Primary School News

Head of Primary – Paul Blinkhoff

Last Wednesday our wonderful Year 5 students did us proud at the weekly community Mass. Next Wednesday 18 March, all Year 6 students and their parents are invited to attend. Students, please meet teachers at the podium by 7:50am and we'll walk down to the Chapel together, or meet us at the chapel ready for a prompt 8:00am start with Fr Tini. A reminder that any student can attend weekly mass at 8:00am in the College chapel. 

AIC Swimming Championships 

We wish our swimmers every success as they head off to the AIC Swimming Championships this morning. So much work has gone into today over the past few months for all the boys and the coaches, so we hope they reach their set goals and perform to the best of their abilities. Special mention to the parents of our swimmers who have been the support crew for our boys on all those early morning drop-offs and late afternoon pick-ups. Good luck boys! 

NAPLAN

I would like to wish our Year 5 boys every success as they do their best with the NAPLAN assessments this week. Thanks to the Year 5 teachers and all the support staff who have prepared the boys for these sessions. 

Year 6 Parent Function

A final reminder that our Year 6 Parent Social is being held this Friday night. I encourage all parents to try and attend the function to build or strengthen friendships within your son’s cohort.

For further information and booking details, please head to 2026 Year 6 Parent Function. Please note that bookings close at 10:00am Wednesday, 11 March 2026.

Primary School Can Drive

Primary Pastoral Leader – Anthony Graham

The Impact of Words

This week in our conversations with the boys we spent time reflecting on the impact that words can have on others. While many interactions between boys are light-hearted and intended as banter, it is important that students understand that what may feel like a joke to one person can be experienced very differently by another. When words are perceived as hurtful, dismissive, or unkind, they move beyond banter and into the space of name-calling.

We reminded the boys that the way we speak to one another matters. At Marist we encourage our students to pause and consider a few simple questions before speaking: Would I say this to someone face-to-face? Would I be comfortable if these words were said to me? Would I be happy for a teacher or parent to hear it? These small moments of reflection can help guide better choices.

We also encouraged the boys to show courage in looking out for one another - whether that means choosing kind words, walking away from unhelpful conversations, or speaking to a trusted adult if something doesn’t feel right. Creating a community where everyone feels safe, respected, and valued is something we continue to work on together.

Primary Award Assembly

Our Primary Award Assembly will take place on Tuesday 24th March at 8:35am. During this assembly we will recognise students who have demonstrated our Marist values through the Men of Courage and Love of Work awards.

Parents of students receiving an award will be contacted prior to the assembly and warmly invited to attend as we celebrate the efforts and contributions of these boys within our Primary community.

Primary Learning Leader – Jen Little

NAPLAN Testing Schedule

• Wednesday, 11th of March – Writing – 8:45am
• Thursday, 12th of March – Reading – 8:45am
• Thursday, 12th of March – Conventions of Language - 12:15pm

• Friday, 13th of March – Numeracy – 8:45am

   

Boys are reminded to have the following equipment with them on the testing days:

• fully charged device and charger, 
• wired headphones – no Bluetooth allowed. Headphones on the booklist will suffice

• pencil 

   

On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of next week (our NAPLAN testing days) we are asking our Year 5 students (if at all possible) to be at their classroom by 8:15am in order to streamline the process of setting up computers prior to the testing. The more students we can set up earlier, the smoother and quicker the starting process. 

For any students wishing to complete additional practice, please see the following links below:

NAPLAN Quest

NAP - Public demonstration site

Study Skills Evening

Thanks to those students and parents who attended the Study Skills Evening last week. This is step 1 in our process of familiarizing students with study techniques designed to transfer learning into the long-term memory. These include the following:

• Pomodoro
• Mnemonics
• Flashcards
• Audio notes
• Graphic Scaffolds
• Summarising 

• Self-Assessments

   

For those students who missed out, teachers will continue to work on some of the strategies above during nominated ASH lessons in Terms 2 and 3, prior to our offering of 2 supervised study afternoons in Term 4 designed to support our Year 6 students prior to their transition to secondary school. My thanks are extended to Ashley Hutchings—our Middle Years Learning Leader—for his contribution to the evening.

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)

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.

Marist Football Connection | Year 5 

This is an open invitation to ALL Year 5 students.

Marist Football is committed to a strong and genuine connection from the 1st XI down to our newest bumblebees in Year 5. Friday, 13 March, Year 5 students are invited to train with the Open football squad. The is a wonderful opportunity to connect the students in a safe and friendly environment.

DATE: Friday, 13 March

TIME: 6:45-7:45am

WHERE: Des Connor Park – Flat #5

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

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.