Acting Dean of Students | Mr Damien Cuddihy

On Monday night, the College hosted the Year 11 Semi Formal at Friday’s Restaurant at the Riverside Centre. It was an enjoyable night for the Year 11s and their partners and I would like to thank Mrs Jo Tarlington for her organisation of the event. Next week the Year 11s gather for the Leadership Camp with their newly appointed College Leaders for 2019. 

Unfortunately, we will not be rescheduling the Inter-House Track and Field carnival that was cancelled last week due to the inclement weather. However, a group of students from Reidy House were able to go ahead with their annual “Rough Night In” at Waterford Place on Saturday night. Social workers from Brisbane Youth Services joined the boys during the evening to speak about the organisation. It was great to see a large number of Year 11 students assisting Mr Johnson with running the event. This weekend sees Magee House heading over to Moreton Island for their annual “Big Day Out”. Please support Windsor House as they conduct a Mango Drive this term. All proceeds will be given to Youngcare. Orders can be made here.

Dr Paul Gibney presented to Year 9 parents earlier this week on the topic Adolescent Boys, Parents and Families: Towards a Mature Masculinity. Paul has been presenting to our Year 9 cohort for several years and provides a valuable insight into adolescent life. One aspect of the presentation's focus is to embrace your son’s “second family” - his friendship group. This could include the boys in his House group, rowing crew, debating team or handball group. Further to this, I found the following reflection from Jordan Peterson (2018) particularly insightful.

“The infant is dependent on his parents for almost everything he needs. The child – the successful child – can leave his parents, at least temporarily, and make friends.  He gives up a little of himself to do that, but gains much in return.  The successful adolescent must take that process to its logical conclusion. He has to leave his parents and become like everyone else.  He has to integrate with the group so he can transcend his childhood dependency.  Once integrated, the successful adult then must learn how to be just the right amount different from everyone else.”