Primary School News

Dear Primary School Parents, 

I would like to wish our Year 5 boys every success as they do their best with the NAPLAN assessments this week. Thanks to the Year 5 teachers and all the support staff who have prepared the boys for these sessions. We ask that the boys do their best in these assessments and assist in the smooth running of the sessions by bringing along everything they need, including a fully charged laptop and wired headphones. Your support in checking this is happening is very much appreciated. Our Year 6 boys are also presented with the chance to do their absolute best as they complete assessments at this stage of the term. They are encouraged to not be content with a mediocre effort in any areas of their schoolwork. There is a greater chance they will be pleased and proud of their results if they put the hard work in along the way.

Every day here at Marist College Ashgrove is an opportunity for our boys to learn, socialise and experience new challenges in a variety of settings. The boys are encouraged to make every day count. For this reason, we would like to see all boys attend school right up until the last day of this term. Please avoid taking the boys out of school earlier than Tuesday 4 April which is our final day together this term. A reminder that, at any stage throughout the year, if a longer absence of three days or more is required for your son, an extended leave form will need to be completed. These forms are available at the Primary School reception.

Have a great Week 8.

Primary Pastoral Leader – Anthony Graham

Staying Focused and Finishing Strong

As we enter Week 8, our boys are working hard to complete their NAPLAN assessments while maintaining focus for the final three weeks of term. This time of year can be both exciting and challenging, so it is important that our students look after their mental and physical wellbeing.

Here are a few simple ways they can stay on track:

• Get Enough Sleep – A well-rested mind is key to staying focused and alert.
• Stay Active – A quick walk, some stretching, or kicking a ball around can help refresh the brain.
• Take Brain Breaks – Short breaks between study sessions can improve concentration.
• Talk it Out – If feeling overwhelmed, encourage your son to speak with a teacher or a trusted friend.
• Stay Hydrated and Eat Well – Healthy snacks and plenty of water can help sustain energy levels.

Encouraging these small but effective habits will help our boys finish the term strong!

Primary Assembly

Next Tuesday, we will take time to celebrate student achievements at our Primary Assembly. We will be recognising students who have demonstrated dedication to their learning through the Love of Work and Men of Courage awards, as well as presenting our Sporting Awards for the term.

The assembly will take place on Tuesday morning at 8:45am in the St Marcellin Centre (downstairs). Parents of award recipients have been emailed with an invitation to attend. We look forward to acknowledging our students’ efforts and achievements as we approach the end of another great term.

Acting Primary Learning Leader – Catherine Barnett

Getting involved is something that we challenge the boys to do here at Marist. However, for some, they might not be comfortable doing a sport or they might just love to get involved in as many different things as possible. We offer a wide range of opportunities to help every student find something they love. Below is a snapshot of some co-curricular activities available to Primary boys, both during the school day and after school. 

Year 5 and Year 6 Week 10 excursions 

Both Year 5 and Year 6 students will be participating in an excursion in Week 10 of this term.

The Year 5 students will be travelling back in time to the Gold Rush era through organised activities by Eureka Excursions. This will complement what they will be learning in Term 2 HASS. The dates are as follows: 

• Week 10 - Wednesday 2 April – 5 Maroon, 5 Silver, 5 Violet and 5 White 
• Week 10 - Friday 4 April (last day of Term 1) – 5 Blue, 5 Gold and 5 Red 

The Year 6 students will be visiting Parliament House in Brisbane, where they will have the chance to bring their Term 1 HASS learning to life and gain firsthand insight into the workings of government in Australia. 

Monday 31 March –

• 6 White (Ms Keir) will depart school by 8:45am and will return to school by approximately 11:30 am. 
• 6 Silver (Mrs Carter) will depart school by 9:40am and will return to school by approximately 12:30 pm.
• 6 Maroon (Mr Sharp) will depart school by 12:15 pm and will return to school by approximately 3:00 pm. 

Tuesday 1 April – 

• 6 Gold (Mr Midgley) will depart school by 8:45am and will return to school by approximately 11:30am. 
• 6 Violet (Mrs Barnett) will depart school by 9:40am and will return to school by approximately 12:30pm. 
• 6 Blue (Mr Coles) will depart school by 10:30am and will return to school by approximately 1:15pm. 
• 6 Red (Mr Morley) will depart school by 12:15pm and will return to school by approximately 3:00pm. 

All excursion details have been emailed to parents today. Please respond by accepting or declining the event through the Parent Portal or the Orbit App. 

NAPLAN 2025 

We have finally got here, and the boys did a wonderful job settling into their first test which was writing. A reminder of the schedule for the remainder of the week is below. 

NAPLAN catchup sessions 

Please be reminded that catchup sessions will occur Thursday 20 March (Lesson 4 and 5) through to Monday 24 March (as required). If your son misses a test during the official testing window, their testing will be re-scheduled to occur during one of these catchup session times and this will be clearly communicated with you. However, if your son is absent for all days of testing and catchup testing sessions, they will not be counted as part of the cohort of participating students, and no results will be recorded for them. For those who are absent for part of the testing window, we will make every effort to catch them up during the catchup sessions. 

Years and 6 Numeracy and Literacy Cup 

 A big congratulations to the following classes on their Week 7 Literacy and Numeracy Cup averages. 

Year 5 Literacy Cup class averages 

1st - 5 Violet 72.69 %

2nd - 5 White 70.74%

Year 6 Numeracy Cup class averages 

1st - 6 Violet 86.07 %

2nd - 6 Silver 83.84 %

Year 6 Literacy Cup class averages 

1st - 6 Gold 75.11 %

2nd - 6 White 73.77 %

Primary Sport

Mr John Lambourne – Head of Sport (Primary)

Achievements

AIC Swimming Championships

Congratulations to the following boys who were selected to represent Marist College at the AIC Swimming Championships, this is the culmination of a lot of training for all of our swimmers and we wish them the best of luck.

2025 AIC Swimming Championships Squad

Term 1 AIC Sport

Cricket

Swimming

Marist Primary Swim Squad

Please note: No Primary Swim Squads Week 8

Training sessions continue for the remainder of Term 1. These sessions are open to all boys.

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

Term 2 AIC Sport

Rugby

Rugby Ready Program | Year 5-12

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.

Football

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.