Boarding News

Mr Ty Casey

In preparing my reflection for the 2021 Blue and Gold I have taken time to review previous Boarding Bugles that have been sent out to our boarding families. In doing so I stumbled across this wonderful exert from the document “In the Footsteps of Marcellin Champagnat A Vision for Marist Education Today” written by Br Benito Arbués Superior General August 1998.

 

Below is an excerpt from the document.

 

Wherever we are, then, we undertake to build community among all associated with each of our institutions and activities, including those who work alongside us, the young in our care and their families. Each person should feel at home among us. A warmth of welcome, acceptance and belonging should prevail where everyone has a sense of being valued and believed in, regardless of their role or their social standing. Our way of relating to young people is to be a brother or sister to them. As in a good family, with them we share life with its successes and failures, we set clear standards of honesty, mutual respect and tolerance, and we show them that we believe in their goodness, not confusing the person with their actions when mistakes are made. We are ready to trust each other, forgive each other, reconcile with each other.

 

In a school setting, our family spirit stands in contrast to an assembly-line or results-oriented education which does not respect the dignity and need of each young person. On the contrary, we give preferential attention to those whose needs are greatest, who are most deprived, or who are going through hard times. Our leaders adopt an organisational approach which reflects our values. They encourage a spirit of partnership and shared responsibility, and at the same time, the responsible autonomy of each person involved in the educative process.

 

With the active co-operation of the young people themselves, we seek creative ways:

  • to develop their self-esteem and inner capacity to give direction to their lives;
  • provide an education of body, mind and heart, appropriate to the age, personal talents and needs of each one and to the social context;
  • to encourage them to care for others and for God’s creation;
  • to educate them to be agents of social change, for greater justice towards all citizens in their own society, and for more awareness of the interdependence of nations;
  • to nurture their faith and commitment as disciples of Jesus and apostles to other youth;
  • to awaken their critical consciousness and assist them to make choices based on Gospel values.

The exert outlines Marcellin’s hopes for today’s Marist community. It provides a wonderful insight into what we are looking to develop within our boarding community.

Around the Grounds

La Valla Residence

It can be said that every week in Boarding is a busy week, but this one was exceptional! We hit the peak of assessment and it was good to see an improvement in study skills for most of the boys. Our 'A Team' tutor, Jack, chose to celebrate his 21st birthday with us and the La Valla boys sang very loudly as he shared a birthday cake with them - where else would you rather be on your 21st!? We had a 'Clash of the Titans' for Rugby League, which saw Chaelyn Bowen score the try of the century - everyone was talking about it! We welcomed 5 of the Year 7 2022 cohort for the night before their orientation day. It was lovely to meet such a kind, polite and confident group of young men and we look forward to having them as part of our La Valla family. We were also extremely proud of our current Year 7s for the way that they looked out for the younger boys; they exhibited the qualities of true Marist men. Some in the dorm experienced the joys of vaccination, which was a massive logistical operation for our Health Centre but it ran so smoothly and the youngest boarders were well supported. After much worry from some of the boys, Oscar Tully commented that his nurse started talking to him about cattle and he didn't even notice the needle going in! The week was capped off by a Boarder Free Weekend for many. Most of the dorm got to experience time with family or friends and this involved some true adventures, including the Cobb twins returning to the dorm with Nan's home-baked brownies! A special mention to all the students and their families who could not be together this weekend, these students continue to show resilience and good humour. We have so much to be proud of with our La Valla men.

 

Montagne Residence

The boys are to be congratulated on an excellent week in Montagne. In a week where assessments were due, exams were on and there were changes to routine, the Montagne gents have lifted their game to another level – except the tidiness of their rooms, but one battle at a time! It is lovely to hear the guitar being played often in the residence. We have a few budding muso's who don't mind strumming the guitar, and they are getting much better. The new table tennis table was broken in (literally by Theo Knight), so is in need of some maintenance already, but it hasn't stopped its popularity. Many are vying for the title of best player, with Nate Hughes just edging in front of others at this stage.

 

We were fortunate enough to get a visit from Mr Newman during the week who came to check out the residence and talk with the boys. This then was followed by an eventful Wednesday night where we had Livin Mental Health come and talk to the Boarding School as well as the 2022 Boarding Captain speeches. The boys were really impressed with the way our future leaders spoke. Any of them would do a great job if selected! Those who stayed in on the weekend went on trips to Southbank, Ashgrove Shops, walked to get slushies, played touch footy and were treated to a 'Maccas run'. It's a tough gig having a three day weekend before exams!

 

This week is a busy week with a few exams and assessments due. At this stage, the boys seem really on top of their work and hopefully, this will be reflected in their end-of-term results.

 

Hermitage Residence

At the start of the week, the boys celebrated a hat-trick of birthdays to Cyrus Kwok (30th), Harry Doyle (31st) and Landon Law Palm (1st). We wish these three boys a happy birthday for reaching another trip around the sun! In addition to these three gentlemen, we also celebrated Dan Goddard's Birthday on the 5th of September. Happy birthday Dan!

 

This week, the residence kept themselves extra busy with the numerous assessment task that was due. This is the business end of the term and all boys should be commended on the developments they have made throughout the year. At this time, it's also a reminder to boys to keep working hard to ensure they finish a massive academic period.

 

In other news, several boys have commenced getting their COVID-19 vaccinations this week with their first jab booked in by the health centre. It's certainly an important step in ensuring we protect our communities, both boarding and home. We also take this opportunity to thank the efforts of the health centre in arranging this for our boys.

 

The weekend was certainly quieter with many families utilising the boarder free weekend. This was a great opportunity for boys to recharge before the final two weeks of the term. Despite this, several boys remained in the dorm and made the most of the extra space to study and enjoy some downtime of their own. The weekend also saw Harry Doyle, Jimmy Davies, Marcus Paulsen, Dan Goddard, Lachy Manning and Dom Winkels also take part in the go-kart challenge. I'm pleased to announce that our Hermitage boys won the day, finishing in pole position! Well Done boys!

 

Fourviere Residence

It was an exciting week in the residences as the boys gathered in the Draney Theatre, firstly to hear from their fellow Year 11's who were shortlisted for the position of Boarding Captains for 2022. This was followed by a very informative discussion with the Livin' presenters on the topic of Men's Mental Health. A free dress day on Thursday for RUOK Day closed out a four day week which was certainly a welcome break for all at the end of a busy term. The long weekend also provided a few fortunate lads with a  chance to get out of the residence to spend time with their family for Father's Day. For those who stayed in through it was business as usual with a sense that the end of term is fast approaching. By Sunday night, the dorm was abuzz with the busy preparation for a bout of exams throughout Week 9 ahead. Not long to go now.

 

Br Terence Residence

Nearing the end of term, it was not surprising to see the boys busily preparing for their exams. The Year 12 boys concluded their Mock Exams this week and the feedback that they receive from this experience will be invaluable for their end of year exams. Leon Simonetti held an impromptu tutorial the night before the SOR exam which proved helpful for a number of the boys. Jove Smith and Jack Condon were among the students who were soaking up all of Leon's wisdom.

 

While the Year 12s finished their exams, the Year 11 boys were doing their best to prepare for their end of Unit 2 exams. It has been very encouraging to see the way that the majority of the boys have applied themselves this week and I hope that this will see them achieve pleasing results in the exam block.

 

It wasn't all about exams this week as the nominees for the 2022 boarding captain positions had the opportunity to speak in front of the entire boarding community. All of the boys spoke very well and it was clear to see their passion for the boarding school. Following the speeches, all boys listened to a guest speaker on the very important topic of mental health. This presentation provided the boys with many important take-home messages and was timely given that we are now at the most stressful time of the term.

In the residence, our country lads thought it would be a good idea to give a few of the city lads some lessons in roping in the courtyard. Connor Lyons and Paddy Manning were front and centre of it all, and it provided quite a bit of amusement for the staff on duty.

Boarding Recreation Report - Mr Blair Whitlock

It was a quiet weekend on the recreation front with well over half the boys heading out on leave for the long weekend! Many boys also took the chance to get extra study time with exam blocks just around the corner. There were plenty of tired bodies on Friday night with many opting to chill in the dorms while others headed up to the gym for some badminton and basketball.

 

Rugby League had the bye round on Saturday while the basketball and tennis teams faced off against St Peters. It was a cracking day with boys heading all over for their games. Later that afternoon we played some Indoor Cricket in the gym before heading off to the Gabba for the AFL semi-final between the Lions and Bulldogs. There was a brilliant atmosphere in the Gabba with several lead changes and the game going right down to the wire. After squaring the game up at 78-78 with a late goal, the Lions, unfortunately, conceded a last-second behind to go down 79-78. It sucked the life out of the 36,000 crowd except for a small group of rowdy Doggies fans led by a delighted Sam Carroll!

 

Sunday was another relaxed day a morning bike ride to the Blue Nurses before heading down to Southbank for a movie. Many of the boys opted to stay in the dorms again for some extra study ahead of a big academic week.