Boarding News

The end of the academic year is always an exciting time. With our Year 7-11 boys in exam block, and Year 12 focused on Graduation events it has to believe the year is ending. Simply put, another grade completed, a long holiday to look forward to and the opportunity to reconnect with extended family and friends are all causes for celebration. 

Amongst the excitement, the end of year also provides the perfect space to reflect and look ahead. This is more so the case in another year that has been COVID-19 affected. As a boarding community in 2021 there is much to be proud of but also room for continued improvement.

One thing that remains a constant at Marist College Ashgrove is the significant role and place of the boarding community. Comprised of a special mix of students from overseas and across the country, including a strong contingent of rural and regional families, the boarding community is central to the sense of ‘family’ that Ashgrove is well known for. The humour, generosity of spirit and unique perspective these boys bring to the College is something special.

It is a privilege to witness our boarders grow and mature into ‘Marist Men of Courage’ who understand that respect is earnt, take responsibility for their actions and strive to serve the community above their own interests. As a staff, we recognise that the journey of our young men is different for every individual and, as such, aim to support each one of them along their pathway to adulthood and independence.

Over the course of their involvement at the College, the boarders find themselves surrounded by lifelong friends and experiences that will live with them forever. It is with a great sense of fulfilment and happiness to know that our community can help to provide so much for our boys.

It is the boys’ presence that makes what we do here at the College so enriching and worthwhile. We are very fortunate to have a community that radiates pride from both our students, their families and staff. As we move forward, we endeavour to grow stronger and develop further. The relationships that we build between students, staff and parents is critical to everything we do. So please, never underestimate the influence you all have on the College, its reputation and legacy.

The way in which both our boys and families have dealt with the ongoing restrictions, border closures and time away from loved ones is truly remarkable. Their determination, resilience and ability to adapt to change never ceases to amaze me.

Around the Grounds

La Valla Residence

This week saw a big push to finish assessments and prepare for exams. It was great to see the boys looking out for each other and checking to make sure the required work was completed in time. Due to assessment time, the recreation for the weekend included a little extra downtime which some boys used to catch up on sleep and rest as well as study. Most boys have started the countdown to returning home for the summer, and they are thinking about what they are most looking forward to and trying to work out how they will get their accumulated belongings home!

Most of the boys miss their animals when they are at boarding school so a visit from our Indigenous Support Officer, Mel, and her puppy was a welcome distraction for the boys. The energy of the La Valla boys may have been more than that of a brand new puppy.

The Boarders street party was yet another exceptional event organised by Blair. There were so many laughs as the boys were able to challenge each other in a range of activities with the Gladiator Challenge being a particular 'hit' for the Year 7 boys. The boys were kept entertained for hours, they did not have to think about school work for the afternoon and they were exhausted by the end of the day. This week we will look to repot our indoor plants as all boys have opted to take them with them to Montagne. We will look after them over the break so they are ready to go in 2022. Many families looked doubtful that the boys would be able to keep their plants alive but we have only lost one along the way. The plants represent the growth in the boys this year, and some have vowed to keep them until Year 12... we will see how we go!

Montagne Residence

The boys participated in a fluent recreational calendar over the weekend with minimal compulsory activities. The only compulsory was a trip to Stuartholme for a swim and BBQ and the street party. The views from Stuartholme are always amazing, but at night it goes to another level. Boys spoke positively about their swim and company of the Stuartholme girls. The street party went off well with the snow cones and inflatable gladiator game. It was nice to see Mr Bullock in there and taking a few shots as well as giving a few. The boys love it when supervisors get involved.

With minimal time left and lots of exams and assessments, it is positive to see many boys studying well and taking initiative with their subjects. It would be awesome to see all boys take this on board! Organisation this term has been much better overall and we are now well into the finishing stretch.

Hermitage Residence from Dom Forbes

The week started with the usual dorm meeting, where Mr Morgan gets all the boys together and goes over the week gone by. This usually revolves around a few ‘mishaps’ that have taken place throughout the week. During the school week from Monday to Friday, all the boys were busy with assessments. With some having up to six assignments due, studies became a lot more productive. But, the boys still found time to participate in the usual after school clubs, including golf, cooking and music, and also a bit of touch after dinner every arvo. As Friday evening approached, most of the boys set out to Stuartholme for a BBQ and pool party, where some boys were a bit more successful than others. However, five of them, Dan Goddard, Dom Forbes, Tyrell Wolmby, Alex McNamara and Lachlan Manning, missed it due to the preseason trial for AFL. On Saturday, the boys had a blast at the annual ‘Boarders Street Party’, where they enjoyed heaps of events like bull riding, gladiator battles, sumo wrestling and mini-golf. To finish the week, Sunday came, where the rec aspect was pretty chill because of the upcoming exam block. Overall, though, the boys had a blast.

Fourviere Residence

An excellent weekend of recreation was a fantastic way to spend some downtime before the Fourvière lads enter their final assessment period for the year. The boarder’s street party was a hit with plenty of activity and action for all. On Sunday the Year 11 lads were in for a special treat as College counsellor Jorge Ruiz prepared and slow-roasted a delicious traditional Argentinian feed of barbequed lamb and beef ribs. Well done to those who assisted throughout the day, tending the coals, managing the flame and passing the time as the meal was cooked. A huge thank you to Mr Ruiz for spending your Sunday with the boys and sharing some wonderful cooking tips and skills.

Finally, I leave you with a short reflection on his first year as a boarder from Year 10 student Josh King from Katherine, who commenced boarding at Marist in Term 1 2021.

My first year of boarding (a kid from Katherine NT)

My first year has been incredible, from getting dropped off by my parents on my first day, to playing in the mighty 10 Ds rugby union team, making new friends and even learning how to dance! This year has gone so fast, so many opportunities have risen from my time so far here. I am truly grateful for the amazing ‘brother-hood’ of the boarding school where everyone looks out for each other and gets along.

One of my favourite memories of the year was most definitely the year 10 dancing program, we all got the chance to dress up, looking quite smart, we had a ball! Another highlight is playing rugby in Term 2; going to the 1st XI games were just mind-blowing and so fun to be a part of the hive. I always find myself busy on weekends with not only sport but rec, like going to the beach in summer and going shopping and getting to do lots of activities with a group of mates have made the weekends and life in boarding just that much better.

Although at times the schoolwork is challenging, I have so much support to help me stay on track to get good grades, having access to tutors in the mornings before school and during study most nights or afternoon sessions in the library have helped me stay on top of my studies. So far, I have made so many great memories and I know that there will be plenty more in the future…

Josh King

Br Terence Residence

All of our Year 12s have now completed their external exams and eagerly await the Graduation festivities. These boys can be incredibly proud of their efforts and commitment during Term 4 to manage their time and the importance of finishing their schooling as positively as possible. We certainly look forward to farewelling our senior boarders in style this week. Our Year 11 boarders have also been busy preparing for their exams with plenty of late nights and additional hours on the weekend being devoted to their studies. On the weekend, the boys managed to enjoy a break with the annual Street Party on Saturday afternoon where spike ball proved popular, Ethen Tsiamalili did well at putt-putt and Connor Lyons was the pick of the Br Terence boarders on the mechanical bull. To conclude the weekend, our Year 11 boarders enjoyed an authentic Argentinian BBQ that was prepared by College Counsellor, Mr Jorge Ruiz and his son. The whole lamb and beef ribs cooked over an open flame were very popular with the lads and a wonderful way to enjoy a break from their studies just a couple of days before the exam block begins.

As the term draws to an end, the boys in Br Terence still have the Year 12 Prizegiving, Year 12 Boarding Parents’ Dinner, Graduation Day, Graduation Dinner and the Year 11 Social to look forward to over the remaining days of the school year. We wish all of our Year 12 boarders every success for their future endeavours and we thank them for their many contributions to the boarding community. 

Boarding Recreation - Mr Blair Whitlock

The weekend kicked off with a short trip up the road to Stuartholme for a BBQ and Pool Party. Luckily the storms passed through and we were treated to some stunning city views from Stuartholme’s courtyard. The chefs put on a delicious BBQ and there was plenty of volleyball and touch footy before jumping into the pool for an hour or so. A great way to start the weekend!

Plenty of boys used Friday night and Saturday morning for study with the exam block right around the corner. On Saturday afternoon our traditional Boarders Street Party took place which was a great distraction for those in exam mode. We had a mechanical bull, gladiator duel, inflatable soccer darts, sumo suit wrestling, cornhole, mini-golf, spikeball and snow cones which kept the boys busy throughout the afternoon! There were plenty of spot prizes with the hole in one challenge being particularly popular. We finished the afternoon off with a quick swim before a BBQ dinner.

Sunday was intentionally a quiet rec day with several optional activities in between study blocks. We had a small group head out on the mountain bikes before opening the pool and gym courts back at school. We rounded the weekend off with an hour in the music centre before taking a small group of boys down to Brookside to stock up on supplies.