From the Head of Boarding 

Dear Boarding Community,

Welcome to the third edition of Boarders' Buzz for 2024. We are heading into the cooler months of the year judging by the falling leaves and frosty mornings. Our boarders are adapting their uniforms to suit.

Term 2 as per usual has many events crammed into the 10 weeks. A number of Mater Dei Boarders have been heavily involved in the College Musical  Grease and a sizeable group of boarders attended on Thursday 23 at the Civic Centre. An outstanding event and a credit to all. It was pleasing to see a number of our Boarders performing in this musical. 

AFL Carroll, Currie, Kendall, and Lumsden Cup matches were played with a number of Boarders among the teams,  culminating in the finals played on Wednesday 29 at Roberston Oval. Kildare and Mater Dei were in all finals which made it all the more important for Boarders to attend and support their schools. Congratulations to all involved.

Boarding Leaders Dinner Meeting

The MEBS Student Leaders met at La Porchetta for a dinner meeting at the start of Term 2. On the agenda amongst other things was National Boarding Week, Boarders' Mass and the inaugural Touch Football Tournament.

National Boarding Week:

Celebrating National Boarding Week 2024:

MEBS celebrated the Australian Boarding Schools' National Boarding Week with an impromptu gathering on the Edmondson Street Lawns in front of the Boarding House, followed by a program of celebration including a special cake for dessert on Tuesday night, a small video made by the Boarders on Wednesday night, an inaugural Co-Ed Touch Football game on the Thursday night and several thank you's made to Principals and support staff. 

The Presentation Sisters Sesquicentenary - a lasting legacy and an amazing story.

Mount Erin Boarding School has such a rich history and is amongst many well known Boarding schools established at the time (1890),  including St Joseph's Nudgee College in Brisbane, Rockhampton Grammar School, Somerville House and Melbourne Girls' Grammar to name a few. The Presentations Sisters SesquiCentenary celebration is happening from the 29th to the 1st June 2024.

A limited tour of the Boarding House was conducted for the Sisters and guests on Saturday.

Boys' Coordinator - Rice House

It is a pleasure to formally welcome Mr. David Cook to the role of Boarding Coordinator of Rice House. David has been working in Rice House on a casual basis since 2023 and has experience working in both secondary and primary schools in London and Wagga Wagga in Pastoral Care and classroom support. He is currently studying at Charles Sturt University completing his Bachelor of Teaching (Primary).

Leave

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 have a full driver's licence if transporting students by car.

Boarders' Mass - June 5 at 5.00 pm

Bishop Mark and Father Byrnes will be celebrating Boarders' Mass with us in the Mount Erin Chapel on Wednesday 5 June starting at 5.00 pm. Boarders' Mass is a compulsory event for Boarders so we ask parents/ students not to plan activities on this night.

Important Dates:

Thursday 6 June: Boarding Closes from 4.00 pm

        Boarders' Departure:  Griffith and Tumut Buses operate as per normal

Friday 7 June: Staff Spirituality Day - College/ Boarding Closure

Monday 10 June: King's Birthday Public Holiday - Colleges/ Boarding closed

Tuesday 11 June: Boarding Open 3.20 pm (Bag drop from 8.00 am)

        Boarders' arrival: Griffith and Tumut Buses operate as per normal

Boys' "Nook Kitchenette"

The Nagle House Kitchenette was completed last year after 12 months of planning and development. The Rice House "Nook Kitchenette" has gone through a similar timeline to find a suitable place for an equivalent space for the boys. The new kitchenette will be placed at the base of the Loft Stairs on the ground floor adjacent to the pool/ tv common room and Courtyard. The kitchenette will have a small bar fridge, toaster, kettle, and microwave plus provide space to keep utensils and mugs. The mock-up which is useable will be replaced with new purpose-built cupboards and a sink hopefully for the beginning of Term 3.

Mount Erin Boarding Advisory Council Meeting

The next Boarding Advisory Council Meeting is on Thursday 20 June at 5.00 pm

Mount Erin's Parent Representatives are Mrs Heidi Gooden and Mr. Stephen Hines.

John Bussenschutt I Head of Boarding