertson and Sandra Carozza. 

Senior A Debating

The Marist Senior A Debating Team were clear winners in last week’s debate against St Rita’s College. Their topic, ‘That we regret the introduction of a sharing economy’ was a challenging argument! Congratulations to Angus Bathe, Leo Barbieri Yates, Joseph Lewis and Dan Lynn on your efforts and we wish you all the best for your next debate against Gregory Terrace. 

Year 11 Parent Information Evening – date change

Parents and current Year 10 students are invited to attend the Year 11 2022 Information Evening on Tuesday 8 June in the Champagnat Centre. Please note that this is a change of date from the college calendar. From 6:00pm there will be subject displays, followed by a seated presentation at 7:00pm. The Curriculum Leaders will be available on the night to answer any of your questions regarding the wide range of subjects on offer at the college. Further information regarding this evening will be emailed to parents in the near future along with a booking link. We look forward to welcoming you to an informative evening for you and your son. 

Queensland School Sport Merit Team 

After participation at the recent Queensland School Sport (QSS) state championships, congratulations go to James Leigh (swimming), William Valentine (water polo) and Nicholas Osborn (swimming) for being selected into the 2021 Queensland School Sport Merit Team. Achieving at a Queensland level is certainly to be celebrated. Well done gentleman.

 

Coming Events

Tuesday 18 May

  • National Boarding Week - continues
  • Year 11 Exams - continues
  • Reconciliation – Chapel - 8:00am
  • Year 12 Fitness Excursion to Southbank
  • Debating and Public Speaking Competition
  • Year 10 Dancing

Wednesday 19 May

  • Marist Card and Games Day - Cyprian Pavilion
  • AIC Cross Country Meet #1

Thursday 20 May

  • Year 10 Visual Art Excursion
  • Ensembles Concert - Draney Theatre - 6:00pm
  • Year 11 and 12 Presentation with Dr Michael Carr-Gregg - Champagnat Centre
  • Dr Michael Carr-Gregg Seminar - Champagnat Centre - 7:00pm

Friday 21 May

  • Year 9 Market Day
  • Walkathon Progress Chart Update – Main Yard
  • Round 4 Chess v Padua (A)
  • Queensland Youth Music Awards 2021 Chamber Choir Performance – St Peter’s Lutheran College

Saturday 22 May

  • Round 4 AIC Rugby/Football v Padua (A)
  • Photo Day – Co-curricular

Sunday 23 May

  • Year 8, 10 and 11 Boarders’ Mass - 5:30pm (Chapel)
  • Year 7, 9 and 12 Boarders’ Mass - 6:30pm (Chapel)

Monday 24 May

  • Year 9 Camp - starts

Tuesday 25 May

  • Year 10 Dancing

Wednesday 26 May

  • Mass in Chapel
  • Chamber Choir - National Sorry Day Ceremony – Teralba Park, Everton Park - 6:50am
  • Year 5 Camp - starts
  • College Assembly

Thursday 27 May

  • Winter Concert - Draney Theatre - 6:00pm

Friday 28 May

  • Walkathon Progress Chart Update – Main Yard
  • Round 5 Chess v Iona (H)
  • Year 8 Parent Function – The Tower Function Room - 7:00pm

Saturday 29 May

  • Round 5 AIC Rugby/Football v Iona (H)
  • Old Boys’ Sports Day
  • Photo Day Co-curricular
  • Middle School State Honours Program Camp and Concerts

Sunday 30 May

  • Year 8, 10 and 11 Boarders’ Mass - 5:30pm (Chapel)
  • Year 7, 9 and 12 Boarders’ Mass - 6:30pm (Chapel)

Sunday 6 June

  • Walkathon

Friday 11 June

  • Champagnat Trust Sports Lunch
College Assembly
College Assembly
College Assembly
College Assembly
College Assembly
College Assembly
Marist Jazz Night
Marist Jazz Night
Marist Jazz Night
Marist Jazz Night
Marist Jazz Night
Marist Jazz Night
AIC Golf
AIC Golf
AIC Golf
College Assembly
College Assembly
College Assembly
College Assembly
College Assembly
College Assembly
Marist Jazz Night
Marist Jazz Night
Marist Jazz Night
Marist Jazz Night
Marist Jazz Night
Marist Jazz Night
AIC Golf
AIC Golf
AIC Golf