Primary School News

Dear Primary Parents,

It is nice to be back together for a full week once again after a few short weeks recently. The boys should be well and truly in their routine for Term Two and be concentrating on the little things that can make their days in the Primary School run as smoothly as possible. Paying attention to the smaller details can help the boys find rhythm in their day, which is so important given the busyness of Term Two here at Marist College. We give our students frequent reminders throughout the week about the best way to be prepared for their school commitments and the right way to act towards each other. Thankfully, most boys take these messages onboard and do a great job of being 100% Marist, 100% of the time.

This week, it has come to my attention that mobile phones have been used in a messaging group that contained some inappropriate comments. I would urge all parents to take some time to sit down with their son and reiterate the expectations of mobile phone use and the importance of being respectful when using technology of any kind. I like to remind the boys that, if they wouldn’t say a comment to someone face to face, then they shouldn’t type that comment into a device.  As we are aware, schools and parents both play essential roles in a child's education. Consistent messages around the use of technology will assist the boys in making the right choices when faced with decisions that may arise when they are online in the future. Your assistance in this matter is greatly appreciated.

I would like to wish all our Marist Mums a very happy Mother’s Day for this Sunday. I hope you all get spoiled and enjoy this special day. Thank you for all that you do for your young Marist men here in the Primary School. I hope they all appreciate how lucky they are to have you by their side, looking out for them every day.

Enjoy the rest of Week 4.

Mr Anthony Graham (Pastoral Leader) 

Walkathon

A big thank you to all of those that have already gone out and raised money for the College’s Walkathon. We will be giving out prizes and updating the tallies every Tuesday and Thursday at our morning assemblies. A reminder that the Walkathon is next Sunday 21st May starting in the Primary Quadrangle at 7:45am. Below is a list of prizes the boys can win for their fundraising efforts. Keep up the great work – who wouldn’t love to be Mr. Connolly’s Assistant for the Day!

Mother’s Day Stall Friday 12 May

The Year 9 Business students, as a part of their Marketing studies, have been busy working in teams to produce a range of Mother’s Day gifts that the primary students can purchase for the special women in their lives. These gifts are not just for mothers, they are for any significant and special women in the lives of our primary boys. The market stall will operate on Friday 12 May during Break 1 in the Primary Quadrangle and students can choose from mugs, chocolates, biscuits, plants, beauty gift packs, candles and enter a raffle for some of the many options available to purchase. Prices for the raffle is $1.00 - $5.00 and $3.00 - $5.00 for the gifts. Purchases will be made using Primary students’ Monitor cards so we kindly ask that your son’s Monitor cards be topped up so he can purchase a gift of his choice. On behalf of the Year 9 Business students, thank you for supporting our Year 9 Business students with their initiative.

Natalie Sones, Alana Armitage and Josephine Garbellini - Year 9 Business Teachers

Public Speaking – Mrs Kylie Tippins

Last Tuesday night, eight fearless Year 5 students stepped into the world of public speaking.  Having created speeches on topics ranging from electric cars to Rubik's cubes, they entertained and informed the audience.  Boys from Ambrose Tracy College, Padua and St Laurence's rounded out the presenters.  Congratulations must go to Barney Armstrong and Seb Kaminski who were Speakers of the Night.

Round Robin Debating – MCA/SLC/ATC/PC - Mrs Robyn Brown

On Tuesday evening our Round Robin Debating Competition commenced at St Laurence’s. The Year 6 Debating Teams competed brilliantly against their opponents at St Laurence’s College.

Team 1

The team consists of Matthew Davies, Adhu Sudheesh, Oliver Crowley and James Stigter. They debated the negative against St Laurence’s with “That homework should be abolished”.  The outcome was very positive for the team with them winning the debate. Their ability to listen intently to the opposition and respond with strong rebuttals was evident and instrumental in their success. Oliver Crowley was the worthy recipient of the “Speaker of the night” award with Adhu Sudheesh being commended. 

Congratulations boys!

Team 2

The team consists of Leo O’Rourke, Jack Donohue, Wyatt Castleman and Lachie McDonough. They debated the affirmative against St Laurence’s with “That homework should be abolished”. The boys argued beautifully and were also rewarded for their excellent debating skills by beating their opposition. The arguments for the topic were well researched and presented. “Speaker of the Night” was awarded to Wyatt Castleman.

Well done boys!

Uniform Update – Hoodie

The MCA Hoodie in the Uniform Shop is now a discontinued uniform item. This item will not be re-ordered when current stock sells out. When not in academic uniform, students are encouraged to wear the Primary Fleece Jumper (Year 5 and 6 only) or the MCA Tracksuit Jacket in cooler weather. Students who already own the MCA Hoodie may continue to wear it to and from sport on Saturday when playing.

The Primary Fleece Jumper may be worn on days when the Sport Uniform is worn to school (Primary only) and to and from sport on Saturday when playing. The Tracksuit Jacket may be worn on days when the Sport Uniform is worn to school (Primary only) and to and from sport on Saturday when playing. Students who are spectating games on Saturday must be dressed in full academic uniform, wearing the wool jumper and/or blazer in cooler weather.

Mr John Lambourne – Head of Sport (Primary)

AIC Cross Country

AIC Cross Country Meet #1

Sherwood Arboretum

87 Jolimont St, Sherwood

Students will be transported to and from the meet via bus. Staff will supervise students on the bus.

Depart: 3:00pm (Marist Bus Stop) Students are to get changed into their sport uniform at second break and leave class at 2:55pm.

Return: 5:30pm (Marist Bus Stop)

Uniform: Boys are to dress in their Marist blue training shirt, Marist sports shorts and Marist sport socks, boys are to wear a Marist athletics singlet while competing.

AIC cross country meets are open to all students who wish to qualify for the AIC Cross Country Championships. Meets are run as time trials.

AIC Cross Country Championships – Wednesday, 31 May – Curlew Park, Shorncliffe

Cross Country Training

Due to Wednesday cross country meets, training will now be Monday and Friday mornings only, meet at 6:45am @ MCA pool.

Rugby

Primary Rugby Results - Round 2 vs. Padua

Football

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.

Sports Photographs

We are always on the look-out 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.

Pick-up Arrangements - “Plan B”

It is important that you are aware of your son’s pick-up procedure if sports training is cancelled or if you are running late.

As soon as a decision is made to cancel a sporting fixture or training, a message is placed on the College app.

If training is cancelled boys can remain in the primary school or walk to an arranged pick-up-point when the time arrives.

Sport training sessions finish normally finish by 4:45pm. We ask that boys are picked up at this time, or soon after. Any boy who is still at their training venue at 5pm will be directed to the Boarding Reception area so that he may be collected from there.

In the case of bus arrivals, boys will be sent to Boarding Reception 15 minutes after the arrival time of the bus.