Enews - 27 November 2024

Last week the College had the pleasure of welcoming approximately 250 new students at their orientation events, marking the beginning of their journey with us. This week, we shift our focus to the graduating Class of 2024, as we commence their final farewell events. These significant milestones include their Formal, Graduation ceremony, and Eucharist celebration, each a heartfelt acknowledgment of their achievements and contributions to the College community.

This juxtaposition of beginnings and farewells beautifully illustrates the perpetual "circle of life" within a school. For our new students, it is a time of promise and opportunity, a fresh chapter filled with excitement and potential. For our graduates, it is a moment of reflection and closure, as they prepare to embark on their next journey with confidence and purpose, equipped with the values and skills they have honed during their time with us.

These transitions remind us that every ending is, in its way, a new beginning—a stepping stone to growth, change, and discovery. Reflecting on these transitions, I find myself drawn to the simple yet profound idea of being "at home" that encapsulate a great deal of what we would hope for the boys. 

We hope firstly that our boys will learn to be at home with themselves. Their time at Marist Canberra should help them appreciate their strengths and weaknesses. It is a time of learning humility in the true sense of having their feet on the ground.

We also want our Marist boys to be at home with life-long learning. We hope that our boys always retain a thirst for knowledge in the pursuit of wisdom, in whatever field of endeavour they find themselves. If we can instil in our boys a joy in learning that thrives beyond their school days, we have given them a great gift.

We hope that our boys are at home with difference, to respect those different in gender, different in race, religion and culture, different in gifts and talents. Respect for difference of any kind is an essential part of community-building, particularly in a Christian community.

Our hope is for our boys to also be at home in the company of those living on the margins of our society- those always sitting in the ‘back row.’ We aspire to provide our boys with the skills and sense of responsibility to become leaders in service, young people of compassion who respect the dignity of every person. One of the most precious gifts we can give our students is to encourage them to find meaning and purpose in their lives, and to accept responsibility for using their individual talents creatively in the selfless service of others.

We also want our Marist boys to be at home in their home, with confident perseverance to be home-makers and family-builders. In the end, relationships count for so much in life and our hope is that the boys develop the skills to treasure, reflect and work hard on developing meaningful relationships that are nurturing and provide sustenance in their lives.

Finally, and most importantly, we hope that our boys will be at home with God. We aim to provide the environment and experiences that enrich the relationship of our students with God. With care, compassion and understanding, our Marist education should assist boys to grow in faith, to help them find purpose in their spiritual life and urge them to make gospel values real in their lives.

To be truly at home is not to stand still but to be ready for the next step, the next challenge, the next opportunity to serve and to lead. Life is, indeed, a journey, not a destination. Each beginning and each farewell is a moment of transformation, preparing us for the next chapter in our story.

Matthew Hutchison
Headmaster

Marist Association of Canberra and Rodney’s Plant Plus Pialligo Birthday Extravaganza

On a characteristically warm twilight evening with rain clouds lobbying on the Canberra horizon, a bold and bubbly bunch of Marist Association members and friends cast end-of-year tasks aside and caution to the wind, gathering to share Summer joy in a convivial, colourful atmosphere at a pre-Christmas Birthday Extravaganza in partnership with Rodney’s Plant Plus Pialligo. 

In the customary peace and calm of a suburban family nursery, our twilight event honoured the Memorial of Mary’s Presentation in the Temple (21 November), celebrating the seeds of faith she too sowed in her own life and continues to nurture in ours.

The Champagne and canapes flowed freely with an opportunity to buy gifts and plants for the Christmas and Summer season, a proportion of the proceeds supporting integrated ecology projects at Marist College and in the Asia Pacific region (Australian Marist Solidarity). One Marist College staff member said ‘I thought it was a lovely night, and a really good idea. It was relaxed and people could choose how they wanted to use their time. The food was lovely – thank you for organising it!’.

The event was part of broader initiatives conscientising ourselves and other members of our faith communities about integrated ecology and a sustainable approach to our stewardship of the world’s limited natural resources. We hope to make it an annual event on the Association social calendar. Please join us next time!

Brendan Bergin
Senior School Teacher

Journeying Together with the Marist Association

The inaugural Nature Cycle, an initiative of the Marist Association of Canberra, was held on Saturday 16 November from 2 - 7pm. This event aimed to celebrate our connection with local faith communities in this Year of the Holy Spirit, journeying together to sacred spots in Woden Valley by bike. The decision was also made to extend an invitation to students at Marist College seeking ecological justice. 

One participant described their experience this way: 

‘Whoever sows well reaps well. We were able to understand and be stewards of God’s creation by giving back to the environment through our planting. A highlight for me was the opportunity to strengthen my relationship with God in a physical way, engaging with others in a world where technology dominates. It also helped to open my nostrils to the fresh air. It would be good to build on this experience and for boys to escape from the classroom and have a religious experience like this that is physical…actually doing stuff. (Philip Scaria, Year 10 student, Marist College)

Initially a Nature Retreat on foot, the initiative morphed into a Cycle tour, although stops were timed to accommodate walkers as well. Participants completed a collage of St Marcellin Champagnat from strips of coloured paper to be framed and exhibited at Marist College marking this inaugural Marist Association event.

Cyclists received a blessing with holy water from Lourdes, France, at the water feature in Eddison Park to sanctify both participants and the waters of the duckpond! At Woden cemetery we offered prayers of remembrance at the graves of our Deceased Marist and extended families. During a sejour at Marist College Greenhouse we also planted summer colours in planter boxes donated by students from the Wood Technology program. These blooms will light up the Junior school lawn at Christmas Carols and Mass on 24 December. 

As one Marist associate said, ‘Being out in nature for several hours allowed me to really relax into the event and enjoy the invitation to have time to think and just be.’ A student from Marist College described it this way, ‘I wanted to try something new in my spiritual life. The day was more fun than I expected to be…I was worried there would be more prayer but definite highlights for me were relaxing and playing football with my friends in Eddison Park, praying together. I was even able to visit my friend’s grave. That was important for my Catholic community.’ (Cian George, Year 10).

Fr Emil from Mary Help of Christians parish also joined the Nature Cycle along with nine participants from the Association, along with students and staff from Marist College. Our journey ended with Rosary followed by Mass at Mary Help of Christians Church where we offered symbols of creation proceeding to the altar at the Offertory to be blessed and praised. In future we would like to begin and end our pilgrimage in the same spot. Sincere thanks to the participants in this inaugural event, a benchmark for future nature events sponsored by the Marist Association of Canberra.

Brendan Bergin
Senior School Teacher

Community Carols will be held on the lawns of the Junior School before the celebration of Christmas Eve Mass on Tuesday 24 December. Carols will commence at 5.30pm, followed by Mass at 6.00pm. All families and friends of the College are welcome. Please bring something comfortable to sit on.

This year we are again asking members of the Marist Community to join us in making a difference to people’s lives, by making donations of non-perishable foods, toys, gift cards, toiletries, Christmas items, sporting equipment, school supplies etc. Essentially, anything that would make your Christmas an enjoyable one can be donated. We do ask that all gifts remain un-wrapped so they can be easily identified and given to the right families. Also, please ensure any food given has an expiry date beyond six months so families have plenty of time to consume it.

Donations can be made through House Group and hamper baskets have been distributed among House Group leaders.

Marist Vinnies group would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your ongoing support throughout the year and wish you and your family a very happy Christmas.

Lorraine Gannon
Head of Social Science

Enrolments for Mary Help of Christians 2025 Sacramental Program for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion is now open for children who will be in Year 4 or above in 2025. The Program will be held on Wednesdays from 6.30 to 7.30 and will begin on 12 February 2025. If you would like your child to take part in the program, please enrol early. Click here for further information about the program and details on how to enrol.

As we approach the end of the school year, it is with immense gratitude that the staff and I extend our heartfelt thanks to all of our Junior School families for your ongoing support of our wonderful school community this year.

Last week we welcomed all of our new Year 4, 5 and 6 students to their Orientation Day. Our 2025 student leaders assisted on the day and ensured all of our new Marist boys felt at home in their new school environment.

At the end of the school year, we will be farewelling Mr Damien Webb as he takes on a new role at the Catholic Education Office. We wish Mr Webb well as he takes on his new role and thank him for his time with us at Marist.

At the start of 2025, we will be welcoming Miss Holly George as a Junior School classroom teacher and Mrs Emma Darcy as our Junior School Head of Learning & Teaching.

Next week our College Blue and Blue Year books will be distributed to families, this publication is an exceptional reflection of the 2024 school year.

We wish all of our families a safe and Christ filled Christmas season and look forward to seeing you all again in the new year!

Servo Fidem

Kirsty Bell
Head of Junior School

A reminder that on Wednesday 4 December 2024, the College will celebrate the Graduation of our 2024 Year 12 class. This year’s celebration includes a whole school Graduation Assembly during the day, followed by a Graduation Mass in the evening.

We are kindly requesting contributions from Year 7 families to help provide food for the afternoon tea. The College will also be supplying beverages and other food items to cater for the planned celebrations. Together, we will be catering for approximately 700 guests. A suggested list of items and further details about drop-off times and locations were included in the letter recently sent to you.

• Donations can be dropped off on Wednesday 4 December, between 7.40am and 9.00am, at the College Chapel.
• Prepackaged items can also be delivered to the main College reception on Monday 2 December or Tuesday 3 December 2024.

Your support plays a vital role in making this event special for our graduating students and their families. We thank you in advance for your generosity.

For more information, please refer to the letter sent out last week.

This year, we introduced the Marist Wellbeing Framework, incorporating two explicit sessions per term during House Group time. These sessions are designed to align with our Marist Mission and to complement and enhance both the academic and pastoral care at Marist.

Session 1 (Week 3, Day 3): Delivered by Marist Mentors.
Session 2 (Week 7, Day 3): Designed and implemented by the Wellbeing Team.

Our Marist Mentors, now consisting of 150 Seniors, have been actively involved in presenting sessions from Years 4 - 12 once a term. The Marist Mentors have become more confident in leading the sessions and have played a pivotal role in leading discussions around what makes a Fine Young Man and who inspires us to be a good man.

In addition, our Wellbeing Team have created and run targeted wellbeing sessions that are specific for each year group. Some of the recent topics have included:

Intellectual Being - How can I best plan for upcoming assessments and manage my time effectively?

Spiritual Being - What does respect look like in terms of self, others and the environment?

Relational Being – Netiquette - What is my current digital footprint and how can I ensure it best represents me? What is sextortion?

Emotional Being- How do I deal with pressure and competing priorities?

Intellectual Being - What pathways are available to me?

Physical Being - How does a healthy diet and regular sleep contribute to wellbeing?

Relational Being - How can I project confidence in social situations?

Emotional Being - What are the different types of conflict? How do I adopt a positive outlook when dealing with conflict.

In addition to our Targeting Wellbeing sessions, we have recently had guest speakers from Head Space, present to Year 10 and Menslink present to Year 8. If you would be interested in finding out more about either organization and what is offered please click on the links.

As it has been the first year of the framework, we are in the process of reviewing both content and processes. Both staff and students have been given the opportunity to provide their feedback and we would also appreciate hearing from our parent community. If you have any feedback comments, please contact me at: sarahmahar@mcc.act.edu.au.

Sarah Mahar
Assistant Head of School - Wellbeing and Engagement

Senior School textbook and Library books due back

Please note that all Year 7 - 10 textbooks must be returned by Tuesday 3 December.

Any textbooks or library books that are still outstanding after this date will need to be replaced, and your school account will be invoiced for the cost. If your son still has books on loan, you will receive an email notifying you of the details.

Library closed after school in Week 18

Please note that the Library will be closed after school from 2 - 6
December due to Library staff working in Bookhire.

With summer holidays just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to dive into Wheelers ePlatform—Marist College’s digital library of eBooks and Audiobooks, accessible anytime, anywhere. Whether relaxing at home or on the road, students can choose from a fantastic selection to keep up their reading over the break. Audiobooks are especially great for family road trips, and with a wide range of titles, there’s something for everyone to enjoy!Simply download the ePlatform app from your mobile device's app store or access it on compatible e-readers.

Instructions for each device can be found here.

Students will need to use their school ID and password to set up their account.

If you have any questions or are looking for a recommendation to keep everyone engaged, feel free to contact the Library Staff.

Karen Collins
Head of Library and Information Services

Last week, the Marist College community came together to celebrate the creative achievements of our students at the opening night of the annual Art and TAS Exhibition, Ignite. The event showcased the incredible talents of our Visual Arts and Technology and Applied Studies (TAS) students, with works spanning a diverse range of mediums and techniques.

A highlight of the evening was the presentation of awards to outstanding students. Congratulations to all our award recipients and special mention to our Headmaster’s Award recipients:

Zachary Pyle (Year 12) for Visual Art

Jayme Lima (Year 12) for Technology and Applied Studies

Their works demonstrated exceptional creativity and craftsmanship, earning them the highest accolades in their respective categories.

Several other students were highly commended for their impressive contributions:

Daniel Sharkey (Year 10, Visual Art)
Angus Stewart (Year 10, Design and Wood Technology)
Kai Sadlier (Year 10, Design and Metal Technology)
Luke Nash (Year 10, Visual Art)
Lachlan Peel (Year 9, Visual Art)
Joel Geo (Year 8, Design and Technology)

Thank you to everyone who attended and to all who continue to support our vibrant arts and TAS programs.

April Croft
Head of Visual Arts

In Week 15, Year 8 students swapped their screens for the stunning landscapes of Murramarang National Park on a 3-day, 2-night adventure filled with camping, hiking, kayaking, and exploring the South Coast.

The camp proved to be a refreshing detox from modern technology, with High from Darlinghurst remarking, “I can’t believe I can have this much fun without my mobile!” It was a unique chance to bond with classmates, make new friends, and discover interesting things about one another. “I got to know at least one thing about everyone on camp,” shared Christian from Lavalla, adding how sports, skills, and teamwork brought them closer together.

Nature’s Playground

The highlight for many was the hike along the coastal trails, which offered stunning ocean views. Groups spotted dolphins leaping from the waves, and some were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of migrating whales. “The hike wasn’t too hard—it was perfect for chatting with mates while enjoying the scenery,” one student said.

Kayaking was another favorite activity, complete with capsizing fun and sightings of pelicans along the serene riverbanks. The crystal-clear weather added to the experience as students worked in sync to paddle through calm waters.

Cooking and Camping

Back at camp, students embraced outdoor cooking using Trangias, preparing meals like chicken teriyaki stir-fry and bolognese. “Cooking in the fresh sea air after a long hike made the food taste even better,” said one enthusiastic camper. The Depot Campsite, nestled in the Murramarang Rainforest, offered a magical setting with towering trees, curious bandicoots, and kangaroos that were perhaps a bit too friendly!

Although a bluebottle warning cancelled one snorkeling session, students made the most of their time by immersing themselves in other activities, including learning about Indigenous culture with Uncle Les who held a session on traditional artefacts, which provided meaningful insights into the deep connection between the land and its traditional custodians.

Lessons Beyond the Classroom

Beyond the fun and adventure, the camp was a learning experience in wilderness survival, collaboration, and respect for nature. One Patrick House student summed it up best: “The activities brought us closer together as a group. It was an unforgettable experience.”

Year 8 Camp at Murramarang National Park will surely be a memory students carry with them for years to come—a true celebration of nature, mateship, and discovery.

With thanks to Christian Honan, Mitch Corcoran, Ethan Brown and Isaac McGuinness, Finn MacDonald for their contributions to this article.

Naomi Whitehead
Year 7 and 8 Coordinator

Applications close Friday 29 November 2024 at 4:00pm (Week 17)

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 2025, 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, music books for the school year and the captaincy role of Flynn Music Leader/s.

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 29 November 2024 at 4:00pm (Week 17).

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

Dear Parents and Guardians

We now have a French Marist sister school, the Lycée Sainte-Marie in Lyon. I have been working with the Languages coordinator there, and he has a group of 15 confirmed expressions of interest from families for their son or daughter to visit our College from Friday 19 July, departing on 26 July of next year, with a view to us visiting Lyon in January of 2026. The students would be in school for the first week of Term 3, with some lessons and various activities organised.

I am urgently seeking your support in this wonderful venture, and I am asking for confirmation from Marist Canberra families that they are willing to host a French student in their home. It appears that the vast majority of the group are in fact girls!

Please could you reply urgently to me at katelofthouse@mcc.act.edu.au confirming that you can host a boy or a girl for the period indicated and if so, how many students could you accommodate?

In anticipation of your support.

Kate Lofthouse
Head of Languages

In 2017, two of our teachers, Matt Topham and Grant Barclay, founded the community program Every Chance.

Dedicated to breaking down financial barriers, Every Chance supports families across Canberra by covering registration fees for kids’ sports. In 2023, the charity made a significant impact by helping 100 children join sports they might otherwise have missed out on, with fees averaging $190 per season.

Matt Topham explains the motivation behind their work:

“With cost-of-living pressures rising, many families simply can’t afford to put their kids into sport. We’ve seen firsthand the demand for this kind of support, and we couldn’t ignore it.”

This initiative doesn’t just get kids onto the field - it changes lives. One parent shared:

“Without Every Chance, my son wouldn’t have been able to play. Thanks to the program, he’s not only fitter but has made great friends, and his confidence grows every week.”

A sports club echoed these sentiments, describing how a young player supported by Every Chance went from unsure at his first practice to a key member of the team by mid-season.

To further their mission, Every Chance will host the Empowering All Abilities Day on Friday 8 December, with over 20 Marist students volunteering to help on the day. This event, run in partnership with Abilities Unlimited Australia and Kulture Break, is designed to celebrate inclusivity and encourage participation in sports for kids of all abilities.

To learn more about Every Chance or to support this initiative, please visit their website. 

Bring a picnic and your family and friends to The Canberra Times Carols by Candlelight.

Stage 88, Commonwealth Park
Saturday 7 December from 6.30pm.

Entry is free.

This year marks the 80th Carols by Candlelight, so we would particularly welcome those with a long-standing interest in the event to join us.

The Carols are brought to you by The Canberra Times, Woden Valley Youth Choir, 2CA/2CC, National Capital Authority, Canberra Southern Cross Club, Eclipse Sound and Lighting, ECG Electrical, Canberra City Band and charity partner Lifeline.

Paul Osborne
Woden Valley Youth Choir

Outstanding performances this week by Luca Ciocca-Marchant for Colts Div 2 Blue with 103 not out off 69 deliveries in a T20 and Archie Jenkins (Stage 2 Blue) taking 6/17 in 5 overs in a T20.