What's On - 22 October 2025

This year, we are asking members of the Marist Community to join us in making a difference to peoples’ lives by making donations of non-perishable foods, toys, gift cards, toiletries, sporting equipment and school supplies.

Essentially, anything that would make a Christmas an enjoyable one can be donated. We ask that all gifts remain unwrapped so they can be easily identified and given to the right families. Please also ensure any food given has an expiry date beyond six months so families have plenty of time to consume it.

Donations by Senior School students and staff can be made through House Group and hamper baskets are located with House Deans.

Nathan Ahearne
Assistant Head of School - Mission and Identity

Rosary with Father Emil

Last Friday, Year 4 and Year 6 spent time with Fr Emil praying The Rosary. Fr Emil visits the Junior School each October to share this special tradition with the boys and teachers.

Mission Day

Junior School will be holding their annual Mission Day this Friday. Mission Day is an in-school event for students and staff.

It is our last fundraising activity for Australian Marist Solidarity for 2025.

Junior School boys wear their PE uniform to school on Friday and bring their House shirt in their school bag.

End of Year Events

Monday 24 November will be our Orientation Day for all new students who have accepted positions in the Junior School to start in 2026. This will also be the Orientation Day for all current Year 6 Marist students who are continuing their studies in Year 7 at Marist in 2026, as well as those joining the College in Year 7 next year.

Friday 28 November will be our Junior School 2025 Activity Day for students.

Junior School Parent Workshop – The Hidden cost of screen time – Emotion coaching as a parental superpower

On Monday 14 November Mr Greg Mitchell, our Junior School Counsellor will be hosting a Parent Workshop for Junior School Parents. Futher details will be sent directly to Junior School parents this week. Please note that places available will be limited due to the workshop nature of the evening.

Monday 1 December will be our 2025 Junior School Lunch on the Lawn from 1pm until 2.30pm. Parents will be invited to attend this event.

Friday 6 December will be our 2025 Junior School Presentation Day and Farewell Ceremony for Year 6. Midday until 1.30pm in Marcellin Hall. All Junior School families are welcome to attend. Year 6 families are encouraged to attend. Parents of Award winners will be notified in advance.

Kirsty Bell
Head of Junior School

ADF Long Tan Awards presented to a Year 10 and Year 12 student

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) Long Tan Youth Leadership and Teamwork Awards commenced in 2006 to foster the development of youth in terms of behaviour and attributes considered essential in Australia’s future leaders.

The awards are a means to formally recognise those students who have demonstrated leadership and teamwork within their school and the broader community, and who display strong personal ethical values, such as doing one’s best, respecting others and “mateship” – aspects considered essential to the ADF and Australian Society.

Congratulations:

Jack Davidson (Year 12)

Connor Middleton (Year 10)

ADF Future Innovators Awards presented to a Year 10 & Year 12 student

The awards are a means to formally recognise those students who have demonstrated motivation and innovation in the areas of STEM within their school, and who display strong personal ethical values, such as doing one’s best.

- A student who demonstrates innovation in the learning area of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths).

- A student who demonstrates a level of motivation in the learning area of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths).

Congratulations:

Josh Narel (Year 12)

Isaac Di Iulio (Year 10)

Celebrate the festive season at Rodney’s Plants Plus as we transform the gardens into a magical twilight marketplace featuring boutique Christmas gifts of toys, cookies, jewellery, cards, and honey products made by Marist & Merici families. Discounts on Rodney’s prices too - garden, furniture, household and power tools.

Enjoy a glass of champagne, delicious canapés, and a signature cocktail as you browse market stalls and shopping bargains, serenaded by Christmas carol favourites.

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. If you can’t join us on the night just click on the Eventbrite link below to make a kind donation.

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 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.

A huge congratulations to four students for their exceptional performances on the international and national stage.

Kieran Shepherd has had a monumental 12 months in both athletics and cross country, winning the National titles in Athletics over 800m, 1500m and 3000m as well as claiming both the u16s National Schools Cross Country title and the Australian Cross Country Championships.

Cameron Kirsten was selected in the Australian Schoolboys Rugby team, playing games in September against the Australian u18s and twice against the Fijian Schoolboys team. This is the second time Cameron has worn the green and gold, after also being selected for the Australian u16s in 2023.

Nathan Kerr was selected in the Australian u22 Indoor Cricket team, travelling to Sri Lanka for the Indoor Cricket World Cup where they defeated New Zealand in the Final to be crowned World Champions. He was statistically the most valuable player in the tournament and it's his second World Cup victory.

Michael Pratezina made his NSW National Premier Leagues first grade debut for the Sydney United men’s team in March, before being selected in the u18s Australian Schoolboys Football team, where he scored a goal in their international friendly against New Zealand.

Sam Norton-Knight
Head of Sport and Co-Curricular

Three Marist students headed up to Coffs Harbour last weekend to represent the ACT Cougars at the Australian Oztag Championships.

Congratulations to Xavier Honan, Noah Ball and Billy Buser (all Year 7).

Perfect weather for round one of the new cricket season and all the boys were keen to get out on the field.

With 32 teams and over 320 players this season, Marist Cricket is alive and humming!