Wellbeing

I have recently read an online article featured on the website Eureka Street – view here. The article ‘Reimagining standards of masculinity’ by Dejan Jotanovic alludes to reactions to polling results in the U.S.A. on the number of men who have refused to wear a face mask during the COVID-19 pandemic and the wider implications surrounding societal perceptions of masculinity. Apart from the refusal to wear face masks, the perceptions of weakness or femininity in men using recyclable bags and having a vegan diet are examined. The author comments, “Men should want to wear masks, carry reusable bags, and consider the implications of their diets, not because it fits into some fragile and imaginary idea of what masculinity looks like, but because it’s the right thing to do. Men should want to care, and we should expect them to.” 

One of the key areas as part of our implementation of the Wellbeing Framework during this year is the notion of masculinity that cohorts address in PCP. Year Coordinators will use a range of resources to challenge the boys’ prevailing attitudes to this notion and encourage them to reconsider the validity of these attitudes, especially as we promote diversity and an inclusive community. The author asserts in his conclusion, “This ultimately calls for a radical reimagination of masculinity away from dominant and abrasive ideals that carve undue pressures in men to act and behave in certain ways…. Behaviours can be changed, but only by the standards we set for them. Masculinity can be changed, but only by the standards we imagine for it.”

It has been written many times in the last 9 weeks how challenging the term has been. I want to thank and commend the boys for their patience and willingness to adapt to extraordinary circumstances. The rates of attendance in online lessons during the remote learning period reflect the commitment and pride the boys have for their learning. 

Furthermore, I extend my gratitude to the students from Years 5-12 who participated in working parties to discuss and offer suggestions to the proposed Student Code of Conduct and elements of the Child Safeguarding Standards that have been developed by EREA. Reviewing the feedback given by the boys reflects the strong sense of connection they have with the College and a desire for further initiatives to be implemented to ensure a safe and welcoming school environment. There will be further consultation with students, staff and parents in Term 3.

I hope all boys and their families have a safe and wonderful holiday, hopefully taking the opportunity to visit regional and rural areas. With many of my family located in the Riverina, I am very much aware how the travel restrictions have impacted smaller communities outside the metropolitan area.

I look forward to seeing the boys when they resume in July, hopefully for a term that is not punctuated by disruption.

Rob Simpson

Director of Wellbeing