Dear Primary Parents

On Friday last week, our Year 5 boys completed their NAPLAN practice tests. This session gives us an opportunity to test that all boys can access the lockdown browser and allows the boys the chance to complete practice tests similar in structure to the NAPLAN tests which are coming up for Year 5 boys in Week 8 this term.

Our Year 5 teachers have been busily preparing for these assessments and it is important that the boys do their best to prepare, without allowing themselves to get anxious about the assessments as the dates draw closer. During the practice tests on Friday, several boys asked how they might best prepare for NAPLAN over the next few weeks. I explained to the boys that, when they find themselves in a game of football, speaking publicly, battling someone across a chess board or playing a musical instrument, they need to do their best in that moment. Preparation is important but, when it comes to the task at hand, (whatever that may be) they are responsible for taking the time to put their best effort into it to achieve their best results.

I wish our Year 5 boys and teachers all the best for the weeks ahead.

Can Drive Clarification

A quick point of clarification around the Great Can Drive that is on now in our Primary School. We are seeking donations of FULL cans of soft drinks so that they may be sold on Friday at the MATES Blue and Gold Free Dress Day. I would like to thank all our families for their generosity to date in this Lenten Appeal fundraiser.

Pupil Free Day – Week 6

A reminder that there is a Staff Spirituality Day next week so, as a result, Monday 27 February will be a pupil-free day. We look forward to seeing the boys on Tuesday 28 February to start our Week 6 together.

Student/Parent Communications

All boys who bring a mobile phone to school have been asked to have their phones turned off and locked in their lockers during the day. Boys are not permitted to check their phones for text messages during school hours. If boys wish to speak with their parents during the school day, they must go to the Primary Office to see Mrs Maddox and they will be permitted to use the phone in reception to make this call. I would ask that parents do not ask their sons to check text messages and respond to them during the day. This would also include communications sent via college email. Thank you for your assistance.

Primary Mass

All Primary boys are invited to attend Mass with our community on Wednesday 1 March, starting at 8:00am. We are asking boys to be in the Primary School yard by 7:45am so that we may walk to the Chapel together to celebrate the Eucharist as a Primary School.

MATES Free Dress Friday

A reminder that this Friday, is a Blue and Gold Free Dress Day to support our Lenten Appeal. The boys will be charged $2 to wear blue and gold clothes to school on Friday and will have the opportunity to visit various food and drink stalls at Break 1. They will need funds on the monitor accounts to do this.

The following was placed in last week’s newsletter and all boys are encouraged to take part in the day’s festivities.

Friday 24 February is the annual Fundraising Day. This will be a free dress day.

Throughout Break 1 there will be food stalls and activities, this is a great opportunity for the students to be involved and show support for our fundraising efforts and our Lenten appeal.

Primary Swimming Carnival Date Confirmation

Our primary swimming carnival will be held on Friday 24 March at the College pool. I have been made aware that there is an error in the student diary which has the primary swimming carnival listed for this Friday. Please disregard this error.

Year 5 Camp

All parents of Year 5 boys will have received an email on Monday regarding our Year 5 camp. This email included an important attachment that gives more details about the camp which is coming up in Week 10 this term. Please take some time to read this letter carefully and complete all relevant sections pertaining to your son. Our Year 5 camp has proven to be a wonderful time of learning and comradery for our boys.

Primary Chess Club

We had a very successful start to our Primary Chess Club on Monday morning. The library was full of very keen and eager chess players, and we are excited about the remainder of the term for the boys in this space. Thanks to all the boys and parents who got up nice and early to get here for Chess Club.

From the Primary Pastoral Leader – Anthony Graham

Last week we introduced, “You’ve been Spotted”, a positive behaviour management initiative that rewards students for following the College’s learning expectations. On Friday we drew names out of a container and those students that were drawn received a prize. Behaviour management initiatives are often reactive, so we are hoping that this proactive approach will help students follow the behaviours and be rewarded for going above and beyond the desired expectations. We congratulate the boys below for being the lucky winners for this week’s raffle! Keep going above and beyond the College behavioural expectations to receive a raffle ticket.

Healthy Eating: Healthy eating is extremely important for boys aged 9-12 years old, as this is a critical time for growth and development. During this stage, boys experience rapid physical, emotional, and cognitive changes, and proper nutrition is crucial for support these changes. Some reasons why healthy eating is important include:

Proper growth and development: Boys in this age range are experiencing significant growth and development. Adequate nutrition is essential to support this growth and ensure that they reach their full potential.
Increased energy: A healthy diet can provide boys with the energy they need to be physically active, which is important for building strong muscles and bones and maintaining a healthy weight.
Improved mood and mental health: A healthy diet can help improve mood and reduce the risk of developing anxiety and a negative feeling about yourself.

As parents, could we please ask that you monitor your sons' lunchboxes and in particular what they are purchasing from the tuckshop.

Market Day: Next Tuesday 28 February (Year 5) and Thursday 2 March (Year 6) is the Year 9 Commerce students market day. On each respective morning, students will be able to purchase $2; $1; or 50c tokens that they can use at the market stall during first break. Tokens are purchased before school or during PC on the day that they can visit the stalls and are done so through their monitor cards (tuck-shop cards). Primary boys will head to the stalls 10 minutes earlier than the high school boys to avoid the rush. All money goes to the Lenten charity appeal.

Student absentee process: Thank you to all parents in supporting the student absentee and sign in/out process. A gentle refresher to ensure everyone is on the same page.

If your son is going to be absent for a day, will arrive late to school or be required to depart early, please notify the College in writing via the Parent Lounge accessed via the Parent Portal. The College no longer supports the absentee phone line.
1. Parent Lounge - Add Attendance Notification.pdf
For students arriving late or leaving early due to an appointment or another commitment, parents are required to sign in/out their son from primary reception. The expectation is that parents walk their child to/from the office to be signed in/out and students are reminded that if they have an appointment throughout the day, they need to go via the primary reception and not straight from the classroom.
Although not expected, parents are able to email the classroom teacher to let them know of student absentee, however, please note that it should be logged first via the Parent Lounge accessed via the Parent Portal.

Under Queensland Health guidelines, we are now required to provide increased data on student absences. The use of the parent lounge will allow you to provide more detail about your son’s absence. Many families whose children attended BCE primary schools will already be familiar with a similar system.

Brainstorm Wrap-up: Last Thursday, Year 5 students were visited by Brainstorm productions with their presentation, Sticks and Stones. Sticks and Stones is a fun and inclusive student well-being program for primary schools that reinforces positive relationships and supports vulnerable children to build confidence and social and emotional skills. The boys were actively engaged in the presentation and learnt many skills and techniques to support their understanding of cyber safety and anti-bullying.

Blue and Gold Day: On Friday, Marist College Ashgrove, together with the Marist Community, held a fundraiser for the victims of the horrific earthquake in Türkiye and Syria. The primary boys, in conjunction with the whole College, joined together in solidarity to raise funds and pray for those that have been hurt, injured, or killed as a result of the earthquake. Thank you for your support and generosity to this worthwhile cause.

From the Head of Sport (Primary) - Mr John Lambourne

Sport / Training / Music / Tutoring Clashes

At a College as busy as MCA there will inevitably be scheduling clashes.

Please be aware that coaches and coordinators are aware that this may happen and are happy to accommodate students participating in as many areas of college life as possible.

Students may alternate between sessions or may be permitted to leave training early; communication is the key to ensure that all those are made aware of what is happening.

Term 2 Sport Sign-on

Term 2 sports on offer are Rugby, Football (Soccer), Cross Country and Chess.

All students who wish to play Term 2 sports are asked to sign up via the student café. Once your son/s have signed up all parents or caregivers MUST approve the signup and edit or update any medical details. Please find below the attached guide for signing up for Extra-Curricular activities.

The above process must be completed ASAP.

Rugby and Football

All matches are played Saturday mornings, training will be one afternoon and one morning session each week.
Boys require; Jersey, shorts, and socks - available from the College Clothing Shop
Boys also require; Rugby: Boots and mouthguard and Football: Boots and shin pads.

Rugby Ready Program

Friday 24 February, 3, 10 and 17 March

Des Connor Park – Field 8

7:00am – 8:00am

Boys are required to come dressed in their Marist training shirt, Marist sport shorts Marist football socks. Boys will also require boots, a mouthguard, and a water bottle for each session.

The Rugby Ready Program involves a host of measures such as physical preparation, skill development, correct and safe techniques preparing the players for contact, enforcement of game laws, and management of safety issues such as the Scrum Passport and the “MAYDAY” call.

Whilst there are several reasons for providing such a program, a key driver is wanting to deliver to all students a safe, challenging, and enjoyable rugby union program. To develop the next generation of Marist College rugby players, we must give them the skills to approach the game with confidence and minimise the chance of injury.

Cross Country

Cross Country training begins Monday 20 February. Boys meet at the swimming pool from 6:30am for a 6:45am departure.

It is recommended that students complete two sessions per week. Students should attend one of the following:

Monday and Wednesday
Monday and Thursday
Tuesday and Thursday

This structure allows students to have a rest day between sessions and to complete different types of training.

Term 1 AIC Sport

Cricket

AFL

Swimming

MCA Primary Swim Squad training sessions continue Monday and Wednesday afternoons throughout Term 1, 3:30pm – 4:30pm. These sessions are open to all boys; boys attending for fitness training and boys wishing to qualify for the AIC Swimming Team. 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
Short Flippers
Mesh Bag

Year 5 and 6 MCA Swim Squad Training Timetable Term 1

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
3:20pm – 4:30pm		3:20pm – 4:30pm		AIC Swim Meets

For further details please contact: swim@marash.qld.edu.au

AIC Age Championships

Friday 24 February – Marist College Ashgrove

AIC Swim meets are open to all students who wish to qualify for the AIC Swimming Championships, to be held, Week 7. AIC Swim meets are run as time trials/selection meets

AIC Championships, Tuesday, 7 March

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.

New MCA App