Boarding News

Dear Boarding Families,

We are certainly nearing the end of a very busy year and there are a number of events and routines happening for the last time. Last Sunday evening, we celebrated our last Mass as a boarding community for 2024. Participating in the ritual of this weekly service is integral to our faith as a Marist School and we are very grateful to Fr Alatini for saying Mass each Sunday and our Mission team who support us with the smooth running of the services.

Quite a large contingent of boarders also rose very early last Saturday morning to participate in the 42 For 42 at Suncorp Stadium. This is our third year getting behind this great event which raises awareness and honours those Australian servicemen and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the Afghanistan conflict. It is particularly special to be able to support the family of Old Boy and boarder, Ricky Milosevic (1985 – 1989) who lost his life in Afghanistan. The boys should be proud of the way they participated in this significant community event and honoured

As we reach the end of a busy year, I’d like to acknowledge and thank our entire boarding staff. In particular, I’d like to publicly mention our Boarding Leaders Ty Casey, Shane Ward, Jake Platen, Pierce Hardy and David Finch. Their commitment to the role and to the boys is outstanding. I also extend my thanks to Jane O’Shea and the Health Centre team, our Boarding Recreation Officer Blair Whitlock, Nathan Ayre and the catering team and to Les Brown and Kim Midgley who look after the boarders’ laundry. Special thanks also to Belinda Kerwin (PA to the Head of Boarding) and Erin Livingstone (Boarding Receptionist) who have assisted with the smooth running of our boarding program in 2024.

I would also like to extend my thanks to the parents and guardians of our boarders for you your trust in the school to provide a home away from home for their sons. Boarding is a very special part of Marist College Ashgrove and I thank our families for your unique contribution to our community. I wish all families a happy and safe holiday period and all the blessings of the Christmas season.

Boarding Recreation

Mr Blair Whitlock - Boarding Recreation Officer

The last weekend of rec for the year kicked off with a trip south of the river to Iceworld in Acacia Ridge. It’s become a real favourite activity for the La Valla boys over the last few terms and some of them are getting pretty handy! A few wipeouts aside, the boys had a blast, and it was a great way to start the weekend. The rain had set in back at Marist, so the boys had an hour in the gym instead of the pool to round out the evening.

On Saturday, the pool and weights room were open in the morning before heading over to Chermside for some Christmas shopping before the boys head home next week. The shops were teeming with Black Friday deals and there were plenty of bargains picked up across the group! It was a fairly quiet Saturday afternoon and evening, with many boys taking the chance to do some extra study before their final exams and assessments of the year.

The final rec activity of the year was a beach trip up to Mooloolaba. We were very lucky as the weather turned it on after a week of constant rain! Everyone had a great time catching a few waves and soaking in some fun before we headed back to Brisbane for the final Sunday mass of the year. It’s been another great term on the rec front, with so many boys getting involved and keeping themselves busy over the weekend. Planning for Term 1 is well underway, and I look forward to seeing all the boys when they return in late January. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!