Learning and Teaching News

We hope all families, boys and wider community members of the Marist College Ashgrove family have had a wonderful break, and ready to tackle an exciting 2026! Here at the College, we aim to grow your son in the Marist tradition; in order to love, to learn, to lead and to serve. As part of the holistic education we offer, we are here to accompany you on your son’s journey through College in growing your young man to a man of substance – reaching and perhaps exceeding their personal bests.  

Please read the newsletter each week to stay informed of curriculum matters happening at the College, and contact us (as per below) should the need arise.

Congratulations to Year 12 2025 

As mentioned in the Head of College article, our Year 12 cohort of 2025 performed admirably in their exit results at the end of last year. Our newest Old Boys embodied the true qualities of Marist young men in the determination, focus and drive they showed during their senior year. We would like to acknowledge the teachers, support staff, parents and carers who guided, assisted, challenged and supported these boys on their academic journey.

We continue to witness our Year 12 exit results putting our young men in positions to maximise their post-school intentions – whether this be at university, through a trade or traineeship, the workforce, or other learning opportunities. We are beginning to hear of our newest graduates being placed in the situations that they worked so hard to have, and we are proud of these young men in reaping the rewards for their application.  

For an outline of the Year 12 2025 results, please see the Head of College article. 

Academic Care Team Term 1 - 2026 

Marist College Ashgrove’s Academic Care Team (ACT) works with students to track and assist their academic growth at the College. The ACT is divided into several roles: 

• Assistant Head of College - Learning and Teaching: Mr Adam Knight. Adam oversees learning and teaching across the whole College. Along with Adrian Brown (see below), Adam has a particular focus on the senior years (Years 10-12). Adam can be contacted at knighta@marash.qld.edu.au 
• Assistant Head of College – Learning and Teaching (Middle Years): Mrs. Leigh Jackson. Leigh oversees the Middle Years academic programs (Years 7–9), working closely with students and staff to ensure a successful learning journey for our boys. For inquiries, Leigh can be contacted at:  jacksonl@marash.qld.edu.au  
• Curriculum Leader - Senior Years: Mr Adrian Brown. Adrian primarily focuses on student tracking across the senior school (Years 10-12). This includes the Year 10 preparation programs and subject selections. He assists boys in subject selection and with their many pathway options in senior schooling. Adrian can be contacted at brownad@marash.qld.edu.au.  
• Curriculum Leader - Middle Years: Mr Ashley Hutchings. Ashley works with Middle Years students (Years 7-9) on academic success through our student tracking program. Ashley can be contacted at hutchingsa@marash.qld.edu.au

• Primary Learning Leader: Ms Jen Little: Jen works closely with primary school teachers to develop an engaging and targeted curriculum for Years 5 and 6. She tracks student progress and is focused on continual improvement for all. Jen can be contacted at littlej@marash.qld.edu.au   

   

The Middle and Senior years Academic Care Team can be accessed at the Studies Office (under the Resource Centre). The Primary Learning Leader is located in the St Marcellin Centre. Please feel free to contact the relevant member of the ACT if you have any questions about your son’s subjects or overall academic progress across the year. 

Curriculum Leaders 2026 

Our Marist College Ashgrove Curriculum Leaders (CLs) lead the subject areas in departments across Years 7-12. These CLs are experts in subjects within their departments and work with their departmental staff to build programs aligned with the Australian Curriculum and the Queensland Years 11 and 12 syllabuses. Please contact any of the CLs below if you have questions about a subject within their department. 

Year 12 Academic Leaders – 2026

Throughout the course of the year our academic captains will lead initiatives as well as promote curriculum activities throughout the College.  We wish all our leaders a successful year.  

Vice-Captain: Ben Allpass

Ridley:  Lucas Dempsey

Ephrem:  Cade Kelly

Foley:  Isaac Farrelley

Gilroy:  Lachlan Nisbett

Harold: Connor Leet

Ignatius: Riley Hughes

Rush:  Daniel Thirgood

Slattery:  Will Davis

Diary Use

It is expected that each boy has a diary that is free from markings, in good order, and filled out at the end of each lesson.

As a school, we encourage students to be self-regulating, and building good organisational habits is central to this. The boys are responsible for their learning, and their organisation and preparation will determine their success.

Teachers will continue to monitor diary usage and assist boys with their organisation.

As guardians, please continue to sight and sign the diary weekly. Pastoral care teachers will also sight and sign diaries weekly.

Year 9-11 Subject Changes  

Over the break, students in Years 9-11 may have decided to change elective subjects that they chose last year. If your son would like to change his subjects, please encourage him to visit the Academic Care Office (located under the Senior Library)  

• Year 9 subject changes: Curriculum Leader - Middle Years (Ashley Hutchings) or Assistant Head of College – Learning and Teaching Middle Years (Leigh Jackson)

• Year 10-11 subject changes: Curriculum Leader - Senior Years (Adrian Brown) or Assistant Head of College – Learning and Teaching (Adam Knight) 

   

 All subject changes need to be completed and submitted by Wednesday 5th February (Week 2). 

Year 5 -10 Semester 2, 2025 Outstanding Academic Achievement Awards 

Year 5-10 Semester 2, 2025 Academic Achievement Awards will be presented at the College’s Inaugural Mass on Friday 30  January. A list of recipients will be included in the Week 3 newsletter.  

Head of College Awards for Semester 2, 2025 will be presented on year-level assemblies this term. A list of recipients will be included in a newsletter later this term.

Year 7 Information Night – 2nd February  

This event is organised by the Pastoral Care Team at the College. Mr Michael Colquhoun (Pastoral Leader – Middle School) and Mr Ashley Hutchings (Curriculum Leader – Middle Years) will share valuable insights into the transition of boys into Year 7. The evening is designed to provide an interactive experience and support a smooth, confident move into the Middle Years.

If you have any questions about the event, please contact Mr Michael Colquhoun at colquhounm@marash.qld.edu.au or Mr Ashley Hutchings at hutchingsa@marash.qld.edu.au.

NAPLAN

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) will take place during Weeks 7 and 8 of Term 1 this year. Details about these assessments, as well as arrangements for upcoming readiness tests, will be emailed to students and parents in Years 5, 7, and 9 this week.

Student Laptops

All Year 7 and 10 students and any new students to the College have been issued with their laptop. Rory Edwards (Director of Information Technology) and his team implemented an excellent plan to ensure students received their devices prior to the start of the term, enabling a smooth transition into learning.

If you have any questions about your son’s laptop, please contact the colleges IT HelpDesk at computerservice@marash.qld.edu.au.

2026 Calendar 

The College calendar provided to each family, and available on the Orbit app, outlines the scheduled exam blocks across the year for students in Years 7-12. Please ensure you check these Exam Block dates before booking any holidays, as they are an essential and compulsory part of the learning process at the College. Leave is not granted to students during this time.  

Please note that a medical certificate is required for all students from Years 7-12 who are absent during the exam blocks.

Assessment Schedules  

From Week Three, your son will have access to his assessment schedule. This can be located on Student Café and the Orbit app. As per the information provided above, your son is encouraged to download this schedule and transfer assessment dates to his College Diary. There will be more information on accessing this information in the Week 3 newsletter. 

Study Tip