Primary School News

Spirituality Day

Yesterday, our staff were invited to a day of reflection and renewal as we explored this year’s Marist theme, Full of Grace.... Transform the World with God's Love as part of our Staff Spirituality Day.

In the image above, we are reminded of the powerful image of Jesus kneeling to wash the feet of his disciples. It is a simple, quiet act, yet it reveals the very heart of grace: love expressed through humility and service.

This same message speaks deeply into the life of our Primary community. Grace is not something distant or abstract. It shows up every day in the way we interact, support, and encourage one another.

• In our students, grace looks like helping a classmate, showing patience, or offering a kind word.
• In our staff, grace is found in the care, guidance, and compassion shown to each child.

• In our parents, grace is expressed through partnership, trust, and the consistent generosity you show our community.

   

Like Mary, whose courageous “yes” allowed God’s love to shape her life, we too are invited to say “yes” to grace in the everyday moments—at drop‑off, in conversations, in the way we respond to challenges, and in the way we celebrate each other.

The image of Jesus kneeling reminds us that grace transforms not through grand gestures, but through small acts of service and kindness. When we receive grace and choose to share it, we shape a community where every person feels valued and known.

May this year continue to be filled with moments where grace guides our words, our choices, and our relationships—helping us continue to build a Primary community that reflects God’s love in all we do.

All the best for the week ahead, Paul 

Year 6 Study Skills evening 

Our Year 6 families are invited to join us this Tuesday evening for a focused Study Skills Session. Starting at 6.30pm in the Champagnat Centre (college gym), this session is designed to support students as they step into the increased independence and expectations of their final year in Primary. This practical session will offer simple strategies for organisation, time management, and effective study habits, helping students feel confident and equipped for the year ahead. 

Year 5 Mass 

Our Year 5 Welcome Mass will be held this Wednesday morning at 8:00am in the College Chapel. This is an important occasion in the life of our Year 5 cohort, and it is an expectation that all students attend. Parents are warmly invited to stay and join us; however, please note that students will be seated together with their class groups.

Head of College Tour 

This Friday we look forward to welcoming prospective families to our Head of College tour of the school, with the Primary years a key focus of the visit. It’s a wonderful opportunity to showcase the vibrant learning, strong sense of community, and joyful engagement that characterise our Primary spaces each day. Please share this event with anyone who might be interested. 

Year 6 Parent Function 

We’re excited to share that our Year 6 Parents’ Function will be held on Friday 13 March. This will be a wonderful opportunity for families to connect, celebrate the year ahead, and enjoy each other’s company in a relaxed environment without your children! More details will be shared soon, but for now, mark the date in your calendar and start getting excited!

Primary Pastoral Leader – Anthony Graham

Primary Can Drive – Weeks 7–9

Our Primary Can Drive is back from Monday 9th – Wednesday 25th March. Students are encouraged to bring donations of soft drink cans into their classrooms, where each class will collect and tally their total. All cans will then be sold at College fundraisers, with proceeds supporting Australian Marist Solidarity and assisting those in need.

This is a long-standing Primary tradition and one that reflects the generous spirit of our boys. The friendly competition always adds to the excitement - the class that donates the most cans will win tokens for the Easter Fundraiser. Every can counts, and together we can once again make a meaningful difference through small, consistent acts of service.

Year 6 Leadership Retreat

Last Friday, our Year 6 students participated in their Leadership Retreat facilitated by Character Builders. It was a valuable opportunity for the boys to reflect on the responsibility of leadership, deepening their understanding of service, teamwork and the positive influence they can have within our Primary community.

Building Positive Habits – The Power of Priming

Across the Primary School, we continue to focus on strengthening positive habits, respectful relationships and clear expectations. One area we have been intentionally working on is the concept of priming — using positive, forward-focused language to set boys up for success before situations begin.

Rather than saying, “Don’t forget to behave,” we might say, “I know you’ll show respect and make good choices.” Instead of, “Don’t argue with your brother,” try, “I’m looking forward to seeing you two work that out calmly.” These small shifts in language plant positive expectations and gently guide behaviour in the right direction.

At school, we are deliberately priming boys before transitions, games and learning blocks to help them step confidently into each moment. We encourage families to try this approach at home as well. Clear, calm and confident expectations — assuming the best — can have a powerful impact on helping our boys grow into thoughtful, responsible young men.

Primary Learning Leader – Jen Little

NAPLAN- WEEK 7 (Next week)

On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of next week (our NAPLAN testing days) we are asking our Year 5 students to be at their classroom by 8:15am in order to streamline the process of setting up computers prior to the testing.

All other details regarding NAPLAN for our Year 5 students has been communicated in previous newsletters.  Please see below for final reminders:

What Students Need to Bring:

• A fully charged laptop
• Charger (for IT support)
• Wired headphones/earphones- Bluetooth headphones are NOT ALLOWED
• A pencil
• A water bottle

Attendance and Catch-up Tests

It is important that your son is present at school during the testing window. If he is absent due to illness, catch-up sessions on Monday and Tuesday of Week 8 will take place, and he will need to complete them upon his return to the College.

Finally, should students wish to conduct additional practices at home in the lead up to the testing, here are some helpful links:

NAPLAN Quest

NAP - Public demonstration site

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.

Primary Sport

Mr John Lambourne – Head of Sport (Primary)

Achievements

AIC Swimming Championships – Tuesday 10 March

Congratulations to the following boys who were selected to represent Marist College at the AIC Swimming Championships, this is the culmination of a lot of training for all of our swimmers, and we wish them the best of luck.

2026 AIC Swimming Championships Squad

Term 1 AIC Sport

Cricket

AFL

Swimming

Marist Primary Swim Squad

Training sessions continue for the remainder of Term 1. These sessions are open to all boys.

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

Term 2 AIC Sport

Rugby Ready Program | Year 5-12

Marist College delivers 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 5:00pm 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.