Boarding 

Sunday saw the inauguration of the Boarders’ Bushwalkers Club, as eight keen young men and women shook off the desire to study and look at their phones in order to climb Mount Sturgeon. It was a beautiful walk with Lauren Richards setting a great pace up front. We were rewarded with breathtaking views from the summit and it was a fantastic way to get to know some of our new boarders. Ally and Wes could almost see Moulamein from the top!

I was so proud to see a number of boarders receiving prizes at the Scholars’ Assembly on Monday. A special mention to Year 6 Dux Campbell Craig and Siena Ma, Marcus Chu and Alec Jagger who all received subject prizes. 2017 graduates Bridie Kelly and Nikki Bedworth returned to College for the Assembly to receive Academic Honours in recognition of their outstanding VCE results and their inclusion on the Scholars' Board. This is an outstanding academic achievement, and I look forward to seeing more boarders' names on the board at the end of this year. Tim Gilling and Alec Jagger also performed a musical item which will be remembered by all in attendance. They are two extremely talented musicians.

The annual Orientation Games, hosted by our Year 12s, were held on Tuesday night. The Games are a way for all students, and in particular our new students, to get to know the Year 12s in a fun environment. Everyone enjoyed themselves thoroughly, and only one student ended up at Emergency, which means it must have been a good night. Ayleish Beaty and Lucy Roberts took out the Musical Boys game while Annabel Hetherington and Charles Cain won Fluffy Bunny.

Preparations for Chinese New Year have already begun and on Saturday we had boarders preparing over 400 dumplings for dinner on Thursday night to signal the start of the celebrations. Janine has done an amazing job decorating Macdonald House. Special xié xié (thanks) also to Ms Tseng for helping with the dumplings and supplying decorations for Speirs. 

Valentines Day was celebrated in boarding with special ‘Date Night’ tables set up in the middle of the dining room for couples to share a romantic meal together with only 80 other boarders looking on. I don’t want to mention names but Ben McCure was a hit on the night.

This weekend’s activities will consist of the 3-on-3 Basketball Competition at Melville Oval and the Chinese New Year Barbeque on Sunday evening.

Mr Alex Smith

Director of Boarding