Enews - 21 February 2024

Veritas Opening

We are very pleased to announce that our new science and performing arts building, Veritas, is now complete. With nine new science labs, state of the art music and drama facilities, Health and PE classrooms and new changerooms, Veritas will serve as a cornerstone of our educational environment for many years to come.

Veritas

Veritas, rooted in the Roman virtue of truthfulness, beckons us to reflect how often in life we duck the truth. The best example of this avoidance is seen in the most important trial in human history, where Pilate found himself entangled in a predicament. Pilate’s political standing back in Ancient Rome was precarious, and the inhabitants of Judea viewed him with suspicion. He was a foreign oppressor who was thought to have ineptly handled two earlier disturbances in Judea and had consequently been denounced in Rome. He could not afford another incident.

Pilate fears a trap when the Chief Rabbi drag before him a carpenter from Galilee. Pilate could not find any basis for a charge to be made. He concurs he has some crazy views on spirituality but he seems harmless enough.

He asks the carpenter, ‘Are you the king of the Jews?’ The carpenter replies ‘I have come into the world, to bear witness to the truth.’ To which Pilate retorts: ‘The truth! But what is the truth?

Pilate was an educated and sophisticated Roman. He had seen the world and read the philosophers. He knows perfectly well what truth is; it is under his nose. He knows the carpenter is not a criminal, but it was expedient to ignore the truth as he has the thought of being summoned back to Rome hanging over him. It was expedient to let the High Priest drag the carpenter off to be crucified and wash his hands of the truth.

The exchange is a reminder of how often we, too, shy away from inconvenient truths.

Veritas - a fitting name for our new science and performing arts building, and chosen by our students, parents, and staff - embodies one of the core beliefs of our Catholic school in the Marist tradition. We want to instil in our boys the depth of knowledge to understand the difference between falsehood and truth. We also hope the naming of this building will remind them of the importance of their choices and the determination to not only perceive the truth but to act justly with this knowledge.

With thanks

Delightfully, our relationship with the builders, Construction Control, is better now than when we began the project. This is a testament to their integrity and genuine collaboration. The value of their commitment and insightful direction cannot be overstated. Their efforts have truly exceeded our expectations.

We thank Jarrod Schindler, Mel Musgrove, Wayne McAuliffe, and their respective academic departments all who played a pivotal role in bringing clarity to design and addressing essential needs.

We thank our building committee, led so generously by Matt O’Brien, and supported by Lawrence Frazer, who provided a wealth of knowledge and expertise. Matt is also Chair of our Finance Committee and his involvement in this project, from inception to conclusion, has been a blessing to our community.

Penny Brown, our Head of Facilities, has brought her wealth of expertise and insight to this project. Working closely with our builders, she played a crucial role in ensuring minimal disruption to the seamless operations of the College.

We are fortunate to have had Toby Wetherill leading our architectural endeavours, alongside the talented partnership of Carolyn Meddick and Michael Lau. As a team, they demonstrated meticulous attention to detail, responsiveness, attentiveness, and a collaborative spirit; embodying everything one could hope for in an architect. What truly distinguishes them is their profound understanding of our identity as a Catholic school steeped in the Marist tradition. The Masterplan they have crafted beautifully reflects our Marist narrative and imagination.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to our Director of Business Services, Christine White, for her exceptional leadership throughout this project. Simply put, her efforts have been nothing short of magnificent, executed with grace, generosity, and, notably, a delightful sense of humour. Christine's ability to adeptly manage the multifaceted responsibilities of overseeing a school business while navigating the complexities of this project is a testament to her outstanding leadership.

Every step of this build has been marked by enormous generosity and a commitment to provide a space for Marist College Canberra to fulfil one of our core aspirations; to educate for truth, depth and choice.

Matthew Hutchison
Headmaster

Attendance – the hidden booster for student outcomes.

Last year, I had the privilege of spending 3 weeks travelling across the Holy Lands, Rome, and Marist territory in the south of France on the Marist Pilgrimage. It was a wonderful period, and one in which I was encouraged to “shut out” my real world and focus on living the experience to the full, without worrying too much about my day job. In fact, we were actively discouraged from even sneaking a little look at the emails. It was hard to disconnect, but ultimately, I knew it was a great experience. When I returned however, chaos. I had nearly 1000 unread emails, projects that I had been working on had faulted or stopped, momentum was lost, and it took me a very, very long time to feel like I was on solid ground again.

I am an adult (and I would like to think a competent one!) and the time away from work placed me under a significant amount of stress when I returned to the “real world”. I missed vital emails, meetings, lost continuity of work matters, and the world had rolled on in my absence. I am beyond certain that when I returned, my capacity was nowhere where it should have been.

So why am I telling you this? Over the past few years, the overall attendance figures at Marist have showed a telling decline. What was consistently over 95%, has now hit around 90% for our Senior students, and much the same story in our other years. Attendance is the hidden booster for student outcomes. Whilst the correlation between student achievement and attendance rates has long been known, I am not sure many parents and carers would appreciate the impact that any absence has on a student’s academic outcome, wellbeing, and stress levels. The figure above, 90%, would indicate that on average a Marist student would miss one day in every two-week cycle. 6 lessons every two weeks. Vital content that we know is incredibly difficult to catch up on. Our experience is that ANY absence can cause a student stress that can impact them for a much long period than the original absence.

Whilst the reason for absence can vary the impact on learning- sporting contests, family holidays, illness, anxiety, all contribute in varying amounts to lessening outcomes, one thing is clear- every absence is detrimental to the learning outcomes of students. One statistic I saw recently was that a student with an attendance of 85% on average would achieve a NAPLAN score 3 months lower than a student with above 95%. There are numerous studies which show that greater attendance leads to greater ATAR results, and greater growth in NAPLAN. A student who has great attendance (above 95%) has been shown to think more positively about school, achieve better results academically, has better wellbeing, and feels more connected to school. Simply put – the more time in school the better the outcomes for your son.

Cognitively, the learning process is significantly hampered with even a single day’s absence. If information is not processed, built upon, or followed up in the 24 hours following being introduced, we know the “memory decay” is heightened and increased. It is why we try and maintain as few interruptions as possible within the school week to ensure students have a consistent pattern and flow of the content. When a student returns after an absence, they have often missed parts of the puzzle which help them put it all together. They don’t have the knowledge for other pieces to stick to like Velcro.

What was the catalyst for this newsletter item? Well, several. Our swimming carnival had a large number of students who miraculously were “sick” for the day, returning the day after with no symptoms. This isn’t to shame students who were authentically sick – but statistically we know that the culture of the “sickie” starts early and does not help with a student feeling belonging or connection. I know of a student who travelled to see Taylor Swift last week and missed 3 days of school. His parents called him in sick, but his friends generously told his teachers where he really was! A great experience, but the student will now be significantly behind his peers and feel behind in the first few weeks of term. Last year a student signed himself out during lesson time to get a haircut with his parent’s permission! And part of my role is to approve “notified absences”, where the uptake of family holidays during term time is becoming a concern.

These examples may not be the norm, but we do need to address it. We want our students in classes in front of our teachers. I know there are many valid reasons for an absence that of course will be granted and justified. I know many have ill relatives, or a sporting carnival across the state, or have a family situation that needs to be attended to. I am only asking parents and carers to prioritise their child’s time at school and avoid placing your son under stress if it is unnecessary. If absence can be avoided, I know your son will be better off for it in the long run.

Liam Stakelum 
Deputy Headmaster 

Jesus spent most of his ministry living with those on the edges of society. He ate, wept, healed, prayed and celebrated life with those whom society cast aside, lepers, adulterers, tax collectors and those with mental illness. These ‘edges’ were places of transformation, a result of encountering the presence of God revealed in the compassion of Jesus and his disciples. We are also called to move towards those who find themselves marginalised and become part of the transformative effect of sharing God’s love. What does this look like today?

Pope Francis says, “It is time to act, and in Lent, to act also means to pause. To pause in prayer, in order to receive the word of God, to pause like the Samaritan in the presence of a wounded brother or sister. Love of God and love of neighbour are one love. For this reason, prayer, almsgiving and fasting are not three unrelated acts, but a single movement of openness and self-emptying. Then the atrophied and isolated heart will revive. Slow down, then, and pause! The contemplative dimension of life that Lent helps us to rediscover will release new energies.”

Father Timothy Radcliffe will share his experiences of living on the edges of society at An Evening of Dialogue on 13 March from 7.00 - 8.30pm at Marist College Canberra. Book today to secure your place at this free event with a world class speaker and author who recently delivered a three-day retreat for the Pope and Cardinals in the Synod on Synodality. Click here to discover more about An Evening of Dialogue.

Nathan Ahearne
Assistant Head of School - Mission and Identity

Raising Stacks for Samoa

Thanks to everyone who supported the sale of Shrove Tuesday pancakes, it was a sell out and raised hundreds of dollars for the Caritas Project Compassion project in Samoa. Click here to watch a video about how Caritas are helping to provide clean drinking water for Leaia’s community. Watch out for more fundraising activities hosted by the House Service Captains and Year 6 Captains.

Service Groups and Game Changers

Please visit the new portal page to discover our Service and Game Changer groups or click here to watch a message from our Student Faith Formation Coordinator.

Overcoming hurdles and helping others

The Year 7 Brothers Together sessions took place this week at Marist with Youth Ministry and Service and Solidarity seminars. The Year 7 students spent time reflecting on the themes of ‘running the race of life, in the way of Mary’ and learning about integral ecology and how they can make a difference in the lives of others. They were joined by the Year 10 Christian Leadership class and discovered how service extends beyond Year 12 by exploring the recipients of the Brother Francois Service Medal.

Nick Lansdown-Weir
Student Faith Formation Coordinator

The College welcomed Archbishop Christopher Prowse who presided the Commencement Mass with concelebrant Fr Emil. We were joined by many special guests, including Mr Ross Fox, Director of Catholic Education and Dr Frank Malloy, National Director of Marist Schools Australia and representatives from Catholic Colleges and Ministries in the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn. Our College and House Captains were blessed and presented and the Veritas Building was also blessed and formally opened.

In addition to celebrating the start of the school year, we also commenced the 40 days of Lent with an Ash Wednesday Liturgy for the whole College. These prayerful moments provided time to pause and contemplate how the Spirit continues to be revealed through our lives.

Leesa Callaughan
Head of Liturgy

Marist Association Canberra – the life and mission of our Australian Marist community

We invite you to join the events and activities of Marist Association Canberra in 2024. St Patrick’s Day, Marian Lecture, Winter Retreat, Integral Ecology, Spiritual Accompaniment, Marian formation - there is something for everyone. We hope to see you there! Click here to view the 2024 itinerary.

Our first Marist Association gathering will take place on Sunday 17 March 2.30 - 4.00pm in front of Snappers in Yarralumla to celebrate St Patrick’s Feast Day and find out what is in store for 2024. Some refreshments will be provided, and families are most welcome to attend.

Inquiries welcome to Brendan Bergin, Coordinator Marist Association Canberra.

For more information visit the Marist Association Canberra website. 

Brendan Bergin
Teacher and Marist Association Canberra Coordinator

Registrations close this week for the Youth Sacramental Program at Marist College Canberra. This program is designed to prepare students to receive these Sacraments and is open to all from Years 7 – 12. Siblings of Marist students are very welcome to participate.

To register for the program, please click here.

Any further enquiries can be directed to the Head of Liturgy, Leesa Callaughan.

Leesa Callaughan
Head of Liturgy

A reminder to all Junior School families that if your son is making a Catholic Sacrament this year, that they are required to be enrolled in your Parish to receive the Sacrament. Whilst we as a school prepare the boys for their Sacraments, the actual Sacraments are received in your Parish.

Parish of the Transfiguration: North Woden - Sacramental Program

First Reconciliation Sacramental Program for prior students of Saints Peter and Paul School, Garran, or Holy Trinity School, Curtin, or residents of Curtin, Lyons, Phillip, Garran, Hughes and O’Malley.

For more information please contact the Parish office by email or by calling 6281 3999.

Mary Help of Christians 2024 Sacramental Program 

Enrolments for the combined First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion program are now closed, however if your child has completed their First Reconciliation, is in Year 4 or above and would like to make their sacrament of First Holy Communion this year, please enrol now. You can visit the Sacraments tab on the MHOC website for further details about the program and how to enrol. The First Holy Communion program will commence on Wednesday 13 March.

Corpus Christi Parish - Sacramental Program

Enrolment for the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist, and Confirmation at Corpus Christi Parish are now open. Parents can register their children using the Corpus Christi Parish Qkr! App. Enrolments will close on Friday 12 April. For more information, please click here or visit their website.

St Christopher's Cathedral School of Religion- Sacramental Program

Confirmation Classes start on the Tuesday 2 April, 6.00pm-7:30pm in St Peter Chanel's Parish Room, Yarralumla. Confirmation will take place on Saturday 18 May 2024 at the 5.00pm Vigil. First Holy Communion will start on 9 May for 2 June and First Reconciliation starts on 4 June for 3 July. Please contact the Parish office or website to enrol or for more information.

We are only two weeks into the school year, yet already we have achieved so much. Our new Junior School students have settled beautifully into our College community, making new friends and embracing the routines and expectations of the College.

Last week our College community celebrated Ash Wednesday, our Commencement Mass and the opening our impressive new building Veritas. The Junior School boys enjoyed joining with their Senior School brothers on Friday for their first 4-12 House assemblies to be welcomed into their new College house and receive their House badges.

Thank you to Craig McMahon for hosting the ‘Think You Know’ Parent Cyber Safety presentation last Tuesday. The evening was informative for the parents present and shows our dedication to working with our parents to keep our primary aged boys safe in the world of device and computer use.

This week the Junior School started the week with our Swimming Carnival. Great appreciation goes to Ged Galvin who organized a brilliant carnival day for the boys. Congratulations to those boys who will progress to the next level for their swimming.

Our Junior School classes have also welcomed visiting students from both Japan and Italy to their classes this week. The boys enjoyed asking many questions to find out about life in the respective countries and I am sure our visitors have enthused some of our boys to strive to attend our Marist cultural tours to Italy and Japan in the years to come. Thank you to Kyla Burch and Joshua James-Smith for organising this experience for our boys.

This Thursday our Junior School captains are hosting our first Lenten appeal activity 'Silly Sock Day'. Boys are invited to donate a gold coin to our Lenten appeal supporting Caritas’ Project Compassion to participate in the day.

Winter Sports Registration

Winter sports registration is now open. Marist Sports Club registration links can be found here.

• AFL – registrations now open
• Football (soccer) - registrations will close on 23 February. Grading begins 24 February.
• Rugby Union – registrations now open. Preseason commences in Week 4.
• Hockey – registrations now open. Club Day & Grading will be on 16 March.
• Basketball – registrations closed on 13 February. Any late registrants can contact the Basketball Club to enquire about available team placements.

Kirsty Bell
Head of Junior School 

Congratulations to the Term 1 Class Captains who will receive their badges this coming Friday. Class Captaincy is an honour for the boys, and we wish them well this term.

Last Friday, 16 February, Marist Junior School boys attended their first House Assemblies as part of the College Houses. At these Assemblies, the boys received their House Badges, which they will wear with pride and were officially welcomed into their Houses by staff and students from the Senior School. I would like to say a special thank you to the House Deans for making the Junior School staff and students so welcome during the assemblies. I would also like to say thanks to Sarah Maher and Justin Wood for their overall coordination. After some 50 years in the making, combining the Junior and College Houses has already been a huge thrill and success for the Junior School, as was evident in the House spirit displayed at Monday’s Swimming Carnival.

2024 Lenten Activities

In 2024, the Junior School captains will be raising money for Caritas’ Project Compassion during Lent. Please see an overview of our themed days below, starting with ‘Silly Sock Day’ this Thursday 22 February. A gold coin donation on each of the days or a $5 or $10 note this Thursday (a one off donation for all the activities) would be fantastic.

Craig McMahon
Head of Student Wellbeing - Junior School

Congratulations to all boys who participated in the 2024 Swimming Carnival. Some wonderful House spirit was on display. Thank you also to those parents that braved the waters for the inflatable race. You all have 12 months to get ready for next year! A very successful day for all involved.

Ged Galvin
Junior School HAPE Teacher

The Sacramental Program survey has been extended to 5.00pm Friday 23 February.

On Monday we held a workshop for 120 of our Senior students who have signed up for our Marist Mentors Program. During the workshop we looked at various aspects of running a session with a group within a House from Years 4 – 12. The Marist Mentors had the opportunity to participate in a session so that they would have a clear understanding and knowledge of how to deliver it.

The participation in the workshop was excellent. The Senior Students were engaging, made relevant contributions and demonstrated commitment to the implementation of the Forming Fine Young Men Framework.

Year 7 - The Qualities of a Fine Young Man
A fine young man understands the value of belonging.

Year 8 - Exemplars of Fine Young Men
A fine young man recognises a good role model.

Year 9 - Building Connections
A fine young man brings sense to a situation.

Year 10 - The Means to Manhood
A fine young man recognises the character of a good man.

Year 11 - Being a Positive Role Model and Mentor
A fine young man learns from his mistakes.

Year 12 - Being a Fine Young Man and a Lifelong Learner
A fine young man is committed to continual learning and developing.

Today, during House Group, each of the Marist Mentors delivered a session to their assigned Year level within their respective Houses. I would like to commend the Seniors on their delivery of the sessions. It was affirming to walk around the various classrooms and observe the Marist Mentors delivering the sessions in a positive and engaging manner. As a mother, a teacher and someone that is invested in the wellbeing of the boys in our Marist community, it was an honour to witness the Seniors in our Marist community invested in growing a culture of positive masculinity that fosters young men with strong minds and gentle hearts.

Together WE are Forming Fine Young Men

Sarah Mahar 
Assistant Head of School - Wellbeing and Engagement

NAPLAN testing will occur in our school between 13 and 25 March 2024 for students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9.

Online NAPLAN tests provide more precise results and are engaging for students. The tests are tailored (or adaptive), which means that each test presents questions that may be more or less difficult depending on a student’s responses. This helps students remain engaged with the assessment.

Tailored testing allows a wider range of student abilities to be assessed and measures student achievement more precisely. A student’s overall NAPLAN result is based on both the number and complexity of questions they answer correctly. Your child should not be concerned if they find questions challenging; they may be taking a more complex test pathway.

All Year 3 students will continue to complete the writing assessment on paper.

NAPLAN provides valuable information to schools and parents about literacy and numeracy achievement. It supports school improvement processes by enabling teachers to monitor student progress over time and to identify areas of strength and development.

All eligible students are encouraged and supported to participate in NAPLAN testing. Visit www.nap.edu.au to see interactive versions of the test and for more information. To read a letter from Headmaster Matthew Hutchison regarding NAPLAN, please click here. 

Grant Barclay
Head of Student Progress

Pathways Information Night

Tuesday 27 February 6.00pm -7.00pm

There will be an information night for Year 11 and 12 students and parents on Tuesday 27 February from 6.00pm in the Senior Hall specifically focused on pathways beyond school that are not direct to university.

Any students undergoing an Accredited package (who do not already have an ASBA) are encouraged to attend, as well as any students undergoing a Tertiary package who may want to consider a non-University pathway beyond Year 12.

These pathway options are many and varied so this night will briefly cover information about ASBAs, training and employment opportunities, bridging courses to university, and desirable transferable skills.

Alongside a brief presentation there will also be representatives from organisations for our students to speak to, ask questions, gather contacts and learn about opportunities.

The organisations currently confirmed to attend are:

• Skills Canberra
• Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT)
• ADF Careers
• Master Builders Association (MBA)
• UC Connect – University of Canberra Bridging Course
• Australian Signals Directorate
• Australian Training Company
• Landculture
• Canberra Southern Cross Club
• Queanbeyan Palerang Regional Council (QPRC)
• Drips and Drains Plumbing
• Tony Farrugia Bodyworks
• Australian Federal Police (AFP)
• Achieve Fitness
• CEA Technologies
• Infinite Joinery
• Rentoule Projects
• Vikings Group

I look forward to seeing you there.

Leigh Southwell
Careers Adviser/Teacher

Last chance to apply for the Richard and Roma Flynn Music Bursary – Applications close this Friday 8 March 2024.

The Richard and Roma Flynn Bursary originated in 1997. Both Richard and Roma had a long association with Marist education, a talent and love of music, and a strong interest in providing educational opportunities for young musicians.

In 2024, the College is offering a number of bursaries to assist students in Years 10 to 12 with their musical performance studies on their choice of instrument or voice.

The criteria on which the bursaries are granted include:

• A strong commitment to College life
• A strong commitment to formal musical studies and the musical life within the College, and
• A deep interest in music, commensurate with the student’s musical ability.
  

The duration of the Bursary is one calendar year. The Flynn Bursary provides the recipient with a remission of a portion of school fees, musical tuition and music books for the school year.

Students wishing to apply for a Flynn Bursary must submit an application form providing details of their musical interests and studies. Click here to access the application form.

The application must be received by Friday 8 March 2024 in Week 5.

The application must be addressed to:

Mr Matthew Hutchison
Headmaster
Marist College Canberra
PO Box 727 Mawson ACT 2607

The application may be emailed to headmaster@mcc.act.edu.au.

Jarrod Schindler
Head of Performing Arts

On Thursday 22 February, there will be an information session on the Duke of Edinburgh program for interested boys and their families.

The Duke of Edinburgh Award encourages people aged 14 to 24 to set goals, develop skills and their physical fitness, volunteer in their community, and complete adventurous journeys.

Boys who are involved in a number of co-curricular activities or are looking for a challenge are strongly encouraged to attend, as the Award is a great opportunity to be recognised for their efforts and is highly respected by employers and universities.

The presentation for families will be from 5:30pm to 6:30pm in the Theatrette. The presentation will be by Curtis Hibberson from Duke of Edinburgh International.

Curtis will talk about the Award and answer any questions boys and their families might have.

Families can also learn about this year’s upcoming Adventurous Journeys, the details of which are:

Bronze Adventurous Journey
Friday 12 April - Monday 16 April 2024 (starting on the last day of Term 1)
$649 per student
Three days hiking the Light to Light walk in Ben Boyd National Park, NSW

Silver Adventurous Journey
Saturday 29 June - Tuesday 2 July 2024 (starting on the first day of the Term 2 holiday)
$651 per student
Four days snowshoeing in Koziciusko National Park, NSW

Boys must be either in Year 9 or 14 years and older to participate in the Award.

Please RSVP to the event by email. 

The College has received a high number of requests from new families joining our community in 2024 for seats on all Marist bus routes on the North Side Bus Service.

If your son/s no longer require the use of the North Side Bus Service, please email the College Registrar as soon as possible. This would allow us to allocate seats to students who are currently on the waitlist.

Thank you for your understanding and assistance with this request.

Donna Gill
College Registrar

The College has revised its response to COVID-19 to reflect the latest healthcare and ACT Government advice. Please note that:

• The College no longer requires a COVID notification if your son tests positive or is a household contact
• If your son is feeling unwell he should stay home and not attend the College. Inform the College of his absence via normal channels as outlined here
• The College’s Learning Management System, Canvas, is available for classwork and resources, if your son is well enough to access these.

Please note that staff and students are also not permitted to attend camps, tours or activities involving an overnight stay if they test positive 24 hours prior to departure.

To prevent the spread of COVID-19 students, staff and visitors are asked to:

• Stay up to date with vaccinations
• Proactively manage their healthcare needs with their GP
• Stay home if unwell and get tested for COVID-19
• Practice good personal hygiene
• Physically distance 1.5 metres
• Wear a mask in indoor public spaces.

Kathy Mumberson
Governance, Risk and Compliance Manager

Last week, the Senior School Interhouse Swimming Carnival was held over three locations. The Carnival is a chance for students to obtain points towards the College 2024 Champagnat Cup. Particular thanks to all staff and Year 12 students who acted as event officials, ensuring a successful day across each of the carnivals.

The Junior Carnival was held at CISAC Aquatic Centre. Third place went to Francois, Haydon placed second and in first place was Le Rosey House. Thomas Irvine demonstrated his swimming ability for Le Rosey House, leading the house as the outstanding swimmer from the Junior Carnival.

The Intermediate Carnival was held at Macquarie pool. Strong competition was shown from all houses though only one could come out on top. Third place was Conway, second place was taken by Lavalla, and first place was taken away by Le Rosey House.

The Senior Carnival was held at Tuggeranong pool, highlighting a strong competition with the top three teams being separated by a meager 17 points. Third place was taken by Francois House, second was McMahon House and taking out the Senior Carnival was Mark House.

After all scores were combined the winner of the Annual College Swimming Carnival, was the newcomers, Le Rosey House. Congratulations to all boys who participated on the day and a special congratulations to the 24 boys that have been selected to represent the College at the upcoming ASC Swimming Championships in Week 8.

The overall placings are as follows:

Richard Aitchison
Assistant Head of Sport

On the morning of 26 December, excitement filled the air as all the boys, dressed in their new Marist USA gear, gathered at school. Like many of my peers, I had tossed and turned, on Christmas night, unable to contain my anticipation for our trip to the States. It was a first-time experience for most of us, and bidding farewell to our parents and guardians, we boarded the bus bound for Sydney airport.

After a satisfying meal at the airport, we embarked on our journey to America. The 16-hour flight landed us in Dallas, Texas, where we dove straight into a whirlwind of activities. The varsity boys competed in a tournament while the Freshmen, Juniors, and Junior Varsity teams played in school games. Our itinerary was packed with visits to iconic sites such as the JFK museum, a Dallas Mavericks game, a Texan rodeo, a NHL match, and a tour of the Dallas Cowboys stadium. Despite changing hotels almost every night, the allure of Dallas and the Texan way of life had us all hooked.

Our next destination was Boston, where the contrasting weather immediately struck us upon arrival. We seized the opportunity to attend a college basketball game between Providence and Seton Hall, as well as engage in a friendly match against Boston College High.

The anticipation peaked as we reached New York City, with its bright lights and bustling streets. Walking through Times Square at night, snow gently falling, felt surreal. Our friendly match against Hunter College High and witnessing a Brooklyn versus OKC game added to our excitement. Exploring iconic landmarks like the Statue of Liberty, the 9/11 Museum, and One World Tower provided unforgettable experiences.

Finally, we arrived in LA, where our spirits soared during a full day at Disneyland. We now see why it’s called the happiest place on earth! Our last day in LA was spent touring Beverly Hills, marvelling at the Hollywood sign, strolling along the Walk of Fame, and enjoying the sights of Santa Monica Pier.

As our journey came to a close, the prospect of the 16-hour flight back to Australia loomed ahead. Yet, despite the exhaustion, the memories of our incredible trip will stay with us forever.

Owen Nihill
Year 12 Student

Harry Whitelock (Year 12) played in the Webex Player Series golf competition at Castle Hill Country Club, in Sydney, over the weekend of 10
and 11 February.

Webex has partnered with the PGA of Australia on the Webex Player Series, a new, first of its kind, series of tournaments that sees Australia’s leading male and female golf professionals, together with elite amateur junior golfers, compete in the same field for the same prize purse.

The competition was played over 2 rounds and Harry shot 2 under in the first round and 7 under in the second round to finish 9 under. He won the junior amateur division by 12 shots, which is an incredible achievement.

Harry played with Daniel Gale and Lincoln Tighe in the first round and with Harrison Crowe and Jenny Shin, ranked 65 in the world, in the second round. He played extremely well, out scoring Harrison Crowe in the final round, and got some great airtime on TV. We are all so proud of Harry’s maturity and calm head around the professionals he played with.

Andrew Donald
Senior School Teacher

Marist Winter Sporting Clubs will have online registration processes opening during February, so please check the club websites prior to registration for more information. Parents need to ensure that their child/children are registered by the closing date of the registration period to ensure participation in that sport.

Please use the College Sports email for any clarification regarding the Colleges Sporting Clubs or College Sport.

You can find links to relevant club websites here. 

When considering registering there are a couple of points which all students need to be aware of:

1. Students currently representing the College in cricket or rowing: you must continue to honour that training and playing commitment even if there may be an overlap with the pre-season training of your chosen winter sport. Your first priority is to your summer team. In doing this you will not be disadvantaged in your winter sport selections.
2. When choosing a winter sport remember that you are expected to attend all training sessions and all games during the season, in doing so you are supporting your coach and your team mates.
3. College Sporting teams play in an age based competition. All boys are registered to play in their appropriate age level. The College endeavours to ensure that we maximise the participation levels during competition which may require the movement of students up an age group. The College and the clubs work together to ensure if there is a need for to this happen, it is managed appropriately.

PREMIER LEAGUE (FOOTBALL) EXEMPTION FORMS

Students who are considering playing for a local Premier League Football Club need to complete the Exemption form which is found on the Marist Football Club website. 

Paul Mead
Head of Sport

Winter Season registrations for Basketball have recently closed. Any late registrants can contact us to enquire about available team placements.

Rebecca Casey
Marist Basketball Club Vice President

Marist Hockey Club welcomes all new and returning players!

Winter field hockey registrations will open shortly.

We would love to see any new players at our annual Come and Try Hockey Afternoon on Wednesday 28 February 2024 from 3.30pm at the College. Please contact us if you would like to register your son's interest in attending or have any questions.

Details, including divisions, game days, grading, training and how to register can be found on our Winter Hockey​ page.

ACT Head of the Lake and ACT Championships

Congratulations to the many rowers who participated in a demanding weekend of rowing. Thank you also to the MCCRC Committee, Volunteers, Parents and Supporters and ACT Rowing for the significant behind the scenes contribution. Fifteen schools or clubs from the ACT, NSW and Victoria participate in the two days of events.

Regatta Results (Full Results List on ACT Rowing site)

ACT Junior Championships

U/19 C’ship Single Scull – Silver & Bronze
U/16 C’ship Double Scull – Gold
U/19 C’ship Quad – Gold
U/16 C’ship Quad – Gold
U/17 C’ship Single Scull – Gold
U/15 C’ship M2 Quad - Gold
U/15 C’ship M1 Quad -Silver
U/15 C’ship Single Scull – Silver
U/15 Marist 2 C’ship Double Scull – Silver
U/19 C’ship Quad – Bronze
U/15 M1 C’ship Double Scull – Bronze

ACT Head of the Lake

MC 1 Schoolboy Single Scull Div 2 - Gold
MC 2 Schoolboy Single Scull Div 3 - Bronze
MC 3 Schoolboy Single Scull Div 4 – Bronze
SBYR10 Coxed Quad MC1 B Final – Gold
SBYR10 Coxed Quad MC2 B Final – Bronze
SBYR8 Coxed Quad MC1 A Final – Bronze
SBYR8 Coxed Quad MC3 D Final – Gold
SBYR9 Coxed Quad MC1 B Final – Gold
SBYR9 Coxed Quad MC2 C Final – Silver
SBYR9 Coxed Quad MC4 E Final – Gold

ACT Schools Head of the Lake
Canberra Grammar School
Rowing Association Cup
Schoolboy Fours -First Place

NSW Schoolboy Head of the River

Our very best wishes to all rowers in the upcoming Head of the River at the International Rowing Centre in Sydney this coming weekend. The details of which can be found on the MCCRC Rowing portal.

Former Marist Rower Striving for Olympic Selection

An invitation to participate in the U23 selection trials, from February 25 to March 2024, is very welcome news for former Marist student Cormac Hayes (2020) following a season disrupted by illness.

Cormac’s timing couldn’t have been better. The 2024 trials have particular significance following the statement by Rowing Australia Performance Director Paul Thompson that the standard of current U23 rowers will ensure they form the nucleus of national teams after the 2024 Paris Olympics.

If Cormac can emulate the form displayed at Lake Barrington in 2021 in winning the National Under 21 Champion Single Sculls, he will surely make the most of this opportunity.

Cormac’s recognition also acknowledges the persistence of a dedicated band of parents in establishing the Marist Rowing Club where Cormac commenced his career. A very special occasion for Cormac’s father Tom and mother Collette, who have supported and inspired the rowing careers of all three Hayes brothers.

The significant results by MCCRC rowers in the recent NSW Championships, ACT Championships and ACT Head of the Lake are indicative of the confidence and skill now displayed by Marist scullers in competition with their peers from the leading rowing schools across the country.

The Club wishes Cormac every success in the selection trials.

Peter Milligan
Rowing Coordinator

Congratulations to Lucas Louis (Year 11), First XI, 108 off 113 deliveries.

The end of the regular season is at hand. A reminder that the Presentation Night is on Monday 25 March at 6.00pm.