From the Leader
of Boarding
Dear Boarding Community,
As we head towards the end of Term 1, we are seeing signs of both students and staff feeling unwell at times. The continuing use of RAT's can assist with identifying if this is Covid related or not. Influenza is also predicted to be part of this coming winter season. Keeping well by maintaining hygiene and wearing masks at appropriate times is the order of the day. If unwell, parents will be asked to collect their son/ daughter to recuperate or isolate at home. For up to date information regarding Covid check the NSW Health website - Self- isolation and Testing.
College Open Nights
It was great to meet so many potential Boarding students at the Kildare and Mater Dei Open nights. Mount Erin Boarding proved to be a popular booth with lots of questions about Boarding life.
At a recent MEB Year 12 meeting, I spoke about three important topics:
- The Year 12 Experience
The Year 12 school/ boarding year can be one of the best times in a young person's life. Together with their peers, Year 12 students experience a special time that can be stressful (sometimes described as "good stress"), challenging, demanding, and fun. Anxiety, fear of failure, pressure to work hard and to do well are all feelings experienced amongst others. Once the exams are over, there is a sense of relief and then - what do I do now? The future is in front of them which some can see, others not. Guidance and support are so important - from older siblings, friends, teachers, Boarding staff, and Wellbeing teams.
To reduce stress and anxiety, maintaining physical fitness, a balanced lifestyle with good sleep patterns, eating well and developing resilience are all factors that can contribute to successful participation in exams along with, of course, sound academic preparation. It is important to take the time to pamper themselves and participating in physical activity /sport, cultural, spiritual, and social activities is vital. Also important is building some regular downtime in the remaining terms, using all resources wisely (including A-Team Online Tutoring), listening to older brothers, sisters, friends who have recent experience of year 12 and looking at how they managed the experience. Finally, definitely do take time to "smell the roses" - Term 1 is almost over and the remaining terms will go quite fast.
2. Risky Behaviour
Young people can resort to what is called "risky behaviour" when under pressure. This can be participating in the use of prohibited substances - alcohol or cigarettes/ vaping for example. Peer pressure can be very influential in making the wrong decision. It is important to take time to critically think about taking risks - what could go wrong? What could the consequences be? Will these make the problem go away?
Schools and Boarding Houses are educational settings with students from Grade 7 to Grade 12 that have policies, guidelines, and expectations about this very matter.
Saying NO to risky behaviour is the best advice.
3. Car Drivers
Like other Boarding schools in Australia, there are policies and guidelines governing the use of student cars at Mount Erin. The policies and guidelines are there in recognition of concerns for the safety of the young people in our care and the responsibility placed on Boarding/Boarding staff who hand over keys. Driving a car to Boarding from home and return is a privilege afforded to our Year 12 students from Term 4 (from 2021) in any given school year. This privilege is requested by Parents to the Leader of Boarding for approval. The Leader of Boarding is the only person who can approve this. Any requests for variation of the drive from home to boarding and return must be raised with the Leader of Boarding. The agreement/ policy is quite clear with regards to the use of a car and who travels in the car.
Unless a variation is approved, the agreement for driving a car is for one student who drives to Boarding and then drives home from Boarding.
Donation Appreciated
We are grateful to Michelle and Bill Lenehan, parents of former Mount Erin Boarders, Jessica (Class of 2009), Teresa (Class of 2011) Alice (Class of 2013) and Matthew (Class of 2019) for donating two leather lounges to the Boarding House. One will be placed in the girls' dorm and one in the boys' dorm. This gesture will be appreciated very much by our boarding students.
Boarding Commitment
Principal Chris Browne has written in the Kildare Catholic College Newsletter this week that Director, Dr Andrew Watson, has confirmed the Diocese commitment to boarding on the Mount Erin Boarding school site but there is a need for a clearer delineation of it from KCC, as they are two separate entities now. This will also have implications for current buildings. It is pleasing to see this commitment which is in line with one of the recommendations made by a review in 2019 by the Australian Boarding School's Association of Mount Erin.
Bus Transport
Boarding Schools/ Schools in most cases are reliant on transport systems, public transport companies, private transport companies and personal/ private systems.
With the withdrawal of service by a long time provider recently, the first priority was to be able to have a replacement service asap for the remainder of Term 1 which we have been able to do using Priests Buses (covering Lake Cargelligo and Tumut) and MIA Bus (covering Griffith). We will be finalising the bus tendering process soon in readiness to begin from Term 2 for the remainder of the year.
A big thank you to all of the parents concerned for their support and understanding.
All the best for the final weeks of Term 2.
John Bussenschutt I Leader of Boarding
John Bussenschutt I Leader of Boarding
