Eclipse House News

Welcome Back to Eclipse boarding for 2022. It has been an exciting first two weeks in the house with many new faces to meet, new activities and a new academic year. It was wonderful to meet all the boarding families throughout the opening weekend and I thank the boys and their families for a very warm welcome into the new role. A special welcome to Hamish Murphy, from Kojonup, who has joined the Eclipse community. 

Carter, Cisco and I are very excited to be joining the boarding family and are very much looking forward to the year ahead. The boys have loved having Cisco walk to school with them and then welcome them back at the end of the day. Carter has joined the house during prep time for some academic support and, to the boy’s disappointment, beaten many of them in table tennis. 

We also welcome Mr Samuel Forward to the house as a boarding supervisor. A past boarder himself and having grown up on a farm, he relates well with the boys. He also is a keen surfer, a musician and a coaches surfing at the nearby Surf School. 

In the first two weeks, it has been great to facilitate the boys love for the outdoors. We have been exploring the campus and the surrounds with regular walks to Oyster Harbour and the fish traps. In the evening, backyard cricket has begun with a competition in the works. A morning run club has also been established. 

Mr Sam Forward and I also made use of the great weather over the weekend and took the boys surfing. Some boys, having only surfed a couple of times or never, did an outstanding job. The weights and gym equipment have been moved to the southern side of the house and are gaining plenty of use. There has also been a trip to Bunnings to integrate a new aquaponics system into the house. Hopefully in a few months we will have some tasty greens to add to some recipes. 

Boys are practical learners and enjoy kinesthetic activities when it comes to learning something new. The 26 boys in Eclipse definitely enjoy being involved in practical activities. I have encouraged them to learn something new this term, beyond their schoolwork. The first opportunity provided for them is the refurbishment of an old fibreglass boat, under the supervision of staff. The boys have drawn up plans, researched ideas and are excited to share their progress over the term. 

Eclipse House Strengths

During Prep in Week One, the boys and their supervisors explored their individual strengths using the VIA Strengths Character Test activity. Each boy found out what makes them tick and their strengths as an individual. Ask your son what their strengths are and celebrate them for who they are. We will continue to highlight each boy’s strengths throughout the term. As a house, the most reoccurring strengths are below. These are focused on daily to create a positive culture within the house.

Birthdays

Happy Birthday to Daniel Fisher and Kaleb Germain who both celebrated their birthdays in January and to Owen Baxter-Holland for Saturday 12 February. 

It has been a very enjoyable start to the year and we are looking forward to the weeks ahead. Please feel free to make contact with me at anytime through phone or email. 

Warm regards

Mr Taylor Colton | Head of Eclipse House