What's On - 28 February 2024

Genevieve Jacobs AM will host An Evening of Dialogue with Fr Timothy Radcliffe OP on Wednesday 13 March 2024 from 7.00pm - 8.30pm at Marist College Canberra.

Please click here to register and access more information about this significant event. Places are limited, so please book early and share with family and friends!

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

Justice for Refugees: Permanent Visas now
When: Sunday 24 March 1:00pm - 2:30 pm
Where: Garema Place, Civic, Canberra
Find out more on Refugee Action event page.

Speaker: Fr. John Woods
Father John Woods is a priest of the Catholic Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn. Born in New Zealand, he has spent most of his life in Canberra. Father John is the Parish Priest of Transfiguration Parish, North Woden. He has held a number of Archdiocesan appointments and is also currently the Vicar (or Archbishop Christopher Prowse’s representative) for Social Services and Welfare. As a Christian and grateful citizen, he supports initiatives to improve the plight of asylum seekers.

This Thursday the Junior School boys and staff are invited to come dressed as a movie character of their choice. Boys who participate will donate a gold coin to Project Compassion run by Caritas as part of our College Lenten Appeal.

Week 3 Silly Sock Day was well represented. Many thanks to the boys who participated and donated to Project Compassion.

Families are asked to refer to communication sent out from Ged Galvin regarding the day.

The annual Marist Junior School Athletics Carnival will be held on Lindwall Oval on Wednesday 6 March 2024 (Week 5). All boys come to school at the normal time. Class teachers will walk the boys down in readiness for a 9.00am start.

Boys are to wear their PE uniform. Similar to the Swimming Carnival, boys are encouraged to show some House Spirit and bring/wear some added colour to display their House pride. They also require a filled water bottle as there are a limited number of bubblers near Lindwall Oval. Boys who usually compete with spikes can bring these and change before and after their events. Boys are required to bring their own sunscreen, food and drinks.

Athletics Carnival BBQ

The boys have an opportunity to purchase a special BBQ lunch and support projects for the upcoming College Immersions.

The Year 11 boys and staff who are attending one of our College Immersions this year will be hosting the BBQ. Funds raised from the BBQ will go towards the special project each Immersion group will complete or participate in whilst on their immersion. The funds raised will not be put towards covering travel costs of the Immersion group, these costs are met by the participating boys.

Our Immersion groups this year are going to either the Tiwi Islands or Cambodia. Kirsty Bell is excitedly preparing to accompany the Year 11 Cambodian Immersion group this year.

The cost of the BBQ lunch and donation towards the Immersion project is $10 (which includes 2 sausage sandwiches and a popper drink).

The BBQ lunch will be prepared in time for the boys’ lunch break on Athletics Carnival Day. They will need to bring their own recess food.

Sales will not be taken on the day, boys that want to partake in the BBQ offer must submit their payments by close of business this Friday 1 March, so that food orders may be placed.

ORDER HERE

The sausages are gluten free and non-beef sausages will be made available for those boys who request them. Any families requiring non beef/meat sausages or gluten free bread please email juniorschool@mcc.act.edu.au before close of business this Friday 1 March, so that we can best accommodate your son.

The College Canteen will be operating as normal on the day. Boys are still able to order lunches.

Week 5 in the Junior School is ‘Green Week’, meaning that the boys have a week off from completing Homework Tasks. Junior School boys are asked to find jobs around their home that they could do instead, to assist their family members.

A reminder to all families that next Tuesday 5 March is Moderation Day for all students (Years 4 - 12). The College is not open for students on this day, please make alternative arrangements for your son/s.

The College has recently updated our policies and workflow regarding the use of student images in external communications such as newsletters, marketing, College websites, public relations, publications and social media. These changes simplify the process and provide an opportunity for you to update your preferences regarding the publishing of your child’s image at any time.

From 2024, the College will move to an OPT-OUT system for student image and media use.

If you DO NOT wish for your son’s image to be used and published for external communication purposes, please head to MyMarist, click on the camera icon below your son's image and select Opt-out. 

If you are happy for your son’s image to be used for College purposes, no action is required. 

Are you looking for an opportunity to develop your critical thinking and argumentative skills? Want to improve your public speaking and presentation abilities? Or maybe you're just looking for a way to meet and interact with like-minded individuals? If so, then the Marist Debate Club is the perfect place for you!

By joining the Debate Club, you'll have the opportunity to participate in engaging and thought-provoking debates on a wide range of topics. This will not only help you to improve your critical thinking and argument skills, but it will also provide you with a chance to engage in meaningful conversations and learn more about different perspectives on important issues.

In addition to participating in debates, as a member of the Debate Club, you'll also have the opportunity to attend training sessions on various topics such as effective research techniques, public speaking, and argumentative strategies. These workshops are designed to help you build the skills you need to become a more effective debater and communicator.

If you're looking for a way to challenge yourself and improve your skills, then the Marist Debate Club is the perfect place for you! We welcome students of all skill levels and backgrounds to join, and we look forward to having you as part of our team. So, don't wait any longer, join us today and be a part of a community of individuals who are passionate about the issues being debated.

There are three divisions that Marist will be participating in for the first competition season (throughout Terms 1 and 2, commencing Week 6):

Junior Premier (Years 6 – 8) – Monday evening rounds
Senior Premier (Years 9 – 10)- Wednesday evening rounds
Advanced Premier (Years 11-12 – Thursday evening rounds

If you are in Year 6 and are interested in joining or want to learn more about our upcoming events and activities, please feel free to reach out to Allison Collins, in person or by email. 

If you are in Years 7 - 12 and are interested in joining or want to learn more about our upcoming events and activities, please feel free to reach out to Gerard Dwyer in the English staffroom or by email.

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

This year, as part of the Year 9 Footsteps program, we will be working with the Resilience Project.

The Resilience Project is emotionally engaging, practical and proven to have impact through evidence based evaluations conducted by The University of Melbourne. The program is delivered in over 800 schools nationwide and is endorsed as an approved wellbeing program by the Victorian, NSW, and South Australian Departments of Education. I can highly recommend the activities suggested for families.

Matthew Rowland
Footsteps Coordinator and Indigenous Relations Officer

We ask all families to ensure that if parking on Marr St or a street neighbouring Marist College, that you do so in a manner that ensures the safety of students, is respectful of neighbours, and does not impede the smooth flow of traffic.

Marr St is particularly busy during the early morning ‘drop-off’ and afternoon ‘pick-up’ periods and there are limited parking options directly opposite the College. There is parking on neighbouring streets and a convenient drop off/pick up point is near the underpass on Petherbridge Street. When parking your vehicle near the College we ask that all road signage be followed, and parents and carers are respectful towards residents and fellow road users. You may also consider picking up your son/s a little later than bell time to allow for the peak traffic to pass. Please note that the ACT police and parking inspectors patrol streets around the College for compliance with road rules.

In addition, please also note that the speed limit on College roads is 10km/h and that several roads are shared zones. Parents are also asked to note that the main driveway car park at the front of the College is for staff parking and should not be used by parents during drop-off and pick-up.

The College holds a Student Care Insurance Policy with Catholic Church Insurance (CCI) to assist families in the event a student suffers an injury while engaged in a school activity or an endorsed program, such as a sporting or co-curricular activity. Claims accepted by CCI provide a level of coverage for personal accidents and a range of related expenses as well as other allowances in line with the policy. The claims process is managed directly between the family and the insurer CCI. The College does not have visibility of the claim, or the claim process once lodged with CCI.

It is important to note that the policy is limited in its coverage and does not cover the Medicare gap or anything payable under Medicare. Given this the College recommend that families have their own separate private health insurance.

To make a claim please contact the College’s Risk and Compliance team via 62987200. We will check the College has a report of the injury and will provide information on how to make a claim and who to list as the College contact.

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

In a thrilling display of skill and teamwork, MCC students showcased their sailing prowess at the ACT Team Sailing Championships held at Lake Burley Griffin on February 24 and 25. James Russo, Theodore Morrisey, Thomas Lawrence, Jesse Fitzsimons, Lucas Dopita, and Finley Cockburn represented the Marist/Merici Sailing Club, demonstrating their clinical execution of racing techniques honed through dedicated training.

Amidst stiff competition, the team clinched the silver medal, surpassing challengers from CGGS and one of two CGS sailing teams. Their exceptional performance secured them a spot in the upcoming Sailing National Championships, a testament to their skill and determination.

Beyond their success on the water, the team exemplified the values of teamwork, fair play, and sportsmanship, all while enjoying the camaraderie of the sailing community. Congratulations to the Marist/Merici Sailing Club on this remarkable achievement!

Michael Du Rietz
Senior School Teacher

Sydney Rowing Regatta – Saturday:

Race 17 Men’s Under 19 / Under 21 Single Scull: U/19 Gold Medal: Harrison Braithwaite

Race 18 Men’s Under 19 / Under 21 Single Scull: Bronze medal: Riley Dale; 4th place Riley Elliott

Race 29 Schoolboy Coxed Quad: Gold medal: Marist College 1 – Austin Bennie; Harrison Braithwaite; Charlie Carter; Garvan Hayes; Coxed by Theo Campton
Bronze Medal: Marist College 2 - Roland Carter; Hamish Ridd; Riley Elliott; Riley Dale; Coxed by Patrick Weber

Rowing NSW Schoolboy Head of the River Results - Sunday:

Schoolboy Year 9 Double Scull: Gold Medal: Cooper Clark and Jesse Ellwood

1st Quad Scull: Silver Medal: Austin Bennie; Harrison Braithwaite; Charlie Carter; Garvan Hayes; Coxed by Theo Campton

Year 8 Coxed Quad Sculls: Bronze Medals in respective divisions:

Henry Smyth; Luca Storgato; Jacob Smith; Jay Miller; Aiden McGurk
Theo Campton; Oscar Battaglia; Armand Lisman; Kip Gilfillan; Tom Hickey
Lachlan Carter; Noah Gill; Jonah McLaughlin; Dashel Spiller; Asher Kayser

Will Rees continued his standout season taking 6 for 6 for Stage 3 Sky.

The season ended for the First XI on Sunday with 8 players playing their last game for the College. The Club wishes them all the best for the future.

This weekend sees semifinal round.

Friday:

Stage 2 Midnight vs. Stage 2 Steele.
Saturday:

Stage 1 Royal vs. Grammar
Stage 1 Sky vs. ANU Black
Stage 2 Sky vs. Wests Mavericks
Stage 2 Royal vs. Queanbeyan Blue
Stage 2 Navy vs. YDCC Diamonds
Stage 3 Sky vs. WCMCC
Stage 3 Royal vs. WCMCC

Sunday

Stage 2 Sapphire vs. St Edmunds
Stage 2 Aqua vs. St Edmunds
Stage 2 Slate vs. St Edmunds
Stage 2 Indigo vs. Daramalan
Stage 3 Midnight vs. Eastlake Hawks
Stage 3 Steele vs. Radford Falcons

A reminder that the Presentation Night is on Monday 25 March at 6.00pm.