Boarding News

Last weekend was a special one for our boarding community as we welcomed a group of boys who will be joining us in 2027. This was the first of our planned “sleepover” experiences - an important step in helping our future boarders get a genuine feel for life here at Marist.

It was wonderful to see how quickly the boys settled in. They were kept busy following the normal rhythm of boarding life, while also enjoying some great recreational opportunities. The weekend included ten pin bowling on Friday, a pro bull riding rodeo on Saturday and a trip to Movie World on Sunday - plenty of fun mixed in with a taste of routine. A particular highlight, as always, was the traditional Friday afternoon Boarders’ Afternoon Tea, generously provided by a fantastic group of Marist mums.

I’d like to sincerely thank our current boarders - especially our Year 7 and Year 9 boys - who were so welcoming and inclusive. Their willingness to look after the sleepover boys says a great deal about the culture we continue to build here. We are already looking forward to officially welcoming our new boys into the boarding community in 2027. 

This week also sees the launch of an exciting new service initiative for our boarding students. Through a partnership with The Tukka Project, our Year 11 boarders will take on the meaningful task of preparing more than 160 lunches each week for local school children who may otherwise go without. Working together on Wednesday evenings in the Cyprian Pavilion kitchen, the boys will prepare and pack items such as ham and cheese rolls, banana bread, fruit and cheese crackers.

These lunches will then be distributed to eight local schools, providing practical support to families in our wider community. The boys are embracing the opportunity with great enthusiasm, recognising the difference their efforts will make. This initiative sits beautifully alongside our existing service programs, including Boarder Blitz (lawn mowing) and our visits to Regis Aged Care, and continues to grow our program of community service opportunities for our boarders.

As we move toward the latter part of the term, we are also entering the final rounds of the Rugby and Football seasons. I know that many boarding parents treasure the opportunity to visit Brisbane and watch their sons represent the College - it’s always a proud moment.

If you are considering a trip, I’d especially encourage you to join us for our traditional ‘Super Saturday’ on 13 June. It promises to be a wonderful day, culminating in a relaxed and informal function for boarding families following the 1st XV Rugby match. This is a great opportunity to connect with other boarding parents, share stories and enjoy the spirit of our community together.

We would love to see as many of you there as possible.