From the Director of the Junior School, Anthony Banboukjian
Prayer for the Week
As this is our last week of term, and as we look back on our class work, our sport, our play and events in the life of our school community, let us give thanks to God.
Loving God,
You’ve shown us in Jesus your Son how to live in mutual love and respect. We pray that we will strive, to be sincere in our efforts to treat one another, with the respect that each deserves. We pray that all who form our school community will grow and flourish and reach their potential.
We make this prayer in union with your Spirit and in the name of Jesus your son
Amen.
Blessed Edmund Rice: Pray for Us.
St Mary of the Cross: Pray for Us.
Live Jesus in Our Hearts: Forever.
End of Term
It is hard to believe we have reached the halfway point of the 2017 school year. The boys have settled into an amazing routine – one that not only includes their academic program but also involves such things as sports training, Wakakirri rehearsals, band practice, music lessons, chess games and homework.
The boys will receive their half yearly reports in the first week of the holidays. I encourage you to take the time go through the report with your son and identify their strengths and weaknesses. The challenge for the boys is to find areas where they can improve in the second half of the year.
I hope everyone has a chance to recharge their batteries through the holidays because the next two terms are just as busy.
Stem Incursion
On Tuesday the year 6 boys were fortunate enough to have an incursion at school with the Fiftysix Creation group. The Fiftysix workshops gave our students an insight into the world of computer science, creativity and entrepreneurship.
It was a fun session with all the boys actively involved in planning a new business, looking at what makes a tablet work, controlling a robot or seeing how holograms work.
Parenting article to read
I’d like to encourage all parents to read the article by Victoria Prooday – a very interesting insight into parenting. It’s entitled ‘Why are our children so bored at school, cannot wait, get easily frustrated and have no real friends?’ To read the article, please click HERE.
Resilience
Two more examples of Michael Grose’s language of resilience.
5. “I know it looks bad now but you will get through this”
Strategy: Offering hope
Good for: Kids experiencing loss, bullying, change or extreme disappointment.
There are times when parents can do nothing else but keep their children’s chins up and encourage them when life doesn’t go their way. Being the ‘hope’ person can be hard work, that’s why parents need to be supported by resilient people and workplaces, too. It helps to be mindful that a child or young person’s resilience is nurtured by the presence of at least one supportive adult. You may have to be that person.
6. “What can you learn from this so it doesn’t happen next time?”
Strategy: Positive reframing
Good for: Kids who make mistakes, let others down or experience personal disappointment.
One of the common attributes of optimistic people is their ability to find a learning, or look for a message, in difficult or negative situations. Parents can help kids reframe events to help them see things differently. For instance, rather than regarding a public speaking opportunity as problematic and a chance to look foolish it’s better to reframe it as a challenge and a chance to shine. It also helps when parents model reframing so kids see you changing how you view seemingly negative or worrying situations.
Well Done
Well done to James Dyson Merwe and Jeremy Jos Rolland for raising $53 for the Smith Family in their own time
Prep First Rugby
The boys in the Prep First rugby team had the privilege of playing on the Waverley number 1 field at Queens Park last Saturday and from all reports performed extremely well. Below is Mr Harris’s report about the game – well done to everyone involved.
Prep U12 Rugby 1s & 2s v. St Augustines at Queens Park:
Prep 1st: HT 24-0 – Won 38-17 – Harper x3, Young, Abrahams, Johnson Tries – Young, Johnson, Standfield x2 Conversions
This was to be a very special day for the Prep 1st boys with a game on Queens Park No.1 Field, home to the 1st XV and many years where it formed the stage for the development of both past and future Wallabies. The boys were very excited about this opportunity and grateful to the offer coming from the Rugby Supporters Group, Convenor of Rugby John McCoy and Acting Sports Master Greg Elliott and Steve O’Donnell.
Steve was good enough to gather the boys in the change rooms before the game, where he explained some of the history of that change-room; the story of ‘Custard Pie’; and the reason it is called ‘Death Valley’. All this whilst the boys gathered around a poster sized historic photo of the Prep 1st team that contained many of the current 1st XV. It was a special moment. For the boys to then leave that shed to find so many of the High School boys forming a raucous, cheering tunnel out to the centre was truly special. There, referee Gill awaited their arrival. The ball not even in play and already so much to have cherished and enjoyed. This was only the third time in 115 years that the Prep 1st team had been granted such an honour and one that is a great initiative of the new era of Waverley Rugby.
This was the first time in many weeks that we had the full 19 man Prep 1st Squad back together. It was especially great to have back captain Lachlan Grant, and he and big Archie brought the crowd to their feet with some big hit ups throughout the half. However, it was some great runs and deft passing through the backs that saw Ryan Harper scored two wonderful long range tries in the first ten minutes that really excited the crowd. The boys dominated and two more tries to the dynamic Lucas Young and light footed Keyaan Abrahams had us up 24-nil at the break.
All this time it was great to have some of my old boys step up to want to help the boys from the sidelines. It was great to share the sideline with Finn O’Sullivan and Finn Wright, current 1st XV members and Max D’Agostino, a once brilliant Prep 1st Fly who has now turned to AFL. It was very special to have them show so much interest in the boys and to have such support. Brilliant!
The second half saw St Augustines fight back and outscore us for the half 17-12. Certainly something we need to work on here as our second halves are still a problem area in just this way. Still a powerful try to one of our forward workhorses in Tom Johnson and another fine backline try, which saw Ryan Harper score his third for the day, were still special moments.
It was a wonderful morning and great to see so many of the high school boys support our efforts. It was also great to be greeted by so many parents who have come through our junior school nursery step forward to say hi. It was wonderful to share it all with you and remember when all your boys shared their Saturday mornings with us. Thanks also to the many junior school staff and players who stayed back long after their games had finished to support the Prep 1st boys today.
Term 3
A reminder that school starts on Tuesday July 18 – Week B with normal training commencing as well.
