Enews - 16 March 2022

The next few weeks will provide a number of boys with an opportunity to gather for a day of reflection, to stop, to invite stillness, and contemplate much of what is taking place in their heart. We often say the heart of a Marist education is the education of the heart; a forgiving heart, a heart that does justice, a loving heart. One of the challenges in education is teaching students to be still and promote their contemplative life. The reflection days encourage our boys to see the world as it is, at its best and at its worst, its damning reality and beautiful wonders. At every turn, we hope our boys can find purpose, find hope, find change, welcome difference, and find love. 

Part of the day of reflection encourages our boys to look more deeply at their relationship with Jesus. This relationship is often one of restlessness, one that questions and challenges. Over time, we hope our boys may arrive at a place that embraces the mystery of and seeks a deep relationship with Jesus. This relationship is never taken for granted and it is certainly not formed around rigidity and rules. Rather, our reflection days are a time for mutual listening, accompanying each other, and respecting the dignity of all.  

The Year 11 Retreat is scheduled for Wednesday 23 March to Friday 25 March 2022.

The Retreats have been an integral part of life at the College, and are one way of assisting young people in the development of their spirituality.

The Year 11 Retreat follows a set program which offers a variety of group activities plus time for personal reflection. The Retreat is an integral part of the senior Religious Education program and all students are required to attend.

• The second session of First Holy Communion at Mary Help of Christians Parish will be held on Wednesday 23 March at 6.30pm in the Church.
• The Parish’s Sacrament of Confirmation program enrolment will open on Wednesday 23 March. The program is for any child in Year 6 or above who has been baptised Catholic, and completed the other Sacraments of Initiation (First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. Please view the attached letter for details. Information is also available on the Parish website. 
• The Parish is looking for interested volunteers to help us guide new families in the baptism of their children. The Baptism Preparation sessions are held monthly on a Wednesday evening in the Hall at 7.00pm. Fr Richard Thompson will guide you on what needs to be done. Please contact the Parish office to find out more.

Year 5 Reflection Day

Congratulations to Year 5 and their teachers on an enriching Reflection Day last Friday. It was wonderful to see the boys all engaged in their ‘At my table’ activity when I visited, getting to know other boys from their year level. Year 5 concluded their Reflection Day with a meaningful Mass led by Monsignor John Woods.

Sincere thanks go to Mrs Callaughan for preparing and hosting the day. 

Lunchtime clubs

In the Junior School, the boys have the opportunity to be involved in many, varied co-curricular groups. This includes: choir and band opportunities, as well as lunchtime clubs such as Coding, Chess, Debating, Defence, novel bunch in the Library, Mini Vinnies and Japanese Club.

On a recent visit to the lunchtime Coding club, I was pleased to see so many boys involved in their clever coding tasks with Mr McGrath.

Due to current cohorting restrictions, our clubs are only running for selected year levels at present. Further announcements will be made at school once these restrictions change.

Lenten Appeal

Our first Lenten Appeal activity day was a great success with boys and teachers alike donning ‘silly socks’ for the day to raise funds for Australian Marist Solidarity.

We look forward to the costumes being worn this week for Movie Mania day.

Junior School Assessment Books

Our Junior School boys will be bringing their Assessment books home in the coming weeks. We ask that each family sit with their son and go through the Assessment book with them, to celebrate their achievements, and discuss any areas that they could work on together in the coming term. Sharing our assessment books with parents allows us to ensure communication is open, and there are no unexpected surprises when Mid Semester and Semester Reports are made available to parents later in the year.

Later in the term, parents will be notified when you are able to access your son’s mid semester report through the Parent Portal, and also book in for Parent/Teacher interviews in the first week of Term Two to discuss your son’s progress so far this year.

Servo Fidem

Kirsty Bell
Head of Junior School

The inaugural Year 7 Camp is being held from Monday 21 March to Friday 25 March.

The week is broken up into two phases:

Monday 21 March – Wednesday 23 March (Phase 1):

• Crispin, Darlinghurst, Haydon and Mark: Will depart for Camp on Monday at 7.45am, and return on Wednesday at ETA 3.30pm.
• Conway, Lavalla, McMahon and Patrick: Will undertake induction activities at Marist - Study skill sessions and assessment activities during normal school times. Students are to bring their laptop and pencil case and wear their normal school uniform. 

Wednesday 23 March – Friday 25 March (Phase 2):

• Crispin, Darlinghurst, Haydon and Mark: Will undertake induction activities at Marist - Study skill sessions and assessment activities during normal school times. Students are to bring their laptop and pencil case and wear their normal school uniform. 
• Conway, Lavalla, McMahon and Patrick: Will depart for Camp on Wednesday at 7.45am, and return on Friday at ETA 3.30pm.

 Naomi Whitehead
Year 7/8 Coordinator

A reminder that parents new to Marist are invited to join us for drinks and canapés on Friday 25 March 2022 from 5.30pm to 7.00pm at the College.

This is an opportunity to meet the College executive, senior staff and other new parents.

Catering and service will be provided by our Year 11 and 12 Hospitality students.

Due to COVID restrictions, RSVPS are essential. Please email events@mcc.act.edu.au or phone 6298 7223. 

The College Blazers, both junior and senior, will be available for collection for all pre-order and backorder customers from next Monday, 21 March.

Please arrange collection at your earliest convenience or have your son collect the pre-ordered blazer during the Uniform Shop’s opening hours.

If a blazer needs to be purchased, please contact the Uniform Shop (0432 707 901) during opening hours to place your order. A reminder that the blazer is a compulsory item of the College’s Term Two uniform requirements.

In the event the pre-ordered blazer needs to be exchanged, Michele and the team are able to assist with fitting and exchange at the Shop. 

A reminder the Year 8 catch-up immunisations are being held on Monday, 21 March.

The first round of Immunisations for Year 7 students is being held on Wednesday 30 March.

Please ensure your son/s has returned his immunisation form to the Medical Room prior to the respective immunisation date. 

Naomi Whitehead
Year 7/8 Coordinator

A reminder that registrations are now open for the Marist College Canberra Foundation Golf Day!

Please join us on Monday 4 April 2022 at Royal Canberra Golf Club.

As well as a great day of golf with great company, this event raises funds and awareness for the Br Mark May Bursary Fund. This Fund assists families experiencing hardship and disadvantage to access a Marist education for their sons, when it might not otherwise be possible. 

You can register as a team, an individual player or as a sponsor.

If you have any questions about the Day, please email events@mcc.act.edu.au  

Thanks so much for your support. 

Please note that the Library will be closed from 3.30pm on Monday 28 March.

Students in Years 7-12 will need to make alternative after-school arrangements for this day.

Karen Collins
Head of Library and Information Services

The latest version of the Holiday Happenings booklet for the upcoming school holidays is available online. 

Please note: Families will not be receiving printed copies of the booklet.

Congratulations to our Grand Final winners: Stage 2 Saturday Blue, Colts Div 2 and Stage 3 Turf.

Well done also to our runners-up: Stage 1 Graded, Stage 2 Saturday Gold, Stage 3 U13 Royal, the First XI and Stage 3 Sunday Gold. Unfortunately Stage 3 Saturday Gold’s T20 Grand Final was washed out.

The Club's Presentation Evening is on Monday 21 March at 6.00pm. Due to COVID restrictions, the College is planning for an outdoor, revised format presentation with details to follow during the week.