Boarding News

As we close in on the end of the term, the Marist boarders are in the middle of a very busy period. Most are working their way through their exams and boys in some year levels are about to start. We’ve also had a wide array of co-curricular activities happening for the boys. The last round of AIC Cricket, Volleyball and Aussie Rules occurred last weekend, along with our usual variety of boarder recreation activities. Last Sunday, Marist Ashgrove hosted a boarders’ touch football competition which was attended by three other boarding schools and games were played across three age groups. The day was enjoyed by everyone who participated and there were also many who came to watch the boys having fun. Our visitors appreciated the idea and commented that it was great to get the boys out and enjoying each other’s company doing something they all enjoy. It was a very nice way to spend a Sunday and it’s something we’ll aim to do again during the year.

Most would be aware that we have a tradition where each dorm announces their Boarder of the Week (BOTW). This is communicated to the boarding community each Sunday night at the end of Mass. The BOTW award recognises boys who demonstrate Marist values and also those who are positive members of our boarding community. It also seeks to recognise boys who are actively trying to improve their approach. The boys show great interest when this award is read out each week and it is something I sense many are aiming to achieve. As a special reward for those who’ve been announced as BOTW this term, we are planning a mouth-watering Argentinian BBQ prepared and cooked by our very own School Psychologist, Jorge Ruiz. This will be held next Tuesday night to celebrate the achievement of these boys.

I’m looking forward to travelling to Goondiwindi this Friday with three other Boarding Staff to support the Goondiwindi Junior Rugby Union Charity Golf Day. Marist Ashgrove is a major sponsor of this event which supports the young boys and girls who play rugby for the Goondiwindi Emus. This trip is one of many planned for the year ahead to visit our communities and support key events in those areas. It is a key goal of mine to ensure that the proud name of Marist College Ashgrove and our excellent boarding program is known far and wide. Our goal is also to make sure that we give back to those families and towns where our boys come from. As part of this, I will be sending all boarding families a link to complete a short survey asking for your feedback on where and how we can effectively engage in our boarding market. I look forward to getting your ideas.

Just a reminder that if you hope your son can depart before the end of this term, please contact me to discuss. Our preference is for all boys to finish up at the end of the term along with all their peers. 

Also, it is important to note that all the Boarding Staff and Nursing Staff go on holidays on Friday 1 April. If your son tests positive to COVID-19 he will not be able to remain in isolation at Marist Ashgrove after 1 April. If this situation arises, parents will need to make other arrangements for their son to finish his isolation period with family or friends. 

The anticipation and excitement are building as we approach the end of term with all the boys looking forward to a well-deserved holiday. It has been wonderful getting to know the Marist boarders this term and I look forward to seeing many families who come to collect their son for the upcoming break. 

Around the Grounds

La Valla Residence

This week saw many highlights in the La Valla dorm despite the ongoing juggle associated with COVID-19. The boys that have been in the isolation facility have shown maturity beyond their years and they are always so grateful to be able to go back to 'normal' life when they get out. Quite often they come to realise just how lucky they are in their daily lives and the freedoms they enjoy. A special mention this week for our nurses who work tirelessly to care for our boys, whether it is the smallest scratch or a serious health condition, their patience and care is appreciated greatly. (Matilda went to school dressed in scrubs for 'Everyday Heros' day at primary school). On Thursday night we watched the most intense game of NRL after study and the dorm was split in its support, it made for a noisy and intense finish and the boys honoured their promise to Miss Gracey and Mrs Sedgwick by going straight to bed as soon as the game was finished. Also, this week we had war cry practice with the seniors, experienced our first high school exams and played touch football against the local GPS schools. This gave some boys a brilliant opportunity to test their skills and the first two games had the boys worried until they found their stride. There are many tired young men in La Valla at the moment, but what they have achieved this term has been quite remarkable.

Montagne Residence - Written by Jock Baker

This week has been very eventful, and a lot of hard work has been done leading into the upcoming Exam Block. Everyone is excited with the end of term in sight, looking forward to getting back home and enjoying the holidays. There have also been some big sporting activities recently. Mr Whitlock ran a touch footy comp for rec this weekend with a heap of other schools participating. The opens and the 9/10s team won their comps but the 7/8 team was unsuccessful. Congratulations on Toby Forbes on getting Boarder of the Week. He is a really great role model in the Montagne dorm by always being nice and treating everyone with respect.

Mr Sutherland has been a great supervisor this week for letting us watch a scary movie in the common room which was good fun! A number of our boys this month have fallen to Covid-19 which is not great for the exams and other such things. We are just hoping they will get well soon. I would also like to thank all the supervisors that are doing extra shifts covering those supervisors who have also gone down with Covid-19.

Hermitage Residence

Week 8 went by in the flash of an eye, and we have quickly arrived into the peak assessment period of Week 9. For our Year 10 lads their first official exam block provides them additional privileges of not attending school between exams. The conclusion of Term 1 AIC sport saw a mixed bag of results across the dorm for our Hermitage lads, among the highlights a dashing 46 from the bat for our very own Hugo Tully representing the 10Cs in Cricket. Hugo was also busy around the grounds playing resident photographer. An interest of many boys in boarding is often external sport. Whether it is a club sport, such as football, AFL or rugby league or army cadets’ boys are always keen to be involved. One such example is Lachy Manning (Year 10) who is playing club Rugby League for Wests Panthers. Lachy is enjoying this opportunity and is happy to report a win during his trial game in Warwick for the ‘mud and blood’ recently.

The week ahead will continue to be busy as many boys now turn their interests to Term 2 sports, Rugby and Football. We will officially celebrate our first birthdays for the term on campus, thanks to Covid-19 and the delayed start to the school year. We wish the following boys Happy Birthday for the upcoming week; Joachim Horgan, Hugo Tully and Kalan Schnaubelt. Finally, congratulations to Tyrell Wolmby, Landon Law-Palm, George Bell and Lachy Manning who were part of the victorious Year 9/10 Touch team that won the recent inter-school (BGS, BBC, Nudge College, IGS and MCA) touch carnival on Sunday. It has been unlike any term to date, but each individual boy is to be congratulated on their efforts in putting their best foot forward. I wish all families and boys a wonderful upcoming holiday break and look forward to what term 2 has to offer.

Fourviere Residence

Week 8 has flown by at break-neck speed and with the end of term one just around the corner, the Fourvière crew have done a good job in hitting the books, striving to complete their final assessment tasks for the term. For the first time, the Year 10s have been granted the opportunity to experience a formal exam block whilst the Year 11s turned their attention to their heavy schedules of assignment-based work. The Year 11 boys were incredibly fortunate to spend Tuesday afternoon with Brent Sanders, who gave an insightful presentation on the intricacies of the topic of consent.

Once again the weekend highlights could be found on the sporting fields. With the final round of Term 1 sport being held at home, the supporters were out in full voice for our Volleyball and Cricket teams. The Mighty Last XI capped off their season in style with yet another victory, this time made all the sweeter as it was over our very own 4th XI. It was off to a rocky start, however, as the opening bowler for the 4th team, Henry Knight claimed Munroe Wood’s wicket off the first ball of the match for a Golden Duck! This only lulled the 4ths into a false sense of security as Xavier Brennan strode out to the crease and proceeded to caress and carve the ball to all parts of the ground, carrying his bat for the entire innings for a glorious 66 not out, and in the process enabled the team to amass a commanding 142.

Fittingly it was Munroe with the last laugh, exacting his revenge on Henry, clean bowling him for a duck also! And that was pretty much all she wrote as the 4ths capitulated to an embarrassing total of 27 all out! Well done to the boys on a stellar season of boarder’s cricket played in great spirit and thanks again to Alex Masel for being on hand to snap the photos.

The weekend was rounded out with the boarders’ touch tournament wonderfully organised by our Recreation Officer, Blair Whitlock and well enjoyed by all.

Br Terence Residence

With the final round of Term 1 sport, the Year 12 boarders were out in full force this week supporting all of our 1sts teams. Friday afternoon saw the Hive travel out to Wilston Grange AFC to cheer on our 1st XVIII AFL team to a victory against St Patrick’s College. Then on Saturday, the Hive cheered on Ethen Tsiamalili and Brent Humphreys during their Volleyball victory to close out the season. Our Year 12 boarders continued on to McMahon oval after the volleyball to provide some vocal support for our cricketers as well. It has been great to see the boys’ energy and enthusiasm on display throughout the entire term as well as the boys’ willingness to support their mates. Another busy weekend concluded with Ashgrove hosting a touch football tournament against visiting schools with the Ashgrove Open team dominating the competition. Standout performers amongst the Year 12 boarders were Connor Lyons, Archie Forbes and Frank Baker. Another highlight of the weekend was the 5th XI cricket team comprising a number of Year 12 boarders who completed their undefeated season on Saturday.

This week also saw the boys being kept extremely busy with a large number of assessment items due. It has been pleasing to see many boys seeking assistance from the academic tutors during evening study sessions and notable standouts for their study efforts this week include Finn Thorpe, Paddy Manning and Hugh Faggotter. Despite a busy weekend out and about on the sporting fields, the boys have been able to manage their time effectively to ensure that they are well prepared to finalise their assignments and to revise for their upcoming exams.

Recreation Report - Mr Blair Whitlock

It’s been another busy week with many boys getting extra study in with exam blocks and assessment around the corner. Friday was the final AFL game of the season with the Years 10-12 heading over to Wilston to support the team. Great to see the boys finish with a tight win over St Pat’s and have our very own George Wood kick the winning goal. Nice to finish a highly disrupted season on a positive note!

Meanwhile, the Year 7-9 Internal Volleyball teams headed over to St Laurence’s College for the final round of their competition. The boys had a clean sweep in their matches which they felt was worthy of a Macca’s trip in place of the usual Friday pasta night. Unfortunately, Mr Whitlock and Temperley missed the turnoff this time! The Internal competition has been a great way to foster team-building and some friendly competition within the dorms and we’ll look to do something similar in term two. The boombox and budgee smuggler brigade were in full swing as we finished Friday off with an evening swim.

Saturday was the final round of the AIC competition against St Patricks College. The dorms were emptied in the morning as boys headed out for AFL, Cricket and  Volleyball matches. The Hive assembled to support both the 1st Volleyball and  1st XI Cricket in their final games. The Volleyballers had a strong 3-1 win to finish and the Cricketers, unfortunately, went down to Pats. The Hive has been brilliant throughout the term and the boarders support is certainly appreciated by the premier teams at school. A special mention must go to our Year 12s and in particular, our boarding captains, Connor Lyons and  Sam Miller, as they have got the Hive pumping again. They were plenty of tired bodies on Saturday evening as we opened up the pool and gym to burn off any remaining energy!

Sunday was undoubtedly the highlight of the weekend as we hosted a Boarders Touch Footy Competition with Nudgee College, Brisbane Grammar and Ipswich Grammar boarders. The competition was split into three divisions (Year 7/8, Year 9/10 and  Opens) and all teams played at least three games before finals. The boys competitive edge certainly came out as we rarely get the opportunity to compete with GPS opposition. Everyone had a great time and we’ll certainly look at doing another one down the track. We also had a successful day taking out the Year 9/10 and  Opens divisions with Ipswich winning the juniors. The highlight of the day would have to be Sean Green dotting down in golden point to secure the Year 9/10 division against a tough Ipswich Grammar team!