Primary School News
Mr Michael Connolly, Head of Primary School
Dear Primary Parents
Recently, we have begun the enrolment interview process for students who wish to attend Marist College in Year 5, 2025. I am sure that every parent currently in our primary community can remember back to when they were attending these interviews with their son, juggling a mixture of nervousness with excitement as the big day arrived.
With the process well and truly up and running for this year, two things still stand out for me as I continue to interview the latest group of prospective students and their parents. Firstly, it always strikes me how young the boys are and what a great job they do of answering the questions I pose as best as they can. Most of the boys involved in these interviews are currently in Year Three. Most follow a certain script but there are always some who, once they relax and start to feel comfortable, are more than happy to explain to me why the tuckshop and sport are the two main reasons for them wanting to come to Marist College, rather than their academic or cultural pursuits. It is at this point that the parents present usually start to look a little more nervous than the student!
The second aspect I reflect on during these interviews is just how quickly our current students have changed since they too were involved in this process. I can vividly remember interviewing some of our Year 6 boys almost three years ago, and to see them now, as the leaders of our Primary School, I am reminded of just how quickly time flies by, as they journey through the college. Perhaps the takeaway from this is to cherish every opportunity presented and to give 100% effort to these opportunities. Whether that be schoolwork, sports, cultural opportunities or the opportunity to make lifelong friends in the Primary School, I encourage all the boys to put their best foot forward to make the most of their time here with us.
Have a great week
QDU Debating Competition – Year 6
Ms Robyn Brown - Primary School Debating Coordinator
Thursday evening concluded the first round of the QDU Debating Competition held at St Peter’s Lutheran College. Both teams argued the negative for “That the government should pay children pocket money”. The teams provided convincing and challenging points to the argument, and their ability to listen intently to the opposition and respond with strong rebuttals was evident. The boys were focused and committed and should be very proud of their efforts.
- 6.1 consisting of Xavier Hunter, Adu Sudheesh, Jack Donohue and James Phelan were successful in defeating St Peter’s Lutheran College.
- 6.2 consisting of Tristan Krueger, Isaac Nicholson, Wyatt Castleman and Jordan Stankoski lost their debate to St Joseph’s CPS.
Well done gentlemen!
Primary Sport
Mr John Lambourne – Head of Sport (Primary)
Term 3 AIC Sport
Basketball
Primary Internal Basketball
Open to all Primary boys not competing in AIC Basketball.
4 on 4 competition on Friday afternoons on the multi-purpose/outdoor courts.
Boys can select their own teams of 4, 5 or 6, or turn up on the day and be allocated to teams.
Dates: Fridays 28 July, 4, 11, 25 August
Time: 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Location: Multi-purpose / Outdoor Courts
Uniform: Primary Sports Uniform
Tennis
Year 6 / Year 5
Tuesday – Marist Tennis Centre – 6:45am – 8:15am
Wednesday – Marist Tennis Centre – 3:30pm – 5:00pm
Rugby League
Year 6
Thursday & Friday – Hayden Oval – 7:15am – 8:15am
Year 5
Tuesday – Hayden Oval – 3:30pm – 4:45pm
Thursday – Hayden Oval – 7:15am – 8:15am
Track and Field
There are 4 AIC T&F meets scheduled at the end of Term 3.
- Thursday, August 24
- Wednesday, August 30
- Thursday, September 7
- Wednesday, September 17
AIC Championships – Thursday, 5 and Friday, 6 October – QSAC.
Track and Field Training
Sprints and Middle Distance
Monday and Wednesday – McMahon Oval – 3:30 – 4:45pm
Long Jump and Hurdles
Tuesday – Athletics Precinct – 6:45 – 8:00am
Shot Put
Friday – Hayden Oval – Break 1
Boys wishing to be considered for AIC selection should also be aware that there will be training and meets conducted over the Term 3 holidays.
College App
Please ensure that you download the College App. This app will be used weekly to inform you of sporting fixtures, cancellations, and bus arrival information.
Pick-up Arrangements - “Plan B”
It is important that you are aware of your son’s pick-up procedure if sports training is cancelled or if you are running late. As soon as a decision is made to cancel a sporting fixture or training, a message is placed on the College app. If training is cancelled boys can remain in the primary school or walk to an arranged pick-up point when the time arrives. Sport training sessions finish normally finish by 4:45pm. We ask that boys are picked up at this time, or soon after. Any boy who is still at their training venue at 5:00pm will be directed to the Boarding Reception area so that he may be collected from there. In the case of bus arrivals, boys will be sent to Boarding Reception 15 minutes after the arrival time of the bus.
Sports Photographs
We are always on the lookout for photos and action shots to be used for the Blue and 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.
