Director of Boarding

Megan Christie

I trust that everyone is doing well back in their home communities. I have returned to a vastly different boarding house in Term Two. On a regular day (prior to COVID-19) the boarding house is a hive of activity and positive energy. Now, there is only silence. I can’t believe I am saying this, but I am missing the noise and action so much!

I am not the only one who can’t wait for the girls to return. Miss Amos misses telling stories with the Years 11 and 12 girls and hearing their music. Miss Susan misses the afternoon chats in the Cath Mac dorm with the Year 10s. She said she can’t wait to watch Aquaman with Verona and Masterchef and Survivor at the same time when Flora and Jermia return. Surprisingly, she even said she is missing Xenia’s trumpeting practice! Miss Erin misses the crowded Year 9 common room on a Friday sleepover night, and how the girls try to laugh quietly because they know it’s past their bed time. Every time Miss Hayley talks about the girls, tears well up in her eyes. She misses the yarning times the most. Miss Alex misses the music and laughter and Ethel’s big hug every afternoon when she gets home from school. She also misses the relaxing Sunday morning breakfast with everyone. Finally, Miss Amanda is not coping without her St Theresa babies. She is missing their stories, their laughter, their smiling faces and their constant questions of “what are we doing today?” or “when is it time to hand our phones in?”.

We are now into our third week of ‘Learning @ Home’. As I mentioned in my last communication, our boarding supervisors have taken on a new role and have become Learning@Home mentors for our boarding students. In their mentor role, supervisors will provide pastoral and academic support. The boarding mentors have enjoyed their weekly chats with the boarding students and their parents.

Above – Boarding student, Rechqual Sibley, learning at home

This week, paper-based learning packs for Weeks 3–5 were mailed out for boarders who cannot access the Learning Hub, so keep an eye on the post or check in regularly at your post office. Remote communities have opened community facilities to assist boarding students and families with Learning@Home. Many of these facilities offer teacher support and computer and internet access. I strongly encourage all boarding students to utilise this community support as often as possible. Please do not hesitate to contact your boarding mentor if you require any assistance during the Learning@Home period. The boarding mentors are available for live tutoring during school hours.

Please find below the year levels assigned to the boarding supervisors.

Year 12: Alex O’Neil – aoneil@stpatscollege.qld.edu.au

Year 11: Sarah Amos – samos@stpatscollege.qld.edu.au

Year 10: Susan Portelli – sportelli@stpatscollege.qld.edu.au

Year 9: Erin Moore – emoore@stpatscollege.qld.edu.au

Year 8: Amanda Sinclair – asinclair@stpatscollege.qld.edu.au

Year 7: Hayley Mazzoni – hmazzoni@stpatscollege.qld.edu.au

I would like to acknowledge the large number of boarding students who received Diligence Awards on our recent Diligence Assembly. I am immensely proud of these girls as they worked incredibly hard throughout Term One. Congratulations.

Stay healthy and safe. I look forward to welcoming your girls back to Boarding soon.