Primary News

Dear Primary Parents and Carers

As Term 2 comes to an end, it is hard to believe that we have reached the halfway point in the 2021 school year. During my time at the College, I have certainly come to learn that there is no such thing as a ‘quiet time’ at Marist College Ashgrove, and that is what makes this school so great. In my address to the boys at our end of term assembly this morning I encouraged them to take the opportunity to stop and reflect on what they have achieved this term. A term that included: Parent-Teacher Interviews, ANZAC Day March, the Year 6 Emu Gully trip, NAPLAN, Year 5 Camp, Primary School Mass, College Tours, the Walkathon, Champagnat Day celebrations, Music Concerts and our Term 2 sports program of rugby, football, chess and cross country. I also reminded them of our mantra 100% Marist, 100% of the time and the relevance of this while they are on holidays.

I wish you and your families a safe and relaxing holiday break. Term 3 will commence for students on Tuesday 13 July. Families are reminded that boys are to wear winter uniform next term and to adhere to the College’s haircut expectations upon their return to school.

I am very excited to be celebrating my wedding to my fiancé Angela (also a teacher) over the holidays. As such, I will be taking a short period of leave during Week 1 of Term 3. Should you have any concerns during this time, please contact primaryreception@marash.qld.edu.au or Mr Michael Connolly (Primary Pastoral Leader)

Primary Champagnat Awards

This morning we had an opportunity to present a student from each class in the Primary School with a Champagnat Award. The recipients of our Champagnat Awards are individuals who are recognised by the staff for doing their best to live out the qualities of Saint Marcellin Champagnat in and around our school. Congratulations to the following boys:

5B              Aidan Marshall

5G             Thomas Shaxson

5R              Reilly Keane

5V              Luca Weigl

5W             Liam Fitzpatrick

6B              Mikka Piipari

6G             Alex Di Sipio

6R             Thomas Bedggood

6V             Harrison Smith

6W            Miles McGregor

Primary Athletics Carnival

The Marist Spirit was on full display last Friday as our Primary boys participated in the annual Athletics Carnival. Participation and enjoyment were the focus of the day and the boys enjoyed competing in a variety of events, demonstrating sportsmanship and teamwork across the board. There were a variety of novelty activities, which were complemented by an opportunity for boys to compete for Age Championships. This served as a great build-up to the Track and Field season which commences in Term 3. Congratulations goes to the Green Team who were the winning house on the day. 

Technology Incursion

This week our Year 6 students have been involved in a technology incursion facilitated by our Technology Department. My sincere thanks to the Year 6 teachers and Brad Neilson (Head of Digital Technologies) for providing this opportunity for the boys to finish the term.

Semester 1 Reports

A Semester 1 Progress Report will be distributed at the end of this week. As always, student results and comments can be accessed via the Parent Portal. I encourage you to take some time over the holidays to discuss your son’s Progress Report with them and have conversations around academic goals for Semester 2.

Primary Sport Update – Mr John Lambourne

Primary Athletics Carnival

Another wonderful day for the MCA Primary boys, the aim of the day was participation and enjoyment and judging by the way that each of the Primary boys threw themselves into the carnival it was a hugely successful day. Congratulations must go to the Green Team for winning on the day and collecting the cross country and athletics double. The novelty event included an obstacle course, tug-o-war, vortex javelin, frisbee discus and long jump, with each boy striving to gain points for their colour. Team spirit was displayed throughout the day with the boys chanting their colour war cries and the ‘Ashgrovina’ in full voice. The boys not only cheered home those in their colour but also supported those boys competing for Age Champion. Many boys got into the spirit of the day by dressing up, wearing face paint and wigs.

Congratulations to the 2021 Primary Athletics Age Champions.

Award Winners

Primary Athletics Carnival Photos

Term 3 AIC Sport

Basketball teams have been posted on the Primary Sport Noticeboard; these teams are not finalised and are subject to change following training and trials in Week 1 next term.5A and 6A will have a trial against Ipswich Grammar School, Saturday, 10 July @ MCA; these teams have been posted on the College APP.

If your son is unavailable for this trial please email John Lambourne ASAP - lambournej@marash.qld.edu.au.

All teams will trial against St Laurence’s College, Friday, 16 July.

Please note, as stated in the Primary Sports Handbook, that the College provides the Primary School basketballers with a singlet for the season.

For those boys trialling for rugby league, there will be another trial Tuesday 13 July.

Further details for each sport, including uniform requirements and game/training times, can be found in the Primary Sports Handbook.

Holiday Sport

Tennis

Week 10 – Wednesday / Thursday, 23 / 24 July – 7:00am – 9:00am

Holidays – Tuesday / Wednesday / Thursday – 7:00am – 9:00am

Movement Development Program

The program will focus on the key fundamental movement patterns (Squat, Hinge, Jump, Land, Push, Pull, Brace and Rotate), these movements are the foundation to all athlete development. The students will be challenged to solve movement puzzles while improving physical fitness and movement coordination.

If you have any further questions, please contact Simon Price prices@marash.qld.edu.au

Boys do not need to nominate to attend these sessions, boys are to meet at the Champagnat Centre

Week 10 – Thursday 24 July – 9:00am – 10:00am

Holidays – Tuesday / Thursday – 9:00am – 10:00am

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.