Dean of Students | Mr Damien Cuddihy
Last Friday, I spoke to a group of Year 7 boys about their recent camp experience at the Brother Buckley Outdoor Education Centre. The feedback was positive, and the boys are already looking forward to next year’s camp. Our Student Formation program is designed to assist the students in their development into well-rounded young men; a philosophy that underpins our sequential Outdoor Education program. The Maroon staff offer an excellent range of experiences and challenges for the Year 7 classes, which helps them connect as a House group.
Last week, our Year 8 students commenced their camp program. The students are given the opportunity to enhance skills such as leadership, empathy, resilience and teamwork. During the retreat component of the camp, our retreat leaders and House Deans focus on developing positive relationships. A part of this process includes a presentation on personal boundaries and unpacks the concept of 'consent'. I encourage parents and caregivers of our Year 8 students to ask their sons about this section of the retreat for further discussion at home. We wish our Year 8s well in the positive challenges ahead this term.
On Monday, our Year 11 students had the opportunity to put their best foot forward by conducting the Open Day tours for our visitors to the College. As always, the feedback was very complimentary. The ability to engage with members of the public in a meaningful manner is an aspect of our Senior leadership that the College values. A sincere thank you to the Year 11 cohort for their fine service on Monday.
Next Thursday, our Cross Country team will participate in the GPS Cross Country championships at Limestone Park in Ipswich. The team has prepared well for this event, and I know they are looking forward to the challenge. The College will be sending our Year 9 students along to support the runners. A reminder that they will be required to wear their formal school uniform, which includes the white shirt.
I have been reasonably pleased with the uniform on Saturdays but continue to ask that any student wishing to remain behind to watch the 1st XI at Tennyson this weekend also change into their formal uniform.
Finally, I would like to promote a father and teenage son weekend from 25-27 June that is being run by an external group called ‘men ALIVE - Growing Good Men’. ‘Growing Good Men’ is an experiential-based program that encourages and enables fathers and sons to strengthen their relationship and to explore important issues of growing into manhood. It is designed for fathers and their adolescent sons aged 12-17 years (school years 7-12). More information can be found here Growing Good Men.