Primary School News

Dear Primary Parents,

Acting Head of Primary – Gareth Kolkenbeckruh

With the holidays just ahead, I hope that all boys will spend lots of time reading, getting outdoors and generally taking advantage of their time away from school. There is however the possibility that your son will be spending more time on a device than he is currently whilst at school. With this increase in time engaged online comes an increase in risk if there are no parameters in place around what your son can and cannot access whilst online.

Last week, I had a conversation with a staff member who had spent some time talking with Year 6 students and was concerned about the fact that these boys shared that they had apps on their phones that they are too young to have. Most concerning was the lack of filters applied to these apps to help keep these boys safe online. This staff member also commented that this resulted in the boys using language commonly used on these apps that is designed for a more mature audience than our Year 5 and 6 boys.

If you provide an internet enabled device to your son, in addition to monitoring what they are accessing, you might like to read the following tips and start a conversation with them to help keep them safe whilst online. Even though many apps have age restrictions, it is evident that a number of our boys still have these apps on their devices.

Understanding What’s Safe to Share: It’s easy for children to overshare without realising it - something as simple as including “MCA” in a username or enabling location settings can reveal more than they intend. Encourage your child to protect their privacy and avoid sharing personal details publicly. What they post should reflect the same care and responsibility they’d show in person.

Think Before You Post: We remind students that their digital footprint is lasting. A helpful test: if it’s not something they’d feel proud showing to their teacher or parents, it’s probably not the right choice to post. Even deleted content can be saved or shared by others, so thoughtful posting is key.

Promote Kindness and Courage Online: The Marist value of love calls us to treat others with gentleness and compassion - including in digital spaces. If your child sees unkindness or exclusion online, it’s not “dobbing” to tell a trusted adult - it’s brave, caring, and the right thing to do. Looking out for others is part of how we build a supportive community.

Trust Needs Real-World Roots: Remind your child that just because someone shares similar interests online - whether that’s Roblox, sports, or favourite YouTubers - doesn’t mean they are who they say they are. Connections made online should never replace real-life friendships. They should only interact digitally with people they know personally.

Not Everything Online is Made for Children: While TikToks, YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels can be entertaining, they often aren’t filtered for age. These platforms may expose children to swearing, negative behaviours, or inappropriate content - even if it seems harmless or funny to peers. These messages can shape how students speak and behave, sometimes without them even realising.

Keep the Dialogue Open: Most importantly, keep the conversation going. Let your child know you are there to listen and help - without judgement - if something online feels confusing, upsetting, or just not right. Your support and interest show them they’re not navigating these spaces alone.

I would like to wish all Primary families a safe and happy holiday break and I look forward to seeing everyone back here in the Primary School on Tuesday 14 July next term.

Primary Pastoral Leader – Anthony Graham

This week, 109 Year 6 students swapped the warm Brisbane weather for the cooler conditions of our nation's capital as they embarked on the inaugural Marist College Ashgrove Canberra Tour. After many months of planning and preparation, it was wonderful to see the boys depart with excitement and enthusiasm for what promises to be a memorable educational experience.

A sincere thank you to the staff who have generously given their time to accompany the students: Gareth Ruh, Catherine Barnett, Rachael Carter, Richard Coles, Robyn Brown, Meaghan Round, Amy Sellick, Paul Dwyer, Sally Conn and Deen Mewburn. We are incredibly grateful for their willingness to support the boys throughout the week. We look forward to sharing photographs and stories from their adventure upon their return.

Last Tuesday, we gathered as a Primary community for our Semester One Awards Assembly. A particular highlight was the presentation of the Marcellin Champagnat Award. Named after the founder of the Marist Brothers, this award recognises students who consistently demonstrate the Marist values of humility, service, kindness, respect and a commitment to putting others before themselves. Congratulations to all award recipients for the positive contribution they make to our College community each day.

As Semester 1 draws to a close, I would like to thank our students, staff and families for their support throughout what has been a busy and rewarding semester. The school holidays provide a well-deserved opportunity to rest, recharge and spend time with family and friends.

We look forward to welcoming students back on Tuesday 14 July for the commencement of Semester 2.

Have a safe and enjoyable holiday break.

Primary Learning Leader – Jen Little

By the end of this week, end-of-semester reports will be accessible to all parents through the Parent Orbit App. An email notification will be sent to inform you of their release. In the meantime, teachers have already begun marking and providing feedback for Term 2 assessments, with much of the feedback already available to students and parents now.

Our teaching staff dedicates significant time and effort to prepare this feedback, which is vital for advancing students' learning. I take this opportunity to thank them for their incredible dedication this semester to the learning of all boys. It is important for students to reflect carefully on the feedback if they are to see real improvement.

In addition to feedback, students can track their progress by calculating their Grade Point Average (GPA). This numerical score provides a more precise comparison of their performance. For Year 5 students, this will likely be the first time they calculate their GPA, and it will serve as their baseline. Year 6 students were taught how to calculate their GPA last year, so they should already have this information saved as part of their academic record.

To clarify, calculating the GPA involves adding up the numerical scores for each subject and dividing by the number of subjects studied. An increase in GPA compared to last year indicates progress in learning, while a decrease may suggest the need for greater effort in study and classwork. Below is a table with the numerical values for each grade to help your child calculate their GPA.

Over the holiday period, I strongly encourage parents to work as a collective with your sons when it comes to calculating the GPA and reflecting on areas for improvement. This will help strengthen the partnership between the home and the school and assist in the meaningful setting of goals as a springboard for Semester 2. I take this opportunity to wish everyone a safe and relaxing break and look forward to seeing you all for the commencement of Term 3. 

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 parents for all your support.

Marist Primary Athletics Carnival

Thursday, 16 July – McMahon and Hayden Ovals.

All Year 5&6 boys are expected to attend in their College Sports Uniform

Parents are welcome to attend.

If your son will be attending school and is unable to participate due to illness or injury, please notify Primary Reception primaryreception@marash.qld.edu.au.

All other absences are to be logged on the Parent Portal following normal procedures.

Hats, sunscreen and water bottles are extremely important, teachers will have sunscreen available for boys to reapply, and the boys are expected to take responsibility to ensure they stay sun safe and hydrated.

The primary athletics carnival sees two carnivals run concurrently an Age Championships Carnival and a participation/novelty-based carnival. Both carnivals will see the boys compete to earn points for their class colour.

A team meeting will be held week for the boys to select team captains and relay teams.

Boys may wish to change into coloured outfits, which they can do before Pastoral Group, they may also bring mascots and wear zinc in their team colour if they wish.

Hats, sunscreen and water bottles are extremely important on a day like this, and boys are expected to take some responsibility to ensure they stay sun safe and hydrated.

Each boy is expected to participate in all the novelty events to the best of their ability.

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

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

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.