Primary School News

I hope that all Primary School families managed to get through the recent wet weather unscathed and are ready to commence Week 4 together here in the Primary School. This week, we reflect on Family Spirit, one of our Marist Pillars of Spirituality. When I spoke with the boys on assembly last week, I reminded them that families take care of each other, in good times, and in hard times. During our remaining five weeks together in the Primary School, I have asked every boy to take care of those around him. We are all members of the Marist Family here at Marist College Ashgrove and we have a duty to those around us to treat them with respect and to care for them as our Marist family members.  I would like to thank all our MCA families who continue to encourage their sons to finish the year off well and to do their very best for themselves and for others here in the Primary School.

Safe on Social

I had the good fortune of attending a presentation by Kirra Pendergast as part of the College’s Day for Daniel initiatives last week. Kirra’s presentation was excellent and was titled ‘Safe on Social’. Kirra covered many topics that were relevant to our Year 6 classes who were invited to attend this session in the Draney Theatre.  I am sure that many of our boys had their eyes opened to some of the latest trends and possible dangers of being on social media.  

There were several points that I took away from the presentation that I would like to share with you here:

• It was evident that many of our boys are using social media platforms that they are too young to access. As the minimum age for Instagram and Tik Tok usage is 13 years, no boys in the Primary School should have these apps on their phones or devices. It was apparent from their responses that many of our boys do have these apps on their phones.
• I was also concerned at the number of boys that have an internet connected device in their bedrooms when they go to bed each night. Almost half the year group indicated that they have internet enabled phones and devices in their bedrooms at night. Kirra spoke about the possible dangers and health implications of accessing online content late at night.
• An unmonitored mobile phone, in the hands of Primary School aged children, can have serious consequences through very little fault of the child. 
• Kirra suggested that, if there was one app that the boys should delete because of the potential dangers it represents to them, it is Tik Tok. 

Please view the presentation here:

High Achievers Afternoon Tea

On Friday afternoon, a group of Year 5 and 6 boys attended an Afternoon Tea in the Tower Function Room hosted by the Academic Care Team. These boys achieved a GPA of 13 or more on their Term 3 report and were congratulated on this achievement. The boys were encouraged to continue their efforts for the remainder of this term and strive for their best in the future. I look forward to many more boys being invited to these events as just a reward for their hard work and determination.

Year 6 Beach Trip Helpers

By now, all Year 6 families should have received details of our Year 6 Beach Trip and hopefully granted permission for the boys to attend. Please note that, for the trip to go ahead, we require two parents per class to attend the day. If you would like to come along to this wonderful outing, please email your son’s class teacher directly. 

Mrs Kylie Tippins – Acting Primary Pastoral Leader

For those who don’t know me, my name is Kylie Tippins and I am excited to be working with our Year 5 and 6 students, as Acting Primary Pastoral Leader, for the next 5 weeks. During this time, I will also be continuing with my role as Support Teacher Inclusive Education. 

Today, as I walked through the quad I was reminded of what a very special group of young men we have here. Listening to the boys talk, telling me stories, and asking how my weekend was were many of the conversations I had with your sons.  I’m looking forward to continuing these conversations and building connections with our students.

With only a few weeks left in the year, it is timely that the boys are reminded to continue to follow our school’s behavioural expectations.  It is too easy to let the standards slide and to forget to put in that effort.  Also, exams and assessments will be quickly on our students, so it is important to remind them that it is only through hard work and persistence that academic goals are reached.

Year 10 Peer Mentoring

This week and next, our Year 6 boys will be participating in peer mentoring sessions where they sit with year 10 students and talk about what high school looks like, and goals they can make for a successful transition into Year 7.  Please take some time to ask your sons about these meaningful sessions.

Primary Sport - Mr John Lambourne

Term 1 2023 AIC Team Sports

Sport Sign on for Term 1 2023 is now open and will close 1 November.

Sport Sign on is accessed through the Parent Lounge. 

Please remember to select "Submit to School" to ensure that the sign on is submitted. This may not be visible on some mobile devices, in which case sign-on will need to be completed via a desktop device.

The Term 1 2023 sports on offer are Cricket, AFL and Volleyball (Year 7 2023 ONLY).

Term 4 Trial Schedule

Extra-Curricular Parent Lounge Guide

AIC Touch Invitational

Marist nominated three teams to play in the annual AIC Touch Invitational Tournament. The boys competed in a combined Year 5 / Year 6 competition which was split into two pools of 6. There was some very tough opposition with a number of colleges playing in regular season touch competitions.

Year 6 Blue won all of their pool games, winning through to the final, where they were defeated by a very talented Iona side. While the other teams did not enjoy the same level of success it was a fun day out and a great learning experience for all.

Term 4 Swimming

MCA Swim Squad training sessions continue Monday and Wednesday afternoons 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 2022. 

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

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

Year 5 and 6 (2023) MCA Swim Squad Training Timetable Term 4 

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.