Primary School News

Head of Primary – Paul Blinkhoff

As we move into Week 3, it has been wonderful to see our Primary boys settling confidently into the rhythm of school life. Across classrooms, there is a real sense of purpose and connection as teachers establish clear expectations and boys begin to understand the routines that will guide their learning throughout the year. These early weeks form such an important foundation, and it has been pleasing to see our students embracing both the structure and the opportunities ahead of them.

Last week, I had the privilege of spending time with our Year 5 boys on camp, an experience that always serves as a strong beginning to their Primary journey. It was terrific to watch the boys step outside their comfort zones, engage wholeheartedly in each activity, and strengthen the relationships that will support them throughout the year. For many, it was also a valuable opportunity to build independence, navigate time away from home, and discover their own capabilities. I am deeply grateful to the staff who attended and consistently went above and beyond to support the boys each day.

As the excitement of the new school year settles, it’s also completely normal for boys to feel a little tired or unsettled during this early transition period. New routines, expectations, and learning environments all take energy, and the adjustment can take time. A consistent home routine, open conversations about their day, and gentle reassurance can make a significant difference. As always, if you have any concerns about how your son is settling, please don’t hesitate to reach out so we can work in partnership. Early communication is always best.

This week also marks the beginning of formal homework expectations for our Upper Primary students. Homework plays an important role in developing independence, responsibility, and organisation - skills that will serve our boys well beyond the classroom. All Primary students are expected to complete their homework and bring their student diary each day, with adjustments made for students with specific learning needs at the discretion of classroom teachers. I encourage families to support boys in establishing strong habits early, while also communicating with teachers should unforeseen challenges arise.

Thank you for your ongoing support as we begin the year together. Strong partnerships between home and school make a significant difference, and I am grateful for the trust you place in us each day. I look forward to celebrating the many achievements and moments of growth that lie ahead in Term 1.

Primary Pastoral Leader – Anthony Graham

Year 5 Camp: A Strong Start to the Journey

Last week, our Year 5 students headed off to camp, and it was a fantastic way to officially launch their Marist journey. Over the three days, the boys were challenged to step outside their comfort zones, build new friendships, and develop independence and they rose to the occasion.

From activities and shared meals to evening reflections and simply navigating time away from home, the growth we witnessed was significant. Many boys returned more confident, more connected, and with a stronger sense of belonging within their class groups. Camp continues to be such an important milestone for our Year 5 students, and it was wonderful to see the Class of 2033 embracing the experience so positively.

A sincere thank you to the staff who supported camp so generously - their care, consistency, and calm presence made a real difference. We look forward to sharing photos with families and celebrating these special moments together.

Settling Into Routines at the Start of the Year

The start of a new school year can be an exciting but tiring time for students and families alike. New routines, expectations, friendships, and learning environments all take energy, and it’s completely normal for boys to feel a little unsettled as they find their feet.

A few simple tips that can help during this settling-in period:

• Maintain consistent morning and evening routines, particularly around sleep
• Encourage boys to pack their own bags and take ownership of organisation
• Keep conversations open - asking specific questions about their day can help boys share more

• Reassure them that it’s okay to need time to adjust

   

As always, if you have any concerns about how your child is settling in - socially, emotionally, or behaviourally please don’t hesitate to reach out. Early communication allows us to work together and support boys before small concerns grow into bigger ones.

Looking Ahead: Year 6 Leadership Retreat

Looking forward, our Year 6 students will participate in their Leadership Retreat on Friday 27 February. This day will take place during normal class time and will be facilitated by Character Builders, who will work with the boys on leadership, character, teamwork, and responsibility.

The retreat is an important part of our Year 6 leadership journey and provides students with the opportunity to reflect on their role as senior primary students and the example they set for others. Further details will be shared with Year 6 families closer to the date.

As always, thank you for your continued partnership and support as we begin the year together.

Primary Learning Leader – Jen Little

As we enter Week 3, it has been wonderful to see our Primary boys settling into their new classrooms, building connections with their teachers and peers, and embracing the learning routines that will guide them throughout the year. Our teachers have been working closely with their classes to establish clear expectations, ensuring that every boy feels supported and ready to engage in their learning. These early weeks set the foundation for a successful and productive year, from organising materials and managing time effectively to setting personal goals and understanding classroom routines.

Of course, adjusting to new routines comes with its challenges. Adapting to different teaching styles, learning new concepts, and meeting higher academic expectations requires perseverance. However, with a positive mindset and the right support, we are confident our boys will rise to the challenge and develop the skills they need to succeed.

Homework Expectations

Formal homework for your son will commence this week. It is an expectation that all students in the Primary complete homework and bring their Student Diary to school each day. Students with a learning need may have their homework adjusted and this will be at the discretion of the classroom teacher.

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 – this could take the form of an Online task or worksheet
• Nightly independent reading – 20 minutes
• Write that Essay Online Tool Activities (Year 6 only and as directed by classroom teacher)
• 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.

Consequences in Primary for Incomplete Homework

In the interests of transparency and consistency, 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.

Should parents need support with homework, the before school study room is an excellent resource and is available to all Primary students. We thank you in advance for your support with this.

Student Progress

Over the last week, our Year 6 students have been completing a ‘deep dive’ into their academic trajectory from last year. Boys are encouraged to use their GPA as a way of tracking progress and attending to any ‘warning signs’ in their learning. Pleasingly, a number of our Year 6 students have made significant gains in their GPA from first semester 2025 to second semester 2025. Congratulations to the following students:

Important Dates

• February 19th – NAPLAN Readiness Testing (Year 5) – Students in Year 5 will complete a practice writing test and Omnibus to ensure they are familiar with the NAPLAN Online Platform. The purpose of the 2 practice test sessions is to familiarise students with the online testing platform ahead of the official NAPLAN tests in March. These practice sessions also help us conduct technical readiness checks. Please note that no results will be recorded. Other than ensuring they have a set of headphones and a fully charged device, students are not required to prepare any other materials to complete this task.
• February 20th – Science Star Lab Cosmodome Incursion (Year 6). In Year 6, the Term 1 Science focus explores the movement of Earth and other planets relative to the Sun, examining how Earth’s tilt, rotation and revolution create observable patterns such as day and night, the changing seasons and tides. To enhance students’ understanding, Star Lab will visit the school, providing an interactive experience inside the Cosmodome—an igloo-shaped dome that functions as both a full-dome cinema and planetarium. This will be an exciting and immersive learning experience for our students.

Primary Sport - Mr John Lambourne

Welcome to Marist College Ashgrove Primary Sport 2026. Sport is an important part of life at Marist College, not just for the boys but for families and staff as well. Please use the Primary School Sports Handbook 2026, the College Newsletter and the College Parent Orbit app as the most reliable sources of information and any updates regarding Sport. 

For further information please do not hesitate to contact me;

John Lambourneprimarysports@marash.qld.edu.au

Marist College Sporting Expectations

At Marist we often talk about being 100% Marist 100% of the time. This means that we represent our school with pride, no matter the situation. The boys are constantly reminded of the importance of representing our college with pride on the sporting field. Win, lose or draw they should do it well. In the competitive environment of schoolboy sport this can sometimes be challenging. However, at Marist we are known by the very high standard of which we hold ourselves to. The three violets of humility, simplicity and modesty provide us with a constant reminder of the people we should be. The image below, developed by the AIC schools, also provides a reminder of the expectations for all parents and spectators. 

AIC Sport Draws

Marist College has the largest participation in all AIC schools and has the greatest number of teams in each year level of the AIC competition.

In most instances each college will nominate A, B, C and D teams and these teams will play in their graded draws. Colour teams play in a supplementary draw which means that to secure games for as many boys as possible and to ensure some level of fairness in the competition, coaches and coordinators try to balance the colour teams. If a boy moves between colour teams he is not being “dropped” merely coaches are trying to keep the teams in balance.

While I understand that this is quite complicated, and every boy wants to be selected in the best team, coaches and coordinators do all that they can to ensure that all boys get a game and that boys are picked in teams commensurate with their ability.

I appreciate your support in respecting coaches and team selections.

Term 1 AIC Sport

Boys with training conflicts are reminded to communicate with their coaches when they will be absent from training.

Cricket

Apologies, Marist Primary Cricket Results – Round 1, including games wraps will be available in next week’s newsletter.

AFL

Apologies, Marist Primary AFL Results – Round 1, including games wraps will be available in next week’s newsletter.

Swimming

Marist Primary Swim Squad training sessions continue throughout Term 1, please see the schedule below. Training squads are designed for boys who wish to swim for fitness as well as those aiming to secure a place on the AIC Swimming Team. While joining the AIC Swimming Team is optional, all boys are highly encouraged to participate in the AIC Prep Meets on Friday afternoons. These meets provide valuable opportunities to track progress and test training strategies in a fun and competitive environment. There is no obligation to attend AIC meets on Friday evenings.

Boys attending these sessions will need to bring the following equipment.

• Goggles
• Kickboard
• Short Flippers 
• Mesh Bag

Year 5 and 6 MCA Swim Squad Training Timetable Term 1

For further details please contact: swim@marash.qld.edu.au

AIC Swim Meet #2

Friday, 14 February – Marist College

AIC Swim meets are open to all students who wish to qualify for the AIC Swimming Championships, to be held, Week 7. AIC Swim meets are run as time trials / selection meets

*** Times are approximate

AIC Swimming Championships, Tuesday, 10 March

Term 2 AIC Sport

Marist Rugby Connection | Year 5 

This is an open invitation to ALL Year 5 students.

The Marist Rugby Union program is committed to a strong and genuine connection from the 1st XV down to our newest bumblebees in Year 5. Friday, 20 February, the Year 5 students are invited to train with the Open Blue and Open Gold squads. The is a wonderful opportunity to connect the students in a safe and friendly environment, and to align some of our key rugby language and philosophies.

DATE: Friday, 20 February

TIME: 6:45-7:45am

WHERE: Hayden Oval

DRESS: Marist Sport shirt, Marist Sport shorts, and Marist Sport white or blue socks.

Rugby Ready Program | Year 5-12

Starting in Week 5 (Friday, 27 February), Marist College is delivering a 4-week Rugby Ready Program across all age groups leading into the rugby union trials. The Rugby Ready Program involves a host of measures such as physical preparation, skill development, correct and safe techniques preparing the players for contact, enforcement of game laws, and management of safety issues such as the Scrum Passport and the “MAYDAY” call.

NOTE – you are not required to sign on for the Rugby Ready Program. Whilst there are a number of reasons for providing such a program, a key driver is wanting to deliver to all students a safe, challenging and enjoyable rugby union program. In order to develop the Marist College rugby players, we must give them the skills to approach the game with confidence and minimise the chance of injury. Please see documents on the Marist app for all information including the program content, schedule and dress code. 

NOTE – if you have a commitment to a Term 1 sport, that is your priority.

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. 

Marist College Ashgrove Primary Sports Photos

College App

Please ensure that you download the College App to your smart phone. This app will be used weekly to inform you of sporting fixtures, cancellations and bus arrival information.

Late Pick Up After Sports Training

“PLAN B”

It is important that both parent and student are aware of the pick-up procedure if afternoon sports training is cancelled or if parents are running late for pick-up. As soon as a decision is made to cancel a sporting fixture or training, a message is placed on the College app. If training is cancelled, boys can remain in the primary school or walk to an arranged pick-up point when the time arrives.

Afternoon sports training sessions are scheduled to finish by 4:45pm. We ask that boys are picked up at this time. Any boy who is still at their training venue at 5pm will be directed to the After Hours Boarding Reception area / College Health Centre so that he may be collected from there. After Hours Boarding Reception can be contacted on 07 3858 4619.

In the case of bus arrivals from external sporting venues, boys will be sent to After Hours Boarding Reception 15 minutes after the bus arrives back at the College. Parents are asked to collect their sons from this location.