SAINTS BOARDING
News from Brett Toombs
Director of Boarding
Extra-curricular activities guidelines
We ask that families read and understand our boarding policy on extra-curricular activities that are available in boarding. In 2026, boarders can still participate in one external or community activity per term and a school-based activity. This enables all boarders to combine their academic priorities with their sport and recreational activities. This information is in the Boarding Handbook which will be mailed out to all boarding families over the holidays.
The table below details the extra-curricular activities a boarder may participate in each term based on year levels and academic workloads.
Year Level | Club or Team Sport | College Sport |
| Years 7-9 | Play only 1 club or team sport with a maximum of 2 training sessions a week and miss no more than 2 study sessions a week. Students must independently complete homework in a designated session to make up for missed study. | Play only 1 school sport with before- and after-school training. |
| Years 10-12 | Play only 1 club or team sport with a maximum of 2 training sessions a week. Study missed due to training must be made up following a discussion with the Head of Residence. | Play only 1 school sport with before- and after-school training. |
Saturday outings
We have three Saturday outings remaining this year, with the boarding community spending the day at the Babinda Boulders this weekend. The final free weekend of the year is at the end of Week 6, and we ask all boarders and families to ensure that leave is submitted on time for this weekend. Etty Bay will be the final Saturday outing on 21 November.
Boarders of the Week
Congratulations to our Boarders of the Week for Weeks three and four. It is so pleasing to hear of many positive stories in all residences from individual boarders. Congratulations to:
Girls – Destiny Highbury and Geyonte Elisala
Boys – Tre Bobongie and Liam Quabba
Departures
While we are all looking forward to the Christmas holidays, can I please encourage families to email end-of-year flight or bus details and itineraries, once finalised, to our respective Heads of Residence.
St Augustine’s and St Monica’s colleges finish the year on Friday 28 November. All boarders are reminded that they are expected to attend school until the final day of term and should not request an early departure. Boarding understands that there are some flights that leave on the Thursday and we are aware of these.
2026 Term 1 start-up days
All boarding families will receive information regarding the 2026 school year over the holidays in the form of a special edition newsletter and a calendar. Some key start-up dates for the return to school are below:
| Tuesday 27 January | |
|---|---|
| All new boarders and their parents or carers attend a welcome meeting. | 11am |
| New boarders unpack in their residences. | 11am - 1pm |
| REACH boarding software information session for all interested families – New and returning parents and carers information session. | 3:30pm |
| St Monica's College - orientation program for all new students. | |
| Returning boarders from both colleges are in residence. | 4-8pm |
| Wednesday 28 January |
|---|
| Classes commence for all students at St Augustine’s and St Monica's colleges. |
Thank you to our boarding families
As the academic year draws to a close and boarders prepare to spend the Christmas holidays with their families, the boarding community extends heartfelt thanks for your trust and support throughout 2025. We wish all our families a joyful and safe festive season.