Primary School News

Dear Parents,

What a busy week we had last week, our first full week together for the year. In reality though, last week we were not all together because our Year 5 boys headed off to camp on Monday to navigate all the experiences that camp throws up for the boys. I am very pleased to report that, in my time at camp last Tuesday, I witnessed the boys involving themselves in all the activities and most importantly, making connections with other students throughout the day. We are hoping that all the boys enjoyed the camp and learned a lot about themselves and others whilst away. It is hoped that even the boys who were missing home still found positives in starting the year away together as a cohort. A huge thanks to the staff who accompanied the boys and went above and beyond each day to take great care of them. I am also delighted to share that the camp's kitchen staff remarked that this group was the most well-mannered and respectful they have seen in the past 12 months—a wonderful compliment to the character of our young men.

Thanks also to all the Mums and Dads for the messages of gratitude that we received when we returned from camp. I would like to share a small part of two emails that I received that reflect the general tone of all the messages I received last week.

I wanted to extend a huge thank you to you and the whole team who made camp such a success - both the staff who attended and those behind the scenes. XXXXXXX loved every minute and said how well organised, well thought out and fun all the activities were. The 6:00am run on the beach was a highlight!! Apparently even the mash potato was good and that is certainly not a favourite of XXXXXXX’s 😆.

After six months of counting down the days until he started at Marist, the Year 5 camp was another milestone that cemented XXXXXXX’s excitement for the year ahead. He made new friends and feels even more comfortable with his new cohort.

I wanted to thank you and all staff involved in delivering the Year 5 camp earlier this week.

My son, XXXXXXX came home telling me how the camp exceeded all expectations, that he had a wonderful time, made new friends, was challenged but felt at home, and could have stayed two more nights… oh, and the food was great too apparently!

Thank you for all the effort I know would have gone into making the camp a wonderful experience and for the lasting memory it will be for XXXXXXX. Please extend my thanks to all those who contributed to making it happen, especially in Week 2 of a new school year.

If you haven't already done so, please take some time to ask your son what he learned from being away at camp. 

Year 5 Welcome Mass

All Year 5 boys are invited to be at school by 7:50am on Wednesday so that they can attend Mass, starting at 8:00am, with our College Community. If the boys can be downstairs in the Saint Marcellin Centre by 7:50am, teachers will walk them down to the Chapel for the 8:00am start. Year 5 boys who have sports training on Wednesday morning have been asked to leave early if possible so that they can get dressed for the Mass in time.

Lenten Fundraiser - Primary Can Drive

We invite all primary students to bring in a pack of cans for our 2025 Lenten Fundraiser! Cans will be sold throughout the year at various fundraisers with all proceeds going directly to Marist Solidarity. Our focus this year is to assist a Marist School in the Solomon Islands called St. Josephs. This school is in urgent need of some upgrades in its classrooms and learning facilities. Cans can be brought in to your class teacher between now and Wednesday 26 February.

The primary class who has the most cans donated will win a pizza party! We encourage you to get into the spirit of this fundraising initiative and in advance, thank you for your support. 

Star Lab 

Our Year 6 students will enjoy visiting Star Lab as part of their space studies in science. Every class will get an opportunity to visit the interactive Star Lab dome throughout the day.

Primary Pastoral Leader – Mr Anthony Graham

A Positive Start to the Year in the Primary School

The beginning of the school year has been filled with energy, enthusiasm and a strong sense of community among our Year 5 and Year 6 boys. Last week, we officially launched our ASHBUDDIES program for 2025, where our Year 6 boys met their Year 5 buddies for the first time. This initiative helps foster meaningful connections between the year levels through shared activities and games, ensuring our younger students feel supported as they settle into life at Marist College Ashgrove. We look forward to watching these friendships grow throughout the year.

It has also been great to see the boys wearing their uniform with pride and adhering to the college haircut policy. We encourage families to ensure their sons' haircut meets the college requirements to maintain our high standards. Alongside this, new friendships are forming—not just among our Year 5 students but also with Year 6 boys welcoming and spending time with new friends. This has created a genuinely positive and inclusive atmosphere to start the year.

One of the most memorable events so far has been the Year 5 camp at Tallebudgera, where the boys embraced three days of adventure, challenge and personal growth. It was inspiring to see them demonstrate resilience and teamwork while stepping outside their comfort zones. The way they conducted themselves was a testament to the fine Marist men they are becoming. We are incredibly proud of their efforts and the way they supported each other throughout the experience.

Finally, our Year 5 students will soon begin their Friendology unit, a program designed to help them navigate friendships by developing important social skills and strategies. This program equips students with a toolkit to build and maintain healthy relationships and we look forward to sharing resources with parents to support these conversations at home.

It has been an exciting and productive start to the year and we look forward to the many opportunities ahead for our boys to grow, connect and thrive.

Acting Primary Learning Leader – Mrs Catherine Barnett

Establishing good learning habits and routines 

As we settle into the school year, establishing strong learning routines is essential for success both in the classroom and beyond. A consistent and well-established routine provides structure, promotes independence and helps students build positive habits that will support them throughout their education and into their future. 

Within our classrooms, we support our Year 5 and 6 students in developing routines that set them up for success. We encourage our boys to be ready to learn every day and support them in identifying what habits they need to build. To maximise learning, I would like to remind families of our key expectations for students.

To ensure a productive school day, students must arrive fully prepared with the following: 

1. A fully charged laptop – Technology plays a key role in learning. A charged device ensures students can engage effectively and there should be no need for students to charge their laptops during the first few lessons of the day. 
2. Their school diary – An essential tool for organisation, the diary is used to record homework, assessment due dates and important reminders. It also serves as a key communication link between home and school. 
3. All necessary books and a fully stocked pencil case – Being organised with the correct materials allows students to engage in learning without unnecessary disruptions. 

It is each student's responsibility to develop these habits independently so that they are fully prepared for each school day. 

Homework Habits 

Homework plays an important role in each boy’s learning journey. The activities given each week provide opportunities for students to consolidate their understanding, practise essential skills and develop independence and time management. In Weeks 3 and 4, teachers across the Primary School will be introducing students to our homework policy and ensuring they have the tools and strategies needed to succeed in this area. 

Expectations for Year 5 and Year 6 homework 

Our Year 5 and 6 students should aim to spend approximately 40-50 minutes per night on homework, with a focus on literacy, numeracy and subject-specific tasks (as required by the teacher). This time does include 20 minutes of independent reading which should become an important component of your son’s homework routine. Please refer to page 23 of the school diary for additional information on our school’s Homework Policy. 

Supporting students with homework 

Teachers will: 

• Clearly communicate expectations and due dates. 
• Provide resources and guidance to support successful completion. 
• Be available to address any concerns or questions during class time. 

We also encourage parents to support your son by: 

• Establishing a consistent homework routine. 
• Providing a quiet, distraction-free workspace. 

We understand that some students may find homework challenging at times. If your son is struggling to complete a task due to time constraints or difficulty, we encourage open communication with his teacher as soon as possible. 

Important Reminders for the week ahead 

Year 5 NAPLAN readiness- Writing readiness 

• Date: Friday 14 February 2025 (Week 3) 
• Time: Periods 4 and 5 
• What to Bring: A fully charged laptop, wired headphones/earphones, a pen and a water bottle. 

For more information about NAPLAN, please refer to the attached brochure. Additionally, the NAPLAN Public Demonstration Site is an excellent resource for students and parents, offering practice tests to help students become more familiar with the platform.

Primary School Sport - Mr John Lambourne

Welcome to Marist College Ashgrove Primary Sport 2024. Sport is an important part of life at Marist College, not just for the boys but for families and staff as well. Please use the Primary School Sports Handbook 2025, the College Newsletter and the College Parent Orbit app as the most reliable sources of information and any updates regarding Sport.

For further information please do not hesitate to contact me;

John Lambourne - primarysports@marash.qld.edu.au

Marist College Sporting Expectations

At Marist we often talk about being 100% Marist 100% of the time. This means that we represent our school with pride, no matter the situation. The boys are constantly reminded of the importance of representing our college with pride on the sporting field. Win, lose or draw they should do it well. In the competitive environment of schoolboy sport this can sometimes be challenging. However, at Marist we are known by the very high standard of which we hold ourselves to. The three violets of humility, simplicity and modesty provide us with a constant reminder of the people we should be. The image below, developed by the AIC schools, also provides a reminder of the expectations for all parents and spectators. 

AIC Sport Draws

Marist College has the largest participation in all AIC schools and has the greatest number of teams in each year level of the AIC competition.

In most instances, each college will nominate A, B and C teams and these teams will play in their graded draws, there may also be occasions when teams match up in a D draw. Colour teams play in a supplementary draw which means that to secure games for as many boys as possible and to ensure some level of fairness in the competition, coaches and coordinators try to balance the colour teams. If a boy moves between colour teams he is not being “dropped” merely coaches are trying to keep the teams in balance.

While I understand that this is quite complicated, and every boy wants to be selected in the best team, coaches and coordinators do all that they can to ensure that all boys get a game and that boys are picked in teams commensurate with their ability.

I appreciate your support in respecting coaches and team selections.

Primary Colour Swimming Carnival

Primary Swimming Carnival will take place Friday 21 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 with participation and novelty-based games.

Boys will compete in the class colours – Blue, Gold, Maroon, Red, Silver, Violet and White.

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 like 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 College tuckshop will be unavailable for the Primary boys on this day.

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

Achievements

We wish the following boys the best of luck as they represent Marist College at the North West District Swimming Trials this Thursday, 13 February.

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

Marist Primary Swim Squad training sessions continue throughout Term 1, please see the schedule below. Training squads are designed for boys who wish to swim for fitness as well as those aiming to secure a place on the AIC Swimming Team. While joining the AIC Swimming Team is optional, all boys are highly encouraged to participate in the AIC Prep Meets on Friday afternoons. These meets provide valuable opportunities to track progress and test training strategies in a fun and competitive environment. 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 Swimming Breakfasts 2025

In keeping with tradition, breakfast is provided for the boys following Friday morning relay training (for Top 10 swimmers in each age group - times listed on the Pool Office window). Parents provide these breakfasts free of charge to the boys and AIC Swimming families are asked to volunteer or donate.

Please click on the link to see how you can help out: https://signup.com/go/zVZcNav

NB. if you are able to provide a cash donation towards the breakfast, please hand in to Jade Ritchie, Pool Office. For EFT details please email mnjrusso@bigpond.com with your swimmer’s name and donation details.

Any questions, contact: Jo and Mark (mnjrusso@bigpond.com) or Jade Ritchie (swim@marash.qld.edu.au) 

AIC Swim Meet #2

Friday, 14 February – Marist College

AIC Swim meets are open to all students who wish to qualify for the AIC Swimming Championships, to be held, in Week 7. AIC Swim meets are run as time trials / selection meets

*** Times are approximate

AIC Championships, Tuesday 11 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. Friday 11 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, 11 February

TIME: 6:45am-7:45am

WHERE: Hayden Oval

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

Rugby Ready Program | Years 5-12

Starting in Week 5 (Friday 28 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 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 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

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.