Boarding News

Mr Ty Casey

It’s hard to believe that we only find ourselves entering Week 3 of Term 1. The start-up to the year has certainly been one of great energy and enthusiasm. In talking with a number of staff and students there has been an overwhelming sense of positivity around the application and attitude towards the boy’s day-to-day activities. It is certainly wonderful also to see a vast majority of our boys involved in Term 1 Co-curricular, whether it has been Swimming, AFL, Cricket or Volleyball. I thank the families who have touched base regarding the absorption of The Boarding Bugle into the College Newsletter. I understand The Bugle has been (and will continue in various forms) an important avenue of communication for our boarding families. Highlighting successes, recreation report, blasts from the pasts, student and staff insight and boarder of the week to name just a few. It is certainly not the intention to remove these important items, rather repurpose the avenue in which they are accessed and delivered. Components of The Bugle will sit within the College Newsletter.

 

The Boarding Facebook page will continue to showcase the behind the scenes of our boarding school, to our boarding families. Further to this, we will continue to utilise the College App to share photos as we did throughout 2020. As always, I welcome feedback to ensure we are catering for the needs of boarders and families alike. 

 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/MaristAshgroveBoarding

 

 

This week is a significant one for our seniors as they are presented their senior badges for 2021. A special congratulations to Year 12 boarders Henry Thomasson who will be presented with his College Captain badge, along with Boarding Captains Clancy Clemson and Hayden Lammon who are excited to take on their leadership roles in 2021.

 

Over the last few years, a number of families have provided photos from home which are displayed electronically in Boarding Reception. This has proven to be a fantastic way to showcase the various areas our boarders come from along with providing an excellent avenue for boys to talk about their home and the sorts of things they do. 

 

So, I would again like to extend an invitation to our families to send in a collection of photos to be displayed electronically. If any family has sent photos in before and would like to update them, feel free to send more. Please email photos to boardingreception@marash.qld.edu.au

Around the Grounds

La Valla Residence

The focus in La Valla this past week has been organisation. We are learning to manage our co-curricular commitments as well as our study and our recreation time. This has been a huge challenge for some of our boys who are learning to do many of these things for the very first time. They should be really proud of what they have achieved so far. The boys have spent time organising their gear for camp, packing and repacking, and using the time at the shops to stock up on the things they need. It must be noted that upon arrival to La Valla all boys were gifted their own pot plant for their areas. Many families expressed real concern for the welfare of these plants but we are happy to report that every one of them is thriving and many showing signs of new growth. Much like the young men of La Valla! 

Montagne Residence

Welcome to new supervisor Mr Bullock who joins the Montagne Residence. We also welcome the Hughes family and in particular their son Nate. He has started the year well making the Year 8/9 AFL squad and kicking two goals on the weekend. It is positive to see all the boys in the dorm playing a sport and getting involved in activity. Well done to those who made ‘A’ level teams, in particular, George Philp (8A Cricket), Kalan Schnaubelt and Sean Green (8A Volleyball). Boys had a great weekend in Week One at Wet n Wild with some great stories being told on return to the residence. We’re looking forward to young Kai Yip (Year 6) joining our residence on Wednesday for a few nights due to Year 7 camp as La Valla boys will be away.

Hermitage Residence

The return to residence welcomed 7 new boarders to Hermitage this year: Alkim Karaman (Kelvin Grove), Ryan Johnson (Goondiwindi), Harry Laing (Longreach), Zek Anderson (Sunshine Coast), Alex McNamara (Sunshine Coast), Braith Crossingham (Kingaroy) and Kyran Bryant (Katherine, NT). This influx of new faces has meant the returning boarders have had the responsibility of helping the new Ashgrovians settle into dorm life. This has been aided by a number of events which have encouraged the boys to get to know each other – namely hosting ladies from Stuartholme for a BBQ and a swim and a trip to Wet n’ Wild. In addition to this, the commencement of Term 1 AIC Sport has seen the boys get involved as participants in Volleyball, Aussie Rules, Cricket and Swimming.

Fourviere Residence

It has been an eventful start to the year for the lads of the Fourviere Residence. We have welcomed four new boarders in year 10, Jed Hughes (Moranbah, QLD), Josh King (Katherine, NT), Griffin Seagren (Cooktown, QLD) and Harry Cunynghame (Wollongbar, NSW) who have settled well into the routine of boarding life.

 

Congratulations goes to award winners whose achievements from Semester Two were celebrated on stage at the recent whole-school assembly. Fourviere Outstanding achievement award recipients are; Harry Masel, Atticus Armstrong, Harry Condon, Archie Ryan and Alex Masel (also receiving a Head of College award).

 

Also recognised are those who were chosen to represent the College in the 1st XVIII AFL team for term one; Gilbert Donaldson, James O’Connor, Isaac Gay, Pat Mahony, Cody O’May, Munroe Wood and George Wood. 

Br Terence Residence

Over the past two weeks the boys have returned to the College with plenty of positive energy and have settled quickly into the residence. Our Year 12 boys were excellent with their support of the orientation activities for our newest boarders and with providing assistance with the running of recreation activities. We also welcomed twenty-five Year 11 boys into Br Terence Residence at the start of term. It has been pleasing to see the application of all students towards their senior subjects and settling in with this new group of boys.

 

Congratulations to those boys who have achieved academic achievement awards at our recent assemblies and in the announcement of 1st teams. 

Jamie Han – Holidays

For the Christmas holiday, I have experienced a lot of things that I had not expected, with great families and great events. The Covid pandemic has been a struggle for me and my family but has brought me so many opportunities.

 

I first visited the Brown’s in Meandarra. Angus is a kind-hearted mate that introduced me to his home. The first week was scorching in flat fields, I almost got heatstroke from it. From this flat country, I was able to start riding bikes and driving properly. In the hot weather, we cooled ourselves in the dam mostly every day. We always had great tucker out there, so important to boost myself to do work in the early morning. It was a struggle to work through the heat, but it was such a great memorable experience, seeing the rural flat country full of crops, and also learning skills from Angus in the shed. I enjoyed two weeks with the Brown’s. They were kind and helpful and I learnt so much from them.

 

Joe Macqueen, he is an admirable bull rider that I learnt so much from him. With the Macqueen’s, I was able to do what I cannot do back in South Korea. Going to rodeos, roping, job experiences and driving. 2020 New Year’s Eve Warwick rodeo was the most grouse place that I have ever been, where bull and bronc riding was held. I was happy that not just I saw Joe’s bull ride for the first time, but also the atmosphere of the showground in New Year’s Eve. Most people were in fancy rural clothes and so was I. 2021 Banana rodeo, was successful just as Warwick, was just a smaller rodeo with more professional bull riders. I was able to get driving lessons from Banana to Millmerran by Joe’s father, Bill. I was able to get a total of 10 hours of driving hours, which is a blessing for me as I don’t have any guardian in Australia to drive with. Also, with arrangements by Nikki and Bill, I was able to apply for a job in a chook farm for 3 weeks.

 

My first working experience, this was a great opportunity to get a feel for working and learn some new skills. For the events during this holiday, the Macqueen family treated me as another family member and I much appreciate that time from them and the great feeds! The Christmas holidays are a long time to allow a foreigner to stay at their home, but I was treated wonderfully and was entertained so much. Thanks to both the Brown and Macqueen families, my closet is now full of jeans and work shirts and I am able to use more of the Aussie lingo!!

 

PRIVATE TUTORING

It is important from a Duty of Care aspect and to ensure Child Protection compliance responsibilities that the College is aware of all external persons on campus. As a result, the following process for private tutoring is to be followed:

  1. Email the Head of College requesting that private tutoring take place on campus. Provide name, grade and who the intended tutor is patoheadmaster@marash.qld.edu.au
  2. Human Resources will then forward the Private Tutoring Guidelines to the parent concerned and the Policy Declaration which needs to be signed by both the parent and tutor.
  3. The tutor is required to hold a Blue Card or obtain one. They are unable to start tutoring on Campus until they have one.
  4. The tutor must then present their blue card to Boarding Reception so that we can keep a copy on file for our records and database.
  5. The tutor must at all times carry their Blue Card whilst on campus as well as sign in and out of boarding reception.

Please feel free to contact Boarding Reception if you have any questions around this process.

Boarder of the Week

La Valla

Boarder of the week for La Valla has shown a real commitment to his studies and made a strong connection with those around him. It is extremely pleasing to find this young man often in his area undertaking personal study or helping other boys with their homework. He is a real asset to our La Valla family and certainly has every reason to be very proud of the way he has conducted himself in the last two weeks. Congratulations on a wonderful start to the Year - Joe Murphy.

 

Montagne

This young man has entered the residence and already created clear and realistic goals for 2021. He has a quiet demeanour and is happy in both his own company as well as that of others. The past two Friday afternoons, this young man has not only made his own bed but then offered and assisted others in the dorm who needed help getting their rooms fixed up.  He is mature and does things by the book on all occasions. Congratulations on a well-deserved Montagne Boarder of the Week - Lachlan McMillan.

 

Hermitage

Boarder of the week in Hermitage this week goes to gentlemen who has set himself the goal of having a successful year ahead. He has outlined considered approach to creating a healthy lifestyle balance of exercise, study and socialising. He has also wasted no time in settling back into the dorm and ensuring those around him have too – particularly the new students. He is a kind and conscientious young man who is well-liked and respected by his peers. Congratulations to Hermitage’s first boarder of the year, Dom Forbes.   

 

Fourviere

Boarder of the week in Fourviere goes to a young man who has started the year in a positive fashion. He has demonstrated a consistent and reliable presence in the dorm. He has done an excellent job settling back into the routine of boarding life in the residence. He is respectful, well-liked by his peers and conducts himself maturely and responsibly at all times. Congratulations on a great start to the year Hunter James.

 

 

Br Terence

Boarder of the week for Br Terence goes to a young man who has been actively involved within the boarding community so far this year. This boarder has assisted in welcoming our youngest boarders to the community, he has been organising and cooking BBQ’s as part of our recreation program and he has been of great assistance to the staff in organising other boarders to assist with our weekly Mass celebrations. He has been an excellent role model by demonstrating selflessness and a willingness to serve others within our community. In the residence, his application in study and his behaviour has also been outstanding. Congratulations Dino Lopes.