SAINTS BOARDING 

Exeat weekend information

We have an exeat weekend approaching at the end of Week 5. I want to clarify with all families that Friday 15 August is a student-free day for St Augustine’s College only. Therefore, the boys residences will close at 4:30pm on Thursday 14 August.

St Monica’s College does not have a student-free day on Friday 15 August and the exeat weekend for the girls will start on the Friday afternoon with their residences being closed at 4:30pm. 

All boarding residences will reopen at 4pm on Sunday 17 August. If boarders are flying back on the Sunday and arrive earlier due to availability of flights, transport and staffing will be available.

Families, please email return flight itineraries to the respective heads of residence or to me.

Weekends in boarding

Each term, boarders are offered three opportunities to submit weekend leave requests to stay with approved families and friends. All other normal weekends rely on every boarder staying in residence. Heads of residence and I do understand family situations that require boarders to be out sometimes during these weekends at specific times. However, it is an expectation that all boarders are in residence outside of free and exeat weekends.

Academic Awards

It was pleasing to see boarders receiving Semester 1 Academic Awards at our college assembly last week. Students with a grade point average (GPA) of 4.3 were all acknowledged. The recipients from boarding are a testament not only to their hard work, but also to the success of our homework program.

Year 8 –  Jonathan Clifton.

Year 10 –  Zai Laifoo, Max Masterman.

Year 11 –  Blake Milbourne, Linkin Stoddart, Ryan Knuckey.

Year 12 –  Oscar Masterman, Cayde Miller, Jamie Keenan, Bereket Linnehan, Jack Honey, Charlie Lawrence, Jyrell Richardson, Patrick Arnold.

We look forward to presenting our Boarding Academic Effort Awards in the coming week to our boarders for their effort and attitude in the classroom during Semester 1.

Boarding visits

Saints staff recently visited the Northern Territory to attend the Katherine Show and to promote boarding at Saints. It was a most worthwhile trip and provided an opportunity to meet and speak with the local community about Saints. One highlight was catching up with our 2022 boarding captain, Kurt Plant, who was participating in the Katherine Rodeo as part of the show. It is always very nice to hear how our former boarders are. Kurt is doing very well and enjoying the mustering work he's involved in.

Saturday outings

 We had an excellent opportunity to provide a couple of outings on the Cairns Show long weekend. The highlight for many boarders was the Kewarra Beach to Palm Cove walk last Friday, with a pleasant afternoon spent at Palm Cove. Saturday allowed boarders to choose from a variety of activities on offer with a more leisurely approach.

Sunday night chapel

Sunday chapel resumes this weekend. Our boarders understand that attendance is compulsory and is a non-negotiable part of our boarding program. Only on free and exeat weekends is there no chapel. All boarders are asked to be in residence by 5:45pm on Sundays with dinner at 6:10pm and chapel at 7:15pm. 

Japanese school tour

Boarding is looking forward to hosting 26 Japanese students at the end of Week 3 for 10 days. The visitors will immerse themselves in programs that will be run at Saints and externally. Our boarders always enjoy meeting the students and staying with them while in Cairns.