Ridley House News

LeBron James, the legendary United States NBA basketball player, broke the all-time record for total points scored within the NBA competition on 7 February this year. The record was previously held by another giant of the game, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and had stood for 40 years. It took Abdul-Jabbar 20 years to set the record of 38,387 points and similarly, it took James 20 years to break it.

In our first full House assembly of Term 2, we looked at this feat and discussed how James could perform at the highest level of a sport for such a prolonged period of time and still remain one of the game’s elite performers after 20 seasons in the NBA. It is not just about size and undeniable talent. It is much more.

James has his own chef so that his meals specifically fit his lifestyle/activity requirements. He employs his own: trainers, physio, biomechanist, masseuse. He uses the latest training techniques such as: cryotherapy, hyperbaric chambers, compression gear, and electrostimulation. As well as more traditional training methods such as: core strength training, high-intensity strength training, yoga, pilates and meditation. In fact, his training bill adds up to approximately US$1.5 million per year.

The point of all this is that it is not all about natural ability. James gives himself every opportunity to perform to the very best of his ability by preparing to the very best of his ability. This is another example of the challenge placed before the boys this year: You’ll never know your capabilities unless you give 100%.

This term, we welcomed three new Pastoral Group Teachers: Ms Yorker Williams, Mr Ben Cribb, and Mr Mark Conway. I hope their time in Ridley House is enjoyable and rewarding.

Term 2 is always a busy term at school. We have had four inter-House activities, namely cross-country, Foley all-age Tug of War, Theatre Sports, and inter-house athletics.

The final Inter-House activity of the term was the athletics carnival. It was a great day, and the Ridley boys performed extremely well, coming from well behind. Through high participation rates and commitment to the Ridley team, the boys were able to claw back to second place for the day. Well done to all the boys who participated in these activities.

We have also had the Year 10 dancing lessons with neighbouring girls’ schools, Mt St Michaels, and Loreto College this term. The reports I received were that the Ridley boys behaved in a courteous and polite manner as well as displaying some great salsa moves.

In AIC sports we have had many students make first teams and we have also had a number of outstanding individual performances. Congratulations to the following boys on their selections into various teams:

AIC Cross-country team - Xavior Bennett, Tom Shaxson, Carter Gibson, Sam Russo, Ryan Mullin, Oli Peregrina, Conor Morahan, Cian Cournane, Jude Knapp.

1st XV – Atticus Armstrong, Tom Howard, Jude Knapp, Harry Thomson

1st XI – Nico Calabrese, Giacomo Calabrese, Will McGauley

1st Chess – Alex Apelt

Australian U16 Water polo Team – Joey Cervetto

U20 Philippines Touch Team – Oli Peregrina