Enews - 15 October 2025

Welcome back to Term Four. This is an important and busy term, a time to consolidate all that has been learned throughout the year, to focus on improving in areas that need attention and to conclude the academic year with a real sense of achievement.

I encourage every boy to stay organised and to take pride in the growth he has made and conclude the year with gratitude, determination and a deep satisfaction of knowing he has done his best.

Matthew Hutchison
Headmaster

I am sure many in community have heard the terrible news of the passing of Joey Henry (Class of 2023), who died during the break in a tragic biking accident on a farm. Joey was the much-loved son of Matt and Tracey and brother of Benny (Year 12).

Joey made a significant contribution to our College community. A proud member of Francois House, he also served as Captain of the 1st XV Rugby team, guiding the team to a memorable premiership win. Beyond his achievements, Joey will be remembered for his gentle and caring nature and for the deep love he held for his school.

The Henry family have expressed their gratitude for the thoughts and prayers of our community at this most difficult time.

We entrust Joey to the loving care of our compassionate God and we hold the Henry family close in our Marist community of support and prayer.

Matthew Hutchison
Headmaster

Some of you may remember the terrorist group ISIS, whose brutality and public executions dominated global headlines about a decade ago. At the time, only the darkest corners of the internet carried such horrific footage and only those determined to find it could.

How different things are today. When news broke last month that American political influencer Charlie Kirk had been shot at an event in Utah, the footage of the incident appeared on millions of screens within seconds. Our boys did not have to go searching for it; it came to them!

Social media platforms have effectively removed the editors and news professionals who once acted as gatekeepers, deciding what was appropriate to publish. Now, distressing and graphic content circulates, sometimes pornographic, goes unchecked and unfiltered, finding its way straight into the hands of your children.

Research shows young people are now more likely than adults to come across violent or disturbing content online. A major UK survey of 10,000 children aged 12 to 17 revealed that 70% had seen real-life violent material online in the past year, while only 6% had actually gone looking for it!

We would be foolish to believe this does not have an impact. Exposure to repeated violence and pornography dulls empathy and normalises suffering. It can affect mood, sleep, concentration and relationships. It chips away at the gentle hearts we are trying to form in our boys.

Many parents share how difficult it is to set boundaries around phones and social media. It is exhausting work trying to monitor, limit or simply keep up with what their children are seeing. Phones are deeply personal and for so many young people, highly addictive.

That is why the Australian Government’s recent decision to ban access to social media platforms for those under 16, effective from December this year, has been met with relief by so many families. It is an acknowledgment that parents should not have to fight this battle alone and recognition that the digital environment has become too powerful and too pervasive for many families to manage in isolation.

At Marist, we want to stand alongside parents and the government in supporting a healthier digital culture. Over the coming term, we will review our phone policy with input from parents, staff and boys.

The government ban is not about punishment or distrust, rather it is about protecting attention, nurturing empathy and helping our young people live more present, balanced lives.

Matthew Hutchison
Headmaster

Congratulations to Br Peter Carroll, from the Star of the Sea Province, who has been elected Superior General of the Institute of the Marist Brothers. He will serve as leader of the global Marist family for the next eight years.

Peter, a proud Queenslander and graduate of Marist College Ashgrove in Brisbane, has held leadership roles in several Marist schools. He has served as Provincial of the Australian Province and, more recently, as the inaugural Provincial of the newly formed Star of the Sea Province.

Peter brings to this important role great warmth, humour and intellect, together with a deep awareness of the challenges facing our world today. His leadership is grounded in a faith lived humbly and authentically.

Upon his appointment, I assured him that our community will keep him in our prayers as he leads the global Marist family in its mission “to make Jesus Christ known and loved.”

Matthew Hutchison
Headmaster

Congratulations to our newly appointed College Captains for 2026. We are delighted to announce and celebrate these young men who have been chosen to lead our community next year.

College Captain: Chris Way

College Vice Captain: Tomas Jensen

Service Captain: Isaac Scarano

Their selection reflects the respect of their peers and staff and the confidence we have in their character, leadership and commitment to Marist life.

We look forward to the example they will set and the contributions they will make as they serve our College with humility and compassion.

Matthew Hutchison
Headmaster

All parents and sons are invited to a special fundraising event called Constant Kick on Tuesday 21 October from 5.30-7.00pm on Lindwall Oval. We will be keeping the ball alive for 90 minutes while we raise awareness for mental wellbeing and funds to support HOME in Queanbeyan.

HOME seeks to provide a safe, loving, and long-term home for twenty men and women living with an enduring mental illness who are at risk of homelessness. You can watch a short film about its impact here. 

Tickets are $5 each and include a sausage and drink to keep the energy up.

Welcome to Term 4 in the Junior School

It is a pleasure to welcome all our boys and their families back to the Junior School for Term 4. I trust that the recent holiday break was a time of rest and renewal for your families, and that the boys have returned refreshed and ready for a busy and exciting final term of the year.

Summer Uniform Reminder

As we begin Term 4, a reminder that students are now required to wear the full summer uniform. Junior School boys are expected to wear their College hat during break times and during PE classes. We appreciate the support of families in ensuring that the boys present themselves neatly and with pride in their uniform each day.

Lost Property

This week at the entry to the Junior School, you will find tables of unclaimed lost property items from last term in the Junior School. Ranging from school shirts, PE shirts, shorts, belts, school shoes and bags. May of the items are unnamed; many are new clothing items, and some have names of past students.

Before the lost property is cleared, we would like to offer Junior School families an opportunity to drop by this week and claim (or reclaim) items they may be missing or that your son requires.

Any unclaimed items will be donated to charity at the end of the week.

Month of the Rosary

October is recognised in the Catholic tradition as the Month of the Rosary. Over the coming weeks, the Junior School boys will be learning about and praying the Rosary in their classes. This Friday, we are delighted to welcome Fr Emil to the Junior School, where he will join with our Year 4 and Year 6 students to pray the Rosary together. This is a special opportunity for the boys to deepen their understanding of this important devotional practice within our faith tradition.

Year 5 Camp

This week, our Year 5 students, accompanied by eight staff members, will be attending their annual camp at the Sport and Recreation Centre in Jindabyne from Wednesday to Friday. This is always a highlight of the year for the boys, providing opportunities for personal growth, teamwork and the strengthening of friendships. We wish Year 5 and their teachers a safe, enjoyable and memorable camp experience. The boys will return to school on Friday afternoon after the regular school buses have left the campus. Thank you to Mrs Katrina Carling for coordinating the camp.

Junior School Staff News

We are very pleased to welcome back Mr Alan Keogh from Long Service Leave this term. We also welcome back Mrs Michele Izzard, who worked in the Library during Term 3 and will be teaching 6 Marcellin during Term 4. Their return adds great strength and experience to our team as we head into the final term of the year.

Term 4 promises to be a rich and rewarding time for our Junior School, filled with learning, reflection and celebration. I thank all families for their ongoing support and look forward to a successful term together.

Kirsty Bell
Head of Junior School

Get Ready for Junior School’s Annual Mission Day!

Next Friday 24 October 2025
Marist College Canberra – Junior School

Our much-loved Junior School Mission Day is back! This is a fantastic day for our students to have fun while supporting the Australian Marist Solidarity Appeal. With exciting stalls and activities prepared by our students and teachers, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Grab Your Mission Day Coupons:

$10 – includes a BBQ lunch, a drink, and 20 mission day coupons

$15 – includes a BBQ lunch, a drink, and 40 mission day coupons

As we enter Term 4, it’s hard to believe that another school year is drawing to a close. The warmer weather, longer days, and anticipation of holidays bring with them a natural sense of excitement and restlessness. For our young men at Marist College Canberra, this time of year is a valuable opportunity to reflect on their efforts so far and to commit to finishing the year with focus, integrity, and pride.

At Marist, we talk often about striving for excellence in all aspects of life – in the classroom, on the sporting field, and in our relationships with others. Finishing the year well means continuing to uphold these values right through to the final bell. It can be tempting at this stage to relax our standards, to coast through the final assessments, or to let attention to detail slip. Yet it is in these moments that character is built and resilience is shown.

Academically, Term 4 provides an important opportunity for consolidation. Boys should continue to engage in lessons, complete their assignments thoughtfully, and prepare thoroughly for any end-of-year tasks or exams. Strong academic habits developed now will serve them well not only in future studies but also in life beyond school. Teachers are ready to support students who may have fallen behind or who need extra guidance, what’s required is the willingness to stay engaged and to seek help when needed.

Equally important is the way our boys conduct themselves around the College. As teachers, we often notice at this time of year that energy levels rise and focus can waver. The warmer weather, upcoming events, and the excitement of summer can lead to lapses in behaviour and judgement. It’s essential that students continue to demonstrate respect for themselves, for others, and for the learning environment. Wearing the uniform correctly, speaking courteously, and maintaining positive relationships are small but powerful ways of contributing to our Marist community spirit.

Finishing the year well isn’t just about results; it’s about finishing with pride in one’s effort and behaviour. Every day offers a chance to make good choices, to support peers, and to live out the values of humility, simplicity, and modesty that underpin our Marist ethos.

As families, you play a key role in reinforcing these messages at home. Encourage your sons to stay organised, to maintain healthy routines, and to keep striving for their best even as the year winds down. Together, we can help ensure that Term 4 is not a time of merely “getting through,” but of finishing strong—academically, socially, and spiritually.

Let’s work together to ensure that every boy ends the year with a sense of achievement and gratitude, ready to rest and recharge for the opportunities that await in the new year.

A few events to look out for this term:

Week 12: Year 5 My Body, My Life & Mission Day & Badge Assembly
Week 14: House Farewells to Year 12’s
Week 17: Orientation Day & Activity Day
Week 18: Lunch on the Lawn & Year 12 Graduation & Presentation Day

Craig McMahon
Junior School – Head of Student Wellbeing

As we approach the end of the school year, a number of key Teaching & Learning events are scheduled for the coming weeks. These include a range of standardised assessments designed to help us monitor your son’s academic progress, evaluate the effectiveness of our teaching and learning programs, and inform decisions around intervention and extension opportunities for 2026.

Key Dates – Term 4

Week 11: Term 4 Parent Learning Overviews distributed
Week 14: Year 4–6 PAT Reading testing
Week 15: DIBELS Reading assessment
Week 17: PAT Mathematics and Spelling testing
Week 18: Semester Reports and Assessment Books sent home

These assessments provide valuable data that, when combined with classroom observations and teacher judgments, help us ensure that each student’s learning needs are being met and that appropriate supports and challenges are in place for the year ahead.

If your son has planned absences within these time periods, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s classroom teacher to ensure a catch-up or earlier testing session can be arranged.

Emma Darcy
Junior School - Head of Teaching & Learning

Spring has arrived!

The Power of Pausing: Reconnecting in a Fast-Paced World

In today’s busy, screen-filled lives, it’s easy to lose touch with the people who matter most. Slowing down allows us to be present, listen deeply, and nurture meaningful connections with family and friends.

With the weather (slowly) warming up, this presents a great opportunity to complete some much-needed check-ins—whether a quiet chat over dinner, a walk with a loved one or a family night where technology is set aside for the evening (by everyone) to foster connections —create space for emotional support, shared joy, and stronger relationships. In a world that often rushes past us, choosing to pause is a powerful act of care.

Greg Mitchell
Junior School Student Counsellor

Featured in last week’s Canberra Weekly, read about how our students are embracing dance, breaking stereotypes, and performing at this year’s Ausdance ACT Youth Dance Festival. Discover the creativity, energy, and teamwork that make dance such a vibrant part of life at Marist.

Read the full story here

Marist College Canberra has partnered with CIT to give Senior Students exclusive access to short courses in hospitality. Perfect for getting job-ready, learning new skills, or adding to your resume.

These courses give you the chance to secure a spot in a class made up of Marist students only. If minimum enrolments aren’t met, places may then be opened to students from other Canberra Catholic Education schools.

To read more about the Courses on offer - please click here or click below to register.

For any enquiries, please contact Dave Moore. 

The Marist College Canberra Foundation exists to provide life-changing educational opportunities for boys who would not otherwise be able to attend the College. At the heart of our mission is the Br Mark May Bursary Fund, which supports the education of boys from families facing financial hardship.

Thanks to the generosity of our community and funded by donations, the Foundation helps preserve the Marist tradition of inclusivity, faith, and service.

In future updates, we’ll share how this support changes lives, and how you can be a part of that story.

If you are interested in learning more about the Foundation, please feel free to contact me at any time at christinagilmour@mcc.act.edu.au

Donations always make a difference, and are gratefully received.

Christina Gilmour
Director of Advancement

Step into the courtroom of chaos for an unforgettable evening of brain-teasing fun at the Law & Disorder Trivia Night with 100% of proceeds going to Menslink!

When: 5.30-8.30pm, Friday 17 October
Where: Marist College Canberra (27 Marr Street, Pearce)

Hosted by a professional MC, this isn’t your average trivia night. We’re turning up the heat with:

- Eight themed trivia rounds
- Mini-games between rounds to keep the energy high
- Entertainment
- A Moët bar, wine lucky dip
- Food van
- Platters for tables to purchase
- Incredible raffle prizes

Whether you’re a legal eagle, a pop culture junkie, or just in it for the Moët - there’s something for everyone.

Most importantly, all funds raised will support Menslink who provide free counselling, mentoring, and school programs for young men in Canberra. This event proudly backs Jacquelyn Curtis and Emily Shoemark, who are both taking part in the Menslink Great Walk 2025, a 142km trek to raise vital awareness and funds for youth mental health.

🎟️ Tickets:

Single ticket – $100 (includes a welcome drink)
Table of 10 – $1000 (includes a bottle of Moët, raffle entry per person, Turkish bread & dips platter, sparkling water & premium placement)

👉 Tables will sell fast – secure your spot in court today! If you would like to make a tax deductible donation to purchase a table, please contact either Jacquelyn at jcurtis@parkercolescurtis.com.au or Emily at eshoemark@shglawyers.com.au to arrange this.

We’d love for you to join us for a night of trivia, laughs, and luxe prizes, all in support of an incredible cause.

Celebrate the festive season with us at Rodney’s Plants Plus as we transform the gardens into a magical twilight marketplace. Enjoy a glass of champagne on arrival, delicious canapés, and a signature cocktail as you browse unique market stalls and discover exclusive shopping opportunities.

The evening will feature food and wine tastings, a raffle with fantastic prizes, and a thank-you gift bag to take home. It’s the perfect way to kick off the holidays with friends, family, or colleagues.

All tickets are just $20, with proceeds going to The Marist Association Canberra and Merici College in support of the Tree Regeneration Project.

Event Details
Date: Thursday 20 November
Time: From 5:30 PM
Location: Rodney’s Plants Plus
Tickets: $20 (includes champagne on arrival, canapés, gift bag, and entertainment)

Tickets are limited. Don’t miss out - come for the shopping, stay for the atmosphere, and leave knowing you’ve supported a great cause.

Brendan Bergin
Local Co-ordinator Marist Association

Peace Moments is the title for our Marist Association family gathering at the Cowra Japanese gardens in October. This is a family friendly event. The gardens remind us of the importance of reconciliation and peacemaking in our communities and in our world. Peacemaking efforts in countries like Australia and Japan originate from a determination to secure peace for our families and to avoid nuclear holocaust in the future. The example of young Sadako, a resident of Hiroshima, crafting paper cranes to inspire peace as she suffered the debilitating effects of war, along with the efforts of young people committed to peace and social justice in our local communities remind us to bring Mary, Mother of Peace, to the brokenness of our world, offering prayer, healing and hope.

We will gather for morning tea at 10am before a tour of the gardens followed by a Peace Moment prayer and a shared lunch. Participants will depart the gardens around 2pm.

Cost to enter Gardens
Adults $10.00
Children $5.00
Children under 5 years FREE

A 50% concession off standard ticket prices for Marist Associates / families and friends if paid to your local coordinator before Friday 17th October. Please bring a plate to share for morning tea. Tea/Coffee etc to be provided. Families will bring a shared lunch.

Schedule
10am - Arrival at the gardens. Morning Tea in the Education Centre
10.30am - Tour of the Garden
11.30am - Peace Moment (Shared prayers for peace)
12pm - Shared lunch in a space within the gardens
From 1pm - Families are free to enjoy the gardens
2pm - End of the event

Inquiries: brendanbergin@mcc.act.edu.au or your local Marist Association co-ordinator / school principal (Parkes / Forbes / Tumut).

Brendan Bergin
Local Co-ordinator Marist Association

Marist Old Boys Bursary Luncheon
Stories Worth Telling, Futures Worth Building

Join us for a special luncheon celebrating the enduring Marist spirit. Together, we'll honour the remarkable journeys of our Old Boys and raise vital funds for the Bursary Program, helping ensure future generations of Marist boys have the same opportunities that so many of us have enjoyed.

This year's event will also mark the re-launch of the Marist College Wall of Honour, recognising outstanding alumni and welcoming the newest inductees.

Date and Time: Thursday, 23 October | 12:20 PM – 3:30 PM

Venue: Corinna Room, Canberra Southern Cross Club

Tickets: $120 per person or $1,200 for a table of 10 (Includes 3-course meal & 3-hour beverage package)

If you're unable to attend but would like to support the Old Boys Bursary, please click here to make a donation.

Marist College Canberra and the Marist College Canberra Old Boys Association are pleased to welcome Old Boys from the following year groups for our annual Super Reunion.

Class of 2015 – 10 Year Reunion
Class of 2005 – 20 Year Reunion
Class of 1995 – 30 Year Reunion
Class of 1985 – 40 Year Reunion
Class of 1975 - 50 Year Reunion 

Saturday 8 November 2025
12.00pm – 4.00pm
Marist College Canberra

The reunions offer a wonderful opportunity for Old Boys to reunite, reconnect and reminisce about years past. Please join us for a BBQ, refreshments and school tours from 12.00pm. 

Please register your attendance via the RSVP button below. We hope to see you there.