Boarding News

Dear Boarding Parents,

In what has been a challenging period for our whole school community, I am so proud of the way our boarders have supported each other through the sadness and shock of the news of a tragedy involving one of their schoolmates. I’d also like to acknowledge our boarding, nursing and counselling staff who have provided exceptional care for the boarders in recent days. The compassion and strength of the whole community is evident at this very sad time and I feel privileged to live and work in this great school.

Many of you would know that each year we host a number of Boarding Sleepover Experiences for boys who are enrolled as boarders in the following year. Last weekend we had seven young boys join us on Friday afternoon to experience a couple of days as a Marist boarder. Thanks to our current boarders who are integral to the success of these weekends. They made our visiting boys feel welcome, answered their questions, and guided them through the daily routine in boarding. It was a very successful experience for these incoming boys and they left feeling more comfortable about next year and also having made some new friends. We look forward to them joining our boarding and wider school community in 2024.

Looking ahead, a new ‘formal dinner’ is being planned for the boarders which will hopefully become an annual event in our boarding calendar. The aim of this dinner is to expose the boarders to a special occasion where they have the opportunity to learn the etiquette expected in this type of setting. Not all of our boarders have attended a formal occasion where tables are set with all the cutlery in position. Knowing the appropriate manners is a good life skill and one which will come in handy when they attend a wedding reception, or when they take someone special out to dinner at a restaurant. We will take the opportunity at our formal dinner to show the boarders the correct way to use the cutlery in front of them and to stress the important etiquette and manners which will help them impress. We are looking to have this formal dinner late in Term 3 and it will be outdoors in the courtyard of The Tower. It promises to be a great night where the boarders will dress up, they’ll hear from a special guest speaker and there will also be some musical entertainment from some of our boys. More details will be provided as this gets closer.

Sunday Night Mass

Boarding Recreation - Mr Malachy Grealy

This weekend we we’re joined by 6 sleepover boys who are looking at coming to the college next year so we we’re in for an action-packed weekend! Friday started with TRL (Touch Rugby League) on Cameron Oval, which again was fiercely competitive with around 60 boys playing. Great showing of the skills on display by all boys which was great to see. Then we headed off to Stuartholme for a BBQ dinner and games on the oval which all boys loved.

Saturday was Round 1 vs Villa which sounded like we had great results across the board! All boys went over and supported the first League team who got a great win 32-12. Saturday night, La Valla and Montagne headed up to the gym for a few games and finished it off with some ice cream!

Headed to Movie World on Sunday which the group of boys attending were very excited for. Everyone had a great time and the highlight was definitely the Joker ride! The boys were not too keen on getting on it, however, once they did, they said it was the best! What a great way to round out the weekend!