Primary School News

Enjoy The Everyday

As many of you will know, I have a passion for boating, fishing and all things to do with spending time on, or near, the water. This stems from visiting Straddie for as long as I can remember and spending countless hours as a child exploring the foreshores and surrounds to see what marvellous creations there were to be discovered. There were certainly no screens to compete for my attention back then!

On Sunday morning, the most beautiful Brisbane day presented the opportunity to jump in the boat and head out on the water to enjoy a few hours of fishing in Moreton Bay with a mate. This is something I have done on many occasions and, as much as I love each trip, the regularity of these trips has made it become second nature. I wouldn’t say these trips have become routine but, if I was honest, I would have to admit to not stopping and being thankful for this opportunity and privilege often enough.

At the conclusion of the morning session, something caused me to rethink this. Upon returning to the boat ramp, I saw a Coast Guard boat tow a small, empty tinny into the pontoon. I noticed it had a large, yellow Police Aware sticker stuck to the side of it. Overhead, a helicopter travelled low and slow through the airspace above the winding waterways. I could only surmise that someone was missing. A sadness came over me instantly. Someone may have gone out fishing and not come back. It struck me, at that moment, that we can never be 100% sure of what each day will bring or what the future holds for us and that every day should be celebrated. It brought home that life is precious - and fragile - and that each day is not guaranteed but gifted. I said a quiet prayer for the family involved that everything turned out OK later that day. 

In the Primary School, we teach our boys to live with purpose, kindness, and gratitude. These values remind us to cherish the people around us, to speak words that build up rather than tear down, and to embrace each opportunity with open hearts. I hope that you all manage to find joy in the everyday and celebrate the fact that each day, however mundane it may seem, is a precious gift.

Have a great Week 8.

Primary School Garden

We are big college containing lots of hidden gems! This includes a special garden in our Primary area, containing beds of various flowers, herbs and vegetables which are growing beautifully thanks to the collective efforts of the Green Thumbs. This group of committed Years 5 and 6 students have been taking good care of the plants with the patient guidance of Mrs Rhonda Carson, our 2025 Champagnat Award winner in the staff category.

It was a special occasion on Tuesday during second break as a handful of staff gathered to find out all about what was growing in the garden. Not only that, but we were treated to a delicious salad made with ingredients courtesy of the Green Thumbs garden! We even got some herbs to take away!

It was a delight to witness the students enthusiastically listen to Mrs Carson as she presented each of them a special Green Thumbs badge.

The students are doing a wonderful job in their upkeep of the garden, showing their commitment and care, their love of hard work and the simple pleasures in life. Keep it up, Green Thumbs!

Primary Pastoral Leader – Anthony Graham 

Buddy Afternoon Reflection

Last Thursday, our Year 12 students joined the Primary boys for a longstanding buddy afternoon. There was a wonderful sense of connection as Primary boys interviewed the seniors for their graduation posters and played games in happy groups. This tradition continues to be a highlight for students across the College.

Welcoming Our Newest Marist Boys

This Friday, we’re excited to welcome 197 new Year 5 students who will be joining Marist in 2026 for their Orientation Day. Many families will have siblings attending, or can reflect on their own “first-day” memories as part of our community. The orientation includes fun activities designed to help the boys get to know the campus, meet new friends, and feel comfortable in their new environment. From icebreaker games to tours and engaging team-building exercises, the day is all about easing the transition and creating a sense of belonging from the very first moment.

Celebrating Achievement

Looking ahead, our Primary Awards Assembly takes place next Tuesday, 9th September. Parents of students receiving an award will be contacted and invited to join the celebrations by the end of this week.

Wear It Purple Day – Acceptance and Belonging

On Friday, we also took time to mark Wear It Purple Day, reflecting as a College on the importance of acceptance and creating a true sense of belonging here at Marist. Our goal remains a welcoming school where every boy feels respected, valued, and able to be himself.

Thank you for your continued partnership as we support and celebrate every boy in our care.

Primary Learning Leader – Jen Little

Pupil Free Day this Friday

This Friday will be a Pupil Free Day for all Primary students. During this time, Primary staff will be involved in the incoming Year 5, 2026 Orientation Day. We hope that students have a restful long weekend. Please see information below about laptop devices and chargers that will be required for our Orientation.

Laptops and Chargers

This Thursday, we are asking all children in Years 5 and 6 to leave their laptop device and charger at school over the long weekend. These devices will be used to complete important testing for our incoming Year 5 2026 students. It is important that all students in Primary have both their laptop and charger at school on Thursday of this week. 

Focus and Organisation

As we approach the end of the term, I thought it might be important to provide a timely reminder about school requirements. With students becoming increasingly fatigued, there has been a noticeable decline in focus and organisation in some classes which is impacting both schoolwork and homework. As partners in the learning journey, we would appreciate your support in reminding your sons of the following:

1. Students are expected to be fully engaged in class and to respect the learning environment.
2. Organisation is key. We have noticed that some students are frequently arriving without charged computers, and missing stationery has become a recurring issue. Please check with your sons to ensure they have everything they need for school.
3. Punctuality is essential. Some students are arriving late to school, while others are consistently tardy after breaks. Please note that this is time we cannot get back, and it does impact learning. 

4. Quality homework is a non-negotiable expectation. Poor quality homework is tantamount to incomplete homework. Deadlines must be respected, and students should take homework seriously. In some cases, we have had students completing homework tasks well below what would be considered the expected minimum time. Others have not completed homework at all. This is unacceptable, and it flies in the face of our core values. If completing homework at home is challenging, we offer a morning study room in which students can be supervised, as well as access to the senior library (Monday to Thursday, until 5:00pm).

    

By focusing on these small but important details, we can make a meaningful impact on the overall quality of learning. 

Literacy and Numeracy Trophy Winners

Literacy and Numeracy continue to be a focus in the Primary. Congratulations to the following classes for their success last week.

Primary Sport

Mr John Lambourne – Head of Sport (Primary)

Term 3 AIC Sport

Basketball

A bus will be provided to and from AIC Basketball fixtures each week.

The bus will depart from the College Bus stop @ 2:55pm and return @ 6:30pm (approx.), return details will be posted on the Parent Orbit APP. If your son catches the bus and you collect him, it is very important to ensure you inform a staff member.

Primary Internal Basketball – Fast Break Friday

Marist Primary Basketball - Internal Basketball open to all boys currently not participating in Term 3 AIC team sport.

Venue: Marist Outdoor CourtsTime: 3:30 - 4:30pmUniform: Marist Primary Sport Uniform

No need to register

Tennis

Years 5 & 6

Monday and Wednesday – 6:45 – 8:15 am

Shadow Players – Friday - 6:45 – 8:15am

Rugby League

Year 5

Tuesday – 6:45 – 8:00am – Hayden Oval

Thursday – 3:30 – 4:45pm – Des Connor Park #7

Year 6

Tuesday – 3:30 – 4:45pm – Des Connor Park #7

Thursday – 3:30 – 4:45pm – Des Connor Park #7

AIC Track & Field

Track training – Sprints and Middle Distance

Monday & Wednesday – 3:30 – 4:45pm – McMahon Oval

Long Jump & Hurdles

Tuesday 6:45 – 8:00am – Athletics Precinct

High Jump

Friday 6:45 – 8:00am – Athletics Precinct

Shot Put

Boys wishing to qualify for AIC shot put are asked to please speak with Mr Lambourne

There are 4 AIC T&F meets scheduled at the end of Term 3.

These meets are conducted as time trials for boys wishing to qualify for AIC Championships.

• Wednesday, September 3
• Thursday, September 11
• Wednesday, September 17

AIC Championships – Thursday, 9 & Friday, 10 October – QSAC.

Uniform: Marist Athletics singlet, Marist Sport shorts & white Marist Sport socks

Boys wishing to be considered for AIC selection should also be aware that there will be training and meets conducted over the Term 3 holidays.

Term 4 Swimming

Marist Primary Swim Squad training sessions will recommence Term 4 Week 2 and will continue throughout Term 4. These sessions are open to all boys, boys wishing to qualify for the AIC Swimming Team, and boys attending for fitness training; there is no obligation to attend AIC meets in Term 1 2026.

Year 5 (2026): Training starts on Wednesday, 15 October, and will continue Wednesday, 22 October and Wednesday, 29 October and then Monday and Wednesday afternoons, from Monday, 2 November for the remainder of Term 4.

Year 6 (2025): Training begins on Wednesday, 15 October, with sessions on Wednesday (PM) and Friday (AM).

Marist Primary Swim Squad Training Timetable Term 4 2025

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

• Goggles
• Kickboard
• Pull Buoy
• Short Flippers 
• Mesh Bag

Sports Training and Clashes

With a myriad of opportunities on offer for the students, clashes are unavoidable but never a problem if communicated.

Families are reminded that cocurricular activities should not impede on any student’s academic performance.

If sports training clashes with music or morning tutoring it is asked that boys alternate from week to week.

Sports Photographs

We are always on the look-out 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

Parent Orbit App

Please ensure that you download the Parent Orbit app to your smart phone. This app will be used 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 Parent Orbit 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 5pm 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.