Boarding News

I am grateful for the support of all boarding families as we planned and implemented a ‘closed weekend’ for boarders over the last few days. Having almost every boy stay in boarding for the whole weekend brought about many opportunities to undertake special events together. Doing this so early in the year definitely helped the boys to strengthen friendships, and for some, provided them a chance to enjoy experiences they may have been missing out on. We also managed to mostly avoid the bad weather that was being predicted. Thanks to the Year 12 boarders for pushing the closed weekend idea and for being present to the younger boarders over the weekend in their role as leaders in our community. 

Below is a list of the many recreation activities which were put on for the boarders, in addition to their AIC sporting matches. A fantastic line up for all to enjoy!

• A pool party – social for all Year 7/8/9 boarders with the St Margaret’s boarders.
• All Year 12 boarders having dinner together as a cohort at Grill’d Newmarket.
• The weights gym was open and supervised three times over the weekend on Friday night, Saturday afternoon and Sunday afternoon.
• Our swimming pool was opened again for a free swim on Saturday afternoon.
• The Champagnat Centre was open and supervised for ball games on Saturday and Sunday.
• An evening excursion to ‘Eat Street’ at Hamilton on Saturday.
• BBQ breakfast and games in the common room for all Year 7 and 8 boarders – hosted by the Year 12 boarders in Br Terence Residence.
• An excursion to ‘Aqua Warrior’ on Sunday.

As a boarding school, we take seriously our responsibility to teach the boarders in our care the many life lessons that will help them as they reach adulthood. The boys spend almost three-quarters of each year at boarding school and there are so many teachable moments and opportunities for the boys to learn new things. An example of this was last Sunday following Mass when I spoke with all the boys and gave them a few things to work on. These might be things you’ve spoken about at home, but it doesn’t hurt for them to be reinforced at boarding school:

1. Be someone who always remembers to say ‘thanks’ ……… thanking your teacher after a lesson, thanking the kitchen staff after a meal, thanking a coach after training etc.
2. Make sure you greet adults ………. ‘Hello Miss, how are you?’ ‘Good morning Sir.’ 
3. Cop it maturely …….. if an adult corrects you about something, or you don’t get the answer you wanted – accept this, and don’t hang your head sulking.
4. Respond when someone gives you a compliment ……… e.g.: if an adult congratulates you on doing something well – respond “Thank you for that”.

All of the above tips are simple and don’t require any great skill. But if practised regularly, I believe the boys would stand out in a world where people increasingly don’t possess great manners. Hopefully they see the sense in trying these things as they go about their daily business.