From the Head of Boarding 

Dear Boarding Community,

The Year 12 Boarders have completed their HSC Trial Examinations and at the time of writing this newsletter, are preparing to celebrate their Graduation Mass* and attend their farewell Dinner on Wednesday 28th of August. When I spoke to this group at the end of Term 3 in 2023, I mentioned as I have done so to many students over my teaching and Boarding career - " the time will go so fast, before you know it, you will be celebrating your Graduation Mass and ................"  Well, here we are.  

We will miss this group of young people. A number have been here since 2019 and all have contributed to the tapestry of MEBS. On behalf of the Mount Erin Boarding Community, I would like to wish, Bella, Dana, Lucy, Lily, Lucinda, Jacinta, Chloe, Annabelle, Ronan, Will, Harvey, Ewan, Anthony, and Angus all the best for their upcoming exams and their future journey.

Happy Father's Day !  To all of our Boarding Dads. We hope you enjoyed the day.

ABSA Conference

Coordinator Jackie Tassell and I attended the recent Australian Boarding Schools' Association International Boarding Conference in Canberra along with Heads of Boarding, Boarding staff, and Principals from over 100 Boarding schools representing every state of Australia. There were also staff from over 100 Boarding schools across Australia , New Zealand, and Overseas. The Conference was titled "Burning Issues" in Boarding with a focus on online applications (apps) technology, cyber security, and safeguarding young people. I will be sharing some of this information during the Coffee Chat Zoom meeting - see below.

MEBS Visitors

MEBS has been fortunate to have Principals, CEDWW Directors, parents past staff, and alumni come for dinner from time to time.  During Term 3 so far, it has been our pleasure to have had Bishop Mark Edwards, Father Byrnes, and most recently, Sister Barbara join us for dinner and speak to the Boarders. Boarding students and staff are most appreciative of this. Sister Barbara, a Presentation Sister informed us that she first came to Mount Erin in 1953 as a young Boarder, Amazing.

Seminarian, Patrick Drum joined us for dinner on Thursday of this week. 

*Year 12 Graduation Mass

The Year 12 Graduation Mass and Farewell Dinner event proved to be an excellent evening celebrating the Year 12's as they come to the end of their time in Boarding.

The Boarders' Graduation is one of a number of traditions and rites of passage that the boarders experience as part of their final journey of secondary schooling.

I take this opportunity to thank Father Byrnes, Father Grace and Seminarian Patrick Drum for conducting Mass including the blessing of the Year 12 Candles. We also thank Principal Chris Browne (KCC), Vice Principal Shaun Ellis (MDCC), Executive Staff of both Colleges, Special Guests including Presentation Sister Barbara Webber, Parents/ Carers, Boarding staff and students and of course our 2024 Graduans for being present and making the evening a success. Special thanks to Mrs Amanda Hilton, Coordinator Mrs. Jackie Tassell, Mr. John Gowland (KCC - Photography), KCC IT / Celeste for music

Head of Boarding Coffee Chat

Join me for a Coffee Chat about Boarding. To break the ice I will be sharing with you some important and relevant information that comes from the recent Australian Boarding Schools Association Conference held recently in Canberra.  

When?  4 September 7.00 pm. to 8.00 pm.

• see thezoom link (This will also be sent out via REACH.

I look forward to catching up next Wednesday - Long Black for me.

John Bussenschutt I Head of Boarding