Boarding News

One of the features of the boarding program at Marist College Ashgrove is the additional support offered to our boarders with their academic work. We are fully committed to each boy reaching his personal best and we recognise that success will look different for each of our boarders. Some have come from vastly different schools before Marist College Ashgrove and it takes them time to adjust to the curriculum as it is here. Others arrive with gaps in their learning which take quite a long time to address and overcome. And we also have many boarders who are achieving very high academic results and are striving for further improvement. We are committed to working with each of our boarders to help them achieve the best possible outcomes from their education.

One of the ways our boarders receive support is via the multiple tutors who work with each year group during the evening study sessions. These staff members move around the study room checking in with the boys, offering assistance to individuals and groups. They provide invaluable help when boarders are struggling to understand concepts taught in the classroom during the day. Their constant presence during the study sessions provides comfort and support as our boarders navigate the demands of the academic calendar through the year. I have seen many Marist boarders in the last 12 months grow in confidence with their school work on the back of the help and reassurance of our wonderful boarding tutors.

We are also very fortunate to have the ongoing support of our Teacher Librarians, Lena Crowley, Mary Stirling and Jo Howe who teach a study skills session for each year group of boarders once a week during the study sessions. We believe this to be a great ‘value add’ because we can’t take it for granted that our boys know how to study effectively and there are so many useful techniques taught in these sessions which our boarders can apply when they are tackling their school work.

In addition to the above, we also have a new Senior Supervisor (Academic) position which has been introduced as part of the School’s Strategic Plan. Jake Platen has started in this role and we are delighted to welcome Jake into our boarding community. Jake will oversee the boarders’ study sessions, boarders’ tutoring, as well as the tracking and development of each boarder’s academic potential. We are already seeing the benefit of Jake’s experience and expertise in this area and it is exciting to think how much our boys will gain from his involvement going forward.

Our boarders hopefully feel great support when completing their homework and study and they are strongly encouraged to ask for help as required. Parents, please contact your son’s Boarding Leader or me directly if you are concerned about your son’s progress.

Boarding Recreation - Mr Blair Whitlock

Friday afternoon saw the first round of the Internal Volleyball competition take place with all the Montagne and Hermitage boys facing off against each other. The competition runs for six weeks with three internal games against a mixture of boarding and day school teams before home and away games with St Laurence’s College and a final set of matches against Nudgee College. It’s a great way to get some team building and friendly rivalry going in the dorms. The La Valla boys will get started next week after returning from a big few days at camp on Friday afternoon.

It was a cracking evening for a social with the Stuartholme and St Margaret’s boarders coming to Marist for the first time this year. We started with a few games and a BBQ on the oval which is beautiful at this time of year with the sun setting over the hills. The boys have got to know the boarders at several girls’ schools so well over the last couple of years and it’s great to see them getting along with zero encouragement! Last year we regularly received feedback on how friendly and welcoming the boys are to any guests at Marist and it was great to see them start the year in similar fashion.

Saturday saw round two of AIC sport against Padua College. It’s always a good day playing our local rivals and there was plenty of success with both Premier Cricket and Volleyball picking up wins. A group of Year 7 and 8 boarders heading over to Hendra for a two-hour session at Urban Extreme. With a trampoline park, laser tag, dodgeball and ninja warrior course it’s always popular with the younger fellas and it was nice to see some of St Margaret’s, Somerville, Churchie and even St Hilda’s boarders there! We rounded out the day with some games in the gym and a swim to cool off from this heat.

I finally caved on Sunday and organised a highly requested trip to the Queen Street Mall for a few hours. We had around 50 boys in attendance which resulted in all sorts of interesting purchases! It was stinking hot in the city and most boys were ready for a swim and relax Sunday afternoon by the time we got back to campus.