Primary School News
Mr Michael Connolly, Head of Primary School
Midpoint Term 4 – A Timely Reminder
We are fast approaching the halfway point of the term, and it’s an important time to pause and reflect on our progress. While we’re not quite there yet, this stage of the term often demands greater focus and determination as we prepare for assessments and the final stretch of the school year. I encourage all students to continue putting in their best effort, remembering that success is often found in the small, consistent actions - whether it’s staying organised, completing homework on time, or giving your best in every lesson. These daily efforts will set you up for a strong finish and help you perform your best in the upcoming assessments.
Looking ahead to Wednesday 26 November, we will come together for our Year 6 Graduation Mass in the Champagnat Centre. Doors open at 11:00am and the ceremony starts at 11:20am. This will be a special opportunity to celebrate the achievements and efforts of our Year 6 boys as they conclude their journey through the Primary years. Information regarding booking tickets will be sent out this week.
I will be encouraging the boys to keep their focus and effort strong as we approach the final weeks of the term, ensuring a positive and successful finish to the year for all boys in the Primary School!
There are some date claimers below. Please take some time to take note of these important dates over the next eight weeks.
- Primary Mid Term Assembly – Tuesday 4 November
- Drama Concerts – Friday 5 November
- Year 5 Band and Strings Concert – Thursday 13 November
- Year 12 Graduation – Friday 21 November
- Year 6 Graduation Mass – Wednesday 26 November
- Year 5 and 6 Fun Day – Thursday 27 November
- Final Day for Students – Friday 28 November
Primary Pastoral Leader – Anthony Graham
A Culture of Safety
As we reach the halfway point of the term, I spoke to the boys at Friday morning assembly about one of our most important priorities - safety. Every student has the right to feel safe at school, and as a Marist community, we all share the responsibility of ensuring that safety for others.
I reminded the boys that they should always feel confident to speak up if something doesn’t feel right - whether it’s in the yard, in class, on the bus, or coming to and from school. One of the biggest barriers to this is the fear of being labelled a “snitch.” I was very clear in saying that no student should ever be made fun of or targeted for reporting behaviour that compromises their own or someone else’s safety.
Our community is built on respect, courage and care for one another. When boys speak up, they’re not “dobbing” - they’re showing strength and helping to make Marist a safer, kinder place for everyone. Any student who chooses to undermine that by calling someone a “snitch” or retaliating will face appropriate consequences from leadership.
Together, we continue to build a culture where every boy knows he is safe, supported and heard.
Learning to Stay Safe and Connected
Last week, our students participated in several important experiences that built on this same theme of safety and awareness. On Day for Daniel, our community joined schools across Australia in honouring Daniel Morcombe’s legacy by promoting child safety and personal responsibility.
Our Year 5 students engaged in the ThinkUKnow presentation delivered by the Queensland Police Service - an informative and practical session exploring how to stay safe online, make positive digital choices and recognise when something isn’t right. The boys asked thoughtful questions and came away with clear strategies for protecting themselves and others in digital spaces.
Meanwhile, our Year 6 students took part in the Safe on Social presentation with Madeleine West, which explored respectful online behaviour, managing privacy, understanding the impact of digital footprints and maintaining balance in their online lives. It was a timely reminder as they prepare to enter secondary school and take on greater independence.
Looking Ahead
This Thursday, our Year 6 cohort will pause for reflection during their Year 6 Retreat (Periods 1–3). The morning will be a special opportunity for the boys to look back on their time in the Primary, celebrate the friendships and growth they’ve experienced, and look ahead to the next exciting chapter of their Marist journey in Year 7.
Moments like these remind our boys that leadership, courage and faith are lived out in small, everyday choices - in the way they treat others, the example they set and the responsibility they show as part of our Marist family.
Primary Learning Leader – Jen Little
In-class Learning
Please see below a brief overview of what students are learning about in their core classes. For additional information, specific subject overviews are available on the student One Note.
Year 6
| Mathematics | Students have been learning about time concepts this term. They completed their final exam last week. For the remainder of the term, students will be engaging in general revision in preparation for their transition to secondary schooling. |
| English | Students are learning about Persuasive Writing Techniques. For their assessment, they will be required to write persuasively from the perspective of a member of the community regarding a wind farm proposal. |
| Religion | Students are learning about various images of Jesus depicted in the Bible. For their assessment, they will present an A3 poster and scripture analysis. |
| HASS | Students will be learning about business concepts as part of their HASS studies this term. They will learn about the purpose of business and various types of businesses. They will explore concepts like goods and services, profit and loss, supply and demand and opportunity cost. Their assessment will be an examination. |
| Science | Students will be learning about biological sciences this term. Specifically, they will conduct an investigation about the growth and survival of plants and explore microorganisms that are both harmful and helpful. Their summative assessment will include an investigation into mould. |
Year 5
| Mathematics | Students have been exploring geometry concepts this term – symmetry and properties of 3D shapes. They will also explore the concept of volume and learn how to convert between various measurements. Their assessment will be an examination. |
| English | Students are learning about various poetic features and devices. They have been exploring ballads – both musical and bush ballads. They will turn their attention to First Nations poetry which will be the focus of their exam in which they will be required to analyse an unfamiliar poem. |
| Religion | Students have been exploring the infancy narratives of the Bible and learning about how the Gospel writers wrote for different audiences. They will complete an examination as their assessment that requires them to demonstrate an understanding of the similarities and differences in Matthew and Luke’s accounts of the infancy narrative. |
| HASS | Students are learning about business principles. Specifically they are learning about needs and wants and different types of resources: capital, human and natural. Students will respond to survey data to explore the needs and wants of the community, designing a school playground that responds to those needs and wants. |
| Science | Students are learning about elements and sources of light. They will complete a shadow investigation and summative exam as their assessment. |
Literacy and Numeracy Trophy Winners
Literacy and Numeracy continue to be a focus in the Primary. Congratulations to the following classes for their success last week.
| Subject | Year 5 | Year 6 |
| Literacy | 5 Maroon – 84.46 % | 6 Violet – 80.11% |
| Numeracy | 5 Violet – 81.79 % | 6 Gold – 81.55 % |
Primary Sport
Mr John Lambourne (Head of Sport – Primary)
Achievements
Congratulations to Mason Loli (6R) and Tyler Richardson (6M) who were selected to represent their families home countries in the Queensland Pacific Youth Rugby Union Festival over the weekend. Tyler was selected for the U12 South African Team and Mason for the U12 Samoa Team. The Tonga team took home the win, but both boys represented their teams with distinction, it was 3 days of a big effort against very big players.
AIC Sport Term 1 2026
All players who wish to play Marist Sport must register via Parent Lounge / Student Café. Parents need to approve this through Parent Lounge.
It is vitally important that all players sign up. Only those that have signed up for each sport will receive trial and training information for that sport. Team nominations and coach recruitment also needs to be done before trials begin.
Boys who have not signed up during the registration period will not be guaranteed an opportunity to participate.
Signing Up
Sign in to Parent Lounge / Student Café.; select Extra Curricular; select Sign-up Available; choose the sport and complete any additional fields as required.
Parent Approval
Sign in to Parent Lounge; select Extra Curricular; click Sign-up Now; select Approve Sign-Up and check and update medical details; click Accept; choose Update; click Submit to School.
To view the details your son has signed up for at Student Details à Extra Curricular.
Marist Rugby Union | U12 The Armidale School Rugby Carnival
Following this year’s successful participation, we are excited to announce that Marist College Ashgrove has again registered for a place in The Armidale School Rugby Carnival for U12s on April 18 and 19, 2026.
The carnival is a significant event in the junior rugby calendar, and as per carnival rules, we are looking forward to selecting a strong team of 20 students to represent the College. To ensure ample preparation for families, and for the staff and students, team selection will take place in Term 4, 2024, with training and trials scheduled for Week 2 - 5.
Due to the carnival being an age group event and not a year level event, and the urgency to start organising, we will be selecting a team based on the below criteria.
Please note, to be eligible:
- Students must be born in 2014
- Students must be enrolled at the College in 2025
Given the popularity of the carnival and based on advice from the organisers and schools who are regular participants, we have been told that accommodation will need to be secured ASAP. Students will be required to travel to Armidale and stay with their own families, and early team selection will allow time for planning and organisation. Along with the 20 students selected, an additional 3-5 students will be named as standbys which I understand is a difficult scenario for those involved.
For those interested in participating, please go to Parent Portal > Extra Curricular > XV Rugby > U12 and register your interest.
We understand the challenge of organising planning so far out from the event and the challenges with team selection amidst Term 1 AIC sports preparations, and we appreciate your understanding and support.
Marist Rugby Union | Scrum Ready Program
Mr Chris Daykin, Mr Doug Perrers and Mr James Trebbin are leading a five-week Scrum Ready Program in Term 4 for Years 5-11 rugby union forwards. Any students who play in the front row or the wider forward pack are invited to the Scrum Ready Program.
Wednesday 3:30pm-4:30pm
Years 5-8
DRESS: Marist sports shirt, Marist sports shorts, white / blue Marist socks, rugby boots
WHERE: Des Connor Fields, Flat 5
The aim of the training sessions is to educate students on key strengthening exercises, correct technique and the ability to maintain a safe, strong and stable body position.
The five weeks will consist of:
- Core and body strengthening exercises
- Solo with no opposition – on knees
- Solo with no opposition – on feet
- Solo against a machine / tackle bag
- 1 v 1 / 3 v 3 body shape.
Students should complete the program with knowledge that will allow them to continue their own training across the remainder of Term 4 and into the school holidays.
Term 4 Swimming
Marist Primary Swim Squad training sessions will recommence Wednesday, 15 October and will continue throughout Term 4. These sessions are open to all boys, boys wishing to qualify for the AIC Swimming Team, and boys attending for fitness training; there is no obligation to attend AIC meets in Term 1 2026.
Year 5 (2026): Training starts on Wednesday, 15 October, and will continue Wednesday, 22 October and Wednesday, 29 October and then Monday and Wednesday afternoons, from Monday, 2 November for the remainder of Term 4.
Year 6 (2026): Training begins on Wednesday, 15 October, with sessions on Wednesday (PM) and Friday (AM).
Marist Primary Swim Squad Training Timetable Term 4 2025
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
7:15 – 8:00am |
| Year 7 (2026) | Year 7 (2026) |
| Year 6 (2026) Year 7 (2026) |
3:30 – 4:15pm | Year 5 (2026)(from November 10) |
| Year 5 (2026) Year 6 (2026) |
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Boys attending these sessions will need to bring the following equipment.
- Goggles
- Kickboard
- Pull Buoy
- Short Flippers
- Mesh Bag
Marist Community Notice | Use of College Name and Uniform
There has been a recent increase in the use of the Marist name and sporting apparel in non-sanctioned competitions, such as club or social events. Please note that only teams and competitions formally approved by the College are permitted to use the Marist name, uniform, or branding. This requirement ensures appropriate supervision, insurance coverage, student safety, and adherence to College standards.
Any group wishing to participate in external events must seek prior approval in writing from the Head of Sport. The College will review the suitability of such events and, where appropriate, coordinate official entries to maintain quality, consistency, and compliance with our codes of conduct. We appreciate the enthusiasm of our community in supporting student opportunities and ask that all follow the correct process to protect the integrity and reputation of Marist College.
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.