Boarding News

As we near the end of the term, I feel a great sense of gratitude to the Ashgrove school community for the warm welcome my family and I have received. As a new staff member and new in the role of Head of Boarding, I have been reflecting on the highlights as I have seen them in Term 1. Below is my top five.

• The leadership of the Year 12 boarders. I feel very lucky to have commenced in my role in the same year as this cohort of Senior boarders. They have led by example this year and their positive presence across many areas of school life has been obvious. Our Boarding Captains and a large bunch of supportive Seniors have collectively led through their actions and this has set a high standard for all the younger boys to meet. The Year 12 boarders of 2022 love their school and it has been really enjoyable working with them.
• The significant participation of the boarders. The school provides a vast array of activities and opportunities for the Ashgrove boys and it has been very impressive to see the boarders choosing to get involved. Almost all co-curricular activities are optional, but I have been pleased to see such a high participation rate from the boarders. This has certainly helped the boys to keep active, assisted them to consolidate friendships and led to a lot of fun along the way. 
• Weekly Singing Practice and Sunday Mass. As an Old Boy boarder from the late 1980s, it has been nostalgic for me to witness the 2022 boarders singing Sub Tuum and other favourite hymns with great pride and enthusiasm each week. The boarders practise their singing in the Chapel every Thursday night and this carries forward to Mass on Sunday evening. I feel a strong sense of tradition and community whenever the boarders gather in the Chapel and it is a privilege to be part of honouring these important rituals.
• Boarders supporting our teams. Another long-standing tradition at Marist College Ashgrove is the strong support provided to our Firsts teams on game day. The ‘engine room’ of this support comes from the boarders who make the effort to turn up and support their schoolmates with loud cheering. Re-invigorating ‘The Hive’ was a goal set by the 2022 Senior boarders at the start of this year and they are well on the way to achieving this. The boarders have been regulars this term at the AFL, volleyball and cricket, as well as rising early on the morning of AIC Swimming to give our team a send-off. I know our Firsts teams have been grateful for the support and it is largely due to the boarders that ‘The Hive’ is back in full voice.
• The resilience of the boarders and staff under trying circumstances. I can’t recall a more challenging term to be living and working in a boarding community than the one we have just experienced. A delayed start to the year, disruption due to flooding, as well as the reality of having many boys and staff sick with COVID-19 (who are unable to go home) has certainly tested the resolve of everyone in our boarding community. I am so proud of our staff who have cared for the boarders particularly well in Term 1 and I am also proud of the boys who have rolled with all the changes and complexities which have come their way. A well deserved holiday is coming.

Thanks once again to everyone who has made me feel welcome this year. I feel very settled at this wonderful school which is close to my heart and I am really looking forward to the rest of the year.

Around the Grounds

La Valla Residence

This week was all about two things: exams and sports trials.  Both caused a level of stress for the boys but at the end of the week many reflected that the week was easier than they thought it would be. As a dorm, there were still some errors as we learn the academic systems. Sometimes we uploaded the wrong documents for assessment or misread the submission time but we have learnt lessons that will help us as we move into Term 2. The winter sports trials were an absolute highlight. The boys enjoyed trialling against each other and there was a running commentary about the biggest tackles, fastest on ground and the most likely to 'Make the As'. 

And now we are tired...for the first time this term, Mr Sedgwick arrived for wake up to find the entire dorm sound asleep! This never happens! 

The boys are starting to turn their minds to the holidays, they are ready for a break, some quiet time and to reconnect with their family and friends. Before they leave, we will be doing our dorm shuffle, this is a really important part of being a member of La Valla. Boys will be reassigned to new areas for next term. Not only does this ensure a great clean out of their cupboards but it gives the boys a chance to work with new people, and those that still working on their organisation can be better supported. We will also have a new group of Year 8 students join us next term as part of the ongoing COVID-19 management plan. We would like to extend our gratitude to Ewan, Liam, Joe, Makenzie and James for their guidance and support in the first weeks of boarding for La Valla 2022. They are five wonderful young men who have provided a brilliant example for our newest Marist men.

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Montagne Residence

Many boys have survived the exam block without the high anxiety that normally comes out at this time of term. They have prepared well and (most) seemed to be at the top of their game for each assessment. A big thank you to our amazing tutors and supervisors for assisting the gents get through the tough week. Lots of our boys ventured their first steps into their inaugural Exam Block and have come away unscathed – great news.

This week we say goodbye to Joe Jackson from Montagne for an unknown amount of time. He will be supporting his family and brother as a day student next term as his brother has surgery – we also wish Hamish all the best with the surgery. On the flip side, we will be welcoming back Aiden Lau next term as well as another student from Fiji.

This weekend the boys had their rugby and football trials for team selection. We escaped with no injuries which is music to my ears! Another slightly wet weekend too which meant that the Beach trip was cancelled and replaced with a trip to the shopping centre. I have never in all my teaching seen such a wet Term 1. So many cricket games (and Volleyball too) were cancelled due to wet weather, flooding and unplayable fields. Hopefully, Term 2 has clearer skies so the. Boys can get out and play!

Hermitage Residence

The busiest week of the term saw boys face up to multiple pieces of assessment throughout exam block. With the Term 2 sports officially concluded, this gave boys some more time to work on what was due. With the importance of these tasks in mind, the boys worked hard in study to ensure they earned their well-deserved holidays. The boys worked hard in study which was great to see. They also held each other accountable for their work and encouraged one another to attend extra tutoring when possible. Several boys have also had to ensure they are prepared after exiting isolation for make-up exams! As mentioned last week it was finally great to celebrate some birthdays in house, Happy Birthday to both Joachim and Kalan. 

With several boys taking the opportunity to head home slightly earlier, many departed on the weekend. Before departing, a number of boys trialled for AIC Rugby and Football which commences in Term 2. Many boys have certainly made the most of access to the gym in preparation for these sports. The importance of participating in co-curricular activities is certainly not lost on our dorm with many boys engaging in a second sport for the year. This demonstrates the enormous amount of pride the boys have in representing the College.

In addition to the hectic term of sports, many boys also keep themselves busy with various musical pursuits. As mentioned previously, the boys have a wonderful opportunity to learn a musical instrument with the support of Senior Supervisor, Mr Darian Johns. With this in mind, and with the end of the term upon us, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the supervisors of Hermitage for their efforts in looking after the boys. It has without been one of the busiest Term 1 that I can remember. Thanks to Mr Darian Johns, Mr Kabel Dawes, Mr Mal Grealy, Mr Clancy Kuiters and Mr Kelsey Meyers. These staff have without doubt answered the call this term, and their professionalism and dedication to the Marist boarding program is greatly appreciated.

The boys should be extremely proud of their efforts throughout the Term and the way in which they have applied themselves. I'd also like to take this opportunity to thank the boys for their efforts in making this semester memorable and I wish Hermitage families a safe and enjoyable break.

Fourviere Residence

With the end of term in sight the Fourvière crew have; by and large, made the most of their opportunities this term. Completing assessment tasks right up to the final days of term and studying hard for exams. The Year 10 lads in particular are to be commended for the way in which they approached their first formal exam block, which will stand them in good stead for the future. For the Year 11s, the focus has been on creating audio-visual masterpieces as the seminar rooms have become filming studios for the recording of Oral presentations for English. Special mention goes to two of our master debaters, Alex Masel and Zeke Esler who make up half of the 11.1 debating team that won through to the third round of the QDU debating competition last week.

Naturally, there was an added air of anticipation throughout the residence as the trials for the Term 2 sports of rugby and football officially got underway last week culminating in the ‘bash-n-bruise’ of an internal hit-out on the weekend. The boys were delighted to get out on the fields for a run around again! Looking ahead, we wish Atticus Armstrong, Harry Condon and Munroe Wood all the best as they head off to Sydney for the 1st XV Rugby tour later this week and good luck also to Xavier Simms who is off to compete in the National Athletics Championships in the coming days. Go well boys!!

Finally, a big thank you to all the boys, supervisors and tutors for all of their efforts in what has been a particularly challenging term for us all, wishing everyone a restful break and a wonderful Easter with loved ones and we look forward to seeing you all refreshed and ready to take on Term 2.

Br Terence Residence

This past week was all about exam preparation for our Year 12 boarders. The academic tutors and boarding supervisors have been kept busy in the residence assisting the boys with their questions and offering some advice on how best to prepare for their assessment. Each evening, there has been a considerable number of boarders utilising late study in the residence. The effort and commitment shown by the boys has been commendable and hopefully, this will translate into positive outcomes at the end of the term. While a number of our boys have excelled this term, it has been the boys’ effort and willingness to give their best that has been most impressive throughout Term 1.

The end of Term 1 also saw the beginning of the trials for Term 2 sports, particularly rugby and football. A large number of our boys actively participated in the trials over the past weekend, which also produced a positive buzz around the residence. The boys were also able to cheer on some of their fellow Year 12 boarders who represented the 1st XV squad in their first trial match of the season against Downlands. These boys were ably supported by Paddy Manning, Pat Gavin and Chastyn Creek who formed the management group to assist the coaching staff with the match day duties. A notable mention also goes to Frank Baker for his work on the microphone as the ground announcer for the day. Leading into the holidays, eight Year 12 boarders (Connor Lyons, James O’Connor, Gilbert Donaldson, Reggie McMillan, Ethen Tsiamalili, Tom Young, Jack Billing and Daniel Witt) have been selected in the Open Rugby Squad to travel to Sydney to compete against Knox Grammar School and St Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill. All the staff in Br Terence Residence wish these boys well and we would like to wish all families a safe and enjoyable Easter break.

Recreation Report - Mr Blair Whitlock

The final weekend of rec for Term 1was another busy one! Friday started with the final Boarder’s Arvo Feast of the term. Thanks very much to Tanya Roberts and the whole boarders support group that put these afternoon teas on for the boys. They certainly look forward to it! The Year 8 boys joined the seniors in the Brother Terence courtyard for a BBQ dinner around the fire. We opened the gym up for an hour after dinner to work up a sweat before finishing the evening off with a night swim.

Saturday was the first round of trials for Term 2 sport with internal games taking place throughout the day. The 1st XV boys had their first trial match against Downlands College on McMahon Oval. It was a thrilling game decided by one point and a great bit of preparation leading into the Sydney tour this week. Later that evening we had boys head off to ice skating and the Reds game against the Waratahs. The Reds boys copped a fair bit of rain but stuck it out to see the home side come away with a 32-20 win. Meanwhile, the ice skaters enjoyed catching up with friends and family from the other boarding schools at our traditional end of term skate. We are putting together the Term 2 rec schedule this week and look forward to having plenty of socials back on the cards (COVID-19 pending!).

We had planned a Mooloolaba trip on Sunday but the forecast looked pretty dodgy so we decided to stay in Brisbane. There were plenty of sore bodies from the rugby trials and the boys certainly enjoyed having a lie in for once! We loaded the buses and headed up to Chermside for a couple of hours in the early afternoon. This was actually the first time we’d been to Chermside since Term 3 which the boys had frequently reminded me of! After a blitz at the shops we finished the weekend off with a swim in the pool, a disappointing Broncos performance and then Sunday Mass. The boys have had a great attitude towards recreation in Term 1 despite the challenges and I’m looking forward to another busy term after the break.