Boarding News

Dear Boarding Parents and Guardians,

We had the first of our boarding regional trips last Friday where we travelled to Goondiwindi to support the Goondiwindi Emus Charity Golf Day. This event brings many locals together to get behind a good cause and we are proud to have partnered with the organisers for the last few years. After the golf was over, Marist Boarding hosted a dinner for our current and prospective families which was enjoyed by everyone. It is always great to catch up with our boarding families in their hometowns and to support events locally. Thanks to the Assistant Head of Boarding Ty Casey, Director of Boarding Enrolments Meagan Loane and my wife Libby for joining me on the first of our regional engagements for 2024.

The boarders have a busy week with many boys sitting exams and finishing off assessments before school breaks up for the term. The increased workload has been noticeable in study lately and the boys have definitely lifted their intensity as they have been preparing. We wish them well and hope that they put their best effort into these assessments.

This coming weekend is also looking jam-packed with the vast majority of our boarders signed up to trial for rugby union this Saturday. There is excitement around as football posts are being put up on our ovals and boys are sorting last-minute requirements like mouthguards, jerseys and boots. This weekend we also have a special Boarders’ Mass which will be the last one for this term where we celebrate Palm Sunday. And then the boys will be excited to once again host the Boarders Touch Football Tournament on Sunday. They have fond memories of this day from last year and we look forward to welcoming around 1,000 boarding students from a number of fellow boarding schools. It promises to be an exciting and exhausting weekend!

I’m pleased to report that we have confirmed another community service opportunity for our boarders. We will be visiting the St Vincent’s Aged Care Home in Mitchelton from the start of next term to connect with the elderly residents who live there. This experience is sure to enrich the lives of both the elderly residents and our boys as they enjoy each other’s company. These visits will be primarily for our younger boarders (Years 5–9) and will complement our other community service project, the Boarder Blitz (Years 10–12).

Finally, just a reminder to submit arrangements for your son for the end of term on our REACH system. School finishes on Thursday 28th March and I am sure the boys are looking forward to a nice break and families are no doubt excited to have them home. We are also offering two end of term bus services to Moree and Roma, as well as similar services to recommence Term 2, travelling back to college on Monday 15 April. Bookings and payment can be made through Parent Lounge, Events and Payments section. Please email BoardingReception@marash.qld.edu.au if you have any issues accessing this.

Sunday Night Mass

Boarding Recreation

Mr Blair Whitlock - Boarding Recreation Officer

On Friday afternoon the La Valla and Montagne boarders headed over to St Laurence’s College for the annual Volleyball Colours Cup. It’s a great opportunity for the boys to play some structured sport outside of the AIC that is focused on enjoyment and participation over results. We had a great time playing against various Lauries teams and ended the afternoon with war cries and a guard of honour to close out the Colours Cup. After a BBQ dinner, we spent an hour playing games in the gym before retiring to the dorms for some downtime and Friday Night Footy.

The Hive assembled for the 1st VI Volleyball's final game of the season on Saturday. It turned into an epic match with Eddie’s clawing back a two-set deficit before the Marist boys rallied to take an exciting 3-2 win in the fifth. It’s been a great term of sport support from the Hive with our senior boarders doing a fantastic job leading the charge. We look forward to going again in term two when Football and Rugby season starts.

The main activity for the weekend was a beach trip up to Mooloolaba on Sunday. Most of the other boarding schools came along which made for a great day. Beach trips are always a highlight and lead to a quiet night in the dorms with plenty of tired bodies from a long weekend.

Next weekend is the Boarders Touch Footy Tournament here at Marist. It’s a huge event that brings the College alive! The three ovals and flats are split into 16 playing fields which run simultaneously throughout the group stages before converging on the grandstand for finals. It’s a real celebration of boarding and I’d certainly recommend coming along if you’re around town on Sunday.