Dear Boarding Community,

The school year has come to a close. I take this opportunity to wish everyone a safe and happy Festive Season and a Happy New Year. On behalf of Mount Erin and The Boarding Community, I would like to wish our Seniors of 2021 all the best for their examination results and their future as they begin their new journey in life after school. The new Senior students are underway with their HSC and we look forward to seeing them in 2022 along with our new and returning students.

New Student Orientation

Due to Covid-19 and the postponement of the Kildare and Mater Dei orientation days, Mount Erin had to likewise, postpone its Orientation Programme. We will now have the following in place:

Sunday 30 January: Year 7 Boarding Orientation

4.00 pm: Arrival/ Registration - Room Allocation/ Unpack/ Settle in

4.30 pm: Welcome /Meeting Space 2 - Students/ Parents/ Staff/ Principals

5.00 pm: Activities for students/ Parent Meeting - Activities Officer

6.00 pm: Dinner in the Dining Room - Students/ Parents / Staff

6.30 pm: Farewells

Monday 31 January New Year 8 - 11 Boarding Orientation

2.00 pm - Arrival/ Registartion/ Room Allocation

2.30 pm - Welcome /Meeting Space 2 - Students/ Parents/ Staff

Monday 31 January Returning Year 8 -12 Boarders

3. 30 pm - Arrival/ registration / room allocation/ unpack settle in

5.00 pm - Dorm Meetings

Thanks and Appreciation

All Boarding Houses rely on the dedication and hard work of the staff who work directly with and/ or in support of the students in their care. I would therefore like to acknowledge and sincerely thank the following people:

The Year level Boarding Supervisors - Lara Plum, Naomi Barton, Robin Bussenschutt, and Wayne Galvin.

The support Supervisors who come in during the evening to provide support and cover the required break for the Supervisors - Charlize Lotter and Jody Siegwalt

The Sunday Night crew, Chelsea Gray and Connor Galvin.

Our Transport Officer, Mr. James Mortensen for his transport of students each afternoon

Our Activities Officer, Mr. Jody Siegwalt for the afternoon programmes, the morning programmes, transport at odd times and events.

Our Casual Staff who cover our staff when absent in particular, Mr Michael McTaggart who was always ready to go at short notice. Much appreciated.

Ms Amanda Hilton for front of House, boarding administration, and support students, parents and staff.

The Principals, Mrs Val Thomas (Mater Dei Catholic College) and Mr Chris Brown (Principal Kildare Catholic College/ Mount Erin Boarding) for their support of the Mount Erin Boarding programme. Much appreciated.

It is important to also acknowledge the invaluable support provided to Mount Erin by:

The Kildare Catholic College Maintenance Department, Mr Jeff Guymer Head of Department, Mr Bill Steinmetz, Mr Chris Hale, Mr Maurie Cummins, and Mr Neil Cole (who left us at the end of Term 3) for their never-ending work in the Boarding precinct.

The IT Department consisting of Mr Lance Vogt, Mr Harry, and Mr Patrick Grimson

Mr John Gowland for his excellent support of Boarders' Buzz and Boarding Photography.

Our cleaners, Karen and Jason (Trusted Cleaners) who not only carried out their main role of day-to-day cleaning but also formed a front line for MEBS in the battle of Covid-19.

Finally but very much not least, special thanks to Mr Dave Lugton and his Catering crew, Lynda Blight and Danielle Blight for the preparation of meals on daily basis. No easy task trying to please boys, girls, different ages, dietary needs, two settings (sometimes 3) late meals, and battling the attraction of takeaway food that is reasonably accessible.

And thank you to our Boarding Students and their Parents/ Carers who are the mainstay of our Boarding Programme. We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Prayer for the End of the School Year

At the end of this school year we give thanks to God;

For all the teaching, learning and care that has taken place in our schools,

both in and out of the classroom,

For the talents and gifts that have been shared

and the challenges that have been faced;

For the burdens that have been lifted and the hurts that have been healed;

For the respect and care that has been given.

We give thanks for the friendships that have just begun and for those that have grown.

For the faith that has been lived in our daily struggles,

For the hope that has lifted our hearts on the dark days

And for the love that has kept us going.

We give thanks for the community that we are,

and we ask you Lord - Bless our students;

may your Spirit inspire them with confidence and calmness

Bless our families as we take our holidays,

may our time together leave us with memories to cherish.

Pour out your love on us that we may return renewed and refreshed to continue our journey together.

We make this prayer through Christ our Lord.

Amen

John Bussenschutt I LEADER OF BOARDING

John Bussenschutt I Leader of Boarding

Heritage Matters

Looking Back in Time: