Primary School News

Dear Parents,

As we enter the holiday period for the students, I would like to thank them for all the hard work that they have put in to achieve their Term 2 results. I trust that they have given everything that they have attempted their very best effort, and they are proud of these results. I wish all boys and their families a safe and enjoyable time away from school and hope that some time is found to slow down and relax. Marist College is a busy place for our boys and parents, and it is important that opportunities for slowing down are found and taken. For some boys, it is inevitable that they will spend more time on their devices during the break. Extra vigilance may be necessary to ensure that the boys are taking technology-free breaks during prolonged periods of time online. 

I look forward to seeing everyone again next term after a well-earned break. 

St Rita’s Visit

Last Wednesday, a group of Marist boys travelled to St Rita’s College to play some games of chess and share lunch with the girls from Years 5 and 6. It was a wonderful opportunity for some of our boys to interact with students from a different school and an enjoyable morning was had by all. This visit was very much a pilot experience for future visits between the two schools and we are already looking at a larger group of girls from St Rita’s College visiting Marist College in Term 3 to take part in a sports afternoon with our boys. It is so important that our boys are presented with opportunities to socialise with girls from other schools as they continue their Marist journey. More information will be shared about future opportunities next term.

Student Assistant Head of Primary

Congratulations to Harrison Fowler who raised the highest total for our Walkathon and, in doing so, earned the right to be our Assistant Head of Primary for the day. Harrison was kept busy helping with lots of jobs and even taking the microphone at our after-lunch assembly to give the boys a few instructions. Harrison also wrote an article for this newsletter which I have copied below. Well done to Harrison on a great all-around effort!   

This term has been amazing. Whether your highlight was the Walkathon, the Year 5 Band and Strings Concert or Champagnat Day, this term has been great. Now on to the holidays! I know all the boys will be looking forward to the school holidays if they are anything like me. Fun times like going to the park with mates, heading to the beach or catching up with family relaxing around the campfire are just around the corner. I know all the boys, teachers and staff will be looking forward to that, I mean who wouldn’t? I hope you all have a fun and safe holiday and remember to always wear a helmet when riding a bike. I can’t wait to see you all in your formal uniform in Term 3. Harrison Fowler 

Final Assembly

Today we had the opportunity to present our very special Champagnat Awards to one student from each class. These awards are presented to students who live the qualities that Saint Marcellin Champagnat has here in our Primary School community. It is always a very difficult decision for our teachers to make and I would like to congratulate the following boys who were our recipients of the 2023 Champagnat Awards.

Departing Staff Member

This week, we say farewell to Mr Shane Wheeler as he heads south to take up a boarding position at Assumption College, Kilmore in Victoria. Shane has done a wonderful job here in the Primary School since joining us in 2022 and we are going to miss his dedication to the boys in 6 Gold particularly. We thank Shane and wish him and his young family every success as they continue their Marist journey in Kilmore.

Mr Anthony Graham – Primary Pastoral Leader

Haircuts

A reminder to all boys to use the time over the holidays to ensure that they have the correct haircut for Term 3. A reminder about haircuts:

• Nothing lower than a blade 3.
• No obvious changes in length – fades, undercuts etc.
• When brushed forward, hair can’t go below the eyes.
• No tracks or mullet cuts.

Thank you for your understanding with this. Looking forward to seeing the boys dressed in their formal uniform and professional haircuts come Term 3.

Semester Awards

We congratulate the following students who have been recipients of either a Men of Courage or Love of Work award over the Semester. These students have displayed the traits and attributes of what it means to be a Marist man. We congratulate them for all of their work! 

Men of Courage - Tuesday 16 May

Love of Work - Tuesday 16 May

Men of Courage - Friday 31 March

Love of Work - Friday 31 March

Men of Courage - Thursday 2 March

Love of Work - Thursday 2 March

TrickShot Challenge

To keep students engaged in the holidays and to take them away from the screen, we have an exciting competition for the boys to compete in over the holiday break. Trickshot Challenge provides students with the opportunity to creatively video themselves kicking a football into the goal; throwing a basketball backwards into a hoop; or even bouncing a Ping-Pong ball across the house into a cup. The more creative, the better! See the poster below for all the details.