Boarding Report – May 12, 2016

I am often asked to explain the merits of a boarding education. I have discussed this topic in this forum before -“ but have been reminded of this question by an article in the Australian Financial Review. Richard Stokes, Chief Executive of the Australian Boarding Schools’ Association, is quoted -The basics are sleep, food and exercise. When you provide these things, boarding school is the best place on earth.- It is taken from a piece that focuses on the importance of sport as part of the boarding experience. Examples are given of establishments where sport is prioritised, some where participation is insisted upon and others where the sport options are determined by the boarders and facilitated by the school. I would suggest that here at SPC sport is part of the education and culture as is identified for many schools as per the article. The author, Mark Abernathy, quotes the philosophy of Thomas Arnold who believes -Boys need a good run around and shower before they can focus-. Our housemasters would certainly concur with this. At St. Ignatius College the Head of Boarding believes that -sport is a part of an aspirational culture. Boys strive for the best marks just as they strive to make the first fifteen or the athletics team-. I would hope that our boarders would follow this same culture -“ it is certainly something that our boarding staff encourage. A boarding experience at St Patrick’s College will always see sport as an integral part -“ an integral part of a larger outcome -“ an outcome that provides opportunity for our young men as they transition beyond our College gates. I witnessed this very -‘outcome’ this past Sunday -“ -‘Mothering Sunday’. Our boarding community event for Mother’s Day was refined this year as a number of our boarders joined Tamara and myself to spend time with the residents at the Queen Elizabeth centre. To see our boys, provide a moment of light and joy in the lives of the residents, was very special and evidence of what our boarding experience offers. I want to take this very public moment to thank those boys for their selfless gesture. We are blessed here at St Pats with many boys of this ilk.

Kenny Catch-up

The boys within SPC Boarding continue to amaze and impress me with their capability to include all, and their attitude towards those that may be experiencing some hardship or suffering in their lives. This was evident when Mike and I accompanied six boys to the Queen Elizabeth centre where they shared an afternoon tea with many of the residents of Bill Crawford Lodge. Although for some, this took them out of their comfort zones, we were so proud of the way all of the boys conducted themselves and interacted with both the staff and residents.

This positivity continues throughout the house on a daily basis. One of my favourite parts of the day is welcoming the boys back to the house, every one of them making time to say hello or strike up a conversation with me -“ but also each other.- Being a witness to these interactions continually gives me a sense of pride in these intelligent young men.

I am sure you are all well aware by now of the unpredictability of Ballarat’s beautiful weather as many of the boys are swapping their shorts and t-shirts, for warm pants and hooded jumpers. It is important that with this change of the weather, the boys are even more aware of the need to look after themselves, including ensuring that they are getting enough sleep of a night. –

Miss Tamara Westwood

Senior Housemaster, Kenny House

The distinctive aroma of bacon and eggs throughout Kenny House definitely means it is the weekend with our boys cooking up a storm as usual! Week 5 of Term 2 commences, nearly half way through this term already! As is normal in the cooler months, our boys continue to be quite busy with their football and rugby training and games. Last weekend, some of the boys went to the golf driving range, which was great fun, and this past weekend, those not busy with sport attended the popular Go Karting.

Mother’s Day is with us again, Happy Mother’s Day to all the wonderful mothers who work tirelessly to support, help and love their children. This Mother’s Day our boarders in for the weekend, visited the Queen Elizabeth centre in Ballarat, to spend some quality time with some of the clients that reside there. A lovely idea from our Director of Boarding, Mike Silcock, and a lovely gesture on our boy’s behalf. This was followed by a Mother’s Day Mass in our St Patrick’s Chapel. All else is running very smoothly in Kenny House and please remember to stay tuned for further updates.

Mr Ewen Larsen

Weekend Housemaster, Kenny House

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Introducing James Halloran

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

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

Interests: – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Most sports – – – – –

Favourite Food: – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Mum’s sausage casserole – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

How long have you been a Boarder at SPC:- – – – – – 3 years

What made you choose to board at SPC:- – – – – – – – – – Family members attend the school- – – – – – – – –

Future Plans: – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Finish year 12 and get a trade- – – –

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Phyland/Farley Catch-up

The last time we penned a letter for the Crest we were just starting to settle into the term. Now several weeks on the lads have immersed themselves fully in their sporting commitments and studies. Already tonight as I sit here in study I have printed off two lots of revision notes for two boarders from each house. As winter sets in and the days get shorter as a house Phyland & Farley is shaking off the winter chill and heading out on Wednesday night as a house for dinner at La Porchetta to celebrate Maddie’s 1st Birthday! It has been fantastic to see how much interest each boarder takes in Madeleine. It is very much as if she has 14 loving older brothers.

Looking at the weekend ahead on Saturday our boys have the chance to unleash their competitive side as they take each other on in an epic battle of laser tag.

That brief summary represents what encapsulates the boarding experience; each incredibly diverse young man participating in a huge variety of experiences in so doing, assimilating into the community and its values, whilst holding onto their own identity.

Mr Michael Murphy

Housemaster, Phyland/Farley House

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Introducing Isaac Johnson:

Why do you board at SPC?

I board at SPC to help develop my educational opportunities and football.

What can you offer SPC?

I’m dedicated to my sport and want to give back to the college by being a role model for our younger boys.

What has been your highlight in boarding?

I have enjoyed the football aspect at the school, and also meeting all the boys, especially room 6!

What would you change in boarding?

I would like to be able to go to the supermarket after study at night, because sometimes we get hungry.-

What do you want to do once you finish school?

After school I would love to travel and see the world.- –

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Look after yourselves.

Mike Silcock

Director of Boarding