Boarding News

Mr Jim Noble, Head of Boarding

In a previous newsletter, I referred to a new initiative being run as part of our boarding program in 2023. This new pilot program known as ‘Marist Extend’ will provide the opportunity for Year 7 day students to stay back in boarding after school until 8:00pm on weeknights. Students who participate in Marist Extend will benefit from the structure and organisation of the boarding routine. They will be able to attend co-curricular activities in the afternoon and access the academic support provided during the boarders’ evening study sessions. A most exciting opportunity also presents for boarders and dayboys to form strong friendships because they will be spending this extra time together after school. The boarding staff are looking forward to welcoming boys into the Marist Extend program from the start of next year. Parents of Year 7 (2023) day students are invited to attend a Marist Extend information night next Thursday night, 3rd November as per the flyer below.

 

Register: https://events.humanitix.com/marist-extend-information-session

 

Last week there were two special functions enjoyed by our boarding community. On Tuesday night, we had the Year 12 Boarders and Staff Dinner in the Cyprian Pavilion. The boys did a wonderful job of expressing their gratitude to key staff with a number of well-written speeches. It was also a very entertaining night with lots of laughs and memories. And then on Thursday evening we had a function before the Year 11 Social where our boarders gathered with their partners, parents and family members for photos and light refreshments before heading off to this special occasion in their calendar. The boys looked great all dressed up and it was lovely to have them together as a group in the lead up to this event.

 

 

At the end of this term, the school will be supporting a great event in Mt Isa called ‘Sport For Bush Kids’ which is run annually by Mount Isa Isolated Children's Parents Association Branch of the Air. We are sending up staff members to assist with sports coaching clinics run for primary school children who do their schooling through distance education and come from remote properties in the Mt Isa region and beyond. The children are not lucky enough to be able to play regular competitive sport or to receive good coaching, so this event is something they really look forward to each year. We are excited to be contributing to Sport For Bush Kids and also the opportunity to catch up with current, past and future Marist families whilst in Mt Isa.

Boarding Recreation - Mr Blair Whitlock

The weekend was full of rain which kept us indoors for most of the time. We fitted in a trip to the movies to watch Black Adam and a Chermside shopping run on Saturday. Meanwhile, a group of La Valla and Fourviere boys were involved in the AIC Touch Carnival on Saturday which was fortunately still played down at Runcorn.

 

We've introduced pickleball and squash to the clubs program this term and the boys are getting right into both of them. The squash games are particularly entertaining as the boys try and grasp the concept of using four walls at once! The gym was kitted out with pickleball and volleyball nets throughout the weekend which gave the boys plenty of opportunity to get some extra practice in.

 

We are looking to reschedule the socials that have been postponed in the last fortnight although the end-of-year calendar is always chocker block! Watch this space!