Primary School News

Dear Primary Parents,

At our College Assembly last week, our Head of College spoke to the boys about the message of the Gospel reading, which spoke of being called to be the salt of the Earth. Salt without flavour has no purpose and so many things taste better with a little salt added. At our Primary assembly, I challenged the boys to think about what ‘flavour’ they are adding to our Primary School. I explained that our school is just like a bucket of hot chips without salt and each of them need to add some flavour in their own, unique way in order to make our school the best it can be. For our Primary School to be functioning at its very best, every boy needs to make a conscious effort to add something to our Marist community here at Ashgrove. 

Please take some time to follow up with this important message with your son by asking him what ‘flavour’ he is going to bring to our community every day. I have been amazed at the depth of the responses the boys have written when I posed this question to them in class.  Thank you for your support in speaking with your son about his time in our Primary School.

Specialist Appointments

A gentle reminder about booking appointments for boys during school hours. Over the past week, we have seen an increase in the number of boys arriving late or leaving early, as a result of attending appointments within the hours of our school day. Looking ahead to the end of term, if your son will require a dentist-fitted mouthguard for sporting trials, please make these bookings as soon as possible so that these appointments can fall outside of school hours.

Important Medication Information

I have been made aware that some parents have sent paracetamol or Nurofen to school with their sons and asking their son to contact them if they feel they may need to take it.

Please be aware that no Primary boy is permitted to self-administer any medication whilst at school. If there is a genuine need for your son to take medication during the day, please contact the Primary Office and complete the necessary paperwork so that it can be administered by a trained professional here in the College Health Centre.

Great Can Drive

One of the tenets of preparation for the Easter season is the period of Lent. Beginning on Ash Wednesday, this is a time of prayer, reflection, repentance, and sacrifice. 

Traditionally Catholics raise money throughout the Lenten period to support those in need. Marist College Ashgrove has a strong tradition of fundraising throughout the Lenten period for Marist Solidarity. Marist Solidarity supports Marist schools and projects throughout Southeast Asia and the Pacific, in communities that are marginalized and vulnerable. 

During the Lenten period, the College will offer several ways for students and families to contribute to the fundraising process. For 2023, we are asking the Primary students to support our fundraising efforts by taking part in the ‘Great Can Collect’. In the past, this has proven to be one of our most successful fundraisers. 

These cans donated by Primary families are sold as part of the Lenten Fundraising Day to be held on Friday 24 February. This day is a student-led initiative that provides the students with activities and food stalls while raising awareness and funds for our Lenten appeal.

Thank you for your support in this fundraising initiative.

Sports Socks on Fridays

As you are aware, our Primary boys all wear their sports uniform to school each Friday. All boys should be wearing their white MCA sports socks to school on Fridays, rather than the blue MCA sports socks which will be used for basketball and volleyball.

They do not need to bring their formal hat to school on Fridays, instead, they need to wear their broad-brim blue hat with their sports uniform. The formal hat should be taken home on Thursday afternoon and be ready to wear to school on Monday the following week.

From the Primary Learning Leader (Jen Little)

Year 5 NAPLAN Preparation

This Friday, our students will complete the practice NAPLAN tests in the form of a Narrative Writing Task and an Omnibus. The Omnibus offers students the opportunity to engage with the NAPLAN platform across a wide range of learning domains that include: Numeracy, Concepts of Language and Reading. Please note that students are required to ensure their laptop is fully charged on Thursday evening of this week in preparation for the practice testing. They will also require a set of headphones which was listed on the booklist for this year.

In their Technology lessons, Michael Connolly will also take students through the Public Demonstration Site on the following link https://www.nap.edu.au/naplan/public-demonstration-site 

Using this site, students will learn how to navigate through the platform and become familiar with the tools available to them. It is highly recommended that all students spend some time at home becoming familiar with this type of testing. This will no doubt assist in developing their confidence. It is also highly encouraged that students spend some time practising their keyboarding. Some excellent websites that can assist with this are:

1. Dance Mat Typing – All 12 Stages – Best Typing Training for Kids (dancemattypingguide.com)
2. Typing Club: edclub (typingclub.com)
3. Typing.com

Assessment Calendars

Last week, Assessment Calendars were sent out to all parents in Primary. These are also available on the Portal and should be a wonderful reference point for students when preparing for Primary exams. Please remember that classroom teachers have a wealth of resources available to students through their class One Notes. This is an excellent platform for students when engaging in revision and study. The Library Pages also offer additional support in this regard.

Writing Support

Commencing this Thursday morning in the 5 Gold Classroom (Room 702), writing support will be offered to all boys in Primary. This is a wonderful opportunity for students to build their capacity when it comes to demonstrating quality sentence structure that engages an audience. These writing tutorials will be facilitated by either Mrs Kylie Tippins or myself. They begin at 8:00am. Punctuality is important. 

From the Pastoral Leader Primary School (Anthony Graham)

GEM @ Marist

This week in the Primary School we are launching Gem @ Marist. GEM @ Marist is a Well-being initiative designed for students to build their understanding and use of empathy; develop a sense of gratitude; and be fully present in their school, friends, and home life. The boys will receive a gratitude journal and 3 times per week they will spend 5 minutes journaling what they are grateful for. 

Benefits:

1. Better physical health – the act of journalling what you are grateful for helps reduce stress. 
2. Better psychological health – less frustration, regret, or frustration. 
3. More empathy and less aggression  
4. Healthier relationships  
5. Better sleep  
6. Improved self-esteem – I FEEL GOOD ABOUT MYSELF!  
7. Mental strength – ability to BOUNCE BACK  
8. Increased productivity – able to do more  
9. More resilient 
10. Better at making decisions  
11. More creative  
12. Happier! 

Below is what will go into the boy’s gratitude journal. We highly recommend students engaging with this practice with family members to help build a greater sense of gratefulness. 

GEM @ MARIST

G = GRATITUDE (being grateful for all the wonderful things in our life)

E = EMPATHY (having an understanding of those around us – stepping into their shoes)

M = MINDFULNESS (fully present and aware of where we are and what we’re doing)

When we demonstrate gratitude, show empathy, and be in a mindful state of mind, we are better equipped to tackle all the challenges that school, and life has to offer. 

Year 5 Camp Volunteers

Year 5 Camp is seeking expressions of interest for parent volunteers of sons in Year 5 to attend camp at Tallebudgera Outdoor Education Centre. Camp is from Monday 27 to Wednesday 29 March. Please complete the form to express your interest. Please note the form is due Friday 17 February and parents will be notified by Friday 24 February. 

Form: https://forms.office.com/r/JGYWDWTPYV

Date Claimers

• Thursday 16 February – Year 5 Brainstorm Presentation (12:30pm in Draney) 
• Wednesday 22 February – Ash Wednesday Student Liturgy P3
• Tuesday 28 and Thursday 30 February – Year 8 Market Stalls
  • More information to come 
• Thursday 2 March – Primary Assembly in Draney Theatre P3 
• Thursday 23 March – Year 5 Musical 
• Friday 24 March – Primary Swimming Carnival 
• Monday 27 – Wednesday 29 March – Year 5 Camp 

From the Head of Sport (Primary) - Mr John Lambourne

Achievements

Congratulations to Liam Adams (6G), Flynn Barrett (5R), Finn Beaver (5W), Matthew Dillane (6W), Cooper Donaghy (6R), Edward Heenan (5W), Will Hutchinson (6B), Sam Mellifont (5V), Jack Nightingale (6G), Abe Patricks (6V) and Oliver Petrie (6G) who have been selected to represent North-West District (10 – 12 years) Swimming at the Met North Regional Trial, to be held 27 February, at Brisbane Aquatic Centre.

Congratulations to Charlie Barnett (6V), Jack Easter (6G), Tate Miles (6G), Dermot Whitaker (6G) and Hamish Pope (6V) who have been selected to represent North-West District (10 – 12 years) Cricket at the Met North Regional trials, being held this week.

Term 2 Sport Sign-on

Term 2 sports on offer are Rugby, Football (Soccer), Cross Country and Chess.

All students who wish to play Term 2 sports are asked to sign up via the student café. Once your son/s have signed up all parents or caregivers MUST approve the signup and edit or update any medical details. Please find below the attached guide for signing up for Extra-Curricular activities.

The above process must be completed before Friday 17 February.

Rugby and Football

• All matches are played Saturday mornings, training will be one afternoon and one morning session each week.
• Boys require; Jersey, shorts, and socks - available from the College Clothing Shop
  Boys also require; Rugby: Boots and mouthguard and Football: Boots and shin pads.

Rugby Ready Program

Friday 24 February, 3, 10 and 17 March

Des Connor Park – Field 8

7:00am – 8:00am

Boys are required to come dressed in their Marist training shirt, Marist sport shorts Marist football socks. Boys will also require boots, mouthguard, and a water bottle for each session.

The Rugby Ready Program involves a host of measures such as physical preparation, skill development, correct and safe techniques preparing the players for contact, enforcement of game laws, and management of safety issues such as the Scrum Passport and the “MAYDAY” call.

Whilst there are several reasons for providing such a program, a key driver is wanting to deliver to all students a safe, challenging, and enjoyable rugby union program. To develop the next generation of Marist College rugby players, we must give them the skills to approach the game with confidence and minimise the chance of injury. 

Cross Country

Cross Country training begins Monday, 20 February. Boys meet at the swimming pool from 6:30am for a 6:45am departure.

It is recommended that students complete two sessions per week. Students should attend one of the following:

• Monday and Wednesday
• Monday and Thursday
• Tuesday and Thursday

This structure allows students to have a rest day between sessions and to complete different types of training.

Term 1 AIC Sport

Cricket

AIC Sport Photo Days

AIC Sport photos are again scheduled for this Saturday, for those cricketers playing here at the College, only those teams playing at the College will be scheduled for photographs. Rest assured that teams playing away will have their team photos scheduled at a later date.

AFL

SWIMMING

MCA Primary Swim Squad training sessions continue Monday and Wednesday afternoons throughout Term 1, 3:30pm – 4:30pm. These sessions are open to all boys; boys attending for fitness training and boys wishing to qualify for the AIC Swimming Team. There is no obligation to attend AIC meets in Term 1 2022. 

Boys attending these sessions will need to bring the following equipment.

• Goggles
• Kickboard
• Short Flippers 
• Mesh Bag

Year 5 and 6 MCA Swim Squad Training Timetable Term 1

For further details please contact: swim@marash.qld.edu.au

AIC Swim Meet #4

Friday 17 February – Centenary Aquatic Centre, Spring Hill

AIC Swim meets are open to all students who wish to qualify for the AIC Swimming Championships, to be held, Week 7. AIC Swim meets are run as time trials/selection meets.

*** Times are approximate

AIC Championships, Tuesday 7 March

Sports Photographs

We are always on the lookout for photos and action shots to be used for the Blue & Gold, other College publications, season or end-of-year wrap-ups etc. Please follow this link and add your photos - Marist College Ashgrove Primary Sports Photos.

College App

Please ensure that you download the College App to your smartphone. This app will be used weekly to inform you of sporting fixtures, cancellations and bus arrival information.