SAINTS BOARDING
News from Brett Toombs
Director of Boarding
St Augustine's College Cairns
Term 4 is relatively short with only six weeks before the end of the academic year. Our boarders at both colleges finish on Friday 28 November and, as always, they will be at school until the final day of term. If an earlier departure is warranted, please contact boarding and submit a leave request with the relevant day school well in advance.
Exeat weekend
The next exeat weekend is at the end of Week 4. Thank you to our families for working with the respective heads of residence to organise a plan for your sons’ and daughters’ movements on this weekend as all residences will be closed at 4pm on Friday 31 October, and will reopen at 4pm on Sunday 2 November.
A reminder that students have until 8pm to return on free and exeat weekends, and we ask boarders to be consistent with this time. If they wish to return on Monday morning, they must contact their head of residence in advance.
Leave requests
Saints boarding always supports students submitting weekend leave or special leave for a few hours during the week to spend time with family. We do ask, however, that this leave is submitted in advance and not when it’s needed. While we understand that situations can suddenly occur, our boarders understand that at least 24 hours’ notice is needed for leave.
End of school for Year 12
Next week, our Year 12 boarders complete their regular classes and will begin preparing for external exams, which start on Monday week. St Augustine’s will celebrate graduation day before those exams, on Thursday 23 October. St Monica’s will do the same on Wednesday 19 November.
Ms Vines and Mr Connell are, in consultation with our Year 12s, working out intentions for boarding movements during the exams. If there is any information that parents or carers may have about this, please contact these staff members.
Celebrating our Year 12s’ final Sunday night Mass
The boarding community fittingly celebrated its final Mass for our 40 Year 12s last Sunday night. It was a moving occasion. During Mass, we presented Hera Petrou with the Spirit of Chavoin Award and Patrick Arnold with the François Award for their outstanding contributions to boarding life. Congratulations to both students.
We also congratulate our other Year 12 boarders and thank them for their positive involvement in the boarding community.
Weekend outings
The first few weekend outings of the term were popular choices with day trips to Lake Eacham. These outings were relaxing and enjoyable days for the boarders who made effective use of the warmer weather and enjoyed swimming and relaxing. This weekend we have several choices for those who are staying in.
