Ridley House News

Term 4 kicked off with a House assembly where I discussed the song “Hallelujah”, written by Leonard Cohan but made famous by Jeff Buckley. It’s been estimated the song took Cohen 5 years to write and during that time he wrote 70 verses. Through too many serendipitous moments to elaborate on here, the song was eventually recorded by Buckley but only became famous after Buckley’s tragic death. The point of the story was, “How does genius emerge?”. Maybe luck. Or perhaps more importantly, hard work and perseverance. And that was the challenge for the term, make your own luck through perseverance.

In Week 3 we had a wonderful House farewell for our Year 12s. The Year 11 students spoke about each boy in their Pastoral Group. Hopefully, the graduating students felt that they had been known well and valued for their presence and impact on the daily lives of the boys in their Pastoral Group. I can honestly say that they have been a fantastic group to work with over the past six years.  Nothing was ever too much trouble and advice given was always well accepted and acted upon. They have been a highlight group for me. On a personal note, I was afforded a beautiful farewell by the Year 12 boys, that was truly humbling and something that will live with me forever.

And as one group depart another group takes its turn to lead. It is with great pleasure that I announce the Ridley House leaders for 2025: Harry Wood (Mission), Matthew Rowston (Academic), Jordan Pratt (Cultural), Cooper McGinn (Wellbeing), Joe Cervetto (Sport). Good luck to this terrific group of young men. This year two Ridley boys will also represent in the College Student Leadership Team, namely Sam Millott (Wellbeing Captain), and it gives me great pleasure to acknowledge Xavier Howard as College Captain. Xavier is a young man of fine character, whom I’m sure will lead the College from the front, with the whole student body in mind.

On Tuesday the 22nd of October all Houses competed in the annual ASH DASH. A great event, expertly run by Gilroy House, that gets the whole school involved, not only helping to build house spirit but College Spirit. Thanks to all the Ridley boys who participated in the event. Ridley came second to Harold on the day.

Week 4 also saw the Ignatius Chess Competition get under way. One boy from each year level was selected to represent Ridley and compete in a knockout style competition against the other seven houses. Our team of: Ethan Wu, Harry Player, Carter Gibson, Alessander Javier and Cooper McGinn, drew a tough field but battled on manfully to finish fourth. Congratulations and thanks boys.

In Week 6 we witnessed the Ephrem Rock Climbing competition. Congratulations to Andreas Specht from Year 11, who represented Ridley and scaled the wall with ease.

As this is my last Newsletter article, I would like to take the opportunity to thank the many Ridley Pastoral Group teachers who have assisted over the years. The boys have indeed been fortunate to have excellent teachers at their sides who have shown great care and concern. I would also like to thank the many families who have been so supportive over so many years. And finally, thanks to all the Ridley boys over the past 32 years. There have been sad times, and I still hold many in my thoughts and prayers, there have been tough times, but we overcame most of those, and there have been countless happy times, for which I will always be grateful. God bless and Go Ridley!