From the Head of Boarding 

Dear Boarding Community,

Welcome to the fourth edition of Boarders' Buzz for 2024. 

We are coming to the close of a very busy and fun Term 2. 

As you read through the House and Activities pages you will get an idea of just some of the activities and events the Boarders have been involved in after school four days a week for the term - since the last Boarders' Buzz in May. Truly amazing.

Congratulations to our Kildare and Mater Dei Boarders who played in their respective matches/ finals  - CARROLL, CURRIE, KENDALL, and LUMSDEN  CUPS and of course weekend matches in local competitions that have been played or are still underway.

MEBS students were also involved in BISSA athletics and League Tag.

Boarding at Mount Erin has endured for a very long time. (See the Archive section of this Boarders' Buzz) It was while searching through archival material on the Mt Erin Heritage site that I found the following excerpt:

"Mount Erin Boarding School has been and still is an integral part of school life here at the Mount Erin site. So many young women and now also young men, have called Mount Erin Boarding School their home away from home. It is said that as a boarder, you make lifelong friendships with those who shared your boarding school journey."

This is so true.

Boarding Expo - Wagga Wagga

Mount Erin attended the recent Boarding Expo held in Wagga Wagga. The Expo attracts a a good number of Boarding Schools, especially those from  Sydney, Melbourne, and Canberra. Mount Erin was successful in attracting a good number of inquiries about Boarding for 2025 and beyond making it very worthwhile being part of this gathering of Boarding schools. Some of the areas from which the interest came for MEBS include Holbrook, Ivanhoe, Temora, Hillston, Grenfell, Cootamundra, Griffith, and Balranald. Boarding of course is dependent upon potential boarders wanting to attend one of our two Boarding and Day Schools - Mater Dei or Kildare. Joining me at our stand were Principals Val Thomas and Chris Browne, Coordinators Jackie Tassell and David Cook, Jody Siegwalt (MEBS Activities Officer), Annette Davies (Business Manager - KCC), Matt Humphries (Communications and Engagement Officer - CEDWW) and Mr David Collins (Head of Corporate Services - CEDWW). I take this opportunity to thank them all for supporting MEBS at this important event.

HSC Trial Examinations

The Year 12 Trial Examinations will begin on the 5th of  August. Year 12 Boarders can return to MEBS at the end of their exams each day. There will be supervision during the day for the examination period. The Year 12s can sign out for street leave. They will need to advise the Coordinators and the Boarding Office regarding lunch, and leave to go home during the exams.

The Boarding Office has shared a "Student Movement/ Needs" document with every Year 12 Boarding student which assists with Catering, Transport, and Supervision.

The Year 12s will need to be aware that Cleaners and Maintenance are in the Boarding House daily between 9 am and 3.00 pm as well as other visitors for tours, and as such need to be showered, and dressed before 9.00 am. 

Year 12 Graduation Mass 

Boarding Schools usually have traditions. One such tradition for MEBS is the Year 12 Boarder Graduation Mass and Farewell Dinner. This year's Mass is on Wednesday, August 5 in the Mount Erin Chapel at 5.00 pm. The Farewell Dinner will be held at the Gardens Function Centre, Botanic Gardens, Wagga Wagga beginning at 6.30 pm. The Mass is a compulsory event for Boarding students - we ask that no plans be made to attend other events or activities on this night. Photos of the Graduands will be taken before Mass in the Mount Erin Gardens or Meeting Space 2 if the weather becomes inclement.

The MEBS Foyer 

The MEBS Foyer is fondly remembered by past MEBSters and is used daily by current Boarders - a place to come home to, a greeting place, and a place for visitors. Often we have Day students from both Colleges drop in and wait for a Boarder to join them when they walk to town after school on approved street leave. Very normal, very welcome.

Leave

For the start of each new term, we ask parents to re-enter re-curring leave which should begin on Wednesday 24 July. The end day for recurring leave on REACH would be Friday 27 September.

N.B: Tuesday 23 of July is a return day, unpacking and settling back into the Boarding House and House Meetings  - no leave arrangements should be made for this day.

Leave should not be made for Wednesday 28 August due to Boarders' Mass - Year 12 Graduation. Mass is a compulsory attendance event - full school uniform is required.

All leave arrangements are made using REACH. Please feel free to contact the House Coordinators 24/7 for any leave inquiries regarding your son/ daughter:

                               Jackie Tassell - Nagle House (Girls) 0447 014 385

                                                                       OR

                                David Cook - Rice House (Boys)   0477 867 769

Parents/ Carers can take their son /daughter out for leave at any time - a call to the Coordinator will ensure they are in the Boarding House and not off campus with Activities or on the Kildare playing fields.

Approved Hosts are entered on the Leave request in REACH. A Host is required to be at least 21 years of age and has a full driver's licence if transporting students by car.

 May I wish you all a safe and enjoyable July school holiday period? I look forward to seeing you in Term 3.

John Bussenschutt I Head of Boarding