Learning and Teaching News

Year 12 Academic Interviews

Academic Interviews for each Year 12 student will start this week where discussion around your son’s performance and progress will occur. Information about booking these interviews was shared with parents via email – please contact Curriculum@marash.qld.edu.au if you require assistance. 

Year 10 and 11 2026 Subject Information Night 

Year 10 and 11 2026 subject information night will occur on Monday 26 May.  All students should attend this event with a parent/carer. Information was released to parents via email last week, with the following important information:

• 2026 Year 10 (current Year 9) – 5:00pm presentation in Champagnat Centre
• 2026 Year 11 (current Year 9) – 6:00pm presentation in Champagnat Centre

Subject information and stalls will be set-up around the Science building where you can talk to our subject leaders, Year 12 students and ask questions regarding subject and course specifics. 

 Our Year 10 students are currently working on the preliminary work for SET planning in their careers ASH lessons. I encourage parents/carers of our Year 10 students to engage in conversation with your young men, to assist their forward planning. The subject selection evening mentioned above will contribute to this process, but we encourage students and families to start investigating future pathways and what may need to happen to allow them to get there. Communication regarding the SET planning process will be released to Year 10 parents shortly.

Year 7-10 End of Semester Exam Block 

As per the College calendar, the end of semester exam block for Years 7-10 will be held from 13th to 19th of June. During this time students will have exams scheduled across morning and afternoon sessions. It is expected that all students will be present during this important assessment period. If you are absent during exam block a medical certificate is required.  Please note that once you return to school you will be expected to make up this assessment as soon as possible.  

Please note some assessments will continue past the examination block into the end of the term.

More information about exam block scheduling will be released to students and parents in the coming weeks. 

External Exam Block

The 2025 External Assessment (EA) Exam Block has been released by QCAA - https://www.qcaa.qld.edu.au/downloads/senior/snr_ext_assess_timetable_2025.pdf

We ran a session with our Year 12s completing EAs this year, including a panel of Curriculum Leaders giving specific advice for their subject areas. The main advice to Year 12s at the moment is to focus on those things in their control: their sleep and diet, balance of study, work and extra-curriculars, as well as beginning to compile their study notes (particular for Maths and Science subjects). Every extra effort made in Internal Assessment now will also help to reduce the pressure on the Externals.

If any student or parents has any concerns or wants further advice about the EAs, they are welcome to email Ms Kathryn Badini at badinik@marash.qld.edu.au . 

Preparedness for Lessons and Upcoming Assessments

In the Middle Years, students are learning to manage increasingly complex tasks—but their working memory is still developing. As a result, they can easily feel overwhelmed when presented with too much information at once. To support their learning, we use structured lessons, visual aids, and consistent routines that help reduce cognitive load and keep students focused on what matters most.

A key part of this support is ensuring students come to class prepared. This means bringing essential items such as their Student Diary, notebooks in coloured folders, a fully stocked pencil case, and a fully charged laptop. These simple habits of preparedness allow students to engage more effectively in lessons and make the most of their learning time.

At home, encouraging organisation—like using planners or breaking homework into manageable steps—can make a big difference. Not only does this help students feel more confident and in control, but it also reduces stress during busy assessment periods by spreading the workload over time.

NCCD – Key Information for Parents and Carers

WHAT IS THE NCCD? 

The Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD) takes place every year. This year, the census date for this important collection is August 4, 2025. 

The NCCD is a collection that counts:

• the number of school students receiving adjustments due to disability 

• the level of adjustment they are receiving to access education on the same basis as other students. 

(Note: The NCCD uses the definition of disability in the Disability Discrimination Act 1992.)

All schools in Australia must collect information about students with disability and provide this information to education authorities.  Every school across Australia must participate in this important census. 

The information collected by the NCCD helps teachers, principals, education authorities and governments to better support students with disabilities at school. The NCCD data collection also encourages schools to review their learning and support systems and processes, thus helping schools to continually improve education outcomes for all students

Griffith University Year 12 Academic Bootcamps

Griffith’s Academic Bootcamps are highly effective four-day courses run in the September school holidays, designed to help Year 12 students achieve their full academic potential in their final external exams. They aim to improve confidence and understanding in senior science and maths subject areas, reducing anxiety around assessment and preparing students for future tertiary study.  Click on the link for more information - Academic Bootcamps.

Love Shakespeare? Dive into Macbeth!

Year 11 & 12 students are invited to UQ's 'Western Civilisation Winter School', 7-9 July 2025.

Explore 'Macbeth' through performance, discussion, and expert-led workshops - plus enjoy live theatre, film, and a visit to the Fryer Library!

 Free to attend, including accommodation and meals.

 Apply by Sunday 4 May.

 For more info: Shakespeare's Macbeth: UQ Centre for Western Civilisation 2025 Winter School - Study - The University of Queensland

See the following flyer - Shakespeare's Macbeth.pdf

Marist Subject Support

There are subject-specific Old Boy and Classroom teachers roving in the Senior Library to help Year 7 – 12 students with their homework, assignment work and general study. Please see below for the targeted times and subjects. 

Year 12 Study Session 

Year 12 study will not be on this week (Week 6) but continue from next week – Wednesday 5:00pm – 8:00pm, in the Library for their own private and collaborative study. This is a privilege for Year 12 students in preparation for their senior assessment and a recommended study habit. In the past, students have used this time to work on their external exam study nights, prepare their drafts, or even create small study groups. Students will need to sign in and out. They can arrive and leave at any time between 5:00pm – 8:00pm; but they are not able to keep coming and leaving during the night. 

Old Boys Tutoring List

Please find here a list of Old Boys who are available to tutor your son outside of school hours.  This list can also be located on the parent portal or via this link.  Please note it is the parent’s responsibility to organise and liaise tutoring times with the Old Boys.   

From the Library - Resource Guides

Study Tip