02 June 2023
Our National Reconciliation Week commemorations began last Friday on National Sorry Day with Uncle John Lochowiak welcoming students, staff and parents to a special Junior School Assembly on Kaurna country. The connection Uncle John has with our School community was most evident in our students’ confident singing of his special welcome song that has been passed down through generations of Uncle John’s family.
In Senior School Muster we heard from proud Garawa (Tiwi Islands) man Leon Connop (Year 12) who reminded us how important this week is for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as we as a community learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. This weekend’s Indigenous Round will see our 1st XVIII Football Team and Open A Basketball Team proudly wear guernseys featuring Indigenous artwork designed by Leon and Marangunggu youth Nathan Spry (Year 12) in 2020.
We were privileged to welcome Nathan May, an Arabana, Yawuru and Marridjabin man – and one of the most poignant emerging voices in Australian country music – to perform his new single ‘It’s Gotta Start Somewhere’. The song speaks of truth and reconciliation and tells of Indigenous experiences and ways of thinking; these themes are particularly pertinent to our Year 10 students as they prepare for their Journey through the Ikara-Flinders Ranges where they will connect with people and places.
In what will be their final ‘Pushing the Boundaries’ Journey, our Year 10 students will depart next Sunday with a blend of excitement, anticipation and a healthy dose of apprehension. The 21-day experience of backpacking through the picturesque Flinders Ranges presents a wonderful opportunity of self-discovery. I encourage all boys to go and discover their hidden powers as they embark on a journey that is an obvious signpost along their path to adulthood. I have no doubt this signpost will be both memorable and liberating.
The quality of our swimmers was on full show at our House Swimming Carnival last Friday with an impressive five records set; Max Hewitt (Year 9) set four and Alden Au (Year 9) one. The many House novelty events gave every boy the opportunity to participate. Well done to all our swimmers who challenged themselves in the pool throughout the trials and carnival. A remarkable 943 Senior School students completed at least one trial and 2,264 data entries were recorded during the trials period. Congratulations to School & Allen House for winning the Senior House Cup and Farr House for securing both the Junior House Cup and Champion House Cup.
Congratulations to the following students who will represent the state in national championships over the coming months:
Cricket: Best of luck to Matthew Harris (Year 7) who is captaining the U12 State Cricket Team in Darwin this week.
Football: Congratulations to Alex Darcey (Year 7) for being selected in the 12 and Under State Team and Ethan Herbert (Year 9) the 15 and Under State Team.
Hockey: Year 11 students Bryce Hammond and Rhun Williams and Ryan Stockhoff (Year 10) will play for SA in the 16 years and under Hockey Team.
Tennis: Jude Gale (Year 12) represented the state in the 18 years and under Tennis Championships in Canberra in May.
Congratulations to Joey Yan who was recently presented with the Theory of Music Grade 5 Prize at the AMEB SA & NT Awards Ceremony held at Elder Hall.
Spectating and taking an interest in our peers whether it be on the sporting field, on the stage or any other endeavour, is truly admirable. In a world that tries to convince us to merely focus on ourselves, spectating draws us out of ourselves and reminds us that we are part of something far greater than ourselves. I support the School Captains’ spectator focus and am delighted that the School Musical is the next event at which spectator attendance will be recorded.
After nine months of rehearsals, our combined musical with Walford Anglican School for Girls will open in five nights’ time. We were treated to a most impressive preview in Muster last week, leaving us in awe of the remarkable talent of our students. If you have yet to secure your tickets to one of the four performances, I highly recommend you do so here and support the students and staff who have worked so hard to put this show together.
I wish you an enjoyable weekend and look forward to seeing you at the musical next week.
Tim Browning
Headmaster