What's On - 15 November 2023

Parents are welcome at our Thanksgiving Mass on Friday 1 December 

Parents are warmly invited to the celebration of a Mass of Thanksgiving where we will give thanks for the year. Mass will start promptly at 9.00am Friday 1 December in Marcellin Hall. Parents are requested to sit in the bleachers at the side. During the Mass we will pray that we continue to live our lives as people of faith who are known and loved.

Please join us for Community Carols

Date: Friday 1 December
Time: 5.00pm - 7.00pm 

This is a great opportunity to be together in the lead-up to Christmas, have fun, and celebrate 2023.

We are looking for any members of our Marist community who would be willing to do face painting for the first half of Community Carols, from 5.00pm - 6.00pm. If you are interested, please contact Nick Lansdown-Weir. 

Youth Sacramental Program 2024 (Years 7 – 12)

We have observed that a number of students have missed the opportunity in earlier years to receive the Sacraments, especially, First Eucharist and Confirmation. 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.

The actual design of the program will be partially dependent on the needs of the candidates and will involve a mix of twilight sessions for the family and weekly sessions held here at school. Priests from the local Parishes are involved in various sessions. The Sacraments will be received within each student’s local Parish in or around Pentecost, Sunday 19 May 2024.

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

Enrolments for Mary Help of Christians 2024 Sacramental Program for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion open on Thursday 16 November for children who will be in Year 4 or above in 2024. The Program will be held on Wednesday evenings from 6.30pm to 7.30pm and will begin with the Parent Information evening on Wednesday 7 February 2024. Please see our website under the Sacraments tab for further information about the program and details on how to enrol.

Save The Date: The Sacrament of Confirmation program, for children in Year 6 and above, will be held in Term 3, commencing on 31 July 2024. More information about the program is available on the Mary Help of Christians website under the Sacraments tab.

For further information please contact Christina the Parish Sacramental Coordinator.

Junior School Vinnies Christmas Appeal 2023

During Weeks 16 and 17 the Junior School are collecting donations for our 2023 Junior School - Vinnies Christmas Appeal.

With many people living below or close to the poverty line in Canberra, the Junior School aims to support the wider community and the St Vincent de Paul Society by donating cans of food, toys and other items so that Christmas is seen as truly a time of giving.

Each year level in the Junior School has been allocated specific gift types and one donation from each boy would be fabulous.

St Vincent dedicated his life to serving the poor and we aim to continue his humble work in the Junior School.

Donations can be dropped off to classrooms or to the Junior School foyer area. Please do not wrap items/presents.

Week 8

1 December – Junior School Presentation Day and Year 6 Farewell – formal summer uniform
1 December – Marist Community Carols – Year 4 students performing
1 December – Last day for all Junior School students

2024

5 February – First day of school for all NEW students to the Junior School (Years 4, 5 and 6)
6 February – First day of school for all RETURNING students in the Junior School
12 February – Junior School Parent Information Evening - 6.00pm

Congratulations to Shanaathanan Srimanobhavan on being awarded the Year 10 BGL (Faculty of Business, Government & Law) Rising Star Prize from the University of Canberra!  We commend you on your achievement and wish you continued success in your academic journey.

A reminder that our Art and Design Exhibition - Fusion, is open to all families from 3.30pm - 5.00pm every afternoon this week. Come and celebrate the hard work of our talented Art and Design students.

On Wednesday 29 November 2023, the College will celebrate the Graduation of our 2023 Year 12 Class. We have asked our Year 7 families to contribute to the day by donating food for an afternoon tea that occurs after the Graduation Assembly. All Year 7 families should have received a letter outlining details of the day and suggested contributions, the letter is also available here. 

Donations may be dropped off at the College, outside the Chapel, between 7.40am and 9.00am on Wednesday 29 November 2023. We will have staff and volunteers on hand from 7.40am to receive your donations as you simply drive through the main College driveway from Gate 1 off Marr Street.

Thank you for your support. 

Naomi Whitehead
Year 7 and 8 Coordinator

Library Book Return Dates

Please note that all Junior School library books are due back by this Friday 17 November.

Senior School Textbook and Library Book Return Dates

Please note that all Year 11 textbooks must be returned by next Monday 20 November.

All Year 7 – 10 textbooks are due back by next Friday 24 November.

Impact of renovations to Main Building on traffic flow

A renovation of the East Wing of the Main Building is currently underway. To ensure access to this area by our builders and building suppliers, there are some changes to the use of the road between the Main Building and Junior School playground (refer to image below). The building works has also impacted the concourse off the Main building and some staff parking. As a result, there is increased traffic and use by students on the road between these areas.

We therefore ask that parents avoid using this road. If you need to visit the College or collect your son after school hours from cricket training, the library or SASP please use one of the carparks accessible via Gates 1 and 3 or park your vehicle on Marr Street.

Parents are also reminded that the maximum speed limit on all College roads is 10km/h (walking pace).

Traffic concerns around the College

A number of traffic issues have been identified during the term, which have frustrated individuals and, in some cases, put students at risk. We therefore remind you of the following when you are visiting the College or dropping off/picking up your son/s.

• The maximum speed limit on all College roads is 10km/h (walking pace).
• Parents who stop and wait to pick up their son from the bus bay on Marr St or via the entrance to Gate 3 (Junior School roundabout), do so at risk of being booked by ACT Traffic Officers who sometimes monitor the area. We appreciate that parking can be challenging during school pick up and drop off times. A solution may be for parents to park on Pethebridge or Biddlecombe Streets and have their son/s walk from the College via the underpass or crossing on Marr Street.
• Staff parking areas are only for the use of staff and should not be utilised by parents between 8.00am and 4.00pm.
• U-turns are not permitted on Marr Street. This is a dangerous action that puts pedestrians and other road users at significant risk.
• Due to the current refurbishment of the Main Building, parents are asked for the remainder of the year to avoid accessing the road between the Main Building and Junior School playground (accessible via Gate 2) which will be used by builders and suppliers to access the building.

Kathy Mumberson
Governance, Risk and Compliance Manager

During the summer holiday break, Performing Arts will move into the new Veritas building. All musical instruments on hire from school or owned personally must be taken home with you.

The summer break is the perfect time to continue honing your skills and enjoying the magic of creating music. Whether you play the flute, trumpet, violin, or any other instrument, keeping it close at hand during the summer months can lead to a rewarding and fulfilling musical experience.

Remember, the journey of a musician is a continuous one, and every note you play contributes to your growth.

Our annual Year 12 Music Night is approaching. Our Year 12 cohort will perform their final recital pieces, accompanied by Year 11 students, for an audience of family, friends, students and the wider community.

Date: Tuesday 21 November
Time: 7.00pm
Venue: Sideway Bar, East Row, Sydney Building, Civic (above Verity Lane Market)

Tickets can be purchased here. 

Step into the magical world of the Marist TV and Movie Extravaganza, where young talents take center stage in a spectacular Little Brother Production like no other. 

Get ready to be captivated by the enchanting performances in this dazzling variety show inspired by the glitz and glamour of film and television. From heartwarming musical numbers to hilarious skits and breathtaking dance routines, Marist TV and Movie Extravaganza is a delightful showcase of creativity and imagination. Join us on this extraordinary journey as our talented students bring iconic characters and iconic moments from the silver screen to life. With their boundless energy and infectious enthusiasm, they will leave you cheering for more. 

Lights, camera, action—it's time to experience the wonder of The Marist TV & Movie Extravaganza!

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 unwrapped 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 made through House Groups 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.

Saturday Opening Times

A reminder that the Uniform Shop is open every second Saturday on top of the regular weekday opening hours which can be found here. 30-minute fitting appointments are available on Saturdays. Please find below the Saturday opening hours for the remainder of 2023:

Saturday 25 November: 9.00am – 12 noon
Saturday 2 December: 9.00am – 12 noon
Saturday 9 December: 9.00am – 12 noon

The Uniform Shop is pleased to announce that we will have three new House polos available for the three new Houses being added to Marist College Canberra.

• François House - Replacement House
• Le Rosey House - New in 2024
• Ludovic House - New in 2024

The new House polos are due to arrive at the Uniform Shop in January 2024.

We welcome all students who require these polos to visit the Uniform Shop to fit for size and place their new polo on backorder for collection in January 2024. If you are a current student in Year 7, 8, 9 or 10 and have questions regarding your replacement polo, please speak with your House Dean.

Important information about NSW Student Travel has now been provided by Transport NSW. To read more or to apply for a travel pass for 2024 please click here. 

Tom Cramp (Year 12) recently competed in the Perth Junior Oceania Cup 2023, an international Judo event that forms part of the International Judo Federation (IJF) event series each year. The tournament hosted 90 players from 11 countries in the Juniors category. Tom's outstanding performance saw him secure third place in the Junior men under 73kg category. Congratulations, Tom!

Congratulations

Congratulations to Will Rees (Year 8), Stage 3 Sat Gold – Sky who took 5/15 including a hat-trick.

Clinics

The Club is providing opportunities for our spinners and our coaches and captains to develop skills in clinics.

SPIN CLINIC – Wednesday 22 November 4.00pm - 5.30pm at Lindwall Oval and Jubilee Nets

CAPTAINS CLINIC – Wednesday 29 November – 4.00pm - 5.30pm at Lindwall Pavilion 

You can register here.

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