Michaelmas House News

Term Two

We are now feeling the change from Autumn to Winter and with this, of course, comes cooler mornings and evenings. To the boarders’ credit, those who have early morning or late evening training and games have continued their commitments and stuck to their schedules.  Most students are playing one Winter sport and some, two, which means they are very busy juggling schoolwork and their chosen sports, however, they are managing well.

The life of today’s teenagers is busy and in constant flux. They have increasing responsibilities at school, within the boarding house, sporting commitments and their social lives are expanding with their growing independence. Sleep fuels these important processes. Good, plentiful sleep is essential to teens’ development, growth and quality of life.  Boarding staff are conscious of this and are proactive in ensuring that we have a lights out policy for Years Seven and Eight students at 9.00pm from Sunday to Thursday, and 10.00pm Saturday and Sunday.  We are also aware of the necessity to monitor and balance screen time. After a busy day at school, we continue to have phones and laptops handed in at 4.30pm Monday to Thursday, to ensure a break before computers may be required again at prep.

Year Seven HASS in Woodwork

Several of the boys have been working on a project for HASS.  It was an assignment we were given that we had to present either as a Powerpoint, poster, animation or model.  Koby, Owen, Marcus, Brock, Riley, Steven and myself chose to make a wooden model. Over several evenings after prep, Mr Colgate took us over to the woodwork room and we developed and created our masterpieces. We enjoyed the experience of going to school at night time! We thank Mr Colgate and hope that we may be able to do some other projects at some stage in the future.

Kaleb Germain | Year Seven

Gymnastics

I have been doing gymnastics since I was eight years old and it has been my hobby ever since. My inspiration came from the older girls at my old school in Ravensthorpe.  I remember the first trick I ever did was a cartwheel, although the most complex trick I currently do is a front handspring and a contortion move.

From the age of 12, I taught myself many different tricks and ever since I have been attending gymnastics at PCYC in Albany.  Since I have developed such a passion for gymnastics, I have saved up money to buy different equipment so I can keep up to date with my skills. We have a gymnastics mat available to use in boarding and I have been passing on my skills to others.

Jasmine Kuiper | Year Eight

Footy Tipping

As we approach the midway stage of our football tipping competition, the leader’s board is looking tight.  At the conclusion of Round Ten, we have three leaders on 56. They are Bethany, Mr Colgate and Steven. A special mention should be made of Brent Crowley, who has been successful winning three of the 10 rounds so far. With our tipping leaders close, some will need to take some risks if they are to break the shackles in the hope of a handy lead.  Likewise, those falling behind a little may need to take some risks, too, if they are to get themselves back into the race for the end of year prize. Some science may also have to play a part in selections, as well as which teams have been hit hardest with their injury list, the playing conditions, home ground advantage, past history win/loss record, or simply guessing based purely on their preference of the team’s colours.

Mr Peter Colgate | House Parent