Endeavour House
Returning to Endeavour House after the Covid-19 break felt a lot like starting the year again. Boarding rules and routines had been forgotten, some boarders weren’t back in boarding, and friendship groups had changed. There seemed to be a lot of schoolwork to catch up on and no sport or training meant we were encouraging the students to move and be active. Only now does it begin to feel like things are getting back to ‘normal.’
One of the things the girls are missing the most about pre-Covid boarding is hanging out in each other’s rooms. Unfortunately for now, we can’t allow this. We have created more lounging spaces to enable the girls to hang out together outside of their bedrooms, but they tell me it just isn’t the same. We also miss our in-house dinner once a week. We will all be more grateful for these simple pleasures when they return.
As you know, when boarding returned, we were not able to share rooms. Since then, the regulations have changed, and we can now do so again. Two of Year Seven girls have asked to return to a shared room and this has meant that, at present, everyone in Endeavour House that wants a single room, has one. This is an unusual situation as, normally, we would need to take turns in single rooms. The girls and I have discussed this, and they seem happy with their current room situation. As such, they will be left this way for next term.
Prep Changes
Prep is one of the things that changed with Covid-19 regulations. At the beginning of term, we had all the girls in their rooms every night, whereas we have now progressed to a night of Library prep for each age group. Year Seven students are back at the kitchen table in Endeavour House, so we can help more readily. There is a tutor available to come into the house if the girls need help with their work. Head of Year Seven, Ms Penny Simpson, attends prep on Tuesday night with the Year Seven students to assist them if required. We really appreciate her time and expertise.
Keeping Active
For majority of the term, Mr Nathan Symonds hosted gym sessions every Monday and Wednesday after school for an hour. We appreciate his time and effort in doing so. As part of the Recreation programme, we continued the ever-popular Friday night gym sessions.
We have walked to the Fish Traps on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday afternoons as a way of keeping active and getting fresh air. Looking forward, the girls are all ready for the resumption of trainings, sport and other after school activities.
Happy Birthday
Happy birthday to Bella Patterson who requested a no-fuss birthday. We enjoyed cake with candles that she blew out with a bike pump (more Covid restrictions!). Bella preferred we didn’t sing. If we get ice-cream cake, we don’t mind what type of birthday our girls desire!
There were no June birthdays in Endeavour House. We are looking forward to July to celebrate Brianna Cunningham's birthday and, in August, five more birthday celebrations. That’s a lot of ice-cream cake!
Gratitude
This term, we have been talking a lot about being grateful and thankful. Miss Ana Bermudez and I have talked a lot with the girls about this and we have noticed some positive changes. Simply thanking a bus driver or our amazing chefs for dinner, or Mrs Amber Freeman for washing our white shirts, is an appreciative thing to do. We also encourage the girls to say hello to the adults they encounter throughout their day. Ana has done a great job of reminding Endeavour House girls that, within the pandemic, there are many things we have to be grateful for.
Goodbye, Miss B
We say farewell to Miss Bermudez, our Columbian Gap Assistant, as her time at GSG has come to an end.
Ana is unable to return to Columbia for now, so will return to Tasmania to study until she can go home.
We have enjoyed having Ana in Endeavour House. She has been a breath of fresh air and a great ‘big sister’ to the girls.
At the moment, due to Covid-19, we are unable to replace the Gap Assistants. We are hopeful that we will be able to do so for 2021.
We farewelled Miss Bermudez with a night out for pizza. She will be missed, and we wish her all the best, wherever her future takes her.
Staffing
Next term, we welcome a new staff member as a result of Miss Bermudez leaving.
Miss Lucy Martin will cover some weekend shifts and will be introduced properly in the next edition of the Boarding Buzz.
Lucy is our new ‘big sister’ for Endeavour House as we value having younger Supervisors in the house over the weekends for the girls to spend time with.
I put this quote in the Boarding Buzz last year at this time, as a parent I find it very apt and perhaps you will too: "A mother’s job is to teach her children to not need her anymore. The hardest part of that job is accepting success." — source unknown.
Enjoy the holidays with your lovely girls and I look forward to Semester Two with them.
Mrs Tara Ball | Head of Endeavour
Farewell, Ana
As my time at GSG finishes, I reflect on how amazing this experience has been. I have not only made friends for life and met amazing people, but I have grown as a person.
This year has taught me lessons that make me who I am today. I leave with amazing skills in teamwork, leadership, discipline and responsibility. These are all tools I will take with me and use every day of my life. It’s easy to learn and grow with examples like Tara Ball, who not only show you the way, but grow with you and support you 100 per cent, always.
I have encountered an amazing culture of hardworking, caring, selfless, kind, compassionate, funny and overall amazing people.
I feel extremely lucky and blessed to have had such an amazing opportunity to work with the girls who have had such an impact on me and have taught me that, no matter your age, you should keep that inner child alive. They taught me to live in the moment and enjoy what’s happening right now without worrying about the future. I have learned to be grateful for every opportunity I am given and to make the most of it. Thank you to everyone who has been part of this amazing journey. Each one of you has left a footprint that I will never forget.
I have seen many sunsets and beautiful sunrises. I’ve seen beaches and forests and I have to say that nothing compares to this place. I will miss my girls, with whom I became so close and who hold a very special place in my heart. I will miss the laughs, the jokes, the pranks, and how they always made fun of me as if I was their own big sister. I will never forget any of this.
The memories I’ve made here will never leave me and I have nothing left to say but thank you. Thank you for the memories, the support, the laughs, the tears, the lessons and every single thing I have experienced here. But, most importantly, thank you for making me who I am today, for helping me grow and supporting me throughout this whole year. Albany and GSG will never leave my heart as it’s been such a magical experience. I will miss you all dearly and hope to see you soon.
Miss Ana Bermudez | Gap Assistant