Life at Mount Erin
1 | Staff
From the moment a Boarder begins at Mount Erin Boarding they are well cared for by professionally developed Boarding Supervisors who are supported by an Activities Officer, a Transport Officer, an Administrative Assistant and the Head of Boarding.
We understand that transitioning to boarding for a student can be overwhelming, and the caring staff at Mount Erin Boarding strive to ensure that all Boarders feel safe and respected.
Each focus area/group is looked after by a key Supervisor, and all are supported by other Boarding staff each afternoon and evening.
2 | Facilities
Mount Erin Boarding works in conjunction with the Kildare Catholic College campus, which provides our Boarders with the use of a swimming pool, gym, basketball, netball and tennis courts and an oval for recreation. The Resource Centre is an excellent place to study after school, and the school hall is an ideal place to play indoor games and other activities, especially during inclement weather.
The Boarding House contains many communal spaces where Boarders can socialise and interact. The courtyards are multi-purpose and offer basketball and netball hoops, pool tables, foosball machines and table tennis tables in the girls’ and boys’ dorms. This allows for informal recreation, and of course, there are spill-out areas and common room spaces to relax in front of the television, play games or chill out and read a book lounging in a bean bag.
The Courtyards also allow for alfresco dining in Terms 1 and 4, sitting amongst the heritage gardens and statues providing a wonderful space to eat, meet and enjoy the ambience.
3 | Academic Studies
At Mount Erin Boarding we support the Boarders’ drive for academic excellence during their time attending either Kildare Catholic College or Mater Dei Catholic College. To support each Boarder we provide daily evening programmes with formal study time. Within this programme, each student can reflect on their academic learning, complete homework tasks and long term assignments and prepare for tests and exams.
The afternoon and evening programme also allows flexibility especially for senior Boarders studying. Our Boarders are well supported by A-Team Tutors who provide online academic support Monday to Thursday evenings. A-Team has an excellent group of tutors who interact with our Boarders covering all subjects in our curriculum. A-Team is also focused on developing our Junior Boarders by building effective study and academic organisational skills so important to prepare them for their senior studies in the future.
Boarding staff oversee and support student learning during formal study time and whenever required.
4 | Health and Wellbeing
It is imperative to the team at Mount Erin Boarding that we provide a safe and nurturing environment where the overall wellbeing of all Boarders is our top priority. Mount Erin supervisors utilise a specialist software system called REACH to support and monitor each boarder’s health and wellbeing. REACH is also a valuable tool for maintaining communication with parents during the week.
We work closely with our catering team to provide a well balanced diet that can increase Boarders’ energy levels, improve their capabilities to concentrate, cope with stress and enhance their overall performance in school.
Mount Erin Boarding also provides a seven-seater vehicle and Transport Officer to transport Boarders to medical and dental appointments after school Monday to Thursday from 3.30 pm to 7.00 pm.
5 | Pastoral Care
Boarding Staff work individually and collaboratively to ensure a high standard of duty of care for all Boarders. At the forefront of our care is the well-being of each Boarder. A dorm meeting is held each week for each focus group. A pastoral and student management system called REACH is used to monitor student well-being including pastoral reports which can be used by the Boarders’ well-being team to help support them.
6 | Recreation
At Mount Erin Boarding we encourage all Boarders to embrace an active lifestyle. With our fantastic proximity to the grounds of Kildare Catholic College and the Mount Erin heritage grounds there are many opportunities for extra-curricular pursuits.
The Junior Boarders have a compulsory programme each day. This can include sporting and recreational games on the oval or within the hall and arts and crafts in the Activities Room, walks to the Botanical Gardens, ten pin bowling and movies.
During each term, there are special dinners including pizza nights and trivia games. Attendance at inter-school games is also a highlight and builds a strong sense of community and belonging. The BBQ at Wagga Beach has become a huge hit with Boarders and is a tradition for all Boarders in Term 1 each year.