SAINTS BOARDING 

Boarding Christmas Dinner

The boarding community celebrated a traditional Christmas dinner this week in a fun atmosphere. Some of the boarders helped decorate Tolle's and dressed to impress in colourful Christmas-themed outfits. We were joined by our Brothers' community and other staff from St Augustine’s and St Monica’s. As usual with any catering function, Tolle’s put on an amazing meal, and we were even joined by Santa Claus (Caden) and his helper elf (Hugo).

Boarding refurbishment

We are excited to start our refurbishment program, and the College has fortunately secured significant funding over the past six months to begin work on the residence. We hope to secure extra funding next year to expand the building program.

As a result, there will be some short-term changes to where our boarders will call home in Semester 1. On returning in January, our junior girls will occupy the Lower Ambrose Residence, and our Year 10 boys will move to Geaney Residence while Upper Ambrose is refurbished. The College hopes that Lower Ambrose will also receive funding for a makeover.

Extra-curricular activities guidelines

I ask families to read and understand our revised policy on extra-curricular activities available to boarders. In 2024, they'll be able to participate in one external or community activity each term and a school-based activity. This will enable boarders to more successfully combine their academic priorities with sport and recreation. This information is in the Boarding Handbook which will be mailed to boarding families over the holidays.

The table below details the extra-curricular activities a boarder may participate in, in any term based on year levels and academic workloads.

Final Saturday Outing of the Year

On our final Saturday of the year, boarders enjoyed a beautiful day at Etty Bay. Everyone relaxed and enjoyed the chance to be with friends for one final weekend of the year. We look forward to another active and enjoyable Saturday program in 2024.

Week 7 Boarders of the Week

Congratulations to the following students on their Boarder of the Week selection for Week 7. It’s very pleasing to hear of such positive contributions in boarding at this time of year.

Juniors – Madison Ahloy-Coutts and Jake Sheppard

Seniors – Louise Palu and Oscar Masterman

2024 Term 1 Start-up days

All boarding families will receive information  about the 2024 school year over the holidays. This will take the form of a special edition newsletter and a calendar. Some key start-up dates for the return to school are below:

SUNDAY 20 JANUARY

• Year 7 boarders from St Augustine’s and St Monica’s in residence between 10am  and 1pm
• Parent Information Meeting  about REACH boarding software at 5pm
• Year 7 Boarders’ Parents and Carers Meeting at 5:45pm.

MONDAY 22 JANUARY

• St Augustine's College (SAC)  and St Monica's College (SMC) Year 7 boarders Orientation Day.
• SAC Years 8 to 12 new boarders in residence from 1pm to 3pm
• SAC Years 8 to 12 returning boarders in residence from 4pm to 8pm
• SMC Years 8 to 11 new boarders in residence from 1pm to 3pm
• SMC Years 9 and 11 returning boarders in residence from 4pm to 8pm
• Parent Information Session about REACH boarding software for new families at 3:30pm
• Parents and Carers of new Years 8 to 12 boarders meet  at 4:30pm in Tolle’s. 

TUESDAY 23 JANUARY

• SAC classes begin.
• SMC Years 7, 9 and 11 classes begin.
• New SMC students in Years 8 to 10 Orientation from 12:30pm to 3:20pm.
• SMC Years 8, 10 and 12 returning boarders in residence from 4pm to 8pm.

WEDNESDAY 25 JANUARY

• All SAC and SMC students in day school.

FRIDAY 26 JANUARY

• Australia Day outing to Port Douglas.

2024 Arrivals

While we are all looking forward to the Christmas vacation, planning continues for the 2024 school year. Families please email return flight details and itineraries to sac.boarding@cns.catholic.edu.au asap. 

All boarders are expected to be in residence the day before school resumes.