Learning and Teaching News

Mr Adam Knight and Mrs Leigh Jackson

Key Dates for Term 4 2026

As we enter the last term of the year, please take note of the upcoming key academic dates:

Tuesday 13 October – Year 12 Masterclasses commence
Friday 16 October – Year 11 Unit 2 Academic Reports released to parents
Monday 26 October to Friday 13 November – Year 12 External Exam Block
Monday 2 November – Year 11 Academic interviews with Unit 1 and 2 ATAR estimations will begin in Week 5. Further information will be emailed to parents in the coming weeks
Wednesday 18-25 November – Year 7 -11 Exam Block
Friday 4 December – Year 5 -10 End of Semester Academic Reports released to parents

Request for Leave – Unapproved Leave over Assessment Periods

Please be advised that if leave is not approved for missed assessments (including assignments and exams), a summative mark of NA will appear on your son’s End of Semester Academic Report for the relevant subject. In accordance with the College Examination Policy (available via the Parent Portal) and QCAA guidelines, events such as holidays, weddings, or family reunions are not considered unavoidable and will result in an NA for the missed assessment.

Students will still be required to complete the assessment upon their return to school; however, no assessments will be scheduled earlier. Reports will be withheld until all assessments have been completed.

While students will receive formative feedback on the completed assessment, the result will not contribute to their summative grade due to the following reasons:

Reporting deadlines cannot be met
Academic integrity must be preserved
Teacher and staff workload during marking and reporting periods
The validity of assessment results within the designated timelines

Please note that this does not apply to leave that has been granted for approved reasons (illness, etc.) as per QCAA policies.

Year 12 Masterclasses

As we approach the External Exams, our focus shifts towards our Term 4 Masterclasses. With normal classes operating for Year 12 in Week 1 of Term 4, Masterclasses will run for all Year 12 students across Weeks 2-3. Boys have already signed up for their Masterclasses.

For students who complete any General subjects

To prepare students for sitting external exams, the College has developed a Masterclass timetable which allows targeted revision in a class of each student’s choosing. For each General subject, the boys have enrolled in two Masterclasses (e.g. two English Masterclasses) which cover different preparation topics.

Across the two-week preparation period, there are two Masterclass sessions per day, one starting at 9:00am (period 1) and the other at 12:20pm (period 4). Students are only required to attend these classes (not Pastoral Group) and can leave once their class has finished. For students who complete less than six General subjects, this will mean they may leave the campus after the morning session or arrive later in the day on campus – on time for the afternoon session.

For all Masterclasses, students will need to be dressed in full school uniform (including shaving, blazer and College bag) and ensure they have all required equipment for their subjects (e.g. calculators).

Please be aware that it is a college expectation that when not in Masterclasses, boys are at home studying or making use of small group study sessions with students in similar classes with similar study habits. Boys should not be socialising outside Masterclass times during the school day.

The External Exam block runs from Monday 26 October to Friday 13 November 2026.

Year 12 External Exam Equipment

A reminder to now ensure that your son has the correct equipment necessary for External exams. The list of prescribed equipment can be found here - External assessment equipment list (qcaa.qld.edu.au).

End of Term 3 Feedback

Marist Subject Support

Tutoring support will take place in the Senior Library and is open to all boys in Years 7 to 12.

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 > School Links > General Links or via this link -

2026_S2_Old_Boys_Tutoring List.pdf

Please note it is the parent’s responsibility to organise and liaise tutoring times with the Old Boys.

Study Tip