01 September 2023
It was a delight to witness the energy and enthusiasm of our Junior School students as they celebrated the annual Book Week Festival and the theme ‘Read, Grow, Inspire.’ In what was a true team effort, with invaluable contributions from parents and staff, a host of creative costumes including a waddle of penguins, were paraded around Girdlestone Oval in an event that evoked much joy. Well done to our Librarians for creating a magical week of activities and for helping inspire a love of reading in our boys.
Inspiring students to pursue their creative development across their academic journey was the objective of our inaugural Arts Day. With 13 different workshops on offer, our Years 7 to 9 students had the opportunity to try their hand at an extensive range of artistic activities. The importance of fostering creative disciplines transcends the classroom with students developing negotiation, creative thinking and problem solving skills that are transferrable to the outside world. I commend our Arts Faculty for their innovative approach to conceptualising and executing this new initiative.
Thank you to everyone who attended one of the 52 Intercol fixtures held over the four days. I hope you enjoyed celebrating our sporting programs and the wonderful Intercol tradition that strengthens the sense of shared community between our two schools. In what was a powerful display of presence, I commend the collective efforts of our athletes, our spectators and our musicians who came together as one to be part of the success. We are all elevated when we take the time to honour another with our presence, to take an interest in our peers, to share in their experiences and to show an appreciation of their pursuits. I applaud the efforts of our Captains who have driven a Blue Army focus on being present for one another and sharing in their endeavour regardless of the result.
Last Sunday a large contingent of our community gathered in Memorial Hall for the Mission Guild 100th Anniversary High Tea. It was a wonderful celebration of the important work the Mission Guild do in raising awareness of and money for charity partners, Anglicare SA and St John’s Youth Services. Guests heard first-hand how these organisations are making a difference in their communities and then dug deep to raise $45,000 to support their important work. Thank you to everyone who attended and to our Mission Guild Committee members for your efforts in preparing and hosting this event.
Congratulations to the following students on their recent achievements:
Steven So (Year 7) recently returned from Hong Kong, where he represented Australia in the World Table Tennis Youth event. In what was Steven’s international debut, he progressed to Round of 16, before losing to the eventual winner.
Max Hewitt (Year 9) and Alden Au (Year 9) competed in the School Sport National Swimming Championships in Sydney. Max claimed gold in the 100 freestyle and bronze in the 4×50 freestyle relay while Alden won bronze in the mixed 200m medley relay. At the State Short Course Championships Alden won two gold and one bronze while Isaac Au (Year 12) won one silver and five bronze medals in relays.
Year 11 student Johnny Turner received the “Don Burrows Memorial Award for the Best Emerging Improviser” at the recent ABODA SA Band and Orchestra Festival.
It was wonderful to welcome students and their fathers, or significant male figures, to our Father’s Day Breakfast this morning. The event provided an opportunity to acknowledge all our fathers do to support, nurture and champion our sons to be strong and lovely contributors to our community.
Enjoy your weekend.
Tim Browning
Headmaster