Anchorage House News

An action-packed and eventful Term Two draws to a close. Soccer, hockey and football have predominantly kept most of the boys occupied after school and on the weekend. It has been great to see lots of boys participating in the weekend recreational programs too. The boys have been trying out the gaming shops in Albany. Paragon Games is a winner with games available on a number of different consoles. The card and board games on offer at Elandrial Games haven’t had the same appeal. 

We have welcomed some new supervisors to Anchorage to work with the boys in the evening and to support the recreation programme. 

Mr Zak Mola completes his teaching degree at Notre Dame University at the end of this term and has already proven to be a great asset to the Anchorage team. His speciality is high school Physical Education and Science, with a love for Human Biology teaching. He is from Perth and moved to Albany to do a teaching practice placement and now would like to stay. Zak brings with him a range of skills and experiences, including playing football for Royals and showing that he is a great cook. Zak is already enjoying working with the Anchorage students, he is also a valuable asset in the house, tutoring the boys in Mathematics and Science. We look forward to working with Zak regularly.

Mr Paul Osborne joins us on Wednesday evenings, assisting Years Seven and Eight boys with prep time.  A gym session is usually on the cards when Paul is in the house, where the boys play dodge ball, basketball or strategy games. He is a Year Six teacher at the day school and has previous experience working in boarding at GSG and overseas.  Paul has three young sons of his own, who all attend GSG, the eldest is in Year Seven. Paul has connections with many of the Anchorage boys through his teaching and his passion for sport.

Mr Nelson Stanborough recently joined the Anchorage team as a Supervisor and will also cover some Recreation activities when needed. Nelson is an Albany local, who coaches tennis throughout the Wheatbelt and is currently Head Tennis Coach at Albany Tennis Academy. He holds a Certificate II in Sport Coaching and Community Coaching from Tennis Australia. Nelson is already well known to a number of the boys who have participated in his tennis coaching  and workshops in schools all over the Great Southern area. He kept the boys well occupied last Monday evening when we had no power with the rain and stormy weather and organised games such as Murder in the Dark and Among Us to be played in the house. Nelson enjoys all sports and is looking forward to working with the boarders.

A big thank you to Mr Levi Cosh for working in Anchorage this term. The boys have enjoyed having Levi, particularly running the chilled out Friday evening shifts with gym sessions, lots of Milo and filling in with extra shifts whenever required.

Chef Tyler Sibert came to Anchorage to prepare kebabs with the boys for a shared dinner with the Endeavour girls.  The kebabs were cooked on the barbecue, then the girls joined us with the sushi and rice paper rolls that they had prepared in Endeavour with Chef Nick Harvey.  Thank you to Chef Nick and Chef Tyler, everyone had a great time.

Best wishes go to both of our June birthday boys, Thomas Robertson and Ryan Hams.

Ms Anne Robertson | Head of Anchorage House

Mount Trio

Under cloudy skies a small group of Year Nine Anchorage boarders travelled to Mount Trio Bush Camp to begin a partnership with Mr John Byrne, the operator of the camp.  When we arrived, John welcomed us to the site and provided a tour and nature walk of some of the unique characteristics of Mount Trio.  He explained his desire to keep the bush camp as natural as possible which includes making changes that enhance the sustainability of the camp. 

We learnt about the varieties of the trees, the impact of water runoff, rubbish left by campers and the importance of understanding the seasons.  John then explained the importance of creating rock walls around the trees to reduce water runoff and increase mulch around the base of the trees.  With Anchorage teamwork and skill, we began the extensive rehabilitation of areas of the campsite.  Mount Trio is a unique place to visit and it is a privilege that we have been asked to be part of the service to maintain this important icon in the Great Southern.  To finish the day, we enjoyed table tennis and some food at the Bakers Junction Roadhouse.  Thank you to John Byrne for his hospitality and the opportunity to be part of the Mount Trio Bush Camp.

Mr Mark Sawle | Principal