Primary School News

Dear Primary Families,

At Marist College Ashgrove we often speak to the boys about being ‘100% Marist, 100% of the Time’. This isn’t just a catchy phrase or words we place on a poster, but rather the expectation that we have for all the boys in our community. This saying reminds them that as members of the Marist Family, they are called to embrace our characteristics of Presence, Simplicity, Family Spirit, Love of Work and being in The Way of Mary each and every day. 

Last week I had the pleasure of joining our Year 5 cohort for their Camp at Tallebudgera. Whilst we were unsure about what the week would look like with the forecast of continued rain, we were very blessed have sunshine for the majority of the camp. This experience for our youngest students was focused on building independence, teamwork, resilience and pushing them out of their comfort zone.The boys did themselves, their teachers and their parents proud through the way they embraced the challenges presented to them and the added responsibility involved in these experiences. I extend my thanks to Mrs Geraghty, Mrs Maclean, Mr Trebbin, Mr Lidstone, Mr Pelly, Mr Lambourne, Mr Connolly and Ms Little for their efforts in making this camp a memorable experience. I also thank Mr Ryder, Mr Head, Mr Mahoney and Mrs Whitaker for their assistance as parent volunteers. 

This Sunday 5 June we hold the College Walkathon. This is a great opportunity for all our families to come together. Please support this wonderful P&F fundraiser by donating here and attending with your son/s on the day. There will be coffee, food, live music with the Battle of the Bands and lots of fun on the day. 

Boys are asked to arrive in the Primary Quadrangle by 7:45am to sign in with their ID cards. There will also be some prizes for the best dressed primary students on the day.

Year 6 Parent Function

We look forward to hosting our Year 6 families for their parent function next Friday 10 June from 6:30pm. Tickets can be purchased at this link.

End of Term

As you would be aware, Term 2 concludes on Tuesday 21 June. It is our expectation that all students will be at school up to and including that final day of term. This is important as our classes will be spending the final days of term completing assessment and commencing teaching for Term 3. Any families who are aware their son will be absent for three days or longer is required to complete an send an Extended Leave Form for consideration to primaryreception@marash.qld.edu.au .

Walkathon 

As we continue fundraising for the Walkathon, the Primary School has extended our lead as the highest fundraising group in the College. Congratulations to Liam Lunney who coloured in the Walkathon Tally as our highest fundraiser last week. Students who raise $30 can collect a squishy sports ball from the office at break times this week. There are also a variety of prizes for boys who raise money in $100.00 and $200.00 increments. 

Public Speaking and Debating

Congratulations to Oliver Holt (Year 5) who was the Speaker of the Night at Public Speaking last week for his speech on ‘The Best Basketball Team Ever’.

The Year 6 debaters competed against Padua College on Tuesday evening in what was a resounding success with both teams winning their debates. The argument was, “That all families should own a pet”. As is the usual procedure, one team argued the affirmative and the other the negative side of the argument. Whilst Padua had some strong points, it was ultimately our robust rebuttals that had us win both debates. The speaker of the night went to Kayden Kyoung and Henry Walker who were both third speakers. I was very proud of the boy’s accomplishment. Well done gentlemen.

Primary Pastoral Leader - Mr Michael Connolly

Year 5 Camp

Congratulations to all Year 5 students and staff who attended camp last week. The two days were full of new challenges and experiences for the boys and, so many of them have said that they had a great time with new and old friends alike. Hopefully, the boys have shared some stories already but please encourage your sons to tell you all about the exciting activities they did whilst away on camp. 

Walkathon

We are looking forward to seeing all Primary boys on Sunday morning for the Walkathon. The Walkathon is one of the very few compulsory events that we ask our boys to attend as a priority over other Sunday morning commitments, including club sports. Hopefully, your sons are gathering sponsorships and ready to collect their incentive prizes this week as they continue to get sponsors.

Pool Canteen

Over the last few weeks, we have had situations where our boys have gone to the Pool Canteen after 8:00am and have been late back to school because they spent time eating down at the canteen. Primary boys have been asked to use the Pool Canteen, only if it is to buy their breakfast and only before 8:15am, so that they can return straight away to the Primary School by 8:30am.

Complete Uniform

I have asked the boys who train for sports in the mornings (before school) to double check their full uniform is packed so that we do not have the situation of boys in a combination of uniform throughout the day. Boys who do not have the correct and complete uniform will be asked to sit out their lunch break, in keeping with college policy. Naturally, these boys will be able to eat their lunch and go to the toilet if required.   

Haircuts

I would like to remind all families that our boys should not have a fringe hanging down over their eyes that requires constant flicking back. If your son is getting a haircut over the next four weeks, please note that a blade three is the lowest blade permitted and that any variations in length should be blended ie. No tracks etc. 

Mobile Phones

During the school day, Primary boys are asked to have their mobile phones turned off and stored in the school bag which is locked in their locker. Access to text messages and voicemail is possible from 3:11pm each day but no earlier. If boys are found to be using their phone throughout the day, they will be asked to hand them in to Primary Reception each day for a period of one week. Please take some time to speak with your son about their mobile phone usage.

Names on Items

Please ensure that everything your son brings to school has his name clearly marked on it. With winter upon us, the boys are taking off jumpers throughout the day, as well as getting changed for sport trainings, so names on clothing items is vital. Lunchboxes are other items that often go unnamed and cause our lost property pile to build.

Primary Sport - Mr John Lambourne

Mr John Lambourne (Head of Sport - Year 5-6)

As the disappointment following another week of cancellations passes it has been great to see the sun out and the boys back training. I would like to thank everyone for their support and understanding over the past few weeks, it has been tough on the boys, their coaches and I am sure, you the parents. I know how disappointed all the boys are about how much footy they have all missed and we are all looking forward to getting back to sport this weekend to represent the mighty Blue and Gold.

AIC Cross Country Championships

Congratulations to the following boys who have been selected to represent MCA at the AIC Cross Country Championships to be held at Curlew Park, Shorncliffe, Wednesday 1 June. Well done for all your hard work and best of luck at the championships.

Term 2 AIC Sport

Term 2 Training Schedules

Term 3 AIC Sport Sign-on

Term 3 AIC Sport sign-on is now available to students via Student Café – parents are required to approve their son’s sport sign-up.

Boys may choose to play basketball, tennis or rugby league, please note that numbers are limited in each of these sports and that boys are only able to participate in one Term 3 AIC team sport.

Trial details to follow.

Boys may also choose to participate in track and field, boys of all abilities are welcome to attend track training sessions.

Basketball

Uniform: MCA Basketball singlet, MCA Sport shorts and  Blue MCA Sport socks

Fixtures Friday evening.

Training twice/week.

Tennis

Uniform: MCA Tennis polo, MCA Tennis shorts and white MCA Sport socks

Fixtures Saturday morning.

Training twice/week.

Rugby League

Uniform: MCA rugby league jersey, MCA rugby shorts and MCA team sport socks

Fixtures Saturday morning.

Training twice/week.

Track and Field

There are 3 T&F meets scheduled at the end of Term 3;

• Thursday 18 August
• Thursday 8 Sep
• Wednesday 14 Sep

AIC Championships, Thursday 6 October and Friday 7 October.

Uniform: MCA Athletics singlet, MCA Sport shorts and Blue MCA Sport socks

Track and Field training begins in Term 3, usually around Week 3, T&F training is twice a week.

Sports Photographs

We are always on the lookout for photos and action shots to be used for the Blue and Gold, other College publications, season or end-of-year wrap-ups etc. Please follow this link and add your photos - Marist College Ashgrove Primary Sports Photos

Pick-up Arrangements - “Plan B”  

It is important that you are aware of the pick-up procedures if you are running late. Sport training sessions finish by 4:45pm. We ask that boys are picked up at this time, or soon after. Any boy who is still at their training venue at 5:00pm will be directed to the Boarding Reception area so that he may be collected from there. In the case of bus arrivals, boys will be sent to Boarding Reception 15 minutes after the arrival time of the bus. 

College App

Please ensure that you download the College App to your smartphone. This app will be used weekly to inform you of sporting fixtures, cancellations and bus arrival information.