Boarding News

Dear Boarding Families,

This week we reach the halfway point in the term and hopefully, all boys can look back over their first month at school and be happy with what they have done to this point. For the boarders, this coming weekend is a Boarders’ Free Weekend with a student-free day on Monday. Whilst our dorms will remain open and supervised over the weekend for those who are staying in, many boys will be planning a three-day break away with family or friends. Boarders are able to return to school by 8:00pm on Monday to maximise their time away. It is an expectation that boys who are part of a Marist sporting team meet their commitment and play their game this Saturday. Taking leave for the long weekend is not a reason to let their team down. Parents of boarders are asked to submit leave no later than Thursday so that our Boarding Team can plan ahead knowing the number of boys who will be staying in. 

I’d also like to take the chance to acknowledge and congratulate the Year 12 boarders on a number of positive contributions they have made in the first half of this term. In 2025, we have had a common goal to invigorate the Buddy program in boarding so that the experience of our new boarders is positive and hopefully helps them to feel welcome and part of the Marist boarding community as early as possible. Our Year 12 boarders have collectively embraced this initiative and I’m hearing many positive stories about how the Senior boys are guiding their buddy. The Year 12s have also been a regular presence as ‘Seniors on Duty’ in the three junior boarding residences. This program is in its third year of operation and allocates one Year 12 boarder to assist in the evening operation of each of the three junior dorms. The younger boys enjoy the presence of the Year 12’s in their dorm and they have been excellent in modelling the effort and behaviour we expect. The Seniors have also implemented a Grace before meals on a weekly basis, as well as returning the Friday night BBQ’s to Hayden Oval so that boarders from all year levels can join in a mixed game of touch football after dinner. These new ideas and involvements are certainly being well received and I commend the 12’s for their collective energy.

We continue to plan ahead so that the weekly boarding Masses are engaging and sufficient in variety to reach our boys and help them develop their spirituality. We recently had the leader of our Marist College Ashgrove Brothers’ Community, Br Daniel Hollamby provide the reflection after the Gospel. He spoke to the boys about the day’s readings and provided a clear and simple challenge for the boarders about looking after those who are struggling around them. The boys were listening intently and took something from Br Daniel’s message. In the coming weeks, we also plan to visit a local parish for Mass and we have the Stuartholme boarders coming across to join us for Mass. It is great to witness the boys participating fully in this important weekly ritual and developing their faith.

Best wishes to our Year 12 boys for their Senior Formal this Saturday night and to all the boarders for a relaxing long weekend.