Primary News

Dear Primary Families,

Thank you all for your support last week during what was certainly an extra-ordinary week of schooling. I was extremely proud of the way our staff and students were able to quickly transition to learning online last Friday. This ensured that our boys continued learning during an already disrupted Term 1.

As we continue to journey through the term, I encourage you to take an opportunity to ‘check-in’ with your son about the start they have had to the year and what their goals are for the rest of the term. In our Primary Yard Assembly on Monday, our first in-person gathering of the year, I encouraged the boys to continue to be 100% Marist, 100% of the time by setting high expectations for themselves in all areas of College life. As Marist men, this means not being content with mediocrity and continuing to set their sights on noble goals.

Season of Lent

Last Wednesday we officially embarked on our Lenten journey, the beautiful season of the Church when Catholics prepare for Easter by getting back to the basics of our faith – Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving. In the busyness of life, sometimes we need the season of Lent to remind us of the importance of our faith. Lent is also a season where we start to hear of people’s commitment to fasting through conversations about what they are ‘giving up?’. Sometimes these are extremely thoughtful and faith-filled. Other times, boys talk about giving up homework, vegetables and having a shower…..Pope Francis’ reflection on fasting particularly resonates with me, and I hope it will with you…

Fast from hurting words…..and say kind words.

Fast from sadness …..and be filled with gratitude.

Fast from anger…..and be filled with patience.

Fast from pessimism…..and be filled with hope.

Fast from worries …..and trust in God. 

Fast from complaints….. and contemplate simplicity.

Fast from pressures …..and be prayerful.

Fast from bitterness…..and fill you heart with joy.

Fast from selfishness …..and be compassionate to others

Fast from grudges…..and be reconciled.

Fast from words …..and be silent so you can listen.

College Tour

Yesterday we welcomed a large number of visitors to Marist College Ashgrove for our College Tour. It was fantastic to meet prospective families and families who have already accepted a position at MCA for next year, as we showcased all the amazing things our wonderful College has to offer. 

If you are aware of any families considering joining our community, please encourage them to register for one of our upcoming tours at this link. I am happy for you to put them in touch with me directly to answer any questions they may have about our Primary School.

The next tours will take place on the following dates:

• Friday 27 May 2022, 8:45am – 12:00pm     
• Sunday 19 June 2022, 8:45am – 12:00pm             
• Friday 29 July 2022, 8:45am – 12:00pm        
• Friday 14 October 2022, 8:45am – 12:00pm 

Trinity Catholic College Lismore

Thank you to all our Primary families for your generous support and donations towards the Marist Community in Trinity Catholic College Lismore. I know they are very appreciative. 

Lenten Appeal

This Friday is our Lenten Appeal Free Dress Day. All Primary boys are invited to wear free dress in support of our College’s Annual Lenten Appeal. Donations of $2.00 will be collected via the Monitor System. Boys will also be able to participate in a variety of activities and food stalls during Break 1. 

Boys are reminded to wear a hat, enclosed shoes and no singlets for this free dress day.

Save the Date – Year 5 Welcome Liturgy

All Year 5 students and their families are invited to a special Welcome Liturgy at 8:00am on Wednesday 23 March in The Chapel. A formal invite and more details will be sent to Year 5 families later this week.

Absentees

Thank you to all families who are continuing to inform us of absentees using the Parent Portal. If you and your family are having to isolate due to COVID-19, could we ask that you please include the day that your son will be returning to school. It is expected that all students and families are following Queensland Health expectations for isolation for positive cases and close contacts.

Families In Need 

As a Marist Family, we are always there to help in times of need. If you are aware of an MCA family in need after the recent weather events, please let me know via emailing beattyl@marash.qld.edu.au . All information will be kept confidential as we work as a community to support each other during these challenging times. 

Reminders

If your son is sick or unwell, please keep them home. Any students who are displaying flu-like symptoms at school will be sent to Primary Reception where their parents will be contacted immediately to collect them. These students will be provided with a Rapid Antigen Test.

Primary Sport - Mr John Lambourne

AFL Photos

This Friday 11 March all Year 5 and 6 AFL players will have their team photos. Boys will need to pack their full MCA AFL uniform and will be reminded to get changed before their photo.

AIC Swimming Championships

Congratulations to the following boys who were selected to represent Marist College at the AIC Swimming Championships, this is the culmination of a lot of training for all of our swimmers and we wish them the best of luck.

2022 AIC Swimming Championships Squad

Achievements

Congratulations to Tex Higginbotham (6G), Rocco Holmes (6B) and Nick Osborn (6B) who have been selected to represent Met North (10 – 12 years) Swimming at the Queensland School Sports State Championships, to be held March 21– March 23.

Congratulations to Harry Cleary (5B), Harry Coulter (6R), Tex Higginbotham (6G) and Will Webster (6B) who have been selected to represent North West District (10 – 12 years) Australian Rules Football at the Met North Regional trials, to be held March 31 and April 1.

Term 2 Sport Sign-on

Sport Sign on for Term 2 is now open and will close Friday 11 March.

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 2 sports on offer are Rugby Union, Football and Cross Country.

Rugby Union 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.

Cross Country

Cross Country begins in earnest for the Primary boys now that the AIC Swimming Champs have been completed. Boys are to meet at the McMahon Oval grandstand 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 Swimming

For those boys who are interested the MCA Primary Swim Squad training sessions continue until the end of Term 1. 

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

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

Year 5 and 6 MCA Swim Squad Training Timetable Term 1

Come and Try Hockey

Marist College has strong links with Norths Hockey Club and they have extended an invitation to all Marist boys to come and give hockey a try. Primary boys are the perfect age to start playing and will be made very welcome and become an important part of the club. Training is provided with the opportunity to represent MCA once the boys enter senior school.

Games do not begin until the start of Term 2 but training has begun every Thursday night at Dorrington Park at 6:00pm.

For further details please contact Russell Thirgood - russell@thirgoodarb.com

Alternatively, turn up to training on a Thursday night to see if you enjoy hockey. It is a great game as many would have seen watching the Kookaburras and Hockeyroos at the Olympics. It would be great to see some Marist / Norths boys playing for the Kookaburras in 2032!

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

Pick-up Arrangements - “Plan B”  

It is important that you are aware of the pick-up procedures if you are running late. Sport training sessions 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. 

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.

For further information please do not hesitate to contact me - 

John Lambourne - primarysports@marash.qld.edu.au.