Breaksea House News

Term Three is the last term in boarding for many of our Year Twelve students. Consequently, for this term we are focusing upon demonstrating kindness and connections with all the students in the house. We want each student to feel connected with others throughout the house. 

We are excited to welcome two new students to Breaksea, Halle Cosh in Year Eleven and Olivia Williss in Year Ten. Both these students have settled in so well to the house and have quickly made connections with others. 

On Thursday of Week One we introduced Kindness Angels to Breaksea. Every student’s name was folded and placed into a container. Then each student selected a name, which was kept secret. For a week they needed to perform secret acts of kindness for the student. Everyone was challenged to research the person they had received, discover what they like to eat, what they enjoy, what would make this other person happy. There were little affirmation cards and notes students could colour and write on to put on bedroom doors. It as a lot of fun to watch people trying to secretly make someone’s bed, leave notes or chocolates in a bedroom or even deliver a plant or lego. 

The only flaw to this fun game came with students going home with COVID-19 or cold symptoms. I was ringing parents to find out who their student was an angel for, so we could ensure little gifts arrived for them too. This week culminated last Wednesday night with a game of Speed Connections. 

There were three questions written on the white board:

1. Who would you want to be stuck on an island with? Why?
2. Tell one fun or interesting experience you have had. 
3. What is your dream job?

Girls all sat across from each other around tables and were given one minute to choose two of the questions to discuss with the person opposite. Every minute they changed seats. There was a great buzz throughout the room and many smiles. After this the girls tried to guess who their angel was and people spoke about the kind things that were done for them. It was a positive experience for the students and one we will return to later. They were all reminded that kindness didn’t have to stop after seven days and hopefully they have made a new connection in boarding. 

This week has seen the beginning of the Commonwealth Games and quite a bit of excitement in Breaksea as Kate Squibb's cousin, Penny Squibb, is competing for the Hockeyroos. Other students are loving the netball as a Commonwealth Games sport, whilst my favourite is always the swimming. 

Breaksea students recently enjoyed Crazy Hair Day at school, many getting into the spirit of the day.  This was also the day where many students and one of the teachers participated in the World's Greatest Shave.

It is an extremely busy term with sporting commitments and students attending various carnivals. We ask that Breaksea students remember to submit leave with ample time before an event. The bus drivers plan their routes and staff plan for the students who are in the houses, so it is important that we are given time to check and approve leave requests. 

Please feel free to make contact, come in for a coffee or tea, or hang out in our lounge area anytime. We enjoy welcoming parents and family into Breaksea House. 

Ms Vanessa Bromhead | Head of Breaksea House