Primary School News

Dear Primary Parents,

Acting Head of Primary – Gareth Kolkenbeck-Ruh

I hope you and your families enjoyed a restful and refreshing break, and I warmly welcome you all back to Term 3. We are looking forward to another busy and rewarding term as we continue to build on the many successes and positive experiences from Terms 1 and 2.

Pastoral Matters for Week 1 and 2

As we commence the term, I would like to advise families that Mr Anthony Graham will be on parental leave for Weeks 1 and 2. During this time, should you have any pastoral matters or concerns, please direct your emails to me, Gareth Kolkenbeck-Ruh, and I will be more than happy to assist.

Primary Sport

I would also like to extend a very warm welcome to Mr Matt Green, who joins us as Program Leader: Primary Sport for the remainder of the year while Mr John Lambourne is on Long Service Leave. Matt is a highly experienced educational leader within Catholic education and is already familiar with the Marist community, having worked at the College a number of years ago. We are delighted to welcome him back and know he will be a wonderful addition to our Primary team. 

A reminder that our Primary Athletics Carnival will be held this Thursday, 16 July. We are looking forward to a fantastic day of participation, spirit and community. If you have any questions regarding the carnival, please don't hesitate to contact Mr Green (greenm@marash.qld.edu.au). The boys are to arrive at school in Marist PE uniform for the day. 

General Reminders 

• We have historically encouraged boys to bring a healthy snack which they will be given time to eat at their teacher's discretion before 1st break due to the nature of 3 periods taking place during that time. A reminder that this should be a healthy snack, not a full breakfast or lunch and not chips or lollies.
• Boys are in full winter uniform for term 3. Please can we focus on ties done up with top buttons done up and boys must wear their formal hats and blazers to and from school.

As we begin the new term, I would like to sincerely thank you for the warmth, encouragement and support you have shown throughout my time in the Primary School. It has been greatly appreciated, and I look forward to continuing to work in partnership with you as we provide the very best opportunities for our boys. Thank you once again for your ongoing support. I wish all of our families a wonderful Term 3, and I look forward to seeing our boys continue to learn, grow and thrive throughout the months ahead. 

Program Leader: Primary Sport – Matt Green

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.

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.

Please see the schedule of events below. 

Primary Athletics Age Championships

Nominations have closed for Track and Field Age Champion Events.

10 Years – boys born 2016, 11 Years – boys born 2015 and 12 Years – boys born 2014.

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.

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. Nominations for these sports have now closed.

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.