Primary School News

Dear Primary Parents,

I would like to congratulate the boys for the way they settled into the new term. After all the excitement and unknowns of moving into our new building late last term, it was nice to see the boys return last week and move straight into the daily routines of being in our beautiful new surrounds. For the safety of the boys, we will continue to insist on them walking throughout the precinct and not accessing the first and second levels of the St Marcellin Centre during their breaks. At our assembly this morning, I reminded all boys about being good stewards of our building and, most importantly, to treat others the way they would like to be treated. A very simple, yet very powerful reminder of what is required as we navigate our new spaces together.

I know a lot of work is being done preparing for Book Week next week. The highlight of the week is arguably the grand parade where boys get to share their Book Week costumes with the community on Thursday morning. Mrs Round explained to the boys that they do not need to go out and purchase expensive costumes for the parade, but rather, they should get creative with their Magical Ideas!

This Friday, we bid farewell to Mrs Kylie Tippins and thank her for dedication and care over the last three years for the boys in the Primary School. Kylie has exemplified our Marist values of Simplicity, Modesty and Humility as she worked so diligently to assist the many boys, staff and parents here at Marist College. We wish Kylie every success in her future endeavours.  

Best of luck to all the boys involved in the first round of AIC sport this weekend. 

Primary Learning Leader – Jen Little

Goal Setting

When it comes to student learning, numerous factors contribute to student success, including inherent ability, effort, luck, and intervention programs. Among these, effort stands out as the most crucial determinant of our learners' progress. Over the past few weeks, I have met with all classes and students to emphasise the importance of goal setting. Students have used Excel spreadsheets to calculate their GPAs and track their progress. Their GPA serves as a learning 'warning sign'. Based on their GPA, students have also been encouraged to set goals for improvement. Congratulations to the following Year 6 students who managed to improve their GPA by at least 1 point on their Semester 1 Report Card:

Homework

It is timely at the start of a new semester to revisit our policy on homework in the Primary. 

Homework has long been a topic of debate amongst educators, parents and students with valid points on both sides of the argument. Understanding the pros and cons of homework can help parents and students navigate it more effectively.

It is crucial to recognise that Marist College Ashgrove values the role of homework in education. Consequently, it is an expectation of the College that assigned tasks are to be completed according to the task instructions and by the due date set. The commitment to comply with the College’s protocols is established at the time of enrolment. 

Over the past six weeks, there have been numerous instances in which students in the Primary have not been completing tasks set, often quoting ‘lack of time’ as an excuse for incomplete work. Whilst I recognise that the hours after the school day can be very busy, there is an equity issue if a small number of boys in each class are not completing homework each week. To help the boys find time to complete these tasks, I would like to remind all parents of the Before School Study Room that is available to all students should time restraints be an issue in completing this work at home. Each morning, we have our dedicated tutors assisting the boys with their work in the Primary Library. I have also attached a Homework Weekly Planning Schedule to assist students in completing these tasks with greater consistency. 

Weekly Homework Planner

For further information on our Homework Policy at Marist Primary, please see below:

Homework Policy - Primary

It is the expectation that all students in the Primary complete homework and bring their Student Diary to school each day. Students with a learning need may have their homework adjusted and this will be at the discretion of the classroom teacher. 

In Primary, the emphasis is on independent learning and management of knowledge. Homework should comprise the following elements, each of which is of equal importance: 

• Weekly Literacy homework in the form of spelling, reading comprehension and language conventions
• Weekly Mathematics homework
• Nightly independent reading – 20 minutes
• Completion of any follow-up work set in a particular class that day
• Additional revision/ study for upcoming exams across all key learning areas

Should unforeseen issues arise at home, which prevents students from being able to complete homework tasks, parents are asked to advise classroom teachers by means of a note in the school diary or email. The average time spent on nightly homework in Years 5 and 6 should be between 40 – 60 minutes, inclusive of 20 minutes of reading.

Consequences in Primary for Incomplete Homework

Below is an explanation of the process that will be used in the event of homework not being completed. 

• First infringement – student is given a ‘strike’ and asked to complete the work at home and submit the next school day. If the work is still incomplete the next day, students complete their work in the Primary Library during break time upon finishing their lunch.
• Second infringement – student is given a ‘second strike’ and asked to complete the work at home and submit the next school day. If the work is still incomplete the next day, students complete their work in the Primary Library during break time upon finishing their lunch. The ‘second strike’ is communicated (via email) to parents by the classroom teacher with the Primary Learning Leader copied into the email.
• Third infringement – student is given a ‘third strike’ and asked to complete the work at a Friday detention. Classroom teacher will refer the third strike to the Primary Learning Leader who will email the parents of the child, alerting them to the third strike and providing details about the Friday detention. The Head of Primary will be copied into this email to parents. The Primary Learning Leader will ensure that the student is placed on the detention list by completing the entry in Teacher Kiosk.

MCA Bookweek Celebrations – Primary Library Staff

Next week beginning 22 July, we will be celebrating Bookweek with the boys. It is a wonderful way for us to share our love of literature. Our theme for this year is “Reading is Magical”. We are thrilled to announce our author visit for this year is Remy Lai. We have Remy’s books in our library and so many of our boys really enjoy her style of writing. Her visit is an excellent opportunity for the boys to glean some insight into the process of story writing and to enjoy engaging talks and discussions. We are especially excited to announce that the boys will be able to pre-order her new release Read at your own risk, which is not due for release until August! Information regarding this will be communicated to the boys this week. They will be able to have their copies signed by Remy after her presentation.

“Where the Wild Things Are” will have a wonderful display of their latest books for sale, including many of Remy’s books. The boys will have the opportunity to peruse the books, and compile their wish lists, which they will bring home to discuss the prospect to purchase with you. Our library receives a percentage of the purchases to buy new books for our library, which is marvellous. Fiona Stagger, the owner of the bookshop, will also be conducting a book chat with interested boys during lunch break on Tuesday.

The highlight for our week is our annual Bookweek costume parade. Please do not feel it necessary to purchase expensive pre-made costumes, as we encourage the boys to design and create their own favourite book character. You are most welcome to stay and enjoy the parade which will take place at 8:30am on Thursday in the primary under croft. 

In the library we shall have many theme-based activities for the boys to participate in and enjoy. We have been very busy creating lots of lovely things for the boys’ enjoyment. There will be quizzes, puzzles, games, and loads of fun. We shall be hosting an up-late session in our library for parents on Thursday to visit our book fair and enjoy the ambience. The library shall remain open until 6:00pm.

We are looking forward to celebrating this wonderful literary festival with your boys with the aim of stimulating and exciting them in the marvellous world of books.

Primary Sport

Mr John Lambourne – Head of Sport (Primary)

What’s On This Week

Friday, 19 July

• AIC Basketball Round 1 vs. Vilanova College
  Year 5 @ Marist
  Year 6 @ Villa

Saturday, 22 July

• AIC Tennis Round 1 vs. Vilanova College @ Marist
• AIC Rugby League Round 1 vs. Villanova College @ Marist

Tuesday, 24 July

• North West District Track and Field – 1500m @ Marist

*Please see the College app for further details

Marist College Sporting Expectations

At Marist, we often talk about being 100% Marist 100% of the time. This means that we represent our school with pride, no matter the situation. The boys are constantly reminded of the importance of representing our college with pride on the sporting field. Win, lose or draw they should do it well. In the competitive environment of schoolboy sport, this can sometimes be challenging. However, at Marist, we are known for the very high standard to which we hold ourselves. The three violets of humility, simplicity and modesty provide us with a constant reminder of the people we should be. The image below, developed by the AIC schools, also provides a reminder of the expectations for all parents and spectators. 

Track and Field

There are 4 AIC T&F meets scheduled at the end of Term 3.

• Thursday, 22 August
• Wednesday, 28 August
• Thursday, 5 September
• Wednesday, 11 September 17

AIC Championships – Thursday 3 and Friday 4 October – QSAC.

Track and Field Training

Sprints and Middle Distance

Monday and Wednesday – McMahon Oval – 3:30pm – 4:45pm

Long Jump and Hurdles

Tuesday – Athletics Precinct – 6:45am – 8:00am

Shot Put

Boys wishing to train for shot put are please asked to see Mr Lambourne

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.

Sports Training and Clashes

With the 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 impact on students’ 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 lookout 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.