Anchorage House News 

We are well into our term now as we start Week Seven and the boys have settled into their routines around the house. Raising boys during their adolescence requires a team approach from both parent, carers and our boarding staff. This requires a huge amount of trust that parents invest in us to provide that measured care and support. We work on the notion of empowering our boys to own their actions which develops their character and I have seen a few of them over the last few weeks make a poor decision. What’s encouraging for me is they are supported and mentored by staff who take this role seriously and work closely with each individual boy to build trust and respectful relationships to guide and steer them along to work through actions to ensure a positive outlook can be achieved.

Living in boarding provides our boys with time to develop their character by exposing them to a wide range of experiences that are designed to take them out of their comfort zones. I am always grateful for the conversations parents have with me to check or address our boy’s actions. With all the dynamics that happen around a boarding space we don’t always see something told to Mum or Dad on the phone at home and vice versa, but we are in the best position to work through it with your child. Our boarders are in a great space if they are able to communicate with both parents/carers and staff, so there are several sets of eyes/layers looking out for them, this really provides a holistic approach to their learning and development. 

Prep

Boys are settling into this format well, we have been working with boys on deflecting the idea that ‘I have no homework’ to creating an environment where 'I can study, revise or pick up a book and read'. What has surprised me over the term is the number of boys who have said to staff ‘I don’t read books’. We have borrowed a range of reading material from the library and I think there is something for everyone from Years Seven to Nine. I don’t mind if your son wants to read 4x4 magazines or fishing magazines, if this gets them reading articles then it’s a great starting point.  

Another way of engaging your son has been to introduce ear muffs. Sounds crazy but has been a brilliant way for them to focus on their work without distractions. I may need to buy more!!  

Aquarium

A big shout out to Andrew, Colleen and the Cherry family who donated a massive fish tank last week to the Anchorage boys. What an amazing transformation this has provided for our Years Seven to Nine boarders. We often see boys sitting around this tank all hours of the day and it has provided them with a purpose when it comes to looking after, naming and just gazing at the fish. Already the fish have been named and a sheet printed out on the tank base with their picture, and we have done a filter clean. Thanks again, we are very grateful.

Birthdays

A very happy birthday to the following Anchorage Boys for the year so far... Corinthian Calwyn, Tristan Harris, Jai Waterman, Kade Waterman, Zane Cairns, Lucas Smart and Louis Ford.

Mr Ashley Keatch | Head of Anchorage House