From the Head of College

Mr Michael Newman

The Marist Goal of Authentic Humility

In Sunday’s second reading (1 Corinthians), Paul very much speaks of his own humanity and need for humility. He accepts his poverty and weakness, even rejoicing in them. The end result is that he is able to do his job nobly which was to spread the Good News.

“Although I am free in regard to all, I have made myself a slave to all so as to win over as many as possible” 1 Corinthians 9:19.

In a similar vein, as Marists, we are called to lead with the three virtues of humility, simplicity and modesty. This definitely doesn’t mean that we are lower or not as good as, or that we have lower standards, or achieve lower outcomes. On the contrary. It means we aim to achieve excellence and strive to reach our maximum potential, whether this be in academics, sport, cultural pursuits, socially or spiritually. We are challenged to achieve our best. This means that an ‘A’ student should get an ‘A’ and not a ‘B’ in his exam; a gifted musician, becomes a member of the concert band rather than simply playing with his mates for fun; for a highly talented cricketer, he should be a member of the First XI Team rather than big-noting himself by scoring many runs and taking loads of wickets in the Second XI each week…and so on. As Marists, we don’t shy away from excellent achievement. We strive and never give up until we each achieve our individual best. Our College prayer, which our community regularly recites, reflects… 

“Teach me oh Lord to aim high and not to be content with mediocrity, to set my sights on noble goals.”

In doing so, we are simply (simplicity) and modestly (modesty) using our God given talents which we humbly (humility) acknowledge are our gifts from God as we are well formed in God’s image and likeness. An interesting quote that I read recently captures this perfectly, “True humility is not thinking less of yourself, it is thinking of yourself, less.” As Marists, we can achieve the equal of anyone even if we don’t brag about ourselves. We should though, privately celebrate our talents and achievements and acknowledge our God for these good gifts.

 

What greater example of these virtues of humility, simplicity and modesty than those relayed by Mary, our good Mother (Luke 1:46-48) from the Gospel: 

“All generations will call me blessed; but only because of the great things the Lord has done for me.”

May all the young men of our College strive to use their God given talents to be the best possible version of excellent that they can be. May they achieve this with authentic humility and gratitude to God by embracing the gifts they have been given. Amen.  

 

1st XI Cricket Cap Presentation
1st XI Cricket Cap Presentation
1st XI Cricket Cap Presentation
2020 ATAR Awards - Dom Malt
2020 ATAR Awards - Mack Rennick
2020 ATAR Awards - Sam Hull
2020 College Dux - Thomas Collier
Assembly Procession - College Captain Henry Thomasson
Opens Volleyball Team
Opens Swimming Team
Year 6 - 8 Academic Assembly Awardees
Year 6 - 8 Academic Assembly Awardees
Year 6 - 8 Academic Assembly Awardees
Year 6 - 8 Academic Assembly Awardees
Year 9 - 12 Academic Assembly Awardees
Year 9 - 12 Academic Assembly Awardees
Year 12 Parent Information Evening
Year 12 Parent Information Evening
Year 12 Parent Information Evening
Year 12 Parent Information Evening
1st XI Cricket Cap Presentation
1st XI Cricket Cap Presentation
1st XI Cricket Cap Presentation
2020 ATAR Awards - Dom Malt
2020 ATAR Awards - Mack Rennick
2020 ATAR Awards - Sam Hull
2020 College Dux - Thomas Collier
Assembly Procession - College Captain Henry Thomasson
Opens Volleyball Team
Opens Swimming Team
Year 6 - 8 Academic Assembly Awardees
Year 6 - 8 Academic Assembly Awardees
Year 6 - 8 Academic Assembly Awardees
Year 6 - 8 Academic Assembly Awardees
Year 9 - 12 Academic Assembly Awardees
Year 9 - 12 Academic Assembly Awardees
Year 12 Parent Information Evening
Year 12 Parent Information Evening
Year 12 Parent Information Evening
Year 12 Parent Information Evening

College Uniform

My sincere gratitude is extended to all parents for the manner in which you dressed your son in his full, neat and tidy uniform each day. I appreciate that old uniform items which are faded, too small, old or torn have been replaced to fit the standards commensurate with the College expectations. I will expect that the boys wear their uniform in full and appropriately both inside and outside the College. Appropriate standards of uniform appearance include: socks up to their knees, shirts tucked-in, hats on in the sun and blazers for the senior students (when instructed). All boys are to use a College bag only. After school, if the boys do not wish to meet these standards, I suggest they change out of their uniform. It has been noted that some boys have been seen in and around the local area with their shirts out, socks down and hats out of shape. I appreciate your assistance and support of these important uniform standards as per the College Uniform Policy and I ask that you support the College and your son in the wearing of his full and appropriate uniform outside of College grounds. 

Year 7 Camps & Learning Excursions

Best wishes to our Year 7 boys who will be partaking in the Year 7 camp to be held from Wednesday 10th February – Friday 12th at the Maranatha Recreation and Camp Grounds at Yandina. This camp is a wonderful opportunity for all our new boys to bond with the existing students and to enjoy each other’s company whilst undertaking varying outdoor education activities.  The boys will learn what it means to be Marist.  I wish all boys an enjoyable time and thank their generous teachers who leave their own families to facilitate and care for the boys namely: Ryan Apps, Jorge Ruiz, David Meehan, Tony Byrne, Brett Gillett, Adam Knight, Megan Wandell, Terry Quain, Brendan Kiernan, Stan Kosiek, Marcus Schrader, Brett Carroll, Julia Wilken, Catherine Kidd, Paul Knight, Sam Priddis, Elizabeth Kenny & Majella Stevens.

Parent/Visitors Reminder – Parking at the Tower

With the relocation of the Main Reception to the Tower, it is pertinent to remind parents and visitors that all roads on College grounds are classed as Shared Zones. It is important to note that the speed limit is 15km p/hour and your hazard lights must be on whilst travelling them.  There have been some instances of vehicles travelling in excess of the speed limit which creates a danger for the boys and staff at Marist.  For our students and your own safety, I require all vehicles to abide by the Shared Zone rules. If the boom gates are not raised, simply phone Administration on 07 3858 4555 and they will be raised for you to enter. In anticipation, thank you.

Weekly Sacraments

Each week, your son has the opportunity to partake in two of the sacraments of the Church.  The Sacrament of Reconciliation is held in the Chapel each Tuesday morning from 8:00am – 8:30am.  The Sacrament of the Eucharist (Mass) is held in the Chapel each Wednesday morning from 8:00am – 8:20am.  All boys, staff & Marist families are welcome to attend.  We thank our College Chaplain -Father Alatini Kolofo’ou and Head of Mission - Mr Luke McMahon for offering these opportunities to the boys each week of the year.

Coming Events - Additional Learning Experiences

A variety of additional learning experiences will be offered to the boys over the coming weeks.  We wish all staff and students our best wishes as they discover more practical learnings from these experiences.

 

Wednesday 10 February

Year 7 Camp (10-12 February)

College Mass – College Chapel – 8:00am

Year 10 Geography Excursion – Sandgate Foreshore – “Exploring Coastal Processes and Sustainable Management” – 8:50am to 3:10pm

Year 11 & 12 Visual Arts & Practice Excursion – Various locations – Year 11 Unit 1 – Identifying Yourself/Year 12 Unit 3 – Spaces – 9:00am to 3:10pm

Year 10 Business Presentation “Buying a Car” with Chris Spensley (Office of Fair Trading) – Period 4 & Period 5

 

Thursday 11 February

Year 12 Geography Camp (11-12 February) – Numinbah Valley Environmental & Education Centre.  Buses depart 7:45am

Year 10 Business Presentation “Buying a Car” with Chris Spensley (Office of Fair Trading) – Period 1

 

Friday 12 February

Year 7 Camp buses return – 2:45pm

Year 12 Geography Camp buses return – 3:30pm

AIC Swim Meet #3

 

Saturday 13 February

Round 3 AIC Cricket/Volleyball v Villanova College (H)

Round 3 AIC AFL Years 5-9 v Villanova College

 

Sunday 14 February

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

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

 

Monday 15 February

Year 11 Presentation – Mr Brett Saunders, “Leadership” - Draney Theatre – Period 5 & 6

 

Tuesday 16 February

SHROVE TUESDAY – Pancakes fundraising for St Vincent de Paul

 

Wednesday 17 February

College Mass (Ash Wednesday) – College Chapel – 8:00am

 

May our loving God, with Mary and Champagnat, walk with all members of the Marist family.