Learning and Teaching News

Exam Block Schedules - Change of Dates 

The revised exam block schedule continues this week. For any further extensions to tasks needed outside of timelines, the normal college extension processes will apply. Contact a member of the Academic Care Team if you have any concerns.  

• Year 5, 6 and 7 – Formative and summative assessments will take place in normal timetabled classes (except for Year 7 History/Geography).  
• Year 8 and 9 – Summative exam block will run from Wednesday 26 March – Tuesday 1 April.  
• Year 10 - Summative exam block will run from Wednesday 26 March – Wednesday 2 April.  
• Year 12 – Summative exam block will run from Thursday 27th March – Friday 4th April.  
• Year 10 will remain at school during the exam block and are not on exam block privileges.   
• Year 11 students will remain in normal classes as they continue work on Unit One. The end-of-unit exam block will be held in Week Five, Term Two.   

Students in Years 5-11 will all remain at school throughout the assessment period. The only cohort who are granted study leave (to study at home and only come to campus for scheduled assessments) is Year 12. Any Year 12 student not up to date with all required assessment items will not be granted study leave and will be required to remain at school. This includes modules for Certificate and Diploma courses.  

A reminder that if students are absent for an exam, a medical certificate is to be submitted for all year levels. Students must be prepared to sit their exams as soon as they return to school, and exams may be scheduled later in the exam block. Year 11 and 12 medical certificates must list the specific illness and not just state “medical condition”.  Please do not arrange holidays during this time.   

Parent-Teacher Interviews - Term 2

Parent-teacher conferences will be held on Tuesday 22nd of April (start of term) for face-to-face, and Wednesday the 30th of April for online/Teams interviews. Students are encouraged to attend with parents/carers and are required to wear full winter uniform (including blazer). Bookings are now live via the Parent Orbit app and will close on Friday 11th April at 7pm. No bookings can be made past this time.

Marist Reading Night - Save the Date

Date: Tuesday, May 13

Time: 6:00pm - 7:30pm

Location: Draney Theatre  

We are excited to invite students and fathers (or father figure) from Years 5, 6, 7, and 8 to join us for an evening of literary fun and community bonding at the Marist Reading Night!  

The evening will feature an inspiring talk from a renowned author, opportunities for students and their guest to read together, a book stall where you can browse and purchase new books, exciting book prizes, and light refreshments to enjoy. 

In the lead-up to the event, we are asking all Marist parents to donate a book suitable for a child in Year 5-8. These books should be in good condition and will be sent to children in Papua New Guinea through our Mission team. 

We look forward to seeing you there! 

New UQ Maths Bridging Course

If you are looking to enter university, but need to fulfil a Maths prerequisite, then UQ College’s online bridging courses are available for you.   

This program is recognised as a Year 12 Maths alternative, helping you to bridge knowledge gaps and meet UQ entry requirements. UQ College is your pathway to further university study. Courses start on the 14 April 2025. 

For more information and course costings please visit: https://uqcollege.uq.edu.au/study-options/online-bridging-courses 

Hear For You Holiday Workshops

Hear For You will be running a few school holiday workshops along with delivering some exciting activities during Term 2. These workshops foster peer connections and build confidence by addressing unique challenges, such as navigating social interactions in predominantly hearing environments. Activities are often tailored to enhance skills like turn-taking, active listening, and self-advocacy, empowering children and teenagers to express themselves effectively and form meaningful relationships. Activities include interactive games that promote teamwork, storytelling sessions to practice expressive communication, and role-playing scenarios to build problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills. These engaging experiences create a sense of community while equipping children with tools for lifelong success. The workshops also include practical skills to help the teenagers develop a sense of independence. 

Flyer for this opportunity is found below - please do not hesitate to contact Hear for You with the details below. 

2025 Next Step Year 12 Competitors Survey

All Year 12 students from last year (2024) will soon receive an invitation to participate in the Next Step survey. This is their chance to help our school to understand the different pathways of the 2024 Year 12 students and to improve our senior programs and supports for future students. The survey only takes five minutes and asks graduates about their study and work activities since finishing school.  

As a thank you for participating, Year 12 students who complete the survey will be entered into a draw to win a MacBook Air. 

For more information about Next Step, including previous results, visit http://www.qld.gov.au/nextstep. 

Year 12 Study Session

Year 12 study will still be on this week – Wednesday 5:00pm – 8:00pm, in the Library for their own private and collaborative study. This is a privilege for Year 12 students in preparation for their senior assessment and a recommended study habit. In the past, students have used this time to work on their external exam study nights, prepare their drafts, or even create small study groups. Students will need to sign in and out. They can arrive and leave at any time between 5:00pm – 8:00pm; but they are not able to keep coming and leaving during the night.  

Beyond Marist College Futures and Employment Expo 

As part of Futures Week next term, the College will host its annual Futures Expo. This year will feature an employment section where exhibitors will show a “We Are Hiring” sign which allows students to discuss and discover employment opportunities.  

Study Tip