Learning and Teaching News

End of Term 3 Exam Blocks  

This week we commence Year 9 and 12 exam blocks. Schedules for all years have been emailed to both students and parents. They are also available on the Parent Portal. Please note the dates of these exam blocks- 

• Year 12 mock exam block - Monday 28 August to Wednesday 6 September 2023 
• Year 9 exam block - Monday 28 August to Thursday 31 August 2023 
• Years 7,8 and10 exam block - Monday 4 September to Friday 8 September 2023 
• Year 11 Unit 2 exam block - Wednesday 6 to Wednesday 13 September 22023 

Years 10, 11 and 12 students will only be required on campus for their scheduled exams. Students will return to normal timetable classes after the conclusion of each of the blocks. Normal expectations in regard to behaviour and uniform still exist and will be enforced.

Year 10-12 students are reminded that exam block privileges will not be given to any student who has summative work owing. Boys who have not completed work required will be asked to remain at school until the work has been complete. This is particularly relevant for students who are undertaking Certificate courses, including Year 10 Workplace Skills and Outdoor Recreation.   

Assessment Policy

A reminder that extensions for written assignments can be provided through the Academic Care Team.  A medical certificate will be required.  Please note, however, that there are no extensions for exams.  If your son is at school on the day of testing, he is required to complete the exam.

Year 5-8 Academic Achievement Award Recipients

The following boys are to be congratulated for their excellent academic achievement for Semester 1, 2023.

Year 12 Mock Exam Preparation 

This week our Year 12 students are attempting a ‘dry-run’ of External exams, it is timely to remind all our Seniors that they need to be working at their full capacity and attempt their mock exams in the same spirit that they intend on tackling their External exams next term. The key to “pre-match” preparation is taking authentic practices seriously! 

In doing this, we remind our Year 12s of the following: 

• Attendance is mandatory 
• Check your material requirements as per QCAA guidelines - only these materials (including clear zip-lock bags to hold materials, clear unlabeled water bottles and clear rulers) will be permitted. Nothing else (such as labeled or unclear water bottles, pencil cases and wooden/metal rulers) will be allowed inside the exam room. 
• Punctuality is important, and lateness will be handled according to normal school policies. Arrive at school at least 30 minutes before the time of your exam and to the exam room 15 minutes prior to start time 
• All normal expectations regarding uniform, grooming, hair, etc. apply. Shave. 
• Sign-in and out will be as per normal exam block process via QR code.  

Teachers will be using the results of mock exams to prepare content for Term 4 Masterclasses – thus, it is imperative our young men give it their all. Boys - make the most of this and best of luck!

Griffith University Academic Boot Camps  

Griffith University Academic Bootcamps are courses designed to assist students to achieve their full academic potential. They aim to improve confidence and understanding in senior science and mathematics subject areas, reducing anxiety around assessment, and preparing students for future tertiary study.

This year the boot camps will be run both in person and online across the September holidays for the following subjects –  

• General Mathematics  
• Mathematics Methods  
• Physics  
• Chemistry  
• Biology  

For more information about these courses please visit Academic Bootcamps (griffith.edu.au) .

Year 8 and Year 9 2024 – Subject Selection

This week all parents of boys entering Years 8 or 9 in 2024 will be emailed the 2024 Subject Handbook. This will outline the subjects your son will study as well as the elective choices he can make across 2024.

We encourage all parents/caregivers to discuss these subject choices with your son/s so that he is making the right choice when it comes to subjects he enjoys and is good at.   By the end of this term, all boys will select their subjects for 2024.  Please keep an eye on your inbox for information outlining the subject selection process.

Tutoring at the College 

Tutoring at the College is available for all students, and outlined below are faculties where your son can receive assistance. 

*Other faculties by appointment with the classroom teacher. 

Additionally, the CLE run touch-base tutoring for specific students in the College. For more information, contact CLE@marash.qld.edu.au.

If you would like an external tutor, please find a list of Old Boy tutors below. 

Assessment Calendars

These were released last week and form an important basis for your son's planning. Using this document, your son should be writing key dates (draft and due dates, along with exam block) into his college diary.

Please note that some subjects will conduct assessment during class time. This will be slightly different per class. For example, Drama performances will occur across Drama classes which fall at different times. Your son will be informed of due dates for these subjects during class times. 

Year 11 and 12 – Registering for myQCE 

The QCAA is running a competition to encourage all Queensland students to sign-up to myQCE – a platform to allow them to access key information and results as they progress to their attainment of a QCE by the end of Year 12. The myQCE competition opens on Monday 10 July and closes on Friday 15 September. It offers Year 10–12 students a chance to win one of four prizes: a MacBook Air and three Sony WH1000XM5 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones.

To enter the competition students must:

• follow the myQCE Instagram account
• like a myQCE Instagram post
• tag three friends in the comments
• register for the Student Portal (if they haven’t already), log in and check/update their information such as their personal email address and phone number. 

Students can enter the competition and find more information at: https://myqce.qcaa.qld.edu.au/get-motivated/get-involved. The QCAA will contact the four winners by email, and their names will be published on the myQCE website, myQCE Instagram account and in the Term 4 myQCE update.

Senior Library Hours

Our senior library is open from 7:30am every morning until 5:00pm Monday-Thursday. It closes at 3:30pm on Fridays. 

Your son is encouraged to head to the library before and/or after school to complete his homework or study, free from the distractions at home. 

Study Hall 

Year 12 Night Study Sessions

The Night Study Sessions are weekly study times available to Year 12 students who wish to work in collaboration with their peers for assessment, complete revision, revisit classwork or work on external exam preparation. 

When: Every Wednesday during term time from 5:00pm-8:00pm

Where: Senior Library

Who: 2023 Year 12’s only

Requirements:

• Current ID card is to be presented on arrival 
• All students must sign in and out of the library
• All standard library rules are to be followed (including no eating)
• Normal student behaviour expectations apply; if these cannot be met, students will be prohibited from returning to future sessions
• Students are free to wear full College uniform or plain clothes
• Students are free to arrive and leave as they see fit. Supervision is only provided in the library between 5:00pm-8:00pm. 
• Students are to be in the library only. This is not a time for sport or social gatherings.

A librarian will be on duty from 5:00pm-8:00pm to assist if required; however, these are not tutoring sessions. 

Accessing Student Results 

Student results and feedback for assessment items can be accessed by parents on Parent Lounge. Please follow the steps below which highlight how to access your son’s results and feedback.

1. Open parent portal and click on “Parent Lounge”

2. On the left-hand tab select “Curricular Activities Due” and select “view all activities” on the top right-hand side of page.

This will take you to a screen that lists of your son/s assessment to complete or has been completed. 

3. Click on a subject to view feedback. 

4. Once you click on the subject you will be able to find the following information: 

1. Task sheet for assessment – this will outline what your son needs to do to complete the task successfully 
2. Draft due dates and due dates
3. Criteria sheet
4. Feedback 
5. Result