Enews - 2 September 2020

They shared with us their amusing and insightful experiences as recent contestants on the popular television program ‘The Amazing Race Australia’. They were one of eleven teams of two competing across three continents for a $250,000 prize. The sisters’ habit of praying at every detour and roadblock along with their wicked sense of humour and passion for trying new things quickly established them as a favourite of the audience despite becoming the second contestants to be eliminated.  

Judy and Therese shared with us their decision to take part in the round-the-world reality show was born of much discernment with their MGL Sisters’ community. They saw the experience as an invitation from God to embrace their wild and precious life. One Wild and Precious Life is our College theme this year and it has certainly held true with the many challenges we have collectively faced. The theme challenges us to choose to be alive and consciously committing to life, in all its exuberant chaos, pain, love, beauty and virtue. 

Despite obvious fears, Judy and Therese accepted the invitation and embarked on an adventure of a lifetime. In many ways, we are doing the same when we invite the boys at Marist to accept the invitation, to embark on an adventure and allow God to enter into their life. This is no easy task and requires us to enter through their door and accompany them on their journey by our example and our presence in their lives. Our role is to listen carefully, much like the role of an ambassador, to gently make suggestions and carefully guide them through the door where they will come to know and feel loved by Jesus. 

In accepting our invitation to know and love Jesus, we understand it needs to be much more than vague platitudes about loving everyone and being nice. We dare the boys to confront the complexity of our human experience, to open themselves to the adventure of living. When people are drifting away from our Churches, it is tempting to ‘sell’ a nice and safe Christianity, not too demanding, a gentle spirituality. Such marketing of Christianity is doomed for failure, as to accept the invitation to follow Jesus is anything but safe. Sisters Judy and Therese, despite fears, chose to be daring and this too is the attractiveness of living a Christian life. 

It is my pleasure to announce Kirsty Bell as the new leader of the Junior School. Kirsty has 24 years as an educator, 18 of those in leadership roles in the Catholic and independent sector. She has undertaken the longest job interview in her acting capacity with great enthusiasm and energy while demonstrating strong strategic intent. The College Executive have enjoyed working alongside her and she continues to endear great respect from her Junior School colleagues.

Kirsty has a Master of Educational Leadership, a Graduate Diploma of Religious Education and a Bachelor of Teaching. She is also a qualified TQI/AITSL teacher certification assessor with a passion for assisting teachers in their professional growth. Kirsty is currently undertaking two separate study programs at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and Newcastle University. 

Kirsty is an active member of St Gregory’s Parish, has participated in the Marist Pilgrimage, Footsteps 1 and 2, and is a member of the Marist Association. 

Please join me in congratulating Kirsty on her appointment.

Our heartfelt thoughts and condolences go out to Cherrie and Seamus Clark on the sad passing of their mother and our much respected staff member, Toni Clark. 

Toni worked at the College for 26 years in a variety of roles. Most recently, Toni was the Teacher Assistant working in our Hospitality and Food Technology Department, preparing and presenting food and other materials needed for student lessons and College functions. Through her role, Toni worked with hundreds of students with whom she developed an honest and wonderful rapport. In turn, they respected her generosity, humour and expectation of high standards.

Toni lived a faith-filled life, and through her caring nature and natural goodwill developed many close friendships with her colleagues.

Please keep Cherrie, Seamus, their extended family and Toni’s former colleagues and friends in your thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. May Toni rest in peace.

As soon as the next item arrives, one drops out if it hasn’t already been committed to long-term memory. 

Factors like stress, anxiety and learning difficulties can make this process more challenging. 

As part of our Response to Intervention model of support, our team runs some Tier 2 and 3 Intervention Programs in ELS.

The main aim of these programs is to reduce pressure on the working memory of students and to make more efficient use of the cognitive load. Our programs allow students to gain automaticity in basic skills to free up thinking space to learn more. 

Some of these programs are: 

• MultiLit (short for Making up for lost time in Literacy) - is a suite of programs aimed at improving decoding and fluency in reading. We run three programs which are then backed up by our Reading Club and Reinforced Reading program.  
• MacquLit – a small group phonics-based decoding and fluency program run nine days a fortnight mainly with Year 4 students at present.
• Reading Tutor Program – a one-to-one decoding and fluency program run six times a fortnight with students from Years 4-8.
• Word Attack Extension - a one-to-one decoding and fluency program run six times a fortnight with students mainly from Year 6 at present.
• Quicksmart - a small group program based on building speed, accuracy and understanding of mathematical skills. Run three times a week.  

If you feel your son requires support in these areas or if you would like more information, please contact us via email. 

Jen Croker
Head of Enrichment and Learning Support

Workshops students participated in included:

• African Safari
• Modern musical worlds
• Food Technology
• Drama
• Art making and responding
• Software and systems development
• Wood Technology
• Visual communication
• Kick to Kick
• Electronics
• Advanced sport
• Cities of Gold, and
• Mind Your Own Business.

Robotics workshop

Food Technology - cooking up a feast

 Screen printing workshop 

Year 12 Marist Youth Ministry began Term Three hoping that school could resume with certainty and that we would be able to work on the presentation of Year 10 Reflection Day to deliver it in Week 6. The theme ‘Count Your Blessings’ seemed more fitting than ever this year as COVID-19 has placed many restrictions on our school community and we often forget about the blessings in our lives.

Four MYM teams were formed and work began each Monday at lunchtime under the positive influence and leadership of Terence Pereira, Gail Anderson, Michael Seselja and myself. The students learned the program by experiencing it themselves, sharing their own blessings, reflecting on their own gifts and talents as well as the gifts of the Holy Spirit. They brought all of these to life during the Reflection Days in leading games, group activities, drama and personal sharings.

There was such a positive vibe on both days with all of the students and staff enjoying the beautiful environments of our venues at Greenhills and Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture. 

When the Year 10 students were invited to say their blessings of the day, these were some of their answers:

• “Having mates to be with”
• “I gained a different way of learning new stuff”
• “A new perspective on life”
• “A Marist education”
• “People that care about us”. 

Kathy Haseler
Year 12 MYM Coordinator

A reminder the Marist Music Ministry will be playing during Mass this Saturday, 5 September, at Mary Help of Christians Parish in Pearce at 6.00pm.  

All are welcome to experience the joy and celebration of the Eucharist, accompanied by beautiful singing and talented musicians.  

Alinta Apparel is one of Australia’s largest school and sportswear uniform retailers, managing more than 50 uniform shops throughout Australia and New Zealand. They have an excellent reputation for quality merchandise, reasonable pricing and customer service. Most importantly, they provide a product that is ethically sourced. 

Shop Location, Hours and Purchasing Online

Alinta will take over management from Monday 12 October 2020. There will be no change to the opening hours and the Uniform Shop will remain in its current onsite location at the College.

The current staff have been taken into consideration with the change of management and employment has been offered and accepted. The College would like to thank the many wonderful staff and volunteers who have helped with the Uniform Shop over the years, in particular Gabriella Gibb and Rose Hunt. 

Alinta will also be providing an online shopping option for home delivery or collection at the school. Further information on how to purchase online will be made available on the College website prior to the commencement of Term Four.

Second Hand Uniforms

From 1 September 2020 until the end of the year, the Uniform Shop is unable to accept donations or second hand uniforms for sale during this period. Second hand uniforms will be accepted for sale on consignment only from the beginning of the 2021 school year.

Back to School Fittings – new school year

During Term Four, the Uniform Shop will open extended hours for fitting appointments. New and existing students will be able to purchase or lay-by uniforms for the new school year during this time.

Further information on how to make an appointment will be available on the College website prior to the commencement of Term Four.

Pricelist

There will be no change to the uniform prices this year. 

We are looking forward to working with Alinta Apparel and welcoming their team to the Marist College Canberra community from the start of Term Four.

Photograph envelopes were distributed to all students on Monday 17 August 2020. Sibling photograph envelopes can be collected from the Front office of our Senior and Junior schools.

Our preference is for ordering and payment to be completed online to reduce administration and potential security issues with handling of cash. If cash is your preferred payment method, please include cash in the envelope and have your son hand it to the photographer on the photo day (Friday 11 September). Please do not return the envelope with money before the photo day.

Portrait and group package orders are due by Friday 11 September. 

Should you wish to purchase a sibling photograph online, the order must be placed no later than tomorrow, Thursday 10 September. 

An email was sent to all families on 21 August 2020 providing details for ordering and payment. 

Sibling photographs will only be taken if an order has been placed.

Any queries concerning school photographs or online ordering should be directed via email to enquiries@advancedlife.com.au or alternatively, you can contact Gail Anderson.