Learning and Teaching News

Welcome back to all our families.  As we bid farewell to the rejuvenating break of Term 1, we early step into the fresh opportunities and challenges that await us in Term 2.  With a renewed enthusiasm, I look forward to sharing your commitment to excellence in learning and teaching. 

Parents and caregivers, we remind you to read the newsletter each week to find out what is happening regarding the curriculum at the College. 

Academic Care Team Term 2 - 2024

Marist College Ashgrove’s Academic Care Team (ACT) works with students to track and assist their academic growth at the College. The ACT is divided into several roles:

• Acting Deputy Head of College - Learning and Teaching: Mrs Roxanne Rosenberg. Roxanne overseas learning and teaching across the whole College. Along with Jessica Turschwell (see below), Roxanne has a particular focus on the middle years (Years 7-9). Roxanne can be contacted at rosenbergr@marash.qld.edu.au
• Acting Assistant Head of College – Learning and Teaching (Senior School): Mr Adam Knight. Adam works with the Senior School students (Years 10-12) and staff to ensure our Senior school academic programs prepare the boys for senior learning. Adam can be contacted at knighta@marash.qld.edu.au 
• Acting Curriculum Leader: Senior Years Academic Care: Ms Kathryn Badini. Kathryn primarily focuses on student tracking across the senior school (Years 10-12). This includes the Year 10 preparation programs and subject selections. She assists boys in subject selection and with their many pathway options in senior schooling. Kathryn can be contacted at badinik@marash.qld.edu.au 
• Curriculum Leader: Middle Years Academic Care: Mrs Jessica Turschwell. Jess works with Middle School students (Years 7-9) on academic success through our student tracking program. Jess can be contacted at turschwellj@marash.qld.edu.au
• Primary Learning Leader: Ms Jen Little. Jen works closely with primary school teachers to develop an engaging and targeted curriculum for Years 5 and 6. She tracks student progress and is focused on continual improvement for all. Jen can be contacted at littlej@marash.qld.edu.au 

The middle and senior years Academic Care Team can be accessed at the Studies Office (under the Resource Centre). Jen Little, the Primary Learning Leader, is in the Primary Administration building. Please feel free to contact the relevant member of the ACT if you have any questions about your son’s subjects or overall academic progress across the year.

Curriculum Leaders 2024

Our Marist College Ashgrove Curriculum Leaders (CLs) lead the subject areas in departments across Years 7-12. These CLs are experts in subjects within their departments and work with their departmental staff to build programs aligned with the Australian Curriculum and the Queensland Years 11 and 12 syllabuses. Please contact any of the CLs below if you have questions about a subject within their department.

Year 12 Academic Leaders – 2024

Vice Captain: Max Bathersby

Ridley: Harry Lee

Ephrem: Liam Bourke

Foley: Thomas Demeteryous

Gilroy: Luca Martinuzzi

Harold: Hayden Barnes

Ignatius: Tristan Woods

Rush: Zane Cooper

Slattery: Edward Wild

Throughout the course of the year, our academic captains will lead initiatives as well as promote curriculum activities throughout the College.  We wish all our leaders a successful year. 

Year 10 Subject Changes 

Over the break, students in Year 10 may have decided to change elective subjects. If your son would like to change his subjects, please encourage him to visit the Academic Care Office (located under the Senior Library).

All subject changes need to be completed and submitted by Friday 26 April (Week 2). Any changes after this date will be considered in Term 3. Please also note that Construction Gateways and Engineering Gateways can only be changed into at the start of Term 3.

Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews

We believe that education is a collaborative effort, and we are grateful of the unwavering support of our parents and the wider community.  It was wonderful to see so many of our families gather yesterday and collaborate with teachers on your son’s success and limitations across Term 1.  PTS interviews are an important part of your son’s educational journey.  One that allows for a time to reflect on his strengths, but also discuss opportunities for areas of growth and improvement.  Please continue to reach out to your son’s teacher throughout the term to ensure he is committed to his goals across Term 2.

Year 11 Exam Block

The Year 11 Exam block schedule will be released this week. 

Year 11 students will be granted study leave (to study at home and only come to campus for scheduled assessments).  Any Year 11 student not up to date with all required assessment items will not be granted study leave and must remain at school. This includes meeting checkpoints for modules in Certificate and Diploma courses.  

Term 2 Assessment Schedules

The Term 2 Assessment Schedules for each year level will be released to students this week. This can be located on Student Café. Your son is encouraged to download this schedule and transfer assessment dates to his College Diary.

We encourage our boys to best prepare for these assessments by studying each day. The College Diary outlines the minimum expectations for homework, revision, and study across Years 5-12:   

• Year 5: 40 minutes inclusive of reading   
• Year 6: 40-60 minutes inclusive of reading   
• Year 7: 60 – 80 minutes   
• Year 8: 60 – 90 minutes   
• Year 9: 90 – 120 minutes   
• Year 10: 120 – 150 minutes   
• Year 11 and 12: 180 – 240 minutes.   

Students are encouraged to create a study and homework schedule each week, so this time is managed effectively. 

Marist Reading Night

In 2023 we held our first Father/Son Reading Night.  It was a brilliant initiative that saw over 200 fathers and sons across Years 7 and 8 gather to listen to an author and read alongside each other.  The evening finished with shared pizza and drinks.

We are holding this event again on Tuesday 14 May at 6:00pm in the Champagnat Centre. Tickets and further information will be released to students in Years 7 and 8 shortly.  This year, we are also raising funds for ‘Books for PNG Kids’. This organization helps communities in PNG by aiming to boost literacy for all children through the equitable distribution of books and resources throughout PNG.  Last year we received hundreds of donated books from our wonderful parents and community.  On the night, these books will be sold, with money raised being presented to this organization, along with any leftover books from the night.

If you would like to donate any books, please bring these down to the studies office between 16 -26 April.

Study Tips

Meet our Academic Captains

Name: Harry Lee

House: Ridley

What do you want to do when you leave school?

Engineering Honours and Master of Engineering at UQ.

What is the best study tip you use?

Using a study plan to set out my assignments and study throughout the week.

When do you most like to study? Why? 

I prefer studying in the mornings after I wake up when my mind is fresh.

What are you most looking forward to this year?

Creating as many memories in my last year of high school as possible.

What would you spend your last $20 on?

Double quarter pounder meal and some nuggets.