From the Headmaster

In what has been a term packed with learning and activity I am proud of the way our students have embraced the many and varied opportunities they have been presented. On Wednesday we were treated to a Sesame Street music and dance spectacular as 137 Year 1 and 2 boys performed with joyful abandon across matinee and evening concerts. Congratulations boys; you demonstrated that with high expectations, diligence and expert instruction you can perform, sing and dance to an exceptional standard.

Of an equally impressive standard was the Junior School House Singing competition last Friday. Our Years 3 to 6 students displayed wonderful enthusiasm and passion as they performed their ‘powerful women’ song selections combined with superb dance moves expertly choreographed by their talented Heads of House.

On the topic of powerful, inspiring women, we were immensely privileged to be joined by 2021 Australian of the Year Grace Tame as part of our Rex J Lipman Fellows Program. With incredible bravery and humility, Grace shared her extraordinary story with the audience in a presentation that was confronting, uncomfortable and inspiring all at the same time. Despite everything Grace has endured she is passionate in her quest to end child sexual abuse.  She is a truly profound example to our nation of light dispelling darkness.

Across the School the Athletics season has culminated in three successful carnivals in the past two weeks. Wonderful House spirit was on display at our Years 3 to 6 Sports Day held this year on the Caterer and Wilson ovals. Outstanding performances were exhibited across our Senior School Athletics Carnival with seven individual records broken on the day. The 10,000+ individual efforts of students across the trials and Carnival is evidence of boys coming together to represent their Houses to the best of their ability. This healthy competition, combined with hard work, dedication and commitment, breeds success and yesterday’s Achilles Cup win is just one such example; this success is not accidental, it is the culmination of intentional actions.

Congratulations to the following students who broke records at the Senior School Athletics Carnival:

The coveted A K Gordon Trophy, celebrating the most outstanding performance of the Athletics Carnival, was awarded to Adam Goddard and Jonathon Harris. Adam added to his sixth consecutive A K Gordon Trophy win securing the Tony Keynes Medal for his near record effort in the Open 1500m at the Achilles Cup.

Success has also been achieved in the Australian Band and Orchestra Directors’ Association (ABODA) competition. Congratulations to our Junior Concert Band (a gold award and overall winners of the Junior Concert Band section), our Junior Strings (a gold award in the Junior String Ensemble section), our Years 1 and 2 Strings (a silver award in the Junior String Ensemble section), our String Orchestra (a silver award in the Advanced String Ensemble section) and a silver award for our Orchestra in the Open Orchestra section.

Our School community was treated to a spectacular String and Orchestra Concert last Saturday that saw a diverse selection of repertoire presented by both Junior School and Senior School ensembles. In what was a first for the School, our Music Captain Alex Rouss performed the first movement of the Grieg Piano Concerto with the Senior Orchestra. It was an outstanding performance that captured the audience from the opening timpani roll, through beautiful flowing melodies before ending with a sparkling and enthralling cadenza by Alex.

I wish everyone a wonderful and safe, family-focused break. I look forward to welcoming students back refreshed for the start of Term 4 on Tuesday 12 October.

Tim Browning
Headmaster