Learning and Teaching News

NAPLAN

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) tests for Years 7 and 9 will take place in Weeks 7 and 8 of this term. These assessments are an important way of tracking your child's academic progress and identifying areas for improvement. To help ensure your child feels confident and well-prepared, we encourage them to take part in practice sessions. The public demonstration site (https://www.nap.edu.au/naplan/public-demonstration-site) offers valuable resources where students can access practice questions and familiarise themselves with the test format. Our students will also continue engaging in literacy and numeracy initiatives during their classes to support their preparation for the upcoming tests.

In Week 4, students in Year 7 and 9 participated in NAPLAN readiness testing. If your son was absent, please note that this event was primarily for system testing and for students to become familiar with the platform. He can still log on to the public demonstration site (link above) to practice and get familiar with the format.

The specific testing schedule for NAPLAN has been sent to parents of Years 7 and 9 students via email (and is also listed below).

A reminder that students will need to bring:

• A fully charged laptop
• Charger (for IT support)
• Wired headphones/earphones
• A pen

• A water bottle

   

If you have any questions about NAPLAN, please contact Mrs. Leigh Jackson, Assistant Head of College – Learning and Teaching – Middle Years, at jacksonl@marash.qld.edu.au

Exam Block and Assessment Schedules  

Assessment schedules have been released.  This document outlines the dates of all summative assessments your sons will have throughout the term. Parents and students are encouraged to review these documents so our boys can manage their time effectively, plan their study routines, and approach assessments with confidence. 

Exam block schedules were also released at the end of last week. The end of Term 1 Exam Block is being held for Years 8, 9, 10 and 12 students. Below is an outline of these important assessment blocks: 

• Year 5, 6 and 7 – Formative and summative assessments will take place in normal timetabled classes (except for Year 7 History/Geography). 
• Year 8 and 9 – Summative exam block will run from Monday 24th – Friday 28th March. 
• Year 10 and 12 – Summative exam block will run from Friday 21st – Friday 28th March. 
• Year 10 will remain at school during the exam block and are not on exam block privileges.  

• Year 11 students will remain in normal classes as they continue work on Unit 1. The end-of-unit exam block will be held in Week 5, Term 2. There may be examinations during this time. 

   

Students in Years 5-11 will all remain at school throughout the assessment period. The only cohort who are granted study leave (to study at home and only come to campus for scheduled assessments) is Year 12. Any Year 12 student not up to date with all required assessment items will not be granted study leave and will be required to remain at school. This includes modules for Certificate and Diploma courses. 

A reminder that if students are absent for an exam, a medical certificate is to be submitted for all year levels. Students must be prepared to sit their exams as soon as they return to school, and exams may be scheduled later in the exam block or in Week Ten. Year 11 and 12 medical certificates must list the specific illness and not just state “medical condition”.  Please do not arrange holidays during this time.

Boys will be able to locate the schedule in the Orbit app and Student Café on the portal under “Exam and Assessment Schedule Information”. Your son is encouraged to download this schedule and transfer assessment dates to his College Diary and any home planners. Please note that the Parent Orbit app will eventually become the primary source of this information, as the College will be moving to this platform in future terms.

Congratulations Year 10 | Foley

Our 10 Foley boys were recently treated to a well‑deserved KFC feast in recognition of their outstanding efforts in the 2025 NAPLAN testing. As Year 9 students, they demonstrated the most significant growth of all Houses from Year 7 to Year 9, showcasing their dedication and commitment to learning. Congratulations, gentlemen, on this impressive achievement.

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.

Marist Subject Support 

Marist Subject support tutoring is off and running. 

Please see an updated schedule for Term 1. 

Tutoring is offered by Old Boys and takes place in the Senior Library from 7:30am to 8:30am and also 3:30pm to 4:30pm Tuesday to Thursday each week.

Study Tip