SAINTS BOARDING 

Farewell to Mr Stephen King

Today, the Saints boarding community farewelled Mr King, who has been an influential figure and well respected head of residence of the boys boarding program over the past nine years. Mr King has cared for hundreds of young men during his time, and has left an undeniable legacy within the boarding community. Passionate, caring, a man of integrity and principle, are all qualities that he has modelled and instilled in the boys under his care.

Our boarders have been very fortunate to have had Mr King oversee their boarding experiences throughout the last nine years.

You will be missed Mr King.

Settling in

The boarders are to be commended on the way they have settled into the new school year. Routines have been well established; study is focused, and the boarding family has a welcoming feel. Much of the early homesickness seems to have subsided and the busyness of life at St Augustine’s has been embraced.

The boarding community has had a busy two weeks. This year we welcomed 45 new boarders: 24 Year 7s and 21 from all other year levels. It is very pleasing to see our residences at near capacity and the boarders enjoying daily life.

Tutorial program kicks off for 2024

Still uncertain what you did in Maths today? It's not a problem for our boarders as they just need to ask for clarification from one of the many tutors available during study. We are most fortunate to have a wonderful team of teachers, learning support officers, undergraduate students and Old Boys assist our boarders during study. They will have access to several tutors in the next couple of weeks, and this program will continue for the entire school year.

Sunday Night Mass

Excluding free weekends and exeat weekends, the boarding community celebrates Mass in the chapel on Sundays at 7pm. This is a compulsory event for all our boarders; therefore, we ask that they return to the College on a Sunday by 5:45pm. This allows them to be present for the roll call and dinner, which starts at 6:10pm.

Free and Exeat Weekends

We are approaching the first free weekend of the boarding year: in Week 3 on 10 and 11 February. To reiterate, a free weekend allows boarders, if they wish, to spend the weekend with family or friends. This leave must be approved through the REACH system and submitted by 7pm on a Tuesday night before the weekend. Those who wish to remain in boarding on a free weekend will enjoy  our usual Saturday and Sunday program.

The exeat weekend for Term 1 for St Augustine’s is from Friday 23 to Sunday 25 February. The Friday is a student-free day at Saints. However, this is not a student-free day for St Monica’s, and the weekend will start on 24 February for the girls. Boarding residences will reopen on Sunday 25 February at 4pm and boarders are expected to return by 8pm. They may also return on Monday morning before school but must contact the relevant head of residence beforehand.

 To clarify, all boarders must plan to leave for the entire exeat weekend. Residences will be closed from 4:30pm on the day of departure, and will not reopen until 4pm Sunday 25 February. Leave for full-time boarders for the weekend must be entered into REACH by 7pm Tuesday 20 February. Boarders are responsible for submitting leave requests, and their parents or carers must approve them.  

Facebook and REACH

Thank you to the parents, carers and boarders who have navigated the REACH program when applying for leave over the past fortnight. If you have any concerns about accessing the program, please call or email me or contact your child's head of residence. Also, a reminder about the St Augustine’s Boarding Facebook page. If you wish to join, please follow the  link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/145337315916743/

Country Visits and Dinners

In 2024 we look forward to resuming our visits to prominent places where our families live. We will begin these visits in Term 2 with trips to PNG and the Atherton Tablelands. Information will be distributed to families closer to the date.

Week 1 Outings

Our boarders enjoyed the Australia Day long weekend. Nearly 100 students took part in the Friday activities at the College with a visit to the Esplanade in the afternoon to go swimming or enjoy the leisurely pace of the day.

With near perfect conditions, we ventured to the Babinda Boulders last Saturday for our first official Saturday outing of the year. Everyone had a great day.

We look forward to a day at Palm Cove this weekend, which is another popular spot for the boarders.

Leave Requests

A reminder to families that all leave requests for our normal weekends must be submitted by 7pm on Wednesday nights. We understand and support boarders visiting their families when in town, and staff will always work with families to ensure that quality time can be had during these visits. We do ask, however, that requests are made well in advance of the Friday before the weekend. Weekend programs have been organised and planning has been completed by that time.