Anchorage House News

A whole term has been completed in Anchorage and we are a quarter of the way through the year already, time certainly does fly by in boarding. It has been lovely getting to know the young men of Anchorage and they have quickly learnt the new routines. It has been a learning curve for everyone, as we got used to each other and all the different personalities and year levels in one house. As the term progressed, it has been encouraging to notice a marked improvement in cohesion within the house and the ability of each person to respect and enjoy the company of others. 

This term we have enjoyed many bike and scooter rides around school grounds, footy games on the ovals, cricket practice in the nets and journeys to the Fish Traps. The boys have boundless energy and need to keep active to expend that energy.  Recreation is a super way to keep them moving, energised and engaged. The boys have enjoyed tinkering around with bikes and scooters in the recreation shed and designing wooden items in the workshop. Some of the boys enjoy quieter pursuits, spending their spare time playing online games, reading and some boys are enjoying Dungeons and Dragons. 

We have had a second gaming console added into the main lounge room and these consoles operate on the same time schedules as the IT hand-in times. We certainly don’t want to see students constantly on a device. However, we have chosen games that encourage them to play and socialise together. Thank you for everyone’s support with not bringing private consoles and desk tops into Anchorage.    

I am looking forward to Term Two with many fun activities planned, new sporting teams to compete in and stories to share after the Easter holidays.

Recreation

At Anchorage, there is the opportunity for fun and play. All students need some time out in periods that are not structured, when they can recharge, refresh and engage in activities they enjoy. Recreational activities help to develop creativity, self-reliance, negotiation and self-expression.

Next term, we recognise that many students will be involved in various sporting teams and activities. Therefore, students who do not have a sporting commitment will be required to go to at least one recreation activity over the weekend. Students who have sport on Saturdays will have the option of resting in-house on Sunday or attending recreation activities. Research tells us that an active engaged teenage body is a healthy body and we also know that students need their rest. 

Resilience

The ability to master practical skills can be fostered in Anchorage. Developing domestic skills assists with living in a community and forging good relationships. Having roles and responsibilities enables everyone to get along well. The boys take turns at working together to do kitchen duties for a week. Cleaning up any mess after preparing a snack keeps the house pleasant for everyone. Boys are developing independent laundry skills, how to operate a washing machine, how to hang clothes out on the line in good weather and how to do washing in a timely manner so dirty laundry doesn’t build up. They also strip and remake their bed once a fortnight and tidy their rooms on a daily basis.

Birthdays

We haven't had any birthdays in the house recently but we do wish Tyler Germain a very happy twelfth birthday on 10 April.  He will be lucky enough to be able to spend his special day with his family over the holidays.

Ms Anne Robertson | Head of Anchorage House