Boarding News

We have quickly found ourselves in Week 10 and what a fast-moving term it has been. The recent news from the Queensland Government around the Greater Brisbane Lockdown has certainly echoed memories of January this year, and the greater closures that were widely experienced in 2020 by our boarding families. Many lessons of resilience and gratitude were learnt during this period and they were certainly on display once again yesterday. It was a true reflection of the collaboration and sense of family spirit that flows throughout our boarding community. The efforts of families to ensure they were able to arrange the collection of their sons was truly phenomenal on such short notice. I hope the roads weren’t too busy on your return trips. Further to this, I would also like to thank the many families who so willingly offered avenues of support outside of their own families whether it was through transportation or accommodation.

Following the decision by the Queensland Government yesterday, it was our priority to ensure our boarders were provided with the opportunity to return home given the unknowns surrounding the current Greater Brisbane lockdown. The boarding school protocols align and are guided by the current restrictions and guidelines as set out by the Queensland Government, please see relevant points below.

Restricted areas movements – in and out

• Individuals are able to leave the Greater Brisbane area to return to their home outside of Greater Brisbane or for essential reasons (see below) but must continue to follow the lockdown rules.
• Anyone who was in Greater Brisbane on or since 20 March but has since left must follow the same lockdown rules as for Greater Brisbane.

Source: https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19/current-status/urgent-covid-19-update

Our thoughts and prayers are extended and continue to be with our families based in Papua New Guinea as they continue to fight the challenges that CVD19 have bought to that region, particularly in the last month. Limited resources and access to healthcare are amongst the greatest challenges the communities in PNG are facing. Further to this, please keep our Northern Territory families in your thoughts as they too navigate the fast-changing landscape around border closures in the hope of having their sons’ home over the Easter break.

We continue to monitor further updates as the week progresses and will certainly maintain open communication lines with families as we look towards Term 2.

I sincerely hope our families are staying dry and safe in this unseasonal extremely wet weather, but at the same time enjoying the fruits of this rainfall. I would like to thank all boarding families for their support throughout Term 1. It has been a busy, yet very enjoyable term. Like many families, I'm looking forward to spending some downtime with family, in particular Sally, Harry and Poppy.

Wishing you a wonderful Easter break.

Term 2 Return – Monday 19 April

All boarders are to be in residence by 8:00 pm on Monday 19 April. Upon returning your boys to the College, afternoon tea will be available for families to enjoy in the Cyprian Pavilion. Please take the time to enjoy a coffee and a bite to eat with other families from 3:00pm to 5:00 pm. It is our hope following feedback from our Term 1 BPN meeting that we will provide access to the College by removing bollards and open the main gate for families with large drop-offs. 

Term 2 BPN Meeting

The Term 2 Boarders Parent Network meeting is being organised for Tuesday 27 April, 5:00pm to 6:30pm (Brisbane time).

An agenda will be sent out to all families in the early days of Week 1. If you would like to add anything to the agenda, please make contact with your Boarding Parent Representative.

Thanks to Nikki Macqueen and her team who do a wonderful job behind the scenes ensuring the success of our BPN. 

Marist College Ashgrove Uniform Shop

Extended Hours for upcoming Winter Uniform (Term 2 and Term 3)

April Holidays 

Thursday 15 April – 7:30am to 4:00pm (walk-ins) 

Friday 16 April – 7:30am to 4:00pm (walk-ins) 

Monday 19 April (Student Free Day) – 7:30am to 4:00pm (walk-ins)

Term 2, Week 1 

Tuesday – 7:30am to 12:00pm 

Wednesday – 12:00pm to 5:00pm 

Thursday and Friday – 7:30am to 12:00pm

Shop Contact Details

Mobile: 0478 769 628

Email: mca@alinta.com.au

Online Shop: www.alintaapparel.com.au

Lights Out

The Australian Boarding Schools Association (ABSA) exists to promote the interests of boarding schools in Australia by enhancing the well-being of boarders, facilitating the professional development of staff and advancing excellent practice among schools.

Please find attached their first publication of the year.

As the term ends I would like families to take the time to reflect on the following article: https://positivepsychology.com/perma-model/

Recreation Report

Blair Whitlock - Boarding Recreation Officer

There were plenty of tired bodies around the dorms after a week of assessment and Rugby / Soccer trials in preparation for Term 2 sport. The boys are certainly looking forward to a well-deserved break after a very busy Term 1! The weekend kicked off with the final Boarders Arvo Feast of the term on Friday afternoon. The boys love coming along and grabbing a few sweet treats and this week’s feast was Easter themed. A big thank you to Dany, Kylie and all the Marist mums who make these afternoon teas possible. It’s certainly appreciated by the boys and a few of the staff too!!

Saturday saw the first official trial games of the rugby & football seasons take place. The juniors played away at Padua College while the Year 9-12’s had home fixtures. It was a positive day with many teams starting to find some rhythm and we finished the afternoon supporting the 1st XV on Hayden Oval. There was a little bit of a shadow cast on Saturday with the uncertainty around the latest COVID cluster and how that was going to play out. We had planned an Ice-Skating trip with the other Boarding Schools on Saturday night but unfortunately had to cancel due to its proximity with the latest hotspots. The boys weren’t too disappointed as there were many sore bodies that needed a quiet night in. We opened the pool and got the paddleboards out which burnt any remaining energy the boys had!

Sunday was a cracking day and we jumped on the bus for our traditional end of term Mooloolaba beach trip. There were plenty of familiar faces with Stuartholme, St Margaret’s, Clayfield & Nudgee all up there for the day too. The time went in a flash with the boys swimming, body surfing, playing beach volleyball & shopping for a few hours before jumping back on the bus. The end of term trips are also a great time to plan activities for Term 2 and we have plenty of exciting things in store! It was a relatively smooth drive back home which gave the boys plenty of time to get changed at school before heading over to Stuartholme for shared Mass. Stuartholme were kind enough to put on a BBQ dinner and DJ after mass which bought about some interesting dance moves! Liam Shay was the undisputed dance king and was turning heads all night.

It's been a busy term in Recreation and I’m certainly looking forward to Term 2. The initial term two recreation calendar has been included below and there will be several exciting additions that are currently in the works.

Have a great Easter.

Boarding Recreation - Term 2 Overview