Tonight was the first dance of the year with Loreto Normanhurst. The dance was held here at the College in the hall. There was a lot of shoe cleaning done, deodorant and cologne applied, and a large amount of time spent fixing up hair in front of the mirror – that all happened in the Year 9 dorms before the girls arrived.

The boys and girls danced a number of different steps including the cha-cha and the traditional barn dance. The boys hosted the girls for supper with fresh fruit platters. A great night was had by all.

Miss Berriman’s French class spent the evening at a French restaurant and the cinema.

Mr O’Shea’s drama class had to create their own scene and act it out with masks on using only their movements and without facial expressions, which made it very difficult.

Below is (L-R) George Davis (coach), Elliot Simpson, Patrick Bingham, Charlie Lawler, Nic Rath, Lucas Easton at the Junior Head of the river.

Jack Lewis (Year 9) coxed the 2nd Year 10 VIII to a win.

This morning at assembly a number of Year 9 boys received awards and two Year 9 boys were part of the musical performance.

Zac Dadich (5/4 in cricket against Trinity) and Oliver Sidgreaves (6-0, 6-0 in tennis against Trinity)

Tom Creighton: 3rd in Athletics u15 age group, 61 points.

George Johnson: 2nd in Athletics u15 age group, 63 points.

Jayden Riley (Year 10): 1st in Athletics u15 age group, 96 points.

Daniel Gibbons and Max Klapdor performing at assembly.

Images are from Year 9 Visual Arts working on their self portraits

This evening during study David and myself ran a session for the Year 9 boys on how to set SMART goals. SMART is an acronym used to set goals which are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely.

We provided the boys with a booklet which allowed them to set some short, medium and long-term goals in academic and also non-academic areas. They also started to write down steps which they must undertake to work towards achieving their goals. While they are private to each boy, we encouraged them to share them with their parents and carers, and David and I will also work with the boys on achieving their goals.

It was great to see that almost all day students were present this evening. If your son was not and would like some help with goal setting, David and I are happy to help.

This afternoon all of Year 9 heard from an organisation called Batyr (batyr.com.au) who talked about resilience and mental health.

Batyr discussed the perceptions that people have of mental health and resilience and how those perceptions were not always positive. It was great to see that by the end of the incursion the Year 9 boys had a very different and positive perception of mental health and resilience.

The five key steps outlined for looking after mental health and resilience were:

• Look Out
• Get talking
• Listen up
• Reach out
• Take charge

Two of the presenters were young men who spoke about challenges they had with their own mental health and how they overcame it by getting professional help and using support of those around them.

We spoke to the boys about options for getting help from the College psychologists which can be arranged through myself or David.

This morning the boys learnt the subtleties of the “Cha-cha”.  After the athletics carnival yesterday there were a few tight hamstrings which made things difficult. Feet were going everywhere and there were a lot of bruised toes. There is another dance practice this Friday morning at 7:45am (luckily for the girls).

The big event is next Wednesday evening here at Joeys with our guests being Loreto Normanhurst.  Stay tuned for some more photos then!

It was great to see all of Year 9 competing well yesterday at the College Athletics Carnival.  The boys all ran in the 100m, 200m and the cross country event.

Boys also competed in long jump, high jump, shot put, 400m, 800m, 1500m and 3000m.

For the record, Gold house won the day, and will receive a special lunch next week.

Jack Lewis coxes the 2nd Year 10 VIII to a second place in the Riverview Gold Cup.

Mrs Fell’s Year 9 Science class have their turn at dissecting sheep brains.

Cheering practice after assembly this morning.

Jackson Armstrong and Cameron Gould addressing Year 9 about Social Justice

Jackson Armstrong and Cameron Gould, both in Year 12, are Liturgical leaders for Year 9. This morning they spoke to the boys about Social Justice. They explained that Social Justice is about looking after those who are less fortunate and having a positive change effect on people’s lives.

The boys asked for volunteers from Year 9 to form a Social Justice group that will come together to form a school-wide team. The Year 9 boys involved would be able to focus on whatever area they chose.

Jackson and Cameron talked about how this was a leadership opportunity for Year 9 boys to make a positive difference.

Henry Arthur receiving an award for the 16B tennis who won 6-0, 6-0.

Nic Rath receiving an award on behalf of the 1st Year 9 Quad who have 4 wins this season.

Hugh Bokenham is recognised for his 51 runs for the 2nd XI.

Harry Skinner receiving an award on behalf of the 5th Year 9 Quad who have had 4 wins this season.

Still 32 degrees here in Hunters Hill at 8:30pm