The SJC Big Band performed at assembly this morning. Year 9 boys in the band include Alex Sestanovic, Dominic Sestanovic and Nicholas Davies.

Mr Walker’s accelerated Mathematics class working hard during study last night. The were discussing the surface area and volume of a large ice cream cone.

Tonight was just another night like every other in the Year 9 ref (despite what your son probably tells you).

A tiger and flamingo watched on as the boys tucked into a Bollywood inspired food under coloured spotlights. The menu included an entree of samosas and two types of curry for mains. Dessert and supper also had an Indian flavour.

Like I said, just another ordinary night in the Year 9 dining room….

The 15D rugby after defeating Newington 22-5.

This morning at assembly two year 9 boys were recognised for recent sporting achievements.

Finn McDowell-Male for scoring 5 tries for the 15F Rugby against Knox.

Joe Kevans for scoring 5 tries against Scots in the 14E Rugby.

The boys were served blue donuts at recess today in preparation for tonight’s Rugby League State of Origin clash.

If you look carefully you will see that there was one maroon donut.  No one would touch it. Interestingly, the hole in the maroon donut was much bigger than the blue ones.

This morning at assembly the start of Reconciliation Week was marked by some of our indigenous boys. They also created a video which can be downloaded from http://tbf.me/a/CQUeUC.

Books & Blokes Breakfast with Tomas Fleming

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”

Edmund Burke

And so began a very confronting, poignant and moving presentation by Holocaust survivor and Joeys grandfather, Tom Fleming (formerly Fleischmann). It is hard to fathom that this dark part of our history actually occurred and such incredible evil was able to flourish; hearing the stories firsthand from a survivor was a powerful and overwhelming experience.
Tomas began his story with the family’s capture by the Gestapo after they lived in hiding while assisted by the Catholic Church. He spoke movingly of the final time he saw his father alive, and evoked the atmosphere of fear, horror and uncertainty during transportation across Slovakia and the Czech Republic in a putrid, stench-filled and overcrowded train. In the final years of World War II, Tomas and his pregnant mother Lolli survived arrest, internment at Szered Camp, transportation to Auschwitz and internment at Terezin where Lolli gave birth to another son Peter. Many times he came close to being killed but the incredible fighting spirit of his mother Lolli managed to keep both he and his baby brother alive in Terezin concentration camp against all odds. Tomas is one of only 123 survivors of 16,000 children who went through Terezin Concentration Camp during WWII.
What stood out from his story was Tomas’s incredible resilience, positive attitude, witty sense of humour and ability to adapt. His parting words of wisdom were: “You can’t stay bitter. You only have one bash at life, so try to make something of yourself and have a wonderful life.”

A truly incredible man and a remarkable story.
Our next Books & Blokes Breakfast will be on Monday 22 August, where Stan Grant will talk about his seminal book Talking to my Country. To RSVP click here.