Primary School News

Acting Head of Primary – Gareth Kolkenbeckruh 

As we near the midpoint of the school year, it’s the perfect opportunity for students, parents and teachers to pause and reflect on the journey so far. Semester 1 has been a whirlwind of activity, filled with academic challenges, exciting sporting commitments and meaningful learning experiences. The coming weeks is a perfect time to assess how we can continue to grow and build on our achievements in all these areas. 

Reflection is more than just looking at grades and reports. It’s about understanding progress, identifying strengths and setting realistic goals for Semester 2. Encouraging the boys to take ownership of their learning encourages resilience, responsibility and a growth mindset. 

For our students, this reflection should be a positive experience. They might ask themselves: 

What subjects or activities did I enjoy the most? 

What challenges did I overcome? 

How can I build on my successes and improve in areas where I struggled? 

Parents can support this process by celebrating effort and progress, not just final results. Conversations at home about learning experiences can boost motivation and help children see the value in perseverance and adaptability. 

As a Marist community, we embrace learning as a lifelong journey. The values of humility, love and service guide us in encouraging students to view their education not just as preparation for the future, but as an opportunity to grow in wisdom and faith. 

After such an engaging and fulfilling Semester 1, I look forward to our boys approaching Semester 2 with optimism, determination and the knowledge that they will no doubt reap the benefits of the effort they put in throughout the whole of Semester 2. 

A reminder that our Primary Athletics Carnival has been postponed to Week 1 of Term 3. 

And lastly, I hope everyone is enjoying the soccer World Cup! What a brilliant cultural experience and the amazing lessons can be learned from listening to and hearing the stories of so many of the players in the tournament. I have found the focus on some of the lesser known players and smaller countries to be an amazing learning experience for myself and am certainly enjoying these conversations with all of the boys! 

Primary Learning Leader – Jen Little 

Study Skills

Transitioning to secondary schooling places new cognitive and organisational demands on students, making the development of effective study skills critical for success. At this stage, learners encounter more complex content, multiple subject teachers, and increased expectations for independence. Strong study habits help students manage this shift by promoting deeper understanding rather than surface-level learning. From a brain science perspective, learning involves strengthening neural pathways through repeated activation; the more frequently and meaningfully information is revisited, the more durable these pathways become, supporting transfer into long-term memory. 

To support this process, students benefit from evidence-informed strategies that actively engage the brain. Flash cards, for example, use retrieval practice, which strengthens memory by forcing the brain to recall information rather than simply recognise it. Similarly, creating audio and handwritten notes taps into dual coding—the combination of verbal and sensory-motor processes—which enhances encoding. Summarising information in one’s own words supports elaborative rehearsal, where students connect new knowledge to prior understanding, making it more meaningful. Designing self-assessments further deepens learning, as it requires students to think about how knowledge can be applied and tested, reinforcing neural connections through practice and feedback. 

Additional strategies such as mnemonics and graphic organisers help organise and structure information in ways that align with how the brain processes patterns and relationships. Mnemonics use associations and cues to support recall, while graphic organisers visually represent connections, aiding comprehension and memory consolidation. Together, these study techniques promote active learning, spaced repetition, and meaningful engagement—key principles grounded in cognitive science that underpin long-term memory formation. By adopting these strategies, students not only manage the transition to secondary schooling more effectively but also build lifelong learning skills. 

At Marist College Ashgrove, we are dedicated to preparing our boys for a successful transition into secondary schooling. A key component of this preparation is our Year 6 Study Skills Program, which includes: 

• Term 1 – Study Skills Presentation Evening for Year 6 students and parents 
• Terms 2 and 3 – Dedicated ASH lessons focused on exploring a range of study strategies to support the transfer of knowledge into long-term memory 

• Term 4 – Supervised afternoon study sessions for students 

   

This week, our Year 6 cohort will begin the second phase of the program. Each teacher will take on the role of specialist in a particular practical study strategy, delivering their sessions through a Station Co-Teaching approach. This structure will allow students to engage with a variety of strategies in an interactive way. It is anticipated that the boys will apply these techniques as they prepare for their Term 3 assessments. Support from Year 6 parents at home will assist in solidifying their understanding and maximise their capacity in this area. Morning study is also available to the students to assist with this.  

Morning Study

Please note an updated time for our supervised Morning Study arrangements. Morning Study will operate in the Primary CLE from 7:40–8:10am, Monday to Friday. This space provides a quiet environment for students to complete homework and/ or study.   

Morning Study is open to all students; however, the level of support offered will vary depending on the number of students attending on any given day. Students who wish to enhance their learning through a regular weekly study routine, particularly by using resources from their OneNote, will find this an ideal venue. 

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)

Long Service Leave

I will be taking long service leave throughout Semester 2.

My role will be covered by Mr Matthew Green - greenmp@marash.qld.edu.au.

I would like to thank all the Marist Primary students for all their energy, effort and enthusiasm throughout my time at Marist, and thank you for all your support.

Marist Primary Athletics Carnival

Please note that the Primary Athletics Carnival scheduled in the College Calendar for Thursday, 18 June has had to be postponed to Term 3, Thursday, 16 July.

The decision to postpone the carnival was taken out of my hands and therefore I apologise for the lack of communication and confusion around the carnival.

Please see below for details regarding Track and Field Age Championship registration.

Term 2 AIC Sport

Rugby

Football

Primary Athletics Age Championships

Nominations are open for boys wishing to compete for Track and Field Age Champion.

10 Years – boys born 2016, 11 Years – boys born 2015 and 12 Years – boys born 2014.

Nominations close Tuesday, 23 June – Late nominations will not be accepted

Age Championship events are used as qualification events for selection to attend West District Track in Field in Term 3. Please note that nomination for district trials is not guaranteed.

Boys may also nominate to for 1500m and discus, both of which are not part of T&F Age Championship but are district events.

Please be aware of the qualification standards when nominating for age championship events.

Depending on the number of boys who nominate for each event boys may be required to qualify to participate in Age Championship events.

Marist Primary Track & Field Age Championships Nomination

Term 3 AIC Sport

Term 3 sports on offer are Basketball, Rugby League and Tennis.

Please note that numbers are limited in each of these sports and that boys are only able to participate in one Term 3 AIC team sport.

Parents, please find the Extra-Curricular tile on Parent Orbit to find information regarding sign on. Students can sign up via the Student Café. Once your son/s have signed up parents or caregivers MUST approve the signup and edit or update any medical details.

This assists the College in organising the appropriate number of coaching staff and to deliver the necessary resources, and ensures all relevant information is forwarded to you via communication channels. 

Boys may also choose to participate in track & field; boys of all abilities are welcome to attend track training sessions. Please see below for further details relating to track & field.

Basketball – Maximum 36 boys / grade

Trial Details – Week 8 and Week 9

Year 6

Tuesday – 6:45-8:00am

Thursday – 3:30 – 5:00pm

Year 5

Tuesday – 3:30 – 5:00pm

Internal trial fixtures to be played Friday, 19 June

All Players must be signed up to trial.

Uniform: Marist Basketball singlet, Marist Sport shorts & blue Marist Sport socks

Fixtures Friday evening.

Training twice / week.

Tennis – Maximum 8 boys / grade

Uniform: Marist Tennis polo, Marist Tennis shorts & white Marist Sport socks

Fixtures Saturday morning – please be aware that there may be Friday evening fixtures in 2026

Training twice / week.

Rugby League – Maximum 30 boys Year 5 and 34 boys Year 6

Trial Details – Week 9

Year 6

Tuesday – 6:45-8:00am – Des Connor Park – Flat #5

Thursday – 6:45-8:00am – Des Connor Park – Flat #6

Following Thursday morning’s trial, the boys will share a BBQ with the Open Rugby League Confraternity Shield team.

Year 5

Monday – 6:45-8:00am – Des Connor Park – Flat #5

Thursday – 6:45-8:00am – Des Connor Park – Flat #5

Following Thursday morning’s trial, the boys will share a BBQ with the Open Rugby League Confraternity Shield team.

Internal trial fixtures to be played Saturday, 20 June

All Players must be signed up to trial.

Uniform: Marist rugby league jersey, Marist rugby shorts & Marist team sport socks

Fixtures Saturday morning.

Training twice / week.

Track & Field

There are 4 AIC T&F meets scheduled at the end of Term 3.

These meets are conducted as time trials for boys wishing to qualify for AIC Championships.

• Thursday, August 27
• Wednesday, September 2
• Thursday, September 10

• Wednesday, September 16

   

AIC Championships – Thursday, 8 & Friday, 9 October – QSAC.

Uniform: Marist Athletics singlet, Marist Sport shorts & white Marist Sport socks

Track and Field training begins in Term 3; T&F training is twice a week.

Boys wishing to be considered for AIC selection should also be aware that there will be training and meets conducted over the Term 3 holidays.

Track & Field

Sunday Sessions

Sunday sessions are an excellent introduction to Marist Track & Field. We have some exceptional coaches leading these sessions and creating an environment of learning and enjoyment.

Some benefits include:

1. Improvement in technique and speed.

2. Technical development for throws.

3. Improved repeat speed / conditioning.

WHEN: Sunday afternoons

WHERE: Hayden Oval

TIME: 3:15-4:45pm 

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

Sports Training and Clashes

With a myriad of opportunities on offer for the students, clashes are unavoidable but never a problem if communicated.

Families are reminded that cocurricular activities should not impede on any student’s academic performance.

If sports training clashes with music or morning tutoring it is asked that boys alternate from week to week.

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

Parent Orbit App

Please ensure that you download the Parent Orbit app to your smart phone. This app will be used 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 Parent Orbit 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 5:00pm. We ask that boys are picked up at this time. Any boy who is still at their training venue at 5:15pm 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.