Today saw the boys have their first big day out with the whole school when they attended the AAGPS Head of the River. This is always a big day and although not a super long day, the weather always adds its own challenges.

And so we gathered on the back ovals early this morning where the boys donned the sunscreen and met up with their Year 11 buddies again. Having met their buddies a week earlier, traveling with them on the bus to Penrith was a great chance to get to know them a little better.

When everyone was successfully paired up, we headed to the Sydney International Rowing Centre at Penrith – the rowing course that was purpose built for the Sydney Olympics. The Head of the River this year was held a few weeks earlier than usual and as a result there was always a risk that the day was going to be a warm one. We certainly weren’t left wondering and the sun was in full strength.

To the boys’ credit, they were superb in many ways. They were dressed impeccably, contributed to the cheering and behaved exceptionally well. With mixed results on the course the boys maintained the Joeys spirit that many of us have become accustomed to and showed great support to the boys competing, no matter the results of the races.

As you can see from the photo, although only on the banks for a few hours, the day certainly took it out of the boys – let’s just say a quieter trip home than that on the way there! I’m not complaining about that!!!

Back at school, the boys had a little bit of free time before heading down to their first sports rally. Although backing up from a hot and tiring day on the banks of the river, the boys put in a very pleasing effort to welcome the rowers back to the school.

Well done to all for an excellent effort in very warm conditions.

Photo 1: Lucas Mendez (Beecroft) and Liam Hamilton (Drummoyne) on the banks of the Sydney International Rowing Centre.

Photo 2: Oscar Skinner (Roseville), Tom Small (Willoughby) and Charlie Nicholas (East Ryde) make the most of some down-time on the bus.