A nice way to start the new term is to reflect upon Term 1 as it allows us to pick up from where we left off. However, I thought it would be more appropriate if we reflected on Term 1 from the boys’ perspective.
As you may be aware, during Term 1, in Religious Education, the boys had an assessment where they had to create a brochure for the College. This was part of the “Church and School Communities” unit of the curriculum. Much of this unit focused on Joeys as not only a school community but also, due to our boarding structure, a church community.
Late last term, I received an email from Mr MacMaster who had attached a boy’s assignment which he had found particularly interesting.
When I read Patrick Dempsey’s (Seaforth) assignment, I found not only the content and humour particularly compelling but also it’s honesty. The assignment put a ‘real’ face on the experiences of our boys in Year 7 not only when they are here but also in their lead up to starting at Joeys.
There were two parts to the assignment. The first was the brochure, where the boys had to try and advertise the College in their own words. In a final statement in his brochure, Patrick wrote:
“Over all it’s the teachers and students at a school that truly make it a better place for your child to learn. At this school we teach discipline and good manners to all boys. We have a staff of dedicated teachers that will help your child learn and get through school, make friends and learn the true meaning of a term we use a lot hear at Joeys “it’s not a school it’s a family”.. So enroll your child for St Josephs today good luck.”
I think you would agree that for a 12 Year old boy to write a blurb like this is a great sign that he feels comfortable here at school.
In the second part of Patrick’s assignment, Patrick summarised his own story of arriving at Joeys. I have to admit that this section had me giggling in its honesty! Just for the record … the photos and pictures are the ones that Patrick had in his assignment. Enjoy!
“Hi my name is Pat Dempsey and this is my story…
Before coming to this school I attended Beauty Point Public School (B.P.P.S) in Mosman. Many of my close friends were going to a local public school Mosman High but my parents had chosen to send me to a school I barely knew… St Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill.
At first I refused and chose Mosman. So my parents took me to some of the opening nights. The nights would go for two hours and be a bunch of people getting up on stage and saying how this school was the best. After the speeches my parents would make me meet some of the people that spoke. I would try not to agree on anything with them and would even debate their point.
Later that month my grandma came out from England (she doesn’t have as much patience as my mum or dad). Once telling her I would rather go to Mosman High than Joeys, she went nuts as you would image any fifty six year old Catholic British woman would. In the end my parents won and I was sent off to Joeys.
Luckily for me I knew two boys going there already but that was it. The first day went slowly and I was still annoyed. Most of the boys would say hi to me and I think I would either ignore them or snarled at them.
Of course, later in the week I had no choice… I had to make friends and start to work harder. After a couple of weeks the school started to get better for me. The teachers were helping me and I had a great time at the Athletics Carnival coming 2nd in the long distance.
I’m now almost fished Term One and believe it or not, I now understand the meaning of “Joeys is not a school, it’s a family”. I must say at the moment everything is perfect at this school for the moment (except for the food) thank you.”
The boys here at Joeys come from such a wide variety of backgrounds, not only in regards to where they live but also how they ended up going to school here in the first place. There is no doubt that many boys are nervous and apprehensive before starting at Joeys … this is very natural, especially when so many of the boys live some distance from the school and know very few other boys before starting. It is wonderful to read the work of a boy who was not sold on the idea of Joeys before he started here but is clearly very happy with his experiences during first term.
Here’s to another great term!