Learning and Teaching News

MCA Libraries

Marist Debating 2023 - Years 7 to 12

Sign up this Wednesday 1 February - Senior Library - Break 1

Marist Debating is administered through the Queensland Debating Union which facilitates school-level debating in Queensland.

Debating is a great co-curricular activity because it encourages students to use their critical thinking skills and think outside the box. It helps them develop their communication skills, such as being able to make persuasive arguments, and it provides an opportunity for students to gain confidence in expressing their opinions and defending their beliefs in a safe and respectful environment.

Additionally, debating allows students to learn more about current events and issues, which helps them become engaged citizens and informed members of society.

The Queensland Debating Union administers the debating season and has a long and proud history of promoting school-level debating in Queensland, catering for hundreds of students from Years 5 to 12 across locations. Through the running of competitions, workshops, and provision of ongoing assistance and resources to schools, QDU hope to allow students to engage in an activity that not only teaches important skills like public speaking and critical analysis, but also leads to well-rounded individuals who are engaged with the news and the world around them.

Details about Years 5 and 6 debating will be communicated through the Primary Newsletter.

You will find specific information about QDU's Secondary Schools competition including the calendar etc @ https://www.qdu.org.au/.

For specific Marist information email Mary Stirling - stirlingm@marash.qld.edu.au.

Year 8-11 Subject Changes 

Over the break, students in Years 8-11 may have decided to change elective subjects that they chose last year. If your son would like to change his subjects, please encourage him to see the people listed below:

• Year 8 subject changes – relevant Head of House
• Year 9 subject changes – relevant Head of House or Assistant Head of College – Learning and Teaching (Middle School) (Roxanne Rosenberg) or CL: Middle Year Academic Care (Jess Turschwell)
• Year 10-11 subject changes – Deputy Head of College - Learning and Teaching (Jen Smeed) or CL: Senior Years Academic Care (Adam Knight).

All subject changes must be completed and submitted by Wednesday 1 February (Week 2).

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. The Night Study Session will recommence this Wednesday 1 February with further details outlined below.

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

Where: Senior Library

Who: 2023 Year 12’s only

Requirements:

• Current ID card is to be presented on arrival
• All students must sign in and out of the library
• All normal library rules 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.

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

Thank you to Mrs Mary Stirling and the wonderful librarians for staffing these valuable study opportunities for our 2023 Year 12 students.

Year 5 -10 Semester 2 2022 Outstanding Academic Achievement Awards

Year 5-10 Semester 2, 2022 Outstanding Academic Achievement Awards will be presented at the College’s Inaugural Mass on Friday 3 February. Parents of students receiving awards have been sent an email invitation to attend the Mass and awards ceremony. A list of recipients will be included in the Week 3 newsletter.

Year 7 Information Night – 31 January

This event is organised by Mr Craig Milligan (Pastoral Leader – Middle School).  Mrs Roxanne Rosenberg will be presenting to discuss academics at the College. If you have any questions relating to the event, please contact Mr Milligan (milliganc@marash.qld.edu.au).

Year 5-9 Monitoring – Week 2 

This week, all students in Years 5-9 will meet with their pastoral teacher to discuss their academic goals for 2023.  They will write these goals into their diaries – Subject Smart Goals (page 46). I encourage all parents and carers to discuss these goals with your son and set some steps to help him achieve them. 

NAPLAN

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy take place during Week 8 of Term 1 this year. Information regarding these tests and arrangements for upcoming school readiness tests will be emailed to students in Years 5, 7 and 9 shortly. 

Student Laptop Agreement

Parents of Year 7 and 10 students, please note that a student laptop agreement has now been released on Parent Lounge. Please access this document as soon as possible.  Read the agreement and accept. Please attend to this by Friday 27 January.

2023 Calendar

The College calendar provided to each family outlines the scheduled exam blocks across the year for students in Years 7-12. Please ensure you check these Exam Block dates before booking any holidays, as they are an essential and compulsory part of the learning process at the College. Leave is not granted to students during this time. 

Assessment Schedules 

From Week Three, your son will have access to his assessment schedule. This can be located on Student Café. Your son is encouraged to download this schedule and transfer assessment dates to his College Diary. There will be more information on accessing this information in the Week 3 newsletter.

Study Hall – All Year Levels

Every Tuesday and Thursday morning, teacher librarians in the senior library offer study hall sessions from 7:45 am to 8:30 am. 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.

Please find below the outline for the Study Hall for Term One. We encourage students of all year levels to attend these valuable sessions.