Anchorage House News
It is great to see happy, smiling faces return to boarding refreshed after a holiday break with tales of adventures at home and further afield.
We welcome Mr Harry Tanner this term. Harry will be working as a supervisor in Anchorage, a tutor for prep sessions in Michaelmas and taking one of the gym sessions in the evening. Gym sessions this term are on Tuesday and Thursday after prep until 8.15pm. Mr Tanner is enthusiastic about supporting the boys with their sporting and learning pursuits.
The winter weather has really set in this week. We are appreciative of the heaters installed in the dining area of Anchorage and we are looking forward to further heating being installed in the bedroom corridors. The installation of new blinds over the holidays in the entry lounge and the dining room has given the refurbishment a more finished look. The blinds also contribute to reducing glare, adding some privacy for the boys and insulating against the weather.
Last term, Mrs McAllister came to dinner to coach everyone on table etiquette. After some weeks of practice, a more formal style of dinner was held, an opportunity to enjoy and become familiar with a meal in a slightly different setting and with different expectations. Mrs Freeman decorated and organised the table settings. The menu included roast beef and Yorkshire puddings. Many declared it the best meal they had eaten in boarding! We have been encouraging mixed tables of boys and girls during dinner a couple of times week. Some boarders have found this to be a challenge to be outside their comfort zone but they have embraced it and it was been wonderful to see the conversation and interactions between boarders. Everyone seems not to be in a rush to leave at the end of the meal, rather continuing to connect and engage.
In Anchorage, we are talking about stepping up this term and what that would look like in a variety of situations. We are also developing our stop and think muscle. We are practicing stopping and thinking before saying or doing something to consider the impact of the choice on others.
Taj Carruthers, Henry Smith, Zane Cairns, Ronald Williams and Louis Ford were very excited to attend the Rugby Tour in Perth this week, led by Mr Paul Osborne. We farewelled them on Tuesday morning, proudly wearing their rugby jerseys.
The boys returned on Wednesday evening after a very successful rugby trip. They beat Cottesloe 25-20 during a big thunderstorm with torrential rain, then the following day defeated Scotch College (undefeated for several years) with a score of 48-25. This made for a very happy trip home Wednesday afternoon.
The boys have been playing rugby or football outside at any opportunity, rain, hail or shine! Watching AFL on TV and cheering on their teams is becoming filled with more excitement as the season progresses and there have been some closes finishes with boys yelling, cheering and jumping up and down! The Birmingham Commonwealth Games are also engaging them, particularly with Australia’s success in the pool.
Best wishes to Patrick Buckenara who recently celebrated his 14th birthday.
Ms Anne Robertson | Head of Anchorage House