From the Leader

of Boarding 

Dear Mount Erin Boarding Parents/Carers and Community,

Welcome to this edition of Boarders' Buzz

Winter is truly here. Our Boarding students are coming to terms with the cold weather and the need to dress warmly. The recent  holiday time was a good opportunity to take stock of their clothing/ uniform needs for the rest of winter and coming Spring period. We wish the Year 12 Boarders all the best for the coming HSC Trials exams.

My journey into Boarding began as  result of observing Boarding students in my classes and Day House (Home room) many years ago. Boarders were sometimes disorganised, school uniform incomplete and they were often needing some empathy/ understanding about living away from home. I decided that I would enter Boarding with the intention of learning more and hoping to make a differerence. I learned quickly that looking after young people in numbers in the Boarding House, was both challenging and rewarding.  

It became very clear that it was so important to have the best possible staff available. It was also obvious that it was important to retain good staff, people who want to work with young people, who enjoy the work and want to make difference. Boarding staff work with boarding students for up to 12 hours of any day, far longer than teachers and in a more fluid, mobile envionment.  We are fortunate to have four key Supervisors who work in a very professional manner with the care of each child at the centre of their role. I would ask that Parents / Carers ensure that they enter the following updated contact information on their mobile phones so that they can be in with contact their child's Supervsior. This is best done between 3pm Monday to Thursday and 9am the following morning as Boarding staff are off duty during the day, between 9am and 3pm.  

Updated Boarding Staff Contacts

Grade 7, 8, 9 Girls Supervisor:                               Grade 7, 8, 9 Boys Supervisor:

Lara Plum  0429 179 799                                        Naomi Barton  0455 521 016  

Grade 10, 11, 12 Girls Supervisor:                    Grade 10, 11, 12 Boys Supervisor:                 Robin Bussenschutt   0455 439 162                   Wayne Galvin     0455 436 603

Whilst Mount Erin is unique in that is  a weekly, coeducational boarding facility supporting two separate Catholic Colleges in Wagga, it does operate Monday to Thursday along traditional lines like all of the other Boarding Schools around Australia and indeed the world. That is, there is a period of home coming in the afternoon, there is an afternoon snack, a period of activity and relaxation followed by dinner, study, evening snack and then bedtime (lightsout) at the age appropriate time -  and it all begins again the next day with the morning wake a up breakfast and off to school. Boarders generally attend dinner and study at the set times.  Students are expected to return in time to attend Boarding events including whole Boarding House meetings/ celebrations and liturgies.  These are set in place and other changeable things operate around them.  The Mission and Vision statement for Mount Erin states that its main purpose is:

 "To provide a faith filled , safe and welcoming environment that allows students from outlying areas to attend Mater Dei and Kildare Catholic Colleges and actively supports their academic learning and individual well being." 

Unlike full Boarding Houses that operate 24/7/ weekends, given the current nature of the afternoon programme, it is challenging to plan Boarding House events with the four afternoons/ nights available to us.  We will be looking at placing planned Mount Erin events on the calendar in future and expecting our Boarders to attend these including Boarding Mass and Liturgies.

Year 12 HSC Trial Exams

Families of both Kildare and Mater Dei should now have information about their son's/ daughter's examinations.  Mount Erin will be open during the day for Year 12 Boarders as per last year and will rely on the College's to supply supervising staff.  Mount Erin together with Kildare and Mater Dei will support the Year 12 students as they undergo these importants examinations. We wish them all the best.

Kildare Exams begin: Wednesday 18 August to Wednesday 1 September 

Mater Dei Exams begin: Monday 9th August to Monday 23rd August

Mount Erin Year 12  Presentation and Liturgy

The planned annual Year 12 Liturgy and Presentation or "Grad" has once again been affected by Covid-19 and the restrictions placed on us by authorities because of it. We are disappointed in not having the normal celebration which included parents on site  but we will endeavour to make it a very special occasion for the Year 12 Boarders and to share it with parents via a zoom link. The occasion will be recorded and shared with families.

The date for this event has now been confirmed with the Principals of Kildare and Mater Dei as being the 7th of September. The original planned date has been moved to fit in with the two different HSC Trial examination periods adopted by the Colleges.

Appointments 

Miscellaneous Appointments Permission to leave Mount Erin after school for appointments is requested by parents/carers through the Boarding Supervisors by email/ REACH. Students depending on age generally walk to and from appointments in the CBD or parents/carers may arrange private transport such as a taxi at their cost in consultation with Mount Erin. Mount Erin employs a part time driver in the afternoons from 4.00pm to 7.00pm daily. If an appointment is scheduled during this time, a request for transport to and from the venue may be booked with 24 hours notice through the Boarding Office. This service will be provided if the requested time slots are available. Mount Erin is unable to provide transport to students outside these hours for appointments. Absence from school and transport to and from any appointments made during the school day are arranged through the day school, which generally does not provide transport. Routine Medical Appointments Non emergency and specialist medical appointments are to be made for times outside school hours. Private transport, such as by taxi to and from appointments such as Physiotherapy, Dental or Orthodontist is to be arranged and paid for by parents/carers. The Boarding Car may be available to provide transport to and from the appointment between 4.00pm and 7.00pm, dependent upon prior transport bookings. To allow coordination of services, a request for transport must be made at least 24 hours in advance through Mount Erin Boarding.

Visitors to Boarding

Parents/ Carers have access to their children at any time - we do ask that we are contacted ahead of time as boarding students may be involved in activities or off campus.

All visitors must cuurently sign in using the Mount Erin QR Covid -19 code at the front door and if it is necessary to enter Mount Erin it should be done via the Office Door.

All visitors including parents/ carers must on entry to Mount Erin must sign in using the sign in tablet to gaina visitors pass. On leaving, the visitor must sign out.

Masks must be worn during the current Covid-19 restrictions/ guidelines.

Sunday Night Returning Students

Students who return on Sunday night please be aware that the Boarding House opens from 7pm when staff come on duty.  Year 12 Boarding students who are driving to Mount Erin on Sunday evenings are encouraged to park at the front of the Boarding House and enter via the MEBS front door entrance. Sunday Night Contact: 0455 407 809

Mr John Bussenschutt | Leader of Boarding