Primary News

Mr Liam Beatty

Despite the two short school weeks, we have certainly had a busy and exciting start to Term 2 in the Primary School. On Wednesday we celebrated our Primary Community Mass, which culminated with the presentation of our Love of Work and Men of Courage Award recipients from Term 2, this was then followed by the presentation of our Primary Student Leaders at the College Assembly. On Friday our Year 6 students participated in a full-day leadership camp to Emu Gully, many thanks to Mr Michael Connolly (Pastoral Leader) for his organisation of the day and to our Year 6 teachers (Chris Bathersby, Therese Taylor, Zac Woodward, John Lamborne, James Furminger and Jen Little) for ensuring the boys got the most out of the experience. More details about each of these events can be found below.

Parent-Teacher Interviews

Thank you to everyone for their engagement in our Parent Teacher Interviews over the past two weeks. These conversations are an important part of the feedback process for the boys and their learning and having parents involved certainly provides a strong connection between home and school. A particular thank you to all our teachers who conducted these interviews both in-person and online late into the evenings.

Mass

The Primary School is invited to lead Mass in The Chapel each term and last Wednesday morning we gathered together for the Feast of St Peter Chanel. This is a day of particular importance to us as Marists, as Saint Peter Chanel was a Marist martyr and the now Patron Saint Oceania. The theme for our celebration was Growth and it provided a timely reminder of the growth that each and every boy in the Primary has shown this year.

Men of Courage and Love of Work Awards

At the conclusion of our Mass on Wednesday, we had an opportunity to present our Men of Courage and Love of Work Awards from Term 1. Unfortunately, due to COVID restrictions and The Chapel’s capacity, we were not able to invite parents to this presentation. However, a recording of the award presentation can be found here.

Special congratulations go to the following boys who received these awards:

Year 5 Award Winners
Year 6 Award Winners
Year 5 Award Winners
Year 6 Award Winners

Men of Courage - Year 5

  • Berrick Barlow
  • Oliver Ve
  • James Burt
  • Nick Steffens
  • Lewis Neighbour

Men of Courage - Year 6

  • Darcy Mahoney
  • Charlie Cook
  • Caleb Van Coevorden
  • Fletcher Byrnes
  • Max McBride

Love of Work - Year 5

  • Christian Manning
  • Charlie Kelly
  • Oliver Blakemore
  • Will Webster
  • Billy Dunn

Love of Work - Year 6

  • Luca Bordignon
  • Julian Cassar
  • Marshall Hair
  • Connor Campbell
  • Charlie Turnbull

Primary Student Leaders

Congratulations to the following boys who were presented as our 2021 Primary Student Leaders at our College Assembly last week. 

  • Hamish Ansell
  • Clancy Barrett
  • Connor Campbell
  • Harry Cootes
  • Harry McAuliffe

In this role the boys will provide leadership to their peers and ensure that our strong Marist spirit is alive across our fantastic College. I would like to thank ALL the boys in Year 6 who pushed themselves out of their comfort zone and put forward their application for these roles, in doing so they certainly acted courageously. The future of Ashgrove is in safe hands and I know they all will continue to lead their peers now and as they journey through the College. I would also like to thank Mr Michael Connolly (Primary Pastoral Leader) who has been the driving force behind this initiative for some time.

Year 5 Camp

All Year 5 parents and guardians would have received information regarding Year 5 camp that will take place from Wednesday 26 May to Friday 28 May (Term 2, Week 6). Please access the ParentLounge to give permission for your son to attend the camp. To assist us with planning, we ask that this is done by Friday 7 May. In the ParentLounge you will also be asked to confirm your son's medical details and add any dietary requirements.

If you would be interested in attending the camp as a parent volunteer, please complete the electronic form located here by Tuesday 4 May. Parents who are chosen to attend will be notified by Thursday 6 May and will be required to attend a camp information meeting prior to departing for camp.

NAPLAN

As you would be aware, our Year 5 students will take part in NAPLAN Tests next week. Each boy is encouraged to perform to the best of his ability in these tests and, as a College, we value the information these tests provide regarding each boy’s literacy and numeracy capabilities. Please assist your son with his preparation next week by ensuring he has his fully-charged learning device, compatible headphones, and has had a substantial breakfast as he arrives at school each day. We will also be providing students with a light snack in the Primary Quadrangle each morning. I take this opportunity to thank our Year 5 teachers (Matt Jones, Michael Connolly, Cath Geraghty, Rachelle Garton, Peta Earley and Bas Pelly) for their efforts in preparing our boys for this experience, and Jen Little (Primary Learning Leader) for leading and coordinating the NAPLAN tests for the Primary.

Public Speaking and Debating Competition

Best wishes to the Year 5 and 6 students participating in the Primary Public Speaking and Debating competition that commences this Tuesday evening at 6:30pm at St Laurence’s College, South Brisbane. The competition will run for three rounds and provides an excellent opportunity for our Year 5 (Public Speaking) and Year 6 (Debating) to develop these life-long skills as they compete against students from Ambrose Treacy College, Padua College and St Laurence’s. Many thanks to Mrs Robyn Brown and Mrs Rachelle Garton for preparing and organising our boys for this opportunity. 

QDU Debating

In addition to the opportunity above, we are currently seeking teams of enthusiastic and committed boys who would like to hone skills in the areas of research, effective communication and organisation for our Year 5 & 6 QDU Debating Teams.  The competition involves lunchtime meetings, argument preparation at home and four evening debates throughout the year. The debate schedule is yet to be confirmed but they generally run on Tuesday/Wednesday evenings in Terms 3 and 4 at Ambrose Treacy College.

 

If you think your son may be interested in this opportunity, please have a conversation with him and tell him to see Mrs Brown and Mrs Garton on Thursday morning after assembly. 

From the Pastoral Leader – Mr Michael Connolly

Emu Gully Trip 2021

Last Friday, our Year 6 boys and staff visited Emu Gully at Helidon. During the day, the boys took part in numerous outdoor activities that were designed to develop teamwork, challenge the boys to do their personal best and most importantly, encourage the boys to push themselves out of their comfort zones.  The staff who attended were very proud of the boys for the way they responded to the challenges thrown at them throughout the day. The boys certainly acted courageously many times during the day and the displays of mateship under pressure that many of the boys displayed was wonderful to see.

It is now up to the boys to take the learnings from Emu Gully back to Marist College and use them to make our Primary community an even better place than it is at present. I trust you have heard many stories about the activities that the boys were involved in, but I would ask that you try and find some time to ask your son about the day and what he has taken away from it.

 

Neat and Tidy Uniforms

At our Primary School Assembly last week, I asked the boys to ensure that their uniform stays neat and tidy, not only whilst they are at school, but on their journey to and from school as well. I asked them to make the Primary School boys an example for the rest of the College to follow.  A neat uniform is often a reflection of the pride that the boys have in their school and I know our boys are proud of being young Marist men. I requested that the socks are up, and the shirts are tucked in for the entire time that they are wearing the College uniform.  I know they will do a great job with this.   

 

Haircuts

A quick reminder that the boys are not to have a fringe that hangs down over their eyes when brushed forward and there should be no great variations of hair length on the different parts of their heads.  In addition, a blade 3 is the shortest cut that is acceptable in the Primary School.  All boys have been reminded of this at our most recent assembly.  Thank you for your assistance with this matter. 

 

Walkathon

Just over a month until the 2021 Walkathon is up and running (or walking?). The boys should have received their Walkathon cards and, you may notice that there are some changes in the way the fundraiser is structured this year. This will all be explained to the boys over the coming weeks. There are also some great individual and class incentives built into the program this year and I will be encouraging the boys to do their best to support the Walkathon.  It is an expectation that all students attend the Walkathon on Sunday 6 June.

Sport Update – Mr John Lambourne

Student Responsibilities to Sport

A reminder that every boy who represents Marist College Ashgrove is expected to uphold the highest standards of behaviour…

 

Taken from the Primary School Sports Handbook

RESPECT your opponent, coach, officials, spectators and the rules of the game. Good sportsmanship should be reflected by playing the game in the ‘spirit of the game’. This includes shaking your opponent’s hand at the conclusion of games/races/meets. Respect of College facilities and equipment as per directions given by a member of the College Sporting program is also paramount.

 

Foul and inappropriate language will not be tolerated on or off the field.

 

Term 2 Sport

Results and Around the Grounds

 

Term 2 Training Schedules

 

AIC Cross Country

The AIC Cross Country Championships will be held in Term 2, Week 7, the boys must begin to focus on their cross-country training over the final few weeks.

 

Term 2 Training Schedule

6:30am for a 6:45am start.

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Training A

Training A

Training B

Training B

No Training Years 5&6 

Park Run

Meet at the pool

Meet at the John Eales Grandstand

 

 

Boys are encouraged to attend at least two sessions per week, 1 A session and 1 B session. 

Term 3 Sport

AIC Tennis

An invitation from MCA Tennis for all players wanting to represent the school in this year's AIC championship.

 

Trials will be beginning a little earlier this year so we can work more as a team and also get in time on court with coaches. 

 

PLEASE REGISTER YOUR ATTENDANCE BY EMAILING MCA TENNIS.

MCATennis@marash.qld.edu.au

 

Please note that attendance is required for all 3 sessions.

 

This gives the coaches the best opportunity to grade students correctly.

 

The following are times allocated for trials and this was based on availability and clashing of Term 2 sports.

 

Year 5         Thur 3.30pm-5pm             6, 13, 20 May

Year 6         Fri   6.30am-8:00am         7, 14, 21 May

 

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 smartphone. This app will be used weekly to inform you of sporting fixtures, cancellations and bus arrival information.

 

Primary Sport Photos