Boarding Report – April 28, 2016

One of my weekly highlights is the opportunity to attend Mass with our boarders at the Cathedral. The pews are full with young and old celebrating our shared faith and rich sense of community. A recent Liturgy by Fr Justin focussed on the idea of the good shepherd. He commenced his words with an experience of his, witnessing a primary school teacher bringing her students into the Cathedral and the infancy of their relationship. Whilst our boys are certainly not in need of the same care these primary school students require it reminded me of the beauty of developing these relationships to support our young charges in all their endeavours. Our Housemasters remark on the lightening pace that this term has started at and, in my role, it is particularly comforting to see the wonderful relationships that have been built between our boarders and their Housemasters. I think it a pertinent moment to thank Tamara, Michael, Ewen and Daniel for all that they do for our boys. As parents you can be reassured that your sons are in the very best care.

Shortly there will follow an invitation for the mothers in our boarding community to be spoilt by their sons at our annual Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea and Mass -“ I do hope you are all able to join us. There will also be the opportunity to celebrate our boarding community with our Term (2) Dinner and Mass that also recognises Reconciliation Week on Sunday, May 29^th.

Please communicate with your son’s Housemaster or myself when there is anything we can do for you, your son/s or family. As we strive to promote strong family values as a hallmark of boarding at St Patrick’s College we want to know how this can be lived for all within our community. We will always be that primary school teacher guiding and supporting her flock.- – –

Kenny Catch-up

Term 2 and all of a sudden, we are already three weeks in! The boys have settled well, especially the Year 12 boys who are all studying hard and focused on what’s ahead. It’s now more important than ever, that the boys are looking after themselves, both physically and mentally. A timely reminder for all, that we can only assist with the needs of the boys if we are aware that there is an issue. It is imperative that we know if a boarding student is feeling unwell.

As always, another busy term confronts us, starting with the BAS Athletics on Wednesday, where six of our boarders will be competing in a number of events, representing SPC. We are extremely proud of the boys and wish them well. This term will also see the annual Edmund Rice Day walk-a-thon, Mother’s Day Mass and Reconciliation Week.

The Kenny students continue to amaze me with their positive attitudes and comradery within the house. It is fantastic to see that no matter the age or year level, everyone is included and supported.

I look forward to another enjoyable but busy term within the walls of Kenny House.

Miss Tamara Westwood

Senior Housemaster, Kenny House

Week three of term two has commenced and our boys have well and truly settled back into their routines after the two week Easter vacation. Football has begun and is keeping many of our boys busy with training and games around their other necessary school duties. The weather is holding in there and we are still experiencing mild temperatures at the end of April which as so many know is a treat for Ballarat. The boys have participated in two activities so far this term, the ever popular cinema excursion on Saturday night, as well as attending the dawn service on Anzac Day. A special occasion and a special effort from our boys to get up early, put on their uniforms and pay their respects to the fallen. The weekends are running quite smoothly I am pleased to say, our boarders are enjoying themselves and are causing the cleaning staff no headaches of a Monday morning which is fantastic. That’s all from me for now, I will have more information in the coming weeks.

Mr Ewen Larsen

Weekend Housemaster, Kenny House

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Introducing Lachlan Clark -“ 2016 Vice-Captain of Kenny House

Year Level:- – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 12- – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Home Town: – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Kaniva/ Stawell

Interests:- – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Hanging out with friends/ watching movies

Favourite Food: – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Mum’s vege soup

How long have you been a Boarder at SPC: – – – – – – 3rd year

What made you choose to board at SPC: – – – – – – – – – – Brother came here is 2012

Future Plans: – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Farming/ Accounting

Phyland/Farley Catch-up

This past couple of weeks have been extraordinarily busy. The boarders have hit the ground running in terms of their studies with many of the lads having assessment tasks due in. All of this, whilst the sporting seasons start to kick off. It was particularly valuable then when the ANZAC long weekend arrived and our boarders were able to have a bit of time out from their busy schedules. For those that remained in we dedicated Monday morning to honouring our Service Personnel, and celebrated that afternoon with a house tournament organised by Mr Willey.- With very few numbers, Phyland/Farley managed to secure the title of Ping Pong Championship through the efforts of Dayon Johnson, in the face of a much large Kenny House opposition. Kenny House did come away with the Air Hockey Championship with Liam Hall digging deep to secure the victory.

Mr Willey did a fantastic job organising the day, which was enhanced by Mrs Murphy’s ANZAC brisket baking.-

As we move through this term it will be important for our young men to make sure they keep the balance going between all of their many commitments, one of the most important of which is their sleep.

Mr Michael Murphy

Housemaster, Phyland/Farley House

Introducing Zak Wilson:

Why do you board at SPC?

There is not a bus from NSW to the school, so boarding was the best option. When we were looking for schools a family friend suggested SPC and so that’s where we chose.-

What can you offer SPC?

Other than my good hairstyle – – I am a friendly and down to earth kind of guy who is very loyal. I have very much enjoyed getting to know the other boys in boarding and my teachers.

What has been your highlight in boarding?

I have enjoyed getting to know the other boys in my room, courtesy of Room 6.

What would you change in boarding?

I miss the baked beans at breakfast, it would be great to have those back.

What do you want to do once you finish school?

I would love to travel around the world, there is so much I wish to experience!

Look after yourselves

Mr Mike Silcock

Director of Boarding

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