Welcome to Term 3

Hi Everyone,

Welcome to Boarders Buzz for Term 3.

We look forward to working with you and supporting boarders and their families during this important and busy school term, which includes the Year 12 HSC Trials , Boarders' Graduation and major sporting events.

Mount Erin Boarding finds itself amongst the other 14 NSW Catholic Boarding schools, who are all dealing with uncertain times due to the global pandemic. As a result of circumstances beyond our control, and at the careful direction of Catholic NSW schools and NSW Health, there are still restrictions in place to protect boarding students, staff and boarding houses which are regarded as potentially high risk areas.

As a weekly boarding program only, Mount Erin like its counterpart St Francis College in Leeton, is unique in that its entire cohort returns home at the end of each week. This aspect along with different expectations of day schools, creates a level of frustration for students, parents and Boarding staff. As USA Nebraskan Senator, J.E. Lawrence once said describing a new harsh land, "it is what it is" and we keep working away to carve every semblance of normality we can whilst conforming to rules and guidelines placed before us.

I would like to thank all parents, students, coaches, sporting bodies and others for their understanding and support. We pray all remain safe , vigilant and COVID-19 free.

At this stage, we will continue to have in place regular temperature testing, no unsupervised street leave, regular cleaning of high contact surfaces and managed leave processes that allow for contact tracing in the event of potential infections. Dinner is staggered, with 3 settings providing the required 1.5 metres distance apart when seated.

Any student or staff member who is feeling unwell will be expected to go home until they are well again.

New Mount Erin Boarding Website

The new Mount Erin Boarding website will be be launched soon and will be able to be accessed on both Kildare and Mater Dei College websites through the respective Boarding tab. We invite you to visit this site in the near future .

Year 12 Graduation

Due to the restrictions being placed on the Colleges and Boarding as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Year 12 Graduation will be a modified event. I again emphasis that decisions about the nature of the function and those who can attend are being made in accordance with Catholic Schools NSW and NSW Health requirements. These restrictions mean that groups of parents cannot be on site at Mount Erin and accordingly, parents will be unable to be present at this year's Graduation.

The liturgy, presentation and farewell to the graduands will be live streamed to parents/carers, with the link being made closer to 2 September.

We recognize the importance of celebrating this significant milestone for our Year 12 students and we will endeavour make the graduation ceremony as special as possible.

A Team Tutoring

Mount Erin congratulates Claudia Hammond who has been appointed as the Program Convenor. Claudia will be at the helm to ensure that A Team and its Tutors provide the best possible support for Mount Erin Boarders.

The Tutors and their days/times are listed below:

Juniors: 6.30pm to 7.30pm

Seniors: 6.45pm to 8.15pm

Monday Tutors

Isabel - Juniors

Anthony - English

Nic - Maths

Tuesday Tutors

Claudia Hackett - Juniors

Claudia Hammond - Humanities

Thomas - Science

Wednesday Tutors

Isabel - Juniors

Anthony - English

Thomas - Science

Thursday Tutors

Claudia Hackett - Juniors

Claudia Hammond - Humanities

Nic - Maths

Australian Boarding Schools Association

Mount Erin is a member of the Australian Boarding Schools Association. For information about Boarding Australia including the impact of COVID-19, please check the ABSA Website.

Mr John Bussenschutt

Leader of Boarding

BOARDERS' BUZZ

Issue 6 · 31 Jul 2020

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