Boarding News

Dear Boarding Parents,

Last weekend, all the Year 11 boarders travelled to the Bunya Mountains for the Year 11 Boarding Leadership Camp. This initiative was introduced last year with the aim to better prepare the boys for their Senior year. A great deal is expected of the boys when they reach Year 12, especially in boarding, and the sessions at the camp were carefully planned to expose the boys to the qualities of effective leadership. I am grateful for the support of Ty Casey, Brad Winchester and Blair Whitlock who joined me in providing this opportunity. There were three main aims of this camp:

1. For the Year 11 boarders to learn what positive leadership is and how to lead effectively
2. To build camaraderie and teamwork within this cohort as they prepare to lead, and
3. For the Year 11 boarders to develop a plan of what they aim to achieve next year

I want to acknowledge all the Year 11 boarders who participated positively in this experience. The plan they have put together is exciting and it certainly gives this group of young leaders a road map of what they need to do to ensure a successful 2025 in boarding.

There was a great day trip to Broadbeach last Saturday which was compulsory for all the Years 5–9 boarders. A number of the older boys also chose to go on this trip and make the most of a lovely sunny day. The group spent time swimming, playing on the beach and grabbing an ice cream from the local shops. Thanks to our fantastic team of boarding staff who made this trip possible.

We wish our Year 12s well in their last week of external exams and this sees assessment deadlines getting closer for our younger boarders. Plenty of study coming up in the next few weeks!

I hope to see many boarding parents and family members in the final two weeks of term before the boys head home for the holidays.

Boarding Recreation

Mr Blair Whitlock - Boarding Recreation Officer

On Friday morning, our Year 11 boarders headed out to the beautiful Bunya Mountains for their Leadership Camp. The goal of the camp is to connect as a group, discuss ideas for their senior year and formalise a plan to achieve these goals throughout 2025. It was a great weekend for staff and students, and we look forward to seeing the 2025 cohort’s vision become a reality in the coming months.

Back at Marist, the boys made the most of our onsite facilities with the ovals, gym, pool and weights room busy over the weekend. On Saturday we headed down the coast to Broadbeach for a beach trip with several other boarding schools in attendance. The weather is really starting to heat up and it was a great way to spend a Saturday with far fewer boys involved in Saturday sports during Term 4.

Sunday was a quiet one with the juniors heading down to the Ashgrove Park Run before a walk up to the shops at Main Ash. The Year 11s arrived back at Marist in the early afternoon before an evening Mass in the chapel finished off the weekend.