Boarding News

Dear Boarding Parents,

The year certainly seems to be going quickly with our Year 11’s recently being invited to apply for various leadership roles and our Year 12s undergoing Mock Exams next week to help them prepare for the all-important External Exams in Term 4.

Last week we had another very entertaining and successful edition of the City vs Country Rugby League Match. With this being the second year of the concept, it was decided that this event would be expanded to engage all students at the school. The new concept was that the Country team would be made up of Year 12 boarders and the City team would comprise Year 12 dayboys. A good size crowd stayed back after school last Tuesday to watch this game on McMahon Oval and I’m pleased to report that the Country team won in a tight game that was still anyone’s until the final seconds. We were delighted that former staff member, Luke Caplick was able to be present for the game so that he could present the trophy (named in his honour) to the winning team. It was lovely seeing and hearing younger students enjoying this special game and commenting that they are excited for this when they get to Year 12.

Many of our boarders enjoyed the opportunity to take leave over the five-day Ekka break. Some travelled home, some travelled to mate’s places and many stayed locally with family and friends. Having this mid-term break is great and I know that the boarders and the boarding staff enjoyed the chance to freshen up. For the first time, the College provided a bus service to take boarders home last Wednesday morning and also a bus to bring them back to school on Sunday. This service went as far as Moree and included drop-offs and pick-ups at Plainlands, Toowoomba, Dalby, Goondiwindi and Moonie. We are pleased to be able to provide these special bus services in response to suggestions made by boarding parents and we are aiming to continue and grow this service in the future.

Our Boarding Regional Trips continue this week with Ty Casey and David Finch attending AgQuip in Gunnedah. This is a very large agricultural trade show and is attended by many thousands of people who work in this sector. Many people travel great distances to attend AgQuip, not only from NSW but also from interstate. We are proud to have a stand again this year at AgQuip and encourage any families or people connected with Marist College Ashgrove to stop by and say hello to Ty and David.

Boarding Recreation

Mr Malachy Grealy

The EKKA break started with the City vs Country game on Tuesday afternoon. Both teams were competing for the Capo Cup and both teams were up for the challenge. The first half saw both teams trading tries with City heading into the halftime break up 16-10. Country came out strong in the second half scoring straight after halftime then again 10 minutes later. Country’s defence held strong, and they came away with the win 20-16. It was a fantastic game played in great spirits from both sides and the perfect way to head into the EKKA break. 

With not many left in for the week, boys who were in, used it as a time to relax. Those that went out on leave, travelled home or caught up with mates. All boys returned Sunday ready for the last couple of weeks of term!