Dear Boarding Families,

Welcome to this edition of Boarders' Buzz,

Year 11 Boarding students began their exams this week - we wish them well!

New Junior Girls' Supervisor

Welcome to our new Junior Girls' Boarding Supervisor, Ms Sheridan Gyles. Sheridan is currently studying for a Bachelor of Education at Charles Sturt University.

We thank Ms Robin Bussenschutt for filling in as Junior Girls' Supervisor and for assisting with Sheridan's induction and transition into the role.

Sheridan can be contacted using the usual Junior Girls Boarding Supervisor phone: 0455 439 162 and by email: gyless@ww.catholic.edu.au.

Transport Survey

We are asking for current Boarding families' feedback regarding transport to and from Mount Erin. A Google Form is being shared with families to be completed. The survey can be found here

We look forward to receiving your thoughts about the current arrangements, which rely on the government transport scheme, to help us plan for the future. Your constructive feedback will assist us to move forward within the options that are available.

Year 12 Liturgy and Dinner

The Mount Erin Year 12 Liturgy and Dinner was, despite its limitations due to COVID-19, a great success. The students looked amazing and parents were able to join us via a live stream video link.

We were honoured to have Bishop Mark attend along with Father Paddy, Principals of both Colleges and representatives of the Leadership Teams.

We must congratulate Mr Dave Lugton and his catering staff for the outstanding menu for the evening and the service. The feedback directly and indirectly was that the students were very pleased with the night and grateful for the care taken to make sure that the event was successful.

Many thanks also to Mr. John Gowland for the photos, many of which can be seen in this publication of Boarders' Buzz and our Facebook page and to the Kildare IT Team for their work with the live feed to parents.

Boarding Student Leaders 2021

The applications for the Boarding Co-Captains closed on 28 August. It was pleasing to see 14 Year 11 students apply. Applicants will now each make a presentation to the current Year 7-11 students using video format.

The Year 11 applicants will also have the opportunity to join the younger boarders for dinner in the coming weeks. Voting will occur early in Week 10. It is anticipated that he four Co-Captains will be announced before the end of Term.

Communication Regarding Leave from Boarding

REACH is a very useful and highly successful Boarding School student management system which is used around the world. It is used to manage student whereabouts including approved leave, appointments, activities and transport to name a few.

With its mobile applications, it is possible for staff, parents and students to be in communication about matters pertaining to boarding almost anywhere and any time. It is the one place where all boarding information regarding students is stored, accessed and communicated.

It is important however, to understand that REACH operates on a hierarchical level of staff approval. For requests to leave boarding during the week for example, which is often associated with leave from school, it is the Leader of Boarding who grants approval.

If communicating with your son/daughter's Supervisor by email, it is advisable to send a courtesy copy to the Leader of Boarding as well. I would suggest to all parents that on most occasions, it is wise to include the Supervisor, the Leader of Boarding and the Boarding Administrative Assistant (Ms Amanda Hilton) in the email. This ensures that there are checks and balances and the best supports in place for your child's well being and learning.

Boarding Student Use of Cars/Mount Erin Boarding Handbook for Parents/ Students

The current Parent/Boarder Handbook can be accessed by visiting the Mount Erin Boarding website.

The Parent/Boarder Handbook has an ABC of boarding for quick access of information including guidelines regarding the use of cars by Year 12 students. If you are a parent/ carer of a current Year 11 student, it is important to understand the policy and procedure for the request and use of a car whilst in Boarding.

The use of a car to drive to boarding on a Sunday evening or Monday morning and the on Friday return home is a privilege for Year 12 students only. This privilege is not available to Year 11boarders until their Year 12 Graduation year.

The privilege is not related to the academic study of Year 12 which has some aspects beginning in Term 4 and neither College student agreements governing the use of cars applies to Boarding students.

Boarding students cannot have access to a car without a written request to the Leader of Boarding and the lodging of a signed application form reflecting a sound understanding about the conditions upon which approval is granted.

~Click on images to enlarge~

Mr. John Bussenschutt

Leader of Boarding

BOARDERS' BUZZ

Issue 9 · 11 Sep 2020

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