Boarding Report – August 25, 2016

As the curtain came down on the Rio Olympic Games I was left to consider my endearing -‘moment’ from the weeks of sterling competition. Amongst the backdrop of safety reservations, the Zika virus, claims of inadequate accommodation, self-imposed scandal (for the most part!!) and wave after wave of emotion, the Games of the XXXI Olympiad have produced some thrilling moments for the 11,000 strong athletes that have competed for over 200 nations and for all those glued to their TV screens. The Olympic Games is certainly captivating, a spectacle like no other. I believe, for the most part, the games have been well broadcast and reported on -“ with incredible moments captured for us all to enjoy. My -‘moment’ captured in the picture featured with this article speaks not of triumph, not of success -“ but of teamwork. The powerful sense of existence for one another that this photo perfectly highlights. This photo shows that their moment is just that-¦their moment.- – It is not necessary though to run in a 4x100m relay race to achieve teamwork.

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Coaching our 1stXV College rugby side last year, we came together as a group to determine what would define us as individuals and collectively as a team. It was clear that whilst success, in terms of wins, etc., was in the minds of our young men it was not to be the driving force. In the end the playing group settled on -‘togetherness’ as their -‘brand’, their -‘motto’, what they ultimately wanted to achieve. It was so gratifying to see such maturity in our boys.

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I have the privilege to see teamwork in action every day. For the past few days my wife and I have needed to operate seamlessly as a team as Banjo has battled significant illness. Each day our catering team work together to feed our community -“ our housekeeper team works tirelessly together to look after our boys’ domestic needs -“ our boarding team could not provide the boarding experience we wish for your boys without working together as a team -“ all in our boarding community function in no small part to the willingness to be a part of a team.

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Our boarders themselves are the epitome of a team. Their -‘baton’ that they must successfully navigate around the course are the many challenges that each boy faces, whether in class, in the playground, on the sports field or in the house. Theirs is a race that lasts for the entirety of each day and the support (or teamwork) they show one another is what makes our boarding community succeed. I wish I had a photo of our forty two boarders, heads together, to -‘mimic’ the one of the Jamaican relay team -“ but, in truth, it is a picture that could be taken every day.

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Kenny Catch-up

It is certainly obviously that this term is quickly drawing to a close when you see the boys gearing up for footy finals, the weather is great one day and very average the next, and the boys are busy putting final touches on projects and assignments. As I was speaking with some of our year 12 boys this afternoon, it was shocking to learn that they only have 32 school days left before they begin their final exam preparation. I have spoken previously of the importance for the boys to maintain the balance between all of their commitments, and I can proudly and confidently say that I believe this is the case for the boys in boarding.

I have recently witnessed some of the excitement, stress and worry that the year 10 and 11 boys faced when selecting subjects for next year. It is interesting to see the difference between those that have a clear idea of what they hope to do in the future, compared to those that are still deciding. Both are normal, to be expected, and have their own merits, but it also important for all to remember that no matter what, they should look to do something they enjoy. This might not necessarily be the first thing they choose, but it should ultimately be what they aim for. I can honestly say that at no point during my schooling did I think of becoming a boarding Housemaster, but I would not have it any other way!

Miss Tamara Westwood

Senior Housemaster, Kenny House

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Half time for term 3 at Kenny House, only five weeks remain. Still bracing ourselves from the cool weather with Spring only weeks away (we hope!!). Our boarders enjoyed a relaxing EXEAT weekend last week and are now back into their routines. Kenny House is keeping busy of a weekend with the usual sporting activities as well as a new Table Tennis Competition developed by Mike Silcock and one of our GAP Tutors Josh Cook. The boys love to compete with each other and it is terrific to see boarders getting involved that do not normally play table tennis. Another interesting piece of news about one of our boarders is Charlie Pollard who this last weekend attended a Rugby Tour to Tasmania, we hope he did well! Our weekend activities continue with Driving Range Golf and Swimming next on the agenda. Some of our boarders have earned a place in finals in their respective football team, great to see! We are fast approaching the action end of the term and doing our best to support the boys with all they juggle with school, sport and social commitments. I will give you further updates in the coming weeks.

Mr Ewen Larsen

Weekend Housemaster, Kenny House

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Introducing:

Year Level: – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 11- – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Home Town: – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Camperdown

Interests: – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Rugby, music and agricultural pursuits- – –

Favourite Food: – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Steak with mushroom sauce- – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

How long have you been a Boarder at SPC:- – – 2 years

What made you choose to board at SPC:- – – – The opportunity to integrate with people from different parts of the state and to better my opportunities as a student

Future Plans:- – I want to go to Melbourne Uni and study Agricultural Business and give back to my community- – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Phyland/Farley Catch-up

Midway through the term with the young men busy it was fantastic to see so many out and about over the weekend. I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to spend some time with eight SPC students, one of whom was a boarder in Kenny House. Charlie Pollard and I travelled to Tasmania on the VSRU annual rugby tour. It was fantastic to spend a little more time with a young man that I would not normally have all that much contact with outside of dinner and set study. Charlie like the other young men on the tour proved to be outstanding representatives not only of the College, and the State, but of their families.

Looking to the remaining weeks in the term it will be important that the young men ensure that they maintain the balance between studies and their social and family lives and that our boarders look out for each other. Particularly for the year 12s with the work load increasing it is important to remember to have a break and breath.

Mr Michael Murphy

Housemaster, Phyland/Farley House

Weekends at Phyland and Farley are generally comprised of boys filtering in and out filled with stories of great games won and lost or keen to show off their new Pokémon. Sometimes happy parents keen to see their son. Often taking him and perhaps a mate out for lunch or movie. While the boys still have the odd game of ping pong -“though not as nearly as competitive as Kenny house can boast- and the T.V is constantly being switched between the Olympics or the football.- With ongoing football and family commitments Phyland and Farley is often an almost empty house of a weekend. Outside of the weekend however, there still remains opportunities to engage with the boys. For example, recently the two exchange students from Japan, my wife and I went out to a Japanese restaurant. The boys perhaps missing home and home cooking while I just wanted some tempura prawns. It is evident from the way Ryunoske and Shota talk about the house and College that they are enjoying their time here and will be sad to leave, even if they wish there was more -unagi- on the menu. Moving forward as the term draws to an end with the boys becoming more focused than ever on study, class and exams, I foresee weekends becoming more hectic.

Mr Daniel Willey

Weekend Housemaster, Phyland/Farley House

Look after yourselves.

Mike Silcock

Director of Boarding