Primary School News

Dear Primary Parents,

As we reflect on the whirlwind of the past four weeks, it's evident that the year is off to an incredibly busy start. Our students have immersed themselves in learning, tackling new challenges, and embracing growth opportunities. Now, as we transition into the back half of the term, we enter a period of consolidation where the groundwork laid in the initial weeks begins to solidify.

Amidst the academic focus, we celebrate the Primary Swimming Carnival on Friday. The event is focused around laughter, camaraderie, and spirited competition as our young swimmers dive into the pool. The theme of the day is all about fun and engagement, emphasizing participation and sportsmanship above all else.

We encourage all students to join in the festivities, whether they're competing in the races, cheering from the sidelines, or simply enjoying the vibrant atmosphere. Let's come together as a community to celebrate the joy of swimming and the spirit of togetherness that defines our school.

Thank you for your continued support, and let's make this upcoming event a memorable one for our students.

From the Pastoral Leader Primary School

Mr Anthony Graham

Last week, our Year 6 students participated in Character Builders incursion which provided a glimpse into students' engagement in activities aimed at fostering leadership skills and self-identity. Highlights of the day included collaborative efforts to build the world's longest domino stack, outdoor leadership games, and a heartwarming gratitude circle that emphasized the importance of appreciation and empathy. These experiences undoubtedly left a lasting impression, empowering our students to embrace their potential as leaders and cultivate a sense of purpose within our school community. 

GEM @ Marist

This week marks the launch of GEM @ Marist, a program centred around gratitude, empathy, and mindfulness, tailored to enhance students' self-worth while fostering happiness and positivity. Structured for daily engagement, the program offers students the opportunity to reap its full benefits. Research indicates that engaging in gratitude, empathy, and mindfulness activities 3-5 times weekly can reshape neural pathways and significantly bolster one's sense of self-worth.

Can Drive

Just a friendly reminder to bring in cans for our upcoming fundraiser, aimed at supporting Marist Solidarity. These cans will be sold during our Lenten fundraiser this Friday, and all proceeds will contribute to the noble cause of Marist Solidarity, assisting students less fortunate than ourselves. The cans will be tallied on Wednesday, with the top-performing class in each grade earning a well-deserved pizza party! Thank you for your generosity and support.

Primary Sport

Mr John Lambourne – Head of Sport (Primary)

Primary Colour Swimming Carnival

Primary Swimming Carnival will take place Friday 16 February.

All Year 5 and 6 boys are expected to attend Friday in their College Sports Uniform.

Parents are welcome to attend.

Each boy is expected to swim 50m freestyle and 50m breaststroke.

The remainder of the day will be made up of participation and novelty-based games.

Boys will compete in the class colours – Blue, Gold, Red, Violet and White, boys in 5 Maroon and 5 Silver will be placed in other colours for the day. Boys may wish to change into coloured outfits, which they can do before Pastoral Group, they may also bring mascots and wear zinc in their team colour if they wish.

Hats, sunscreen and water bottles are extremely important on a day such as this and boys are expected to take some responsibility to ensure they stay sun safe and hydrated.

Each boy is expected to participate in all the novelty events to the best of their ability.

The Primary Swimming Carnival coincides with the College Lenten Fundraiser, boys will be given time to attend the market stalls during Break 1.

The Primary Swimming Carnival Program will be made available on the College App.

Achievements

Congratulations to Daniel Sadimenko (5M) who competed at the Queensland School Sport Championships for Aquathlon. Daniel placed 6th in the State for his age group.

Daniel also competed at the Queensland Swimming Sprint Championships, placing 3rd Boys 10yrs 50m Backstroke, 5th Boys 10yrs 50m Freestyle and 6th Boys 10yrs 50m Fly

Term 1 AIC Sport

Coach contact details will be placed on the College app this week, when contacting your son’s coach please ensure that you include the Head of Sport (Primary) in your communication.

Boys with training conflicts are reminded to communicate with their coaches when they will be absent from training.

Cricket

AFL

Swimming

MCA Primary Swim Squad training sessions continue Monday and Wednesday afternoons throughout Term 1, 3:20 – 4:20pm. These sessions are open to all boys; boys attending for fitness training and boys wishing to qualify for the AIC Swimming Team. There is no obligation to attend AIC meets on Friday evenings.

Boys attending these sessions will need to bring the following equipment.

• Goggles
• Kickboard
• Short Flippers 
• Mesh Bag

Year 5 and 6 MCA Swim Squad Training Timetable Term 1

For further details please contact: swim@marash.qld.edu.au

AIC Championships, Tuesday, 5 March

Term 2 AIC Sport

Marist Rugby Connection | Year 5 

This is an open invitation to ALL Year 5 students.

The Marist Rugby Union program is committed to a strong and genuine connection from the 1st XV down to our newest bumblebees in Year 5. Next Friday, 16 February, the Year 5 students are invited to train with the Open Blue squad. The is a wonderful opportunity to connect the students in a safe and friendly environment, and to align some of our key rugby language and philosophies.

DATE: Friday, 16 February

TIME: 6:45-7:45am

WHERE: Hayden Oval

DRESS: Blue Marist training gear and Marist white or blue socks.

More information will follow in the Marist app.

Rugby Ready Program | Year 5-12

Starting in Week 5 (Friday, 23 February), Marist College is delivering a 4-week Rugby Ready Program across all age groups leading into the rugby union trials. The Rugby Ready Program involves a host of measures such as physical preparation, skill development, correct and safe techniques preparing the players for contact, enforcement of game laws, and management of safety issues such as the Scrum Passport and the “MAYDAY” call.

NOTE – you are not required to sign on for the Rugby Ready Program. Whilst there are a number of reasons for providing such a program, a key driver is wanting to deliver to all students a safe, challenging and enjoyable rugby union program. In order to develop the Marist College rugby players, we must give them the skills to approach the game with confidence and minimise the chance of injury. Please see the documents on the Marist app for all information including the program content, schedule and dress code. 

NOTE – if you have a commitment to a Term 1 sport, that is your priority.

Sports Photographs

We are always on the lookout for photos and action shots to be used for the Blue & 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

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.

Late Pick Up After Sports Training

“PLAN B”

It is important that both parent and student are aware of the pick-up procedure if afternoon sports training is cancelled or if parents are running late for pick-up. As soon as a decision is made to cancel a sporting fixture or training, a message is placed on the College app. If training is cancelled, boys can remain in the primary school or walk to an arranged pick-up point when the time arrives.

Afternoon sports training sessions are scheduled to finish by 4:45pm. We ask that boys are picked up at this time. Any boy who is still at their training venue at 5:00pm will be directed to the After Hours Boarding Reception area / College Health Centre so that he may be collected from there. After Hours Boarding Reception can be contacted on 07 3858 4619.

In the case of bus arrivals from external sporting venues, boys will be sent to After Hours Boarding Reception 15 minutes after the bus arrives back at the College. Parents are asked to collect their sons from this location.