Learning and Teaching News

Year 7-10 End of Semester Exam Block 

The exam block schedule was released to students and parents in Week 6.  It is important that students make note of when there are exams are on and plan their study accordingly.  Throughout ASH lessons, boys have been provided strategies for Homework and Exam prep. They should be trying these strategies to prepare themselves to achieve success. 

The Exam Block for Years 7-10 will be held from 7th to 13th of June. We are not able to sit exams prior to these dates for integrity reasons. It is expected that all students will be present for the entirety of this important assessment period.  

If you are absent during exam block a medical certificate is required. Please contact curriculum@marash.qld.edu.au for the relevant paperwork. Please note that once students return to school, they will be expected to make up this assessment as soon as possible. 

A few things to be aware of... 

• If your son has special provisions, he will be notified by the Academic Equity Team that he will complete his assessment in CLE. This does not apply to those students who only receive extra time. They will sit their exam with the main cohort but be provided with this additional time in an ‘Extra Time Room’.  
• Student ID Cards – all boys are required to bring their Student ID card into the exam room. This is for identification purposes and to streamline our roll marking to ensure these are accurate. 
• If your son is injured and requires a computer or scribe, please inform your son's teacher or Curriculum Leader as soon as possible. 
• If absent, your son will complete his exam on his return to school. No exams will be sat prior to exam date. 

Assignment Submissions 

Throughout the next few weeks, your son will also have assignments to submit via their Student Cafe. It is important that your son uploads his assignments on the due date. 

If your son fails to upload his assignment, he will receive an academic detention and his draft will be marked as his final. 

All our students have also completed the QCAA Academic Integrity course last term. This covered topics such as plagiarism and they have also heard about how to appropriately use Assistive Technology. Your son is still able to access these lessons in STILE (ASH – Academic Lessons). 

Parent Webinar Sessions 

Year 11 2025 Online Subject Selections 

Last Wednesday students in Year 10 received an email from  noreply@selectmysubjects.com.au providing the link to their online subject selection form. The unique student link allows each student to select his senior subjects up until Friday 7 June. Instructions were emailed to both the students and parents. If you have any questions, please contact curriculum@marash.qld.edu.au.  

A reminder an electronic signature is required on both online subject selections, and on the student’s SET plan document – which are being worked on this week in ASH lessons.  

SET plan conversations with staff and families will occur on Friday 14 June (Friday of Week 10, Term 2) and Monday 8 July (Monday of Week 1, Term 3). Instructions for booking these interviews will be sent via email shortly.

Year 11 Subject Changes  

Any consideration of Year 11 subject changes must be discussed with the Academic Care Team first. Any changes to Year 11 subjects must be completed by tomorrow, Wednesday the 5th of June (Week 8). 

Year 12 Academic Interviews  

Academic Interviews for each Year 12 student continue and will be finalised this week. These interviews are an important part of each boy’s academic journey where discussion around their performance and progress will occur. If you have not booked or you have concerns, please email leea@marash.qld.edu.au.

Examination and Study Requirements and Examination Block  

As we approach the assessment period, our boys are reminded of the study requirements which are expected for students to lead to academic success. Below outlines the minimum expectations for homework, revision, and study across Years 7-12: 

• Year 7: 60-80 minutes 
• Year 8: 60-90 minutes  
• Year 9: 90-120 minutes  
• Year 10: 120-150 minutes  
• Year 11 and 12: 180-240 minutes.  

Year 9 Performance and Pathway Conversations  

Thank you to those parents and students who joined us last week for the Subject Information night. Jessica Turschwell and I appreciate that there was a lot of information and perhaps some questions regarding your son’s subjects for 2025. Please know that these can all be discussed during our Performance and Pathway Conversations.  

Last week your son was also introduced to pathway planning and subject offerings in Year 10. Here are some key dates for our Year 9 students:  

Term 3: Week 1 – Wednesday 10th July: Subject Selection Platform opens  

Term 3: Week 3-5: Pathway and Performance Interviews (parents welcome) to select subjects for Year 10.  

More information will be provided to students via the Academic Care Team early in Term 3.

To best prepare for this, please have a look at the Subject Handbook - here. 

Study Tip

Old Boys Maths Tutoring  

It is wonderful that we are able to continue to offer Maths tutoring every morning in Room 402 from 7:40am-8:30am.  We have a wonderful group of Old Boys who return each morning to support our boys with their Maths. Any boy from Years 7-12 is welcome to attend. 

However, Old Boys Maths tutoring will finish up this term in Friday, Week 9. This is to allow a review of the program and how best to implement this opportunity for greater uptake from students and for further success. Please keep an eye on the newsletter for when this program will begin again. 

In the meantime, students are encouraged to ensure that they are completing all assigned activities in MathsSpace, our online learning platform.

School Tutoring Opportunities  

Tutoring is available for all students, and outlined below are faculties where you can receive assistance: 

*Other faculties by appointment with the classroom teacher.  

Old Boys Tutoring List   

Please find here a list of Old Boys who are available to tutor your son outside of school hours.  This list can also be located on the parent portal or via  this link. Please note it is the parent’s responsibility to organise and liaise tutoring times with the Old Boys. 

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: 2024 Year 12s 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, boys 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-8:00pmpm.    
• 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.