Boarding Update

These musings of Winnie the Pooh, perhaps the most beloved philosopher, are particularly apt as Term 4 begins in the Princes boarding community. Six of our Year 9s headed out on the adventure that is Wambana, whilst other boys enjoyed their final day of the holiday break. On the last program of the year, these boys departed with a mix of excitement and nervous anticipation. We know that they will have a wonderful and life changing experience and one that is only realised by taking the challenge to leave that which is comfortable and familiar to experience something new.

We made a special announcement at recess on Friday, naming our 2022 boarding leadership team. The boarding house will be ably lead by Aedan Bolwell as Captain, and Justin Cheung and Angus Hawkins as Vice Captains. Together with our boarding prefects and senior boarders they will continue the great work of the 2021 team and continue to add to our boarding program.

The Year 12 boys too are facing this same challenge as they prepare to conclude their time at the College. For the 39 Year 12 Boarders, the transition out of school sees them also move out of the home away from home that has been a significant part of their journey to becoming young men. For those boys who have been here since Year 7 and 8: Gavin Sim, Will Wheaton and Elijah Oswald and our 6 International boarders, this transition will be particularly significant and likewise, they will leave a big gap here in the boarding house. We have enjoyed celebrating them this week and look forward to hearing of their exciting adventures in the months and years to come.

A second message that Pooh might impart on them as these boys prepare for their final assessments is that “You can’t save time. You can only spend it, but you can spend it wisely or foolishly.” (Hoff, B. The Tao of Pooh) The special celebration that is the Old Old Boys Assembly provided a great opportunity for boys to reflect on this as they welcomed those gentlemen who started at the College at least 60 years ago. Around a dozen boarders were lucky enough to have grandfathers or other family members in attendance. The room was filled with many lifetimes of experiences, adventures and relationships. Our Old Reds are always so eager to attend and share special memories of their time at the College, and no more so than old boarders, who always have the most exciting stories! We hope that as our current boys depart, they too look forward to opportunities to connect with each other in the years to come.

Current boarders have been enjoying a range of experiences available through the Mundalla Fund, generously donated by Mrs Torrie Chapman. Most recently, two Year 11 boys participated in a 4WD defensive driving course with Off Road Training Australia, six Year 12 boys have completed barista training with Coffee World and have been honing their skills with the Boarding House coffee machine. On the first Sunday of this term, 8 boys learnt all about shearing sheep and wool classing, delivered by the Shearing Contractors Association of Australia. Whilst we have a strong activities program in place, it has been particularly exciting to add some opportunities for boys to participate in activities that develop tangible skills and further build confidence through their boarding experience.

Whilst writing my article this week, we are working hard to ensure we support all Year 12s in their preparation to transition out of school. We are also supporting members of our wider boarding community facing other heartbreaking challenges. It is both in times of celebration and in tragedy that our boarding community is at its strongest. We hope that all our boarding students and families feel our support through these times. It is also an important reminder to take opportunities to give thanks and connect with each other. We recently enjoyed supporting the Year 12 boarding families in thanking day families who have assisted their boys whilst in boarding. This week has seen a variety of opportunities for us to say thank you and farewell to these young men and for them to show their gratitude to their families, staff and fellow boarders. Sometimes this can be hard, but I would encourage you to do that which is hard and leave nothing unsaid. Finally, one last piece of wisdom from Winnie the Pooh: “How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”

Fac Fortia Et Patere.