From the Head of College

Mr Michael Newman

Faith and Love 

Presently, the world is in a really challenging time. The polarisation of Right and Left sentiment continues to grow causing deep divide and tension. War has broken out in Ukraine and sanctions against Russia have begun. The COVID-19 Pandemic continues to sweep the world taking lives, affecting economies and compromising living standards. Locally, many families including our very own, have been hurt by the recent torrential rain and associated flooding. It calls us all to rally and support our sisters and brothers. It also calls us to pray in this season of Lent. 

 

In the first two weeks of Lent we are presented with a God who is truly human and divine. In last Sunday’s Gospel reading, Jesus, who was human like all of us, is tempted by the devil (Luke 4:1-13). In this Sunday’s Gospel reading, Jesus is transfigured – “This is my Son, the Chosen One, listen to him” (Luke 9:28-36) – he is divine. The point of the readings is not to be a puzzle for us to solve or to try and get our heads around, rather it is a mystery to believe in and to live. Fr Tony Percy, VG from the Canberra and Goulburn Diocese talks about accepting and ‘letting Jesus be Jesus’. When we reflect on Jesus’ humanity, we are reminded that he understands us and when we reflect on Jesus’ divinity, we draw a sense of confidence and a trust in him. In essence, we are talking about having faith. 

 

During this challenging time in our world, let us all continue to rally and support our sisters and brothers in need; being supportive and loving toward our neighbours is a central teaching of Jesus. Then, let us pray to a God who understands the difficulties and trials that we are faced with and whom we can be confident in that he will mercifully hear the prayers closest to our hearts. God’s response may not always seemingly suit our preferred way or wishes, but we can trust that he will lovingly journey with us. 

 

God of the love accompanying us on our journey, may we accept that you are truly human and divine and so, together as the Marist College Family, we pray in confidence for peace and love for all humanity. Amen.

Years 12, 7-10 Exam Block

Best wishes to the Years 7-10 students who will be undertaking their examination block commencing on Friday 18 March. The Year 12 Examination block will commence on Friday 25 March. This has been delayed to allow students three additional days for study due to COVID-19 and the recent floods. I encourage the boys to ensure they put the time and energy into their revision studies so that they can achieve their best possible result. These exams either follow, complement or replace the comprehensive assignment program that has been implemented in term one. I ask all parents to ensure that their sons are well prepared for these examinations in regards to revision, eating prior and being well-rested. My thanks are extended to all teachers who have prepared the boys for these examinations. Study hard and good luck, gentlemen.

Brent Sanders 

Today, Tuesday 15 March Brent Sanders, a former policeman again presented to our Year 11 boys on the important topic of right relationships and the law. Brent provided insight and advice into consent and sexual misconduct with a particular focus on the law with the aim of educating the boys about their responsibilities. Brent is an honest and forthright presenter who left the boys with a clear understanding of the law and the most appropriate ways to conduct themselves in this important area. We sincerely thank Brent Sanders for once again spending the time to visit Marist College Ashgrove and Mr Peter Serone, Head of Students for organising this opportunity for the boys.

AIC Swimming 

Congratulations to the Primary Swim Team who won the AIC Swimming Championships and to our Secondary Swim Team who were narrow runners-up last week at Chandler Aquatic Swimming Centre. The boys have trained hard for much of the year and were rewarded with outstanding results. The Year 6, under 14, 15 and 16 boys won their age groups. The under 14 and 16 boys won all 16 events in their age groups. The quality of our boys’ performance can be seen in the extensive number of AIC record breakers on the day.

  • Isaac Farrelly under 14’s - 50m Backstroke (New AIC Record)
  • Thomas Hicks under 16’s –50m Backstroke Div. 2 (New AIC Record) 
  • Noah Coco under 16’s – 50m Freestyle Div. 2 (New AIC Record)
  • Nick Osborn Year 6 - 100m Freestyle (New AIC Record) and 50m Breaststroke Div. 1 (New AIC Record), 50m Butterfly Div. 1 (New AIC Record).
  • Tex Higginbotham Year 6 - 50m Div. 2 Breaststroke (New AIC Record)
  • Under 12 Div. 2 Freestyle Relay (New AIC Record/ New School Record)
  • Under 16 Div. 2 Freestyle Relay (New AIC Record/ New School Record)
  • Under 16 Div. 1 Freestyle Relay (New AIC Record/ New School Record)
  • Boys Under 14 Medley Relay (New AIC Record/ New School Record) 

Congratulations boys, on these outstanding records – brilliant!

 

Well done boys and to your generous and committed coaches, led by Head Coach - Mr James Boyce.

College Bullying Policy

Next Sunday, March 20 is the National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence. The theme for 2022 is Kindness Culture. By building ‘Kindness Culture’ together, we can promote inclusion, respect and community belonging for all our boys.

 

With this in mind, I would like to remind all members of the Marist College Ashgrove family of the Bullying Policy that we seriously enact and which we regularly remind, and will discuss again with the students, this week at assembly. Marist College Ashgrove does not condone any forms of bullying and/or violence. Students are encouraged to advise any teacher, Head of House, or Leadership Team member when they are being bullied. In response, this policy will be enacted ensuring an end to any form of bullying. Any retribution or retaliation for advising a staff member about bullying will lead to the further advancement and escalation of this process. The safety of your son is paramount for all staff at the College and we trust that you will encourage him to report any form of bullying, so that, we can, dutifully respond, appropriately. In anticipation of your positive involvement in this policy, thank you.

COVID-19 UPDATE

The COVID-19 regulations that are being followed at Marist College Ashgrove are as follows: 

  • Masks for young people aged 12 years and over are mandatory on public transport 
  • Boarders who are close contacts are required to wear a mask
  • Boarding students at the College will continue to be isolated, including close contacts in the evening (as per Queensland Health regulations) 
  • Overnight camps, excursions and events will be permitted with COVID-19 safe measures implemented – including parents immediately picking up their child if they exhibit COVID-19 symptoms
  • Face masks will no longer be required in schools for staff, students and visitors. However, wearing a mask is still recommended if people are not able to socially distance and be 1.5m apart.
  • All contractors, parents and other visitors will be able to enter school sites. Contractors and other visitors will still be required to use the Queensland Check-In App on arrival and register their attendance through the usual school visitor process. All contractors and visitors will also need to show their vaccination status. Parents are not required to use the Queensland Check-In App or to show their vaccination status.
  • Large gatherings such as assemblies in schools have resumed – and there will be no density limits on attendance, however, social distancing requirements will be encouraged.
  • Community members are advised to monitor for COVID-19 symptoms and stay home if unwell.  
  • If a person tests positive, follow Queensland Health requirements.  
  • If you are a close contact of a person with COVID-19 follow the Queensland Health advice.  
  • It is an expectation that you practise good hygiene – including regular hand washing, use of hand sanitiser and wearing face masks when required.  
  • The expectation is to follow any direction provided by the Public Health Unit (PHU) or Queensland Health. 
  • Marist College Ashgrove will continue to distribute a government-issued RAT to any student or staff member with symptoms at school.

Number of COVID-19 cases this week:

Staff – 12

Day Students (Years 7-12) - 124

Day Students (Years 5-6) - 16

Boarding Students - 21

AIC Correspondence to GPS 

A combined letter has been sent to the GPS Association from all Principals of Associated Independent Colleges (AIC). This letter can be found on the AIC website - AIC Correspondence to GPS. The hope of this letter is to enable collaboration and partnership between the respective associations to occur into the future.  At present, the concern lies with the practice of staff and Old Boys from GPS schools approaching AIC students and offering them free or reduced fee education rather than allowing families to make their own educational decisions. The AIC Principals hope to meet up with the GPS Association to discuss a way forward, until which time, all sports trials and supplementary fixtures with GPS schools have been cancelled. AIC Principals believe that a sporting scholarship culture has a negative impact on all schools. I commend to you the mission statement from the AIC charter - 

The AIC will provide well-organised competitions in sport and other activities that foster participant engagement and pride in communities in a holistic Christian context. Our students, staff and families (both past and present) will nurture spiritual, moral, emotional, intellectual, physical, and social development through respectful and compassionate relationships in a safe environment.

Prior to all first’s AIC competitions throughout the year, boys from both teams partake in a Welcome to Country and pray together. 

Rosies

Now that restrictions have been eased due to COVID-19, Marist College Ashgrove has re-engaged with elements of its comprehensive Social Justice in Action Program. We welcome back the College’s involvement in Rosies which will start up again this Friday night with the senior boys and staff. Rosies is an opportunity for the boys to be guests to the homeless on the streets of Brisbane. While providing the homeless with a meal, the boys have the opportunity to interact and listen to their stories and engage with them. I thank our College Chaplain, Mrs Mena McClean for organising this important opportunity for the boys. Well done, gentlemen.

QRU and FQ Skills Training 

All boys in Years 5 and 6 have been invited to skills training with Queensland Rugby Union (QRU) and Football Queensland (FQ). This is a wonderful opportunity for the boys to have high-level coaches and training in their own backyard. These training sessions will be held after school over four sessions. They will commence this Wednesday, 16 March. We thank the QRU and FQ for their generosity in providing expert training for our boys. Thank you also to Mr John Lambourne (Head of Sports Years 5-6) for his organisation of these training sessions for the boys.

 

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

Upcoming Events

Tuesday 15 March

  • Reconciliation - Chapel (Fr Alatini Kolofo’ou) - 8:00am
  • Year 8 Pastoral Day (HIRS)
  • Study Skills – Senior Library
  • House Meetings Years 5-12
  • Year 11 Brent Sanders Presentation

Wednesday 16 March

  • Mass in Chapel – special invitation to Harold House
  • Year 11 Rec Studies Excursion – Victoria Park
  • Year 9 Game Changers Meeting
  • College Assembly
  • QRU and FQ Skills Training Sessions - start

Thursday 17 March

  • Feast of St Patrick
  • SVdP Sausage Sizzle – Main Yard
  • UQ Science and Engineering Challenge
  • Study Skills – Senior Library
  • Primary Morning Assembly
  • Years 11 Game Changers Meetings
  • Pastoral Group Paper Recycling
  • Senior Library Book Club (Years 7-8)
  • Environment Group Meeting

Friday 18 March

  • Year 7-10 Exam Block - starts
  • Construction Immersion
  • Round 7 AIC AFL v SPC – Hickey Park
  • Rosies visit to Little Rock Church, Annerley

Saturday 19 March

  • Feast of St Joseph
  • Round 7 AIC Cricket/Volleyball/AFL v SPC (H)
  • Past Parents Mass and Function

Sunday 20 March

  • National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence
  • Boarders’ Mass (Chapel)

Monday 21 March

  • Harmony Day
  • Year 7-10 Exam Block -  continues
  • Primary Morning Assembly
  • Year 12 English Master Class

Tuesday 22 March

  • Reconciliation - Chapel (Fr Alatini Kolofo’ou) - 8:00am
  • Study Skills – Senior Library
  • House Meetings Years 5-12
  • Vinnies Meeting – Room 801

Friday 25 March

  • Year 12 Exam Block - starts

 

Boarding Mass for International Womens Day
Boarding Mass for International Womens Day
AIC Ecumenical Service
Careers Week
Careers Week
Liturgy and Investiture of Student Leaders
Liturgy and Investiture of Student Leaders
Behind the scenes with the MCA 5A cricket team and Sunday Mail
Boarding Mass for International Womens Day
Boarding Mass for International Womens Day
AIC Ecumenical Service
Careers Week
Careers Week
Liturgy and Investiture of Student Leaders
Liturgy and Investiture of Student Leaders
Behind the scenes with the MCA 5A cricket team and Sunday Mail