Boarding

Welcome to our New Houseparent

We warmly welcome our new Houseparent, Maxine Baring. Maxine heralds from Wesley College in Melbourne, where she was employed as a Houseparent. As an old-Collegian parent, local swim coach, and with strong local connections to the community, it is wonderful to have Maxine back in our community and now closely looking after our borders. Maxine will work closely with Macdonald Houseparent Lise Lowe. They are already working on a new Lifeskills program for our Year 7-8 boarders and have grand plans for 2025.

Welcome Maxine to our boarding community and College. We are blessed to have you on board.

Boarding Parents Drinks

The inaugural Boarding Parent Soiree was held last Sunday, with parents dropping off their sons and daughters and heading off for a get-together. And it was a great get-together indeed. With almost 60 in attendance for our first Boarding Soiree, we couldn’t be happier with the turnout. It has been a long time coming for such an event, and parents were delighted to be together. It is a rare opportunity for our boarding parents to be in the same room, coming from far and wide. With plenty of laughs and storytelling, the night proved to be a great success, with a struggle to close the bar and move us on before the start of a new term! Thank you for your attendance, and a big thank you to Alana Brown for putting the event together.

We are already planning our next Boarding Soiree for 2025!

Victoria Police – driver education

Unfortunately, as adults, we all know too well the figures associated with road trauma. Our young adults are particularly vulnerable, and it is crucial that we do our best to educate them at every opportunity. This week, we invited local highway police to present, educate, and answer any questions our boarders may have about cars, road rules, and what to do in an emergency.

Importantly, Senior Constables Dean, Ben, and Kelly discussed the dangers associated with what they call the "fatal five": fatigue, distractions, impairment, speeding, and seat belts.

With all our Year 10, 11, and 12 students in attendance, over 50 boarders listened to the road rules and advice from police on the front line. As a college, we take great care and attention to those boarders who drive to and from the Boarding House, and I’m grateful they could hear directly from the police.

Although the police initially planned to stay for only 45 minutes, they ended up taking questions and demonstrating aspects of the car for an hour and a half.

Well done to our boarders for their great questions, genuine interest, and respect.

Run Club

Well, the Run Club did start this week, and what a week to start! With temperatures set as low as 1 degree, I should have postponed for another week or two! It was freezing!!!! It was wonderful to see not only half a dozen runners out having a go on a crisp morning, but also our four rowers who also had made it down to the Lake for an early morning session. I am so proud of all who braved the cold!