Year 7 2019 Farewell Reflection

Journey

As I was reflecting on the journey we have been on this year, I thought of three themes which emerged throughout our time together – transition, building bonds and friendships and learning to flourish at Shore.

Transition

Being away from home can challenge the most resilient young person. For many of the boys it was quite daunting going from a small class of 5 or 6 out in the bush where everyone knew your name to a class of 20+ where initially you don’t know everyone but maybe a familiar face you would have seen the day before in School House. Getting use to the routines, duties in the house, ringing the bell or simply where to be at any particular point in time can be overwhelming. After a sensational camp down by the river in Port Hacking, the illusion that Senior School is all about sailing, beach cricket and water slides, has well and truly been shattered. I won’t forget in the first week having a conversation with one of the boys and asking him about how his first week was going and getting a response of “there are so many opportunities. I have a chance to hang out with my friends or just go out to Greenwood, although the homework can be lessened, all the teachers have been friendly so far.”

Building bonds and friendships

A real strength of this group of young men is that they have really embraced each other’s strengths and differences. During our Friends for Life program in Term 2, we openly discussed some of the ways in which we manage the busyness of schoolwork, study, sport and boarding life and also shared some strategies we can use when things are not going so great. I was encouraged by their willingness to learn from each other and although they might not have known it at the time, firm friendships were being forged which will last a life time. We went to Luna Park, saw the seals at Taronga Zoo, destroyed each other at Laser Tag, Sky Zone and Touch Footy, and explored our surroundings at the Coal Loader, swims at North Sydney Pool, lots of Gelato under the Sydney Harbour Bridge. More swims at Balmoral and Freshwater Beaches, showed the girls of PLC, Abbotsleigh and Ravenswood a few moves on the dance floor. The list goes on!

Learning to flourish at Shore

One of the key aims of the boarding staff is to help the boys get organised for success, whether that be through using your diary properly, how to organise your locker and room to avoid misplacing books (a never ending battle for some) or just aiming for consistent effort through application in and out of the classroom. The boys have made great strides in that endeavour, evidence by a majority of positive comments and effort grades in their reports.

Thank you to all who have contributed to a wonderful year.  All the best for Year 8!

Mr Pienaar