During the recent school holidays a number of Year 9 travelled to the community of Warralong in the Pilbara for an indigenous immersion.

Lesley Maher, Director of Mission writes:

The boys were all excellent. They represented the school well and all were taken far out of their comfort zone. They made strong connections with the community and worked hard to achieve those connections. They coped with difficult conditions and were upbeat and great company. They also gave of themselves in situations that even adults would struggle with. They spent two mornings washing hair and combing out head lice, they painted, played, danced and shared cooked kangaroo tails under the stars. They collected rubbish from the never ending piles blown against the fences and coped with dust and heat and in some cases sickness. I was exceptionally proud of them all.

Please note Term 4 music lesson only go for 7 weeks. The week beginning 21 Nov is the last week for music tutors.

Please check your timetable in iLearn for the latest times.

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Joeys welcomed a  group of Kindy kids from Villa Maria Primary school as part of our Book Week celebrations. Their visit began in the drama theatre where a very talented group of Year 9 drama students entertained them with a play about Odysseus. The kids absolutely loved this performance.

Current exhibitions at the Museum of Contemporary Art and Art Gallery of NSW highlighted the diversity in practice of video art and photography. The boys were challenged to interpret the ideas and context of photographed imagery and time-based concepts. Their curiosity and engagement with the works showed a developing maturity of the boys as artists and photographers.

Year 9 congratulating Year 12 boys on their last day of school. 

Sunday morning, after a big breakfast of bacon, egg and sausages, we had a four-way tug-of-war before cleaning up and heading home.

After the Mass and discussions on Saturday evenings, the boys and fathers came together to sit around a massive bonfire. If you look carefully at the size of the people in the photos of the bonfire, you might get an idea of the size of the flames!

On Saturday evening the camp came together for Mass said by Father Gavin in a beautiful outdoor setting. This was followed by dinner then the boys and their fathers separated for some discussions on fathers and their relationships with their sons.

The Colo bus ferried people to the top of the ridge for a bushwalk which had views of the colo property and the campsite below.

The Colo River was popular (if a bit cold) for a swim or touch footy.

An orienteering course and local historical walk was also on offer.

There were a number of challenges (physical and mental) on the ropes course.

Boys and their fathers could take a leisurely canoe paddle around the lagoon, or fish from the pontoon. Unfortunately only carp were on offer.

There were a number of activities on offer. The challenge activities were popular where fathers and sons teamed up to overcome various challenges.

After lunch the weekend started with a large game of softball, which the fathers won 21-18.

Providing food for the 200 staff and boys on the weekend was a big logistical exercise.

I am pleased to report that all fathers and their sons have returned from the Father Son weekend at Colo safely. Some of the boys have their egos a little bruised after their fathers showed them up in the touch football, softball and various other activities, each of which the fathers won convincingly. There were no injuries apart from a sore nose that came from walking into a tree while wearing a pillowcase on the head – Mum’s this is secret men’s business, don’t even ask for an explanation!

In all seriousness, the cooperation of all and the spirit into which everyone entered into all the weekend activities was excellent. I hope the weekend was an enjoyable one and also beneficial for you all.