Primary School News

Head of Primary – Paul Blinkhoff

As we reach the midpoint of Term 1, it has been wonderful to witness the strong start our boys have made across the Primary campus. Their enthusiasm for learning, positive engagement in the classroom, and willingness to contribute to college life have been hallmarks of the first five weeks.

Learning and Teaching

Across Years 5 and 6, teachers have been deeply focused on building strong foundations for the year ahead; building relationships, establishing routines, setting expectations, and nurturing each boy’s confidence as a learner. Classrooms are buzzing with curiosity, collaboration, and a genuine desire to grow. It has also been encouraging to see boys taking increasing ownership of their learning through goal setting, engaging in their lessons, and completing homework tasks which reinforces and extends learning completed through the school day. 

As part of our ongoing commitment to improvement in literacy and numeracy, staff continue to analyse early-term data to ensure each student receives the support and challenge they need to thrive. Thank you to Sally Conn, our Support Teacher – Diverse Learners, for meeting with Year 5 parents last week as part of our Student Support meetings, along with our amazing classroom staff for their collective work in this space.

Wellbeing and Community

Wellbeing remains at the heart of all we do in the Primary. Our focus this term has been strengthening positive relationships - between boys, between staff and students, and between school and home. Whether through the Friendology program coordinated by Anthony Graham (more information below!), AshBuddies, or class activities, the boys have shown kindness, teamwork, and a willingness to look out for one another.

Our Primary assemblies continue to highlight students who live out our Marist characteristics of Simplicity, Family Spirit, Presence, Love of Work, and In the Way of Mary. It is always uplifting to celebrate the achievements - big and small - of the boys.

Partnership with Families

Thank you to our families for your ongoing support, communication, and partnership. The start of a school year brings many routines and adjustments, and your encouragement at home has a significant impact on your son’s engagement and success at school. Resilience, persistence and patience are all key here. It's ok to stumble, make a mistake or even take a fall, it's what you do next that makes the difference. We value the strong relationships between home and the College and look forward to continuing this collaboration as the term progresses.

Looking Ahead 

As we move into the second half of the term, we are excited for the many opportunities ahead - learning experiences, faith formation activities, sporting events, and community gatherings. We encourage the boys to continue striving for their personal best, supporting one another, and embracing all that College life offers. Please keep a close eye on upcoming dates which are shared through the school calendar, newsletter and Parent Orbit app. 

Thank you for your ongoing trust and support. It is a privilege to lead the Primary community, and I continue to be inspired by the boys’ energy, spirit, and joy each day.

Student Free Day – Week 6

A reminder that Monday 2 March is a Student Free Day here at the College, so the boys will not be attending school next Monday.

All the best for the week ahead, Paul 

Year 5 Welcome and Community Mass

Primary Pastoral Leader – Anthony Graham

Friendology – Building Stronger Friendships

Last week in Year 5 we launched our Friendology unit, beginning with the concept of the “Inner Ninja” and strategies for squashing our A.N.T.s (Automatic Negative Thoughts). The boys explored how unhelpful thoughts can quickly shape how we see situations and friendships, and practised simple strategies such as positive self-talk, reframing the story in their head, and pausing before reacting.

This week, we moved into Friendship Facts - core truths that help boys better understand social dynamics. The four key Friendship Facts we unpacked were:

• Friendships change and that’s normal.
• You can have different friends for different reasons.
• Conflict happens in all friendships.

• You won’t be close friends with everyone and that’s okay.

   

These conversations are incredibly important as boys navigate social positioning, expectations and the emotions that come with growing up.

Year 6 Retreat – Character Builders

This week our Year 6 cohort will participate in their annual Retreat, facilitated by Character Builders. The program focuses on leadership, personal responsibility and building strong, respectful relationships. Through engaging activities and discussion, the boys are challenged to reflect on the type of young men they want to be as they move through their final year of primary school.

Mobile Phones & Smart Watches – A Reminder

A quick reminder regarding smart devices. If boys are wearing a smart watch, it must be on school mode or aeroplane mode during the school day. Messaging, calls or notifications are not permitted.

If a boy needs to contact home, he can do so via Primary Reception. This ensures we always know where students are and can appropriately support them. We appreciate your partnership in reinforcing this at home.

Lost Property

Our collection of lost property is growing rapidly. If your son is missing an item, please encourage him to check in at Primary Reception. Naming items clearly continues to make a significant difference.

Halfway Through the Term – Energy & Routines

As we approach the midpoint of the term, it is very normal for boys to feel a little more tired than usual. Excitement from the start of the year settles, routines are well established, and fatigue can creep in.

A few simple tips that can help at home:

• Prioritise consistent bedtimes (even on weekends where possible).
• Encourage preparation the night before (uniform, bag, lunch organised).
• Keep after-school schedules manageable where possible.
• Reinforce positive talk about school and friendships.

• Ensure regular meals and hydration to maintain energy levels.

   

The partnership between home and school at this time of term is incredibly important. If your son is finding things more challenging than usual, please reach out.

Primary Learning Leader – Jen Little

The importance of using the School Diary

The school diary plays a key role in helping students develop strong organisational and time management skills. By recording homework, assessment dates, and important reminders, boys can take responsibility for their learning and stay on top of their workload. Teachers will be actively encouraging all students to use their diary daily to build positive study habits and remain engaged with their learning. The diary will be brought home each evening and must be returned to school the following day.

In addition to supporting student organisation, the diary serves as a valuable communication tool between parents and teachers. As teachers may not always have immediate access to emails during the school day, we recommend using the diary for important messages regarding homework completion, missing uniforms, or other relevant updates. This ensures a clear and consistent line of communication to support each student’s learning journey.

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.

Head of College Awards

Congratulations to the following students who received Head of College Awards at this week’s morning assembly:

NAPLAN

Last week, all Year 5 classes engaged in the NAPLAN Readiness Tests to test the online platform and familiarise students with the online tools. Should students wish to complete further practice, they can do so by engaging with the Public Demonstration Site: NAP - Public demonstration site.

Reminders: 

• Monday, 2nd of March – Pupil Free Day
• Tuesday, 3rd of March - Year 6 Study Skills Evening: 6:30pm – students do not have to wear a uniform for this. The evening will take place in the college gym. Students will be sent a link to a survey they will be required to complete prior to the evening: My learning strengths

Primary Sport

Mr John Lambourne – Head of Sport (Primary)

Achievements 

Congratulations to the following students who have been selected to represent West District at the upcoming Met North Regional Swimming Trials; Jensen Axten (5B), Harrison Clements (5V), Alex Donaghy (6B), Thomas Lindner (5R), Caolan Moran (6M), James Rennick (6S), Sasha Sadimenko (5M), Finn Sheehan (6G), Tyson Thomas (5R) and Harry Vickers (6V). 

West District Swimming Trials – Top 3 Placegetters 

Term 1 AIC Sport

Cricket

AFL

Sports Photos

A reminder that all Primary AFL photos will be taken this Friday 27 February, during Break 1.

IMPORTANT: All players must be in CORRECT TEAM WEAR to be included in photos.

Any INJURED players are welcome to be in their Team photo, but they must also be in CORRECT TEAM WEAR.

Swimming

Marist Primary Swim Squad training sessions continue throughout Term 1, please see the schedule below. Training squads are designed for boys who wish to swim for fitness as well as those aiming to secure a place on the AIC Swimming Team. While joining the AIC Swimming Team is optional, all boys are highly encouraged to participate in the AIC Prep Meets on Friday afternoons. These meets provide valuable opportunities to track progress and test training strategies in a fun and competitive environment.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

Swimming Age Championships

Date: Friday, 27 February 2025

Venue: Marist College Ashgrove Swimming Pool

Time: 3:20 pm – Warm Up (Own Warm Up)

4:00 pm – Racing starts.

Order of Events: 50m Breaststroke, 50m Freestyle, 50m Backstroke, 50m Butterfly

50m Freestyle – 10 fastest swimmers in the Primary School

AIC Swimming Breakfasts 2025In keeping with tradition, breakfast is provided for the boys following Friday morning relay training (for top 10 swimmers in each age group - times listed on Pool Office window). Parents provide these breakfasts free of charge to the boys and  AIC Swimming families are asked to volunteer or donate. 

Please click on the link to see how you can help out: https://signup.com/go/zVZcNav  

NB. if you are able to provide a cash donation towards the breakfast, please hand in to Jade Ritchie, Pool Office. For EFT details please email mnjrusso@bigpond.com with your swimmer’s name and donation details.

Any questions, contact: Jo & Mark (mnjrusso@bigpond.com)  or Jade Ritchie (swim@marash.qld.edu.au) 

AIC Championships, Tuesday, 10 March

Term 2 AIC Sport

Rugby Ready Program | Year 5-12

Starting in Week 5 (Friday 27 February), 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.

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.

Primary Sport Photos