Learning and Teaching News

Year 12 Unit 3 Optimus Awards

Last week at college assembly, we celebrated the 2024 Year 12 Unit 3 Optimus award recipients. This year 122 students received a Gold, Silver or Bronze Optimus Award, the highest number of awards in a single unit ever given out at the college. With over half the cohort receiving these academic excellence awards, it was a wonderful milestone to celebrate with the whole community.

Bronze Optimus Awards are presented to students who achieved a minimum of 80% for General subjects and/or an A for Applied subjects across at least 65% of subjects studied (when at least 5 subjects are studied), and nothing lower than 50% (General subjects) or a C (Applied subjects) on the end of unit report.

Congratulations to the Bronze Award recipients- 

Silver Optimus Awards are presented to students who achieved a minimum of 80% for General subjects and/or an A for Applied subjects across 80% of subjects studied (when at least 5 subjects are studied), and nothing lower than a 65% (General subjects) or a B (Applied subjects) on the end of unit report.

Congratulations to the Silver Award recipients- 

For a Gold Optimus Award, students must achieve a minimum of 80% for each General subjects and/or A for Applied subjects across 100% of subjects (when at least 5 subjects are studied), on the end of unit report. This year, 60 Year 12 students received a Gold Optimus Award, the most Gold Awards presented since the inception of Optimus Awards at the College.

Congratulations to the Gold Optimus Award recipients -

Year 7-10 End of Semester Exam Block

This week we continue the Year 7-10 end of semester exam block. Students must note when exams are on and plan their study accordingly.  Throughout ASH lessons, boys have been provided strategies for Homework and Exam prep. They should be trying these strategies to prepare themselves to achieve success.

The Exam Block for Years 7-10 will be held continue until Thursday 13th of June. We are not able to sit exams prior to these dates for integrity reasons. It is expected that all students will be present for the entirety of this important assessment period. 

If you are absent during exam block a medical certificate is required. Please contact curriculum@marash.qld.edu.au for the relevant paperwork. Please note that once students return to school, they will be expected to make up this assessment as soon as possible.

A few things to be aware of...

 - If your son has special provisions, he will be notified by the Academic Equity Team that he will complete his assessment in CLE.  This does not apply to those students who only receive extra time.  They will sit their exam with the main cohort but be provided with this additional time in an ‘Extra Time Room’. 

Student ID Cards - All boys are required to bring their Student ID card into the exam room.  This is for identification purposes and to streamline our roll marking to ensure these are accurate.

If your son is injured and requires a computer or scribe, please inform your son's teacher or Curriculum Leader as soon as possible.

If absent, your son will complete his exam on his return to school. No exams will be sat prior to exam date.

Assignment Submissions

Throughout the next few weeks, your son will also have assignments to submit via their Student Cafe.  It is important that your son uploads his assignments on the due date.

If your son fails to upload his assignment, he will receive an academic detention and his draft will be marked as his final.

Year 11 2025 SET Plan interviews 

Year 11 2025 subject selection has now closed. Thank you to all those who had their online subject selections in on time. Students should have also submitted their SET planning document via the “Graduating Class 2026” Teams page. This week parents and students will receive an email with information about booking in for SET Plan interviews which be held on Friday 21 June (Friday of Week 10, Term 2) and Monday 8 July (Monday of Week 1, Term 3). These meetings allow the review of your son’s subjects for senior school and the opportunity to change any selections if need. If you have any questions about SET Plans or subject selection, please contact curriculum@marash.qld.edu.au

Year 9 Performance and Pathway Conversations 

Our Year 9 boys will receive further information about Year 10 subject selection in Year 9 ASH next week. These PowerPoint slides, along with the Handbook, will be emailed home to students and parents. We encourage our Year 9 students to go over these slides and Handbook to consider what subjects would be best suited for your son in Year 10. These will then be discussed at their Performance and Pathway Conversations next term. 

Here are some key dates for our Year 9 students: 

• Term 3: Week 1 – Wednesday 10th July: Subject Selection Platform opens (for one week)
• Term 3: Week 3-5: Performance and Pathway Interviews (parents welcome) to select subjects for Year 10. These will be booked through the Parent Portal in the first weeks of next term. 

More information will be provided to students via the Academic Care Team early in Term 3. To best prepare for this, please have a look at the Subject Handbook here.

School Tutoring Opportunities 

Tutoring is available for all students, and outlined below are faculties where you can receive assistance:

*Other faculties by appointment with the classroom teacher.

Old Boys Maths Tutoring 

Old Boys Maths tutoring will finish up this term on Friday, Week 9. This is to allow a review of the program and how best to implement this opportunity for greater uptake from students and for further success.  Please keep an eye on the newsletter for when this program will begin again.

In the meantime, students are encouraged to ensure that they are completing all assigned activities in MathsSpace, our online learning platform. 

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.   

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.    

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

Where: Senior Library 

Who: 2024 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 standard library rules are 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 5-8pm.   
• 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 5-8 pm to assist if required; however, these are not tutoring sessions.