Dear Parents and Friends,
I write this article to you from Dubbo, as I commence the 2024 Boarding Expo Program across New South Wales. I am excited for our ‘Past, Present, and Future Families’ dinner tonight, and those that are coming up over the next few months. Our families are our best marketing tool, so if you do know of any families with young men looking at Boarding Schools, please pass on my details or call me to discuss, and I am happy to speak to anyone our families recommend.
A reminder that we will be at the following events in 2024:
DATE | EVENT | DINNER |
9 May to 11 May | Dubbo Boarding Expo | Commercial Hotel – 10 May – 7:00pm |
21 June to 22 June | Wagga Boarding Expo | TBC |
26 July to 27 July | Tamworth Expo | TBC |
12 July to 13 July | Mudgee Field Days | N/A |
10 August | Western Families Dinner (after Rugby at Stannies) | TBC |
11 August | Mudgee Dinner | TBC |
We will also be hosting dinners in Cootamundra, Crookwell, Perth, and Newcastle – Dates to be confirmed.
PILGRIMMAGE
Over the holiday break, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to undertake a pilgrimage within the Marist network. With 26 other Marist Leaders from across Australia, we followed the path of the second journey of St Paul when he brought Christianity to Europe. From Greece, to Turkey, Rome, and France, it was a truly unforgettable three weeks. I had the opportunity to meet some amazing people, travel to the General House in Rome where Marist Education is overseen, attend the Papal Audience, and spend time in France where the Marist brothers were founded. The biggest affirmation from the experience was the amazing network of people across the globe that are part of the Marist network. It is a truly wonderful organisation that your sons are being educated within, and one that I am proud to be a graduate of and working in now. I will be speaking to your sons at length about the experiences and learning from the pilgrimage in the coming weeks.
NATIONAL BOARDING WEEK
In Week 3 we will celebrate everything that is great about boarding with National Boarding Week. This will be celebrated by the 25,000 boarding students across Australia. We have lots of fun activities planned and look forward to the week.
CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to Lachlan Vella (Cronulla) for being selected in the Australian Schoolboys Baseball team. Lachlan competed for NSW in the recent Australian Schools Championships. NSW won the championships, and Lachlan was selected in the Australian team due to his outstanding success in the tournament. Congratulations Lachlan. A fantastic achievement for a wonderful young man, who works exceptionally hard.
FAMILY WEEKEND
Our annual family weekend is fast approaching. Can I please ask all families to RSVP to the event to assist us with catering. We are playing Trinity Grammar School. An email with the weekend’s schedule, as well as a survey to RSVP to all the events has been sent. I will confirm fixtures and timing in the coming week.
The marquee will again be in full swing and The Runciman, Ryman, and Khan families have volunteered to cook our spit roast lunch. Morning tea will be available.
Can I please remind families that all students are expected to be in attendance at the 1st XV fixture.
The Boarders' Mass will commence at 6:30pm. All students are expected to be in attendance at this mass in full winter uniform.
The cocktail function and sibling dinner will commence at the conclusion of Mass.
After family weekend we will head into a busy assessment period, as subjects start to have their first assessments due for the year. Years 7 to 10 have an exam week in Week 5. This can sometimes lead to stress and anxiety, particularly amongst our new students. Please ensure you reach out if you are worried about your son at this time. We have lots of options to provide assistance and support to your son at these busy and often stressful times.
Ad Jesus Per Mariam
Mr Luke Morrissey