Learning and Teaching News

External Exam Block

Week 3 of external exams are this week.

A reminder to all boys to ensure they are aware of what time and room their exam is being held.  Have all the necessary equipment and bring your water bottle. 

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.  

Year 11 Academic Interviews and ATAR Estimations

Year 11 Academic interviews continue over the coming weeks. These interviews will involve a discussion about your son’s progress to date, ATAR estimation based on Unit 2 results and strategies for continued success across Units 3 and 4. 

Parents are invited to attend if they wish.

If you have not yet booked a time, please contact curriculum@marash.qld.edu.au

Year 11 General English – Mini Masterclass

Friday morning saw a large number of Year 11 General English boys and 9 English teachers descend on the library at 7:30am for a mass proofreading session. The boys have been working on their IA2, a persuasive spoken response, in the form of a Triple J Hack program. The idea was to get a different set of eyes to look over their work before they submitted their draft to their own teacher for feedback. The vibe was positive and the numbers were pleasing. While some worked with the staff many were involved in peer feedback which is also very beneficial. My thanks to Bonita Gerry, Kathryn Badini, Damian Nelson, Colleen Robertson, Andrea Williams, Adam Knight, Charlie Taylor and James Walton for generously giving of themselves and their time. And a big thank you to the Year 11 boys who were so keen to improve their work. Steve Littleton, Head of English, Literature and Languages

Exam Block schedules

Year 7-10 exam schedules were released last week. Please ensure your son has viewed this and has made note in his study schedule.

Year 7-9 students

Students will remain in normal timetabled classes when not in an exam. 

Year 10-11 students

Students will only be required on campus for their scheduled exams. Students will return to normal timetable classes after the conclusion of the exam block. Normal expectations in regard to behaviour and uniform still exist and will be enforced. 

Year 10-11 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 7 Tutoring 

Tutoring continues this week for any Year 7 student.

Year 7 boys are welcome to attend a free tutoring afternoon on Wednesdays between 3.15-4.15pm with our senior students. These will take place in room 105 and will run between weeks 4 to 6 of this term, leading up to exam block. All year 7 boys are welcome to attend. 

Year 8 Literacy Afternoon

The Year 8 Literacy group used the knowledge that they had developed during last fortnight’s session and applied this to writing a story that was centered around a shark attack. All stories were innovative, imaginative and exciting. We commend these boys for their dedication to this task and look forward to working with other boys after school next year. 

Year 8 ASH lesson – Numeracy Practice

Last week the Year 8 boys were taught specific math strategies during ASH to assist them with answering multi-step problems and multiple-choice questions. Firstly, the CUBES strategy can be used for more difficult questions and is a strategy that can be used by all boys in the College. For boys who struggle with Complex Familiar and Complex Unfamiliar questions, this is a strategy that would be particularly useful for them as we approach the upcoming exams. 

Secondly, the boys applied the Fly Hunt strategy to mathematical multiple-choice questions. This is a strategy that they can use for more difficult questions, as well as NAPLAN. This asks the boys to do the following when they are presented with an unfamiliar question:

                                Visualise:  What will help you see this problem?

• Connection:  What concepts do you need to know?
• Purpose:  What is the problem asking you to do?

Year 12 release of QCE and Senior Education Profiles (SEPs)

Year 12 students and parents/carers were emailed this week regarding how to access their final subject results and SEP (including QCE and relevant certificates). This information has come directly from the QCAA. 

All Year 12 students should be on myQCE – if not, help for registration can be found here: https://myqce.qcaa.qld.edu.au/home/help/student-portal-faqs We would suggest this be sorted as soon as possible to make sure results and SEPs can be accessed smoothly from Friday 15 December.

Senior Library Hours

Our senior library is open from 7:30am every morning until 5:00pm Monday-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 the distractions at home.

Year 11 and 12 Night Study Sessions

The Night Study Sessions will continue for Year 12 students who wish to work in collaboration with their peers for external exam preparation. 

When: every Wednesday from 5:00pm-8:00pm, concluding at the end of external exams

Where: Senior Library

Who: 2023 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, students 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 5:00pm-8:00pm
• Students are to be in the library only. This is not a time for sport or social gatherings

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

A quiet designated study space will also be available during the day in the Library

for Year 12s – starting from this week onward until the end of external exams. 

Study Hall – All Year Levels

Every Tuesday and Thursday morning, teacher librarians in the senior library offer study hall sessions from 7:45am to 8:30am. These are designed to build the student’s capacity to study independently by teaching them critical skills for the first 15 minutes of the session, then offering independent supported study for the remainder of the time.

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.

Accessing Student Results 

Student results and feedback for assessment items can be accessed by parents on Parent Lounge. The 1 minute clip below shows how you can access student results by subject or for every subject in one document –

Alternatively, 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