From the Head of Boarding 

Dear Boarding Community,

We are well into the last term of 2024. We say this each year and it always holds true - the time has passed quickly. Our Year 12 Boarders have completed their exams and have left MEBS. Their designated car parking spaces are now empty, their rooms cleared and soon to be occupied if not already by the new Year 12's of 2024/25.  We already miss these young people - their personalities, their conversations, and their energy. To Chloe, Lucy, Ronan, Will D, Bella, Harvey, Dana, Lucy, Anthony, Jacinta, Annabelle, Lucy, Ewan, Angus, and Will M - thank you and all the best for the future. You will always be a valued alumni of Mount Erin. 

MEBS Alumni Certificates

MEBS Alumni Certificates are now available for any former MEBS Boarders. The certificate has the student's name, their College Logo, and their Boarding timeline. Any former MEBS Boarder who would like a certificate, please contact the Boarding Office: mebs@ww.catholic.edu.au. 

MEBS Boarding Leaders 2024/25

Our new Boarding student leaders have had their badges of office blessed at the Term 4 Boarders' Mass. I would like to congratulate the Boarding leaders on completing their first official function and involvement in this Mass. We thank Father Byrnes for celebrating mass and the blessing. I would also like to thank Vice Principal, Shaun Ellis for presenting the badges to our Boarding Leaders. A special thank you to Celeste  for the hymns/ music, Laura and Maya  for their role as ushers and the Offertory Procession, Campbell, Isla, Tom and Ella for greeting and guiding our guests on arrival. It was great to have some of our parents present at the Mass and at Dinner. 

The Boarding Leaders have met on four occasions already this term, attended the Australian Boarding Schools' Association Boarding Student Leaders' Conference, and interacted with Boarding leaders from all over Australia, New Zealand, and overseas countries. They will also attend the Bishops' Sowing the Seeds Boarding Leadership Day hosted by MEBS on December 6.  I commend the following young Boarding Leaders:

BRC Leaders:

Leading and managing all student leadership group meetings, BRC meetings with reps from both Houses - Jasmin; Sam; and Malle 

House Captains:

Leading and managing the Nagle House and Rice House "Dorm" meetings, matters and supporting students and staff.

Missy - Nagle House

Daniel - Rice House

MEBS Boarding Captains:

Leading MEBS and representing MEBS at College and major functions

Kildare: Neve / Dustin 

Mater Dei: Chelsea / Mac 

This group forms the MEBS Student Leadership Group which meets fortnightly.

Boarders who are interested in being members of the BRC are invited to give their names to Jasmin, Sam, or Malle.

Coffee Zoom Chat

Following our successful Coffee Zoom Chat on the 4 September, I am pleased to advise that our second Coffee Zoom Chat was held on Wednesday 6 November at 7.00 pm. It was a great opportunity to discuss all things boarding including:

• Mobile Phones
• Activities
• Transport

MEBS Community Pop-Ups

MEBS has visited:

• Cootamundra - Thursday 17 October
• West Wyalong on 30ᵗʰ October 2024.
• Temora on the 14ᵗʰ November 2024 and will be heading to Tumut and Adelong 21ˢᵗ on November 2024 and Griffith early Term 1 2025.
• We would love to see you there for coffee and a chat.
• Information will be shared via Facebook

End of Term 3 Meet and Greet

It was great to catch up with parents on the last day of Term 3 at the MEBS Meet and Greet. Parents were able to have a tour of the Boarding House and the opportunity to chat about boarding and things in general over some tea/ coffee and finger food.

Rice House Kitchenette - Boys' Nook Now Up and Running

The new kitchenette in Rice House (boys) is now complete and in full use. See images above showing Campbell and Mac in the new "Nook" and the images of the "Mock Up" kitchen used to design the final outcome. It is great to see the kitchenettes in Rice and Nagle completed and appreciated by our Boarders. We must acknowledge the work put in by previous students and staff in driving this initiative.  The next stage is to encourage students to bring their own named mug and bowl to be kept in the nooks and of course, participate in keeping these areas well looked after.

End-of-Year Celebrations – Responsibilities for Parent-Organised Functions

Parents are reminded that the MEBS/ Colleges do not organize or endorse any end-of-year parties.  These include "Year 10 Formals". In past years, confusion has arisen with parents incorrectly assuming that any Year 10 Formal is a school-organised event. However, this is not the case, and any celebration, if it were to take place, is a privately organized gathering. 

Parents must not use School /College/ MEBS names in any booking or publicity material. There is no legal indemnity/insurance/duty of care by the College or CEDWW over this event and no responsibility can be taken for anything that may occur on the night. Thank you in advance to parents/carers for their commitment to keeping their sons and daughters safe at private social events.

MEBS has specific response procedures to sightings of snakes on school grounds and excursions. These procedures prioritise the safety and well-being of students, workers, and visitors. Please discuss the importance of taking the following action with your child or children. This information will also be reinforced in Boarding.  

• Assume the snake is venomous. 
• Remain calm and alert.
• Move away slowly and calmly if possible, and keep away.  Alert staff.
• If the snake is very close to you (around 1.5 metres or less) remain motionless until the snake moves away.   
• MEBS may initiate an evacuation or lockdown if required.  
• Arrangements will be made for a professional to safely relocate the snake, if required. 

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ALLOWANCES

Boarding families looking for boarding fee support, we recommend that you investigate the following allowances - you may be eligible.

• Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC) Allowance:
• https://guides.dss.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2024-09/671-october-2024-aic-0.pdf
• Additional Boarding Allowance
• Second Home Allowance

NEW SOUTH WALES ALLOWANCES

• Living Away From Home Allowance (LAFHA)
• School Drive Subsidy

The next edition of Boarders' Buzz will be the final one for 2024 - the MEBS Christmas bumper edition.  All the best until then.

John Bussenschutt I Head of Boarding