Dear Boarding Community,

Hi Everyone,

Welcome to this edition of Boarders' Buzz. The beginning of Term 2 has already been defined by the change of season and with absence due to a combination of Covid-19 and

'flu-like illness. It is important to take the time to make sure we look after ourselves and each other. I would like to thank the following people for ensuring Mount Erin was able to continue to operate whilst our Boarding Staff numbers began to be depleted due to illness during Week 3: Mr. Michael McTaggart; Ms Charlize Lotter and Ms Annika Browne. I would also like to acknowledge the support provided by the Principal of Kildare and Mount Erin Mr. Chris Browne, the Principal of Mater Dei Mrs. Val Thomas, and the Director of Education, Mr. Andrew Watson/CEDWW during this time. We have been fortunate since the arrival of Covid -19 in terms of maintaining staffing but there has always been the potential to have all staff unwell at the same time. We should be back to full staffing levels from Monday 23 May.

Something to celebrate.

As we approach the halfway mark of Term 2 it is important to reflect on Mount Erin Boarding and its place in celebrating National Boarding Week. In the heritage section of this publication, it has been amazing to see images and text depicting the establishment of boarding by the Presentation Sisters in the late 19th Century. It is no small feat that Mount Erin was established some 130-plus years ago and is similarly, still continuing strong in 2022. Being part of Mount Erin, either as alumni, parents, students or a staff member is in itself, something to celebrate.

Mount Erin Mass

Mount Erin Boarding was to be celebrating its Boarders' Mass on Wednesday 25th May in the Mount Erin Chapel. Unfortunately, when we chose this date, we did not foresee the Carroll Cup Final match date. We have decided to postpone the Mass in the best interests of our boarders, players, and Colleges to support this special Carroll Cup. We will announce the new date and time for the Boarders Mass once decided. Our Activities Officer, Mr. Jody Siegwalt will organise transport on the night for boarders wishing to attend. We wish both Kildare and Mater Dei all the best for the forthcoming final.

Leave

Leave is normally requested by Parents ( Reach assigns this an approval by the parent in its student management programme. ) This is LEVEL 1 approval.

If a host is involved including a parent / second parent or approved host - this is LEVEL 2 approval which must be approved by the parent/ host before Level 3 can be approved.

The final process is approved by the Boarding Supervisor (SLA) which is LEVEL 3 - approved only after levels 1 and 2 are approved. All 3 levels should be green. (See image below)

Purpose

Mount Erin 's purpose, enshrined in its Mission statement is to provide a safe and caring residence for students who wish to study at Kildare or Mater Dei Catholic Colleges.

Some schools now use the phrase, "learning in residence" to describe this aspect of purpose and mission.

Mount Erin's Boarding program like all other boarding programmes around the world, provides time in its nightly programme for study/ academic / learning time.

Year 7, 8 and 9 students have 1 hour per night in which they can:

Study and reflect on classwork provided by their teachers
Complete any homework assignments/ tasks set/ given by their classroom teachers
Work on long term research assignments in line with due dates set for handing up
Prepare for tests/ exams
Read.

Year 10, 11, and 12 boarders have one and half hours of formal study time. Year 12 and Year 11of course utilise more time per day without the need to set further formal time.

Work completed is monitored, marked, and assessed by the classroom teacher. Boarding staff, like parents, would at home, can assist where they have expertise and confidence to do so and they can enquire about work set, completed, and progress. Again like parents, they rely on feedback from students and teaching staff. One important expectation, however, is that during this programmed time, students need to be quiet with minimum movement so as not to disturb others around them.

At Mount Erin, many students now diligently use our online Tutoring programme. It is essential that students have earphones so as not to disturb others.

John Bussenschutt I Leader of Boarding

BOARDERS' BUZZ

Issue 4 May 2022 · 20 May 2022

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