Enews - 21 June 2023 - Marist College Canberra

The photo below was of an emotional reunion as a man finds his brother among the few survivors after a ship carrying as many as 750 refugees from Syria went down off the coast of Greece last week. More than 500 people, including children, are presumed drowned and nine men have been charged with people smuggling.

The presence of refugees and asylum seekers seriously challenges the various societies which accept them. We can easily forget the human story. Each is you and me. And everyone has a dignity, sacredness, and destiny. Compassion invites us to value everyone’s story; it is too easy to foster its opposites. It is easy to make people into ‘the other.’ Pope Francis encourages us to see refugees and migrants not as a threat but as our brothers and sisters in the human family. This involves enacting a culture of encounter, welcome and acceptance in practical, personal, and communal ways.

Finding Freedom is the theme for this week’s World Refugee Week. The tragic stories of millions of men and women daily confront the international community as a result of the outbreak of the unacceptable humanitarian crises in different parts of the world. Pope Francis says: ‘Indifference and silence lead to complicity when whenever we stand by as people are dying of suffocation, starvation, violence and shipwreck.’ He refers to this as a ‘globalisation of indifference’ and believes this to be a malignant cancer in society. Our Christian story encourages us to welcome the stranger; it tells us that in doing so, we open our doors to the face of Christ himself.

Part of our Marist education is to raise justice issues that allow our boys to critically analyse the world around them. Whether it be in the humanities or the sciences or any other area of the curriculum, there should be an awareness of the issues connected with the environment, poverty, human rights, reconciliation and the like. It is important this does not take the form of attempted indoctrination, but rather occurs in a way that encourages thinking and reflection, respecting freedom but also witnessing to our values.

We ask our boys to think about all the journeys in the history of their own family; there is bound to have been someone, however long ago, who came to this country with more hope than planning. One of the images used in the Psalms to describe God is the image of a refugee.

Matthew Hutchison
Headmaster

Student reports bring mixed feelings for parents; pleasure and pride if their son is performing well but considerable concern if their son is not performing to his ability or to the level he had expected. Understandably, the arrival of reports can also be an anxious time for your son and discussions with your son need to be conducted with sensitivity. A parent’s reaction to their son’s school report can affect the way a student sees themself, as a learner and as a person.

Most importantly, parents need to ensure the expectations for their son are realistic and commensurate with his ability. Expectations are problematic; too high and your son will feel he will never achieve, too low and accept mediocrity. Pitch your expectations in line with your son’s ability and refer to his last report as a good reference point. Parents should never fall into the trap of comparing their son’s report to a sibling, their friend’s children or even your own performance when you were a child! At Marist College, we are constantly communicating the value of achieving academically and we place high expectations in this endeavour, but more importantly, we want every boy to achieve to the very best of his ability and at the same time maintain a balanced approach.

Self-confidence is a pre-requisite for learning, so parents need to be prepared to find the positive in each report even if they are not in the traditional 3 R’s or core subjects. Einstein once said, “Everyone is genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”

We know boys are generally very honest and will give a realistic assessment of their progress. They can be, if encouraged, very perceptive so take note of their opinion. Educational academic, John Hattie, argues that when students are encouraged to assess their own progress, they are more able and motivated to make the necessary changes to improve their academic outcomes.

As we come to the end of another semester, I know many in the community are looking forward to some time ahead for rest. I wish all a safe and restorative break over these school holidays and look forward to greeting staff and students back in Term 3.

Matthew Hutchison
Headmaster

Dear Junior School Families,

As we progress to the end of Semester 1, I would like to thank our Junior School families for their continued support of our wonderful school and teachers. Our school is a strong community because of the combined efforts and dedication of our staff and parents.

Over the past fifteen weeks, we have been interviewing prospective families for entry into the Junior School for the 2024 school year. Overwhelmingly, it is our current and past Marist families who are our strongest advocates, and for that I sincerely thank you. It is truly a privilege to spend time with prospective families and hear about their connections to our Marist community and the positive feedback that has been shared with them about our school. Interest in our Junior School continues to grow, with families keen to have their sons experience a strong, structured and well-rounded Marist Catholic education, that focuses specifically on boys' education and development.

On behalf of our Junior School staff, I offer our blessings on the upcoming school break for our families. May this holiday period be a safe and cherished family time where special memories are made.

Term 3 – Important dates for your diary:

Families are reminded that Term 3 will begin for students on Tuesday 18 July. Monday 17 July is a Staff Professional Learning Day.

Wednesday 9 August – Author Mark Greenwood will run workshops with all Junior School students.

Tuesday 15 August - Author Katrina Nannestad will speak with Year 5 and 6 students about her award-winning novels.

Thursday 17 August - Moderation Day. This is a non-student day across the College, for Years 4 - 12.

Tuesday 22 August – Book Week Character Dress Up Day. Students are asked to come to school dressed as their favourite book characters.

Wednesday 6 and Thursday 7 September - Year 4 Camp. Details will go to families at the beginning of Term 3.

Friday 22nd September – Junior School House Singing Competition & Ball Games Carnival

Kirsty Bell
Head of Junior School

Junior School Sporting Congratulations

Congratulations to Kian O'Connor (Year 5) and George Salter (Year 6) who have been selected to represent SSACT at the School Sport Australia 12 and Under Swimming Championships from Friday 25 - Tuesday 29 August in Sydney.

Congratulations to the following boys who ran at the Recent ACT Cross Country Championships at Stromlo:


10 Years	Leandro Ballon (22nd0	Josh Hayes (27th)
11 Years	Xavier Honan (12th)	Hadi Jomaa (30th)
12 Years (Junior School)	Lucas Golack (10th)	Cyrano Mangos (21st)	Jet Misner (injured)
12 Years (Senior School)	James Smith (18th)	Patrick Allan (44th)

Physical Education next term will see all Years 4-6 boys participate in Gaelic Football and Soccer units.

South Weston Athletics Carnival will be held Week 5, Thursday 17 August. Further information on selections and carnival details will be available once organisers send information out to schools.

Ged Galvin
Junior School PE Teacher