Primary News

Dear Primary Parents and Carers,

Feast of the Assumption

On Sunday the Church celebrated the Feast of the Assumption, one of the most special Feast days in our Marist Family. Whilst we were not able to gather as a whole College during these exceptional circumstances, each class appreciated the opportunity to take part in the Mass in their classrooms. My sincere thanks to Luke McMahon (Head of Mission) and his team for providing this sacred opportunity for our students.

Semester 1 Academic Awards

It was my privilege to announce our Year 5 and 6 Head of College and Outstanding Achievement award winners during our ‘virtual’ assembly in Week 4. It was great to have the opportunity to hand these out to the boys in person last week.

The Head of College Award is presented to students who receive all As in the behavioural and application criteria (Punctual and Prepared, Focussed, Engaged, Respectful) on their end of semester report.

The Outstanding Achievement Award is presented to students who receive 4 A’s or better and nothing lower than a B in the five core subjects. 

Plastic Free Lunch and Free Dress Day

This Friday will be a free dress day across the College. The ‘Environmental Group’ are encouraging boys to dress in green to support this initiative. Furthermore, they are challenging boys across the College to have a plastic-free lunch. With this in mind, boys are encouraged to avoid having the following items in their lunchboxes:

• Ziploc bags
• Gladwrap
• Alfoil
• Excess packaging e.g. individually wrapped food, chip packets, etc.

We understand this may not be possible for every family, any support of this initiative will be much appreciated.

Thank You

My sincere thank you to all our families and staff for working together as we continue to work under the guidelines of the new restrictions set by the Chief Health Officer. At this stage, we are still not allowed visitors onsite. Your flexibility and support during this testing time are very much appreciated. Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me.

I would also like to acknowledge the efforts of the Primary teachers and students who worked together to ensure that learning could continue for a number of our students in home quarantine last week. A special thank you to Michael Connolly (Pastoral Leader) for ensuring the boys connected with each other during the week. This continues to reinforce a mantra that we often use no one belongs here more than you.

Extra-Curricular Activities 

As information comes to light regarding the continuation of our extra-curricular activities, I remind you to check the College App for up to date information. 

Online Learning Survey 

This week our Primary boys are completing a student voice survey to reflect on their experience during online learning in Week 4. I would also like to take the opportunity to invite you to complete the short parent survey about your family’s experience during online learning.

Reminder: Photos Monday 23 August

From the Primary Pastoral Leader – Mr Michael Connolly 

Say No to Bullying Launch at Assembly 

 Anyone who watched the College Assembly last Wednesday would have seen Our Head of College’s presentation on Bullying at MCA. It was wonderful to hear Mr Newman explain so clearly and succinctly, what boys need to do if they are the victim of bullying or if they see other boys being targeted. 

This week in the Primary School, I am highlighting the following slides from Mr Newman’s address. 

The reason I have chosen these slides is because I feel that these slides share such an important message for our youngest students.  Firstly, it is vital that boys speak up when they are aware of bullying. I know that, in the past, some boys are hesitant to report bullying for fear of making the situation worse.  The second and third slides above make it abundantly clear that any form of retribution or retaliation will not be tolerated. 

This is a message that I will be sharing with our boys again this week. All of our boys need to use their everyday courage to report bullying so that we can assist all the students involved in each incident. Any culture of labelling upstanders as ‘snitches’ prevents boys from taking that very important first step and it was wonderful to see our College Student Leaders speaking out against a ‘snitches’ culture. I always explain to our Primary boys that one of the reasons bullies bully others is because they feel they can get away with it.  If more and more boys become upstanders rather than bystanders, it is so much easier to help everyone involved. 

Primary Sport Update – Mr John Lambourne

Term 3 AIC Sport

It has been fantastic to see all the boys getting back into their Term 3 AIC Sports training, we hope to be back in action for Round 5 fixtures vs Iona College.

Basketball

Internal Basketball

Games will recommence this Friday and run from 3:30pm – 4:30pm

Rugby League

Rugby League training;

Tuesday and Thursday, 3:30pm – 4:45pm @ Hayden Oval.

Tennis

Tennis training;

Years 5 and 6 AIC Squads – Wednesday, 3:30pm - 5:30pm and Friday, 6:20am - 8:20am

Shadow Teams – Monday, 6:20am - 8:20am and Friday, 3:30pm - 5:30pm

Track and  Field

Monday and Wednesday afternoon track training sessions are open to all boys, boys wanting to qualify for AIC Track and  Field Championships and boys attending for fitness training, there is no obligation to attend AIC meets later in Term 3.

Quarantine Workout Challenge – Primary Edition

Congratulations to all those boys who gave the Quarantine Workout Challenge – Primary Edition a go.

Top 3 Finishers

Aidan Marshall – 6:28

Tex Higginbotham – 6:35

Luca Bordignon – 6:39

Movement Development Program

The program will focus on the key fundamental movement patterns (Squat, Hinge, Jump, Land, Push, Pull, Brace and Rotate), these movements are the foundation to all athlete development. The students will be challenged to solve movement puzzles while improving physical fitness and movement coordination.

If you have any further questions, please contact Simon Price prices@marash.qld.edu.au

Boys do not need to nominate to attend these sessions, boys are to meet at the MCA Pool gym.

Wednesday and Friday, 7:00am – 7:30am / 7:30am – 8:00am

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

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.