Eclipse House News

Each Buzz, you may have noticed, I share with you perspectives from other educators or professionals. I would like to share with you an excerpt written by Maggie Dent.  

During adolescence, your brain’s changes are mainly responsible for an increased intensity of emotions – both good and bad – a hunger for risk-taking behaviour, and a tendency to make impulsive choices that lack thought and consideration. This means you will make some really poor decisions. 

So please keep in mind that if you make a poor decision that you deeply regret,” you are not dumb or stupid or flawed”. You have an incomplete adolescent brain that is prone to making impulsive, poor choices, especially in the heat of the moment.  

The prefrontal cortex in your brain, which helps you make better decisions, does not finish developing until sometime in your mid-twenties. So if you have a friend or sibling who makes a poor choice, especially one that causes physical or mental pain, know that they will struggle for some time after the event. Step forward and be a good friend as it really will make a difference to how quickly and how much better they will recover. Remember every teen’s worst enemy is themselves. 

-Maggie Dent – 

So what do we do to combat and support young men in the 21st century? 

We aim to provide them with opportunities that can form a deep connection with themselves, family, friends and environment. In Term Three our house values are, Gratitude and Honesty. 

We have begun a gratitude window. Each day students will write down something or someone they are grateful for. It provides all Eclipse boys an opportunity to ‘see’ what they are each grateful for. Some might have similar thoughts that lead to different connections in house being formed.  

Our house focus in Term Three is Music. We have many boarders and staff who love to listen, play, and create music. Music is a great way to express emotion, joy and generate discipline. The Maker Space from Term Two has now evolved into a library, archive, and music room.  

We welcome Mr Jacob Morgan de-Laine and Mr Harry Tanner to the Eclipse team. They are both young men with a vast number of different experiences. They love the outdoors and getting the boarders of Eclipse active. We look forward to working with them.  

Congratulations to Pierce Newman who kindly volunteered to be the Recreation Officer of Eclipse alongside Mr Sam Forward. Together each Monday, they will create a recreation plan for the week and coming weekend. We have currently been exploring a twice weekly outing to the beach, town, lookouts or special events. The boys have thoroughly enjoyed being outside and creating an adventure. 

As always please do not hesitate to get in contact via text, email or phone call if you have any concerns. 

Mr Taylor Colton | Head of Eclipse House