I am proud of the way our students have embraced Term 2, packed with learning and activity. It is terrific to see students engaged in such a wonderful array of pursuits. Across the Junior School and Senior School it has been a busy term and I thank students, staff and parents for making this semester such a great success.
This week, the Junior School has been awash with red, white and blue as our students celebrated the upcoming Bastille Day. Having learnt about French culture in their lessons, students ‘marched’ down The Avenues singing traditional French songs with gusto before ‘storming’ Da Costa Dining Hall where they enjoyed delicious French treats and a range of recitals.
Another cherished Junior School tradition is the Years 5 and 6 Annual Concert, which I look forward to attending on Tuesday evening. I have no doubt Mr Varga and his talented team will deliver an outstanding performance, showcasing our outstanding Junior School Music program. Good luck to all involved.
Next Friday, we will welcome home our Year 10 students who will have spent the past 21 days exploring the Ikara-Flinders Ranges on their final Outdoor Education journey. In recent decades, much has been done to ‘sanitise’ education, so it’s crucial to ensure that experiences and opportunities for growth are not shielded from our students in this modern age. An education without a level of managed risk is not a true education. Outdoor education, physical activity, discipline and opportunities for shared and personal responsibility are all vital. I am sure our Year 10 students will have experienced significant personal growth on this journey, and we look forward to hearing all about their adventures upon their return.
My sincere thanks to everyone who has already contributed to our Annual Giving Appeal. Your support will be instrumental in the refurbishment of the School’s outdoor education facility at Finniss. As the end of the financial year approaches, I encourage you to make a tax-deductible donation towards this project. Every gift, no matter the size, will benefit all students and leave a lasting legacy for future generations. Thank you to the Junior School Friends of Saints and all those who attended Saturday’s Quiz Night for your generous donation to our Appeal.
Congratulations to our 1st XI Hockey Team for their 2-1 victory over PAC, securing their third consecutive School Sport SA State Hockey Championships. Our Cross Country athletes also had an outstanding day at the SSSSA State Championships, bringing home gold in three of our four team categories: 13 Year Boys, 16 Year Boys and Open Boys. A special mention of Andrei Chemutov (Year 7) who placed second in the 13 Year Boys and Stephen Lacroix-Sneyd (Year 11) who won the Open 6km event in a course record of 3:12 min/km.
As we approach the mid-year break, I challenge all students to find some space to review this semester. To ask themselves: How have I gone? Have I made any choices to take action or have I actually made choices to not take action, whether it be work, preparation or other. And what has been the outcome of that choice? If you can acknowledge the outcome of that as negative or positive, it’s likely you are developing a more confident sense of control in your life and a firm direction. I often remind students that you become what your habits are. Begin with a thought, turn that thought into an action, turn that action into a habit and turn that habit into an outcome. I encourage all boys to make this review of their choices and habits over the three-week break.
I acknowledge the team effort of all our staff and thank all families for your support in what has been a busy Semester. I hope everyone interested in participating in next year’s musical, Strictly Ballroom, has registered for the pre-season dance training over the holidays.
I wish you and your family a restful break and look forward to boys returning to campus in Term 3, fresh from the barber.
Tim Browning
Headmaster