Primary School News

Dear Primary Parents,

At our recent staff spirituality day, one of the presenters shared with us the notion of looking at the world through a certain lens, perhaps even a different lens. It was explained that the same event can be viewed from many perspectives, depending on the lens of the viewer. We were challenged to look at situations and scenarios with a celebratory lens and try to see what is right, rather than what is wrong. To see the good, rather than the bad in something. It may sound a bit like the ‘glass half full adage’ but it is more than this.

To help explain how we might be able to weave this way of thinking into our lives, the presenter showed us a Ted Talk by National Geographic photographer, Dewitt Jones. In his talk, Dewitt shares how, in his work and in his personal life, he has learned to always be open to changing the lens on what he is looking at. In his professional life, it often results in him getting an even better photograph of his subject. In his personal life, it has enabled him to celebrate events that he might not have celebrated in the past, with a different lens. He shared his insights into how taking a positive view on something rather than the negative is good for us. Dewitt concedes that in a world in which we are so often bombarded with negative stories and images, it is very easy to get swept up in this and see the bad in things, rather than the good. 

Dewitt is quite an entertaining presenter so, if you are interested in finding out more about the ‘changing your lens’ theory and you can find the eighteen minutes it takes to watch the presentation, I have included the link to his Ted Talk below. 

Link: Bing Videos

Electronic Devices

This morning, I addressed the boys about their responsibilities when using mobile phones and laptops. I stressed the importance of making the right decisions when using these devices to communicate with other members of our community. Our phones and our laptops are very convenient and often make our lives easier, but it is vital that all boys understand that there are consequences when these devices are used to harm others or access inappropriate material. I encouraged boys to continue this conversation with parents so that all parties have a clear understanding of the expectations that come with using a smartphone or a laptop. I finished my address by reminding the boys that “I was just joking” or “I was only mucking around” are not acceptable excuses for doing the wrong thing online. I trust that you all have your rules around device usage and are happy to discuss these with your sons.

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.

Primary Learning Leader – Jen Little

This week is our NAPLAN testing for our Year 5 boys. This is an important point in time test that allows us to see their capabilities in Literacy and Numeracy. To assist with the completion of the tests, boys are asked to come to school with fully charged devices on the mornings of the testing. Teachers will be opening up their classrooms from 8am so that boys can log into the NAPLAN browser, sort any technology issues and complete their audio check. 

For a seamless testing process, it is important that all students tend to this prior to the 8:30 bell. Please see the schedule for this week below:

Please note that it is essential that students are at school on the testing days by 8:15am unless sickness prevents their attendance. 

Learning Excursions

By now, all parents should have logged into Parent Lounge to provide permission for their child’s Year 5 or Year 6 excursion to the Gold Rush experience in Belivah or the Parliament House trip in the city. Please complete this if you have not already done so. 

Our Year 5 students have an additional layer of permission required from the Gold Rush venue. Students in Year 5 will be bringing these permission slips home for completion this week. Could I ask that this is completed and returned to your child’s classroom teacher as soon as possible. 

Accessing Student Results and Task-Specific Feedback

After each assessment task (assignment and exam), students' results will be released to Student Café. Boys are encouraged to ensure they are checking Student Café for their results with task-specific feedback. These results and feedback can also be located on the Parent Lounge. Please follow the steps below which highlight how to access your son’s results and feedback. 

1 - Open the 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:

• Task sheet for assessment – this will outline what your son needs to do to complete the task successfully
• Draft due dates and due dates
• Criteria sheet
• Feedback
• Result

Literacy and Numeracy Trophies

Congratulations to 6 Violet for winning the Literacy Cup this week with an average percentage of 84.5%. Congratulations to 6 Red for winning the Numeracy Cup this week with an average percentage of 78.1%. A wonderful achievement for both classes!

Whilst 6 Gold has dominated the competition this year, special commendation goes to 6 Violet and 6 Blue for their improved literacy week by week. Further congratulations goes to 6 White who demonstrated the biggest progress score in their literacy with a 13% improvement. Well done to all classes!

Primary Sport

Mr John Lambourne – Head of Sport (Primary)

AIC Swimming Championships

Top Three Placegetters

Year 5

***New AIC Record

Year 6

Results

Achievements

Congratulations to Knight Chan-Riotto (6V) and Will Weight (6W) who have been selected to represent North West District Football at the upcoming Met North Regional Trial.

Congratulations to Cooper Brandis (5S), Thomas Laherty (5V), Patrick Hambleton (6V) and Patrick Thirgood (5B) who have been selected to represent North West District Hockey at the upcoming Met North Regional Trial.

Term 1 AIC Sport

Cricket

AFL

Swimming

Marist Primary Swim Squad

Training sessions continue Monday and Wednesday afternoons for the remainder of Term 1, 3:20 – 4:20pm. These sessions are open to all boys; boys attending for fitness training and boys wishing to qualify for the AIC Swimming Team. 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

Term 2 AIC Sport

Sport Sign-On

Sport sign-on is accessed through the Parent Lounge – sign-on closes Friday,15 March.

Please remember to select "Submit to School" to ensure that the sign-on is submitted. This may not be visible on some mobile devices, in which case sign-on will need to be completed via a desktop device.

The Term 2 sports on offer are Rugby Union, Football, Chess and Cross Country.

Trial details will be published on the College App.

Boys may also choose to participate in track & field, boys of all abilities are welcome to attend track training sessions.

Rugby Union

Easter Rugby Camp – Save the Date – Sunday 14 April

Rugby Ready Program

Continuing Friday mornings, 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.

Cross Country

Training – Monday, Wednesday and Friday

Venue: McMahon Oval (new starting venue for 2024)

Time: Training starts at 7:00am sharp. Students are to arrive at 6:45am and sign into the session with their student ID card.

Year 5 students playing Term 1 AFL or cricket – Recommended to train on Monday morning.

Year 6 students playing Term 1 AFL or cricket – Recommended to train on Monday morning. AFL students to miss AFL training on Monday to alternate with cross country.

Cross Country – Petfield Challenge

Date: Thursday, 21 March 2024. 

Time: 4:40pm

Location: Dorrington Park, 5 Mirrabooka Road, Ashgrove.

The start and finish line will be near the Northern Suburbs Hockey Club.

All boys wishing to be selected for AIC Cross Country Championships are encouraged to attend this meet to set a 2km time.

Boys will walk to this event, they will be supervised, and parents may collect their sons’ from Dorrington Park.

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.