Learning and Teaching News

Get to know our 2025 Academic Captains

Name: Matthew Rowston

Role: Ridley Academic Captain

What do you want to do when you leave school?

I would like to travel and study medicine in hopes of entering the health field.

Best study tip you use? 

Planning what I need to study before I start.

When do you most like to study? Why? 

I prefer to study after dinner because that way I don't have to worry about being hungry and can go straight to sleep afterwards.

What are you most looking forward to this year?

Travelling to France at the end of the year and going to school in Lyon.

What would you spend your last $20.00 on?

Put it all on black!

Year 12 External Exams

Last week, the Year 12 cohort commenced their External Assessment for 2024. So far, the Year 12s have sat exams for English, Visual Art, Ancient History, Engineering, Study of Religion, English and Literature Extension, Music Extension, Film, Television and New Media, and Physics.

Congratulations to students who have sat the above papers as they have prepared, punctual and worked hard to achieve their best.

This week we wish boys who are sitting exams for the following subjects all the best-

• Chemistry
• Modern History
• Economics
• Drama
• Accounting
• Music
• Legal Studies
• General Maths
• Specialist Maths
• Design

External exam reminders for all boys:

• the exam schedule with locations is available on the Orbit App. 
• they can book in times with their classroom teachers during their normal timetabled double periods to ask questions or review content in preparation for their exam. 
• the list of prescribed equipment can be found here - External assessment equipment list (qcaa.qld.edu.au).

Year 9 and 10 Electives 2025

Last week your son was emailed his elective choices for 2025.  Please be mindful of the following:

• If your son would like to change his electives he needs to come to the studies office and collect a subject change form as soon as possible.
• Students do not get to choose which semester they study an elective in. The electives are placed across each semester to accommodate the number of students wishing to study the subject.    

Year 11 Academic Conversations

During the next two weeks, parents and our young men of Year 11 are invited to chat about their progress through Units 1 and 2, to see a way forward in preparing for Units 3 and 4. Details are as per email communication sent last week – although bookings have now closed. For boys on an ATAR pathway, you will be given an ATAR Estimation range with a print-out of how this is calculated. There is room on this document for students to take notes – it is suggested that students bring a pen with them to these interviews. Any issues with bookings, please contact curriculum@marash.qld.edu.au.

Year 7-11 Assessment Schedules

Assessment schedules are available on Student Cafe, Parent Lounge as well as the Orbit App (School Links > Assessment Information). Your son is encouraged to download this schedule and transfer assessment dates to his College Diary Term Planner and any home planners, to ensure he is managing his time effectively. 

Please remember that assessments during Exam Block will be scheduled at some point across that week.  The exact timing of these exams will be released in the Exam Block Schedule (approx. Week 6), however, know that it will fall between Wednesday 20th and Wednesday, 27th November. If boys are absent during the Exam Block and consequently miss an examination, they will be required to submit a medical certificate in alignment with our College Assessment Policy. They will complete the assessment once they return to the College, which could be on the day they return. No exams in the Exam Block are sat early.

Any Year 10 students who have unapproved leave at the end of the year (eg. familiy holidays, etc.) and cannot complete examinations will be issued a summative grade of NR (No Result) for the subject on their end of Semester report. This is in line with QCAA policies. 

Parent Webinar Opportunities

Academic Integrity 

With assignments due it is important that students are reminded about the nature of academic integrity.  All students in the Middle School have completed the QCAA Academic Integrity course as part of their ASH lesson.  This course taught our students about effective academic practices, ways to improve their work as well as understanding academic misconduct (particularly plagiarism and the use of AI) and how to avoid this. 

Please continue to work with your son to ensure that the work he submits is his own. Failure to do so is academic misconduct.

Parent Orbit App

Student results and feedback for assessment items can be accessed at any time by parents on Parent Orbit. Term 3 assessment results and feedback for students in Years 5-10 are available via Parent Orbit. Please follow the steps below that highlight how to access your son’s results and feedback. 

Year 12 Night Study Sessions  

The Night Study Sessions are weekly study times available to Year 12 students who wish to work in collaboration with their peers for assessment, complete revision, revisit classwork or work on external exam preparation.    

When: Every Wednesday during term time from 5:00pm-8:00pm

Where: Senior Library

Who: 2024 Year 12s only 

Requirements:   

• Current ID card is to be presented on arrival   
• All students must sign in and out of the library   
• All standard library rules are to be followed (including no eating)   
• Normal student behaviour expectations apply; if these cannot be met, boys will be prohibited from returning to future sessions   
• Students are free to wear full College uniform or plain clothes   
• Students are free to arrive and leave as they see fit. Supervision is only provided in the library between 5:00-8:00pm.   
• Students are to be in the library only. This is not a time for sport or social gatherings.  

A supervisor will be on duty from 5:00pm-8:00pm to assist if required; however, these are not tutoring sessions.   

Old Boys Maths Tutoring

A reminder that maths tutoring, supported by some of our recent Old Boys, is held every Tuesday-Thursday from 3:10pm-5:00pm in the Senior Library. All students are welcome to attend. 

Old Boys Tutoring List  

Please find here a list of Old Boys who are available to tutor your son outside of school hours. This list can also be located on the parent portal. Please note it is the parent’s responsibility to organise and liaise tutoring times with the Old Boys.

School Tutoring Opportunities 

Tutoring is available for all students, and outlined below are faculties where you can receive assistance:

*Other faculties by appointment with the classroom teacher.

Study Tip