While the start to the 2022 school year has had many challenges, perhaps the group of students most impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic has been our boarding community.
Catholic Education South Australia has moved to ensure parents that Catholic Schools are working hard to prepare for a smoother start to Term 2.
“The safety, wellbeing and learning entitlement of young people is always at the heart of what we do and what we advocate for,” says Dr Neil, McGoran, Director, Catholic Education South Australia.
“I want to acknowledge our boarding students and the resilience they have shown through very challenging circumstances.
“While SA Health’s intention was to keep students safe, the initial advice for boarding schools at the commencement of the school year proved unworkable. We pride ourselves on offering students a ‘home away from home’ and we know that covid-safe protocols and isolation requirements that were put in place made that extremely difficult.”
Recent changes to the Boarding School guidelines by SA Health have provided some relief to boarding students and their parents, and Catholic Education SA has welcomed the move to “test to stay” which has significantly reduced the numbers of students required to be sent home to isolate.
“I want to sincerely thank the boarding staff in our boarding schools in South Australia for their care of the young people who call Loreto College, Rostrevor College, Sacred Heart College, St Joseph’s School Port Lincoln and St Mark’s College boarding houses, their home during the school term,” he said.
It is a view shared by Nichii Mardon, Director, Catholic Education Diocese of Port Pirie.
“I want parents to know that we’ve heard them and we’re working alongside them towards a better start across all Catholic Boarding Schools for Term 2,” she said.
“We’ve never been in a circumstance where we have needed to limit parents entering school sites. This was less than ideal for rural and remote families who use our boarding colleges.
“I’m very aware that we need to create certainty – in as much as we can - about the return to the boarding house following the school holidays.”
The recent Isolated Children’s Parents’ Association (ICPA) Conference in Port Augusta on April 1 provided some important insights. Louise Murphy, Education Advisor – Boarding Colleges, attended the conference on behalf of Catholic Education South Australia and has continued to work wholistically with the five boarding colleges.
“Parents have highlighted some inconsistencies in experiences between boarding schools in South Australia and interstate and I know this caused frustration when parents compare what has happened,” explains Ms Mardon.
“I want to recognise the support and advocacy of the Isolated Children’s Parents’ Association (ICPA), regarding the impact of boarding guidelines on boarders and their families.
“We are also grateful for the support of Australian Boarding Schools Association (ABSA), Catholic School Parents SA, and the network of Catholic boarding schools throughout Australia.”
Welcome back for Term 2
The Principals of all five boarding schools have met regularly throughout the term to work towards a better outcome.
“If settings remain as they are now, families will be able to enter boarding facilities to settle their children in for Term 2,” said Dr McGoran.
“We hope to have a much warmer welcome to our boarding students this term. I know that the colleges are preparing a number of activities to welcome the students back.”
The principals of each of our five Catholic Colleges with boarding facilities are looking forward to the return of students after the school holidays. Principals and the Directors of Boarding share these messages with our boarding families:
Loreto College
Loreto Boarding prides itself on being a “home away from home” for our Boarding families. COVID restrictions have meant that many families have not explored the environment and facilities where their daughters are residing. Therefore, Loreto Boarders and Families will commence Term 2 with a Community Connection Afternoon, that will be facilitated outdoors, irrespective of the weather.
Rostrevor College
Rostrevor College looks forward to welcoming boarders and their families into Duggan House for the commencement of Term 2. We are excited to allow parents and caregivers to accompany their sons and assist with the transition into their home away from home.
Sacred Heart College
We wish our Boarders and Boarding Families a wonderful Easter and we very much look forward to welcoming back our Boarders for Term 2. After a very challenging start to the year, we cannot wait to hit the ground running and see our boarders again after a well-deserved break.
St Joseph’s School, Port Lincoln
St Joseph's School Port Lincoln wishes our boarders and families a very blessed Easter and a safe and restful holiday. After a challenging Term 1, we are extremely proud of the resilience and fortitude shown by our boarders throughout this time. We are looking forward to welcoming everyone in our boarding family back in a few weeks' time to what will be a successful and enjoyable Term 2.
St Mark’s College, Port Pirie
Our boarders are returning on Tuesday 3 May and are being welcomed back with a pizza party for supper. Re-kindling connection, creating community and pastoral care are foundational to the boarders’ experience at St Mark’s.
Read More about Catholic Education SA’s Covid Safe Policies.
Catholic Education South Australia has opened a consultation on a proposed COVID-19 Vaccination Policy.
