Boarding Report – March 17, 2016

Some of you may be aware that there are 181 boarding schools in Australia -“ within these fine establishments there are upwards of 26,000 boarders. Within that context the 42 boarders that call St Patrick’s -home- is a small percentage, however we all share a common goal -“ to provide the best possible experience for the young men and women who are afforded the privilege of a boarding education. I was fortunate to represent Victoria at the ABSA National Board meeting this past Friday at Bond University on the Gold Coast. Firstly, I should acknowledge our hosts and actively encourage our Yr12 cohort to consider tertiary education interstate. It is still quite novel to me for our Yr12s each year to want to remain in their home state. If your son/s is looking further afield I can certainly recommend Bond University. I do though digress -“ the National Board meeting had a significant agenda but no item was more prominent than a discussion on the Boarding Standards. As parents and/or guardians of boarders many will not be familiar with these standards that were published last July. ABSA is looking closely at how these standards will be practically implemented and the process by which schools gain accreditation but I am most happy to assure you that I shall ensure St Patrick’s remains at the forefront of these welcomed improvements that will ultimately guarantee a better experience for our fine young men.

In other news, as is articulated by how Housemaster teams in their reflections, Term (1) is drawing to a close but not before there is an opportunity for you to meet with your son/s teachers at our Boarding Parent/Student/Teacher interviews next Thursday afternoon before the College closes for a well-deserved holiday for all. This year our Housemaster team will be in attendance to afford you the chance to speak with them about all aspects of your son’s time here at the College. I urge you all to utilise this opportunity.

Finally, I would like to ask you all to consider the importance of regular dialogue with myself or your son’s Housemaster team. Of late there have been a number of unfortunate occurrences when news that has troubled our boarders has only reached our staff by chance or second hand. This makes our responsibility of providing the best possible care for your son/s that much harder and whilst we respect the need for privacy and individual response I do encourage you to involve us in any process of healing, etc. given our role in your son/s life.

It has, as always, been a rich and full term with much to celebrate. I look forward to welcoming you all back safely after this Easter holiday.- –

Kenny Catch-up

An interrupted week this week, with the Labour Day public holiday, College House athletics carnival and our celebration of St Patrick’s Day, sees only five full school days remaining for our boarders. We have had many Kenny boys achieve success in their chosen activities, including year 9 student, Myles King, who was recently selected into the AFL Kickstart Future Leaders program, and year 12 student, Dyvontae Tippett, who recently returned from the Touch Rugby Nationals in Coffs Harbour, where he represented Victoria.- Leslie Maroney is heading back to Darwin this weekend to compete in his team’s Grand Final and we have also had eight Kenny boys named across the U16 and Senior Rebels squads. It certainly makes for hectic times after school, but I have been impressed with how the boys are managing their commitments so far. As always, it is important that open communication is kept between the boys, myself and teachers, which I look forward to discussing on Thursday 24th March, at the upcoming Boarding Parent/Student/Teacher interviews. Well done to all of the boys for how they have conducted themselves for the majority of this term, and I look forward to them all returning healthy, happy and rested, ready to begin Term (2).

Miss Tamara Westwood

Senior Housemaster, Kenny House

Six weeks into the first term and Kenny House is running quite smoothly. Miss Westwood is doing an astounding job taking care of the boys through the week which allows for a smooth transition to myself of a Saturday morning. Only two weeks remain of the first term which I find completely amazing how quickly it has gone! The majority of our boys are either at home or with friends during this EXEAT weekend, which allows them the opportunity to briefly recharge their batteries. It also allows Miss Westwood and myself to catch our breath and get our pulse rate back to normal prior to the remaining weeks of the term.

We have only one activity remaining for this term which is a cinema excursion, again this always proves popular with our boys and will be the perfect way to finish out Term (1).

Again the boys were star struck last Sunday when another of our former 2015 boarders made an appearance. Mr Daniel Rioli, who currently plays AFL for Richmond FC, dropped by and spent some time with the boys, which they were thrilled about. Daniel even joined us on the bus and attended Mass. It was terrific to see him and he is an absolute inspiration to many of our boarders!

Wishing all a safe and relaxing break prior to Term (2) commencing, do take care and I look forward to passing on more news to you all next term.

Mr Ewen Larsen

Weekend Housemaster, Kenny House

Introducing Antonio Scarcella -“ 2016 Vice-Captain of Kenny House

Year Level:- – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

12- – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Home Town: – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Robinvale

Interests:- – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Football, basketball and socialising

Favourite Food: – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Chicken

How long have you been a Boarder at SPC: – – – – – – This is my third year

What made you choose to board at SPC: – – – – – – – – – – Dad is an old collegian that boarded in the 80’s

Future Plans: – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Would like to go to Uni- – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

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Phyland/Farley Catch-up

With only two weeks to go and of those two weeks only five academic days there is light at the end of the tunnel! For the most part the young men have made a very strong start to the year and many have settled into their routines. For many of our boys this involves a great deal of sporting commitments with Cricket, Footy and Rugby. On the rugby front this weekend will see Liam O’Carroll play his first game in the college 1st XV, which complements nicely the work of Dayon Johnson and the Millards on the Cricket pitch as well as Izaac Johnson on the footy field.

Last week I spent the week away from Ballarat continuing on in my studies and whilst the time away was highly productive it was wonderful to return and see how well the young men were cared for by Mr Willey in my absence. Like seeing the boarders again, I look forward to catching up with you all as you collect your young men at the conclusion of next week with the Parent/Student/Teacher interviews.

Mr Michael Murphy

Housemaster, Phyland/Farley House

Last week I was again given the great opportunity to step into the shoes of Mr Murphy as our weekly housemaster at Phyland/Farley. The last time I saw the boys that much was earlier in the term and I was surprised by a few changes. Mainly how easy our boys have now adapted to boarding life, from knowing the rules regarding times allowed out, to the washing routine. It was the excitement concerning the long weekend however, which seemed to be the focus for the boys over the week. Most boys had meticulously planned their time, stretching it for maximum benefit. Some boys were traveling long distances and had their flights, public transport routes and pick up times memorized. This is something I doubt I myself would have been able or trusted to do at their age. Not for the first time I was forced to recognise the skills that boarding ensures each boy has; in this case individuality, organisation and resilience.

Mr Daniel Willey

Weekend Housemaster, Phyland/Farley House

Introducing Patrick Fairhead -“ 2016 Captain of Phyland & Farley House

Year Level: – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 12- – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Home Town: – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Darwin

Interests:- – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Sport (Football), Film (Harry Potter)

Favourite Food: – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Fried Rice

How long have you been a Boarder at SPC: – – – – – – 4 years

What made you choose to board at SPC: – – – – – – – – – – Greater Opportunities than home

Future Plans: – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – I want to study Law at RMIT-

Look after yourselves.

Mr Mike Silcock

Director of Boarding