Learning and Teaching News

End of Term 3 Exam Blocks

This week we commence Years 7, 8, 10, and 11 exam blocks and continue with Year 12 mock exams. The Year 9 exam block has now concluded. Schedules for all years have been emailed to both students and parents. They are also available on the Parent Portal. Please note the dates of these exam blocks:

• Year 12 mock exam block - Monday 28 August to Wednesday 6 September 2023
• Years 7, 8, 10 exam block - Monday 4 September to Friday 8 September 2023
• Year 11 Unit 2 exam block - Wednesday 6 to Wednesday 13 September 2023

Years 10, 11, and 12 students will only be required on campus for their scheduled exams. Students will return to normal timetable classes after the conclusion of each of the blocks. Normal expectations regarding behaviour and uniforms still exist and will be enforced.

Years 10–12 students are reminded that exam block privileges will not be given to any student who has summative work owing. Boys who have not completed work required will be asked to remain at school until the work has been completed. This is particularly relevant for students who are undertaking Certificate courses, including Year 10 Workplace Skills and Outdoor Recreation.

Assessment Policy

A reminder that extensions for written assignments can be provided through the Academic Care Team. A medical certificate will be required. Please note, however, that there are no extensions for exams. If your son is at school on the day of testing, he is required to complete the exam.

Year 12 Masterclasses

To prepare students sitting External Exams, the College has developed a Masterclass timetable that allows targeted revision in classes of each student’s choosing. Masterclasses will run from Week 1 to Week 3 in Term 4. Over the next two weeks, the Masterclass timetable will be presented to Year 12 students where they will also select their class preferences online.

The Masterclass timetable provides students with two sessions per day, one starting at 9:00am (Period 1) and the other at 12:20pm (Period 4). Students are only required to attend these classes (not Pastoral Group) and can leave once their sessions have finished. For students who complete fewer than six General subjects, this will mean they may leave the campus after the morning session or not arrive on campus until the afternoon session.

For all Masterclasses, students will need to be dressed in full school uniform and ensure they have all the required equipment for their subjects (e.g., calculators). Rooms where each of the Masterclasses will be held will be emailed to each of the boys at the start of next term.

The External Exam block runs from Monday 23 October to Tuesday 14 November 2023. The External Exam block schedule, as well as the required equipment lists, are available on the Marist portal (via this link for parents and via this link for students), and on the QCAA website.

If you have any questions about General subject Masterclasses, please contact Jen Smeed at smeedj@marash.qld.edu.au or Adam Knight at knighta@marash.qld.edu.au.

For boys who are not enrolled in any General classes and therefore will not be required at General subject Masterclasses, the College is running Skills masterclasses across Weeks 1–3 of Term 4. These classes are designed around the concept of life skills required after school. While these classes are designed for students not completing General subject Masterclasses, if your son has a break in his Masterclass schedule, he is welcome to attend. Further information about Skills Masterclasses will also be presented to Year 12 students. If you have any questions about Skills Masterclasses, please contact Mrs Robyn Gooley on gooleyr@marash.qld.edu.au.

Year 12 Holiday Library Opening Hours

Over the September holidays, the Senior Library will be open for Year 12 students to access a quiet study space in preparation for their final assessments in Term 4. Normal library rules apply during this time. Students are to wear plain clothes and bring their ID cards to sign in and out of the library. Supervision will only be provided in this space, with boys free to arrive and depart at times of their choosing.

September Holidays Library Opening Hours for Year 12 Marist Students

Year 9, 2024 – Subject Selection

Last week, all families with boys entering Year 9 in 2024 received the subject handbook. Please ensure that you have spent time discussing subject options with your son. The boys will be choosing their subjects on Friday during their ASH lesson. To do this, they will need a parent's or carer's email address, so you are able to sign off on these selections.

Year 8, 2024 – Subject Selection

To align with our offering of subjects in Years 9 and 10, boys entering Year 8 will be completing a set course of study. The Year 8, 2024 Subject Handbook will be emailed to all families this week. Students will be rotating through a variety of subjects throughout the course of the year and therefore will not need to select elective subjects for Year 8, 2024.

Marist Reading Night – Term 4

After the success of our first Marist Reading Night, we are holding another night in Term 4. This will be open to all Year 7 and 8 families. There will be a slight change, however, and we will be running a book drive on the night. Some of our Year 8 students are going to spend the next four weeks collecting books, and then we will sell them back to our avid readers for a few dollars. All proceeds will be donated to the Books for PNG Kids program. If you have any books lying around that you no longer read, please drop them off at the Senior Library.

More information will come about date, time, and author!

Let's get those books rolling in.

Griffith University Academic Boot Camps

Griffith University Academic Bootcamps are courses designed to assist students in achieving their full academic potential. They aim to improve confidence and understanding in senior science and mathematics subject areas, reducing anxiety around assessment and preparing students for future tertiary study.

This year, the boot camps will be run both in person and online across the September holidays for the following subjects:

• General Mathematics
• Mathematics Methods
• Physics
• Chemistry
• Biology

For more information about these courses, please visit Academic Bootcamps (griffith.edu.au).

Tutoring at the College 

Tutoring at the College is available for all students, and outlined below are faculties where your son can receive assistance. 

*Other faculties by appointment with the classroom teacher. 

Additionally, the CLE run touch-base tutoring for specific students in the College. For more information, contact CLE@marash.qld.edu.au.

If you would like an external tutor, please find a list of Old Boy tutors below. 

Year 7 Tutoring

A reminder that there is no Year 7 tutoring this week due to the exam block.

Senior Library Hours

Our Senior Library is open from 7:30am every morning until 5:00pm Monday to Thursday. It closes at 3:30pm on Fridays.

Your son is encouraged to head to the library before and/or after school to complete his homework or study, free from distractions at home.

Year 12 Night Study Sessions

There will be no Year 12 night study sessions this week (Week 9) or next week (Week 10). They will resume Week 1, Term 4.

Accessing Student Results 

Student results and feedback for assessment items can be accessed by parents on Parent Lounge. Please follow the steps below which highlight how to access your son’s results and feedback.

1. Open parent portal and click on “Parent Lounge”

2. On the left-hand tab select “Curricular Activities Due” and select “view all activities” on the top right-hand side of page.

This will take you to a screen that lists of your son/s assessment to complete or has been completed. 

3. Click on a subject to view feedback. 

4. Once you click on the subject you will be able to find the following information: 

1. Task sheet for assessment – this will outline what your son needs to do to complete the task successfully 
2. Draft due dates and due dates
3. Criteria sheet
4. Feedback 
5. Result