Boarding News

Dear Boarding Parents,

We are always on the lookout for activities and opportunities for our boarders to help out in their local community. Last weekend, we were asked by GPS Rugby Club to provide a team of boarders to play touch football against their All Abilities Team. This team is made up of young people with learning and perceptual difficulties and the club is always looking for teams for them to play against. Our Year 12 boarders were happy to help out and they had a great game of touch footy against both the Senior Sevens team and the Junior Sevens team from GPS. I am so proud of the way our boys gave of their time and participated so genuinely in this activity. It was a great experience for everyone involved.

An email went home yesterday to boarding families to say that the new Marist Boarding supporter shirts are on sale at the school uniform shop. These cotton workwear shirts are selling for $50.00 and a portion of the proceeds from each sale will be donated to a charity of the boys’ choice. They are ideal for both boys and family members to show your support for Marist Boarding. The best way to purchase is by phoning the school uniform shop on 07 3858 6469 or by going in person to the shop which is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

This coming weekend is a ‘free weekend’ for boarders to coincide with Mother’s Day. Families are welcome to return their son a little later than normal on Sunday evening with all boys expected back by 8:00pm. This free weekend provides an opportunity for some of our boys to spend time with the special women in their lives as we celebrate Mother’s Day on Sunday. Please assist our Boarding Staff by submitting leave requests by Thursday and keep in mind that boys are expected to play sport on Saturday if they are part of a Marist team. We hope all mothers of our boarders have a great day on Sunday.

We are busy preparing a number of activities for National Boarding Week which commences on Sunday 14 May. This is an annual celebration of boarding and the vital role it plays in educating children across many schools throughout Australia. I look forward to reporting on this in the next Newsletter.

Boarding Recreation - Mr Blair Whitlock

It was a busy weekend on the rec front that kicked off with a mini TRL (Touch Rugby League) comp on Friday afternoon before heading over to Stuartholme for our annual Dolly's Day Netball fundraiser. It's always good fun trying a new sport, and the Year 12 boys got stuck right in. While the offside, obstruction, contact, and stepping rules were broken regularly, it was very entertaining and enjoyable night for all involved. All while raising money for a fantastic cause. Thanks very much to Stuartholme for hosting this year's fundraiser.

Saturday saw Round 2of the AIC take place against Padua College, with most of the boarders heading out to Banyo for the day. There were mixed results across the grades, with the 1st XI Football picking up their first win of the season and an injury-ravaged 1st XV Rugby Union going down narrowly to Padua. The Netball theme continued on Saturday evening, as the Years 7 and 8 boarders from St Margaret's visited for games against our young lads. A hybrid game of basketball and netball (netsketball) ensued, which was slightly chaotic but also a big hit as they played for 1 ½ hours non-stop! Ice creams and some socialising rounded out what was a very busy Saturday for the boys.

The Staff vs Students Touch Footy game took place on Sunday morning, with the Staff looking to retain their title. Boasting a diverse skill set, the staff were confident heading into the game, although an early promise didn't materialize, with the students going into halftime with a 5-1 lead. Despite some generous referee interpretations, the students had too much in their locker and ran out eventual 10-7 winners. We look forward to getting one back in the Basketball match next term. The final activity of the weekend was a trip down to Southbank for the latest Guardians of the Galaxy movie. It's always worth driving the extra 15 mins down to Southbank as they offer $8 tickets for the boys, which is half the price of our local! Another busy weekend in the books, and somehow we are already in Week 4!