Boarding News

It was certainly great to be back on the road visiting our regional communities during this past week. The 145th Goondiwindi Show showcased a wide variety of local activities, talents and stalls. Campdrafting, show jumping, ring events, agriculture displays, flower displays and local school displays to name just a few. Based out of the McColl Pavilion over the two days it was wonderful to catch up with a number of current, past and prospective families. Thank you to current families the Masel’s (Alex Year 10, Harry 11 and Tom joining us in 2022), Blomley’s (Angus Year 11) who dropped by, along with a number of Old Boys including Ben and Zac Thompson, Digby Brosnan, Lachlan Tully, Eli Morgan, Ryan McDonald and Dennis and Natalie Carrigan. We look forward to returning to Goondiwindi at the end of the month as we join the Goondiwindi Junior Rugby Club for their annual golf day which raises vital funds for Care Flight Helicopter, Tie Up The Black Dog, and The Breast Cancer Foundation.

Thanks to Nikki and Bill Macqueen who hosted Josh Mulligan and I for lunch on Thursday at their family property at Rocky Creek, outside of Millmerran. Sitting around their family table for lunch was wonderful as they shared their experiences and insight into their boarding journey with their own children.

Opportunities such as these are vital to establish, maintain and develop our connections as a wider boarding community. Michael and I are preparing to head to Beef Week later this week and we are very much looking forward to catching up with families in Rockhampton. Following our return, it is hoped that we will be able to release to the remainder of our boarding roadshow/visits for 2021.

As we head into Week 3, it is our hope that all boarders have each thought about how they are going to maximise their time this term.

Around the Grounds

La Valla Residence

This week in La Valla saw many of us start to settle back into the routines and rhythm of the dorm. We have struggled with many injuries in the dorm following the start of the AIC sporting season, but the boys are resilient and really take time to support each other. This week, Makenzie Bowen, represented MetNorth Rugby League and played extremely well, arguably scoring the 'try of the tournament' with a solo 60m breakaway run. Special mention also goes to Ewan Wood for balancing a rigorous co-curricular schedule with his academics. He won himself a place at the Principal's afternoon tea for his writing in the NAPLAN preparation. During our downtime, Ms Earley set the boys a jigsaw challenge. She provided them with a 500 piece puzzle to start over the long weekend. Much to our surprise, the boys finished it in 48 hours and have asked for another! It was great to see all members of the dorm working together, chatting and enjoying some quiet time.

Montagne Residence

In the rushed end to Term 1, we did not get the chance to properly farewell two of our resident supervisors who departed at the end of last term. Mr Patel and Mr Cowley have decided to move away from boarding after spending numerous years taking care of multiple residences in their time. We hope they move on to further success and remember their time at Ashgrove fondly. On a supervisor note, we welcome Mr Harry David into Montagne residence. Mr David has brought some great enthusiasm into our residence and has jumped headfirst into the role!

On a recreation note, boys have enjoyed trips to Chermside to pick up essentials (and plenty of non-essentials too), Rugby games, dances and have even been on a Mountain biking tour organised by Mr Devoy. The ANZAC Day march is always a highlight. Despite the early start, the lads enjoyed an early snack and were immaculate in their representation of the College on this special day. We also celebrated Cooper Seeto’s birthday not once but twice in Week One! This year in our residence we have no football players, only rugby players. It was great to hear that all boys got a win yesterday in what was a great start to the terms sport.

In study, the A-Team have returned and after a grand welcome, the boys have been straight back into their studies. The dorm even welcomed a visit from Head of College, Mr Newman during study last week. Luckily they were all on task! Early on in the week, we also filled out Term Planners to help us get organised in what is usually an extremely busy term with sport and academics.

Hermitage Residence

The week started with Anzac Day commemorations which saw the Hermitage Boarders involved with the traditional march and a community service in Ashgrove Memorial Park. Following Anzac Day, the boys got stuck into week two with solid study and sport training. A number of boys also commenced training with local clubs, such as GPS Rugby (Oscar, Zek and Jimmy) and Everton Wolves Junior AFL (Alex). It is also great to see the boys extending themselves into music as well, with a number of boys taking the opportunity to take part in lessons and various bands/ensembles. The week was rounded out with an away trip to Runcorn to take on traditional rivals St Laurence’s College in rugby and  football.

Fourviere Residence

We are well and truly underway for Term 2 with plenty of activity going on to get the lads up and running. In week one, I was fortunate enough to join several Fourviere lads at the Term 1 Open Sports Dinner at the Gabba, it was a fantastic evening celebrating the performances of our best cricketers, swimmers, volleyballers and Australian rules footballers to close out the season in style.

A milestone moment for the Year 11 boys as they commenced Term 2, donning their Senior winter uniforms for the first time. Looking smart in their long sleeve blue shirts and blazers.

Anzac Day was commemorated solemnly with our boys displaying wonderful respect as they took part in the community service at Ashgrove Memorial early on Sunday morning.

Week two also saw the commencement of the Year 10 dancing program where the boys had a fabulous time learning the basics and excitedly looking forward to some more new moves in the next lesson on Tuesday night. Finally, the much-anticipated winter sports program is underway and it has been great to see so many of the lads looking to be involved in a team with their mates regardless of their skill or ability.

Br Terence Residence

With a busy start to Term 2, the boarders in Br Terence Residence have been actively leading the boarding community. The boys have settled back into the routine of their daily classes and evening study while also setting an excellent example with their participation in the Anzac Day service and leading the cheering at the first round of AIC sport last Saturday. It was pleasing to see the boarders in full voice supporting the six members of the residence who started for the 1st XV against SLC and the many other boys who played rugby, football and chess over the weekend. In the residence, the Year 12 boys were at their supportive best going to great lengths to host a surprise birthday party last Friday afternoon.

Boarding Recreation Report

Week 2 saw the beginning of the Boarders Club program as this term’s allocations were released. Many of the boys are getting the chance to try something for the first time with cooking, golf and mountain biking proving the most popular once again! We also kickstarted the additional Boarders Music Practices on Wednesday and Thursday evenings for the Boarders taking Music as a subject. Along with the Music Jam Club on Tuesdays, there has been a real increase in music activity during the week with club and practice numbers doubling compared to Term 1. Throw rugby and football season into the mix and it’s going to be a very busy term on the sport and recreation front.

Being a long weekend, we had many boys heading out on leave with friends and family which made for a quiet weekend around the dorms. A small bunch of boys braved the weather on Friday and headed over to Suncorp for a Queensland derby between the Broncos and Titans. It seemed like we were in for a long night as the Titans came firing out of the gates with a 22-0 lead after only 15 minutes! As interest started fading, Ignatius Hallman urged the boys to keep the faith and we were duly rewarded with a stunning comeback. The broncs put on 36 points unanswered and came away with a 36-28 win. Much to Titans fan, Harry Cunynghame’s, disgust!

Saturday was a huge sport day with AIC Round One taking place against St Laurence's College. We had boys running back and forth between MCA and Runcorn all day as some grim weather slowly set in. Most of the younger boys had wins and got into school uniform to support the 1st XV who kicked of at 3:15pm. It wasn’t our day with St Lauries taking the points and hopefully we can bounce right back against St Edmunds next week.

Unfortunately, the bad weather skittled our Broadbeach trip on Sunday. There were many tired bodies after Saturday sport and the boys were more than happy to have a lie in! We made the most of the school facilities with several games of dodgeball, bike rides, mega tiggy and touch footy before Mass in the evening. We’re very lucky with the facilities on offer at school and will certainly be making the most of them throughout the term.

Monday started with Mr Sedgwick getting the Year 7-9 boys up to the gym for a round of the “greatest game ever invented”, Bellyball! Part baseball, dodgeball, football and gymnastics it was certainly a hit and will become a regular activity. Mr Whitlock took a small group of the Year 10s for a bike ride along the creek to the Blue Nurses with Henry Knight and Jack Haddad leading the way. After a busy morning we jumped in the bus and headed out to Nudgee College for a Touch Tournament against Nudgee and Brisbane Grammar. We had a Year 10 team and Year 7-9 team which both made the final of their respective divisions. It’s always great competing with GPS schools and we look forward to making the Touch Tournaments a more regular occurrence and getting more schools involved. With another busy week in the books, the boys settled into their dorms for a quiet evening ahead of Week 3. 

Recreation Activities - Week 3