Primary School News

Reflecting to Move Forward 

Welcome back to the first week of a very busy term for everyone here in the Primary School. As many of you will have read in the Head of College’s final newsletter article last term, Term 4 will be my final term here at this amazing college. As Michael Newman explained in his announcement, I have been involved in Catholic education since 1986, and I now leave the profession to take up new challenges in 2026. This college has been a huge part of my life, and I have no doubt that I am who I am, thanks largely to coming to this school every day. The last 22 years at Marist College Ashgrove have been a wonderful journey where so many friendships and connections have been made. I look forward to seeing many of you before the year ends and wish all members of our Primary Community a peaceful and fulfilling Term 4. 

I would like to share some thoughts that Fr Alatini read to the boys during his homily at the Year 5 Mass in Week 10 last term. These messages are very pertinent for our boys as we embark on our final term together. 

Today we heard Jesus talking about love in the Gospel from Matthew. But Jesus’ message is a bit more challenging; he is saying that loving people who are easy to love – like our friends or our parents – is only half the job. The biggest challenge is loving the people who are HARD to love. Perhaps it is being patient with the people who annoy us or maybe being friendly to people who don’t include us in their games or conversation. What Jesus reminds us of is that God loves EVERYONE, not just the friendly, helpful, compassionate people. God loves us all. God sends the rain to fall and the sun to shine on everyone.  

It takes courage and humility, but that is what we are aiming for: to love others without expecting anything in return. To help others without needing a reward or praise. To be upstanders and not bystanders.  

I would like to thank Father Alatini for sharing his wisdom with us. 

So, let’s start this term well - let’s love with courageous hearts, remembering that God loves us no matter what. 

There are some date claimers below. Please take some time to take note of these important dates over the next eight weeks.  

• AIC Track and Field Championships – Thursday, 9 October and Friday, 10 October  
• Marist Awards Night – Monday, 13 October  
• Year 6 Mass - Wednesday, 15 October  
• QDU Debating – Thursday, 16 October  
• Day for Daniel - Friday, 24 October  
• Primary Mid Term Assembly – Tuesday, 4 November  
• Drama Concerts – Friday, 5 November 
• Year 5 Band and Strings Concert – Thursday, 13 November 
• Year 12 Graduation – Friday, 21 November  
• Year 6 Graduation Mass – Wednesday, 26 November 
• Year 5 and 6 Fun Day – Thursday, 27 November  
• Final Day for Students – Friday, 28 November 

Primary Pastoral Leader – Anthony Graham

Welcome back to what promises to be an exciting and rewarding Term 4! I hope all our boys and families enjoyed a restful break and are ready for the final stretch of the school year. 

As a proud supporter of both the Brisbane Broncos and the Brisbane Lions, it was hard not to be inspired by their recent triumphs. Both teams faced their fair share of challenges throughout the season - moments of doubt, injury setbacks, and tough losses but their ability to regroup, refocus, and continue striving toward a shared goal was remarkable. Their success was not built on individual brilliance alone, but on resilience, belief, and teamwork.

In many ways, these qualities reflect what we value here at Marist. The determination to keep going when things get tough, to support one another, and to stay united in pursuit of a common goal are all qualities we aim to nurture in our boys. As we begin this final term, I encourage our students to approach their learning, friendships, and challenges with the same spirit of perseverance and commitment. Great things happen when we don’t give up - when we keep showing up, keep trying, and keep believing in ourselves and each other. 

Here’s to a strong and positive finish to the year ahead! 

Year 6 Pastoral Focus: Transitioning to 2026 

For our Year 6 students, Term 4 is an important time for transition and preparation for 2026. The boys will be supported in setting themselves up for success as they move into Secondary School, with several key opportunities planned: 

• Tuesday 28 October: Students will discover their new House for 2026 and meet their Head of House. 
• Thursday 6 November: Boys will spend the afternoon with their House group and the 2026 House Leaders. 
• Tuesday 11 November: Students will experience a Secondary-style pastoral care session, including time in pastoral classrooms, learning about lockers, House assemblies, and the routines and expectations of Year 7. 

These experiences are designed to build confidence, familiarity, and leadership as our Year 6 boys step into the next stage of their Marist journey. 

Year 5 Pastoral Focus: Safety and Leadership 

This term, Year 5 students will focus on safety, with a particular emphasis on online safety. The boys will explore the implications of cyberbullying, learn strategies to protect themselves, and understand how to take action to support others and stay safe in digital spaces. 

In addition, next Tuesday, 14 October, the boys will be introduced to the Year 6 leadership process and what it means to be a leader at Marist in 2026. Following this session, students will have the opportunity to submit a handwritten, one-page leadership application, with more details shared during the session. 

Through these activities, we aim to nurture responsibility, awareness, and resilience, helping our Year 5 boys grow as thoughtful, capable, and caring members of the Marist community. 

Term 4 Summer Uniform 

A quick reminder as the warmer weather returns: Term 4 is our summer uniform term. As outlined in the Primary Handbook (pictured below), boys are to wear shorts during this time. With the temperatures heating up and plenty of outdoor play and activity, summer uniform ensures the boys stay comfortable while still looking neat and representing the College with pride. 

Primary Learning Leader – Jen Little 

Welcome back! I hope the holiday break was a restful and refreshing time for all families. The holiday period provided a valuable opportunity for students to reflect on their academic efforts to date and to consider whether their performance met, exceeded, or fell short of expectations. 

By now, you will have had the opportunity to review your child’s subject grades and teacher feedback from Term 3. This feedback offers a snapshot of their progress across core subjects. Ideally, these reports have led to constructive conversations at home about setting meaningful goals for continued improvement this semester. 

Some students may have already taken the initiative to update their academic profile spreadsheets—tools developed with their teachers in class. If your child hasn’t yet done so, they are strongly encouraged to take this step, as it will help them track their learning and support effective goal setting for Term 4. 

As always, Term 4 is both short and busy. I’d like to take this opportunity to remind you of the many additional learning supports available to our Primary boys: 

• Supervised Morning Study: Held each morning from 8:00–8:30am. 
• OneNote Resources: A wide range of teacher-provided materials, including videos and revision tasks. 
• Library Guides: Additional reading and resources tailored to each core subject area. 
• After School Study and Homework Support: Available in the Senior Library from Monday to Thursday. 

We encourage all students to make the most of these opportunities as they work towards finishing the year strong. 

Year 6 Supervised Study Sessions  

Towards the end of last term, all Year 6 parents were sent an email inviting them to register their child for the supervised Study Sessions taking place on Monday afternoons in Weeks 3 and 4 of this term. These sessions form part of our broader strategy to support students in their transition to Secondary School, which is fast approaching. 

Students who attended the Study Skills Presentation in Term 3 will be expected to come prepared with their own study resources for these sessions. For those who were unable to attend the evening presentation, an abridged version will be delivered during the same Monday sessions, as outlined in the original email.   To assist with planning and resourcing these afternoons, we ask that you complete the sign-on form (linked below) if you would like your child to participate.  

Those who did attend the Year 6 Study Skills Evening, please complete this form: https://forms.office.com/Pages/DesignPageV2.aspx?lang=en-AU&subpage=design&FormId=yftpuk5EHUacSDn17aQeekVxJfH7XftJk4p0H_jFIkNUMDJTRDlXVDRPVUY4M1JIVlY2V1NHMEw0MS4u&Token=a7bd49c567c2443483567d3b26cec0e4 

Those who did not attend the Year 6 Study Skills Evening, please complete this form: https://forms.office.com/Pages/DesignPageV2.aspx?lang=en-AU&subpage=design&FormId=yftpuk5EHUacSDn17aQeekVxJfH7XftJk4p0H_jFIkNURFcxV0k3V1VBR09CRE0xSDI0Qjc3RDUxUS4u&Token=04639cca5b304123818c0b9f391e0b6f 

The sign-on forms will close on Friday, 10 October at 3:00pm.

Primary Sport Update

Mr John Lambourne (Head of Sport – Primary)

AIC Track & Field Championships

Thursday & Friday, 9 & 10 October

Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the boys who participated in the Marist Primary Track & Field season 2025. The continued success of the program is a direct result of the commitment and enthusiasm shown by all involved.

To those who were not selected in the final team, I encourage you not to be disheartened. Instead, view this as motivation to continue developing your skills, working hard, and striving for selection in future seasons. If history tells us anything it is that this opportunity is never your last and that there will be many opportunities to come.

Congratulations to the following boys who have been selected to represent the College at this week’s AIC Track & Field Championships. Many of these boys gave up their holiday time to continue with their preparations. We wish these boys all the best.

Term 4 Swimming

Marist Primary Swim Squad training sessions will recommence Wednesday, 15 October and will continue throughout Term 4. These sessions are open to all boys, boys wishing to qualify for the AIC Swimming Team, and boys attending for fitness training; there is no obligation to attend AIC meets in Term 1 2026.

Year 5 (2026): Training starts on Wednesday, 15 October, and will continue Wednesday, 22 October and Wednesday, 29 October and then Monday and Wednesday afternoons, from Monday, 2 November for the remainder of Term 4.

Year 6 (2026): Training begins on Wednesday, 15 October, with sessions on Wednesday (PM) and Friday (AM).

Marist Primary Swim Squad Training Timetable Term 4 2025

Boys attending these sessions will need to bring the following equipment.

• Goggles
• Kickboard
• Pull Buoy
• Short Flippers 
• Mesh Bag

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