Primary School News

Dear Primary Families,

This week in the Primary School we are focusing on the Marist Characteristic of Family Spirit. As an Old Boy of the College, I often reflect with my former schoolmates about the fact that once you are part of a Marist school community, you are part of that community for life.

A prime example of this is that every time we pray, we finish our prayer with a simple litany that states – Let us always remember to pray for one another. This simple phrase is a continuous reminder to our boys and staff that they are not only part of a College but a greater Marist Family. As an only child, I remember this being extremely special to me as it allowed me to feel part of something much bigger than my own family of three. I was so proud to be part of the Marist Family, and I still am today.

The Spirit of a Marist school ought to be a family spirit. Now, in a good family, a well-run family, sentiments of respect, love and mutual trust predominate.

(Adapted from In The Footsteps of Marcellin Champagnat pg 106.)

The timing of our focus for the week is also perfect as it aligns with Brisbane hosting the 2022 Marist Schools Australia Biennial Conference, a gathering of members of all Marist Schools across Australia. No doubt this experience will serve as a great opportunity for all members of our wider Marist family to get to know each other on a deeper level and share our stories of the communities we are blessed to serve.

Book Week

As you would be aware, this week we celebrate BookWeek across the College. Our theme for this year is ‘Dreaming with eyes wide open’. This morning we had the privilege of welcoming rugby league legend turned author, Sam Thaiday to the Primary School. Sam spoke to the boys about his new book and the importance of reading. Sam shared his journey with the boys and made some great links about his successful career and how the boys can apply this to their own lives.

Our Book Week celebrations continue tomorrow. All students and their families are invited to visit our book display as part of the ‘up late in the Library’ showcase which will see the Library Open until 6:00pm on Wednesday evening.

The grand finale and highlight is always our Book Week Costume Parade. Boys are invited to dress up as their favourite book character for the parade which commences in the Primary Quad at 8:35am. Students have been asked to bring their sports uniform to change back into at 1st break.

District Athletics Carnival 

This week the College will host the North-West District Track and Field Carnival on our campus. The competition involves a number of our students competing, as well as our year 10 students assisting with events across the two days. Many thanks to Mr John Lambourne for coordinating this significant event.

Goondiwindi Rugby Trip

This Saturday I look forward to travelling to Goondiwindi with a group of Year 5 and 6 students who will participate in a rugby game against the Goondiwindi Emus Rugby Club. This is a great opportunity for our boys to experience a rural community that the College has many connections with and allow them to meet some future MCA boarders. Thank you to Mr Ben Maddox (Boarding Coordinator – Fourvière Residence) for driving the bus and assisting on the day.

Homework Expectations

In her section below, Ms Jen Little (Primary Learning Leader) outlines our Primary Homework Policy. I encourage you to review this policy and discuss it with your son. Organising themselves to complete work at home teaches boys to take responsibility for their learning and develops their organisation and time-management skills.

College Tour

This Friday we welcome a large number of prospective families for our College Tour. This is a great opportunity for us to showcase the fantastic community that is Marist College Ashgrove. If you are aware of anyone attending, please encourage them to come and speak to me during the tour.

Masks at School

Last week all parents and students would have received an e-mail from Mr Bruce McPhee (Deputy Head of College) reminding everyone that the College strongly encourages all staff and students to wear masks. Staff and students are also reminded that they must wear a mask for 7 days after completing isolation, or if they are a close contact. If your son falls into either of these categories, your support in ensuring he wears a mask while at school is very much appreciated.

Absences

Thank you to those families who are continuing to use the ParentLounge to enter student absences, late arrivals and early departures. If your son is absent due to COVID, please enter their absence for the entirety of their isolation period as this will assist our staff in planning for their return and allocating work as required.

Primary Learning Leader – Ms Jen Little

Last week on assembly, I spoke to the boys about starting the term well and reminded them of our Marist value, ‘Love of Work.’ It has been pleasing to see increased numbers at our Morning Study room sessions before school. This morning study is available to all boys from 8:00 – 8:30 each day and it provides an opportunity for boys to:

• Work toward meeting their learning goals that they nominated last week
• Study and revise
• Seek clarification on anything they don’t understand
• Complete homework

Homework

I also spoke to the boys about what their commitment to homework should be. In Primary, the emphasis is on independent learning and management of knowledge. Homework should comprise the following elements, each of which is of equal importance: 

• Weekly Literacy homework in the form of spelling, reading comprehension and language conventions
• Weekly Mathematics homework
• Nightly independent reading – 20 minutes
• Completion of any follow-up work set in a particular class that day
• Additional revision/ study for upcoming exams across all key learning areas

Should unforeseen issues arise at home, which prevents students from being able to complete homework tasks, parents are asked to advise classroom teachers by means of a note in the school diary or email. Average time spent on nightly homework in Years 5 and 6 should be between 40–60 minutes, inclusive of 20 minutes reading.

Please keep in mind that outside school sporting commitments is not an acceptable reason for incomplete homework. Boys are expected to manage their sporting and schooling commitments. So that there is consistency and transparency across the Primary School, please see below consequences for homework infringements: 

Consequences in Primary for Incomplete Homework

There is a ‘3 strike’ policy for homework breaches in Primary. This policy is in operation from the commencement of Year 6 and from Term 2 of Year 5. It is believed that Year 5 students require a little more support in Term 1 as part of their transition to Marist College Ashgrove.

• First infringement – student is given a ‘strike’ and asked to complete the work at home and submit the next school day. If the work is still incomplete the next day, students complete their work in the Primary Library during break time upon finishing their lunch.
• Second infringement – student is given a ‘second strike’ and asked to complete the work at home and submit the next school day. If the work is still incomplete the next day, students complete their work in the Primary Library during break time upon finishing their lunch. The ‘second strike’ is communicated (via email) to parents by the classroom teacher with the Primary Learning Leader copied into the email.
• Third infringement – student is given a ‘third strike’ and asked to complete the work at a Friday detention. Classroom teacher will refer the third strike to the Primary Learning Leader who will email the parents of the child, alerting them to the third strike and providing details about the Friday detention. The Head of Primary will be copied into this email to parents. The Primary Learning Leader will ensure that the student is placed on the detention list by completing the entry in Teacher Kiosk.

Primary School Sport – Mr John Lambourne

Primary Sport Update

Mr John Lambourne (Head of Sport - Year 5&6)

Achievements

We wish Hunter Chan-Riotto the best of luck as he represents the College at the Queensland School Sports 10-12 Years State Football Championships.

North-West District Track and Field

The following boys have been selected to represent Marist College Ashgrove at the upcoming North-West District Track and Field Carnival to be held here at MCA, Wednesday 27 and Thursday 28 July. We wish these boys the best of luck.

Basketball

Round 1 Results

Basketball Training Schedule

Primary Internal Basketball

Boys wishing to play in the MCA Primary internal basketball competition are asked to register their teams with Mr Lambourne. Boys may sign on as a team or individually and they will be placed in a team. Teams will be required to choose a team name and a coloured shirt to play in.

Games will run 3:30pm – 4:30pm Fridays, and the competition will commence Friday, Week 3.

Rugby League

Round 1 Results

Rugby League Training

Tuesday, 3:30pm – 4:45pm @ Des Connor Park

Friday, 7:00am – 8:00am @ Hayden Oval 

Tennis

Round 1 Results

Tennis training;

Year 5: Tuesday, 6:45am – 8:15am and Thursday, 3:30pm – 5:00pm

Year 6: Monday, 6:45am – 8:15am and Wednesday, 3:30pm – 5:00pm

Track and Field

Monday and Wednesday afternoon track training sessions are open to all boys, boys wanting to qualify for AIC Track & Field Championships and boys attending for fitness training, there is no obligation to attend AIC meets later in Term 3.

Track and Field Training Schedule

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.

Primary Sport Photos