Breaksea House News

This term has been one with its challenges and successes for the Breaksea girls. Last week, the girls enjoyed a cooking class with Chef Tyler Sibert. He came and taught everyone how to cook gnocchi and the final dishes were scrumptious. Many were surprised by easy it was to make from scratch, with only four ingredients, and I hope they cook some at home for you these holidays. 

Throughout the term, every year group experienced an examination period, and this tested each of them in various ways. It was a good opportunity for some to learn the importance of an organised study schedule, or regular reviewing of each subject or the need to do practice papers under timed conditions. Each young person conducted themselves competently and many were pleased with their results. Others have taken the examination period as a learning opportunity and know areas in which they can improve in the future. We were thankful to have a number of tutors come and assist students in the lead up to assessments and examinations. Thank you to Mrs Gayle Britten, Mrs Linda Luff, Ms Theresa Youngs-Lachmund, Mr Josh Carson and Dr Paul Mitrovski. We really appreciate the support of the tutors and encourage all students to make the most of these opportunities. 

It was exciting to see many of our music students performing in the various concerts at the end of this term. The Year Ten girls went over to support Rosie Page as she performed and took photos to share with those who couldn’t make the event. 

Sport has been a major commitment for many students this term, with training for netball, basketball, hockey, soccer and rowing all occurring each week. Zaydee Kiagoes commitment to freezing cold mornings, leaving whilst still dark, to row on the Kalgan River is commendable. Additionally, Caris Rae, Jasmine Butterworth, Jasmine Bradshaw, Kira Pearce, Chenae Wreford, Madison Smart and Brianna Harris all coach or umpire junior teams in addition to their own training and games, and thus show great leadership. Each weekend, we look forward to all the stories from the various sporting adventures. 

Congratulations to the eight students from Breaksea who made the Country Week team and committed to additional training sessions all term; Jasmine Butterworth, Karis Cristinelli, Mariah Lennard, Abigail Winyard, Isabelle Plowman, Madison Smart, Kira Pearce and Rhiannon Williams-Jolley. Whilst, the week did not eventuate as planned, each person is to be congratulated. 

Within Breaksea House, the girls are encouraged to regularly use words and actions of encouragement towards others. One of the ways this can occur is to use words of affirmation. A few weeks ago, I provided a series of affirmation cards and students chose an affirmation that they believed would encourage them. It was lovely to hear girls helping others by highlighting the positive qualities of each other. 

We are excited to announce that Miss Zaria Church will be joining the staff of Breaksea House as the In-Resident Supervisor (IRS) for Semester Two. She is from Perth and is looking forward to an Albany adventure. Zaria has been working as a Youth Worker, running the program, Girls Without Limits in various high schools and juvenile detention centres in Perth. She is currently completing her Certificate IV in Youthwork and Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care. She has a number of years of experience working with teenage girls in various settings and is very keen to join us in Breaksea House. 

We have enjoyed some birthdays in Breaksea throughout June with various cakes of the girl’s choosing. Happy Birthday to Kobie Featherstone, Zaydee Kiagoes and Ava Smith. 

It has been a delight seeing so many of the young people mature throughout Semester One. Staff value the chats in the office in the afternoon and evening and the funny stories that can be shared at breakfast time. Each of these encounters help to develop the positive and supportive nature of our boarding house. I look forward to working with the Breaksea girls over the rest of the year and hope each family has a restful holiday. 

Ms Vanessa Bromhead | Head of Breaksea House