End of Term 2

Dear Mount Erin Boarding Families,

We have experienced our first real and nearly normal, end of term for 2020 and at this stage are looking forward to a a normal beginning of Term 3 next week. However, the situation with COVID-19 is changing rapidly so it will be important that our families regularly check their emails for communications from Mount Erin Boarding, CEDWW and the Colleges in the coming days.

Thank you all for the support and understanding offered to Mount Erin Boarding during Term 2, especially with regards to COVID-19 concerns and associated restrictions.

Whilst we have returned to a more normal situation at Mount Erin we are mindful of the need to remain vigilant with regards to social distancing and risk mitigation. At this stage, we will continue to have in place regular temperature testing, no unsupervised street leave, regular cleaning of high contact surfaces and managed leave processes that allow for contact tracing in the event of potential infections. Any student or staff member who is feeling unwell will be expected to go home until they are well again. Visitors should only enter Boarding via the Boarding Office door adjacent to the main entry and make use of the hand sanitizer available to them.

New Boarding Car

All staff have been inducted into the use of the new Boarding car - a Kia Carnival. Our Boarding Driver, Mr. James Mortenson transports students to medical and dental appointments and approved off campus activities. With restrictions easing this included gyms, music tutoring and sport coaching at the end of Term 2. Mount Erin Boarding transport for and from off campus activities is available between 3.30pm and 7.30pm, with the last student pick up at 7.15pm from Monday to Thursday. The Boarding car is also used to transport students to Mater Dei for morning school based programs.

A Team Tutoring

Looking for innovative ways to enhance the support for learning at Mount Erin, we embarked on a partnership with A Team tutoring from the Week 5 return in Term 2.

This has been a very successful venture with students being able to access tutors live online each night during study covering English Science, Humanities and Maths. Tutors are available to support students in Year 7 to Year 12 each night.

A Team can also assist with junior and senior Religious Education Courses and other subjects as required. Student feedback about the new tuition program is included in the Senior Girls' section of this publication.

Boarding Trivia night

Mount Erin Activities Officer Mr. Jody Siegwalt and Boarding Co-captain Lily Burge worked tirelessly in creating the end of term Trivia Night complete with Pyjamas/ Sports clothing theme during the last week of term. We were very honoured to have special guests, Principals of Kildare and Mater Dei, Mrs Val Thomas and Ms Christie Scoble and Ms Rosemary Clarke CEDWW School and Systems Improvement Officer attend on the night.

The night proved to be a great success for all concerned. Many thanks to our Catering Crew led by Mr. Dave Lugton for the fine food on the night.

Term 3 Return

Boarding opens from 7.00pm on 19 July for Sunday Night returning students. Please advise the Boarding Office and/ or Supervisors of any late arrivals or changes on 69326199.

The Boarding House and School resume for all students from Monday 20 July.

Please Note: As the new term begins, parents/carers are asked to ensure that their child's medical/ health records have been updated / sent in to the Boarding Office.

Australian Boarding Schools Association

Mount Erin is a member of the Australian Boarding Schools Association. For any information about Boarding Australia including the impact of COVID-19, please check the ABSA Website.

LEAVE REQUESTS

Leave from Boarding requests must made to the Leader of Boarding and are approved on the basis that leave from school has been approved in the first instance. Boarding does not provide approval to be absent from school.

Mr John Bussenschutt | Leader of Boarding

BOARDERS' BUZZ

Issue 5 · 13 Jul 2020

In this issue