Being Marist Calendar 2024

BeingMarist

Together….we create fine young men.

The goal of Marist College Canberra is to create a man with a strong mind and a gentle heart. This goal is not acted out alone, but lived through an authentic partnership with our wider community. The strength of the Marist characteristic of Family Spirit, is that through meaningful engagement with families we can co-create the fine young man.

Our Mission

We are a Catholic school in the tradition of St Marcellin Champagnat that strives to make Jesus known and loved through forming young men of strong minds and gentle hearts.

“I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”

(John 10:10)

OurVision

Underpinned by the knowledge we are deeply loved by God, and with Mary as our inspiration and guide, we endeavour to be authentic witnesses to the Gospel who:

dare to engage in the spiritual and intellectual adventure before us safeguard all in our care are anchored in authentic presence through communion, Sacrament and prayer are transformative in educating for truth, depth and choice cherish human dignity

We live this for the Marist graduate who we hope:

is restless for God and alert to the Spirit embraces mystery and seeks a deep relationship with Christ is nurtured by contemplation is committed to intellectual rigour, learning and achievement aspires to live in gratitude with joy encounters the daily company of empathy and forgiveness moves towards and accompanies the least, the lost and the lonely is a steward of creation looks to the future with audacity and hope

Being Marist - 2024

Throughout 2024, we are hosting a range of opportunities for parents and the wider community to help grow and cultivate the fine young men of Marist College Canberra, to help us live out our Vision and Mission Statement.

Our ‘Being Marist’ parent events are aimed at faith formation, education, academic support, and wellbeing information. Each night will have a specific focus and is designed to help form an understanding of Marist spirituality and education.

The themes this year are taken from our 2024 Strategic Goals, with a strong focus on Healthy Masculinity, our Marist theme of First Light, and our academic and pastoral initiatives.

These events are optional and each one tailored for a different part of the community. Parents and the wider community are encouraged to attend the events they believe suit their interests and needs.

There will be more detailed information about each event sent to parents and the wider community closer to the event date.

TERM 1

Week 2

Week 3

Tuesday 13 February

Tuesday 20 and Wednesday 21 February

Week 4 Monday 26 February

Week 5

Monday 4 March

Week 6

Wednesday 13 March

Week 8

Wednesday 27 March

Week 12

Monday 6 May

Week 13

Thursday 16 May

Week 15

Thursday 30 May

Week 17

Wednesday 12 June

ThinkUKnow – Parent Presentation

ThinkUKnow – Student Workshops

Being Marist - MCC Wellbeing Team

An introduction to Marist Spirituality Habits of Success for High School Wellbeing Tips (Technology, Sleep, Relationships)

Holistic Wellbeing for Boys - MCC Wellbeing Team

An Evening of Dialogue - Fr Timothy Radcliffe OP

Scones and Conversations for Mothers and Sons - MCC Wellbeing and Mission Team

TERM 2

Unpacking the Man Box - Jesuit Social Services

Being Cyber Smart and Safe - MCC Wellbeing Team

A Christian View of MasculinityJonathon Doyle

Sausage Rolls and Conversations for Fathers and Sons - MCC Wellbeing and Mission Team

Week 3 Tuesday 6 August

Week 4 Monday 12 August

Week 5 Wednesday 21 August

Week 10 Monday 23 September

TERM 3 TERM 4

An Introduction to Christian Anthropology - Foundation of Dignity for All - Patrick McArdle

Silence is Deadly - Menslink

Mothers’ Twilight Retreat - MCC Mission Team

Life Choices for Young Men - Brent Sanders

Week 11 Thursday 17 October

Risk Taking - Paul Dillon

Week 12

Tuesday 22 October

My Body My Life - The Catholic Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn Marriage Family and Relationships Team

Event Information

The parent events within our 2024 'Being Marist' events program are designed to help you develop an understanding of Marist Spirituality and education. We hope that you will find value in these events and that they will serve as meaningful opportunities for growth, learning, and connection within our community.

TUE 13 FEB

All Parents and Carers

ThinkUKnow-ParentPresentation

ThinkUKnow adult presentations are designed for parents, carers and educators and are available for schools, community groups and organisations across Australia.

Delivered by volunteers from law enforcement and industry partners (Bankwest, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Datacom and Microsoft Australia), sessions provide information that is accurate, relevant and actionable to educate the community about online child sexual exploitation.

TUE 20 FEB

WED 21 FEB

Junior School Students

ThinkUKnow-StudentWorkshops

ThinkUKnow student presentations are available for Kindergarten to Year 12, and are tailored specifically to the current topical issues each age group might face online.

The student presentations are delivered in each jurisdiction by ACT Policing, New South Wales Police Force, Northern Territory Police, Queensland Police Service, South Australia Police, Tasmania Police, Victoria Police and Western Australia Police.

MON 26 FEB

Year 7 Parents and Students

BeingMarist-MCCWellbeingTeam

The Year 7 Being Marist event provides an introduction for parents on how to “be Marist”. As boys transition into High School, the evening will provide information about Marist spirituality, habits of success for high school, and wellbeing tips. The event is a great way to pick up vital information that may help your son transition successfully into Marist College Year 7.

MON 4 MAR

All Parents and Carers

HolisticWellbeingforBoys-MCCWellbeingTeam

The importance of mental health for teenagers at school cannot be overstated, as it plays a pivotal role in shaping their overall well-being and academic success. Adolescence is a critical period of development marked by various challenges, including academic pressures, social dynamics, and self-discovery. A positive mental health environment in schools fosters resilience, emotional regulation, and effective coping mechanisms, equipping teenagers with the tools to navigate the complexities of adolescence. When mental health is prioritized, students are more likely to engage in learning, build meaningful relationships, and develop a strong sense of self-esteem.

This workshop will provide key tips on awareness of the relational, emotional, spiritual, academic and physical being of our Marist boys. It will also explore the protective factors for adolescent mental health and guidance for parents in approaching mental health positively with their sons.

WED 13 MAR

All Welcome

WED 27 MAR

All Students and their Mothers/ Carers

The theme for this year’s “Evening of Dialogue” is Transformed on the Edges This event creates a space for respectful dialogue on the importance of widening and deepening opportunities for advocacy through building relationships with people on the edges. The night will consist of a keynote address by Fr Timothy Radcliffe OP, a Q&A session, and an opportunity for open discussion about the 2024 Marist theme 'First Light: Reveal the Spirit' and its implications for Catholic Education in the Canberra community. Father Timothy is a former Master of the Domincan Order, educated at Oxford, and most recently led the retreat for Pope Francis and the participants of the recent Synod in Rome. We are delighted to have a speaker of the calibre of Fr Radcliffe presenting at our Evening of Dialogue. The event is open to all members of the Marist College and wider Canberra community.

SconesandConversationsforMothersandSonsMCCWellbeingandMissionTeam

Developing a conversation with your son can be a difficult task. The “Scones and Conversations” evening is a practical activity along with an invitation to explore conversations on life and spirituality. Through cooking and sharing scones with your son there will be opportunities to explore how to initiate conversations in a positive and authentic manner. This combined pastoral and faith formation workshop explores ways to have open, positive conversations and increase awareness of developing spirituality.

MON 6 MAY

All Parents and Carers

UnpackingtheManBox-JesuitSocialServices

More than ever before, the behaviours of young men in Australia have been in the spotlight. As a society, we are at a watershed moment when it comes to men and masculinity. As a College, we are looking at defining exactly what a “Fine Young Man” encompasses. In 2019, Jesuit Social Services in partnership with academics, released a report on the “Man Box” - a set of attitudes and beliefs held by young men and the impact that these beliefs had on wellbeing and behaviours.

The Unpacking the Man Box workshops introduce parents and carers to the pressures felt by boys and young men to behave a certain way, and the impacts and potential harms of these pressures. We also discuss ways to move away from these harmful behaviours and attitudes. The workshop aims to build awareness, open conversations and build skills to adopt and role model healthier habits and to develop healthier identities.

THU 16 MAY

All Parents and Carers

Being Cyber Smart and Safe - MCC Wellbeing Team

In our rapidly evolving digital landscape, empowering our boys with the knowledge and skills to navigate the online world safely is paramount.

Join us for an engaging and informative parent workshop on Cyber Safety, tailored specifically for boys. This workshop is designed to help parents understand the online safety challenges facing young people today. The session will also provide some practical tips and strategies for helping children have a positive and safer online experience.

THU 30 MAY

All Parents and Carers

AChristianViewofMasculinity-JonathonDoyle

As the College explores the theme of masculinity in 2024, this event will explore and unpack masculinity with the Christian lens.

The presentation will cover themes such as traditional and stereotypical understandings of masculinities, and the role that faith and Christian spirituality can play in helping young men find a healthy version of masculinity centred around the values of Christ.

WED 12 JUNE

All Students and their Fathers/ Carers

SausageRollsandConversationsforFathersand Sons-MCCMissionandWellbeingTeam

It’s been said that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, but how do we get boys talking with fathers? This workshop creates a space for a deeper conversation with your son. The “Sausage Rolls and Conversations” evening is a practical activity along with an invitation to explore conversations on life and spirituality. This joint pastoral and faith formation workshop explores ways to have open, positive conversations and increase awareness of developing spirituality.

TUE 6 AUG

All Parents and Carers

AnIntroductiontoChristianAnthropologyFoundationofDignityforAll-PatrickMcArdle

Anthropology explores such questions as, ‘Who are we?’, ‘What is our destiny?’. A Christian Anthropology helps answer these questions. A Catholic view of Christian anthropology is centred on the person of Jesus and recognises each person is created in the image of God. Christian Anthropology also helps us form a Christian approach to many contemporary ethical issues in a way that emphasises both our long held Tradition but also the Catholic Social Teaching principle of Dignity for all people.

This workshop will help provide an understanding of the key tenets of Christian Anthropology and how it underpins the way Marist College Canberra addresses many contemporary challenges.

MON 12 AUG

Year 5 and 6 Students

WED 21 AUG

Marist Mothers (Past and Present)

SilenceisDeadly-Menslink

Silence is Deadly is a program designed to encourage boys and young men to reach out for help.

Mothers’TwilightRetreat-MCCMissionTeam

Jesus once said to his disciples, "Come by yourselves to an out of the way place and rest a little." As busy mothers, it is wonderful to have the chance to gather, to enjoy a cup of tea, and to nurture and deepen your faith. This year’s Mothers’ Retreat will be led by the Mission Team and a guest facilitator. There will be time to breathe: Reveal the Spirit and think about God as well as meet other Marist Mothers (past and present).

MON 23 SEP

Years 9 - 12

Parents and Students

LifeChoicesforYoungMen-BrentSanders

Life Choices for Young Men is a course designed specifically to address issues confronting young men, (Years 9 - 12), in the new millennium. The focus behind Life Choices for Young Men is to deliver a frank, open and down-to-earth presentation to the boys which examines critical issues such as peer pressure, decision making, selfdiscipline, respect, motivation and essential keys required for success. The course also includes an in-depth discussion around sexual assault, indecent assault, consent and respect within relationships.

THU 17 OCT

All Parents and Carers

RiskTaking-PaulDillon

During adolescence, teens develop a biological need to be around friends and it is important to provide them with opportunities to socialise with their peers whenever possible. Using the most current data available, this presentation will examine the use of alcohol and other drugs by school-based young people. Simple strategies will be provided to help ensure teens are able to interact with friends on a Saturday night and, at the same time, reduce the risk of underage drinking and the potential dangers associated with such behaviour. In addition, up-to-date information will be provided on vaping, particularly in relation to young people. It aims to empower parents with a positive message and assist them in having open and honest family discussions in this complex area.

TUE 22 OCT

Year 5 Parents and Students

MyBodyMyLife-TheCatholicArchdioceseof CanberraandGoulburnMarriageFamilyand RelationshipsTeam

My Body My Life is the Archdiocesan program approved by Catholic Education for Stage 3 Puberty and Personal Development education. The program involves parents in this important aspect of their children’s journey by providing online units for parents and children to work through together at home.

The online parent program is followed up by a visit from the Marriage Family and Relationships team, who work with the students in small groups to facilitate ownership of this important knowledge and allow an opportunity to ask further questions and clarify concepts and information.