Anchorage House News

We are up and about this term.   As parents and carers, we try and give our young boys the best start in life. We know as parents who have raised teenage boys, that they are naturally loving, energetic, funny, creative, and sensitive. Around our boarding space I see them passionate about the things that genuinely interest them. They love to get around their mates and laugh, they can be goofy and respectful at the same time. As the sport session kicks into full swing, I see they have unlimited energy and can eat and eat as if they are dying of starvation, have a short break then load up and eat again. Most of our boys have a strong sense of what is right and wrong. Our focus this year has been on trust and respect when dealing with adolescent boys, I am pleased to see it in action as I move around our Anchorage boarding space and observe and hear conversations. I would be naive to think every interaction is perfect, but we are confident our boys are growing in the right direction. 

In the book The Making of Men (raising boys to be happy, healthy, and successful) by Dr Arnie Rubinstein, research has shown that up to the age of 12, boys are the happiest they will ever be. Then, between 14 and 18, their well-being plummets to its lowest level. To support them to be happy and motivated in our boarding space while deflecting the negative talk around them we are aiming to guide them into making healthy and wise decisions, be passionate about their lives and what they do, building a personal set of respectful values they chose to live by, affirm in them they are cared for and are important in our community and resilient to be able to overcome challenges that come up in life. 

We have great staff working in the Anchorage House who are getting to know your child through conversations and observations. They understand that as a Boarding Supervisor they are not the parent, but a promoter of their potential. While they are not a therapist, they can be a defender of their dreams and while they are not your son's friend, they are an advocator for their needs. These relationships are built around trust and do not exist without boundaries that adjust as the staff develop trust with your child. 

Have a great few weeks leading up to the long weekend.

Birthdays

No birthday cakes have been shared so far this term, however, we would like to acknowledge Tyler Germain who celebrated his birthday at home with his family in the school holidays.  Many happy returns Tyler.

Mr Ashley Keatch | Head of Anchorage House