Michaelmas House News
Boarding's Got Talent
Michaelmas House was instrumental in developing the concept of the boarding houses competing against each other for the mighty BGT Cup.
It is also a fundraising exercise and, this year, proceeds from the $2.00 entry fee per person and from the sales of strawberries and ice-cream at interval, will go to the Albany Community Foundation. This is a not-for-profit organisation that distributes money to people who have fallen on hard times through no fault of their own. We will also be holding a sausage sizzle in Term Four and funds will also go to the ACF.
We have had a busy few weeks preparing for the Boarding’s Got Talent and I am very proud of everyone who competed, representing Michaelmas House. Special credit must be given to Jasmine Kuiper who, with the help of Ava Smith and Kobie Featherstone, choreographed a piece incorporating music from the movies Annie, Frozen and Mary Poppins, hence our act was called Anniefroppins. We had many rehearsals and it was wonderful to see how the group developed over the few weeks and performed on the night.
Birthdays
We have celebrated several birthdays already this term, Isabel Hannig in July, Natalie Heron, Rhiannon Williams-Jolley and Marcus Leckie in August. Some were in-house for their special day and enjoyed a home-made ice-cream cake, and all received a little birthday gift.
Sport
It has been a very busy few weeks this term with many students training and playing sport, often some playing two games on the same afternoon. Special mention of Rhiannon Williams-Jolley who plays for the Year Nine/Ten girl’s hockey team and is often asked to play for the B grade Women’s team, which includes teaching staff. Basketball trials have now commenced in preparation for the new summer season, resulting in a few very early morning starts before school, involving both Year Seven boys and Year Eight girls, so sporting commitments will continue into Term Four. Well done, everyone.
Mrs Jenny Colgate | Head of Michaelmas House
Keeping Busy
Please enjoy some photos of the Michaelmas House boarders keeping busy this term.
Gap Assistant Interview: Lea von Graberg
Q: Please tell us about your home and family?
A: I live with my parents and my younger brother. I come from a small village called Gruenendeich an hour away from Hamburg. It is a very quiet town of about 2000 people and everyone knows each other. The name actually comes from the many dykes we have because of the two rivers Elbe and Luehe. So gruen means green and deich means dyke. Also, we are known for our many plantations, especially apples and cherry trees. It is very busy, with tourists visiting town at cherry blossom time.
Q: You enjoy playing music. What is the instrument you play and how long have you been learning?
A: My hobby is music and I started to learn to play the viola when I was 10-years-old in a music class at school. All the students learnt a string instrument, either violin, viola, cello or double bass. I have always enjoyed playing music together with other people and that is why I joined a string quartet and a big orchestra in Hamburg. It is called the Mendelssohn Youth Orchestra and has about 100 members. That is probably the biggest thing that I miss — just playing great music with people who love and enjoy it.
Q: What are your thoughts of Australia so far, and is it different to what you expected?
A: I didn’t think about it too much, so didn’t really have any expectations. I just wanted to take things as they came and I can say that I really love it here. There are quite a few things that are different to Germany, like you have more modern houses and streets, which I don’t have at home. We have many old buildings, like churches and beautiful castles in the forests which I miss, however, this year is all about new experiences, making new friends and meeting interesting people. I couldn’t be happier at the moment and I hope I have an exciting year that I will never forget. The people are just so nice and welcoming, which makes my stay here so easy and enjoyable. One thing I really love about Australia are the beautiful beaches.
Isabel Hannig and Brianna Harris | Year Eight
Bike Rack Construction
About twelve of us have bikes in Michaelmas House, which we enjoy riding, however, we do not have a racking system to accommodate them for easy access. To maintain order, our challenge over the coming weeks is to take a trip to Bunnings to purchase timber to construct two bike racks, each to hold five to six bikes. We will measure, cut and assemble the racks in the Design and Technology workshop under Mr Colgate’s guidance after school, or in the evening after prep. In the next edition of the Boarding Buzz, we will include photos of the construction phases, the completed project and the mighty construction team!
Kaleb Germain | Year Seven
AFL Tipping Competition
All up, there are 23 home and away rounds to be contested in the 2019 AFL season. At the completion of Round 22 — a round which produced some unexpected and close results — no one was able to predict more than five winners. Kaleb Germain won his first round this week, but Bethany Robertson holds on to a very handy lead going into the final round this week. Whilst Bethany has not won a single round all season, she has proven that consistency wins the day. We look forward to the start of finals in the coming weeks with interest. In the next Boarding Buzz, I will include a full wrap-up of the competition winners.
Mr Peter Colgate | Michaelmas House Parent
Michaelmas House Staff
Michaelmas House staff are:
- Mrs Jenny Colgate: Head of House
- Mrs Amber Freeman: Supervisor
- Mrs Jenny Smith: Supervisor
- Miss Lea von Graberg: Gap Assistant
