QUOTE: “THANK GOD – EVERY MORNING WHEN YOU GET UP – THAT YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WHICH MUST BE DONE, WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT. BEING FORCED TO WORK, AND FORCED TO DO YOUR BEST, WILL BREED IN YOU A HUNDRED VIRTUES WHICH THE IDLE WILL NEVER KNOW!”
Dear Parents/Guardians;
Welcome back to the new term and I trust your break with your sons was an enjoyable and productive one. The above quote was most applicable for many of the troops, and yours truly, after a lengthy winters break, but as usual the dorms were humming along again with plenty of energy and 
enthusiasm after the first night. The boys returned in great spirits well rested and with many stories about their Ministry Week experience, and it has been a full month, with Ministry Week dominating the last week of Term Two, since our boys were in class. I’m sure the long sleep-ins, and this period of time which the holidays provided, enabled our boys to rejuvenate, refresh and re-group.
Throughout the holidays though many of our boys worked on a whole range of extra-curricula activity from Drama to Sports. Our Year 11 Drama Production spent three days with Mr Pat O’Shea at School in the Drama Theatre with our Ski Team competing as well as our GPS Rugby Representatives having a busy schedule to complete on their way to Australian selection. Congratulations go to Sam Barclay who was selected in the N.S.W. 2nd XV and Tom Robertson who was selected in the Combined States side to compete in the National Schoolboy Rugby Union Championships in Brisbane. Congratulations also to Josh Schwager for his deserved selection in the N.S.W. U/16 Schools side to compete in this age 
groups National titles during the next holiday period. Daniel Hughes qualified for the State Skiing Titles with his outstanding effort in the recent Sydney Interschools Championships at Thredbo. Many of our Hospitality students completed their Work Placement and once again, it was great to hear the stories the boys told of their experiences.
We are still receiving most complimentary letters about our boys’ efforts while on Ministry Week. I have enjoyed the various anecdotes from the boys after working with the aged, poor or disabled. None more so than the following from Oliver Coorey:
“My Ministry Week was spent at Westmead Hospital, helping with the jobs in the volunteer department and I could not have thought to have gotten so much out of the experience as I did. I helped out in all areas of the hospital; helping people to wards, running messages, helping in the Geriatric and Emergency wards, and all of these areas taught me something that I had not yet realised. I met people who were living with cancer or tumours or other really horrible illnesses and diseases, however these people were among some of the most cheerful and optimistic people I have ever met.
There was a man who played in the Premier League in England, who was in for one of his twice-weekly total blood-transfusions. He told me all about his experience and how he actually was an academic by nature and we spoke for nearly half and hour about mathematics and soccer amongst other things. I was in awe at how calm he seemed and how interested he was in my opinions and the conversation, even though right next to him, his blood was literally being swapped.
I was taught that happiness is not in health, but rather in the acceptance of the situation. I was taught that if you do look towards the positives and the good that has come of where you are, then it is always easier to be happy in that place. I learnt that in the most depressing situations there is always a way to remove the sadness and I learnt that the most important key to happiness is not in the wealth or self-gain, but rather in the giving back to others, even portionally so much that they have given to you”.
Well done to all our boys on doing so well. Some of the stories, though not proclaiming great enjoyment, have really pushed our boys out of their comfort zones, in working with the aged and people less fortunate then themselves. I do hope the stories you shared with your son’s experience were enlightening for what has been a most successful experience. Many thanks must go to Ms. Helen Smith, Mrs. Mary Fogarty and Fr. Andrew, for organising this tremendous initiative.
The Ministry Work still continues as we resume again at Matthew Talbot Hostel with Andrew O’Neill, Dom Price, Lewis Mullins and Jackson Whiting serving the guests this Friday night.
Despite these holiday activities, at our Year meeting yesterday, Darren and I stressed the importance of starting well and getting immediately into their solid routines as this is their last term of Year 11, concluding with their HSC Preliminary Course Examinations. This time next term the boys will have 
commenced their Year 12 studies and starting well will be imperative. In saying this, we also want the boys to enjoy the journey, set realistic but challenging goals and keep a well balanced approach to their remaining terms here at Joeys. They must also remember that they are never alone in this exciting time for them, and there are many here on hand who will do whatever they can to help your son along the way.
At our Headmaster’s Assembly today Ross returned after taking a break during term two, which allowed him to not only spend more time with Lorna, but head overseas and see how other Boarding Schools run. And, whilst enjoying this experience, he added, he was very glad to be home! Ross pointed out to the boys, that during his time away one thing which interested him was observing the young people and what it was that made them happy….. the simple things. Simple things enjoyed and the simplest things done well. Walking home at night in Morocco and watching groups of youngsters playing with a flat soccer ball, other children playing cards and other simple games, all having a great time. He encouraged our boys to concentrate on finding joy in the simple things in life. He also encouraged the boys to focus not on what we can’t do, but on what we can do…… in our relationships, class and sport and all the time appreciate greatly what we have and the greatest joy is often found in the simplest of moments in our lives. Wise words for all our boys.
We also welcomed our six new Gap students from England and Ireland. This is a wonderful opportunity that our boys can apply for next year. Fifteen of our Class of 2010 are spending this year helping at varying schools all over the UK. It is becoming increasingly popular and not a bad way to spend their first year out of school as they decide what path they may take in their future.
Our 1st Debating Team were presented with their ties at the Assembly as they commence their first round against Grammar tonight. Special congratulations must go to Harry Maher for his selection in the 1st Team. Tim Litherland, Hamish Elliot and Max Hall are also to be congratulated on their selection in the 2nd Debating Team. We wish all of our Debaters the best of luck for their GPS season.
Nine of our boys were then presented with their Defence Technical Scholarship, which is awarded to Year 11 and 12 students, intending to
pursue an ADF general entry technical trade career after completing Year 12. Year 11 recipients will receive $2000, paid over two semesters and successful Year 12 students will receive $3000, paid over two semesters. 2000 such scholarships were awarded, so the following boys did remarkably well – Anthony Baker, Alex Beasley, Declan O’Donahue, Andrew O’Neill, Daniel Picone, Peter Ritter, Max Westacott, Curtis Witt and Christian Zizza.
With this deluge that has hit over the past few days there may be some changes to the competition round with Grammar tomorrow. I will keep you informed with any such changes, but in the meantime do your best to stay warm and dry and have an enjoyable weekend.
Regards
Jeremy