Boarding 

EXEAT weekend

With an Exeat planned for the Labour Day weekend (Friday March 11 - Monday March 14) it is a good reminder for our boarders to take time to rest and spend time with family and friends. This mid-term break is an important time for our boarders to recharge for a successful conclusion to Term 1. With the boarding house closing for the weekend, I am looking for a family who would be interested in hosting two boarders, Yong An Ly and Yong Soeung Ly. Yong An and Yong Soeung are in Year 12 and Year 11 respectively and would like to spend their long weekend with a local family. If you are interested in hosting the Ly brothers, please make contact with myself on amonk@hamiltoncollege.vic.edu.au or 0407 052 214.

For our South Australian boarders our bus will travel on the normal scheduled times, with the only change being the pick-up from Naracoorte and Penola on Monday, 14 March.

Mental Fitness presentation.

This week we were blessed to have Kate Couchman present to all boarders and staff the importance of mental fitness. Our boarders received information about mental health and mental fitness in the Boarding House. It was wonderful to hear Kate hold the attention of our boarders for an evening and share important information regarding:

• What mental health is.
• Identifying poor mental health in yourself and others.
• Support mechanisms and services for boarders to access.
• Mental fitness strategies and creating a personalised approach in actively engaging our mental fitness.

I encourage parents and friends to share their mental fitness strategies with your sons and daughters. From exercise, to good sleep, socialising, and even eating chocolate, the way in which you keep yourself buoyant through the natural ups and downs of life are also important opportunities to share with our adolescents. 

Backyard cricket – more than a game

Sometimes the most fun in the Boarding House is simply a game of backyard cricket. When we have boarders from Year 7-12 having a laugh, playing together, enjoying healthy competition, and making up some of the oddest of rules I have ever come across, it tells me that our boarders are comfortable amongst each other. The game of backyard cricket is so much more than the game itself. It is a sign of togetherness and mateship. Well done to the boys of Speirs House and keep playing with the loud laughs that bring happiness across the Boarding House.

Vaccination Booster

Can I encourage all boarding families to arrange a COVID vaccination booster if not already done. Our nurses will also be able to assist if required. Please do not hesitate in contacting myself, Andrew Monk, or our College Nurse, Elizabeth Munro EMunro@hamiltoncollege.vic.edu.au.

Andrew Monk

Director of Boarding