Boarding News

Dear Boarding Parents and Guardians,

I hope all of our boarding families have enjoyed a lovely holiday and some quality time together. It has been fantastic over the last two days to see our boarder boys return to Marist with big smiles and lots of stories of what they got up to over the break. Many have talked about adventurous trips away with family and also completing hard work on the land. I love the energy that our boarders bring to Marist Ashgrove. It is great to have them back!

Last Sunday, we welcomed 34 new boarders to the school coming from places as far afield as Alice Springs, Singapore and Aramac. We’ve introduced a buddy system this year, which involves a Year 12 boarder being appointed to look after each new boy in the younger grades. The Year 12’s did a great job of helping our youngest boys to settle in on their first couple of nights and they are also recommencing their work as ‘Senior on Duty’ in the junior residences to support the staff members on duty with their boys. I’m really proud of the positive way that the Year 12s have responded to these leadership opportunities.  

We also welcome the following new staff members to our boarding team.

Kierran Moseley – Indigenous Support Officer

Steve Monk – Academic Senior Supervisor

Grace Ryan – Boarding Supervisor

Maggie Wasson - Boarding Supervisor

Ben Lee - Boarding Supervisor

Julian Lachmund - Boarding Supervisor

Sean O’Hara - Boarding Supervisor

There are a number of things we are aiming to achieve in boarding and in collaboration with the whole school this year. A large part of the planning for this was done late in 2023 when we took the current Year 12 boarders away on a leadership camp. Led by our four Boarding Leaders, the Year 12 boarder cohort put together their vision and plan for 2024. Four focus areas set the course for what the boys want to achieve through their leadership and each focus area is underpinned by several action items to be followed through this year. I’d like to share the four pillars below to show the promising vision the Senior boarders have for 2024 – see below.

In conclusion, it was lovely to see so many parents, guardians and family members on Sunday and Monday. I look forward to a great year ahead working in partnership with you to help our boarders to have an outstanding 2024.