Primary News

At last week's mid-term assembly, we came together as a Primary group to recognise students in our community with Men of Courage and Love of Work Awards. In presenting these special awards, we always make sure that each student's citation is read aloud to their peers. Doing so allows others to gain an even stronger understanding of the great Marist qualities the recipients have demonstrated and encourages them to do the same.

Our prayer for the morning challenged us to strengthen our relationship with God during this special season of Lent. The boys reflected that: 

As Marists…. WE CAN PRAY

As Marists…. WE CAN STOP AND THINK 

As Marists…. WE CAN GO AND HELP 

With this in mind, we have an exciting opportunity for us to go and help’ through our Primary Lenten Fundraiser, the Easter Raffle. 

We are inviting our Primary families to donate a variety of chocolates that will be collected into hampers and raffled off to raise money for Marist Solidarity. We ask that all donations are sent to the Primary Reception by Friday 12 March. Raffle tickets will then be sold in the lead up to the end of Term 1, with the draw to take place in Week 10. 

Student Devices

We are fortunate that every student in the Primary has access to a device to assist them with their learning. At the beginning of this term, students and parents completed the ICT Device Agreement, which outlines the students' expectations when using their device. This morning I spoke with all Year 6 students about the additional responsibilities they have since being given the privilege of taking their devices home. They were reminded that the device is owned by the school and, as such, must be used only for school work. As Year 6 students get into the routine of taking their devices to and from school, I encourage you to have conversations with them about the learning they are doing on their device.

Furthermore, it is also important that you establish clear guidelines around using the device in your home. This may include: Where will the device be used? What times will it be used between? What routines are in place for packing, unpacking and charging the device? And conversations around digital citizenship.

Clean Up Australia Day

On Friday, 5 March, Marist College Ashgrove will participate in School’s Clean Up Australia Day. This is the 31st anniversary of the event, and their manifesto is to “inspire and empower communities to clean up, fix up and conserve our environment.” Boys in the Primary school are invited to attend the event from 3.30 pm -4.45 pm at the creek at the back of the College. Interested students have been asked to sign up, and a permission form will be available on the Parent Portal tomorrow. Should you have any questions, please contact Kathryn Badini. 

Pastoral Update – Mr Michael Connolly

Primary Student Leaders 

I have been fortunate to spend some time in each Year 6 classroom over the past week discussing the Primary Leadership model that we will implement this year.  The first step in the process is for the boys to register their interest in becoming a student leader. They can do this by writing their name on the clipboard in the Primary Office.  Boys who register will be invited to a Leadership Retreat afternoon in Week 7 and from there, will be asked to apply for a leadership position in the Primary School.   

I will send home more information for those boys who attend the Leadership Retreat in Week 7. 

Teamwork in Year 6 

The Year 6 classes spent some time last week learning about Teamwork. We defined Teamwork as ‘working together to achieve a common goal’, and the boys engaged in a fun activity that required them to work together to build a tower made of pasta. Most teams achieved their goal, and all boys had the opportunity to reflect on their performance after the activity.      

Haircut Reminder 

I would like to remind all parents that boys should not be getting haircuts that result in half the head shaved down to a blade three and the other half kept at a considerably longer length. If you are unsure of what is required, please refer to the College Diary or ask for a standard College cut for your son when he next requires a haircut. 

Reoccurring Primary Activities – Term 1

Sport Update

AFL Round 5 vs Padua

Cricket Round 5 vs Iona

Years 5&6 Results - Term 1 Results 2021

Achievements

Congratulations to Zaiden Cook (5G), Tex Higginbotham (5B), Nick Osborn (5W), Lincoln  Ryan (6G), who have been selected to represent Met North at the Queensland School Sport State Swimming Championships, to be held 22-24 March.

AIC Swimming Championships

Congratulations to all swimmers who were part of the Marist College Ashgrove Swimming Team for the AIC Championships held on Friday.

Special thanks to all the boys for their hard work, coaches Damian Bromley and James Boyce, as well as the staff coaches, and to Swimming Coordinator Cath Geraghty.

First Place Getters

Year 5

• 4 x 50m Medley Relay (AIC Record)
• Nick Osborn – 100m Freestyle (AIC Record)
• Nick Osborn – Div. 2 – 50m Breaststroke (AIC Record)
• Tex Higginbotham – Div. 1 – 50m Breaststroke
• Jack Davis – Div. 7 – 50m Freestyle
• Zaiden Cook – Div. 3 – 50m Freestyle
• Tom Novac – Div. 2 – 50m Freestyle
• Tex Higginbotham – Div. 1 – 50m Freestyle (AIC Record)
• Nick Osborn – Div. 2 – 50m Backstroke
• Tex Higginbotham – Div. 1 – 50m Backstroke (AIC Record)
• Tex Higginbotham – Div. 2 – 50m Butterfly
• Nick Osborn – Div. 1 – 50m Butterfly
• Div. 1 – 4 x 50m Freestyle Relay (AIC Record)

Results

Term 2 Sport Sign-On 

There have been a number of teething issues with the online sports sign-on, please accept my apologies for any confusion that this may have caused. This is the first time the College is using this system. I appreciate your understanding as it is a learning experience for all of us. Nominations will be updated this week, please rest assured that no boy will miss out.

• Rugby and football trials will begin in Week 7
• 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 Uniform Shop
  Boys also require rugby boots and mouthguard or football boots and shin pads

Cross Country

Cross country training: boys meet at the pool, 6:30 am for a 6:45 am start.

Boys are encouraged to attend at least two sessions per week, 1 A session and 1 B session. Boys who attend at least two of the Week 1 sessions are invited to attend a BBQ on Friday morning before school.

Term 1 sports take priority over any Term 2 preparations. If there is a clash, students are expected to maintain their commitments to their Term 1 sport.

Sports Photographs

We are always on the look-out 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.