Secondary School

Year 7 Becoming Men Incursion

The Year 7s are embarking on their ‘Becoming Brothers’ Incursion this week. They are participating in a variety of different activities such as raft building, rock climbing, paddling and team building games. Each experience and activity is designed to build the bonds and connections that will support each boy throughout his journey in Becoming a Man for Others.

Year 11 Rotto Swim Team

On Saturday, 26 February, myself and fellow Year 11 students Matthew Maine, Jacob Palmer and Madoc Lanfear-Appleby completed the Rottnest Channel Swim as a team of 4. As a team, we finished the 19.7km swim in 5 hours and 13 minutes, finishing 5th in our heat (all male teams with a combined age of 56-99) and 12th overall out of all 500 teams of 4. Despite horrific conditions comprising of 25 knot plus winds and 2 metre swell, we still managed to beat our previous years’ time by over 15 minutes! Our day was filled with many laughs, close calls with a possible shark sighting and a few too many energy drinks.  It was an experience we will all look back on and appreciate what we achieved together.

In spite of our efforts, we could not have possibly achieved such a feat without the help and support of our family and friends. Especially our skipper Brendan Maine, our deck hand (and joker) Justin Palmer, our kayaker Alex Drago and most of all, our “Rotto mentor” and logistical organiser, Clairly Maine (who already has and again on Saturday competed as a solo swimmer).

We would also like to congratulate Clayton Mott (11.5) who completed his first solo crossing at the age of 16. A huge achievement and unbelievable commitment both mentally and physically, considering the trying weather conditions presented last Saturday. Well done Clayton from all of us.

Joel Carcich (11.1)

Solo Rotto Swim

My birthday was coming up and I couldn't think of anything I wanted so I thought that the Rottnest Channel Swim would be an awesome challenge and experience. Leading up to the event I trained for longer than I ever have before to prepare myself for the 19km crossing. The morning of the swim came around quick and before I knew it my wave of swimmers were off. The conditions were average with southerly winds and a moderate swell which made it tough for a skinny bloke like me. The first 10-kilometers were a struggle due to the tough conditions.

As I approached the 15-kilometre mark I realised that if I didn't make it across the line, I would have to give everyone the story as to why I didn't finish, so I stuck my head down and put some effort into trying to complete the long swim. As the weedy bottom of the ocean came into view, I knew I was approaching the finish which gave me great excitement, and then came the white sandy beach which I was pleased to see, as I was able to put my feet down after 7 hours and 2 minutes in the water. A big thanks goes out to my Mum for the early morning drop offs and pickups and my crew for pushing me and getting me to the island.

Clayton Mott (11.5)

Prefect Perspectives 

This past week has been hectic once again for our community.

COVID. What seemed unbelievable three years ago is still changing our lives, almost on a daily basis.

Technology has allowed our students to participate in a range of activities like supporting the swimmers, rowers, participating in the Ash Wednesday Liturgy and the 2022 virtual Caritas Conference due to no large gatherings being allowed at school for the foreseeable future.

This past week our Year 7s have been participating in there Becoming Brothers ‘Camp’. Due to restrictions, the camp was conducted on site for the first time. The boys for the past week have been doing numerous activities across the College. These activities are designed to strengthen already existing bonds and create new relationships which hopefully set them up for the rest of their schooling life at TC. It has been great to see the boys up and about throughout the week, making new friends and developing the TC spirit.

This year we held the Caritas Project Compassion launch which was conducted online. Over 50 schools across WA tuned into the online launch. Guest speakers spoke about the impact that Project Compassion has on people and why it is so important. With a slightly altered and different looking Ash Wednesday liturgy this year, students took part in a live streaming into PCGs. Students participated from their classrooms as the service was performed in the Chapel.

On the sporting front, we performed strongly in the PSA Swimming and the Head of the River Regatta. Both had been rescheduled earlier than planned due to the uncertainty of COVID restrictions.

Due to COVID not allowing spectators into HBF stadium, many students supported via the online stream. We watched with pride as our squad was led by Nicholas Fry and the team performed admirably finishing in fourth place.

The Year 12 cheer squad was in full effect on Tuesday lunchtime chanting and shouting for all of Perth to hear. Marching to the awaiting swim team across the Gibney Hall balcony. The boys didn’t hold back showing their love and passion for their college and peers.

Harrison Farmer is to be congratulated on setting a new PSA record in the Under 17 100m Breaststroke in a time of 1:07.02.

Early Saturday morning saw our rowers flooded down to Champion Lake in Armadale competing against the six other schools for the Hamer Cup. Congratulations to James Watson the Captain of Boats for 2022 and all fellow rowers on competing yet another very successful rowing season. As usual the rowers never let the college down, always consistently being one of the top school’s year in and year out.

The amount of hard work these boys put in is incredible and shows that the continuous application of hard work and determination pays off at the end of the year. Congratulations and well done on winning the Hamer Cup , making it now three consecutive regattas and coming 4th in the 1st VIII Head of the River race. 

Many of our students participate in both the prestigious sports of rowing and swimming, which saw a significant number of boys on the boats at Champion Lakes and three days later in the pool at HBF Stadium. As a fellow member of the TC blue and green I am very proud of each boys’ efforts throughout the week and we are all deserving of a long weekend😊

God Bless.

Beau Allanson

Prefect - Sport