Primary News

As Marists, in the Way of Mary, we hold the characteristics of Presence, Simplicity, Love of Work and Family Spirit in the highest regard. It is something that is embedded throughout the College and something we are very proud of. Last week we officially welcomed our Year 5 students to the MCA family in our welcome assembly. I hope the video below gives you a sense of the spirit of our community during this moment, where each of our Marist characteristics were on full display. I am sure this will be a memory that will stay with the boys for the rest of their lives.

Thank you to all families for their engagement in our Parent Information Evenings last week. The aim of this evening was to provide you with an opportunity to meet with your son’s teacher and hear about the day-to-day routines of the school and classroom. Throughout the evening I spoke with each group about the streamlining of our College communication. As you are aware, the Primary section of the newsletter will now be the ‘point of truth’ for all things happening within the Primary School. The College App will also be used to push out information and schedules for events and co-curricular activities. Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me.

Wednesday Mass

This Wednesday, 10 February, the Primary School will participate in the College Community Mass. This is an opportunity for all students and staff from the Primary to gather together and celebrate the Eucharist together. The Mass will begin at 8.00am, please drop your son off at 7:45am to enable them to walk with the group from the Primary Quad to The Chapel. 

Save the Date - Year 5 Liturgy

Next Thursday 18 February the College will be holding a Liturgy of Welcome for the Year 5 students, in place of them not being able to attend the Inaugural Mass. Parents are invited to attend this liturgy. Unfortunately, with limited seating and COVID restrictions, we ask that only one parent per student attends, and parents are to wear a mask. The liturgy will commence at 8:50 am in the Draney Theatre with a morning tea for parents afterwards. If you would like to attend, please register here.

ASH Buddies 

On Tuesday, many of our Year 5 boys met with their ASH Buddies for the first time.  The boys will pair up again this Tuesday to complete some get-to-know-you activities and enjoy a quick game of handball together to help forge the friendships at the start of this very busy term.

Late Arrivals / Early Departures

A reminder that if your son is arriving late to school or leaving early, they will need to be signed in/out from the Primary reception by an adult. It would be appreciated if you inform your child’s teacher if they will be arriving late or leaving early.

Shrove Tuesday

Next Tuesday the St Vincent de Paul group will be selling pancakes to support the Lenten appeal. Pancakes will be available for students for $3.00. There will be both Tuckshop Monitor and cash options available for the students. 

Primary Chess Mondays

Weekly Chess lessons for the Primary School will commence on Monday 15 February at 7.30am in the Library. They will be run by Connie Pizzato, who is an experienced chess teacher. If you would like to register your son for these lessons please register at this link.

Before School Tutoring 

Commencing Monday next week, before school tutoring is available to all students in the Primary school from 8.00am. This service will be run by our College Academic Captains, student volunteers and some of the Primary School staff.

Maths/Science Club

The Maths/Science club commences this Tuesday and will run weekly until Week 8. If you are interested, please contact Ms Majella Stevens stevensm@marash.qld.edu.au.

Teaching and Learning Update

Jen Little – Primary Learning Leader

American author Wallace Wattles once wrote that ‘The very best thing you can do for the whole world is to make the most of yourself.’ Without question, this same attitude can be applied to the teaching and learning at Marist Primary. It is great to see most students embracing the opportunities they have been given in a country in which we are fortunate enough to have the right to a quality education regardless of our financial capacity, gender, religion or culture. And yet, there are some of us who choose to waste these opportunities; only investing effort at the last minute for short term gain.

It is perhaps a timely reminder to think about the dangers of leaving things until it’s too late. The maiden voyage of the Titanic is one example that comes to mind. In this instance, 1517 lives were lost because the captain refused to take notice of the early warning signs to slow the vessel down. This is an extreme example of such danger and yet, it is one frequently used to communicate the importance of heeding early warning signs. It is important in the context of education, that all stakeholders (parents, teachers and students) take note of early warning signs so that we don’t leave our run too late.

The image of the ‘iceberg illusion’ below explains my point. In short, success is like an iceberg. Above the surface, is what people can see – the achievements. However, below the surface, lies the part that people don’t necessarily observe: dedication, hard work, good habits, disappointment, sacrifice, failure and persistence. Essentially, these are the qualities or ‘dispositions’ that students need to possess if they are going to achieve both in school and in life. Without them, learning only occurs at the surface level and this can be very superficial indeed.

We have all heard the old saying ‘You can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make it drink.’ Whilst I don’t believe in comparing children to horses, I think the point is loud and clear.

I frequently hear parents ask the question, ‘What can I do to support my children at home in their learning journey at Marist?’ Here are a couple of things that will help:

1. Keep the lines of communication between parent and teacher open. This partnership is paramount. Discussion with the teacher directly almost always clarifies matters.
2. Encourage children to adopt a Growth Mindset in order to improve their resilience. Ideally, students should be receptive to feedback.
3. Read and write with your children as much as possible - engage them in discussion beyond the literal.
4. Expect high and realistic standards. Be consistent so that children respect what you are asking of them.
5. Get them to before school tutoring when they require clarification. This will be opened from 8:00am until 8:30 am each morning and is staffed by school officers. Our academic captains and some volunteer Year 10 students will also be assisting.
6. Develop strong routines at home for homework and study/ revision. A visual timetable for boys usually works well.

Primary Library News

The beginning of the year is always tremendously exciting in the Primary Library. The boys enjoy their library by reading, playing chess, completing quizzes and brainteasers, engaging in Makerspace or simply sitting and pondering over their school day with friends.

We have launched our Ash Reader Challenge which many boys have enthusiastically taken up. This requires the boys to read fourteen books over the year from various genres within our library. The idea is to encourage the boys to read books out of their comfort zone. We take great delight in seeing the boys’ literary world open as they eagerly give us their rendition of their finished book. 

Our Makerspace programme involves the boys participating in a variety of hands-on craft and STEM activities. We have begun the term with a nature collage and have been so impressed with the degree of creativity displayed by the boys. 

AIC Sport

At MCA we often talk about being 100% Marist 100% of the time. This means that we represent our school with pride, no matter the situation. This morning I took the opportunity to remind the boys of the importance of representing our College with pride on the sporting field. At last week’s assembly, Mr Michael Newman also reminded the boys that whether they win or lose they should do it well. In the competitive environment of schoolboy sport, this can sometimes be challenging. However, at MCA we are known by the very high standard of which we hold ourselves to. The three violets of humility, simplicity and modesty provide us with a constant reminder of the people we should be. The image below, developed by the AIC schools, also provides a reminder of the expectations for all parents and spectators. The weekly sport wrap-up for Round 2 against Ambrose Treacy and St Patrick’s can be found here. 

Primary Sport Achievements

Congratulations to:

• Quinn Lovering (6G) and Ethan Taylor (6B) have been selected to represent North West District at the Met North trials, to be held Tuesday 9 March
• Zaiden Cook (5G), Rocco Holmes (5B), Knox Meehan (5R), Ben Flanagan (6W), Tex Higginbotham (5B), Tom Novak (5B), Nick Osborn (5W), Lincoln Ryan (6G), Hugo Dillane (6R), Oliver Leigh (6W), Finn McGahan (6W), Phelix Meehan (6B), Jacob Newman (6W) have been selected to represent MCA at the North West District Swimming Championships, to be held Thursday 11 February

Internal AFL

• Year 5&6 Internal AFL will be played on Thursday afternoon, 3:20pm - 5:00pm - Hayden Oval.
• Boys will require boots and a mouthguard.
• Boys will be placed in teams with games starting Week 3.
• Year 5&6 Internal AFL Sign-on

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.

Pick-up Arrangements - “Plan B” 

As mentioned in last week’s Parents Information Evenings, 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.