Senior Boarding Housemaster Update
Dear Shore Boarding Community,
It was wonderful to have everyone return this term to as close to normality as possible. All Weeklies returned, Year 7-12 boarders are back in the boarding houses and it was one big happy family again. There are, sadly, still some restrictions that cast a shadow over us, and the future continues to be a continuation of uncertain bends in the road and unanswerable questions. We keep our fingers crossed for limited disruptions, but at the time of writing, things are beginning to get a little shaky again around sport and other social contexts.
Nevertheless, we are trying to maintain as many events and activities as we can, while we also look back and celebrate some wonderful achievements this time thus far. The student-directed play “Dogg’s Hamlet, Cahoot’s Macbeth” was a tremendous success, and showcased once again the tremendous talents of our boarders. Directed by Robson’s Charlie Dight and Barry’s Angus Malcolm, it featured Ben Brewer (School) as Easy, Alec Manchee (School) as Abel/ Francisco/ Horatio, Hunter Black (School) as Lady/ Mrs. Gertrude, Adrian Lai (Barry) as Laertes, Ewan Jackman (School) as Macbeth and Lachie Greig (Robson) as Malcolm/Hostess/ Witch. Eight boarders filled 17 of the roles, no surprise really when you consider how heavily our boarders punch above their weight. Well done, everyone on a brilliant show! The Winter competition season is due to start at the end of Week 5 as well, and we will deliver news and reports on this in our next issue.
Boarders were also outstanding on the track in the recent GPS Athletics Carnivals, taking several podium finishes along the way. A huge call-out to the following boarders who represented the School with such talent and grace: Wylie Hockey (School), Campbell Duff (Hodges), Henry Murray (Barry), Charlie Murray (Barry), Fin Hancock (School), Jamie Clark (Hodges), Tom Scott (Hodges), Alex Robinson (Robson) and Adrian Lai (Barry). Special mentions to first-place getters Wylie Hockey (400m) and Campbell Duff (High Jump). Wylie ran four races on the day and Henry Murray ran five! Congratulations on a sensational effort, boys! Robson’s Ollie Bishop was also outstanding in the 1sts Rifle shooting team, helping them to victory in this year’s AAGPS Rifle Shooting competition.
I would like to thank Ben Broadley (Robson) for his extremely hard work in organising boarding hoodies for those boarders interested in purchasing them. Ben organised the designs with the manufacturers, took orders, organised payments and (with the help of mum, Lisa) arranged for delivery as well. I would also like to thank David and Melissa from DVM Workwear and Embroidery who have not only delivered a fantastic product for our boys, but arranged for them to be made and delivered in a very short space of time.
#buyfromthebush #shoplocal #dvmembroidery
We hope that we will be able to go ahead with our annual Golden Boots evening on September 10, as well as the House cocktail parties with Year 12 and parents the next night. Heather has been working very hard to enable boarding staff to get out and visit some country areas this term as well, with plans to visit Parkes and Orange on August 29-30 and Moree on September 5 and 6. Invitations have gone out for these events and, having greatly missed our connections with boarding families, we sincerely hope we can get out and re-connect later this term. Speaking of connection, it has been a very difficult time not being able to spend time with our boys’ parents. It has affected us greatly; we wish things were different because you are the heart and soul of our community, and the sooner this can get back to normal, the better.
The Year 12 Trials begin in Week 5, and the Year 11 exams start the next week, so it has been a nervous wait for our boarders who just want to get it over and done with, as you can imagine. In saying that, they have been working extremely well, spending hours on preparing for the Trials, exams and then for the Big Quiz next term. Last weekend was eerily quiet in the boarding houses as our senior boys poured time into their studies behind closed doors, setting a wonderful example for the younger boarding members. NRL coach, Wayne Bennett once said that “hard work will get you just about anywhere you want to go.” Our Year 12s have certainly run with that mantra in the last few weeks, and we wish them the very best.
We wish everyone a fantastic run into the end of Term 3. We are thinking of you all, and hope that we get the chance to be together again soon.
Best wishes,
Brendan
